- Asked by: Maureen Macmillan, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Wednesday, 27 February 2002
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Current Status:
Answered by Jim Wallace on 28 February 2002
To ask the Scottish Executive how it intends to respond to the recently published evaluation of the Public Defence Solicitors' Office pilot in Edinburgh.
Answer
Having carefully considered the evaluation, I have decided to continue with the Edinburgh pilot for a further period beyond the current end date of October 2003, and to consider launching one or two further pilot projects in other locations. I will bring forward the necessary legislative proposals and make a more detailed statement in due course.
- Asked by: Maureen Macmillan, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Wednesday, 30 January 2002
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Current Status:
Answered by Hugh Henry on 7 February 2002
To ask the Scottish Executive what role it sees for community pharmacies in achieving its objectives for the NHS.
Answer
The role which we see community pharmacists fulfilling in the future as key members of the Primary Care team is set out in The Right Medicine: A Strategy for Pharmaceutical Care in Scotland which was published on 4 February (Bib. number 18835).
- Asked by: Maureen Macmillan, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Wednesday, 23 January 2002
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Current Status:
Answered by Nicol Stephen on 31 January 2002
To ask the Scottish Executive what measures it is taking to stamp out violence against school staff.
Answer
There is no place in Scotland's schools for violent or abusive behaviour.The Scottish Executive currently funds a number of initiatives aimed at improving discipline, addressing bullying and developing a positive ethos in schools.In addition, the report of the Discipline Task Group, Better Behaviour - Better Learning, made 36 recommendations aimed at improving discipline in Scotland's schools. The Action Plan, published in December 2001, sets out how these recommendations will be implemented.
- Asked by: Maureen Macmillan, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Wednesday, 09 January 2002
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Current Status:
Answered by Wendy Alexander on 17 January 2002
To ask the Scottish Executive how it is assisting adult education projects.
Answer
Significant funding is allocated directly by Government Departments or routed through Executive Agencies, Local Authorities, learndirect scotland and the Enterprise network to support a wide range of community and work based adult education projects.
- Asked by: Maureen Macmillan, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Wednesday, 12 December 2001
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Current Status:
Answered by Margaret Curran on 20 December 2001
To ask the Scottish Executive what progress is being made in combating domestic abuse.
Answer
A National Group to Address Domestic Abuse was established in April and continues to take forward the implementation of the National Strategy to Address Domestic Abuse in Scotland. Three issue-based working groups have been set up: to review legislation relating to domestic abuse; to review recommendations on refuge provision, and to develop a prevention strategy.Significant resources have been committed to this implementation including a total of £12 million for a Refuge Development Programme and £6 million over four years for the Domestic Abuse Service Development Fund.On 6 December we launched a new phase of our awareness raising campaign. Targeted at 16 to 25-year-olds, its aim is to reach new audiences through the use of different media, such as beermats, outdoor posters, convenience advertising and a website.
- Asked by: Maureen Macmillan, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Wednesday, 21 November 2001
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Current Status:
Answered by Nicol Stephen on 29 November 2001
To ask the Scottish Executive what steps are being taken to implement local agreements on the 35-hour working week for teachers.
Answer
All local authorities and Scottish schools have reached agreement on how to implement the 35 hour working week. This is the first stage of a four-stage process scheduled to end in August 2006 which will be taken forward by the Scottish Negotiating Committee for Teachers. The Scottish Executive will support and encourage the work needed at every level.
- Asked by: Maureen Macmillan, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Friday, 23 November 2001
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Current Status:
Answered by Jim Wallace on 26 November 2001
To ask the Scottish Executive when the report and recommendations of the Review of Legal Advice and Information Provision in Scotland Working Group will be published.
Answer
The Review of Legal Advice and Information Provision in Scotland Working Group is today publishing its report. I very much welcome the publication of the report and look forward to reading it in detail and considering its findings. I greatly value the hard work and dedication of the members of the working group over the last year.
- Asked by: Maureen Macmillan, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Wednesday, 07 November 2001
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Current Status:
Answered by Iain Gray on 15 November 2001
To ask the Scottish Executive what progress is being made with the introduction of the Criminal Justice Bill.
Answer
We intend to introduce a Criminal Justice Bill in early 2002. It will introduce new arrangements for the treatment of serious violent and sexual offenders, as set out in our White Paper of June. It will also introduce other measures, which will be outlined in a further White Paper to be published shortly.
- Asked by: Maureen Macmillan, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Wednesday, 31 October 2001
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Current Status:
Answered by Jack McConnell on 8 November 2001
To ask the Scottish Executive what success it has had with its campaign to attract mature entrants into teaching.
Answer
The recent Teacher Recruitment Advertising Campaign has the twin objectives of improving public perception of teaching as a worthwhile and rewarding career and increasing the numbers of talented people entering the teaching profession. The campaign was not specifically aimed at mature entrants to the profession. Nevertheless 70% of callers responding to the recent run of adverts and requesting further information on teaching and entry requirements were in the 25-44 age group.
- Asked by: Maureen Macmillan, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Monday, 08 October 2001
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Current Status:
Answered by Jack McConnell on 26 October 2001
To ask the Scottish Executive what criteria are used when considering funding bids for new schools under the second phase of Public/Private Partnership.
Answer
Scottish Executive Education Department Circular 8/2001, copies of which are available in the Parliament's Reference Centre, includes a list of the criteria against which bids for revenue support for further school Public/Private Partnership proposals will be assessed. The list, in descending order of priority, is:
- Management of issues that may impact on delivery
- Project management structure
- Realism of procurement timetable
- Support for the project within the authority
- Extent to which the estate management plan reflects or is likely to reflect the Executive's proposed long-term strategy for improving Scotland's school environment
Approach to community use of school facilities, especially sports facilities and pitch provision, and the steps being taken to place this in the context of overall provision.