- Asked by: Pauline McNeill, MSP for Glasgow Kelvin, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Friday, 20 April 2001
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Current Status:
Answered by Susan Deacon on 16 May 2001
To ask the Scottish Executive what improvements will be brought about, both generally and specifically for patients, by relocating the Beatson Oncology Unit from its current site at the Western Infirmary to a new site at Gartnavel General Hospital in Glasgow.
Answer
This investment in state of the art radiotherapy equipment is expected not only to reduce current waiting times from seven weeks to two weeks but also to improve patients' experiences of their care through the provision of modern facilities.
- Asked by: Pauline McNeill, MSP for Glasgow Kelvin, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Friday, 20 April 2001
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Current Status:
Answered by Susan Deacon on 16 May 2001
To ask the Scottish Executive whether the move of the Beatson Oncology Unit within Glasgow is on target.
Answer
The first of the three new linear accelerators within Gartnavel Hospital was used to treat patients earlier this month. The second is due to be commissioned in June and the third by the end of this year. The programme is, therefore, currently on target.
- Asked by: Pauline McNeill, MSP for Glasgow Kelvin, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Tuesday, 06 February 2001
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Current Status:
Answered by Jack McConnell on 14 May 2001
To ask the Scottish Executive what provision is made for school education of asylum seekers' children aged 17 and 18.
Answer
The school education needs of children of asylum seekers is a matter for consideration by the education authority for the area concerned.
- Asked by: Pauline McNeill, MSP for Glasgow Kelvin, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Monday, 30 April 2001
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Current Status:
Answered by Nicol Stephen on 14 May 2001
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-12087 by Nicol Stephen on 4 January 2001, what progress has been made regarding the introduction in Scotland of provisions similar to those in clause 13 of the UK Special Educational Needs and Disability Bill.
Answer
The provision referred to has now become Clause 14 of the Special Educational Needs and Disability Bill. Clause 14 requires local education authorities and schools in England and Wales to plan, to increase participation in the curriculum and physical access to school premises and also to improve the delivery of information for disabled pupils.The Executive is considering a number of legislative and other routes to give effect to the new duty in Scotland.
- Asked by: Pauline McNeill, MSP for Glasgow Kelvin, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Monday, 30 April 2001
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Current Status:
Answered by Wendy Alexander on 14 May 2001
To ask the Scottish Executive when the Scottish Higher Education Funding Council (SHEFC) will report on the Teaching Funding and Research Policy and Funding reviews mentioned in the SHEFC's April 2001 meeting report.
Answer
The consultation period for both these reviews concluded at the end of March. On the Teaching Review, it is expected that revised proposals will be put to the council for consideration in the autumn and for the Research Review, by the end of the year.I have asked the council to keep me in touch with developments prior to any final decisions being taken.
- Asked by: Pauline McNeill, MSP for Glasgow Kelvin, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Friday, 20 April 2001
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Current Status:
Answered by Jack McConnell on 11 May 2001
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will give consideration to standardisation of the Easter school holidays across Scotland to avoid annual variance in the length of the summer term given the adverse impact current arrangements may have on pupils from different year groups and local authorities sitting examinations.
Answer
Following representations received about different dates set in different areas, officials wrote to authorities in February last year to ask how holidays were currently co-ordinated between authorities and what could be done to improve liaison in the future. In response, most authorities indicated that they held discussions with their neighbours with a view to securing a consistent approach although complete consistency could not always be achieved because of local circumstances and local holidays. I am considering the detailed responses further.
- Asked by: Pauline McNeill, MSP for Glasgow Kelvin, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Monday, 23 April 2001
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Current Status:
Answered by Jim Wallace on 4 May 2001
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it plans to work with Her Majesty's Government and international authorities to legislate to end the global sex slave trade.
Answer
Responsibility for contacts with international authorities and for the laws on immigration and international trafficking in persons is reserved to the United Kingdom Government, with which the Scottish Executive is in regular contact on a wide range of issues.There are already provisions in Scots law to protect individuals from exploitation and abuse. No specific further legislation is presently planned, but the position is kept under review.
- Asked by: Pauline McNeill, MSP for Glasgow Kelvin, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Monday, 23 April 2001
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Current Status:
Answered by Jim Wallace on 4 May 2001
To ask the Scottish Executive what action it is taking in conjunction with Her Majesty's Government to ensure that any victims of sex slavery in Scotland are returned to safety.
Answer
The Scottish Executive is in regular contact with the Home Office about a wide range of criminal justice matters. Scottish Police forces also work closely with other national and international law enforcement agencies. Anyone with information which relates to trafficking of women for sexual exploitation should report this to the Police. While the action taken by the Police is an operational matter for individual forces, the Police first need grounds to act. Thereafter, a number of agencies might be involved in providing support for any victims.
- Asked by: Pauline McNeill, MSP for Glasgow Kelvin, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Monday, 23 April 2001
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Current Status:
Answered by Jim Wallace on 4 May 2001
To ask the Scottish Executive what action it is taking against those responsible for any incidence of sex slavery.
Answer
The Scottish Executive deplores trafficking in people for the purposes of sexual exploitation. Responsibility for the laws on immigration and international trafficking of this kind is reserved to the United Kingdom Government.However, those involved in sexual exploitation could, under Scots law, be committing one or more of a variety of crimes, the most serious of which can attract up to life imprisonment.
- Asked by: Pauline McNeill, MSP for Glasgow Kelvin, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Monday, 23 April 2001
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Current Status:
Answered by Jim Wallace on 4 May 2001
To ask the Scottish Executive what efforts are being made to seek out females entrapped through sex slavery.
Answer
The trafficking of women for sexual exploitation is a serious matter. The Police will rigorously investigate any information or complaints made to them about this. Scottish Police forces also work closely with other national and international law enforcement agencies. Anyone with information which relates to any suspected criminal activity in this area should therefore report it to the police.
