- Asked by: Richard Lochhead, MSP for Moray, Scottish National Party
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Date lodged: Monday, 19 June 2006
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Current Status:
Answered by Andy Kerr on 24 July 2006
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has made available the criteria used to determine the allocation of NHS funding between NHS board and, if so, where the details may be obtained.
Answer
Funds are allocated to NHS boardson the basis of the formula set out in
Fair Shares for All – the finalreport of the National Review of Resource Allocation for the NHS in Scotland(the Arbuthnott review) which was published on 7 September 2000. The reportis available on the Scottish Executive Internet site at
http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2005/10/19142752/27522The formula is based on fourmain indicators – the size of each health board population; the profile of eachhealth board population in terms of age and sex; the levels of ill health andlife circumstances found in each health board; and the unavoidable excess costsof delivering services in rural and remote areas.
- Asked by: Richard Lochhead, MSP for Moray, Scottish National Party
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Date lodged: Monday, 19 June 2006
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Current Status:
Answered by Andy Kerr on 24 July 2006
To ask the Scottish Executive what levels of staffing and financial resources have been devoted to genetic services in the NHS in each year since 2003, broken down by (a) category of test and (b) geographical location.
Answer
The clinicalgenetics services, together with the routine cytogenetic laboratory servicesare commissioned at NHS board level, thus the Executive does not have centralinformation on the staffing and financial resources allocated to these elementsof NHS genetic services.
The moleculargenetic laboratory service is provided by the four laboratories of the ScottishMolecular Genetics Consortium (SMGC) which are based in Aberdeen, Dundee, Edinburgh andGlasgow and is centrally funded.
The following tablesets out the staffing and expenditure on the Molecular Genetics service from2003 to 2006. The staffing figures include all staff employed on these budgets.
Information broken down by category of test is not available.
National Services DivisionScottish Molecular Genetics Laboratories Expenditure and Staff 2003-06
| Years | Whole Time Equivalent (Laboratory Staff Including Clerical) | Payment Sheet Totals (£) |
| Yorkhill | Lothian | Tayside | Grampian | Yorkhill | Lothian | Tayside | Grampian | TOTAL (£) |
| 2003-04 | 13.75 | 9.5 | 6.4 | 7 | 873,025 | 576,699 | 368,914 | 527,466 | 2,346,104 |
| 2004-05 | 14.25 | 11.9 | 7.9 | 7 | 970,020 | 694,398 | 352,375 | 472,826 | 2,489,619 |
| 2005-06 | 15.25 | 11.9 | 7.6 | 8.53 | 1,041,667 | 706,871 | 484,118 | 531,294 | 2,763,950 |
| Board Payment Totals (£) | 2,884,712 | 1,977,968 | 1,205,407 | 1,531,586 | |
DataSource: National Statistics Division.
- Asked by: Richard Lochhead, MSP for Moray, Scottish National Party
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Date lodged: Tuesday, 20 June 2006
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Current Status:
Answered by Andy Kerr on 24 July 2006
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will take steps to reduce waiting times for genetic test results, in light of the delays highlighted in the Breakthrough Breast Cancer report, Testing Times: Waiting for Genetic Test Results.
Answer
The Scottish GeneticsService continues to look at ways to develop and improve the service –including waiting time performance where appropriate. The recent review of Genetics in Relation toHealthcare Scotland considered ways in which NHS genetics services could bestrengthened to improve all aspects of the service to patients and to cope withincreasing demand. This Report and the Scottish Executive response is expectedto be published shortly.
- Asked by: Richard Lochhead, MSP for Moray, Scottish National Party
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Date lodged: Tuesday, 20 June 2006
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Current Status:
Answered by Andy Kerr on 24 July 2006
To ask the Scottish Executive what steps are being taken to inform people who have had a genetic test about the progress of that test and about when they can expect to receive the result.
Answer
The ScottishMolecular Genetics Consortium Clinical Users Group is working with the patients' representative group - the Genetics Interest Group -to develop good practice guidelines to ensure patients are kept fully informedabout genetic testing and genetic test results.
- Asked by: Richard Lochhead, MSP for Moray, Scottish National Party
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Date lodged: Thursday, 22 June 2006
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Current Status:
Answered by Ross Finnie on 20 July 2006
To ask the Scottish Executive why recreational sea anglers have not been offered representation on the Scottish Inshore Fisheries Advisory Group.
Answer
The role of the ScottishInshore Fisheries Advisory Group (SIFAG) has been to advise on commercialfisheries in Scotland’s inshore waters. This is reflected in the Group’smembership. As part of the continuing implementation of the Strategic Frameworkfor Inshore Fisheries in Scotland, a review of the Scottish Inshore Fisheries AdvisoryGroup’s function, structure and membership is ongoing. The review is expectedto conclude later this year.
- Asked by: Richard Lochhead, MSP for Moray, Scottish National Party
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Date lodged: Wednesday, 21 June 2006
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Current Status:
Answered by Robert Brown on 14 July 2006
To ask the Scottish Executive how many teachers in each local authority will have completed their probationary year in 2005-06 and how many positions for which they may apply are available (a) nationally and (b) in each local authority.
Answer
The following table providesthe number of probationers by local authority on the 2005-06 teacher induction schemeas at 31 May 2006. The vast majority of these will complete their probationaryyear satisfactorily at the end of term.
Apart from the snapshot takenin the annual teacher vacancy survey in February, the numbers of teaching postsavailable are not held centrally.
| Local Authority | Primary | Secondary | Total |
| Aberdeen, City of | 27 | 49 | 76 |
| Aberdeenshire | 76 | 54 | 130 |
| Angus | 41 | 27 | 68 |
| Argyll and Bute | 17 | 12 | 29 |
| Clackmannanshire | 11 | 6 | 17 |
| Dumfries and Galloway | 34 | 19 | 53 |
| Dundee, City of | 17 | 16 | 33 |
| East Ayrshire | 38 | 36 | 74 |
| East Dunbartonshire | 24 | 40 | 64 |
| East Lothian | 46 | 38 | 84 |
| East Renfrewshire | 74 | 62 | 136 |
| Edinburgh, City of | 84 | 85 | 169 |
| Eilean Siar | 6 | 7 | 13 |
| Falkirk | 46 | 47 | 93 |
| Fife | 77 | 71 | 148 |
| Glasgow, City of | 115 | 122 | 237 |
| Highland | 59 | 47 | 106 |
| Inverclyde | 7 | 18 | 25 |
| Midlothian | 20 | 26 | 46 |
| Moray | 30 | 28 | 58 |
| North Ayrshire | 53 | 46 | 99 |
| North Lanarkshire | 150 | 111 | 261 |
| Orkney Islands | 9 | 7 | 16 |
| Perth and Kinross | 39 | 28 | 67 |
| Renfrewshire | 31 | 39 | 70 |
| Scottish Borders | 25 | 16 | 41 |
| Shetland Islands | 6 | 8 | 14 |
| South Ayrshire | 25 | 18 | 43 |
| South Lanarkshire | 91 | 120 | 211 |
| Stirling | 29 | 43 | 72 |
| West Dunbartonshire | 41 | 40 | 81 |
| West Lothian | 33 | 30 | 63 |
| (Totals) | 1,381 | 1,316 | 2,697 |
- Asked by: Richard Lochhead, MSP for Moray, Scottish National Party
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Date lodged: Wednesday, 14 June 2006
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Current Status:
Answered by Tom McCabe on 10 July 2006
To ask the Scottish Executive what energy costs were incurred by it and each public sector body in each of the last three years, showing year-on-year percentage changes and national totals.
Answer
Energy costs incurred by the Scottish Executive in years 2003-04, 2004-05 and 2005-06 and the percentage changesbetween years are as follows:
| Energy Type | | 2002-03 | 2003-04 | 2004-05 | 2005-06 |
| Electricity | Spend | £592,545 | £562,946 | £529,336 | £915,205 |
| Difference from previous year | N/A | -£29,599 | -£33,610 | £385,869 |
| Year-on-Year % difference | N/A | -5 % | -6% | 73% |
| Gas | Spend | £131,963 | £156,656 | £261,209 | £243,146 |
| Difference from previous year | N/A | £24,693 | £104,553 | -£18,063 |
| Year-on-Year % difference | N/A | 19% | 67% | -7% |
| Liquid Fuel | Spend | £18,618 | £25,346 | £54,652 | £41,108 |
| Difference from previous year | N/A | £6,728 | £29,306 | -£13,544 |
| Year-on-Year % difference | N/A | 36% | 116% | -25% |
Therehas been a large increase in expenditure on electricity in 2005-06. This can beattributed to the fact that a two year fixed-price contract, which was set at aparticularly low point in the market, expired in 2005-06. During the period of thatcontract energy markets were subject to a period of unprecedented volatility. Increasesin oil and gas prices, political instability in key production areas and increaseddemand for energy all combined to force prices up. The Executive was protected fromthese changes during the period of the contract but the new contract which includesmuch increased rates reflects prevailing global market conditions.
The energy costs incurred byother public sector bodies are not held centrally and could only be obtained atdisproportionate cost.
- Asked by: Richard Lochhead, MSP for Moray, Scottish National Party
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Date lodged: Friday, 16 June 2006
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Current Status:
Answered by Tom McCabe on 10 July 2006
To ask the Scottish Executive how much VAT it paid in each of the last seven years and how much it claimed back for each year.
Answer
The VAT paid and reclaimed since1999-2000 is set out in the following table:
| Year | VAT Paid | VAT reclaimed from HMRC (£) |
| To HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) (£) | To Suppliers (£) |
| 2005-06 | 1,353,369 | 91,490,005 | 64,528,351 |
| 2004-05 | 1,633,782 | 84,675,268 | 62,895,741 |
| 2003-04 | 3,246,756 | 73,884,238 | 55,187,710 |
| 2002-03 | 2,642,309 | 54,865,075 | 42,224,752 |
| 2001-02 | 3,112,959 | note 1 | 29,524,674 |
| 2000-01 | 2,893,970 | note 1 | 34,457,810 |
| 1999-2000 | 2,784,196 | note 1 | 30,587,309 |
Note: 1. The Scottish Executiveimplemented a new accounting system in December 2001 and the total amount of VATpaid to suppliers is not available from the previous system.
These figures have been roundedto the nearest pound.
- Asked by: Richard Lochhead, MSP for Moray, Scottish National Party
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Date lodged: Thursday, 15 June 2006
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Current Status:
Answered by Rhona Brankin on 30 June 2006
To ask the Scottish Executive what progress is being made in connection with a prioritisation scheme for applications for funding for flood alleviation schemes; when a draft scheme will be available; to what extent relevant parties have been, and will be, consulted on the scheme, and what criteria will be used for the purpose of prioritisation of applications.
Answer
With increasing demands on resourcesin the future, there may be a need for prioritisation of grant funding to localauthorities for flood prevention schemes. This issue has been discussed at the FloodingIssues Advisory Committee (FIAC) Alleviation Sub-Committee, and has resulted ina paper, FIAC2006(1), which can be viewed on the FIAC website at:
http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Resource/Doc/1223/0023586.pdf.However, there are at presentno plans to introduce such a prioritisation system, as the schemes currently beingbrought forward by local authorities do not exceed the existing budget of £89 millionfor the period 2005-08. Of course, should circumstances change in the future, wewould consult relevant parties on any criteria which might be under considerationfor prioritisation of funding.
- Asked by: Richard Lochhead, MSP for Moray, Scottish National Party
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Date lodged: Friday, 16 June 2006
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Current Status:
Answered by Rhona Brankin on 30 June 2006
To ask the Scottish Executive what information it has on (a) the number of calls made to Floodline from Scotland in each year since its establishment, also expressed as a percentage and (b) the annual cost of this line, and where the organisation is based.
Answer
This is an operational matterfor the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA). I have asked Dr CampbellGemmell, Chief Executive of SEPA, to respond to the question direct.
