Questions and answers

Chamber and committees

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 ��˿�� 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-26628

Asked by: Jackie Baillie, MSP for Dumbarton, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Thursday, 08 June 2006
Current Status: Answered by Malcolm Chisholm on 23 June 2006

To ask the Scottish Executive what percentage of households with children have been in temporary accommodation in the (a) Argyll and Bute and (b) West Dunbartonshire local authority area in each year since 1999 and what action is being taken to reduce these figures.

The Scottish Executive collectssnapshot data on the number of households in temporary accommodation as at the endof each quarter. Data on households with dependent children have been collectedsince March 2001. The following table shows the numbers of households with dependentchildren in temporary accommodation as at 31 March for 2001 to 2005 as a percentageof all households. Figures for March 2006 will be published later this year.

Households with Children inTemporary Accommodation by Local Authority Area as at 31 March: 2001-05

��	Households with Children in Temporary Accommodation					% of all Households with Children
��	2001	2002	2003	2004	2005	2001	2002	2003	2004	2005
Scotland	1,438	1,329	1,618	2,031	2,373	0.2	0.2	0.3	0.3	0.4
Argyll and Bute	9	10	21	23	57	0.1	0.1	0.2	0.2	0.6
West Dunbartonshire	9	13	27	38	32	0.1	0.1	0.2	0.3	0.3

Source: HL2 returns submittedby local authorities to Scottish Executive Development Department Analytical ServicesDivision (Housing Statistics)

Notes:

1. Number of households fromhousehold projections published by General Register Office for Scotland (2000,2002 and 2004 based).

2. Percentages have been roundedto the nearest 0.1%.

We have introduced the HomelessPersons (Unsuitable Accommodation) (Scotland) Order 2004 to ensure that where childrenare accommodated in temporary accommodation this is of the best possible standardand causes minimum disruption to families’ lives. We are also encouraging localauthorities and their partners to act to prevent homelessness wherever possibleand have established an Innovation Fund to support demonstration projects. Bothauthorities report having taken action toprevent homelessness occurring, based on evidence available as to the causes ofhomelessness in the area and focussing on early intervention and the provision ofappropriate support. They also report working with local housing providers to ensurethat the quality of temporary accommodation is improved and that homeless families’access to permanent housing is maximised.

Question reference: S2W-26842

Asked by: Jackie Baillie, MSP for Dumbarton, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 14 June 2006
Current Status: Answered by Tavish Scott on 23 June 2006

To ask the Scottish Executive what provision has been made to source alternative existing rolling stock to provide new rail services between Airdrie and Bathgate if it is not possible to secure new electric rolling stock.

The Scottish Executive remainsfully committed to ensuring that sufficient trains are provided to meet projectedpassenger demand and does not expect the re-opened Airdrie to Bathgate line to havea detrimental impact on the existing Helensburgh services.

The rolling stock procurementplan currently being developed by Transport Scotland includes considerationof requirements for services between Airdrie and Bathgate. Details of which vehicleswill be deployed on each route are still being developed.

Transport Scotland hasthe operational responsibility for this area, and can be contacted for more informationif required.

Question reference: S2W-26843

Asked by: Jackie Baillie, MSP for Dumbarton, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 14 June 2006
Current Status: Answered by Tavish Scott on 23 June 2006

To ask the Scottish Executive what production lines are operational that produce electric rolling stock suitable to run on the Airdrie to Bathgate rail line.

To facilitate the developmentof a rolling stock procurement plan, Transport Scotland is currently exploringa range of suitable options through discussions with a number of major train manufacturersacross the UK, Europe and beyond. They have all responded positively to thesediscussions and expressed their willingness to produce trains in line with our needs.

Procurement of the vehicles will,of course, be through a competitive process in line with EU legislation.

Transport Scotland hasthe operational responsibility for this area, and can be contacted for more informationif required.

Question reference: S2W-26848

Asked by: Jackie Baillie, MSP for Dumbarton, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 14 June 2006
Current Status: Answered by Tavish Scott on 23 June 2006

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will confirm that there will be no replacement of the electric rolling stock on existing electrified lines with diesel rolling stock to facilitate the introduction of new electrified services on lines such as the Airdrie to Bathgate rail line.

A procurement plan is currentlybeing developed to deliver a fleet of new rolling stock for a range of major projects(including Airdrie to Bathgate) and passenger growth initiatives from 2009 onwards.

At this time therefore, no decisionhas been made on the actual type of rolling stock that will service any of the routes.

Transport Scotland hasthe operational responsibility for this area, and can be contacted for more informationif required.

Question reference: S2W-26849

Asked by: Jackie Baillie, MSP for Dumbarton, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 14 June 2006
Current Status: Answered by Tavish Scott on 23 June 2006

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has detailed plans in place to procure electric and diesel rolling stock for the new infrastructure investments that it is planning for 2007 onwards.

A procurement plan is currentlybeing developed to deliver a fleet of new rolling stock for a range of major projects(including Airdrie to Bathgate) and passenger growth initiatives from 2009 onwards.

The procurement process willbe carried out with the cooperation of the current operator, First ScotRail, inconsultation with Transport Scotland, commencing in early 2007.

At this time, no decision hasbeen made on the actual type of rolling stock that will service the route.

Transport Scotland hasthe operational responsibility for this area, and can be contacted for more informationif required.

Question reference: S2W-26846

Asked by: Jackie Baillie, MSP for Dumbarton, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 14 June 2006
Current Status: Answered by Tavish Scott on 23 June 2006

To ask the Scottish Executive what its position is in respect of the adequacy of Class 334 “Junipers” to provide the service on the Airdrie to Bathgate rail line, particularly in respect of acceleration, ability to deal with gradients on the new line and capacity compared with the trains that they would replace west of Airdrie.

The rolling stock procurementplan, currently being developed by Transport Scotland, is exploring a range ofoptions. I refer the member to the answerto question S2W-26843 on 23 June 2006.

The class 334 train has beenused as the “base case” for the timetable model on the Airdrie to Bathgate line.Whether these trains will be deployed on the route remains to be decided.

All answers to writtenparliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website the search facilityfor which can be at .

Transport Scotland hasthe operational responsibility for this area, and can be contacted for more informationif required.

Question reference: S2W-26841

Asked by: Jackie Baillie, MSP for Dumbarton, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 14 June 2006
Current Status: Answered by Tavish Scott on 23 June 2006

To ask the Scottish Executive when it would need to commence the procurement of new electric rolling stock if it is to run services on the Airdrie to Bathgate rail line by the projected date of completion.

A procurement plan is currentlybeing developed to deliver a fleet of new rolling stock for a range of major projects(including Airdrie to Bathgate) and passenger growth initiatives from 2009 onwards.

The procurement process willbe carried out with the cooperation of the current operator, First ScotRail, inconsultation with Transport Scotland, commencing in early 2007.

Transport Scotland hascarried out extensive consultation with the rolling stock supply industry, and theindustry’s view is that this timescale is perfectly robust. The industry also hasadequate production capacity to meet our needs and that of other potential orders.

Transport Scotland hasthe operational responsibility for this area, and can be contacted for more informationif required.

Question reference: S2W-26847

Asked by: Jackie Baillie, MSP for Dumbarton, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 14 June 2006
Current Status: Answered by Tavish Scott on 23 June 2006

To ask the Scottish Executive what impact the announcement of a study into the electrification of the Edinburgh to Glasgow rail line and the subsequent need to procure further electric rolling stock could have on the existing need to procure such stock for the Airdrie to Bathgate rail line and the Glasgow Airport Rail Link.

Transport Scotland has undertakena feasibility study into the possibility of the electrification of the Edinburghto Glasgow route. The rolling stock procurement plan currently being developed todeliver a fleet of rolling stock for the Scottish rail network, will work with orwithout electrification of the Edinburgh and Glasgow route as the industry has sufficientcapacity to produce the required number of vehicles to meet our requirements underany plausible scenario.

Transport Scotland hasthe operational responsibility for this area, and can be contacted for more informationif required.

Question reference: S2W-26630

Asked by: Jackie Baillie, MSP for Dumbarton, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Thursday, 08 June 2006
Current Status: Answered by Tom McCabe on 22 June 2006

To ask the Scottish Executive what the capital consent has been for (a) Argyll and Bute Council and (b) West Dunbartonshire Council in each year since 1999.

The capital consents issuedunder section 94 of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973 to each council fornon-housing capital borrowing is shown in the following table.

£ million

Years	Argyll and Bute Council	West Dunbartonshire Council
1999-2000	10.060	5.742
2000-01	10.766	5.809
2001-02	12.463	8.713
2002-03	16.184	6.185
2003-04	18.531	7.655

Notes:

1. Figures given excludecapital receipts.

The consent system ceased from1 April 2004, with the introduction of the Prudential regime. 2. Inaddition to the non-housing consents, Argyll and Bute and West Dunbartonshire Councilsreceived allocations of £1.6 million and £5.7 million respectively in each of the years above for housing capital expenditure.

Question reference: S2W-26714

Asked by: Jackie Baillie, MSP for Dumbarton, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Friday, 09 June 2006
Current Status: Answered by Lewis Macdonald on 22 June 2006

To ask the Scottish Executive how much of the budget for free personal care and nursing care has been allocated to (a) Argyll and Bute Council and (b) West Dunbartonshire Council since 2002.

Grant Aided Expenditure (GAE)is not a budget or money but is the methodology for apportioning funding to localauthorities.

Before Free Personal and NursingCare was introduced local authorities were already receiving funding to providepersonal care services without charge to those people who could not afford to payfor them. Local authorities are expected to continue to use this money as well asthe additional funds provided for the policy.

£162 million has been providednationally for the current year. £85.3 million of this is provided for personaland nursing care payments on behalf of people in care homes. Line (1) of the followingtable represents the amount provided for Argyll and Bute and West Dunbartonshire councils.

The balance of this money, £76.7million, has been provided for personal care at home and this is included in the£467.3 million provided in the GAE line Services for Home Based Elderly. Line (2)of the following table represents the amount provided under that GAE line for Argylland Bute and West Dunbartonshire councils.

GAE Line		2002-03 (£ Million)	2003-04 (£ Million)	2004-05 (£ Million)	2005-06 (£ Million)	2006-07 (£ Million)
(1) Free personal and nursing care in care homes	Argyll and Bute Council	1.583	2.174	2.266	2.360	2.488
(1) Free personal and nursing care in care homes	West Dunbartonshire Council	0.537	0.738	0.769	0.801	0.844
(2) Services for the Home Based Elderly	Argyll and Bute Council	6.332	8.327	8.597	9.013	9.836
(2) Services for the Home Based Elderly	West Dunbartonshire Council	6.223	8.204	8.979	9.422	10.174