- Asked by: Jamie Hepburn, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish National Party
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Date lodged: Monday, 26 October 2009
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Current Status:
Answered by Roseanna Cunningham on 5 November 2009
To ask the Scottish Executive what information it has on the amount generated for the local economy by the Clyde Muirshiel Regional Park in each year since its designation.
Answer
Management of regional parks is a matter for the relevant local authorities.
Reports commissioned by VisitScotland since 2002 indicate visitor numbers (expressed as tourist days) and the estimated local economic contribution from these visits for the Clyde Muirshiels Regional Park which was formally designated in 1990, as follows:
| Year | 2002 | 2003 | 2004 | 2005 | 2006 | 2007 | 2008 |
| No. tourist days (thousands) | 1,626 | 1,691.2 | 1,750.6 | 1,312.6 | 1,210.2 | 1,228.4 | 1,221.3 |
| Estimated contribution to local economy (£ million) | 76.7 | 80.16 | 84.19 | 65.0 | 61.4 | 65.08 | 67.5 |
Both the Pentland Hills and Fife (Lomond Hills) Regional Parks were formally designated in 1986. I am not aware of any data on the local economic contribution attributable to these Parks, or for the Loch Lomond Regional Park (designated in 1988), the management of which has been taken over by the National Park Authority as part of the larger Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park.
- Asked by: Jamie Hepburn, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish National Party
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Date lodged: Monday, 26 October 2009
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Current Status:
Answered by Jim Mather on 5 November 2009
To ask the Scottish Executive what information it has on the rate of closures of businesses operated by disabled people as opposed to that of businesses overall.
Answer
Official statistics on business closures, derived from VAT/PAYE de-registrations data, are released annually by the Office for National Statistics.
The VAT/PAYE de-registrations data cannot specifically distinguish businesses operated by disabled people. Therefore rates of closures of businesses operated by disabled people, as opposed to that of business overall, are not available.
- Asked by: Jamie Hepburn, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish National Party
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Date lodged: Wednesday, 28 October 2009
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Current Status:
Answered by Kenny MacAskill on 5 November 2009
To ask the Scottish Executive how it is assessed that work done on a work placement as part of a community service order is not depriving others of paid employment, as set out in paragraph 13 of chapter 3 of National Objectives for Social Work Services in the Criminal Justice System: Standards - Community Service.
Answer
Guidance on Community Service, which has replaced the National Standards for Community Service from 1 June 2009, maintains the requirement that community service work placements should not be used in situations which are likely to deprive others of the opportunity for paid employment. It is for each community service scheme, in each local authority, to ensure that this requirement is met, based on the service managers'' assessment and taking into account the local circumstances and needs in each case.
- Asked by: Jamie Hepburn, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish National Party
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Date lodged: Tuesday, 06 October 2009
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Current Status:
Answered by Stewart Stevenson on 4 November 2009
To ask the Scottish Executive what the legal requirements are on commercial bus and coach operators to allow access to their services for passengers with mobility problems.
Answer
The Public Service Vehicles Accessibility Regulations (PSVR) 2000 is reserved to Westminster. This legislation sets out that all new buses have had to be accessible since 31 December 2000. All other buses must be fully accessible by 1 January 2017 at the latest and all coaches by 1 January 2020 at the latest.
- Asked by: Jamie Hepburn, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish National Party
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Date lodged: Tuesday, 06 October 2009
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Current Status:
Answered by Stewart Stevenson on 4 November 2009
To ask the Scottish Executive whether commercial bus and coach operators are required to carry mobility scooters belonging to passengers.
Answer
None of the accessibility regulations for buses and coaches, which are reserved to Westminster, cover the carriage of mobility scooters. This is because scooters are outdoor vehicles generally intended for use as an alternative to public transport for short trips.
- Asked by: Jamie Hepburn, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish National Party
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Date lodged: Tuesday, 06 October 2009
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Current Status:
Answered by Stewart Stevenson on 4 November 2009
To ask the Scottish Executive whether there is a legal maximum load weight for commercial buses and coaches.
Answer
The Road Vehicles (Authorised Weight) Regulations 1998 (as amended) is reserved to Westminster. This legislation specifies a maximum authorised weight limit of 18,000kg for a two axle coach and 26,000kgs for a three axle coach.
- Asked by: Jamie Hepburn, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish National Party
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Date lodged: Tuesday, 06 October 2009
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Current Status:
Answered by Shona Robison on 3 November 2009
To ask the Scottish Executive what role denturists have in the NHS.
Answer
In the UK, the role of denturists is now recognised as a clinical dental technician, who may make and fit dentures.
Clinical dental technicians may be directly employed by NHSScotland boards to make and fit dentures, or work to a dentist in a general dental practice providing an NHS service, under general dental service arrangements.
- Asked by: Jamie Hepburn, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish National Party
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Date lodged: Tuesday, 06 October 2009
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Current Status:
Answered by Shona Robison on 3 November 2009
To ask the Scottish Executive what training in the manufacture and fitting of dentures is available to NHS employees.
Answer
The General Dental Council (GDC) determines the appropriate UK standard of proficiency required for a person to practise competently and safely, and also the content and standard of the education and training (including practical experience) it considers is necessary for imparting the knowledge and skills required for individuals to obtain that proficiency.
Presently there are two GDC approved courses available to NHS employees wishing to manufacture and fit dentures. The Edinburgh Dental Institute (EDI) offers a 37-week full-time course and Kent, Surrey and Sussex Deanery (KSSD) offer a two-year distance learning programme.
Those who successfully complete GDC approved educational and training requirements which qualify them to manufacture and/or fit dentures, including those who become NHS employees, are expected to maintain their skills and knowledge as necessary through continuing professional development.
Further information is available from the GDC website http://www.gdc-uk.org/.
- Asked by: Jamie Hepburn, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish National Party
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Date lodged: Tuesday, 06 October 2009
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Current Status:
Answered by Shona Robison on 2 November 2009
To ask the Scottish Executive which NHS medical professionals can make and fit dentures.
Answer
Only dentists and clinical dental technicians registered with the General Dental Council (GDC) can legally make and fit dentures.
- Asked by: Jamie Hepburn, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish National Party
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Date lodged: Tuesday, 06 October 2009
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Current Status:
Answered by Shona Robison on 2 November 2009
To ask the Scottish Executive whether and, if so, by what process practising denturists can register with the General Dental Council.
Answer
Denturist is not a title recognised for registration purposes by the regulatory body the General Dental Council (GDC). Dental technicians (who make dentures) and clinical dental technicians (who make and fit dentures) can register with the GDC if they hold a qualification approved by the GDC. It is a legal requirement for dental professionals to register with the GDC in order to work in the UK.
Further information on registration is available from the GDC website:
http://www.gdc-uk.org/Potential+registrant/.
