Questions and answers

Question reference: S4W-14305

Asked by: Patrick Harvie, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Green Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 17 April 2013
Current Status: Answered by Michael Matheson on 1 May 2013

To ask the Scottish Government whether a cost-benefit analysis of interventions to reduce vitamin D deficiency in the population will form part of the review by the Scientific Advisory Committee on Nutrition.

The remit of the Scientific Advisory Committee on Nutrition (SACN) Vitamin D Working Group is to review the Dietary Reference Values for vitamin D intake and make recommendations. In doing so, the review is considering the clinical evidence on vitamin D and will not include any cost-benefit analysis. The full terms of reference for the group are available on the SACN website at:

http://www.sacn.gov.uk/meetings/working_groups/vitamin/index.html.

In developing its guidance on the implementation of existing recommendations to prevent vitamin D deficiency, NICE will be considering the cost effectiveness of interventions to increase awareness and implementation of existing guidance on vitamin D amongst both health professionals and at-risk groups. Further details regarding the scope of the guidance are available at:

http://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/index.jsp?action=byID&o=13795.

Question reference: S4W-14288

Asked by: Patrick Harvie, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Green Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 16 April 2013
Current Status: Answered by Nicola Sturgeon on 25 April 2013

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-13897 by Nicola Sturgeon on 16 April 2013, whether it will provide a list of each helpline it supports that is operated by a private company and the name of each operating company.

Question reference: S4W-14239

Asked by: Patrick Harvie, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Green Party
Date lodged: Friday, 12 April 2013
Current Status: Answered by Fiona Hyslop on 23 April 2013

To ask the Scottish Government, in light of its guidance principle, Respect for Human Rights, as set out in its document, Working with China, what discussions it (a) has had and (b) plans with the Chinese Government regarding reports of people being forced into so-called organ harvesting in China.

The Scottish Government is committed to engaging the Chinese Government on human rights and this is articulated in Working with China: A Five Year Strategy for Engagement between Scotland and the People’s Republic of China, published in December 2012. We fully support action to combat the commercialisation of organs, tissues and cells and the trafficking of people for organ donation, all of which are illegal in the UK. We support the Declaration of Istanbul, which encourages all countries to draw up legal and professional frameworks to govern organ donation and transplantation activities. We understand that the Chinese National Health and Family Planning Commission is in the process of developing and implementing a nationwide system for voluntary organ donation, supported by a new national database.

Question reference: S4W-14240

Asked by: Patrick Harvie, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Green Party
Date lodged: Friday, 12 April 2013
Current Status: Answered by Fiona Hyslop on 23 April 2013

To ask the Scottish Government, in light of its aim for universities and further education establishments to develop more long-term, sustainable partnerships in China, as set out in its document, Working with China, what action it (a) has taken and (b) plans to ensure that medical courses in higher education institutions cover international aspects of medical ethics, including the reports of people being forced into so-called organ harvesting in China.

Whilst the Scottish Government does not have a locus to intervene in the course content of higher education institutions, we fully support action to combat the commercialisation of organs, tissues and cells and the trafficking of people for organ donation, all of which are illegal in the UK. We support the Declaration of Istanbul, which encourages all countries to draw up legal and professional frameworks to govern organ donation and transplantation activities. We understand that the Chinese National Health and Family Planning Commission is in the process of developing and implementing a nationwide system for voluntary organ donation, supported by a new national database.

Question reference: S4W-13928

Asked by: Patrick Harvie, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Green Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 26 March 2013
Current Status: Answered by Derek Mackay on 17 April 2013

To ask the Scottish Government what proposals were submitted for national development status in the National Planning Framework 3.

Question reference: S4W-13897

Asked by: Patrick Harvie, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Green Party
Date lodged: Friday, 22 March 2013
Current Status: Answered by Nicola Sturgeon on 16 April 2013

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide a list of each helpline it supports that is operated by a private company, showing for each the operating company; the average time spent (a) on hold and (b) per call, and the average cost of a call from a (i) landline and (ii) mobile telephone.

Question reference: S4W-13346

Asked by: Patrick Harvie, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Green Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 28 February 2013
Current Status: Answered by Roseanna Cunningham on 4 April 2013

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-11014 by Roseanna Cunningham on 21 November 2012, with what stakeholders it has engaged and what the (a) timescale and (b) process will be for developing an options paper on an environmental court.

Question reference: S4W-13357

Asked by: Patrick Harvie, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Green Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 28 February 2013
Current Status: Answered by Margaret Burgess on 14 March 2013

To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on the effectiveness and sufficiency of the policy that 25% of new housing units should be affordable housing.

The Scottish Government’s policy on the implementation of local affordable housing policies is set out in Scottish Planning Policy (SPP) which makes it clear that authorities may seek a percentage contribution from developers for affordable housing where this is justified. SPP encourages authorities to be realistic, flexible and to consider viability in applying such policies. The Chief Planner wrote to all local authorities in March 2011 reminding them of this requirement in view of the current economic climate. SPP is currently under review, and a consultation draft will be published in Spring this year.

Question reference: S4W-13356

Asked by: Patrick Harvie, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Green Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 28 February 2013
Current Status: Answered by Margaret Burgess on 14 March 2013

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will establish a set of minimum physical, locational, service and management standards for temporary accommodation.

Prior to considering establishment of minimum standards, the Scottish Government is assembling a clearer evidence base on standards in temporary accommodation, working closely with our local authority partners and organisations like Shelter Scotland.

We have invited Shelter and the other stakeholders to highlight concerns or evidence of poor quality standards of temporary accommodation in Scotland. I have also asked the joint Scottish Government/COSLA Homelessness Prevention Group to examine this issue, and discuss any action required.

Question reference: S4W-13358

Asked by: Patrick Harvie, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Green Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 28 February 2013
Current Status: Answered by Margaret Burgess on 14 March 2013

To ask the Scottish Government how many hits the Landlord Registration Scotland website has received in each year.

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