- Asked by: Kenneth Gibson, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish National Party
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Date lodged: Friday, 12 May 2000
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Current Status:
Answered by Susan Deacon on 26 June 2000
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-6113 by Susan Deacon on 8 May 2000, what impact it considers the cumulative real terms reduction in capital expenditure on the provision or replacement of equipment by Borders Health Board of #245,000 from 1995-96 to 1998-99 inclusive has had on modernising equipment, improving patient outcomes and reducing waiting lists in the Borders Health Board area; whether it intends to restore this expenditure to 1994-95 levels and, if so, over what time period.
Answer
It is for individual health boards and NHS Trusts to determine annually the level of funding required for new and replacement medical equipment taking into account other local priorities. Health boards and NHS Trusts can use both capital and revenue resources to meet equipment costs.
Capital investment in the NHS in Scotland continues to increase from 拢136 million in 1998-99 to 拢179 million in 2000-01, rising further to 拢194 million in 2001-02.
Information about the impact of local expenditure levels on medical equipment can be obtained from the health board.
- Asked by: Kenneth Gibson, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish National Party
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Date lodged: Friday, 12 May 2000
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Current Status:
Answered by Susan Deacon on 26 June 2000
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W- 6113 by Susan Deacon on 8 May 2000, what impact it considers the cumulative real terms reduction in capital expenditure on the provision or replacement of equipment by Lanarkshire Health Board of #11.038 million from 1995-96 to 1998-99 inclusive has had on modernising equipment, improving patient outcomes and reducing waiting lists in the Lanarkshire Health Board Area; whether it intends to restore this expenditure to 1995-96 levels and, if so, over what time period.
Answer
It is for individual health boards and NHS Trusts to determine annually the level of funding required for new and replacement medical equipment taking into account other local priorities. Health boards and NHS Trusts can use both capital and revenue resources to meet equipment costs.
Capital investment in the NHS in Scotland continues to increase from 拢136 million in 1998-99 to 拢179 million in 2000-01, rising further to 拢194 million in 2001-02.
Information about the impact of local expenditure levels on medical equipment can be obtained from the health board.
- Asked by: Kenneth Gibson, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish National Party
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Date lodged: Friday, 12 May 2000
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Current Status:
Answered by Susan Deacon on 26 June 2000
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-6113 by Susan Deacon on 8 May 2000, what impact it considers the cumulative real terms reduction in capital expenditure on the provision or replacement of equipment by Orkney Health Board of #161,000 from 1995-96 to 1998-99 inclusive has had on modernising equipment, improving patient outcomes and reducing waiting lists in the Orkney Health Board area; whether it intends to restore this expenditure to 1994-95 levels and, if so, over what time period.
Answer
It is for individual health boards and NHS Trusts to determine annually the level of funding required for new and replacement medical equipment taking into account other local priorities. Health boards and NHS Trusts can use both capital and revenue resources to meet equipment costs.
Capital investment in the NHS in Scotland continues to increase from 拢136 million in 1998-99 to 拢179 million in 2000-01, rising further to 拢194 million in 2001-02.
Information about the impact of local expenditure levels on medical equipment can be obtained from the health board.
- Asked by: Kenneth Gibson, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish National Party
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Date lodged: Tuesday, 04 April 2000
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Current Status:
Answered by Sarah Boyack on 22 June 2000
To ask the Scottish Executive why it will not introduce water and sewerage rebates for people on low incomes.
Answer
The current arrangements linking water and sewerage charges to council tax bands already provide substantial assistance to many low income households.
Water and sewerage charges are part of normal household costs, the Executive however is looking at ways of improving on the protection provided by the current charging arrangements.
- Asked by: Kenneth Gibson, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish National Party
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Date lodged: Thursday, 08 June 2000
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Current Status:
Answered by Henry McLeish on 22 June 2000
To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it is taking to eliminate any constraints on small business growth.
Answer
The Scottish Executive is committed to creating a culture of enterprise and a sustainable business environment with higher levels of productivity and employment. Working with our economic development agencies we have a range of policies and measures in place to provide new and existing small businesses with the support they need to develop and grow.
These include the 拢12 million Business Growth Fund which provides loan funding to businesses unable to access finance from established sources; Business Mentoring Scotland - a new scheme designed to provide firms with growth potential with the benefits of an experienced business mentor; and the Improving Regulation in Scotland Unit established to ensure that the regulatory environment is alert to small firms needs. In addition, our Small Business Consultative Group ensures direct and continuing dialogue between the Scottish Executive and the small business community.
But we want to do more to support the small business community. We are determined to improve the quality and consistency of support to small business by providing easier access to a new, improved and more consistent range of services. I plan to announce details soon.
- Asked by: Kenneth Gibson, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish National Party
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Date lodged: Thursday, 08 June 2000
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Current Status:
Answered by Sarah Boyack on 22 June 2000
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has any plans to introduce a legal obligation on local authorities to assess the impact on business of transport proposals and decisions.
Answer
The Executive's guidance on Local Transport Strategies encourages local authorities to consult fully with business interests; furthermore in bringing forward guidance under the terms of the Transport Bill the Executive will, where appropriate, require local authorities to consult with the business sector.
- Asked by: Kenneth Gibson, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish National Party
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Date lodged: Thursday, 08 June 2000
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Current Status:
Answered by Jackie Baillie on 22 June 2000
To ask the Scottish Executive what assessment it has carried out into any impact on the number of rough sleepers which the removal of benefit for 16 and 17-year-olds may have had.
Answer
No specific assessment has been undertaken. The Homelessness Task Force, which I chair, is taking a wide-ranging look at the underlying nature and causes of homelessness and as part of our programme of work we will be considering youth homelessness and benefit issues. Responsibility for the payment of benefit is a matter for the Department of Social Security, which is represented on the task force.
- Asked by: Kenneth Gibson, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish National Party
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Date lodged: Thursday, 08 June 2000
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Current Status:
Answered by Henry McLeish on 22 June 2000
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will make representations to Her Majesty's Government regarding the impact that the establishment of a "fast track" UK patent system for small businesses could have on small businesses in Scotland.
Answer
The Scottish Executive is in regular contact with the United Kingdom Government on a wide range of issues, including the UK patent system. The existing UK patent system already provides for accelerated processing leading to the grant of a patent in as little as 10 months. This service is available for any applicant who requests it and is not limited or focused on SMEs.
- Asked by: Kenneth Gibson, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish National Party
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Date lodged: Thursday, 08 June 2000
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Current Status:
Answered by Henry McLeish on 22 June 2000
To ask the Scottish Executive how many businesses there are in Scotland and what percentage employ 10 people or less.
Answer
The Scottish Executive's Scottish corporate sector figures are produced by the Government Statistical Service using data from the Office for National Statistics' Inter Departmental Business Register, the Labour Force Survey and the Inland Revenue's Survey for Personal Income.
Scottish Executive estimates of size of businesses in 1997 and 1998 were published in Scottish Economic Statistics (table 2.1) in January 2000. This publication is available from the Scottish Parliament Information Centre (SPICe), or from the Scottish Executive website (www.scotland.gov.uk).
For very small companies, the sizebands are given for 0, 1-4 and 5-9 employees. It should be noted that the zero sizeband figures include estimates from the Labour Force Survey and the Inland Revenue's Survey for Personal Income.
- Asked by: Kenneth Gibson, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish National Party
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Date lodged: Thursday, 08 June 2000
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Current Status:
Answered by Henry McLeish on 22 June 2000
To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to undertake a review of legislation as it affects small businesses to assess its impact.
Answer
The Scottish Executive has committed itself to tackling any unnecessary legislative burden on business. The Improving Regulation in Scotland (IRIS) unit has organised a number of events around Scotland where the business community has the opportunity to raise its regulatory concerns direct with the Executive. This is just one stage in what is a continuing dialogue between the Executive and business. In particular, small businesses and their needs are at the core of all discussions and the Executive will consider any action required in the light of this dialogue.
