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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.

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Question reference: S2W-20184

Asked by: Kenny MacAskill, MSP for Lothians, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Monday, 31 October 2005
Current Status: Answered by Hugh Henry on 10 November 2005

To ask the Scottish Executive how many (a) uniformed and (b) non-uniformed lesbian, gay or transsexual personnel are employed in the fire and rescue services in (i) retained posts, (ii) wholetime posts, (iii) emergency fire control rooms and (iv) volunteer and auxiliary posts.

Question reference: S2W-20199

Asked by: Kenny MacAskill, MSP for Lothians, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Monday, 31 October 2005
Current Status: Answered by Hugh Henry on 10 November 2005

To ask the Scottish Executive who advises it on fire service matters, following the abolition of the Scottish Central Fire Brigades Advisory Council.

In addition to consulting a wide range of stakeholders on specific fire and rescue service issues, the Scottish ministers have the benefit of advice prepared by HM Chief Inspector of Fire Services in Scotland.

The Scottish Executive has consulted widely on proposals for a replacement advisory structure. In April 2005, we published the analysis report of the consultation responses. In the light of those responses, which generally supported two of the proposed six models for a new structure, we have been in discussion with the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities and the Chief Fire Officers Association on how they see the model favoured by the majority of respondents as working in practice. We will give consideration to the final proposals and will advise stakeholders of a decision in due course. In the meantime, we will continue to consult with a wide range of stakeholders on specific issues.

Question reference: S2W-20192

Asked by: Kenny MacAskill, MSP for Lothians, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Monday, 31 October 2005
Current Status: Answered by Hugh Henry on 10 November 2005

To ask the Scottish Executive when each fire control room was last upgraded and what the expected lifespan of each upgrade was.

Question reference: S2W-20186

Asked by: Kenny MacAskill, MSP for Lothians, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Monday, 31 October 2005
Current Status: Answered by Hugh Henry on 10 November 2005

To ask the Scottish Executive what measures have been taken in respect of equality issues within the fire and rescue services.

Measures taken include:

The revision, and later repeal, of the regulations in respect of appointments and promotion, and the consequent facilitation of the Integrated Personal Development system and multi-tier entry to the Fire and Rescue Service

Funding by the Scottish Executive of the Fire Fighter Development Programme which includes an equality module produced by HM Fire Services Inspectorate

The production of guidance on disability discrimination issues by the Chief Fire Officers Association, working in partnership with the Disability Rights Commission and HM Fire Services Inspectorate

The production of guidance on race equality issues, undertaken by HM Fire Services Inspectorate in partnership with the Commission for Racial Equality

The production of guidance by HM Fire Services Inspectorate on Positive Action campaigns for recruitment

The appointment to HM Fire Services Inspectorate of an equality, diversity and cultural change advisor to assist with the above tasks and the on-going inspection of fire and rescue services undertaken by the Inspectorate

Funding by the Scottish Executive for a cultural audit to be undertaken across all eight fire and rescue services,the results of which will be available in the next few months and will form a basis for the preparation of action plans on equality and diversity issues.

Question reference: S2W-20183

Asked by: Kenny MacAskill, MSP for Lothians, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Monday, 31 October 2005
Current Status: Answered by Hugh Henry on 10 November 2005

To ask the Scottish Executive how many (a) uniformed and (b) non-uniformed black and ethnic minority personnel are employed in the fire and rescue services in (i) retained posts, (ii) wholetime posts, (iii) emergency fire control rooms and (iv) volunteer and auxiliary posts.

Question reference: S2W-20190

Asked by: Kenny MacAskill, MSP for Lothians, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Monday, 31 October 2005
Current Status: Answered by Hugh Henry on 10 November 2005

To ask the Scottish Executive what the projected lifespan is of each emergency fire control room.

Question reference: S2W-20188

Asked by: Kenny MacAskill, MSP for Lothians, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Monday, 31 October 2005
Current Status: Answered by Hugh Henry on 10 November 2005

To ask the Scottish Executive how many people have been recruited to the fire and rescue services under the new procedure of multi-tier entry and accelerated promotion, broken down by equality strand.

This is primarily a matter for fire and rescue authorities and joint fire and rescue boards. Procedures for promoting multi-tier entry to uniformed roles will be considered further once the change from a rank-based structure to a role-based structure (the Integrated Personal Development System) are completed, no later than the spring of 2006.

HM Fire Services Inspectorate report that there has been a significant number of staff recruited into non-uniformed roles within the Fire and Rescue Service into non-operational positions which were historically occupied by uniformed staff. Further details are available on the Inspectorate’s website at www.scotland.gov.uk/hmifs.

There is currently no specific procedure for accelerated promotion within the Fire and Rescue Service. However, it is open to staff to develop and compete for promotion to any role within the Integrated Personal Development System.

Question reference: S2W-20191

Asked by: Kenny MacAskill, MSP for Lothians, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Monday, 31 October 2005
Current Status: Answered by Hugh Henry on 10 November 2005

To ask the Scottish Executive who has been consulted as part of the further consultation on the future of emergency fire control rooms.

Question reference: S2W-20197

Asked by: Kenny MacAskill, MSP for Lothians, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Monday, 31 October 2005
Current Status: Answered by Hugh Henry on 9 November 2005

To ask the Scottish Executive how many vacancies there are in the retained duty system in each fire and rescue authority.

Question reference: S2W-20189

Asked by: Kenny MacAskill, MSP for Lothians, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Monday, 31 October 2005
Current Status: Answered by Hugh Henry on 9 November 2005

To ask the Scottish Executive when a decision will be made in respect of proposals to amalgamate emergency fire control rooms.