- Asked by: Robert Brown, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Liberal Democrats
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Date lodged: Wednesday, 01 January 2003
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Current Status:
Answered by Lewis Macdonald on 9 January 2003
To ask the Scottish Executive how the extension by Her Majesty's Government of the consultation on the future development of air transport will affect Scotland.
Answer
The extension of the consultation period on The Future Development of Air Transport in the United Kingdom will, inevitably, delay the publication of the UK white paper. The Executive is currently discussing the implications for Scotland with the Department for Transport. An interim analysis of consultation responses is being conducted with a view to determining the degree of consensus amongst stakeholders and the possibilities for early action on devolved issues.
- Asked by: Robert Brown, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Liberal Democrats
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Date lodged: Thursday, 05 December 2002
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Current Status:
Answered by Margaret Curran on 7 January 2003
To ask the Scottish Executive whether Scottish Ministers will, under the Building (Scotland) Bill, be able to require that improvements be made, to a level no higher than that required by building standards, in an existing building or class of buildings where there is a clear public health and safety interest or other interest such as energy efficiency, or as a result of European legislation or where repairs are needed in case of damage caused by flood or storm, as referred to in section 17.1 of its consultation paper, Improving Building Standards: Proposals.
Answer
Yes. The relevant powers are set out in section 22 of the Building (Scotland) Bill.
- Asked by: Robert Brown, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Liberal Democrats
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Date lodged: Wednesday, 20 November 2002
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Current Status:
Answered by Margaret Curran on 3 January 2003
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will give details of the timetable of the proposed consultation period on the improvement to the stock transfer process, as announced in the ministerial statement on housing by the Minister for Social Justice on 7 November 2002, including the proposed start date and closing date for submissions, a list of organisations to be consulted and the proposed date of publication of its response.
Answer
The review is initially being focused, through interviews, on those directly involved to date in developing transfer proposals. Therefore, meetings are taking place with those involved in the whole transfer proposals in Glasgow, Dumfries and Galloway, Scottish Borders, Western Isles and Shetland Islands, and in partial transfers in Edinburgh and East Dunbartonshire.Once this information gathering phase is completed, there will be wider consultation early in the new year with interested bodies on the emerging conclusions.
- Asked by: Robert Brown, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Liberal Democrats
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Date lodged: Monday, 25 November 2002
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Current Status:
Answered by Hugh Henry on 17 December 2002
To ask the Scottish Executive which, and what percentage of, publications produced by the Scottish Court Service from May 1999 to June 2002 refer people to the Citi'en's Advice Bureau service for advice and assistance and whether Citi'ens Advice Scotland is made aware of such referrals prior to publication.
Answer
The Scottish Court Service has issued eight publications which contain a reference to the Citizens Advice Bureau as a potentially useful contact for users of the courts. These were:Office of the Public GuardianPower of Attorney. Guidance - General.Intormit with Funds. Guidance - Access to Funds.Intervention Orders (Part 6). Guidance for Financial Intervenors.Guardianship Orders (Part 6). General guidance for Financial guardians.Guardianship Orders (Part 6). Inventory and guidance notes.Guardianship Orders (Part 6). Management plan and guidance notes.CourtsDo-it-yourself Divorce.Victims Information Pack.Other guidance leaflets published by the Scottish Executive and distributed through the courts may contain references to Citizens Advice Bureau.Citizens Advice Scotland were consulted on the relevant publications issued by the Office of the Public Guardian. In future the Scottish Court Service will make Citizens Advice Scotland aware of any such future reference prior to publication.
- Asked by: Robert Brown, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Liberal Democrats
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Date lodged: Wednesday, 27 November 2002
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Current Status:
Answered by Jim Wallace on 13 December 2002
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will re-examine with the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service the nature of the evidence required for prosecutions of unlicensed houses of multiple occupation.
Answer
There are no plans to re-examine evidential requirements for prosecutions of breaches of law on licensing of houses in multiple occupation, but the local procurator fiscal would be happy to discuss specific concerns with any local council responsible for administration of the licensing scheme. The Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service will prosecute cases where there is sufficient evidence and prosecution is in the public interest.
- Asked by: Robert Brown, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Liberal Democrats
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Date lodged: Wednesday, 27 November 2002
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Current Status:
Answered by Margaret Curran on 11 December 2002
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will introduce a requirement that managers or persons in charge of houses of multiple occupation have permanent responsibility for complying with the licenses of such properties.
Answer
The Scottish Executive has no plans to change the provision whereby the owner of a house in multiple occupation is responsible for obtaining a licence and ensuring compliance with the conditions of the licence.
- Asked by: Robert Brown, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Liberal Democrats
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Date lodged: Wednesday, 27 November 2002
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Current Status:
Answered by Margaret Curran on 11 December 2002
To ask the Scottish Executive what action it is taking to enable prosecutions of unlicensed houses of multiple occupation to be brought against absentee and foreign-based house owners.
Answer
A prosecution can be brought against an owner residing anywhere within the UK. If they are outside the UK, the position is the same as for other offences which do not carry the possibility of a sentence of imprisonment. A Complaint can be served on them and, if they fail to appear for trial, trial may, with leave of the sheriff, proceed in absence under the terms of the Criminal Procedure (Scotland) Act 1995. At present any penalty imposed would not be enforceable outside the UK, but steps are being taken by the European Union to make it possible for fines imposed in one member state to be levied in another member state. There are no obvious prospects of such arrangements being extended to countries outside the European Union. The negotiation of such international agreements is a reserved matter.
- Asked by: Robert Brown, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Liberal Democrats
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Date lodged: Wednesday, 27 November 2002
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Current Status:
Answered by Ross Finnie on 11 December 2002
To ask the Scottish Executive whether local authorities have the power to differentiate between residents by charging housing associations but not owner occupiers or private landlords for taking away bulky items of refuse from back courts.
Answer
Local authorities have a discretionary power to charge householders for the collection of certain types of household waste, including bulky items. A list of such wastes is prescribed by The Controlled Waste Regulations 1992. In exercising this power, local authorities must determine when charges are to be levied on the basis of practical considerations.
- Asked by: Robert Brown, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Liberal Democrats
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Date lodged: Wednesday, 27 November 2002
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Current Status:
Answered by Margaret Curran on 11 December 2002
To ask the Scottish Executive how many prosecutions have been brought against the owners of unlicensed houses of multiple occupation in (a) Edinburgh and (b) Glasgow in each year since 1999.
Answer
(a) No cases have been reported to the Procurator Fiscal at Edinburgh and, accordingly, none have been prosecuted.(b) One case was reported to the Procurator Fiscal at Glasgow on 29 October 2002. It is being prosecuted but has not yet been called in court.
- Asked by: Robert Brown, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Liberal Democrats
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Date lodged: Wednesday, 20 November 2002
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Current Status:
Answered by Margaret Curran on 11 December 2002
To ask the Scottish Executive when decisions will be made on the #1.5 million allocated for the support of post offices in deprived urban areas.
Answer
The Executive is currently developing a fund to support post offices in deprived urban areas. Further details will be announced in due course.
