Chamber and committees

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.

Find out more about parliamentary questions

Filter your results Hide all filters

Displaying 1997 questions Show Answers

Order by |

Question reference: S1W-12066

Asked by: Kenneth Gibson, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Friday, 15 December 2000
Current Status: Answered by Susan Deacon on 3 January 2001

To ask the Scottish Executive what measures it will take to ensure the prudent use of antibiotics in order to maximise their effectiveness for patients.

The need for concerted action in this area was highlighted in the House of Lords Select Committee on Science and Technology's Report Resistance to Antibiotics and other Microbial Agent. In response, the UK Government gave a commitment to develop a comprehensive UK Antimicrobial Resistance Strategy and in line with this, a UK strategy document was issued earlier this year.

In order to provide further focus on action in Scotland, a draft Action Plan for Scotland was issued for consultation at the same time. This covers three key inter-related elements namely surveillance, prudent antimicrobial use in human, animal and agricultural practice, and infection control. The Action Plan is currently being reviewed in the light of the comments received as part of this exercise and a revised version will be issued to a wide range of interests in due course.

Also, in December 1999, as the first phase of an education campaign, the Executive launched publicity materials to further raise awareness of this issue. These included posters and leaflets that were circulated widely to GP practices, dental practitioners and pharmacists to help bring the issue to the attention of the general public. On 20 December this year, this message was reinforced at a press conference to increase public awareness of the problem.

The Scottish Executive Health Department is advised in this area by the Advisory Group on Infection. The Advisory Group has set up a sub-group on Hospital Acquired Infection and Antimicrobial Resistance, which is currently considering a framework for antimicrobial resistance surveillance systems in Scotland.

Question reference: S1W-12147

Asked by: Kenneth Gibson, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 20 December 2000
Current Status: Answered by Peter Peacock on 3 January 2001

To ask the Scottish Executive which of the Parliament's committees it intends to invite to participate in the recently announced review of Scotland's cities.

Question reference: S1W-12149

Asked by: Kenneth Gibson, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 20 December 2000
Current Status: Answered by Peter Peacock on 3 January 2001

To ask the Scottish Executive when it expects the outcome of the recently announced review of Scotland's cities to be presented to the Parliament.

Question reference: S1W-12130

Asked by: Kenneth Gibson, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 20 December 2000
Current Status: Answered by Wendy Alexander on 3 January 2001

To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it is taking to reduce long-term unemployment in males aged 50-64 and females aged 50-59.

Question reference: S1W-11859

Asked by: Kenneth Gibson, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Friday, 08 December 2000
Current Status: Answered by Peter Peacock on 22 December 2000

To ask the Scottish Executive what percentage of the #1.2 billion additional grant for local authorities over the next three years announced by the Minister for Finance and Local Government on 7 December 2000 will be absorbed by (a) inflation and (b) funding the recommendations of the McCrone Committee.

Question reference: S1W-11860

Asked by: Kenneth Gibson, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Friday, 08 December 2000
Current Status: Answered by Peter Peacock on 22 December 2000

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will provide additional resources to local authorities over the next three years if inflation exceeds 2.5% in any year.

Question reference: S1W-11857

Asked by: Kenneth Gibson, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Friday, 08 December 2000
Current Status: Answered by Sam Galbraith on 22 December 2000

To ask the Scottish Executive what financial assistance it will give to Glasgow City and South Lanarkshire Councils to reduce the flood threat from the River Cart.

Question reference: S1W-11858

Asked by: Kenneth Gibson, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Friday, 08 December 2000
Current Status: Answered by Sam Galbraith on 22 December 2000

To ask the Scottish Executive what the current average cost is per hectare of (a) restoring a plot of derelict land and (b) bringing a plot of vacant land to productive industrial use.

Question reference: S1W-11856

Asked by: Kenneth Gibson, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Friday, 08 December 2000
Current Status: Answered by Sam Galbraith on 22 December 2000

To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions it has had with the Clyde Port Authority regarding the recommencement of dredging of the River Clyde to minimise the potential for flooding.

Dredging of the River Clyde is not a matter for the Executive and no discussions have taken place with Clydeport Plc - formerly the Clyde Port Authority. The company has powers to dredge part of the River Clyde for the purposes of navigation whilst maintenance of rivers for other purposes is a matter for the riparian owners.

Additionally, under the Flood Prevention (Scotland) Act 1961 local authorities have a duty to maintain watercourses if this would substantially reduce the likelihood of flooding of non-agricultural land in their areas.

Question reference: S1W-11852

Asked by: Kenneth Gibson, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Friday, 08 December 2000
Current Status: Answered by Wendy Alexander on 22 December 2000

To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it is taking to improve the poor perception of jobs in the service sector amongst males as highlighted in the Action Teams for Jobs Report 2000.

Action Teams for Jobs is a Department for Education and Employment initiative which targets the most disadvantaged areas to help workless people get a job and keep it. The Glasgow Action Team for Jobs believes from their work with clients that this perception is changing.

The Scottish New Deal Advisory Task Force and the Glasgow Employer Coalition are also taking initiatives which address this issue.