Questions and answers

Question reference: S3W-13399

Asked by: Jackie Baillie, MSP for Dumbarton, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Thursday, 22 May 2008
Current Status: Answered by Nicola Sturgeon on 4 June 2008

To ask the Scottish Executive how it will ensure that women taking hormone replacement therapy or the contraceptive pill are forewarned of the possible risk of thrombosis associated with such medication.

In primary care, the risks and benefits of any prescribed medication are discussed during consultation between the patient and their GP. This would include the risks of thrombosis associated with hormone replacement therapy (HRT) and the contraceptive pill, which are well-known.

Pharmacists will discuss the indications, contra-indications, drug interactions and side effects with the patient before dispensing medication. There is also a legal requirement for each prescription for HRT and the oral contraceptive pill to contain an information leaflet which describes product characteristics, including the risk of thrombosis.

We would also expect clinicians providing maternity services to assess pregnant women for risk factors for DVT as part of their clinical assessment, and to provide further management in line with the current clinical guidelines produced by SIGN and the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists.

In addition, we have commissioned Lifeblood, the thrombosis charity, to develop a general information leaflet on DVT. The leaflet includes guidance for individuals considered to be at high risk, including those on HRT and the oral contraceptive pill, and mentions that a simple blood test is available which may show a genetic susceptibility to DVT. The leaflet has been distributed to every GP practice in Scotland so that it can be on display and available to the general public.

Question reference: S3W-13398

Asked by: Jackie Baillie, MSP for Dumbarton, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Thursday, 22 May 2008
Current Status: Answered by Nicola Sturgeon on 4 June 2008

To ask the Scottish Executive what the availability is of thrombophilia screening for individuals considered to be at high risk.

We have accepted the advice of the UK National Screening Committee (NSC) that there is no evidence to support screening for thrombophilia in asymptomatic women prior to prescription of oral contraception or hormone replacement therapy (HRT). The NSC goes on to recommend that a woman with a personal history of venous thrombosis should be advised to avoid oral contraception and HRT if acceptable alternatives are available, and should be counselled regarding the level of risk faced.

Question reference: S3W-13346

Asked by: Jackie Baillie, MSP for Dumbarton, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Thursday, 22 May 2008
Current Status: Answered by Kenny MacAskill on 3 June 2008

To ask the Scottish Executive when the renovation work at Dumbarton Sheriff Court will be completed.

Question reference: S3W-13345

Asked by: Jackie Baillie, MSP for Dumbarton, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Thursday, 22 May 2008
Current Status: Answered by Kenny MacAskill on 3 June 2008

To ask the Scottish Executive what the total cost is of the renovation work being undertaken at Dumbarton Sheriff Court, including all associated fees and the cost of relocation to alternative premises.

Question reference: S3W-12775

Asked by: Jackie Baillie, MSP for Dumbarton, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Thursday, 08 May 2008
Current Status: Answered by Stewart Stevenson on 22 May 2008

To ask the Scottish Executive what planning developments are currently under consideration by ministers.

A list of the planning developments presently before Scottish ministers is shown in the following table.

All notified planning applications currently before Scottish ministers are listed on the Scottish Government website at:

http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Built-Environment/planning/decisions-appeals/decisions-appeals/Proposals.

SE Reference	Council/Constituency	Definition	Case Description/Title	Date Received by Scottish Government
CIN/ABS/001	Aberdeenshire	Called in application	Outline planning permission for golf course and resort development at land at Menie House, Balmedie, Aberdeen	04-12-2007
NA/ABS/012	Aberdeenshire	Notified application	Change of use of former hospital to form 19 dwellinghouses at Glen O''dee Hospital, Corsee Road, Banchory	19-09-2007
NA/ABS/013	Aberdeenshire	Notified application	Erection of 10 dwellinghouses at Glen O''dee Hospital, Corsee Road, Banchory	19-09-2007
NA/ABS/014	Aberdeenshire	Notified application	Erection of replacement dwellinghouse at Glen O''dee Hospital, Corsee Road, Banchory	19-09-2007
NA/ABS/020	Aberdeenshire	Notified application	Extension to workshop and erection of associated offices at Moss-Side, Parkhill, Dyce, Aberdeen	30-04-2008
NA/ABC/015	Argyll and Bute	Notified application	Wind farm at Stacain, Argyll Estates, near Inveraray	25-01-2008
NA/CLK/001	Clackmannanshire	Notified application	Construction of access road to serve housing development at former builders yard, Keilarsbrae, Sauchie, Clackmannanshire	19-10-2006
NA/CLK/004	Clackmannanshire	Notified application	Development of a village, comprising houses, school, business units, shops, hotel, golf course, etc. at land to the south and east of A977 (t), Forestmill	08-05-2007
NA/DUC/008	Dundee	Notified application	Crematorium, cemetery and associated licensed public house/restaurant at land on Linlathen Estate, Linlathen Road, Dundee	23-10-2007
NA/EAY/009	East Ayrshire	Notified application	Queens Drive, Kilmarnock. redevelopment of clubhouse, including retail and leisure development	21-11-2007
NA/EDB/018	Edinburgh	Notified application	Caltongate (pa3) - New Street, 221 - 223 Canongate, Edinburgh - offices and retail.	12-03-2008
NA/EDB/019	Edinburgh	Notified application	Caltongate (pa4a) - New Street, 221 - 223 Canongate, Edinburgh - residential and business.	12-03-2008
NA/EDB/020	Edinburgh	Notified application	Caltongate (pa5) - 5 New Street, 223 - 231a Canongate, Edinburgh - buildings and bridge link.	12-03-2008
NA/EDB/021	Edinburgh	Notified application	Caltongate (pa6) - East Market Street/Cranston Street, Edinburgh - residential flats and offices.	12-03-2008
NA/EDB/022	Edinburgh	Notified application	Caltongate (pa7) - East Market Street, 5a, 7, 9 Cranston Street, Jeffrey Street (1 - 24), Edinburgh - alterations to arches.	12-03-2008
NA/FLK/017	Falkirk	Notified application	Development of land for housing purposes on land to the north east of Standburn Villa, Falkirk	12-03-2008
NA/FIF/019	Fife	Notified application	Proposed sand and gravel extraction and restoration at Mountcastle Quarry, Ladybank, Cupar	09-01-2008
NA/FIF/022	Fife	Notified application	Extension to existing quarry for sand and gravel extraction at Ramornie Quarry, Ladybank	19-03-2008
NA/GLW/025	Glasgow	Notified application	Erection of mixed use development etc at Site at M77/Waukglen Road/Leggatston Road, Glasgow	11-06-2007
NA/GLW/041	Glasgow	Notified application	Use of land for high ropes adventure course at Pollok Country Park, Pollokshaws Road, Glasgow	06-05-2008
NA/GLW/042	Glasgow	Notified application	Erection of primary and nursery school, Nether Auldhouse Road/Hillpark Drive, Glasgow	09-05-2008
NA/HLD/021	Highland	Notified application	Development of a class 1 retail foodstore, petrol filling station and ancillary works at Knockbreck Road, Tain	29-03-2007
NA/HLD/030	Highland	Notified application	Proposed food store at North Road, Fort William	04-10-2007
NA/HLD/034	Highland	Notified application	Formation of new access onto A87, no 2 Oak Villa, Invergarry	24-12-2007
NA/HLD/035	Highland	Notified application	Extension to cottage, Jocks Spot, Auchmore, near Newtonmore	21-01-2008
NA/HLD/037	Highland	Notified application	Superstore and petrol station with 5 small retail units and associated work at Slackbuie Farm, Inverness.	11-02-2008
NA/NLS/013	North Lanarkshire	Notified application	Construction of 52 dwellinghouses at Mount Ellen Golf Club, Johnston Road, Gartcosh	29-03-2007
NA/NLS/019	North Lanarkshire	Notified application	Erection of detached dwellinghouse (in outline) at land south of 25 Maryville View, Uddingston	20-09-2007
NA/NLS/020	North Lanarkshire	Notified application	Erection of dwellinghouse at land to the north of Hillside, High Banton Road, Banton	05-11-2007
NA/NLS/022	North Lanarkshire	Notified application	Construction of 20 dwellinghouses and 16 two storey flats at Chapelhall Primary School, Gibb Street, Chapelhall, Airdrie	19-02-2008
NA/NLS/026	North Lanarkshire	Notified application	Construction of a dwellinghouse at land adjacent to 21 Bellside Road, Cleland, Motherwell	22/04/2008
P/PP/75/96/SS/103	North Lanarkshire	Notified application	Formation of landfill site with recycling and composting facilities, land adjacent to Dalmacoulter Landfill, Airdrie.	13-09-2002
NA/ORK/001	Orkney	Notified application	Proposed wind turbine at Merranblo, Orkney	18-04-2007
NA/RFS/008	Renfrewshire	Notified application	Mixed use development on land at Phoenix Park, Linwood Road, Paisley.	05-04-2007
P/PP/75/96/B/40	Scottish Borders	Notified application	Erection of dwellinghouse, site 3 at field no. 4666, Mounthooly, Jedburgh	01-03-2006
NA/SLS/023	South Lanarkshire	Notified application	Erection of single dwellinghouse garage/estate office building with private access at Greenleeshill Farm, Cambuslang.	13-12-2007
NA/SLS/031	South Lanarkshire	Notified application	Erection of new feed depot/warehouse, associated office facilities etc. at Whiteshawgate, off A723, Strathaven	09-04-2008
NA/SLS/032	South Lanarkshire	Notified application	Erection of industrial units for various classes at Kelvin Park Shouth, East Kilbride.	21-04-2008
NA/STG/005	Stirling	Notified application	Upgrading of roundabout, carriageway widening and realignment at land at A811 and B8051 between fire station roundabout and Kings Knot Roundabout, Raploch Road, Stirling	12-07-2007
NA/STG/008	Stirling	Notified application	Erection of health and fitness club at land north of restaurant, Springkerse Business Park, Stirling	12-12-2007
NA/STG/010	Stirling	Notified application	Formation of a 8 turbine windfarm and associated works on land at Craigengelt Hill, Stirling	30-01-2008
NA/STG/011	Stirling	Notified application	Proposed mixed use development on land at Craigforth, Stirling	04-04-2008
NA/STG/012	Stirling	Notified application	Proposed non-food retail development at land north of superstore, Drip Road, Raploch, Stirling	23-04-2008
NA/WLN/007	West Lothian	Notified application	Construction of new motorway junction, park and ride facility with associated access roads at M8 motorway, Cowhill, Whitburn	24/04/2008
NA/CES/001	Western Isles	Notification direction	Pentland Road Windfarm, Stornoway, Isle of Harris	08-09-2006
NA/CES/004	Western Isles	Notified application	Erection of new dwellinghouse at 43 Callanish, Isle of Lewis	24-12-2007
NA/CES/005	Western Isles	Notified application	Construction of 16 wind turbines and associated works at Feiriosbhal Wind Farm, Eisgen Estate, Isle of Lewis	28-04-2008
P2/PPA/270/444	Highland	Recalled appeal	Beauly sub station, Wester Balblair, Beauly	30/1/2007
P2/PPA/110/625	Aberdeenshire	Recalled appeal	Proposed mixed use development at Blairs College, Maryculter, Aberdeen	26-3-2007
P2/PPA/270/468	Highland	Recalled appeal	Land at Morangie Road, Tain	31-7-07
P2/PPA/320/285	North Lanarkshire	Recalled appeal	Change of use from farmland to country park and associated dwellings, Staylee Farm, Airdrie	10-10-2007
P2/PPA/310/159	North Ayrshire	Recalled appeal	Kelburn Wind Farm, Fairlie, Largs	25-7-2007
P2/PPA/270/533	Highland	Recalled appeal	Beauly grid sub-station, Western Balblair, Beauly	5-3-2008
P2/PPA/130/204	Argyll and Bute	Recalled appeal	Erection of 5 dwellinghouses on land south west of Allt na Craig, Tarbet Road, Ardrishaig	11-3-2008
P2/PPA/130/209	Argyll and Bute	Recalled appeal	Corlachan Hill, east of Glen Fyne, Bullwood Road, Dunoon	8-4-2008

Question reference: S3W-12774

Asked by: Jackie Baillie, MSP for Dumbarton, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Thursday, 08 May 2008
Current Status: Answered by Stewart Stevenson on 15 May 2008

To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-11824 by Stewart Stevenson on 23 April 2008, how many planning applications have been publicly supported by ministers since May 2007; what those planning applications consisted of, and what support was provided.

Question reference: S3W-12135

Asked by: Jackie Baillie, MSP for Dumbarton, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Monday, 21 April 2008
Current Status: Answered by Bruce Crawford on 7 May 2008

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it plans to bring in independent oversight of the Scottish Ministerial Code, as agreed by the Parliament on 28 February 2008 (Official Report c. 6538) and, if so, what form such oversight will take.

Question reference: S3W-12132

Asked by: Jackie Baillie, MSP for Dumbarton, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Monday, 21 April 2008
Current Status: Answered by Bruce Crawford on 6 May 2008

To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answers to questions S3W-6783 and S3W-7755 by Bruce Crawford on 3 and 20 December 2007, when the review of the Scottish Ministerial Code will be complete.

Question reference: S3W-12134

Asked by: Jackie Baillie, MSP for Dumbarton, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Monday, 21 April 2008
Current Status: Answered by Bruce Crawford on 6 May 2008

To ask the Scottish Executive when it will make a statement to the Parliament on the review of the Scottish Ministerial Code, as agreed by the Parliament on 28 February 2008 (Official Report c. 6538).

Question reference: S3W-12131

Asked by: Jackie Baillie, MSP for Dumbarton, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Monday, 21 April 2008
Current Status: Answered by Stewart Maxwell on 1 May 2008

To ask the Scottish Executive how it will ensure that local authority tenants in West Dunbartonshire who are unable to pay the full cost of the Community Alarm System are exempt from any community alarm charges, as promised by the local authority, and whether it considers that such exemption should also apply to tenants of other socially rented properties and other residents.

Charging for community alarm services is a matter for local authorities to determine. Local authorities are best placed to decide these matters, taking account of COSLA guidance on charging for non residential accommodation.

Those who may not be able to afford to pay are encouraged to have a financial assessment, freely arranged by the local authority. Depending on the results, they may be exempt from charges. Those who are charged are given assistance to maximise their income.

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