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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: S3W-36012

Asked by: Willie Coffey, MSP for Kilmarnock and Loudoun, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 01 September 2010
Current Status: Answered by Stewart Stevenson on 24 September 2010

To ask the Scottish Executive what the cost is of land acquisition for the construction of the Floak to Fenwick extension of the M77, including fees and other costs, (a) as estimated at project approval, (b) incurred to 1 August 2010 and (c) estimated for inclusion in the final account.

It is not possible to provide an exact figure for costs relating to land acquisition for the M77 Fenwick to Floak special roads scheme as all figures relating to the scheme were combined into a single project with the M77 Fenwick to Malletsheugh scheme. Records which show the estimated costs at the project approval stage no longer exist. However, land acquisition costs for the combined scheme are as follows:

(a) In 2002, the estimated costs were approx. £2.1 million

(b) The actual spend to date is approx. £3.2 million

Question reference: S3W-31863

Asked by: Willie Coffey, MSP for Kilmarnock and Loudoun, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Monday, 22 February 2010
Current Status: Answered by John Swinney on 3 March 2010

To ask the Scottish Executive when it will bring forward proposals to reform conveyancing law and, in particular, procedures for disposals a non domino.

We intend shortly to go out to consultation on a proposed Bill that would convert ultra-long leases into outright ownership. This would implement Report No. 204 by the Scottish Law Commission on Conversion of Long Leases. The introduction of any Bill would depend upon the views of consultees and the availability of Parliamentary time.

The Scottish Law Commission''s Report and Draft Bill on Land Registration was published on 26 February 2010. It includes a recommendation intended to clarify and make technical improvement to the law as to when a disposition a non domino (i.e. a title granted by a party who does not own the land in question) may be registered in the Land Register of Scotland. I have asked the Keeper of the Registers of Scotland to undertake public consultation on the Commission''s Report and Draft Bill prior to our bringing forward legislation.

We have no current plans to bring forward any other conveyancing reforms.

Question reference: S3W-31176

Asked by: Willie Coffey, MSP for Kilmarnock and Loudoun, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 28 January 2010
Current Status: Answered by Kenny MacAskill on 16 February 2010

To ask the Scottish Executive in which prisons detainees are able to access assistance with a communication impairment from the local learning disabilities team.

Question reference: S3W-31024

Asked by: Willie Coffey, MSP for Kilmarnock and Loudoun, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Monday, 25 January 2010
Current Status: Answered by Jim Mather on 11 February 2010

To ask the Scottish Executive what events are planned for 2010 that will build on the success of Homecoming Scotland 2009.

Scottish Government is determined to build on the huge success of Homecoming Scotland 2009 and to continue supporting the tourism sector through this period of economic recovery.

That is why the Minister for Culture and External Affairs and I have brought together a Short Life Ministerial Task Force of key officials from Scotland''s cultural, tourism and enterprise organisations that is looking at co-ordinated approach to promoting Scotland and advise on how best to build on the success of Homecoming Scotland 2009. The group is also considering what can be done now to sustain the momentum built up during 2009.

In addition to the work being undertaken by the task force, the events calendar for Scotland in 2010 is already packed with inspirational and exciting events and festivals taking place throughout the country and our national events agency, EventScotland, continues to work with the industry to create a world-class portfolio of events.

Already we have seen the success of Edinburgh''s Hogmanay celebrations, the Great Edinburgh International Cross Country and Winter Run and indoor athletics with the Aviva International Match in Glasgow. Other events taking place this year include: Glasgow''s International Comedy Festival and its critically acclaimed festival of visual arts; Edinburgh''s festivals which includes the greatest of military tattoos; Ayrshire''s ˜Burns and a'' That'' Festival which will ensure Robert Burns remains a focus of celebration in 2010; The Open Championship, staged at Turnberry last year, will be played at St Andrews this year and will herald in a fantastic summer of golf which includes the return of the Ladies Scottish Open and the Senior Open Championship; five world championships - climbing, archery, duathlon, sailing and trial motor biking “ are being staged in Scotland, and the Rally of Scotland returns this year to Perthshire and Stirlingshire.

Question reference: S3W-31170

Asked by: Willie Coffey, MSP for Kilmarnock and Loudoun, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 28 January 2010
Current Status: Answered by Kenny MacAskill on 10 February 2010

To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-28430 by Kenny MacAskill on 5 November 2009, what plans it has to increase the resources devoted to meeting the needs of (a) young, (b) adult male and (c) adult female prisoners with a communication impairment.

Question reference: S3W-31169

Asked by: Willie Coffey, MSP for Kilmarnock and Loudoun, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 28 January 2010
Current Status: Answered by Kenny MacAskill on 10 February 2010

To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-28429 by Kenny MacAskill on 5 November 2009, when it last commissioned research into the proportion of (a) young, (b) adult male and (c) adult female prisoners with a communication impairment and what the proportions were at that time.

I have asked Willie Pretswell, Interim Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service, to respond. His response is as follows:

No research has been commissioned into the proportion of (a) young, (b) adult male and (c) adult female prisoners with communication impairment.

However, in 2003 work undertaken by Motherwell College, the education provider at HMYOI Polmont suggested that 26% male young offenders had clinically significant communication impairment and 70% of had difficulties with literacy and numeracy.

Question reference: S3W-31172

Asked by: Willie Coffey, MSP for Kilmarnock and Loudoun, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 28 January 2010
Current Status: Answered by Kenny MacAskill on 10 February 2010

To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it has taken to ensure that all professionals working with (a) young, (b) adult male and (c) adult female prisoners with a communication impairment receive communication skills training.

Question reference: S3W-31171

Asked by: Willie Coffey, MSP for Kilmarnock and Loudoun, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 28 January 2010
Current Status: Answered by Kenny MacAskill on 10 February 2010

To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-28429 by Kenny MacAskill on 5 November 2009, what plans it has to amend the initial screening process for (a) young, (b) adult male and (c) adult female prisoners entering the criminal justice system to identify those with a communication impairment.

Question reference: S3W-31173

Asked by: Willie Coffey, MSP for Kilmarnock and Loudoun, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 28 January 2010
Current Status: Answered by Kenny MacAskill on 10 February 2010

To ask the Scottish Executive what research it has commissioned into the extent to which dealing with prisoners’ communication impairments reduces the rate of reoffending.

Question reference: S3W-31264

Asked by: Willie Coffey, MSP for Kilmarnock and Loudoun, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Friday, 29 January 2010
Current Status: Answered by Shona Robison on 9 February 2010

To ask the Scottish Executive what consideration it has given to the introduction of (a) age and (b) gender-specific screening programmes for haemochromatosis.