- Asked by: Mr Lloyd Quinan, MSP for West of Scotland, Scottish National Party
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Date lodged: Wednesday, 23 October 2002
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Current Status:
Answered by Malcolm Chisholm on 31 October 2002
To ask the Scottish Executive what action it is taking to resolve the issues which have led to the recent situation in the provision of mental health services in Dumbarton, Vale of Leven and Helensburgh.
Answer
NHS Argyll and Clyde is recruiting and taking the other action necessary to ensure that mental health services are available to meet health care needs in the area.
- Asked by: Mr Lloyd Quinan, MSP for West of Scotland, Scottish National Party
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Date lodged: Tuesday, 08 October 2002
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Current Status:
Answered by Malcolm Chisholm on 22 October 2002
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-28676 by Malcolm Chisholm on 24 September 2002, whether it would fund the testing of every autistic child for the presence of the measles virus if a validated test became available that would detect the virus other than in its acute viraemic stage.
Answer
It is not possible to give a definitive answer to such a question, about the availability and desirability of funding blood tests on children with autistic spectrum disorders, in the absence of a validated procedure, and subsequent detailed expert consideration of expected outcomes, whether in the context of medical research or the clinical requirements of an individual.
- Asked by: Mr Lloyd Quinan, MSP for West of Scotland, Scottish National Party
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Date lodged: Tuesday, 08 October 2002
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Current Status:
Answered by Malcolm Chisholm on 22 October 2002
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-28676 by Malcolm Chisholm on 24 September 2002 and in the light of results of the TaqMan PCR blood tests being duplicated in other laboratories, what further criteria would need to be met for it to recognise the test as a validated methodology.
Answer
In considering questions about blood tests on children with autistic spectrum disorders, the Executive will have regard to appropriate expert advice and the substantive weight of relevant research evidence relating to the validity and reliability of both the procedure and the purpose, whether in the context of medical research or the clinical requirements of an individual.
- Asked by: Mr Lloyd Quinan, MSP for West of Scotland, Scottish National Party
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Date lodged: Thursday, 19 September 2002
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Current Status:
Answered by Jim Wallace on 14 October 2002
To ask the Scottish Executive how (a) football stadia, (b) theatres, (c) care homes, (d) cinemas, (e) airports and (f) the rail network will operate in the event of any industrial action by fire service personnel given that their safety licences are issued by local authorities after inspection.
Answer
The key to safety in many situations in the event of fire is evacuation time, which does not rely on the presence of the Fire Service. Advice is being issued which will request those responsible to review evacuation procedures and fire prevention measures, taking account of the possibility of industrial action.
- Asked by: Mr Lloyd Quinan, MSP for West of Scotland, Scottish National Party
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Date lodged: Thursday, 19 September 2002
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Current Status:
Answered by Jim Wallace on 14 October 2002
To ask the Scottish Executive what life-saving and cutting equipment it or local authorities have purchased for use by the army in the event of any industrial action by fire service personnel and what the cost of purchasing any such equipment was.
Answer
None. Any equipment which the services consider necessary to acquire, in preparing their contingency planning in the event of industrial action by the Fire Service, is being acquired by the services themselves.
- Asked by: Mr Lloyd Quinan, MSP for West of Scotland, Scottish National Party
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Date lodged: Thursday, 19 September 2002
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Current Status:
Answered by Jim Wallace on 14 October 2002
To ask the Scottish Executive what training is being given to army personnel to allow them to undertake the duties normally undertaken by fire service personnel in the event of any industrial action by fire service personnel; who is providing this training, how many army personnel are being trained, and how many it estimates will need to be mobilised.
Answer
Personnel are being drawn from all 3 services across the whole of the defence establishment. In total across the UK this will involve about 19,000 personnel. Personnel will be trained and equipped to provide basic emergency fire and rescue cover. Some existing Service Fire Rescue Teams are already trained and experienced in the use of breathing apparatus and other special equipment but additional personnel are also being trained in these techniques. Training is being carried out at Service bases across the country.
- Asked by: Mr Lloyd Quinan, MSP for West of Scotland, Scottish National Party
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Date lodged: Thursday, 19 September 2002
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Current Status:
Answered by Jim Wallace on 14 October 2002
To ask the Scottish Executive what the economic consequences for, and impact on jobs in, the insurance industry will be in the event of any industrial action by fire service personnel and any resultant increase in insurance claims.
Answer
It would not be helpful to speculate on these matters at this time. The proposed industrial action is unnecessary, would be deeply damaging and could put lives at risk. The Fire Brigades Union (FBU) should co-operate with Professor Sir George Bain's Independent Review.
- Asked by: Mr Lloyd Quinan, MSP for West of Scotland, Scottish National Party
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Date lodged: Thursday, 19 September 2002
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Current Status:
Answered by Jim Wallace on 14 October 2002
To ask the Scottish Executive what contingency plans are now in place to deal with any industrial action by fire service personnel and what the estimated cost of implementing such plans would be.
Answer
Contingency plans are in place for a range of possible scenarios, including industrial action in the Fire Service. Detailed planning is taking place between the military and emergency services on the arrangements for responding to emergency calls. The costs will depend on the scale and duration of any industrial action.
- Asked by: Mr Lloyd Quinan, MSP for West of Scotland, Scottish National Party
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Date lodged: Friday, 20 September 2002
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Current Status:
Answered by Frank McAveety on 4 October 2002
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-29088 by Mr Frank McAveety on 20 September 2002, what plans there are to make the minutes of future meetings of the Autistic Spectrum Disorders Needs Assessment Report Working Group available and what the reasons are for the position on this matter.
Answer
These matters were not discussed at the meeting of the group on 24 June. Plans for recording and disseminating notes of meetings of the group will be discussed at the next meeting in November.
- Asked by: Mr Lloyd Quinan, MSP for West of Scotland, Scottish National Party
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Date lodged: Friday, 20 September 2002
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Current Status:
Answered by Frank McAveety on 4 October 2002
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-29088 by Mr Frank McAveety on 20 September 2002, what priorities were identified by the working group established by the Public Health Institute for Scotland to deliver the recommendations set out in the Autistic Spectrum Disorders Needs Assessment Report, when it met on 24 June 2002; how these priorities will be delivered, and within what timescale.
Answer
Priorities identified included improvements in diagnosis, joint working, training and research. Many of these priorities are for health and social work service providers to deliver at local level. We intend to write to local agencies in the near future on implementation of the report's recommendations.
