[{"UniqueID":299731,"EventID":"S4W-23802","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1866,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-05T14:34:07.29","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-04T15:46:37","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many intermediate care beds will be funded for NHS Lothian, broken down by local authority area.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Lothian Partnership has used additional funding to extend a range of intermediate care services, the majority of which are not bed based. An additional seven step-down beds are planned for Midlothian. In addition the Edinburgh Partnership has leased the old Pentland Hills care home from BUPA to create 60 interim care home beds.\r\nAll health and social care partnerships will be required under the Public Bodies (Joint Working) (Scotland) Act 2014 to produce a strategic commissioning plan from April 2015 which should identify the present and future care needs for their populations, including intermediate care beds, and develop these accordingly.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-01-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-01-19T14:34:07.32","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":299732,"EventID":"S4W-23803","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4016,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":133,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-05T14:34:07.653","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-05T11:05:07","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it considers community hospitals to be an important part of the provision of healthcare in rural areas.","AnswerText":"Community hospitals can play a vital role in the provision of healthcare in rural areas. Some are being developed to provide a range of services to the community, including step-up/down care, allowing people to receive important rehabilitation in a non-acute setting, closer to their home.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-01-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-01-19T14:34:07.68","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":299733,"EventID":"S4W-23804","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4016,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":133,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-05T14:34:08.04","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-05T11:05:07","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its role would be in relation to any proposal by NHS Borders to close a community hospital.\r\n","AnswerText":"This is ultimately a matter for NHS Borders but I would expect any service redesign they propose to be in line with our 2020 vision for the future of health and social care.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-01-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-01-19T14:34:08.06","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":299734,"EventID":"S4W-23805","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4016,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":133,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-05T14:34:08.317","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-05T11:05:07","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many community hospitals have been closed in each year since 1999.","AnswerText":"This information is not held centrally.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-01-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-01-19T14:34:08.34","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":299735,"EventID":"S4W-23806","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-05T14:34:08.587","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-05T11:18:49","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of how the ban on tail-docking has impacted on working dogs.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government supported a research project by the University of Bristol and the Royal Veterinary College on tail injuries in working dogs across Great Britain that was conducted during 2008-09, and published in 2010. We commissioned a further research project from the University of Glasgow in 2011 to examine the incidence of tail injuries in working dogs in Scotland, specifically spaniels, hunt point retrievers and terriers. The results of this additional Scotland-specific research were published in two peer reviewed papers in the Veterinary Record on 4 April 2014.\r\nSubsequent discussions have been held with stakeholders regarding the impact of the results of the Glasgow research on their views on the tail-docking of working dogs. In addition, the Chief Veterinary Officer for Scotland has made further investigations into how the exemptions allowing tail-docking of working dogs have worked in practice in other parts of the UK, and how any potential exemption could be genuinely restricted to working dogs if any change was to be proposed in Scotland.\r\nOnce the views and findings outlined have been properly considered a decision will be taken on what further action to take and on whether we will formally consult on a potential exemption for working dogs.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-01-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-01-19T14:34:08.613","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Richard Lochhead","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":299736,"EventID":"S4W-23819","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1932,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":117,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-05T14:34:09.037","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-05T12:10:02","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it will publish its response to the Report of the Wild Fisheries Review Panel.","AnswerText":"As indicated in One Scotland - the Government's Programme for Scotland 2014-15, Scottish Ministers are considering the report and recommendations of the Wild Fisheries Review and are committed to a consultation in spring 2015 on policy options for a new fisheries management system followed by a further consultation on a draft Wild Fisheries Bill before the end of the parliamentary session. In addition, I announced on 5 December 2014 my intention to consult separately early in 2015 on a conservation proposal in response to one specific recommendation in the Wild Fisheries Review report: a ban on the killing of wild salmon except under licence.\r\nEach of these public consultations will seek and consider the views of a wide variety of organisations and individuals interested in the future of wild fisheries and their management, including anglers and angling associations.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-01-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-01-19T14:34:09.063","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen McLeod","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":299737,"EventID":"S4W-23820","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1932,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":117,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-05T14:34:09.56","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-05T12:10:02","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether, in reaching a conclusion on the Report of the Wild Fisheries Review Panel, it will consider carefully the views of organisations such as the Loch Lomond Angling Improvement Association.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-23819 on 8 January 2014. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-01-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-01-19T14:34:09.583","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen McLeod","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":299738,"EventID":"S4W-23821","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-05T14:34:09.923","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-05T12:15:22.973","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on the port displacement figures set out in the report that was commissioned by Scottish Enterprise, Economic impact of Aberdeen Harbour Nigg Bay Development.\r\n","AnswerText":"As Scottish ports policy is market led, with investment decisions taken by individual ports themselves, the Scottish Government has no comment on the content of this report, including the displacement figures.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-01-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-01-19T14:34:09.947","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":299739,"EventID":"S4W-23822","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-05T14:34:10.313","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-05T12:15:22.973","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on whether the remit of the Energy North Oil & Gas Taskforce is consistent with the findings of the report that was commissioned by Scottish Enterprise, Economic impact of Aberdeen Harbour Nigg Bay Development.\r\n","AnswerText":"The findings of the report are consistent with the aims of the taskforce in ensuring that we continue to have a strong infrastructure in Scotland, to assist the oil and gas industry.\r\nThe Energy North Oil and Gas Taskforce was created to ease the capacity issues that exist within the oil and gas industry in Aberdeen, by seeking to use the available skills, services and infrastructure throughout the Highlands, Islands, Argyll and elsewhere. The Scottish Government continues to remain supportive of the aims of the taskforce.\r\nThe independent report, Economic impact of Aberdeen Harbour Nigg Bay Development, was commissioned by Scottish Enterprise. The report noted that failure to expand the harbour would potentially lead to a decrease of £500 million per annum to the Scottish economy by 2034, an outcome largely attributed to likely increased competition from abroad.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-01-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-01-19T14:34:10.34","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":299740,"EventID":"S4W-23823","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-05T14:34:10.703","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-05T12:15:22.973","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether the principal objective of the Energy North Oil & Gas Taskforce remains to establish the Inverness-Cromarty Firth as a new oil and gas hub with sub-hubs across the Highlands and Islands and, if so, how this will be met in light of the findings of the report that was commissioned by Scottish Enterprise, Economic impact of Aberdeen Harbour Nigg Bay Development.\r\n","AnswerText":"A key strand of the Energy North Oil and Gas Taskforce work is to capitalise on the significant new energy port investments by Highlands and Islands Enterprise, the Scottish Government and local authorities in the Inner Moray Firth over 2009-14. Nigg and Invergordon, Caithness (Scrabster), Orkney (Hatston), Western Isles (Arnish) and Shetland (Lerwick) offer the oil and gas industry new quayside, fabrication facilities and access to experienced workforce at lower costs, and – in the case of Caithness and the Northern Isles – significantly closer to the northern North Sea and fields west of Shetland. \r\nThe Economic impact of Aberdeen Harbour Nigg Bay Development report highlights the fact that any displacement of oil and gas activity from other Scottish ports is expected to be low. This is due to the development of Nigg Bay would not be taking business from other Scottish ports but rather accommodating existing surplus demand which would otherwise be lost to other UK and European ports.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-01-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-01-19T14:34:10.727","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":299741,"EventID":"S4W-23824","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-05T14:34:11.077","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-05T12:15:22.973","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it had with Scottish Enterprise about the operational and financial position of Pelamis Ltd prior to the agency's decision to withdraw financial support for it; what the basis was for withdrawing the support, and on what date the company was advised of the decision.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government had regular and frequent discussions with Scottish Enterprise throughout 2014. Along with Scottish Enterprise, we remained the last funders in Pelamis for some time. Scottish Enterprise is required to comply with the state aid framework and to make prudent investments with a credible chance of return. With no prospect of further commercial investment, Scottish Enterprise was not in a position to provide any further loan investment in Pelamis. The company was advised of the decision on 19 November 2014.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-01-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-01-19T14:34:11.1","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":299742,"EventID":"S4W-23827","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-05T14:34:11.487","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-05T12:15:22.973","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it commissioned an external operational or financial assessment of Pelamis Ltd prior to Scottish Enterprise's decision to withdraw financial support from the company and, if so, by whom.\r\n","AnswerText":"Our enterprise agency, Scottish Enterprise, commissioned a number of external due diligence reports during late 2013 and 2014 to understand the operational and financial position of the company. Operational due diligence was undertaken by Black and Veatch, Murgitroyd, and Maclay Murray and Spens. Financial due diligence was undertaken by Metis Partners, Optimat, Scott-Moncrieff, Ernst and Young, RPS Group and PwC.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-01-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-01-19T14:34:11.517","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":299743,"EventID":"S4W-23828","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-05T14:34:11.893","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-05T12:15:22.973","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government where Wave Energy Scotland will be based; what its remit will be, and how many staff it plans to have in post by 31 March 2015.\r\n","AnswerText":"Wave Energy Scotland (WES) will be a subsidiary of Highlands and Islands Enterprise and it is expected that most of the early stage team will be based in Inverness. I set out the remit of WES in my parliamentary statement during topical questions on 25 November 2014. Further details can be found in the Wave Energy Scotland fact sheet, a copy of which has been placed in the Scottish Parliament Information Centre (Bib. number 56436).\r\nWork to establish the new venture is already underway and open recruitment of staff will take place in the first quarter of 2015.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-01-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-01-19T14:34:11.917","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":299744,"EventID":"S4W-23829","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-05T14:34:12.287","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-05T12:15:22.973","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government on what date ministers instructed civil servants to initiate the development of Wave Energy Scotland.\r\n","AnswerText":"The name ‘Wave Energy Scotland’ was agreed in the latter half of 2014. However, the concept of a collaborative approach of support for this nascent sector was discussed as early as 14 January 2014 at a wave energy summit hosted by the former First Minister. The development of Wave Energy Scotland has evolved since that date.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-01-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-01-19T14:34:12.313","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":299745,"EventID":"S4W-23830","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-05T14:34:12.66","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-05T12:15:22.973","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on the Office for Budget Responsibility's report, Economic and fiscal outlook report - December 2014, which indicated a rise in household borrowing in Scotland.  \r\n","AnswerText":"Whilst the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) does not make any specific forecasts for Scottish household borrowing, its Economic and Fiscal Outlook - December 2014 included forecasts for household borrowing and debt at the UK level. The OBR projects household borrowing to continue increasing between 2014 and 2019 and that this will be a key driver of UK economic growth over this period. \r\nThe Scottish Government has long expressed concern about the sustainability of a consumption-led recovery that is not supported by wage and income growth. We have recognised the need to continue to rebalance the economy by promoting investment, innovation and internationalisation. Our Programme for Government sets out the key actions to support this objective.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-01-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-01-19T14:34:12.683","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":299746,"EventID":"S4W-23831","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-05T14:34:13.03","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-05T12:15:22.973","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether the (a) Scottish Futures Trust and (b) hubCo consortiums pay all staff at least the living wage and, if so, since which date.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Scottish Futures Trust has operational responsibility for setting the wages of its staff, however I can confirm that since its inception in 2008 the Scottish Futures Trust has paid its staff the living wage or above. \r\nI can also confirm that all staff employed by hubCos are paid the living wage or above.\r\nThe most effective way of ensuring that all workers receive at least the living wage would be for responsibility for the legal minimum wage to be devolved to the Scottish Parliament, which is why this government called on The Smith Commission to recommend devolution of the national minimum wage to Scotland.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-01-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-01-19T14:34:13.053","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":299747,"EventID":"S4W-23832","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-05T14:34:13.42","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-05T12:15:22.973","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government who the members are of the Council of Economic Advisors and what changes there have been to the membership since October 2014.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Council of Economic Advisers is an independent advisory group to the First Minister. The council last met on 12 November 2014.\r\nIn her speech on 1 December 2014, the First Minister confirmed that the council would continue to be chaired by Crawford Beveridge, and that Professor Joseph Stiglitz would continue to be a council member. The First Minister also announced that Sir Harry Burns had agreed to join the council. The full text of the speech is available at the following address: \r\nhttp://news.scotland.gov.uk/Speeches-Briefings/FM-first-major-speech-to-Scotland-s-business-sector-12ca.aspx \r\nWe will announce the full updated membership of the Council of Economic Advisers in due course.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-01-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-01-19T14:34:13.447","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":299753,"EventID":"S4F-02502","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":4976,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-05T12:54:57.71","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-05T09:11:01.363","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister when she will next meet the Prime Minister.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-01-19T12:54:57.74","MeetingDate":"2015-01-08T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":299754,"EventID":"S4F-02503","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":3812,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-05T12:54:57.99","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-05T09:16:24.61","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister what engagements she has planned for the rest of the day.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-01-19T12:54:58.023","MeetingDate":"2015-01-08T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":299755,"EventID":"S4F-02505","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-05T12:54:58.677","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-05T10:09:35.773","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister what reassurances the Scottish Government can give workers in the oil and gas industry whose jobs are at risk.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-01-19T12:54:58.707","MeetingDate":"2015-01-08T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":299756,"EventID":"S4F-02508","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":2033,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":132,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-05T12:55:00.003","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-05T10:51:12.473","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister what the Scottish Government's position is on reports that it has abandoned its policies to protect teacher numbers and reduce class sizes.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-01-19T12:55:00.02","MeetingDate":"2015-01-08T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":299757,"EventID":"S4F-02513","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":4951,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-05T12:55:01.937","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-05T11:53:14","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister what assessment the Scottish Government has made of the Shelter Scotland report finding that 25% of Scots fear that they cannot meet rent or mortgage bills.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-01-19T12:55:01.967","MeetingDate":"2015-01-08T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":299758,"EventID":"S4T-00880","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":9,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-05T12:55:14.563","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-05T08:00:09","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what involvement it will have in the investigation into the sinking of the cargo vessel, Cemfjord, in the Pentland Firth.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-01-19T12:55:14.577","MeetingDate":"2015-01-06T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":299759,"EventID":"S4T-00883","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":9,"MSPID":5110,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":89,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-05T12:55:15.467","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-05T11:14:40.347","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what contact it has had with the administrators of City Link Limited.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-01-19T12:55:15.497","MeetingDate":"2015-01-06T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":299760,"EventID":"S4T-00884","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":9,"MSPID":5034,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-05T12:55:15.747","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-05T11:51:18","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on how the NHS is dealing with Ebola.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-01-19T12:55:15.78","MeetingDate":"2015-01-06T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":299761,"EventID":"S4T-00885","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":9,"MSPID":1865,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":85,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-05T12:55:16.013","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-05T11:53:14","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on events following the bin lorry crash in George Square on 22 December 2014. \r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-01-19T12:55:16.043","MeetingDate":"2015-01-06T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":299762,"EventID":"S4F-02512","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":2615,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":143,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-05T15:00:48.087","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-05T11:53:14","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister how many families will benefit from the policy of free school meals.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-01-19T15:00:48.133","MeetingDate":"2015-01-08T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":299771,"EventID":"S4W-23801","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":8,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-06T13:35:25.327","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-03T13:45:48","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body what the Scottish Fiscal Commission's budget is and what reports (a) it has produced and (b) are planned.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-01-20T13:35:25.39","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":299779,"EventID":"S4W-23799","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-06T13:48:09.107","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-03T13:45:48","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what information it has on when the Scottish Fiscal Commission last met and what the dates are for future meetings.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Fiscal Commission meets as required in order to fulfil its remit to provide independent scrutiny of Scottish Government forecasts of devolved tax revenue and of the economic determinants underpinning Scottish Government forecasts of non-domestic rate income.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-01-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-01-20T13:48:09.23","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":299780,"EventID":"S4W-23833","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2633,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-06T13:48:09.867","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-05T15:18:32.71","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what support it provides to people who are unable to meet the costs of funerals. \r\n","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-23705 on 13 January 2015. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at: \r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-01-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-01-20T13:48:09.907","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Burgess","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":299781,"EventID":"S4W-23834","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2633,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-06T13:48:10.157","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-05T15:18:32.71","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what research it has conducted on the impact of sheriff court closures on those that remain open. ","AnswerText":"This question relates to operational matters that are the responsibility of the Scottish Court Service (SCS) corporate body. This question has been passed to the Chief Executive of the SCS who will reply in writing within 20 days. \r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-01-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-01-20T13:48:10.173","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":299782,"EventID":"S4W-23835","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2633,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-06T13:48:10.427","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-05T15:18:32.71","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many criminal trials have been adjourned at (a) Kirkcaldy, (b) Dunfermline and (c) Dundee Sheriff Court because of (i) a crown motion, (ii) a defence motion, (iii) failure to appear by an accused, (iv) failure to appear by a witness, (v) lack of court time and (vi) any other reason in each of the last three years. \r\n","AnswerText":"This question relates to operational matters that are the responsibility of the Scottish Court Service (SCS) corporate body. This question has been passed to the Chief Executive of the SCS who will reply in writing within 20 days. \r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-01-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-01-20T13:48:10.45","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":299783,"EventID":"S4W-23836","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2633,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-06T13:48:10.703","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-05T15:18:32.71","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many summary procedures without a jury at (a) Kirkcaldy, (b) Dunfermline and (c) Dundee Sheriff Court were called but adjourned for lack of court time in each of the last five years. \r\n","AnswerText":"This question relates to operational matters that are the responsibility of the Scottish Court Service (SCS) corporate body. This question has been passed to the Chief Executive of the SCS who will reply in writing within 20 days.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-01-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-01-20T13:48:10.727","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":299784,"EventID":"S4W-23837","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2633,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-06T13:48:11.017","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-05T15:18:32.71","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many jury trials at (a) Kirkcaldy, (b) Dunfermline and (c) Dundee Sheriff Court were called but adjourned for lack of court time in each of the last five years. \r\n","AnswerText":"This question relates to operational matters that are the responsibility of the Scottish Court Service (SCS) corporate body. This question has been passed to the Chief Executive of the SCS who will reply in writing within 20 days. \r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-01-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-01-20T13:48:11.04","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":299785,"EventID":"S4W-23838","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2633,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-06T13:48:11.317","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-05T15:18:32.71","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government on how many days (a) Kirkcaldy, (b) Dunfermline and (c) Dundee Sheriff Court has sat in each of the last five years.\r\n","AnswerText":"This question relates to operational matters that are the responsibility of the Scottish Court Service (SCS) corporate body. This question has been passed to the Chief Executive of the SCS who will reply in writing within 20 days. \r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-01-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-01-20T13:48:11.34","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":299786,"EventID":"S4W-23839","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2633,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-06T13:48:11.613","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-05T15:18:32.71","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many indictments have been registered at (a) Kirkcaldy, (b) Dunfermline and (c) Dundee Sheriff Court in each of the last five years.","AnswerText":"This question relates to operational matters that are the responsibility of the Scottish Court Service (SCS) corporate body. This question has been passed to the Chief Executive of the SCS who will reply in writing within 20 days.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-01-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-01-20T13:48:11.637","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":299787,"EventID":"S4W-23840","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2633,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-06T13:48:11.93","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-05T15:18:32.71","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many jury trials have taken place at (a) Kirkcaldy, (b) Dunfermline and (c) Dundee Sheriff Court in each of the last five years.","AnswerText":"This question relates to operational matters that are the responsibility of the Scottish Court Service (SCS) corporate body. This question has been passed to the Chief Executive of the SCS who will reply in writing within 20 days.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-01-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-01-20T13:48:11.953","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":299788,"EventID":"S4W-23841","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2066,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-06T13:48:12.25","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-06T11:03:47.29","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much it expects to save in 2015 and future years as a result of lower fuel prices due to the fall in the price of oil, broken down by directorate.\r\n","AnswerText":"Using prices in June 2014 as a baseline and assuming prices and usage remain at those on 31 December 2014 until the end of 2015, the Scottish Government may save £1.1 million on marine oil, £6,000 on fuel used in heating, and £63,500 on a combination of motor vehicle fuels. However, due to the fact that fuel and oil prices are subject to change and the lack of clarity over UK tax and duty regimes, these figures are just an approximation. In addition to the above, officials can also claim for fuel used in carrying out their day to day business through the Scottish Government travel and subsistence system. However, the system does not record these numbers separately. Savings for future years using the same baselines would be the same as for 2015. Expenditure on fuel is not recorded by directorate.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-01-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-01-20T13:48:12.263","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":299789,"EventID":"S4W-23842","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2066,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-06T13:48:12.55","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-06T11:03:47.29","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much CalMac expects to save in 2015 and future years as a result of lower fuel prices due to the fall in the price of oil.","AnswerText":"The cost of fuel for contract year seven (October 2013 to September 2014) to deliver the Clyde and Hebrides Ferry Services contract, operated by CalMac Ferries Limited, was £21.7 million.\r\nIf the fuel price remains at the current level, then the cost of fuel for contract year eight (October 2014 to September 2015) would be around £17.1 million, representing a difference of £4.6 million or 21%.\r\nThis represents the total cost of fuel including delivery, plus lubricant oils, the price of which will remain relatively fixed. Fuel prices remain volatile, making future costs difficult to predict.\r\nSubstantial increases in the annual cost of fuel of up to £5 million (30%) since contract year one (October 2007 to September 2008) have largely been absorbed by the Scottish Government, in line with the contractual arrangements for the service, and not passed on to customers, despite the pressure on public spending during this period.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-01-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-01-20T13:48:12.563","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":299790,"EventID":"S4W-23843","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3759,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":80,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-06T16:40:22.643","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-06T15:06:05.827","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether HMP Inverclyde will follow all of the recommendations set out in the report by the Commission on Women Offenders.\r\n","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-24161 on 26 January 2015. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-01-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-01-20T16:40:22.663","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":299791,"EventID":"S4W-23844","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3759,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":80,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-06T16:40:22.99","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-06T15:06:05.827","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to reduce the number of women prisoners.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is working in partnership with justice bodies and other agencies to deliver the recommendations of the Commission on Women Offenders (CWO), to improve outcomes for women across the criminal justice system, reduce reoffending and reduce the female prison population.\r\n£3 million has been invested by the Scottish Government from 2013-15 to support sixteen projects delivering new or enhanced services for women offenders in communities across Scotland. The projects have been developed by local justice organisations and their partners and, while a range of approaches are being tested, they are all designed to reflect the CWO’s aspiration for person centred provision of services to reduce reoffending and bring about behavioural change. As well as supporting projects helping women offenders address their problems and aid their future desistance, this funding has also supported projects trialling early intervention for women entering the criminal justice system, trialling enhanced support to the summary court to assist their consideration of non-custodial options, and researching how support for women offenders can be implemented more effectively in rural areas.\r\nThe CWO identified mentoring as a key way in which women could be supported. The Reducing Reoffending Change Fund has provided £3 million over 2013-15 to support offender mentoring services for women offenders, which provides practical support and guidance in the community, on release from prison, on remand, or to complete Community Payback Orders. The national mentoring service for women, ‘Shine’, received £2.7 million in 2013-15, and additional funding has also been issued to projects delivered by Tayside Council on alcohol (£311k in 2013-15) and Voluntary Action South Lanarkshire (£179k in 2013-15) to provide offender mentoring provision for men and women in their local areas.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-01-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-01-20T16:40:23.013","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":299792,"EventID":"S4W-23845","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3759,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":80,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-06T16:40:23.293","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-06T15:06:05.827","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it is implementing the recommendation by the Commission on Women Offenders that most prisoners held on remand or serving short-term sentences should be held in their local prisons.\r\n","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-24161 on 26 January 2015. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-01-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-01-20T16:40:23.32","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":299804,"EventID":"S4W-23848","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4014,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-07T13:52:06.937","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-06T16:40:18","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what new facilities and opportunities have been created in each local authority area under its new youth arts strategy.","AnswerText":"Time to Shine – Scotland’s Youth Arts Strategy, sets out a vision and key recommendations to enable Scotland's children and young people to flourish and achieve, in and through the arts and creativity, centred around the themes of participation, progression and provision.\r\nA network of nine newly established youth arts hubs have been developed to improve youth arts provision and infrastructure in the following areas across the country: Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire, Moray, Highlands, West Dunbartonshire, Glasgow, Argyle and Bute, Ayrshire, Edinburgh and Fife and are all helping to facilitate new opportunities for young people. These hubs have been developed through partnerships between local and national arts and youth services providers to increase access to youth arts across Scotland in a range of art forms and aim to engage with over 40,000 children and young people. \r\nNotable developments in the youth arts hubs so far include the launch of a new youth arts digital platform for Fife, the introduction of a youth led arts network for Ayrshire, a pioneering programme of new arts delivery for West Dunbartonshire and the creation of an arts traineeships and apprenticeships scheme for young people in Edinburgh. In addition to the youth arts hubs, targeted project funding is supporting An Lanntair (Western Isles) and Voice of My Own (Scottish Borders) to give young people in remote and rural areas better access to the arts.\r\nYoung people are central to the decision making process and development of the strategy and the hubs development with 13 young people selected from across Scotland to be on the ‘Youth Arts Voice Scotland’ group to advise on the development and forward plans of Time to Shine.\r\nWe will continue to support initiatives taking forward Scotland's first national youth arts strategy and in November 2014 we announced an additional £1 million of public and private funding for the national youth arts companies to deepen youth arts participation in the run up to Scotland's Year of Young People in 2018.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-01-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-01-21T13:52:07.12","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Fiona Hyslop","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":299805,"EventID":"S4W-23849","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-07T13:52:07.607","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-07T11:16:33.053","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what discussions NHS National Services Scotland has had with NHS Forth Valley regarding the reported drop in the number of its patients accessing a stroke unit on the day of admission.\r\n","AnswerText":"Data on the number of patients accessing a stroke unit on the day of admission is published annually in the Scottish Stroke Care Audit (SSCA). Boards are also able to access their own real time data, and the SSCA team provides them with monthly and quarterly reports.\r\nThe Scottish Stroke Improvement Team supports Managed Clinical Networks (MCNs) to evaluate board performance, identify areas of concern and work with them to implement local action plans to improve the delivery of stroke care across Scotland. This support includes visiting all boards at least once per year to review stroke care with board representatives (board management and clinical teams), to assess performance, to highlight achievements and good practice and to formulate an improvement plan for areas of concern where necessary.\r\nThe Scottish Stroke Improvement Team met with board representatives from NHS Forth Valley on 16 December 2014, a follow up meeting to review progress will be arranged for May 2015.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-01-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-01-21T13:52:07.63","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":299806,"EventID":"S4W-23850","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-07T13:52:08.05","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-07T11:16:33.053","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what discussions NHS National Services Scotland has had with NHS (a) Highland and (b) Lothian on the reported difficulties it is experiencing in meeting the national standard for the proportion of patients accessing a stroke unit on the day of admission.\r\n","AnswerText":"Data on the number of patients accessing a stroke unit on the day of admission is published annually in the Scottish Stroke Care Audit (SSCA). Boards are also able to access their own real time data, and the SSCA team provides them with monthly and quarterly reports.\r\nThe Scottish Stroke Improvement Team supports Managed Clinical Networks to evaluate board performance, identify areas of concern and work with them to implement local action plans to improve the delivery of stroke care across Scotland. This support includes visiting all boards at least once per year to review stroke care with board representatives (board management and clinical teams), to assess performance, to highlight achievements and good practice and to formulate an improvement plan for areas of concern where necessary.\r\nThe Scottish Stroke Improvement Team met with board representatives from NHS Lothian on 3 November 2014, and a follow up meeting has been arranged for March 2015. They are scheduled to meet representatives from NHS Highland on 1 April 2015.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-01-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-01-21T13:52:08.077","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":299807,"EventID":"S4W-23851","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-07T13:52:08.49","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-07T11:16:33.053","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what intermediate target it has set each NHS board toward meeting the national standard for stroke patients requiring thrombolysis within one hour of arrival at hospital.\r\n","AnswerText":"There is no intermediate target set for boards to meet the national standard for stroke patients requiring thrombolysis within one hour of arrival at hospital. Boards are expected to achieve the Scottish stroke care standard for thrombolysis where 80% of patients receive the bolus within one hour of arrival at hospital.\r\nThe Scottish Government recognises the importance of thrombolysis and has included it as one of the eight priorities in the Stroke Improvement Plan (published August 2014).\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-01-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-01-21T13:52:08.517","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":299808,"EventID":"S4W-23852","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-07T13:52:08.947","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-07T11:16:33.053","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what intermediate target it has set each NHS board toward meeting the national standard for stroke patients requiring a carotid endarterectomy operation.\r\n","AnswerText":"There is no intermediate target set for boards to meet the national standard for stroke patients requiring carotid endarterectomy. Boards are expected to work towards the Scottish stroke care standard where 80% of patients undergoing carotid endarterectomy have the operation within 14 days of the stroke event.\r\nThe Scottish Government recognises the importance of carotid endarterectomy and has included it as one of the eight priorities in the Stroke Improvement Plan (published August 2014).\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-01-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-01-21T13:52:08.973","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":299809,"EventID":"S4W-23853","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-07T13:52:09.413","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-07T11:16:33.053","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what support it is offering to the NHS boards that recorded below median results in the Scottish Stroke Care Audit 2014  and, in light of the audit's recommendation that \"innovative service redesign is required\", what action it has taken.\r\n","AnswerText":"Boards are able to access their own real time data, and the Scottish Stroke Care Audit team provides them with monthly and quarterly reports. The Scottish Stroke Improvement Team supports Managed Clinical Networks to evaluate board performance, identify areas of concern and work with them to implement local action plans to improve the delivery of stroke care across Scotland. This support includes visiting all boards at least once per year to review stroke care with board representatives (board management and clinical teams), to assess performance, to highlight achievements and good practice and to formulate an improvement plan for areas of concern where necessary.\r\nWithin the context of the Scottish Stroke Care Audit 2014 report, the need for ‘innovation service redesign’ is highlighted in relation to thrombolysis and carotid endarterectomy.\r\nThe Scottish Government recognises the importance of thrombolysis and carotid endarterectomy and has included them as priorities in the Stroke Improvement Plan (published August 2014).\r\nAs part of this stroke improvement work, work is already progressing with the Scottish Ambulance Service to improve door to needle time for patients requiring thrombolysis. In order to facilitate a seamless patient experience, the Scottish Ambulance Service alerts the receiving stroke unit of a patient’s arrival to allow the receiving unit to prepare for this.\r\nWork is also planned to modify the patient pathway to ensure that at least 80% of patients undergoing carotid endarterectomy for symptomatic carotid stenosis have the procedure within 14 days of their index transient ischemic attack/stroke event.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-01-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-01-21T13:52:09.44","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":299810,"EventID":"S4W-23854","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5060,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-07T13:52:10.057","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-07T11:18:09.63","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its capital budget has been in each year since 2007.","AnswerText":"Information on the capital budget is provided in the draft budget document published annually, available from the following:\r\nDraft Budget 2015-16: www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2014/10/2706 \r\nDraft Budget 2014-15: www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2013/09/9971 \r\nDraft Budget 2013-14: www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2012/09/7829 \r\nDraft Budget 2012-13: www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2011/10/04153155/0 \r\nDraft Budget 2011-12: www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2010/11/17091127/0 \r\nDraft Budget 2010-11: www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2009/09/17093831/0 \r\nDraft Budget 2009-10: www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2008/09/12140641/0 \r\nDraft Budget 2008-09: www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2008/09/12140641/0 \r\nDraft Budget 2007-08: www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2006/09/05131713/0 \r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-01-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-01-21T13:52:10.08","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":299811,"EventID":"S4W-23855","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5060,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-07T13:52:10.397","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-07T11:18:09.63","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how its capital budget has been spent in each year since 2007, broken down by local authority area.\r\n","AnswerText":"A breakdown by local authority of how the Scottish Government’s capital budget has been spent in each since 2007 is not available.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-01-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-01-21T13:52:10.42","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":299812,"EventID":"S4W-23856","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5060,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-07T13:52:10.69","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-07T11:18:09.63","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what percentage of its capital budget has been spent in each local authority area in each year since 2007.\r\n","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-23855 on 16 January 2015. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:\r\nwww.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx \r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-01-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-01-21T13:52:10.713","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":299813,"EventID":"S4W-23857","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-07T13:52:11","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-07T11:18:55.003","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what guidance and recommendations it has issued regarding the novel oral anticoagulants (a) rivaroxaban, (b) dabigatran and (c) apixaban for the management of atrial fibrillation and venous thromboembolism. \r\n","AnswerText":"All three drugs have been approved by the Scottish Medicines Consortium (SMC) for use in the management of patients with atrial fibrillation and venous thromboembolism.\r\nNHS board Area Drug and Therapeutics Committees consider this SMC advice in the context of their overall use of anticoagulant drugs, and decide on inclusion into their local joint formularies: https://www.scottishmedicines.org.uk/Home\r\nNHS boards also consider the advice issued by Health Improvement Scotland, which helps identify those groups of patient, with atrial fibrillation, most likely to benefit from either dabigatran or rivaroxaban, when compared to more traditional anticoagulants: http://www.healthcareimprovementscotland.org/our_work/cardiovascular_disease/stroke_and_systemic_embolism/stroke_and_systemic_embolism.aspx\r\nThe Scottish Government considers that further central advice is not required at this stage.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-01-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-01-21T13:52:11.017","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":299814,"EventID":"S4W-23858","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-07T13:52:11.423","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-07T11:18:55.003","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the savings in time for (a) patients, (b) general practitioners and (c) hospital clinics by using the novel oral anticoagulants, rivaroxaban, dabigatran and apixaban for the management of atrial fibrillation and venous thromboembolism instead of warfarin.\r\n","AnswerText":"These drugs have been subject to rigorous assessment by the Scottish Medicines Consortium (SMC) prior to approval for use.\r\nSMC assessment for every new medicine includes a health economic analysis. For the novel oral anticoagulants this analysis included calculating the cost avoidance associated with savings in time, due to reduced blood monitoring. Taking this, and other factors into consideration, cost-effectiveness has been demonstrated for these drugs, when compared to traditional anticoagulants. For example: \r\nhttps://www.scottishmedicines.org.uk/files/advice/dabigatran_Pradaxa_FINAL_August_2011_Amended_05.09.11_for_website.pdf\r\nA separate assessment by the Scottish Government is not necessary.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-01-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-01-21T13:52:11.447","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":299815,"EventID":"S4W-23859","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-07T13:52:11.843","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-07T11:19:52.97","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what steps it has taken to increase the number of outpatients with atrial fibrillation who take anticoagulation medication, in light of a reduction in such numbers since 2011 according to the Information Services Division (ISD) report, Scottish Stroke Care Audit 2014.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government recognises the importance of anticoagulation in patients with atrial fibrillation and has included it as one of the eight priorities in the Stroke Improvement Plan (published August 2014).\r\nThe Scottish Quality and Outcomes Framework contract 2014-15 has an agreement to identify those patients with atrial fibrillation, who are suitable for treatment with an anticoagulant.\r\nAccording to the Scottish Stroke Care Audit (SSCA) data for 2010 to 2013, whilst the percentage of patients with atrial fibrillation who take anticoagulation treatment following assessment at outpatient clinics has fallen slightly from 79% (2010) to 77% (2013), there has been an increase in the actual numbers from 232 (2010) to 308 (2013).\r\nThe 2014 SSCA report can be accessed via: \r\nhttp://www.strokeaudit.scot.nhs.uk/Reports/main.html\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-01-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-01-21T13:52:11.863","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":299816,"EventID":"S4W-23865","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-07T13:52:12.287","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-07T11:28:40.057","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it (a) monitors and (b) inspects the (i) protection of confidentiality of and (ii) incidents of inappropriate access to patient electronic data; which NHS boards have been inspected, and when the reports will be published.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government’s eHealth Division monitors information security via its annual and mid-year eHealth business reviews of boards and via ongoing relationships with board information governance and security leads. There is no formal Scottish Government inspection of information security, but this area is considered by Audit Scotland in its rolling programme of audits and boards also employ external auditors as and when required. Subsequent to a new process introduced in August 2014 all significant information security incidents are reported to the Scottish Government and lessons learned reports are produced when required.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-01-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-01-21T13:52:12.31","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":299817,"EventID":"S4W-23866","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-07T13:52:12.75","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-07T11:28:40.057","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what percentage of sepsis patients in intensive care units receive antibiotics within one hour of diagnosis.\r\n","AnswerText":"This data is not collected nationally as part of the Scottish Intensive Care Audit.\r\nAvailable data focuses on episodes of critical care, from interventions to outcome; please see our annual report which was published in August 2014 for more details http://www.sicsag.scot.nhs.uk/docs/SICSAG-report-2014-web.pdf?1.\r\nSource: Information Services Division Scotland\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-01-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-01-21T13:52:12.773","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":299818,"EventID":"S4W-23867","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-07T13:52:13.263","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-07T11:28:40.057","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it monitors patients discharged from intensive care units whose treatment included a period of sedation.","AnswerText":"A period of sedation is a common and integrated part of the package of care for people requiring treatment in intensive care units.\r\nPatients are intensively monitored whilst in the intensive care unit 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Monitoring continues following discharge from intensive care units using nursing and medical observation and physiological monitoring and is tailored to the persons individual needs at any given time.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-01-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-01-21T13:52:13.287","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":299819,"EventID":"S4W-23868","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-07T13:52:13.723","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-07T11:28:40.057","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to assist patients designated as code 9 in the Delayed Discharges Definitions and Data Recording Manual in discharging from hospital.\r\n","AnswerText":"The vast majority of code 9 patients are delayed because they lack capacity to make their own decisions, and are awaiting completion of applications for guardianship.\r\nGood progress has been made reducing the number of adults with incapacity delays. To help streamline processes we issued a Good Practice Guide in 2010, and republished this last year. We are also supporting Age Scotland to promote Power of Attorney across Scotland in a bid to reduce these delays over the longer-term.\r\nOther code 9 delays are patients with highly complex needs, where no alternative safe community care is available. Local partnerships are working with the joint improvement team to better understand the needs of this cohort of patients and to ensure that services that address these needs are put in place.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-01-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-01-21T13:52:13.75","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":299820,"EventID":"S4W-23869","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-07T13:52:14.187","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-07T11:28:40.057","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many bed days in hospitals in each of the last five years were taken up by people who were designated as (a) inpatients whose medical status had changed such that they could be considered for accommodation in non-hospital settings and (b) awaiting relocation to another NHS or social care facility as part of a reprovisioning programme.\r\n","AnswerText":"This level of detailed information is not held centrally.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-01-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-01-21T13:52:14.21","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":299821,"EventID":"S4W-23870","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-07T13:52:14.667","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-07T11:28:40.057","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much money has been transferred by each NHS board to support patients designated as code 100 in the Delayed Discharges Definitions and Data Recording Manual for whom responsibility for treatment has been assumed by a local authority, and what guidance it issues on this.\r\n","AnswerText":"No money has been allocated specifically for this purpose. These patients are either going through complex discharge planning arrangements, following a lengthy hospital stay, or are waiting to transfer to a more appropriate health and social care setting, as part of a joint commissioning programme.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-01-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-01-21T13:52:14.693","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":299822,"EventID":"S4W-23872","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-07T13:52:15.08","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-07T11:29:51.01","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many mental health patients were designated as delayed discharges where there was a multidisciplinary team agreement that it was safe and reasonable to transfer them to a more appropriate setting and they met the criteria laid out in section 2.1 of the Delayed Discharges Definitions and Data Recording Manual, in each of the last 12 quarters.\r\n","AnswerText":"The following table shows the number of standard delayed discharge patients in Scotland recorded within a mental health specialty in each quarterly delayed discharge census from January 2012 until October 2014. These are patients who have met the criteria as laid out in section 2.1 of the Delayed Discharges Definitions and Data Recording Manual.\r\nCensus\r\nNumber of standard delayed discharge patients in Scotland within mental health specialties\r\nJanuary 2012\r\n63\r\nApril 2012\r\n66\r\nJuly 2012\r\n110\r\nOctober 2012\r\n123\r\nJanuary 2013\r\n97\r\nApril 2013\r\n76\r\nJuly 2013\r\n86\r\nOctober 2013\r\n121\r\nJanuary 2014\r\n117\r\nApril 2014\r\n113\r\nJuly 2014\r\n128\r\nOctober 2014\r\n178\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-01-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-01-21T13:52:15.107","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":299823,"EventID":"S4W-23873","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-07T13:52:15.55","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-07T11:29:51.01","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the (a) median time and (b) range of times has been in the last 12 months that patients are waiting for a guardianship order under the Adults with Incapacity (Scotland) Act 2000 when they have been designated as code 9 secondary code 51x under the Delayed Discharges Definitions and Data Recording Manual.","AnswerText":"This information is not held centrally. Bed days lost data has been collected by NHS Information Services Division since 2012. It records every day delayed but cannot be broken down by reason for delay, or speciality.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-01-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-01-21T13:52:15.577","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":299824,"EventID":"S4W-23874","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-07T13:52:16.023","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-07T11:29:51.01","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government for what reason the date of birth is being recorded separately for delayed discharges when the Community Health Index (CHI) number includes the date of birth.","AnswerText":"The date of birth is collected to provide a breakdown by age. It is also used to check the accuracy of the Community Health Index number, and vice versa.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-01-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-01-21T13:52:16.047","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":299825,"EventID":"S4W-23875","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-07T13:52:16.523","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-07T11:29:51.01","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government for what reason the postcode of each patient is required in the delayed discharged database returns.","AnswerText":"The postcode is included to identify the local authority of residence of the patient.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-01-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-01-21T13:52:16.547","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":299826,"EventID":"S4W-23876","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-07T13:52:17.05","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-07T11:29:51.01","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it considers that the recording of the postcode in addition to the Community Health Index (CHI) number in the delayed discharge data compromises the anonymity of patients.","AnswerText":"The anonymity of patients is not compromised by the recording of patient postcode and Community Health Index number. As part of information governance, Information Services Division Scotland follows strict confidentiality, security and disclosure protocol guidelines.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-01-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-01-21T13:52:17.073","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":299827,"EventID":"S4O-03881","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":3751,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":108,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-07T13:55:44.647","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-07T10:21:20.233","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many GP appointments were missed by patients in the last 12 months.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-01-21T13:55:44.693","MeetingDate":"2015-01-14T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":299828,"EventID":"S4O-03882","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":4964,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":119,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-07T13:55:44.973","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-06T15:50:28.383","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what recent discussions it has had with local authorities that have yet to submit a draft or completed autism strategy.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-01-21T13:55:45.007","MeetingDate":"2015-01-14T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":299829,"EventID":"S4O-03883","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":2059,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":91,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-07T13:55:45.317","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-05T12:08:56.82","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many acute hospitals were on red alert in the last week of 2014 and first week of 2015.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-01-21T13:55:45.333","MeetingDate":"2015-01-14T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":299830,"EventID":"S4O-03884","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":3824,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-07T13:55:45.66","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-06T10:39:33.793","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it last met NHS Ayrshire and Arran and what issues were discussed.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-01-21T13:55:45.69","MeetingDate":"2015-01-14T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":299831,"EventID":"S4O-03885","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":4951,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-07T13:55:46.067","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-07T10:21:50.14","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the progress of the new Dumfries and Galloway Royal Infirmary.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-01-21T13:55:46.08","MeetingDate":"2015-01-14T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":299832,"EventID":"S4O-03886","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":5119,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":110,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-07T13:55:46.363","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-06T17:44:53.183","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many times NHS Fife failed to meet its four, eight and 12 hour accident and emergency waiting time targets between 24 December 2014 and 4 January 2015.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-01-21T13:55:46.393","MeetingDate":"2015-01-14T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":299833,"EventID":"S4O-03887","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":3129,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":83,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-07T13:55:46.673","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-05T12:08:57.827","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update regarding the proposed Commonwealth Games legacy sporting facilities that will benefit the people of Glasgow.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-01-21T13:55:46.69","MeetingDate":"2015-01-14T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":299834,"EventID":"S4O-03888","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-07T13:55:47.017","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-05T12:08:58.073","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to increase the number of mental health officers being trained.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-01-21T13:55:47.033","MeetingDate":"2015-01-14T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":299835,"EventID":"S4O-03889","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":4938,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-07T13:55:47.657","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-05T12:08:58.3","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to promote women’s football.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-01-21T13:55:47.687","MeetingDate":"2015-01-14T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":299836,"EventID":"S4O-03890","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-07T13:55:47.97","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-05T12:08:58.563","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how often the short-life working group on heart failure has met and what conclusions it has reached regarding strengthening the role of heart failure nurses.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-01-21T13:55:48","MeetingDate":"2015-01-14T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":299837,"EventID":"S4O-03891","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":2673,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":114,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-07T13:55:48.343","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-06T12:50:06.393","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what support it provides to people with lipoedema.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-01-21T13:55:48.36","MeetingDate":"2015-01-14T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":299838,"EventID":"S4O-03892","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":4016,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":133,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-07T13:55:48.64","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-05T14:49:34.747","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it supports the role that community hospitals play in helping with the provision of local healthcare and freeing up beds in larger hospitals.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-01-21T13:55:48.67","MeetingDate":"2015-01-14T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":299839,"EventID":"S4O-03893","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":5042,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-07T13:55:49.047","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-05T12:08:59.377","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it considers staffing levels in NHS Lanarkshire satisfactory.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-01-21T13:55:49.077","MeetingDate":"2015-01-14T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":299840,"EventID":"S4O-03894","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":4080,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-07T13:55:49.39","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-05T12:08:59.633","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on the availability of child and adolescent mental health services in North East Scotland.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-01-21T13:55:49.42","MeetingDate":"2015-01-14T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":299841,"EventID":"S4O-03895","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":5059,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-07T13:55:49.717","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-05T12:08:59.95","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether NHS boards are required to undertake adverse incident reviews for patients dying while on the delayed discharge database.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-01-21T13:55:49.747","MeetingDate":"2015-01-14T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":299842,"EventID":"S4O-03902","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":2615,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":143,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-07T13:55:50.043","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-05T12:09:29.877","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what impact the recent fan zone at St Mirren Park will have on its policy on banning alcohol at football matches.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-01-21T13:55:50.077","MeetingDate":"2015-01-15T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":299843,"EventID":"S4O-03903","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":2110,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":138,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-07T13:55:50.387","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-05T12:09:30.09","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will review the impact of employment tribunal fees prior to their proposed devolution.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-01-21T13:55:50.417","MeetingDate":"2015-01-15T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":299844,"EventID":"S4O-03904","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":2826,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":84,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-07T13:55:50.76","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-06T16:57:07.347","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it last met representatives of COSLA and what issues were discussed.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-01-21T13:55:50.793","MeetingDate":"2015-01-15T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":299845,"EventID":"S4O-03905","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":2029,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":145,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-07T13:55:51.137","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-07T10:49:33.29","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to protect people who serve the public from abuse or violence at work.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-01-21T13:55:51.167","MeetingDate":"2015-01-15T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":299846,"EventID":"S4O-03906","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":5034,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-07T13:55:51.48","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-05T12:09:30.907","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what it is doing to assist business start-ups.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-01-21T13:55:51.51","MeetingDate":"2015-01-15T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":299847,"EventID":"S4O-03907","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":4939,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":78,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-07T13:55:51.823","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-05T12:09:31.117","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with the UK Government regarding the Committee on Toxicity’s investigation into the use of organophosphate products by farmers and crofters in the 1980s and 90s.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-01-21T13:55:51.853","MeetingDate":"2015-01-15T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":299848,"EventID":"S4O-03909","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":4956,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":106,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-07T13:55:52.15","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-05T12:09:31.89","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what improvements will be made to commuter rail services into Edinburgh as a result of the awarding of the franchise to Abellio, which is due to take effect from April 2015.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-01-21T13:55:52.18","MeetingDate":"2015-01-15T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":299849,"EventID":"S4O-03910","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":1741,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-07T13:55:52.447","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-05T12:09:32.5","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to alleviate the planned disruption to Glasgow-Edinburgh rail services in summer 2015.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-01-21T13:55:52.477","MeetingDate":"2015-01-15T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":299850,"EventID":"S4O-03896","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":4947,"Party":"Independent","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-07T13:56:09.057","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-07T11:30:04.26","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of any restraints placed on the delivery of primary healthcare as a result of the General Medical Services contract and how these might impact on accident and emergency services.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-01-21T13:56:09.073","MeetingDate":"2015-01-14T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":299851,"EventID":"S4O-03897","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":2853,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":81,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-07T13:56:09.353","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-05T12:09:00.453","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what measures it is taking to protect NHS staff in light of recent reports of high levels of injuries at work and sick leave due to stress.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-01-21T13:56:09.383","MeetingDate":"2015-01-14T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":299852,"EventID":"S4O-03898","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":3743,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":123,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-07T13:56:09.68","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-06T10:06:08.553","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what it is doing to accommodate school leavers with autism in an appropriately independent and safe environment that will contribute to their overall wellbeing.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government recognises that young people with autism face additional barriers to entering a positive destination. It is our aspiration that with the right support, they are able to find suitable employment. A number of national and local initiatives are in place to help transition our school leavers with autism into employment, further education or training.\r\nImproving opportunities for school leavers with autism is a key priority in the Scottish Strategy for Autism. The Scottish Government are working with relevant stakeholders to learn from the Autism Development Funded Employment Projects to identify what works, what leads to positive outcomes and how that learning can be shared to improve and increase the opportunities available to young people with autism when they leave school.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-01-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-01-21T13:56:09.71","MeetingDate":"2015-01-14T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":299853,"EventID":"S4O-03900","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":2033,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":132,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-07T13:56:10.04","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-05T12:09:01.18","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it is supporting the worst performing NHS boards to meet the referral to treatment targets for psychological treatments including tier 2 child and adolescent mental health services.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government provides support to all NHS boards, including those that will not meet the target, through the Quality and Efficiency Support Team, through the quarterly Psychological Therapies Implementation and Monitoring Group which represents a wide range of stakeholders, and through the creation of a Health Improvement, Efficiency Access and Treatment leads network to facilitate the sharing of good practice.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-01-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-01-21T13:56:10.053","MeetingDate":"2015-01-14T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":299864,"EventID":"S4W-23846","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1866,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-07T17:02:39.897","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-06T16:30:17","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to assist NHS Lothian address its reported £70 million deficit.","AnswerText":"NHS Lothian along with all other boards have an agreed financial plan to deliver a balanced outturn in 2014-15 and the board have indicated they will achieve this position in 2014-15.\r\nThe Scottish Government work with NHS boards to help them achieve financial balance through long-term financial planning.\r\nIn 2015-16, NHS Lothian’s resource budget is planned to increase by £37.7 million (3.2%) to £1,225.7 million. This is an above inflation increase in 2015-16 and includes £7.0 million of additional NHSScotland Resource Allocation Committee (NRAC) funding. This follows a previous increase of £46.8 million (4.1%) in 2014-15, which included NRAC parity funding of £17.521 million.\r\nThe NHS Lothian financial plan for 2014-15 was approved by the Scottish Government in March 2014 as part of the board’s 2014-15 local delivery plan. The NHS Lothian plan forecasts that the board will remain in financial balance over the five-year planning period. Boards have a statutory obligation to meet their financial targets and are expected to submit plans which reflect this.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-01-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-01-21T17:02:40.037","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":299865,"EventID":"S4W-23847","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1866,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-07T17:02:40.55","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-06T16:30:17","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to ensure that Scotland benefits from the £500 million announced by Ofgem in November 2014 for the undergrounding of old transmission lines in protected areas such as national parks and national scenic areas.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is taking necessary steps to ensure that Scotland benefits by engaging with the Scottish transmission owners, to encourage them to develop proposals for submission to the Office of Gas and Electricity Markets (Ofgem), to ensure that any opportunities to benefit Scotland are realised.\r\nAs part of its price control review for the period 2013 to 2021, Ofgem has allowed up to £500 million for the three UK transmission owners (National Grid in England and Wales and Scottish Power Energy Networks and Scottish Hydro Electric Transmission in Scotland). This is to allow these companies to reduce the visual impact of existing transmission lines in National Parks, Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty in England and Wales and National Scenic Areas in Scotland. This does not need to be limited to undergrounding and there is strong argument that undergrounding would be an expensive option which severely limits the amount of lines whose visual impact could be mitigated.\r\nOpportunities in Scotland are restricted to the 4% of the network within the eligible designated area. Scottish Government officials have engaged with the two Scottish transmission owners to encourage participation and to promote Scotland’s interests in this regard. The companies are in the process of developing a methodology for providing an assessment of the areas concerned. It is envisaged that this methodology will include stakeholder engagement, a technical impact assessment of all relevant infrastructure and a schedule of potential mitigation options. Consultation with communities and other stakeholders will also feature in any proposals going forward.\r\nOfgem has published factsheet 109 which provides background and explanation of the available funding. This factsheet is available from its website at:\r\nhttps://www.ofgem.gov.uk/ofgem-publications/82593/visualamenityfactsheetfinalenglish.pdf\r\n \r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-01-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-01-21T17:02:40.567","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":299866,"EventID":"S4W-23860","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-07T17:02:40.847","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-07T11:26:43.467","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-16454 by Michael Matheson on 12 August 2013, what plans it has to ensure that laboratory results will be available to any NHS clinician in any location who requires access, irrespective of where the original tests took place.\r\n","AnswerText":"There is no current programme of work with the sole aim of making laboratory results available to any NHS clinician in any location who requires access. Laboratory results are just one of the elements of the electronic patient health record that NHS boards are working to make more widely available to healthcare staff both within and across boards. NHS boards copy laboratory results into their local Scottish Care Information (SCI) Store repository to provide a highly available source of information that can be used directly or by other systems. The capability already exists for boards to agree cross-boundary SCI Store connectivity, and they decide together how it will be used and managed. All NHS boards have established live store to store connections with neighbouring or other boards where there are recognised clinical pathways. For example NHS Golden Jubilee, which routinely treats patients from across Scotland, has increased SCI Store connections from 8 to 11 since August 2013. Since August 2013, the number of live store to store connections across NHSScotland has increased from 39 to 70. The case for providing store to store connectivity for ad hoc or emergency access would be determined by individual boards in line with local policies. NHS boards are increasingly providing access to laboratory results through their clinical portals, and work to progress portal to portal information exchange is ongoing.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-01-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-01-21T17:02:40.863","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":299867,"EventID":"S4W-23861","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-07T17:02:41.267","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-07T11:26:43.467","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-16454 by Michael Matheson on 12 August 2013, what assessment it has made of the savings to the NHS of not having to repeat laboratory tests through ensuring full electronic access to data by any clinician in any location who requires access, irrespective of where the original tests took place.\r\n","AnswerText":"Savings information has not been specifically gathered on this. Connections between Scottish Care Information stores and access for clinicians have been established as a matter of course as each clinical pathway need has been identified. The Scottish Government is about to publish a significantly refreshed version of the eHealth Strategy 2011-2017. The associated plan to deliver the aims of the strategy identifies activity that will be undertaken locally, regionally and nationally to provide more comprehensive access to information including test results.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-01-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-01-21T17:02:41.283","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":299868,"EventID":"S4W-23862","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-07T17:02:41.953","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-07T11:26:43.467","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-16465 by Michael Matheson on 12 August 2013, what progress it has made in discussions with the system supplier to agree the most cost-effective, efficient and secure means by which cross-NHS board access can be granted.\r\n","AnswerText":"Boards have responsibility for ensuring that the clinical portal is implemented in a cost-effective, efficient and secure manner. For example the West of Scotland eHealth leads (NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, NHS Ayrshire and Arran, NHS Lanarkshire, NHS Forth Valley, NHS 24 and the National Waiting Times Centre) are currently scoping a project which will look at sharing information and workflow on a regional basis. In the first instance this work will take place within the West of Scotland Cancer Network multi-disciplinary teams. Any solutions are likely to be portal based and the supplier will respond to the business requirements of boards.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-01-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-01-21T17:02:41.97","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":299869,"EventID":"S4W-23863","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-07T17:02:42.377","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-07T11:26:43.467","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-16465 by Michael Matheson on 12 August 2013, whether NHS Forth Valley has implemented a clinical portal that was due to commence in September 2013 and what linkage options have been implemented.\r\n","AnswerText":"NHS Forth Valley commenced their clinical programme from January 2012 based on the clinical portal approach in NHS Tayside. The programme is ongoing with approximately 1,100 clinicians now having access to patient demographics, GP details, clinical correspondence, test results, inpatient episodes, outpatient appointments, community contacts and the substance misuse service with Emergency Care Summary being available from March 2015. There are no connections to other health board information systems at this current time although there is work underway as part of the West of Scotland eHealth Leads Group to look at portal to portal connections for the region.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-01-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-01-21T17:02:42.39","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":299870,"EventID":"S4W-23864","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-07T17:02:42.797","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-07T11:26:43.467","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-16466 by Michael Matheson on 12 August 2013, what the current status is of each NHS board's clinical portals and whether it will set out the availability of access by each board's clinicians to the portals of other boards, specifying whether that access can be obtained without logging into the portal of the board area in which the clinician is practising.\r\n","AnswerText":"The following NHS boards are using clinical portals: NHS Borders, NHS Dumfries and Galloway, NHS Fife, NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, NHS Lanarkshire, NHS Lothian, NHS Tayside, NHS Ayrshire and Arran and NHS Golden Jubilee. NHS Grampian use the TrakCare patient management system (PMS) as the clinical portal as it provides, in their case, the majority of agreed information. NHS Shetland and NHS Orkney are implementing PMS hosted by NHS Grampian and will follow their approach. NHS Highland implemented the TrakCare PMS system in March 2014 and effort is concentrated on this. Their portal strategy is yet to be developed although links with the Greater Glasgow and Clyde portal are in place for NHS Highland patients based in Argyll and Bute who receive the majority of their treatment within Greater Glasgow and Clyde. NHS Western Isle have just completed testing of their portal solution and intend to commence implementation on an incremental basis by the end of March 2015.\r\nAccess by clinicians to another health board’s portal is not monitored centrally. There are over 65,000 clinicians registered to use the clinical portal across Scotland. Through regional working health boards are exploring how best their clinical portals can be integrated to provide clinicians with the access they need across health board systems. This area of work is receiving added emphasis in the refreshed eHealth Strategy for 2011-17 which will be published shortly.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-01-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-01-21T17:02:42.813","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":299871,"EventID":"S4W-23877","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-07T17:02:43.203","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-07T11:30:55.463","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much has been spent by (a) the NHS and (b) its health directorate on management consultants in each of the last seven years.\r\n","AnswerText":"(a) The information is not held centrally for NHS boards. However, under the Public Services Reform (Scotland) (PSR) Act 2010 public bodies are required to publish a statement of any external consultancy expenditure they have incurred that financial year as soon as is reasonably practicable after the end of each financial year.\r\n(b) The Scottish Government Health and Social Care Directorate has incurred the following expenditure on consultancy in each of the last seven years. Consultancy costs cover a wide range of professional services such as management consultancy, IT consultancy, financial consultancy, construction or infrastructure related consultancy, research and evaluation and policy development (including feasibility studies). Management consultancy costs cannot be separately identified from the total consultancy costs.\r\nConsultancy costs for Health and Social Care Directorate 2007-08 to 2013-14\r\nFinancial Year\r\nConsultancy costs\r\n£000\r\n\r\n2007-08\r\n-\r\n2008-09\r\n15\r\n2009-10\r\n31\r\n2010-11\r\n4\r\n2011-12\r\n30\r\n2012-13\r\n37\r\n2013-14\r\n28\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-01-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-01-21T17:02:43.217","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":299872,"EventID":"S4W-23878","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-07T17:02:43.593","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-07T11:30:55.463","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what information it has regarding how many prisoners serving sentences of under six months have alcohol problems, and for what reason the issue of alcohol problems among prisoners has not been included in the NHSScotland Local Delivery Plan Guidance as a priority area for alcohol brief interventions.\r\n","AnswerText":"Information regarding how many prisoners serving sentences of under six months have alcohol problems is not collected in this way and therefore not held centrally, however the Scottish Prison Service Prisoner Survey 2013 – Substance Misuse shows that alcohol harms are a significant feature of the prison population.\r\nThe Scottish Government’s Alcohol Brief Intervention (ABI) programme is evidence-based, with the three priority settings (primary care, accident and emergency, antenatal) identified in line with Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network Guideline 74. The programme also allows for 10% of ABI delivery to be in wider settings, as determined by local partners. Alongside other work to tackle substance misuse, a number of ABIs are delivered within the prisoner population as part of this wider setting activity.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-01-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-01-21T17:02:43.623","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":299873,"EventID":"S4W-23879","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-07T17:02:44.2","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-07T11:30:55.463","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-23581 by Shona Robison on 19 December 2014, whether it considers that the information provided is consistent with reports that NHS Lothian has recorded an estimated overspend of £70 million and what the reasons are for its position on this matter.\r\n","AnswerText":"NHS Lothian along with all other NHS boards have an agreed financial plan to deliver a balanced financial position for the current financial year. The board fully recognise the statutory requirement to deliver a balanced financial plan for the year. Work is continuing within the board to identify options for managing expenditure and the Scottish Government are engaged with NHS Lothian and will work closely with them, providing support as required.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-01-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-01-21T17:02:44.217","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":299874,"EventID":"S4W-23880","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-07T17:02:44.59","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-07T11:30:55.463","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-23581 by Shona Robison on 19 December 2014, whether the projected financial balance takes account of refunds on loans made to NHS boards.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government Health and Social Care Directorates has in place a number of arrangements to assist boards with their, short, medium and longer term financial planning. These arrangements have been discussed and agreed with boards, reflected within their local delivery plan, financial plans and formally approved by the Director General Health and Social Care and Chief Executive of NHSScotland. Justification for banking and brokerage (including an affordable repayment schedule) are essential in advance of approval.\r\nThe projected financial position of each NHS board fully reflects the borrowing and repayment arrangements in place.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-01-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-01-21T17:02:44.607","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":299875,"EventID":"S4W-23881","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-07T17:02:44.967","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-07T11:30:55.463","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-23581 by Shona Robison on 19 December 2014, what savings have been made or are planned by each NHS board to help achieve the projected financial balance. \r\n","AnswerText":"Efficiency savings do not reduce the overall budget of NHS boards and are necessary to continuously improve NHS services. All savings are retained locally by territorial boards to allow them to reinvest in front-line services which directly benefit patients. Boards must maintain the highest standards of financial management and ensure public funds are used in a way that delivers best value for taxpayers.\r\nFor the current financial year (2014-15) NHS boards plan to achieve total efficiency savings of £285.4 million, equivalent to 3.1 per cent of baseline funding.\r\nTotal forecast savings for each NHS board in 2014-15:\r\nNHS board\r\nForecast saving (£)\r\nAyrshire and Arran\r\n18,567\r\nBorders\r\n5,404\r\nDumfries and Galloway\r\n7,790\r\nFife\r\n16,719\r\nForth Valley\r\n13,675\r\nGrampian\r\n23,198\r\nGreater Glasgow and Clyde\r\n61,400\r\nHighland\r\n21,915\r\nLanarkshire\r\n26,710\r\nLothian\r\n30,105\r\nOrkney\r\n1,567\r\nShetland\r\n2,499\r\nTayside\r\n22,000\r\nWestern Isles\r\n2,064\r\nTerritorial board total\r\n253,613\r\nNational Services Scotland\r\n12,593\r\nScottish Ambulance Service\r\n8,701\r\nEducation for Scotland\r\n2,500\r\nNHS 24\r\n1,918\r\nNational Waiting Times Centre Board\r\n3,148\r\nThe State Hospital\r\n1,081\r\nNHS Health Scotland\r\n1,009\r\nHealthcare Improvement Scotland\r\n8,66\r\nSpecial health board total\r\n31,816\r\nGrand total\r\n285,429\r\nSource: NHS board financial performance reports November 2014\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-02-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-01-21T17:02:44.98","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":299876,"EventID":"S4W-23882","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-07T17:02:45.37","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-07T11:31:25.76","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the rates of (a) breastfeeding exclusively and (b) breast- and bottlefeeding were in all family nurse partnership births up to August 2014.","AnswerText":"The rates from all family nurse partnership (FNP) births who were (a) breastfeeding exclusively was 5.9% and (b) breast and bottle feeding was 10.8% up to August 2014.\r\nThis is captured at six weeks’ post partum and has been extracted from the family nurse partnership Scottish information system (FNPSIS). This excludes women who were in the first cohort in Scotland as their information is not in the FNPSIS and was reported separately as part of the FNP evaluation.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-01-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-01-21T17:02:45.387","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":299877,"EventID":"S4W-23883","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-07T17:02:45.76","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-07T11:31:25.76","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the breastfeeding rates are for each (a) NHS board and (b) community health partnership after adjusting for deprivation.","AnswerText":"Breastfeeding information is collected at the child health programme health visitor first visit review (which takes place at around 10 days of age) and at the six to eight week review. At these reviews, the health professional (normally a health visitor) records the type of milk the baby is fed i.e. whether the baby is fed breast milk only, fed formula milk only, or fed both breast and formula milk (mixed).\r\nTables showing mixed (breast and bottle) and exclusive breastfeeding rates at the health visitor first visit and the six to eight week review broken down by Scottish Index of Multiple Deprivation and NHS board or Community Health Partnership have been placed in the Scottish Parliament Information Centre (Bib. number 56618).\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-01-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-01-21T17:02:45.777","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":299878,"EventID":"S4W-23884","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-07T17:02:46.15","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-07T11:31:25.76","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether rates of breastfeeding exclusively are reducing and, if so, what information it has on the reasons for the reduction.","AnswerText":"The percentage of children exclusively breastfed at the first visit has gradually decreased from 38.6% in 2004-05 to 35.4% in 2013-14. Over the same period the percentage of children exclusively breastfed at the six to eight week review has remained broadly similar at around 27%.\r\nInformation on exclusive breastfeeding at the child health programme first visit (which takes place at around 10 days of age) and six to eight week review is published on the Information Services Division website in table 1 and table 2 respectively:\r\nhttp://www.isdscotland.org/Health-Topics/Child-Health/Publications/2014-10-28/BF-hb-financial-oct14.xls\r\nNo information is collected nationally about the reasons for the reduction.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-01-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-01-21T17:02:46.167","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":299879,"EventID":"S4W-23885","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-07T17:02:46.51","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-07T11:31:58.68","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much funding it is providing to each NHS board to meet increased demand due to the winter, and what the criteria are for determining this.\r\n","AnswerText":"We have invested over £29 million this year (2014-15) to support the NHS and help boards cope with the added pressures they are experiencing as well as manage winter pressures.\r\nWe have invested £9.5 million through our National Unscheduled Care Action Plan. This was allocated to all boards, including the Scottish Ambulance Service and NHS 24. The allocation to each board was determined by using the NHSScotland Resource Allocation Committee (NRAC) formula.\r\nWe have invested £10 million to support improvements in relation to delayed discharges, whilst minimising potential disruption to services, patients and carers over the winter period. Some of this funding was allocated to boards on a NRAC basis and the remainder was determined by assessing the level of delayed discharge.\r\nIn December 2014 we announced a further £10 million investment to support winter resilience by increasing capacity during winter months and help stop patients being admitted to or delayed in hospital unnecessarily, easing the impact of pressure on both scheduled and unscheduled care. The allocation of this funding will be determined by a number of factors including, NRAC, level of local pressures, delayed discharge and elective cancellations/pressures.\r\nNHS boards have also invested around £20 million to support improvements in unscheduled care and winter resilience. This is a combined investment from central and local funding to of £50 million.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-01-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-01-21T17:02:46.54","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":299880,"EventID":"S4W-23887","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-07T17:02:46.93","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-07T11:31:58.68","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to reverse the reported increase in the number of patients facing delayed discharge from hospital.\r\n","AnswerText":"As set out in our Programme for Government on 26 November 2014, delayed discharges are significantly lower than they were in 2006. But we need to do more and tackling this issue is a key priority of this government.\r\nSince August 2014 we have invested £18 million which is being used by local partnerships to make further developments in intermediate care and other services aimed at driving down the level of delays. A further £10 million Winter Resilience Fund is also available to focus on delays over the winter months.\r\nOn 20 January 2015 we announced £100 million funding for delayed discharge over the next three financial years. Funding will go to help develop services aimed at reducing unnecessary hospital admissions and ensuring timely discharge.\r\nIt will also include a commitment to deliver on key issues such as discharging within 72 hours, and reducing unnecessary admissions.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-01-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-01-21T17:02:46.963","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":299881,"EventID":"S4W-23888","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-07T17:02:47.32","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-07T11:31:58.68","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to reduce the number of patients who are designated as code 9 in the Delayed Discharges Definitions and Data Recording Manual but are not recorded on the delayed discharge database.\r\n","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-23868 on 20 January 2015. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.\r\nAll patients categorised as ‘code 9’ are included on the delayed discharge data recording system, and are published in the quarterly delayed discharge census available at: \r\nhttp://www.isdscotland.org/Health-Topics/Health-and-Social-Community-Care/Delayed-Discharges/Previous-Publications/.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-01-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-01-21T17:02:47.337","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":299882,"EventID":"S4W-23889","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2108,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":141,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-07T17:02:47.71","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-07T13:03:29","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with Police Scotland regarding the use of the operational method, kettling, and whether it considers this an appropriate way to maintain public order.\r\n","AnswerText":"Ministers meet with Police Scotland and the Scottish Police Authority regularly to discuss a range of issues, although there have been no specific discussions with Police Scotland the regarding the use of tactical options in public order situations.\r\nThe deployment of police officers and the decision around the use of tactical options for crowd management is a matter for Police Scotland. Any decision to utilise containment as a tactical option is one made by the police tactical commander and is fundamentally subject to a variety of legal tests derived from stated cases. Scottish Ministers expect that any use of this approach to policing is proportionate to the situation making the measure necessary and is enforced for no longer than is reasonably necessary.\r\nThe Scottish Police Authority has a statutory responsibility for holding the Chief Constable to account for the policing of Scotland.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-01-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-01-21T17:02:47.727","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":299883,"EventID":"S4W-23892","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-07T17:02:47.993","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-07T13:22:36.47","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what proportion of mental health patient have (a) drug and (b) alcohol problems.\r\n","AnswerText":"This information is not held centrally.\r\n\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-01-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-01-21T17:02:48.007","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":299884,"EventID":"S4W-23893","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-07T17:02:48.383","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-07T13:22:36.47","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what information it has regarding the number of LGBT people who have contemplated suicide.\r\n","AnswerText":"This information is not collected. However we recognise that LGBT people can experience more difficulty than others in accessing mental health services to meet their needs. This can be because some groups are less likely to try to access services, for example due to stigma, or because there are gaps or lack of capacity in some services.\r\nThe Scottish Government is working with NHS boards and partners to ensure that monitoring information about who is accessing services is consistently available to inform decisions about service design and to remove barriers to services.\r\nWe also provided £410,000 of funding to the LGBT Centre for Health and Wellbeing to run the Demonstration Project. This project was launched in response to evidence of the inequalities experienced by LGBT people around mental health. The project completed in 2014 and an impact report, which will be used to inform next steps, was published in November 2014.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-01-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-01-21T17:02:48.397","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":299885,"EventID":"S4W-23894","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-07T17:02:48.757","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-07T13:22:36.47","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to prevent inequality in mental health services.\r\n","AnswerText":"Overall, health in Scotland is improving, and people are living longer, healthier lives. Reducing the health gap between people in Scotland’s most deprived and affluent communities is one of our greatest challenges.\r\nOur approach to improving mental health services is exactly the same as our approach to physical health. We are working with NHS boards and partners to ensure monitoring information about who is accessing services, such as ethnicity and sexuality, is consistently available to inform decisions about service design and to remove barriers to services.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-01-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-01-21T17:02:48.787","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":299886,"EventID":"S4W-23895","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-07T17:02:49.13","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-07T13:22:36.47","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many NHS mental health posts are unfilled.\r\n","AnswerText":"The number of posts currently unfilled for consultants working in mental health, compared to the position at 30 September 2006 is shown in the first table.\r\nThe number of posts currently unfilled for nurses working in mental health, compared to the position at 30 September 2007, is shown in the second table.\r\nVacancy information for other staff groups is not centrally held.\r\nTable 1: Whole time equivalent establishment, staff in post and vacancies for all psychiatric speciality consultants in NHS Scotland.\r\n\r\n30 September 2006\r\n30 September 2014\r\nEstablishment\r\n497.4\r\n572.5\r\nStaff in post\r\n444.7\r\n535.2\r\nVacancies\r\n52.8\r\n37.3\r\nSource: Scottish Workforce Information Standard System (SWISS), Information Services Division (ISD) Scotland\r\n\r\nTable 2: Whole time equivalent establishment, staff in post and vacancies for all mental health nurses in NHS Scotland.\r\n\r\n30 September 2007\r\n30 September 2014\r\nEstablishment\r\n7,577.5   \r\n9,780.6\r\nStaff in post\r\n7,245.8\r\n9,434.1\r\nPosts under review\r\n28.0\r\n-\r\nVacancies\r\n303.7\r\n346.5\r\nSource: SWISS, ISD Scotland; Vacancy information by staff group is not available for 2006 as staff were in the process of being assimilated to Agenda for Change. \r\nNotes: \r\nThe total establishment is the sum of all staff in post and any vacancies. In 2007, establishment figures also included any posts which were under review. Information on the number of posts under review is no longer collected and these posts are no longer included in the establishment figures.\r\nVacancy information is not strictly comparable between 2007 and 2014 due to changes in the definition. In 2007, most boards recorded vacancies from the date when the previous incumbent left the post up until the date when an individual accepted the post. Vacancies are now defined as starting from the date the post is cleared for advert and ending on the date that an individual starts in the post.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-01-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-01-21T17:02:49.147","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":299887,"EventID":"S4W-23896","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-07T17:02:49.52","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-07T13:22:36.47","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many patients who were discharged from acute mental health services in each of the last three years received a seven-day follow-up.\r\n","AnswerText":"This information is not held centrally.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-01-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-01-21T17:02:49.537","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":299888,"EventID":"S4W-23897","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-07T17:02:49.897","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-07T13:22:36.47","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what proportion of NHS spending is allocated to mental health services.\r\n","AnswerText":"In 2013-14, expenditure on mental health accounted for 11.82% of NHS spending.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-01-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-01-21T17:02:49.91","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":299889,"EventID":"S4W-23898","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-07T17:02:50.27","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-07T13:22:36.47","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the average waiting time is for mental health treatment following referral.\r\n","AnswerText":"The average adjusted median wait for treatment is eight weeks.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-01-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-01-21T17:02:50.3","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":299890,"EventID":"S4W-23899","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-07T17:02:50.66","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-07T13:22:36.47","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government (a) how many and (a) what proportion of people who accessed mental health crisis care in the last year had not used mental health services before.\r\n","AnswerText":"This information requested is not held centrally.\r\nThe Scottish Government is currently working with the Scottish crisis and acute inpatient network on commitment 23 of the Mental Health Strategy 2012-15 to develop a core data set that will allow effective comparison of the effectiveness of different models of crisis resolution/home treatment services across NHS Scotland. This work will help identify the key components of crisis prevention approaches and as a basis for a review of the standards for crisis services.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-01-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-01-21T17:02:50.677","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":299891,"EventID":"S4W-23900","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-07T17:02:51.067","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-07T13:22:36.47","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on the article, Mindfulness in Clinician Therapeutic Relationships, which was published in the journal, Mindfulness, in September 2013.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government notes the publication of this study which sought to explore the relationship between clinicians’ mindfulness and their perceived therapeutic alliance with their clients. The evidence that the quality of the therapeutic relationship is associated with client outcome is well recognised and this paper finds aspects of a mindfulness approach as being effective. Mindfulness based practice and training are therefore recommended.\r\nCurrently the concept of mindfulness is widely promoted in a variety of mental health settings. This is both for staff in their therapeutic encounters and personal occupational mental health, and for patients as a therapeutic tool in enhancing their mental health and wellbeing. Training opportunities exist for NHS Scotland staff and partners.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-01-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-01-21T17:02:51.08","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":299892,"EventID":"S4W-23901","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-07T17:02:51.457","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-07T13:22:36.47","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what average length of time police officers spend in accident and emergency departments accompanying people with a mental illness.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government does not hold this information. Police Scotland has also advised that it does not maintain records on this detail.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-01-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-01-21T17:02:51.487","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":299893,"EventID":"S4W-23902","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-07T17:02:51.83","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-07T13:22:36.47","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many (a) adults and (b) children in prison or other criminal justice settings have (i) mental health problems and (ii) learning difficulties.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government does not hold national data on the numbers of adults and young people within prison and criminal justice settings in Scotland who have mental health problems and learning difficulties. \r\nMental health services, and the recording of this information, transferred from the Scottish Prison Service (SPS) to the NHS in 2011 as part of the national transfer of responsibility for health care services for prisoners. Any information relating to these services in prisons should therefore be requested from each local health board.\r\nOn reception at all prisons and Polmont Young Offenders Institution, all admissions undergo a healthcare screening, followed by a medical assessment within 24 hours. Those identified with mental health issues are referred for appropriate support, including the multi-disciplinary mental health team. Additionally, on admission all prisoners are assessed as part of the Suicide Risk Management Strategy (Act 2 Care) to assess the individual’s risk of suicide or self-harm. If necessary a care plan will be formulated to meet the individual’s needs.\r\nTo support the delivery of consistent and evidence based approaches to mental health service provision within all prison settings, the National Prisoner Healthcare Network has established a subgroup to lead the development of a mental health services implementation plan for use by NHS boards. This plan includes consideration of how best to develop systems which will support a live prisoner needs assessment for mental health and learning disabilities. \r\nIn relation to learning difficulties, as noted in a previous response (S4W-22551 on 2 October 2014), the SPS recognises that Learning Difficulties and Disabilities (LDD) is a significant issue amongst the prisoner population and is committed to improving their assessment processes and provision of services for prisoners with learning difficulties. The new vision for young people in custody recognises that a high proportion of young people in custody will have learning difficulties of one form or another. To inform this, the SPS are currently testing a number of approaches including piloting a comprehensive screening tool providing a ‘red flag’ indicator across the spectrum of LDD conditions\r\nAll answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at: \r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-01-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-01-21T17:02:51.847","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":299894,"EventID":"S4W-23903","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-07T17:02:52.187","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-07T13:22:36.47","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much it has spent on research into mental health in each year since 2007.\r\n","AnswerText":"A total of almost £15.7 million has been spent on mental health research since 2007.\r\nThe majority of this funding has come from the Chief Scientist Office – almost \r\n£15 million. The combined annual awarded funding for mental health related research grants and funding to the Mental Health Network is as follows:\r\n2007-08\r\n£2,937,173\r\n2008-09\r\n£4,029,689\r\n2009-10\r\n£1,366,940\r\n2010-11\r\n£1,405,693\r\n2011-12\r\n£1,552,996\r\n2012-13\r\n£2,298,499\r\n2013-14\r\n£859,716\r\n2014-15\r\n£526,705\r\nTotal\r\n£14,977,411\r\n\r\nAnalytical Services in the Scottish Government spent a further £0.7 million on \r\npolicy-related evaluation and research. Please note this is presented as the year the funds were committed, not necessarily the year they were spent.\r\n2007-08\r\n£245,262\r\n2008-09\r\n£296,077\r\n2009-10\r\n£67,757\r\n2012-13\r\n£93,882\r\nTotal\r\n£702,978\r\n\r\nA number of other studies and surveys commissioned by Scottish Government Analytical Services also collect and report on mental health and mental wellbeing as part of their remit. It is not possible to disaggregate the costs of the mental health component. These include the Scottish Health Survey, Growing Up in Scotland, the Scottish Schools Adolescent Lifestyle and Substance Use Survey and GoWell.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-01-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-01-21T17:02:52.22","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":299895,"EventID":"S4W-23904","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-07T17:02:52.577","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-07T13:22:36.47","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many people have been diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder in each of the last five years.\r\n","AnswerText":"This information is not held centrally.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-01-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-01-21T17:02:52.593","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":299896,"EventID":"S4W-23905","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-07T17:02:52.953","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-07T13:22:36.47","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it supports LGBT people experiencing mental health problems.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is committed to the national improvement of mental health and to its service equality. We have committed £1 million per year, in addition to £500,000 per year from Comic Relief, for three years for the national See Me programme to eliminate stigma and discrimination for all people with mental health problems but with an approach that directly involves those most affected by stigma and discrimination such as LGBT people, who can experience increased rates of mental health problems. Staff working in mental health services are trained to be aware of specific equalities issues including patient sexuality to ensure that services are accessible.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-01-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-01-21T17:02:52.967","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":299897,"EventID":"S4W-23906","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5080,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-07T17:02:53.513","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-07T14:59:56.693","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many NHS pathologists are employed in each NHS board.\r\n","AnswerText":"Information on how many NHS pathologists are employed in each NHS board is detailed in the following table.\r\nWhole time equivalent pathologist staff1 employed in NHS boards.\r\n\r\n30 September 2014\r\nScotland\r\n221.1\r\nNHS Ayrshire and Arran\r\n13.5\r\nNHS Borders\r\n1.0\r\nNHS Dumfries and Galloway\r\n2.0\r\nNHS Fife\r\n7.0\r\nNHS Forth Valley\r\n9.8\r\nNHS Grampian\r\n32.2\r\nNHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde\r\n68.4\r\nNHS Highland\r\n4.9\r\nNHS Lanarkshire\r\n15.3\r\nNHS Lothian\r\n42.6\r\nNHS Orkney\r\n-\r\nNHS Shetland\r\n-\r\nNHS Tayside\r\n24.4\r\nNHS Western Isles\r\n-\r\nSource: Scottish Workforce Information Standard System, Information Services Division Scotland.\r\n1. Includes both histopathologists and chemical pathologists.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-01-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-01-21T17:02:53.53","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":299898,"EventID":"S4W-23907","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5080,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-07T17:02:53.78","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-07T14:59:56.693","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what progress it has made in implementing each of the points in its action plan to tackle pay day lending.\r\n","AnswerText":"The action plan to tackle payday lending set out 12 action points. Progress on each action has been set out below.\r\n1. Introduce the Financial Health Service which provides access to a range of money advice services and financial education, including a website and public information campaign.\r\nThe Scottish Government launched Scotland’s Financial Health Service (SFHS) website on 3 December 2014. The website is a hub of information and advice, bringing together different strands including financial education and advice on debt, employability and access to ethical and affordable lending, including a post-code search facility to identify appropriate credit unions and local sources of money advice. A television and press marketing campaign to raise awareness of the SFHS website commenced on 2 January 2015.\r\n2. Explore how to further promote credit unions as potential alternative lenders as a key part of the SFHS.\r\nI have chaired two meetings of the recently established credit union working group. The remit of the group, which includes representatives from the credit union sector and the Scottish Government, is to promote credit unions in Scotland. As an example, this engagement has led to the agreement that all credit unions across Scotland are promoted through SFHS website.\r\n3. Invite the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) to be part of the Scottish Government’s round table on payday lending which involves lenders, advice agencies and Trading Standards. Opportunity to promote good practice, highlight poor practice and raise Scottish concerns with FCA.\r\nI chaired a meeting with stakeholders from the advice agencies, Consumer Finance Association and Trading Standards to discuss the proposals for the cap. The FCA were represented and provided a presentation on the proposals for the capping of high-cost short-term credit for comment and discussion by the group. This informed my response to the FCA consultation which was issued on 21 August 2014. \r\n4. Scottish Planning Policy to include policy to support local planning decisions seeking to address over proliferation and clustering of the activities of concern.\r\nThe Scottish Planning Policy, launched in June 2014, includes national planning policy about the proliferation of activities such as pay day lending outlets and betting shops and the impacts on the character and amenity of town centres and high streets and the wellbeing of communities.\r\n5. Consult on changes to remove the existing exemptions from planning control for betting offices and certain financial services.\r\nThe public consultation on planning legislation contained technical changes and closed on 14 November 2014. We are still considering the responses. The consultation was technical in nature and relates to legislative changes to the Use Classes Order and the General Permitted Development Order. Currently these mechanisms allow premises selling financial, professional and other services to change use to betting office or pay day loan related activities without requiring planning permission. The Smith Commission recommended the Scottish Parliament should have the powers to control the proliferation of pay day loans shops. This is necessary as planning cannot effectively control the sale of a particular financial service from variety of outlets.\r\n6. The Scottish Government will continue to argue for responsibility for the regulation of gambling to transfer to the Scottish Parliament.\r\nThrough the Smith Commission process we have argued for further devolution of gambling policy. Now the commission has completed its work and recommended the devolution of a power in respect of fixed odds betting terminals, we continue to seek to engage with the UK Government on the delivery of that commitment.\r\n7. While the power to regulate gaming, betting and lotteries lies with Westminster, Scottish Government will continue to seek to influence the UK Government’s gambling policy.\r\nWe have continued to press the UK Government to take actio","AnswerDate":"2015-02-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-01-21T17:02:53.797","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":299899,"EventID":"S4W-23908","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5080,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-07T17:02:54.013","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-07T14:59:56.693","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what specialisms are or were provided at each acute hospital in NHS Lanarkshire in (a) 2007, (b) 2011 and (c) 2015.","AnswerText":"I have asked NHS Lanarkshire to write to the member with the requested information.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-01-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-01-21T17:02:54.03","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":299900,"EventID":"S4W-23909","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3824,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-07T17:02:54.247","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-07T15:08:29.873","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what resources will be made available to the Clyde 2020 initiative and the emerging regional marine planning partnership to (a) identify the indicators of Good Environmental Status (GES) relevant to the region and (b) deliver the practical measures needed to achieve GES by 2020.\r\n","AnswerText":"Clyde 2020 is a broad-based initiative which aims to bring together existing activity and build on that through new action – both scientific research and practical measures – to achieve a healthier and more sustainable Clyde ecosystem.\r\nA project steering group and a research group for Clyde 2020 are being established to facilitate the work of the Clyde 2020 programme, and additional funding of £11,063 has been provided to the Firth of Clyde Forum to contribute to work on the Clyde 2020 action plan which will be published later in 2015.\r\nAll of the eleven descriptors of GES under the Marine Strategy Framework Directive can inform our understanding of how the Clyde ecosystem operates. The directive operates at a broad regional sea level and the descriptors are designed to be relevant at that geographical level. However, there may well be linkages between action required at that broader scale and local management required for the Clyde.\r\nThe Clyde 2020 programme is being supported by existing research undertaken by Marine Scotland Science and other Marine Alliance for Science and Technology for Scotland partners.\r\nCurrent research being undertaken through the European Fisheries Fund project ‘Evidence Gathering in Support of Sustainable Scottish Inshore Fisheries’, is due to report in August 2015. This research is targeted within the Firth of Clyde and should contribute to the understanding of GES and the outputs will be available to support the Clyde 2020 initiative and the marine planning partnership.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-01-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-01-21T17:02:54.263","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Richard Lochhead","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":299901,"EventID":"S4W-23910","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3824,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-07T17:02:54.543","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-07T15:08:29.873","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how the coastal partnerships will feed into and work with the regional partnerships that are being established in conjunction with the draft National Marine Plan.\r\n","AnswerText":"Local Coastal Partnerships were initially established to address local priorities and coastal zone issues. Marine planning partnerships will deliver statutory marine planning for Scottish Marine Regions out to 12 nautical miles. Where Local Coastal Partnerships want to become involved in regional marine planning, their understanding of local issues and existing engagement of stakeholders will potentially be of great benefit to the marine planning partnership. However, the precise role and relationship will be for Local Coastal Partnerships to consider as regional marine planning develops.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-01-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-01-21T17:02:54.56","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Richard Lochhead","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":299902,"EventID":"S4W-23915","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":8,"MSPID":4947,"Party":"Independent","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-07T17:18:38.967","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-07T16:36:43.773","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body what consideration it has given to the exposure of the Scottish Parliamentary Pension Scheme to the so-called carbon bubble risk described in Scottish Environment LINK’s report, Scotland and the Carbon Bubble, and whether it is confident that the scheme's managers are correctly valuing its investments in oil and gas producers.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Trustees of the Scottish Parliamentary Pension Scheme (SPPS) appointed Baillie Gifford as Fund Manager for the scheme and have delegated the responsibility for day to day investment management to them. The pension contributions are invested in 'pooled' funds (i.e. the SPPS is one of a number of investors in the funds) therefore under these arrangements the SPPS does not directly own any stocks and therefore cannot direct investments.\r\n \r\nIn light of the publication of the Scottish Environment LINK’s report, Scotland and the Carbon Bubble we brought the report to Baillie Gifford’s attention and asked them to comment on it and explain their investment strategy in terms of oil and gas producers.  \r\n \r\nBaillie Gifford look to the companies they invest in to be flexible and responsive to the global economy and emerging environmental and social trends and pressures.  They are looking to companies with exposure to hydrocarbons to:\r\n \r\nHave targets to reduce their own emissions over the long term (20-30 years);\r\nDisclose their interaction with policy makers;\r\nStructure asset portfolios so that they are resilient to a transition to a low carbon economy.\r\n \r\nBaillie Gifford believes there is a strong argument and responsibility for investors to be active in the discussion, not by divesting but by being socially and environmentally responsible and looking for a global solution, by engaging with regulators, companies (within and outwith the hydrocarbon sector), and their clients.\r\n \r\nIn terms of the SPPS’ exposure to fossil fuels, the scheme currently has 3.64% exposure to the oil and gas industry (globally, via both producers and services companies) through its investment in the managed pension fund and 0.16% via the diversified growth fund (so a total exposure of 3.8%). The scheme also has about 0.75% exposure to renewables through the diversified growth fund. The weighting to oil and gas in the managed pension fund has come down significantly in the last five years, from just over 11% to just over 5% today.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-01-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-01-21T17:18:38.983","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"John Pentland","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":299903,"EventID":"S4W-23911","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4080,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-08T13:47:04.283","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-07T16:09:55","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government on what date the independent reference group considering post-corroboration safeguards will report.\r\n","AnswerText":"Lord Bonomy has indicated that the post-corroboration safeguards review will be completed by April 2015.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-01-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-01-22T13:47:04.52","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":299904,"EventID":"S4W-23912","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3061,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-08T13:47:04.813","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-07T16:21:32.13","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what level of (a) physiotherapy, (b) occupational therapy and (c) speech therapy each (i) NHS board and (ii) local authority provides for people who have had a stroke.\r\n","AnswerText":"This information is not held centrally. \r\nWhile policies, frameworks and resources are provided by the Scottish Government, individual NHS boards are responsible for planning and funding services in their area and for securing and determining the workforce to deliver them.\r\nEach health board and/or local authority decides the level of stroke service required in their area with the service provided to individuals depending on local/individual need.\r\nPersonalised and integrated services for adults who have had a stroke will be strengthened further with implementation of the Social Care (Self-directed Support) (Scotland) Act 2013 and the Public Bodies (Joint Working) (Scotland) Act 2014.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-01-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-01-22T13:47:04.847","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":299905,"EventID":"S4W-23916","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-08T13:47:05.127","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-07T17:32:44.31","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many people under 25 have not been in education, employment or training in each year since 2007.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Annual Population Survey provides the preferred measure for not in education, employment or training (NEET) for the population in Scotland. The latest headline NEET estimates are published annually by the Scottish Government and cover the period from January to December 2013.\r\nThe following table provides the number of people not in education, employment or training for 16-24 year olds in Scotland from 2007 to 2013.\r\nLevels of 16-24 year olds not in education, employment or training, Scotland, 2007-2013\r\nYear\r\nNEET level\r\n2007\r\n84,000\r\n2008\r\n88,000\r\n2009\r\n98,000\r\n2010\r\n104,000\r\n2011\r\n95,000\r\n2012\r\n90,000\r\n2013\r\n93,000\r\nSource: Annual Population Survey, January to December 2013, Office for National Statistics.\r\nNotes: \r\n1. Figures rounded to the nearest thousand.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-01-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-01-22T13:47:05.157","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Roseanna Cunningham","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":299906,"EventID":"S4W-23917","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-08T13:47:05.61","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-07T17:32:44.31","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government for what reason vocational activity in (a) schools and (b) colleges has fallen from 45,580 in 2010-11 to 26,330 in 2012-13.","AnswerText":"The data to which the member refers relates to the Scottish Funding Council’s (SFC) analysis of further education awards for year 2012-13 (source: SFC Infact database, January 2015). \r\nFrom 2010-11, the Scottish Government asked the SFC to refocus college funding and activity on 16-19 year olds and those in the Opportunities for All group. This meant fewer school pupils attending college as part of their broad general education and school-college activity targeted at senior phase pupils.\r\nThis approach is consistent with the recommendations from the Commission for Developing Scotland’s Young Workforce. Our implementation plan for taking forward the commission’s recommendations is predicated on a continued focus on employability within Scottish education for all young people, with a renewed emphasis on developing skills for work, as well as for life and learning. This will ensure all young people can access high quality work-related opportunities, including vocational qualifications in the senior phase. \r\nColleges – the principal providers of vocational education – have a central part to play. The Scottish Funding Council’s College Outcome Agreement Guidance, published in August 2014, highlighted their particular role in relation to senior phase vocational pathways. Local authorities also play an important part in ensuring young people in their schools have access to a full range of work-related learning. To this end, the Scottish Government agreed with the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities a £6.5 million package this year to develop vocational and employment pathways open to all young people.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-01-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-01-22T13:47:05.64","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":299907,"EventID":"S4W-23918","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-08T13:47:06.093","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-07T17:32:44.31","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what it is doing to expand modern apprenticeship training in colleges.","AnswerText":"Skills Development Scotland allocates modern apprenticeship (MA) places through an annual contracting process with registered training providers, including colleges. Allocations are determined by analysis of bids received, providers’ previous performance, expected demand with a view to ensuring a fair sectoral and geographic spread of apprenticeships.\r\nThe college sector in Scotland has been directly contracted to provide approximately 10% of MA places for this financial year and also act as a sub-contractor to providers for those MA frameworks that require formal underpinning knowledge or off the job training.\r\nIn its Outcome Agreement guidance to colleges for 2014-15, the Scottish Funding Council highlighted the potential for colleges to make a greater contribution to the development and delivery of high quality MAs. In this context, MAs form a key part of the overall measurement of colleges’ performance. Continuing improvement of quality and flexibility around delivery are key to colleges wishing to increase activity in this area.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-01-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-01-22T13:47:06.127","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Roseanna Cunningham","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":299919,"EventID":"S4W-23921","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1860,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-08T16:44:00.69","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-08T14:46:31.413","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many (a) NHS staff and (b) other people attended mental health first aid training in (i) 2012-13 and (ii) 2013-14.\r\n","AnswerText":"The total number of attendees for mental health first training in 2012-13 and 2013-14 is broken down as follows:\r\n\r\n2012-13\r\n2013-14\r\nNHS staff\r\n140\r\n123\r\nOther people\r\n2200\r\n2274\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-01-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-01-22T16:44:00.767","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":299920,"EventID":"S4W-23923","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1860,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-08T16:44:04.803","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-08T14:46:31.413","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what information it has on how many trained mental health first aid instructors there are.","AnswerText":"Since Scotland’s Mental Health First Aid was introduced, 484 people have undertaken the instructor training. There are currently 322 trainers on NHS Health Scotland’s database.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-01-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-01-22T16:44:04.817","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":299921,"EventID":"S4W-23924","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1860,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-08T16:44:05.2","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-08T14:46:31.413","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what information it has on how many mental health first aid courses took place in (a) 2012-13 and (b) 2013-14.","AnswerText":"The number of Scottish mental health first aid courses that took place are as follows:\r\n\r\n2012-13\r\n2013-14\r\nNumber of courses:\r\n267\r\n283\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-01-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-01-22T16:44:05.217","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":299922,"EventID":"S4W-23925","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1860,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-08T16:44:05.58","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-08T14:46:31.413","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government in which NHS boards mental health first aid training took place in (a) 2012-13 and (b) 2013-14.\r\n","AnswerText":"Scottish Mental Health First Aid courses are run by partners from across public services on behalf of NHS Health Scotland. The number of courses ran during 2012–13 and 2013–14 classed in each health board is as follows:\r\nBoard Area\r\n2012-13\r\n2013-14\r\nAyrshire and Arran\r\n8\r\n10\r\nDumfries and Galloway\r\n5\r\n11\r\nFife\r\n21\r\n25\r\nForth Valley\r\n25\r\n34\r\nGrampian\r\n17\r\n17\r\nGreater Glasgow and Clyde\r\n77\r\n85\r\nHighland\r\n9\r\n13\r\nLanarkshire\r\n26\r\n14\r\nLothian\r\n49\r\n42\r\nOrkney\r\n0\r\n0\r\nScottish Borders\r\n2\r\n2\r\nShetland\r\n2\r\n3\r\nTayside\r\n25\r\n26\r\nWestern Isles\r\n1\r\n1\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-01-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-01-22T16:44:05.597","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":299936,"EventID":"S4W-23927","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-09T15:45:08.817","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-09T10:13:48","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government which third sector organisations received Section 10 Grant Scheme funding in 2014-15.\r\n","AnswerText":"In 2014-15 there were 32 applications received, 14 of which were funded from Section 10 of the Social Work (Scotland) Act 1968. They were: \r\nCALL Scotland University of Edinburgh\r\nDeafblind Scotland\r\nHearing Link\r\nPain Association Scotland\r\nPartners in Advocacy\r\nScottish Accessible Information Forum\r\nMoira Anderson Foundation\r\nUPDATE Disability Information Scotland\r\nShared Care Scotland\r\nThe Coalition of Carers in Scotland\r\nMECOPP\r\nPenumbra\r\nSupport in Mind Scotland\r\nThe Food Train (subsequently their bid was withdrawn)\r\nThese 14 new successful applications were in addition to 43 existing recipients of Section 10 funding in 2014-15.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-01-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-01-23T15:45:08.903","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":299937,"EventID":"S4W-23928","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-09T15:45:09.537","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-09T10:13:48","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many third sector organisations applied for Section 10 Grant Scheme funding in 2014-15, and how many applications were approved.\r\n","AnswerText":"In 2014-15 there were 32 applications received, 14 of which were funded from Section 10 of the Social Work (Scotland) Act 1968.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-01-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-01-23T15:45:09.563","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":299938,"EventID":"S4W-23929","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-09T15:45:10.197","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-09T10:13:48","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, in light of its commitent that third sector organisations applying for Section 10 Grant Scheme funding for 2015-16 would \"be notified of the outcome [of the application] by December 31, 2014\", how many have yet to be notified, and what the reason is for the delay.\r\n","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-23932 on 20 January 2015. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at: \r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-01-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-01-23T15:45:10.22","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":299939,"EventID":"S4W-23931","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-09T15:45:10.78","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-09T10:13:48","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking in light of reports that third sector organisations are notifying staff of redundancies because of delays in announcing whether their application for Section 10 Grant Scheme funding has been approved.\r\n","AnswerText":"All organisations are advised that they should not become solely reliant on Section 10 funding nor expect it to be renewed following a subsequent application.\r\nThey are advised of the importance in seeking alternative sources of funding and must have adequate financial management controls and systems in place when applying for Section 10 funding.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-01-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-01-23T15:45:10.807","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":299940,"EventID":"S4W-23932","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-09T15:45:11.387","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-09T10:28:06","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the reasons were for any delays in notifying third sector organisations of the outcome of their application for Section 10 Grant Scheme funding for 2014-15.\r\n","AnswerText":"It has taken longer than initially estimated to complete the process, due to both the number of applications received and the overall amount requested by third sector organisations.\r\nWhen it became clear that the appraisal and decision would require more time, officials wrote to all applicants on 28 November 2014 and subsequently 7 January 2015 to apologise for the delay and to keep them informed of progress.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-01-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-01-23T15:45:11.413","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":299941,"EventID":"S4W-23933","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-09T15:45:11.97","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-09T11:15:45.62","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many third sector organisations applied for Section 10 Grant Scheme funding for 2015-16, and how many applications have been approved.\r\n","AnswerText":"A total of 51 organisations applied for Section 10 funding. All applicants will be advised of the outcome of their application in due course.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-01-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-01-23T15:45:11.99","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":299942,"EventID":"S4W-23934","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2603,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-09T15:45:12.533","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-09T15:21:04.417","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much funding it is providing to NHS Grampian and (a) Aberdeen City and (b) Aberdeenshire Council to meet increased demand due to winter pressures.\r\n","AnswerText":"We have invested over £29 million this year (2014-15) to support the NHS and help boards cope with the added pressures they are experiencing as well as manage winter pressures.\r\nNHS Grampian has received a total of £2,453,848. Aberdeen City has received £187,500 and Aberdeenshire has received £189,000 to date.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-01-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-01-23T15:45:12.55","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":299943,"EventID":"S4W-23935","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2603,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-09T15:45:12.957","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-09T15:21:04.417","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much funding it is providing to NHS Grampian and (a) Aberdeen City and (b) Aberdeenshire Council to assist with tackling delayed discharge and what the criteria were for determining this.\r\n","AnswerText":"Addressing delayed discharges is a top priority for this government. We have invested £10 million this year to support improvements in relation to delayed discharges, whilst minimising potential disruption to services, patients and carers over the winter period. Some of this funding was allocated to boards by using the NHS Scotland Resource Allocation Committee formula and the remainder was determined by assessing the level of delayed discharge.\r\nNHS Grampian was allocated £1 million in August 2014 and a further £456,000 in November 2014 to ensure delivery of improvements. The August allocation was allocated to NHS Grampian to alleviate pressures on the hospital system by creating additional capacity in the hospital and the community. This funding was allocated to those boards facing the greatest challenge, based on the scale of the challenge.\r\nThe November allocation was split by local authorities – Aberdeen City’s share was £187,500 and Aberdeenshire’s £189,000. \r\nOn 20 January 2015 the Health Secretary announced £100 million funding for delayed discharge over the next three years. Funding will go to help develop services aimed at reducing unnecessary hospital admissions and ensuring timely discharge. Aberdeen City will receive £3.75 million and Aberdeenshire will receive £3.78 million over the three year period.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-01-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-01-23T15:45:12.983","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":299944,"EventID":"S4W-23937","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-09T15:45:13.413","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-09T15:21:03.653","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the Scottish Fiscal Commission's budget is and what reports (a) it has produced and (b) are planned.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Scottish Fiscal Commission has been allocated an indicative annual operating budget of £20,000. The Scottish Government will however ensure that the commission has access to the necessary resources to enable it to fulfil its functions.\r\nThe Scottish Fiscal Commission published its first report on the Scottish Government’s forecasts of devolved tax revenues and on the economic determinants which underpin the Scottish Government’s forecasts of non-domestic rate income on 9 October 2014. The commission’s report can be accessed at:\r\nhttp://www.scottishfiscalcommission.org/ \r\nThe Scottish Fiscal Commission will be required to report on any future devolved tax forecasts published by the Scottish Government.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-01-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-01-23T15:45:13.44","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":299945,"EventID":"S4T-00886","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":9,"MSPID":3806,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-12T12:44:30.927","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-09T15:23:05.273","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it has taken to resolve transport disruption caused by recent storms.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-01-26T12:44:30.957","MeetingDate":"2015-01-13T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":299946,"EventID":"S4T-00893","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":9,"MSPID":2135,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":92,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-12T12:44:33.433","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-12T11:36:00.6","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to assist dairy farmers contracted to First Milk who have been notified over the weekend of a further reduction in price and the postponement of payments due.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-01-26T12:44:33.46","MeetingDate":"2015-01-13T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":299947,"EventID":"S4T-00896","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":9,"MSPID":4948,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-12T12:44:34.357","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-12T11:51:02","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on efforts to restore power supplies affected by severe weather.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-01-26T12:44:34.377","MeetingDate":"2015-01-13T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":299948,"EventID":"S4W-23938","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-12T14:21:14.177","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-09T15:29:53","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many people have not been in education, employment or training in each year since 2007, broken down by age. \r\n","AnswerText":"The Annual Population Survey provides the preferred measure for not in education, employment or training (NEET) for the population in Scotland. The latest headline NEET estimates are published annually by the Scottish Government and cover the period from January to December 2013.\r\nThe following table provides the number of people not in education, employment or training, broken down by the 16-24 year olds age group, in Scotland from 2007 to 2013.\r\nLevels of 16-24 year olds not in education, employment or training (NEET), by year of age, Scotland, 2007-2013\r\nYear\r\n16 year olds\r\n17 year olds\r\n18 year olds\r\n19 year olds\r\n16-19 year olds\r\n2007\r\n5,000\r\n8,000\r\n8,000\r\n8,000\r\n29,000\r\n2008\r\n5,000\r\n6,000\r\n11,000\r\n9,000\r\n30,000\r\n2009\r\n5,000\r\n9,000\r\n9,000\r\n11,000\r\n33,000\r\n2010\r\n6,000\r\n7,000\r\n11,000\r\n12,000\r\n36,000\r\n2011\r\n4,000\r\n5,000\r\n13,000\r\n10,000\r\n32,000\r\n2012\r\n5,000\r\n5,000\r\n11,000\r\n12,000\r\n33,000\r\n2013\r\n5,000\r\n5,000\r\n10,000\r\n10,000\r\n29,000\r\n \r\nYear\r\n20 year olds\r\n21 year olds\r\n22 year olds\r\n23 year olds\r\n24 year olds\r\n20-24 year olds\r\n16-24 year olds\r\n2007\r\n9,000\r\n11,000\r\n12,000\r\n10,000\r\n13,000\r\n55,000\r\n84,000\r\n2008\r\n10,000\r\n12,000\r\n13,000\r\n13,000\r\n10,000\r\n59,000\r\n88,000\r\n2009\r\n10,000\r\n13,000\r\n12,000\r\n16,000\r\n13,000\r\n64,000\r\n98,000\r\n2010\r\n11,000\r\n13,000\r\n16,000\r\n13,000\r\n15,000\r\n68,000\r\n104,000\r\n2011\r\n10,000\r\n12,000\r\n12,000\r\n17,000\r\n12,000\r\n63,000\r\n95,000\r\n2012\r\n10,000\r\n10,000\r\n13,000\r\n10,000\r\n15,000\r\n57,000\r\n90,000\r\n2013\r\n13,000\r\n13,000\r\n15,000\r\n12,000\r\n12,000\r\n64,000\r\n93,000\r\nSource: Annual Population Survey, January to December 2007 to 2013, Office for National Statistics.\r\nNotes: \r\n1. Figures rounded to the nearest thousand.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-01-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-01-26T14:21:14.26","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Roseanna Cunningham","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":299949,"EventID":"S4F-02515","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":4976,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-12T12:41:44.93","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-12T09:15:31.553","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister when she will next meet the Secretary of State for Scotland.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-01-26T12:41:45.03","MeetingDate":"2015-01-15T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":299950,"EventID":"S4W-23939","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-12T14:21:14.573","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-09T15:29:53","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many people applied for a college course in (a) 2011-12, (b) 2012-13 and (c) 2013-14 and how many were offered a place, broken down by course.\r\n","AnswerText":"Data on college applications and offers are not held centrally.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-01-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-01-26T14:21:14.593","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":299951,"EventID":"S4W-23940","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-12T14:21:14.937","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-09T15:29:53","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government in which areas of the economy it has identified skills shortages, and what action it is taking to tackle these.\r\n","AnswerText":"The UK Employers Skill Survey offers a comprehensive source of information about skill shortages in Scotland. The survey is available to view at:\r\nhttps://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/327492/evidence-report-81-ukces-employer-skills-survey-13-full-report-final.pdf.\r\nThrough the development of sectoral Skills Investment Plans (SIP) and Regional Skills Assessments (RSAs) we are working to ensure that Scotland’s skills and education system remains closely aligned with the needs of employers. Whilst the SIPs provide a blueprint for addressing skills supply issues within specific sectors, the RSAs are intended as a resource to inform future investment in skills at a regional level, including the development of College Regional Outcome Agreements.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-01-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-01-26T14:21:14.95","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Roseanna Cunningham","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":299952,"EventID":"S4W-23942","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-12T14:21:15.287","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-09T15:32:01","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many (a) cooperative and (b) employee-owned businesses there are; how many have been established in each year since 2007, and what (i) financial and (ii) other support it provides to them.\r\n","AnswerText":"There are 663 co-operatives in Scotland of which 73 are employee owned/ worker co-operatives\r\nCo-operative Development Scotland (CDS) has supported the establishment of:\r\n \r\nCo-operatives\r\nEmployee Owned\r\n2006-08\r\n27\r\n\r\n2008-09\r\n15\r\n\r\n2009-10\r\n16\r\n2\r\n2010-11\r\n30\r\n2\r\n2011-12\r\n27\r\n4\r\n2012-13\r\n29\r\n3\r\n2013-14\r\n30\r\n6\r\n2014-15\r\n31\r\n7\r\nAdvisory services are delivered by CDS staff and its specialist advisory framework, which are experts in co-operative models. Clients may receive up to three days advisory support fully funded. In addition, businesses wishing to adopt an employee ownership structure may be eligible for up to 30% of eligible implementation costs.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-01-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-01-26T14:21:15.307","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":299953,"EventID":"S4W-23948","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-12T14:21:15.593","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-09T15:34:37","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many people are employed in the social enterprise sector and how many have been employed in the sector in each year since 2007.\r\n","AnswerText":"Information about the number of people employed in the social enterprise sector and the number of new social enterprises created is not held centrally. This is partly because there is no universally accepted definition of social enterprise.\r\nHowever, there have been a number of reports in recent years which have provided some degree of analysis of the social enterprise sector, though they do not provide a complete analysis for all social enterprises in Scotland. These include:\r\n1. EKOS Social Enterprise Mapping report - commissioned by Big Scotland http://www.biglotteryfund.org.uk/-/media/Files/Research%20Documents/er_eval_social_enterprise_mapping_study.pdf \r\n2. Social Enterprise in Edinburgh – commissioned by Edinburgh City Council:\r\nhttp://www.edinburghsocialenterprise.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/ESEN-Report-18-June-2013-Email-Version1.pdf\r\n3. Social Enterprise in Dundee – commissioned by Dundee City Council and Dundee Social Enterprise Network:\r\nhttp://dundeesen.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/Dundee-SE-Mapping-Report-Final.pdf\r\n4. Social Enterprise in Glasgow – commissioned by Glasgow Social Enterprise Network:\r\nhttp://www.se-networks.net/downloads/GSEN-Scale_as_well_as_Substance.pdf\r\n5. Highlands and Islands Enterprise Social Enterprise Sector – commissioned by Highland and Islands Enterprise:\r\nhttp://www.google.co.uk/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&frm=1&source=web&cd=1&ved=0CCMQFjAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.hie.co.uk%2Fcommon%2Fhandlers%2Fdownload-document.ashx%3Fid%3Ded18a091-fd25-4821-be58-a8de86f30974&ei=ycC_VMmqKPGP7Ab3ioDoBQ&usg=AFQjCNGmpDOmT3tTiykE-bw4FxsxSTkrHw&sig2=X-j0vg35Xl2SctYLHAA9mg&bvm=bv.83829542,d.ZGU \r\nThe Scottish Government is committed to creating the right environment for social enterprise to flourish, and recognises the need for improved data. This issue is currently being considered with the sector.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-01-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-01-26T14:21:15.61","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":299954,"EventID":"S4W-23949","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-12T14:21:15.91","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-09T15:34:37","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many new social enterprises have been created in each year since 2007. \r\n","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-23948 on 26 January 2015. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-01-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-01-26T14:21:15.927","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":299955,"EventID":"S4W-23950","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-12T14:21:16.247","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-09T15:34:37","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what support it has provided to social enterprises in each year since 2007.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government published its Enterprising Third Sector Action Plan in 2008, which continues to provide the context for a holistic programme of support for social enterprises. Since 2007 the Scottish Government has provided significant support and investment in the growth and development of the sector and in strengthening its infrastructure, capacity, skills, market and investment readiness and its international reach. This support forms part of the Scottish Government’s support to the wider third sector and includes:\r\n£31.8 million to the Scottish Investment Fund between 2008-09 and 2011-12, resulting in investments in nearly 70 enterprising third sector organisations across Scotland as at 31 March 2014. \r\nRecycled income of up to £8 million from the Scottish Investment Fund is being reinvested in the Social Growth Fund, which has attracted additional investment of £8 million from Big Society Capital. The Social Growth Fund provides loan funding to ambitious enterprising third sector organisations.\r\nSupport for learning and development and an extensive schools programme promoting social entrepreneurship through the Social Enterprise Academy.\r\nJust Enterprise business support contract which has supported over 5000 enterprising third sector organisations, including social enterprises, across Scotland since 2011. \r\nReady for Business contract, has since November 2011 encouraged the use of community benefit clauses in public contracts, the delivery of social value through the commissioning process, and has helped to promote and improve understanding of the delivery competence of the third sector, including social enterprise, and the added value it can offer.\r\nSupport for social enterprise infrastructure and investment in networking.\r\nSupport for international social enterprises to headquarter in Scotland and promotion and support for social enterprise in Scotland to have international influence.\r\nSocial enterprises benefit from the investment and support to the local third sector interfaces.\r\nIn addition direct support to support growth and sustainability has been made available through the following funds: \r\nFund\r\nAmount allocated\r\n(£million)\r\nFinancial Years\r\nNumber of Social Enterprises or individuals supported to date\r\nThird Sector Enterprise Fund\r\n10.9\r\n2009-10 to 2010-11\r\n186\r\nEnterprise Growth Fund\r\n6\r\n2011-12\r\n64\r\nEnterprise Ready Fund\r\n6\r\n2013-14 to 2014-15\r\n129\r\nSocial Entrepreneurs Fund\r\n3\r\n2009-10 to 2014-15\r\n285\r\nSocial enterprises are also eligible for a range of Scottish Government funded support available to businesses more generally.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-01-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-01-26T14:21:16.263","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":299956,"EventID":"S4W-23951","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-12T14:21:16.567","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-09T15:42:30","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much it has spent on the modern apprenticeship programme in each year since 2007. \r\n","AnswerText":"This is an operational matter for Skills Development Scotland (SDS). I will ask the Chief Executive of SDS to write to you with the information you have requested.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-01-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-01-26T14:21:16.58","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Roseanna Cunningham","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":299957,"EventID":"S4W-23952","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-12T14:21:16.897","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-09T15:42:30","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many modern apprenticeships have been created in each year since 2007, broken down by (a) sector and (b) occupation.\r\n","AnswerText":"This is an operational matter for Skills Development Scotland (SDS). I will ask the Chief Executive of SDS to write to you with the information you have requested.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-01-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-01-26T14:21:16.913","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Roseanna Cunningham","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":299958,"EventID":"S4W-23953","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-12T14:21:17.237","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-09T15:42:30","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the cost to it is of each modern apprenticeship placement, broken down by sector.","AnswerText":"Funding from the Scottish Government for modern apprenticeships (MAs) represents a contribution towards the cost of training the apprentice.\r\nSkills Development Scotland (SDS) publish a table of contributions which indicates the cost of MAs, broken down by the framework followed rather than sector, here:\r\nhttp://www.skillsdevelopmentscotland.co.uk/our-services/provider-central/national-training-programmes/modern-apprenticeships/\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-01-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-01-26T14:21:17.253","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Roseanna Cunningham","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":299959,"EventID":"S4W-23954","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-12T14:21:17.793","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-09T15:42:30","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the employer contribution is to the modern apprenticeship scheme.","AnswerText":"Funding from government for modern apprenticeships represents a contribution towards the cost of training the apprentice, with the employer retaining liability for the apprentice’s wage as well as any balance of training costs.\r\nThe contribution rates vary, dependent upon the age of the apprentice, the framework followed and the level of the qualification. Contribution rates can be found on Skills Development Scotland website, here:\r\nhttp://www.skillsdevelopmentscotland.co.uk/our-services/provider-central/national-training-programmes/modern-apprenticeships/ \r\nThe balance of training costs is determined by the price charged to employers by training providers, which is a commercial matter between them and in which the Scottish Government has no role.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-01-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-01-26T14:21:17.81","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Roseanna Cunningham","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":299960,"EventID":"S4W-23955","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-12T14:21:18.127","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-09T15:42:30","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what rates of pay apply for modern apprentices and whether it considers them sufficient to live on.\r\n","AnswerText":"Employment law, including National Minimum Wage (NMW) legislation, remains a matter reserved to the UK Government.\r\nIn 2010 the UK Government introduced the apprentice rate of the NMW. The Low Pay Commission (LPC) consult each year on NMW levels, including the apprentice rate. In response to these consultations, the Scottish Government has consistently held the position that, while we recognise employers’ expectation that apprentices ought not to be paid the same rate as qualified employees, the apprentice rate of NMW should be higher.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-01-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-01-26T14:21:18.143","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Roseanna Cunningham","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":299961,"EventID":"S4W-23957","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-12T14:21:18.423","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-09T15:42:30","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many modern apprentices are paid the basic apprentice rate.","AnswerText":"The UK Apprenticeship pay survey 2014 \r\n(https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/387319/bis-14-1281-apprenticeship-pay-survey-2014.pdf) was published on 18 December 2014. The survey showed that for level 2 and 3 apprentices in Scotland, 87 per cent had a gross hourly wage at or above the appropriate national minimum wage.\r\nI have written to Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, Rt Hon Dr Vince Cable MP, to ask him what action the UK Government is taking to ensure that all apprentices are paid at least the minimum rate to which they are entitled.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-01-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-01-26T14:21:18.44","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Roseanna Cunningham","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":299962,"EventID":"S4W-23958","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-12T14:21:18.727","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-09T15:42:30","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many modern apprentices have remained in employment with the same employer at the end of their apprenticeship.","AnswerText":"This is an operational matter for Skills Development Scotland (SDS). I will ask the Chief Executive of SDS to write to you with the information you have requested.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-01-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-01-26T14:21:18.743","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Roseanna Cunningham","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":299963,"EventID":"S4W-23959","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-12T14:21:19.017","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-09T15:42:30","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has for an independent assessment of the outcomes of the modern apprenticeship programme.","AnswerText":"In our 2014-15 letter of guidance, the Scottish Government asked Skills Development Scotland (SDS) to consider how it measures the long-term outcomes of the modern apprenticeship (MA) programme, in line with the recommendations from the recent Audit Scotland report.\r\nI will ask the Chief Executive of SDS to write to you with the information you have requested.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-01-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-01-26T14:21:19.033","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Roseanna Cunningham","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":299964,"EventID":"S4W-23960","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-12T14:21:19.323","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-09T15:42:30","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it measures the success and outcomes of the modern apprenticeship programme.","AnswerText":"In our 2014-15 letter of guidance, the Scottish Government asked Skills Development Scotland (SDS) to consider how it measures the long-term outcomes of the modern apprenticeship (MA) programme, in line with the recommendations from the recent Audit Scotland report.\r\nI will ask the Chief Executive of SDS to write to you with the information you have requested.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-01-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-01-26T14:21:19.34","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Roseanna Cunningham","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":299965,"EventID":"S4W-23961","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-12T14:21:19.627","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-09T15:43:59","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how (a) many businesses have received support from and (b) much it has spent on the small business bonus scheme each year.\r\n","AnswerText":"The number of properties that have received support from the Small Business Bonus Scheme (SBBS) and the total amount of that support each year is set out in tables 1 and 2, as published annually in the non-domestic rates (NDR) relief statistics for small businesses in Scotland \r\n(http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Statistics/Browse/Local-Government-Finance/NDR-Rates-Relief).\r\nTable 1: Total number of SBBS recipients, 2008-09 to 2014-151,2,3\r\n \r\nTotal number of recipients as at:\r\nOctober 2008\r\nOctober 2009\r\nSeptember 2010\r\nSeptember 2011\r\nSeptember 2012\r\nSeptember 2013\r\nSeptember 2014\r\nAberdeen City\r\n1,800\r\n1,873\r\n1,784\r\n2,010\r\n1,975\r\n2,041\r\n2,045\r\nAberdeenshire\r\n4,016\r\n4,501\r\n4,726\r\n5,040\r\n5,170\r\n5,330\r\n5,408\r\nAngus\r\n1,854\r\n1,904\r\n2,067\r\n2,125\r\n2,190\r\n2,212\r\n2,361\r\nArgyll and Bute\r\n3,152\r\n3,507\r\n3,589\r\n3,885\r\n4,220\r\n4,362\r\n4,576\r\nClackmannanshire\r\n509\r\n569\r\n637\r\n696\r\n741\r\n787\r\n770\r\nDumfries and Galloway\r\n3,224\r\n3,475\r\n3,666\r\n3,979\r\n4,079\r\n4,401\r\n4,628\r\nDundee City\r\n1,494\r\n1,747\r\n1,899\r\n2,047\r\n1,952\r\n2,171\r\n2,275\r\nEast Ayrshire\r\n1,127\r\n1,341\r\n1,430\r\n1,469\r\n1,534\r\n1,551\r\n1,658\r\nEast Dunbartonshire\r\n626\r\n833\r\n936\r\n1,014\r\n1,068\r\n1,112\r\n1,152\r\nEast Lothian\r\n1,244\r\n1,324\r\n1,467\r\n1,529\r\n1,556\r\n1,587\r\n1,668\r\nEast Renfrewshire\r\n550\r\n613\r\n676\r\n693\r\n737\r\n747\r\n774\r\nEdinburgh, City of\r\n4,728\r\n5,601\r\n6,275\r\n6,316\r\n6,691\r\n6,163\r\n7,081\r\nEilean Siar\r\n405\r\n561\r\n507\r\n735\r\n821\r\n885\r\n1,073\r\nFalkirk\r\n1,365\r\n1,579\r\n1,675\r\n1,719\r\n1,879\r\n1,947\r\n2,091\r\nFife\r\n3,912\r\n4,581\r\n5,004\r\n5,365\r\n5,516\r\n5,800\r\n5,995\r\nGlasgow City\r\n4,713\r\n6,083\r\n6,870\r\n7,476\r\n7,962\r\n8,440\r\n8,943\r\nHighland\r\n5,642\r\n6,487\r\n7,302\r\n7,808\r\n8,383\r\n8,715\r\n8,991\r\nInverclyde\r\n604\r\n715\r\n793\r\n872\r\n921\r\n983\r\n1,001\r\nMidlothian\r\n779\r\n948\r\n1,081\r\n1,124\r\n1,127\r\n1,107\r\n1,162\r\nMoray\r\n1,509\r\n1,722\r\n1,772\r\n1,815\r\n1,863\r\n2,018\r\n2,055\r\nNorth Ayrshire\r\n1,847\r\n2,086\r\n2,271\r\n2,425\r\n2,477\r\n2,604\r\n2,646\r\nNorth Lanarkshire\r\n2,340\r\n2,799\r\n3,085\r\n3,352\r\n3,576\r\n3,768\r\n3,299\r\nOrkney Islands\r\n835\r\n1,019\r\n1,044\r\n1,036\r\n1,132\r\n1,171\r\n1,206\r\nPerth and Kinross\r\n2,893\r\n3,203\r\n3,441\r\n3,798\r\n3,991\r\n4,166\r\n4,343\r\nRenfrewshire\r\n1,797\r\n2,091\r\n2,242\r\n2,258\r\n2,503\r\n2,432\r\n2,475\r\nScottish Borders\r\n2,809\r\n2,981\r\n3,281\r\n3,414\r\n3,489\r\n3,580\r\n3,652\r\nShetland Islands\r\n407\r\n551\r\n551\r\n626\r\n671\r\n700\r\n736\r\nSouth Ayrshire\r\n1,625\r\n1,848\r\n1,944\r\n2,019\r\n2,063\r\n2,164\r\n2,227\r\nSouth Lanarkshire\r\n2,694\r\n3,224\r\n3,376\r\n3,558\r\n3,597\r\n3,965\r\n4,167\r\nStirling\r\n1,716\r\n1,859\r\n1,909\r\n2,076\r\n2,155\r\n2,224\r\n2,281\r\nWest Dunbartonshire\r\n655\r\n773\r\n977\r\n1,079\r\n1,111\r\n1,194\r\n1,250\r\nWest Lothian\r\n1,308\r\n1,541\r\n1,744\r\n1,841\r\n1,937\r\n2,054\r\n2,276\r\nScotland\r\n64,179\r\n73,939\r\n80,021\r\n85,199\r\n89,087\r\n92,381\r\n96,265\r\n1. Includes recipients of SBBS relief who also receive other NDR relief. \r\n2. 2008-09 was the first year of the SBBS and the thresholds for relief increased in 2010-11 to reflect the change in rateable values due to revaluation.\r\n3. Data on number of recipients are mid-year estimates. \r\n4. At the time of the 2014 snapshot North Lanarkshire were undertaking a review of SBBS, resulting in a lower reported number of recipients. This exercise was not completed and numbers may be larger than reported here.\r\n5. Between any given years the numbers of properties in receipt of SBBS may vary due to a range of reasons, including demolitions/ new builds; chains of properties expanding and falling above thresholds; openings/ closures of businesses; relocation of businesses into different Local authority areas; businesses being taken over by chains; switches to other types of reliefs e.g Rural relief, fresh start relief, among others.\r\n \r\nTable 2: SBBS relief provided, 2008-09 to 2014-15 by local authority 1,2,3,4\r\n \r\n2008-09\r\n2009-10\r\n2010-11\r\n2011-12\r\n2012-13\r\n2013-14\r\n2014-15\r\nAberdeen City\r\n2.4\r\n3.3\r\n3.3\r\n3.8\r\n4.0\r\n4.2\r\n4.4\r\nAberdeenshire\r\n3.4\r\n5.0\r\n5.8\r\n6.4\r\n7.0\r\n7.4\r\n7.9\r\nAngus\r\n1.8\r\n2.4\r\n2.7\r\n2.9\r\n3.2\r\n3.4\r\n3.7\r\nArgyll and Bute\r\n2.2\r\n3.1\r\n3.3\r\n3.8\r\n4.2\r\n4.4\r\n4.8\r\nClackmannanshire\r\n0.5\r\n0.8\r\n0.9\r\n1.1\r\n1.2\r\n1.3\r\n1.4\r\nDumfries and Galloway\r\n2.6\r\n3.6\r\n4.0\r\n4.6\r\n5.0\r\n5","AnswerDate":"2015-01-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-01-26T14:21:19.64","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":299966,"EventID":"S4W-23963","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-12T14:21:19.963","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-09T15:43:59","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the criteria are for small businesses seeking support from the small business bonus scheme.\r\n","AnswerText":"The criteria for eligibility for the Small Business Bonus Scheme are: rateable value of the properties occupied by each ratepayer falling within the thresholds set out in the following table; and that the rateable occupier is not a payday lender.\r\nThe table shows the level of relief available under the corresponding rateable value thresholds.\r\nCombined rateable value (RV) of all properties\r\nSmall Business Bonus Scheme Relief\r\nUp to £10,000\r\n100% (i.e. no rates payable)\r\n£10,001 to £12,000\r\n50%\r\n£12,001 to £18,000\r\n25%\r\n£18,001 to £35,000\r\n25% on each individual property with a rateable value not exceeding £18,000*\r\n* Allows a ratepayer occupying two or more properties with a cumulative rateable value of under £35,000 to qualify for relief at 25% on individual properties each with rateable value up to £18,000. \r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-01-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-01-26T14:21:19.98","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":299967,"EventID":"S4W-23964","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-12T14:21:20.277","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-09T15:43:59","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether an independent assessment has been made of the impact of the small business bonus scheme and, if not, what plans it has to commission such an assessment.\r\n","AnswerText":"Views on the impact of the small business bonus scheme were expressed in response to the Supporting Business – Promoting Growth Consultation Analysis were analysed and published in September 2013, available at:\r\nwww.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2013/09/1530).\r\nThe success of the scheme is already indicated in the annual non-domestic rates relief statistics for small business in Scotland, available at:\r\nwww.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Statistics/Browse/Local-Government-Finance/NDR-Rates-Relief), the latest of which estimate that over 96,000 properties (over two in five rateable properties) are benefiting from the scheme in 2014-15. The scheme's total support for ratepayers is estimated at £166 million this year.\r\nThe wider verdict of ratepayers is also clear, with consistent acclaim for the scheme including recognition from the Federation of Small Businesses that it ‘continues to give most Scottish small firms a competitive advantage over counterparts in other parts of the UK’.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-01-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-01-26T14:21:20.293","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":299968,"EventID":"S4W-23965","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-12T14:21:20.597","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-09T15:45:12","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on (a) public sector and (b) private employers publishing details of their pay ratios.\r\n","AnswerText":"In the private sector, the Large and Medium-sized Companies and Groups (Accounts and Reports) (Amendment) Regulations 2013 require that the directors’ remuneration policy of large and medium-sized UK companies must contain a statement of consideration of employment conditions elsewhere in the company and group where relevant. Specifically, this must set out ‘whether any remuneration comparison measurements were used and if so, what they were, and how that information was taken into account’. Such comparison measurements could include the use of pay ratios or similar.\r\nIn relation to the public sector, the UK Government’s Financial Reporting Manual requires central government bodies to disclose the ratio between the median remuneration of the public body’s staff and the mid-point of the banded remuneration of the highest paid executive director. The Scottish Government and health boards disclose this information in the accounts published annually.\r\nPay for local government employees is a matter for local authorities. The regulations for the remuneration reports for local authorities are set out in the Local Government Accounts (Scotland) Regulations 1985 (as amended by the Local Authority (Scotland) Amendment Regulations 2011. We believe it would be beneficial for pay ratios to be published.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-01-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-01-26T14:21:20.613","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":299969,"EventID":"S4W-23966","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-12T14:21:20.943","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-09T15:45:12","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much it has invested in adult learning in each year since 2007. \r\n","AnswerText":"Adult learning is funded under a number of different portfolios across the Scottish Government. A proportion of local government funding is allocated by each authority for community learning and development who are key providers of community based adult learning. As such community based adult learning, is funded through local authorities and not through Scottish Government directly therefore specific figures are not available. Total portfolio levels are not disaggregated down to adult learning figures. Examples of portfolio funding include workplace adult learning and initiatives to develop the young workforce which were funded through Training, Youth and Women’s Employment.\r\nEducation Scotland’s Community Learning and Development Policy and Improvement Team supports the work and outcomes identified in the Strategic Guidance for Community Planning Partnerships: Community Learning and Development and this includes adult learning. Education Scotland has policy responsibility for adult education and this includes Strategic Funding Partnerships with national adult learning organisations who provide adult learning through the third sector. Figures available for the last three years 2012-15 show that Education Scotland has invested £2,133,580 to the development and support of adult learning.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-01-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-01-26T14:21:20.96","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":299970,"EventID":"S4W-23967","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-12T14:21:21.253","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-09T15:45:12","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many people have taken part in adult learning courses in each year since 2007.\r\n","AnswerText":"Data on adult learning participation rates are collected by the National Institute for Adult and Continuing Education which has undertaken surveys since 1996 which include a Scottish sample.\r\nThe 2014 survey is available at:\r\nhttp://shop.niace.org.uk/media/catalog/product/2/0/2014_headline_findings_final_web_2.pdf states that 35% of adults in Scotland have participated in learning. Although high by international standards engagement in learning is not evenly distributed across society. In 2014, as in all previous years since 1996, the survey clearly shows that participation in learning is determined by social class, employment status, age and prior learning.\r\nThe Scottish Government aims to improve rates of participation in adult learning by implementing the Adult Learning Statement of Ambition, which was published in May 2014. http://www.educationscotland.gov.uk/Images/AdultLearningStatementofAmbition_tcm4-826940.pdf. The Adult Learning Statement of Ambition aims to increase engagement with adult learning across Scotland.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-01-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-01-26T14:21:21.273","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":299971,"EventID":"S4W-23968","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-12T14:21:21.593","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-11T19:05:39","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when the Council of Economic Advisers last met and what dates are scheduled for future meetings.","AnswerText":"The Council of Economic Advisers meets twice each year, and the council last met on 12 November 2014. The dates of future meetings will be announced in due course.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-01-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-01-26T14:21:21.61","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":299972,"EventID":"S4F-02516","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":5009,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-12T12:41:45.41","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-12T09:25:04.78","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister what issues will be discussed at the next meeting of the Cabinet.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-01-26T12:41:45.437","MeetingDate":"2015-01-15T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":299973,"EventID":"S4W-23969","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-12T14:21:22.097","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-11T19:05:39","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the budget is of the Council of Economic Advisers.\r\n","AnswerText":"The costs associated with each meeting of the Council of Economic Advisers are available at the following address:\r\nhttp://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Economy/Council-Economic-Advisers/disclosures\r\nMembers of the Council of Economic Advisers (CEA) and any associated sub-groups are appointed on a voluntary and personal basis. They do not receive any direct remuneration related to this role. All reasonable expenses incurred by members in the course of attending the CEA and any associated sub-groups are met by the Scottish Government. These include air travel, rail travel, meal allowances and accommodation.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-01-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-01-26T14:21:22.113","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":299974,"EventID":"S4W-23970","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-12T14:21:22.653","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-11T19:05:39","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the membership is of the Council of Economic Advisers.\r\n","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-23832 on 14 January 2015. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-01-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-01-26T14:21:22.67","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":299975,"EventID":"S4W-23971","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-12T14:21:23.427","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-11T19:05:39","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what reports the Council of Economic Advisers (a) has produced and (b) is planning.","AnswerText":"An Annual Chair’s Report is published by the Chair of the Council of Economic Advisers, Crawford Beveridge. The reports are published at the following address:\r\nhttp://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Economy/Council-Economic-Advisers/Reports\r\nThe reports of the Fiscal Commission Working Group are also available at the following address:\r\nhttp://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Economy/Council-Economic-Advisers/FCWG\r\nFuture reports produced by the council will be published on the Scottish Government website.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-01-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-01-26T14:21:23.443","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":299976,"EventID":"S4W-23972","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5060,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-12T14:21:23.963","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-12T10:12:50.87","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much a peak time single journey from Paisley Gilmour Street to (a) Glasgow Central, (b) Greenock Central, (c) Ayr, (d) Largs, (e) Edinburgh Waverley, (f) Dundee and (g) Aberdeen (i) cost before the most recent price changes and (ii) costs now.\r\n","AnswerText":"The price of a peak time single journey from Paisley Gilmour Street to the above named stations before the most recent price changes and now are as follows:\r\n\r\n2014\r\n2015\r\nGlasgow\r\n£3.30\r\n£3.40\r\nGreenock Central\r\n£4.70\r\n£4.80\r\nAyr\r\n£7.50\r\n£7.70\r\nLargs\r\n£6.90\r\n£7.10\r\nEdinburgh\r\n£15.30\r\n£15.70\r\nDundee\r\n£34.70\r\n£35.60\r\nAberdeen\r\n£62.10\r\n£64.00\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-01-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-01-26T14:21:23.98","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":299977,"EventID":"S4W-23973","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5060,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-12T14:21:24.247","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-12T10:12:50.87","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much a peak time return journey from Paisley Gilmour Street to (a) Glasgow Central, (b) Greenock Central, (c) Ayr, (d) Largs, (e) Edinburgh Waverley, (f) Dundee and (g) Aberdeen (i) cost before the most recent price changes and (ii) costs now.","AnswerText":"The price of a peak time return journey from Paisley Gilmour Street to the above named stations before the most recent price changes and now are as follows:\r\n\r\n2014\r\n2015\r\nGlasgow\r\n£5.20\r\n£5.30\r\nGreenock Central\r\n£7.50\r\n£7.70\r\nAyr\r\n£13.10\r\n£13.40\r\nLargs\r\n£11.40\r\n£11.70\r\nEdinburgh\r\n£29.40\r\n£30.10\r\nDundee\r\n£55.90\r\n£57.30\r\nAberdeen\r\n£87.30\r\n£89.50\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-01-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-01-26T14:21:24.267","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":299978,"EventID":"S4W-23974","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5060,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-12T14:21:24.503","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-12T10:12:50.87","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much an off-peak single journey from Paisley Gilmour Street to (a) Glasgow Central, (b) Greenock Central, (c) Ayr, (d) Largs, (e) Edinburgh Waverley, (f) Dundee and (g) Aberdeen (i) cost before  the most recent price changes and (ii) costs now.","AnswerText":"There was no price increase in an off-peak single journey from Paisley Gilmour Street to (a) Glasgow Central, (b) Greenock Central, (c) Ayr, (d) Largs, (e) Edinburgh Waverley, (f) Dundee and (g) Aberdeen.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-01-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-01-26T14:21:24.52","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":299979,"EventID":"S4W-23975","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5060,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-12T14:21:24.763","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-12T10:12:50.87","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much an off-peak return journey from Paisley Gilmour Street to (a) Glasgow Central, (b) Greenock Central, (c) Ayr, (d) Largs, (e) Edinburgh Waverley, (f) Dundee and (g) Aberdeen (i) cost before the most recent price changes and (ii) costs now.","AnswerText":"There was no price increase in an off-peak return journey from Paisley Gilmour Street to (a) Glasgow Central, (b) Greenock Central, (c) Ayr, (d) Largs, (e) Edinburgh Waverley, (f) Dundee and (g) Aberdeen.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-01-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-01-26T14:21:24.78","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":299980,"EventID":"S4W-23976","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1866,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-12T14:21:25","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-12T12:52:49.777","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what funding it has provided to each of the National Performing Companies for the purpose of maintenance and refurbishment of property in each year since 1999-00.\r\n","AnswerText":"Grant funding for the National Performing Companies is based on their delivering an agreed programme of artistic and educational activity and on meeting criteria for designation as National Performing Companies. The companies budget for routine maintenance and refurbishment from within the totality of Scottish Government and other income.\r\nCapital grant funding allocated to the companies for investment in property is shown in the following table. The Scottish Chamber Orchestra does not own any buildings. It should be noted that prior to 2007-08, the companies received their core grant funding from the Scottish Arts Council.\r\nYear\r\nScottish Ballet\r\nScottish Opera\r\nScottish Chamber Orchestra\r\nNational Theatre of Scotland\r\nRoyal Scottish National Orchestra\r\n2006-07\r\n£600,000\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n2007-08\r\n£1,400,000\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n2008-09\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n£42,000\r\n-\r\n2009-10\r\n-\r\n£33,000\r\n-\r\n£4,000\r\n-\r\n2010-11\r\n-\r\n£320,000\r\n-\r\n£17,000\r\n-\r\n2011-12\r\n-\r\n£285,000\r\n-\r\n£26,000\r\n£440,000\r\n2012-13\r\n-\r\n£3,517,000\r\n-\r\n£12,000\r\n£880,000\r\n2013-14\r\n£15,000\r\n£935,000\r\n-\r\n£400,000\r\n£7,320,000\r\n2014-15\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n£132,000\r\n£560,000\r\n\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-01-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-01-26T14:21:25.017","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Fiona Hyslop","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":299981,"EventID":"S4W-23977","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1866,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-12T14:21:25.38","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-12T12:52:49.777","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what capital funding it will allocate to each of the National Performing Companies in 2015-16.\r\n","AnswerText":"In 2015-16, £1.2 million in capital funding has been allocated to the National Theatre of Scotland towards the cost of its new headquarters. In addition the Draft Budget 2015-16 provides for £2 million in financial transactions (loans) for this project.\r\nNo capital grant is currently planned for the other four National Performing Companies in 2015-16. In 2014-15 we completed our capital funding commitment for major projects undertaken by Scottish Opera (Theatre Royal Glasgow) and the Royal Scottish National Orchestra (Glasgow Royal Concert Hall).\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-02-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-01-26T14:21:25.397","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Fiona Hyslop","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":299982,"EventID":"S4W-23978","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-12T14:21:25.72","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-12T13:18:02","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on introducing a ban on single-use Styrofoam products.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is considering a number of options in line with the commitment in the national litter strategy to influence product design of frequently littered items to reduce their environmental impact. This could include looking at whether changes in materials used would be viable and offer environmental benefits without unintended consequences. However, we note a number of US cities have introduced bans on Styrofoam products, most recently New York City. We are keen to learn from these cities’ experience of introducing and implementing such bans.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-01-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-01-26T14:21:25.737","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Richard Lochhead","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":299983,"EventID":"S4F-02517","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":4014,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-12T12:41:45.833","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-12T09:30:36.087","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister what discussions the Scottish Government has had with the UK Government in light of the recent terrorist attacks in France.  \r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-01-26T12:41:45.857","MeetingDate":"2015-01-15T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":299984,"EventID":"S4F-02518","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":3812,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-12T12:41:46.14","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-12T09:45:52.653","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister what engagements she has planned for the rest of the day.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-01-26T12:41:46.197","MeetingDate":"2015-01-15T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":299993,"EventID":"S4F-02522","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":4955,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":105,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-12T12:41:47.653","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-12T11:05:36","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister what steps the Scottish Government is taking to support NHS frontline services.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-01-26T12:41:47.68","MeetingDate":"2015-01-15T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":299998,"EventID":"S4F-02525","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-12T12:41:48.777","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-12T11:26:29.42","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister for what reason the Scottish Government’s budget underspends have increased over the last few years when its budgets have been reduced.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-01-26T12:41:48.8","MeetingDate":"2015-01-15T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":299999,"EventID":"S4W-23979","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5080,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-12T17:05:47.97","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-12T14:35:16.12","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it has established a community estate agency as recommended in the National Review of Town Centres External Advisory Group Report: Community and Enterprise in Scotland's Town Centres.\r\n","AnswerText":"As noted in the Town Centre Action Plan – One Year On report we are currently discussing with the Development Trust Association of Scotland a proposal to support local communities to undertake and benefit from asset audits, to understand ownership patterns to assist in tackling empty property issues, identify assets and how to better utilise these.\r\nThe Town Centre Action Plan – One Year On report is available on the Scottish Government website at:\r\nhttp://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Built-Environment/regeneration/town-centres/review/action-plan/one-year-on-report.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-01-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-01-26T17:05:47.987","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300000,"EventID":"S4W-23980","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5080,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-12T17:05:48.29","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-12T14:35:16.12","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it has established a microfinance fund or fortified an existing fund to lend to community enterprises, as recommended in the National Review of Town Centres External Advisory Group Report: Community and Enterprise in Scotland's Town Centres.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government already provides direct investment to start up, maintain and grow enterprises in Scotland. The Scottish Government’s Enterprise Ready Fund will distribute £6 million during 2013 to 2015 to help enterprising third sector organisations. The fund is helping 129 organisations to become more self-sustaining.\r\nThe Scottish Government’s Social Entrepreneurs Fund is aimed at individuals with ideas to start up new social enterprises in Scotland. This fund is delivered by Firstport. On 15 January 2015, the Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice, Communities and Pensioners Rights announced a further £500,000 would be available to ensure this direct funding continues until March 2016.\r\nIn addition, the Scottish Government’s Strengthening Communities Programme supports community organisations to become more sustainable and resilient, in turn helping their communities realise economic, social and environmental opportunities. Its impact will help supported organisations fulfil community regeneration objectives, and enhance their capacity, helping them take on more ambitious initiatives. The programme is aiming to support approximately 150 community organisations by March 2016.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-01-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-01-26T17:05:48.307","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300001,"EventID":"S4W-23981","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5080,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-12T17:05:48.533","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-12T14:35:16.12","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether the Scottish Futures Trust conducts place-based reviews as a matter of course during public infrastructure assessments, as recommended in the National Review of Town Centres External Advisory Group Report: Community and Enterprise in Scotland's Town Centres.\r\n","AnswerText":"As noted in the Town Centre Action Plan – One Year On report, we are working with Architecture and Design Scotland and Scottish Futures Trust to identify opportunities to collaborate on town centre pilots. In addition we are working to identify where policies can be aligned to provide further support and opportunities to our town centres, including place-based reviews.\r\nTown Centre Action Plan – One Year On report is available on the Scottish Government website at:\r\nhttp://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Built-Environment/regeneration/town-centres/review/action-plan/one-year-on-report.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-01-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-01-26T17:05:48.553","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300002,"EventID":"S4W-23982","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5080,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-12T17:05:48.8","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-12T14:35:16.12","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to extend the Business Rate Incentivisation Scheme, as recommended in the National Review of Town Centres External Advisory Group Report: Community and Enterprise in Scotland's Town Centres.\r\n","AnswerText":"The introduction of the revised agreed Business Rates Incentivisation Scheme was announced as part of John Swinney MSP’s parliamentary statement on the 2015-16 local government finance settlement on 11 December 2014.\r\nThe revised scheme subsequently agreed with COSLA allows local authorities to retain 50% of any additional income to be spent on local priorities. The 50% retention was retained as the Scottish Government continues to carry the full risk of any shortfall in business rates income.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-01-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-01-26T17:05:48.82","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300003,"EventID":"S4W-23983","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5080,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-12T17:05:49.053","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-12T14:35:16.12","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to trial a town centre investment zone, as recommended in the National Review of Town Centres External Advisory Group Report: Community and Enterprise in Scotland's Town Centres.\r\n","AnswerText":"As noted in the Town Centre Action Plan – One Year On report, town centre investments zones are dependent on the introduction of the ‘localised rates relief’ provision introduced via the Community Empowerment (Scotland) Bill, currently being considered by the Scottish Parliament. If approved, we will consider proposals from interested local authorities to trial a town centre investment zone.\r\nThe Town Centre Action Plan – One Year On report is available on the Scottish Government website at:\r\nhttp://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Built-Environment/regeneration/town-centres/review/action-plan/one-year-on-report.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-01-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-01-26T17:05:49.07","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300004,"EventID":"S4W-23984","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2394,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-12T17:05:49.297","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-12T15:03:18.91","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government for what reason it has requested additional submissions on wild land issues for certain applications for consent for wind turbine developments on areas of designated wild land and not others.","AnswerText":"No two wind farm applications are the same. The Scottish Government will request submission of further information or seek further views of interested parties only where that is required to help ministers come to a properly informed decision.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-01-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-01-26T17:05:49.313","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300005,"EventID":"S4W-23985","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2394,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-12T17:05:49.663","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-12T15:03:18.91","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its policy is on dealing with applications for wind turbine developments on areas designated as wild land submitted prior to the adoption of the National Planning Framework 3 and the new Scottish Planning Policy.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government’s policy for wind turbine developments on areas of wild land is primarily set out in the 2014 Scottish Planning Policy. Decisions will consider the up-to-date policy which is in place at the point of decision, not that which is in place at the point of submission.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-01-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-01-26T17:05:49.68","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300006,"EventID":"S4W-23986","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2394,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-12T17:05:50.023","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-12T15:03:18.91","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what it considers to be a reasonable timescale for the determination of applications to the Energy Consents Unit for wind turbine developments.","AnswerText":"The Energy Consents and Deployment Unit have an aspirational target of nine months from the point of application for ministers’ determination of wind farm applications where there is no public inquiry or the need for submission of further environmental information, i.e. addenda to the application. However, applications vary in complexity and some require considerably more time.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-01-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-01-26T17:05:50.043","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300007,"EventID":"S4W-23987","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2110,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":138,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-12T17:05:50.38","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-12T15:25:44","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-23683 by Richard Lochhead on 9 January 2015, for what reason it plans to wait until 2016 before announcing the next steps in relation to the introduction of the compulsory microchipping of dogs.\r\n","AnswerText":"Due to an error for which we apologise the answer to S4W-23683 was drafted in 2014 but not released until 9 January 2015. ‘Early next year’ was intended to refer to 2015.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-01-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-01-26T17:05:50.393","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Richard Lochhead","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300008,"EventID":"S4W-23988","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4939,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":78,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-12T17:05:50.78","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-12T15:35:19.95","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when the public consultations will take place for the four workstreams for the Better Environmental Regulation Programme.","AnswerText":"Extensive stakeholder engagement has been, and continues to be, undertaken on the implementation of the Better Environmental Regulation Programme, which is being done on a phased basis. This has included recent consultations on draft statutory guidance on the Scottish Environment Protection Agency’s (SEPA) general purpose and the new enforcement framework for SEPA, which closed in August and October 2014 respectively.\r\nI welcome the strong engagement and support received to date from stakeholders on the broad direction of travel and I encourage stakeholders to continue to engage to help shape and fully implement the programme.\r\nSEPA aim to issue a further public consultation on its proposed new charging scheme this spring, with a further, joint Scottish Government-SEPA consultation on proposals for a new integrated authorisation framework to follow later in 2015.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-01-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-01-26T17:05:50.79","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen McLeod","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300009,"EventID":"S4W-23989","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2110,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":138,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-12T17:05:51.05","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-12T16:02:11","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what steps are being taken to make lifeline ferry services to island communities more robust in winter.","AnswerText":"Ferry travel has its own distinct challenges, particularly with high winds. The adverse weather seen over this winter has affected ferry travel to and from the Scottish mainland to many rural and island communities.\r\nThe Scottish Government is committed to maintaining and improving lifeline ferry services that play a key role in supporting the economic, social and cultural development of island and remote mainland communities.\r\nThe Scottish Government has invested heavily in vessel and infrastructure projects to enhance services and improve adverse weather resilience.\r\nThe following table illustrates major investment recently made, and planned to be made, to support lifeline ferry services, many of which will make lifeline ferry services to island communities more robust in winter.\r\nProject\r\nDescription\r\nCosts\r\nYear\r\nTobermory\r\nStrengthening of harbour infrastructure\r\n£350k\r\n2013-14\r\nUllapool\r\nReplacement of linkspan, extension of the ferry berthing pier and terminal building upgrading for passenger access system \r\n£17 million\r\n2014-15\r\nStornoway\r\nPier, terminal and harbour access works\r\n£9.6 million\r\n2014-15\r\nTarbert Loch Fyne \r\nBerth extension and slipway\r\n£950k\r\n2014-15\r\nKennacraig\r\nNew causeway, new marshalling areas fendering revetment\r\n£4 million\r\n2014-15\r\nBrodick \r\nA new pier, linkspan, passenger access system, a new terminal building and other shoreside works\r\n£18 million\r\n2015-16\r\n \r\n \r\n£49.55 million\r\n \r\nVessels\r\nDescription\r\nCosts\r\nYear\r\nMV Loch Seaforth \r\nStornoway – Ullapool service\r\n£42 million\r\n2014-15\r\nMV Hallaig \r\nTarbert – Portavadie service\r\n£11 million\r\n2013-14\r\nMV Lochinvar\r\nSkye – Raasay service\r\n£11 million\r\n2014-15\r\n3rd Hybrid\r\nRoute to be confirmed\r\n£12.8 million\r\n2015-16\r\n2 x 100m vessels \r\nProcurement of two new vessels for initial deployment on Uig-Lochmaddy-Tarbert & Ardrossan-Brodick services\r\n£90 million\r\n2016-17\r\n \r\n \r\n£166.8 million\r\n \r\nTotal\r\n \r\n£215.35 million\r\n \r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-01-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-01-26T17:05:51.06","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300010,"EventID":"S4W-23990","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5110,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":89,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-12T17:05:51.393","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-12T16:05:49.317","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether, in light of paragraph 27 of Conduct of Relationships, Sexual Health and Parenthood Education in Schools, no teacher will be required to teach aspects of such education to which they fundamentally object.","AnswerText":"Paragraph 27 of the Conduct of Relationships, Sexual Health and Parenthood (RSHP) Education in Schools guidance makes plain that “In issuing this guidance it is the Scottish Government’s expectation that if a teacher is asked to teach aspects of RSHP education to which they fundamentally object, they should feel comfortable raising this with the school or local authority. The Scottish Government expects that these matters would be dealt with in an appropriate manner by the local authority, whereby teachers are made aware of the relevant sections from the General Teaching Council for Scotland’s Code of Professionalism and Conduct, in particular part 5 on equality and diversity. Where teachers raise religious or belief concerns about teaching aspects of RSHP education, local authorities may wish to take account of the guidance issued by the Equality and Human Rights Commission on religion or belief in the workplace at: \r\nhttp://www.equalityhumanrights.com/publication/religion-or-belief-and-workplace-acas. The Scottish Government expects all local authorities to consider objections which teachers have to any aspects of RSHP education. The Scottish Government expects that the teaching of the RSHP programme would continue.”\r\nIn addition, paragraph 28 of the guidance then makes plain that “no school, or individual teacher, is under a duty to support, promote or endorse one type of relationship over another. Discussions about relationships should acknowledge that same sex couples can now marry as a result of the Marriage and Civil Partnership (Scotland) Act 2014. Teaching should be based on facts and should enable pupils to develop an understanding of how the law applies to different relationships.”\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-01-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-01-26T17:05:51.413","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Alasdair Allan","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300011,"EventID":"S4W-23991","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5110,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":89,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-12T17:05:51.673","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-12T16:05:49.317","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether, in light of paragraph 28 of Conduct of Relationships, Sexual Health and Parenthood Education in Schools, no teacher will be required to promote a particular type of relationship to which they have a deeply held objection.","AnswerText":"It is correct that no teacher should promote or oppose a particular kind of relationship. This is a feature of the guidance on Conduct of Relationships, Sexual Health and Parenthood Education in Schools.\r\nIn fact, paragraph 28 of the Conduct of Relationships, Sexual Health and Parenthood Education in Schools states that “no school, or individual teacher, is under a duty to support, promote or endorse one type of relationship over another. Discussions about relationships should acknowledge that same sex couples can now marry as a result of the Marriage and Civil Partnership (Scotland) Act 2014. Teaching should be based on facts and should enable pupils to develop an understanding of how the law applies to different relationships.”\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-01-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-01-26T17:05:51.693","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Alasdair Allan","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300012,"EventID":"S4W-23992","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5110,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":89,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-12T17:05:51.94","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-12T16:05:49.317","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether, in light of paragraph 25 of Conduct of Relationships, Sexual Health and Parenthood Education in Schools, individual teachers will have the final say over which resources they choose to use for such education.","AnswerText":"The choice of resources in any part of the curriculum, including relationships, sexual health and parenthood education, is decided in partnership between the teacher, school and local authority. Individual teachers are expected to work within that context and in line with the General Teaching Council for Scotland's Code of Professionalism and Conduct [which includes a requirement that teachers help pupils to understand different views, perspectives and experiences].\r\nIn addition, paragraph 28 of the guidance on Conduct of Relationships, Sexual Health and Parenthood Education in Schools makes plain that “no school, or individual teacher, is under a duty to support, promote or endorse one type of relationship over another. Discussions about relationships should acknowledge that same sex couples can now marry as a result of the Marriage and Civil Partnership (Scotland) Act 2014. Teaching should be based on facts and should enable pupils to develop an understanding of how the law applies to different relationships. \r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-01-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-01-26T17:05:51.95","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Alasdair Allan","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300028,"EventID":"S4W-23998","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-13T13:35:33.8","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-13T11:00:54","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether the Scottish Ambulance Service made/has made an application for additional money in its budget in (a) 2011-12, (b) 2012-13, (c) 2013-14 and (d) 2014-15.","AnswerText":"The following tables set out additional funding made available to the Scottish Ambulance Service between financial years 2011-12 to 2014-15.\r\n(a) 2011-12\r\n\r\nRecurring (£)\r\nNon-recurring (£) \r\nSupport for carer information strategies\r\n-\r\n15,000\r\nVale of Leven vision\r\n188,000\r\n-\r\nScottish Ambulance Service Emergency Medical Retrieval Service\r\n700,000\r\n-\r\nHealthcare Associated Infection funding\r\n40,860\r\n331,645\r\nKeep Well initiative\r\n-\r\n49,200\r\nMeal/rest break funding\r\n-\r\n1,619,025\r\nClinical adviser development\r\n-\r\n91,242\r\nHEAT Target T10 (reducing A&E attendees)\r\n-\r\n20,000\r\n2011-12 total\r\n928,860\r\n3,054,972\r\n(b) 2012-13\r\n\r\nRecurring (£)\r\nNon-recurring (£)\r\nSupport for carer information strategies\r\n15,000\r\n-\r\nHEAT Target T10 (reducing A&E attendees)\r\n-\r\n80,000\r\nHealthcare Associated Infection funding\r\n-\r\n251,142\r\nSpecialist transport service implementation\r\n210,000\r\n-\r\nEquipment pods\r\n-\r\n3,075\r\nSupport for increasing fuel costs\r\n400,000\r\n300,000\r\nCommonwealth Games\r\n-\r\n150,000\r\nExtra Corporeal Membrane Oxygenation transport lead\r\n25,000\r\n-\r\nSixth strategic aim\r\n48,082\r\n12,629\r\nContinuous quality improvement funding\r\n-\r\n96,580\r\nMajor Trauma Clinical Coordination\r\n-\r\n90,000\r\nAdvocacy provision\r\n7,000\r\n-\r\nMeal/rest break funding\r\n1,300,000\r\n1,800,000\r\nWinter surge capacity funding\r\n-\r\n125,000\r\nPerson-Centred Health and Care Programme\r\n-\r\n5,000\r\nOlympic Games funding\r\n-\r\n118,727\r\nEfficiency and productivity\r\n-\r\n90,000\r\nStrategic workforce review\r\n-\r\n110,000\r\n2012-13 total\r\n2,005,082\r\n3,232,153\r\n(c) 2013-14\r\n\r\nRecurring (£)\r\nNon-recurring (£) \r\nSupport for carer information strategies\r\n-\r\n15,000\r\nCommonwealth Games\r\n-\r\n184,696\r\nEfficiency and productivity\r\n-\r\n98,000\r\nHealthcare Associated Infection funding\r\n-\r\n266,203\r\nEmergency Medical Retrieval Service \r\n300,000\r\n-\r\nRest break funding\r\n-\r\n1,800,000\r\nHEAT Target T10 (reducing A&E attendees)\r\n-\r\n80,000\r\nPerson-Centred Health and Care Programme\r\n-\r\n5,000\r\nUnscheduled care\r\n235,000\r\n200,000\r\nScotSTAR\r\n-\r\n18,196\r\nPublic access defibrillators\r\n-\r\n100,000\r\nReducing out of hospital cardiac arrests\r\n-\r\n20,000\r\nLeadership and management development\r\n-\r\n40,000\r\nPatient opinion\r\n-\r\n5,000\r\nAdult support and protection in A&E setting\r\n-\r\n13,000\r\n2013-14 total\r\n535,000\r\n2,845,095\r\n(d) 2014-15 year to date 31 December 2014\r\n\r\nRecurring (£)\r\nNon-recurring (£) \r\nSupport for carer information strategies\r\n15,000\r\n-\r\nCommonwealth Games\r\n-\r\n539,744\r\nEfficiency and productivity\r\n-\r\n-\r\nHealthcare Associated Infection funding\r\n306,892\r\n-\r\nEmergency Medical Retrieval Service\r\n1,800,000\r\n-\r\nRest break funding\r\n-\r\n1,500,000\r\nAir ambulance rotary wing upgrade\r\n500,000\r\n-\r\nAdvocacy provision\r\n2,000\r\n-\r\nPerson-Centred Health and Care Programme\r\n-\r\n10,000\r\nUnscheduled care\r\n-\r\n235,000\r\nResourcing for the future – NHSScotland strategy development – Scottish Ambulance Service lead\r\n-\r\n475,000\r\nOrganisational development\r\n-\r\n55,000\r\nStroke improvement funding\r\n-\r\n42,268\r\nHealth and welfare support\r\n-\r\n200,000\r\n2014-15 total\r\n2,623,892\r\n3,057,012\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-01-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-01-27T13:35:33.893","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300029,"EventID":"S4W-23994","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-13T16:55:56.783","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-13T09:27:47","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what progress is being made by the quality and cost-effectiveness review of stoma care services.\r\n","AnswerText":"All fourteen territorial NHS boards across Scotland are actively participating in the quality and cost-effectiveness review, which focuses on the specifications for the stoma appliances service in the community. The review is being led from within the NHS on behalf of the Scottish Government to gauge whether the existing arrangements, first introduced in 2007 and updated in 2011, remain fit for purpose and cost effective.\r\nViews are currently being canvassed from all interested parties, including patients, NHS staff working in stoma care services, dispensing appliance contractors, manufacturers and community pharmacies. The results will be considered in due course on how arrangements for provision of stoma appliances in the community should develop.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-01-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-01-27T16:55:56.793","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300030,"EventID":"S4W-23995","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-13T16:55:57.11","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-13T09:27:47","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what clinical input there has been at each stage of the audit being conducted as part of the quality and cost-effectiveness review of stoma care services.\r\n","AnswerText":"While the remit of the review was to consider the quality and cost effectiveness of the current specifications for the stoma appliances service in the community, the opportunity has been taken to seek input and feedback from clinicians working in NHS board stoma care services.\r\nInput from members of the Scottish Stoma Forum (SSF), which includes clinical representatives, was incorporated into the design and content of the quality audit where this was relevant to the specifications for the stoma appliances service. The support of the SSF is acknowledged in encouraging participation amongst members to ensure the process is as inclusive as possible. \r\nInput was also sought from the stoma nurses network. NHS board stoma nurse leads are also submitting their responses to the quality audit for staff working in NHS board stoma care services.\r\nThe cost effectiveness strand of the review will also have clinical input.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-01-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-01-27T16:55:57.123","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300031,"EventID":"S4W-23996","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-13T16:55:57.38","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-13T09:27:47","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether the (a) availability and (b) role of specialist nurses is being considered by the quality and cost-effectiveness review of stoma care services.\r\n","AnswerText":"The focus of the quality and cost effectiveness review are the specifications for the stoma appliances service in the community against which dispensing appliance contractors, manufacturers and community pharmacies deliver these services.\r\nThe Scottish Government expects NHS board’s to plan and deliver services, including specialist nursing services, taking account of national priorities and local needs. To help with this, we are equipping boards with tools to identify how many specialist nurses they require now and for the future.\r\nOn 7 January 2015 First Minister Nicola Sturgeon announced that an extra £2.5 million will be invested in specialist nursing and care. The first allocation of the new funding package, £700,000, will go towards nursing care and support to those with motor neurone disease (MND).\r\nThe allocation of these funds in 2015-16 will be informed by a review of specialist nursing services currently being carried out by the Scottish Government. We will work closely with MND Scotland, the third sector, social care, NHS boards and other partners to ensure the use of these funds is maximised and based on population health and need.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-01-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-01-27T16:55:57.397","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300032,"EventID":"S4W-23997","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-13T16:55:57.7","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-13T09:27:47","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it is working with NHS boards to improve stoma care services.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is committed to ensuring that all people who live with long term conditions and disabilities are able to receive the best possible care and support wherever possible and benefit from healthcare services that are safe, effective and put the patient at the centre of their care.\r\nIt is fully committed to providing the people of Scotland with the NHS services which meet their needs and maintain high standards of care. While the government provides the policies, frameworks and resources for high quality health care in Scotland, it is for each NHS board to decide how best to deliver those services to meet the needs of the population to ensure they can provide safe, effective care for their patients. This includes the provision of stoma care services.\r\nAll fourteen territorial NHS boards across Scotland are actively supporting the quality and cost effectiveness review of the stoma appliances service in the community and are participating in the process.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-01-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-01-27T16:55:57.72","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300033,"EventID":"S4W-24001","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2135,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":92,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-13T16:55:57.997","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-13T13:41:26.253","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what planning fees apply to proposed 17-turbine wind farm developments, and how these compare with the fees charged in (a) England, (b) Wales and (c) Northern Ireland.\r\n","AnswerText":"Any planning application to install wind turbines is considered, for the purposes of fee calculation, as an application for the erection, alteration or replacement of plant or machinery. As such, the fee is calculated based on the area of land covered by the development, including the area covered by access tracks etc., rather than the number of turbines. The fee payable for applications containing the same number of turbines could therefore vary from site to site. The potential for variation in the fee is the same for applications in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.\r\nCurrent fees for applications for full planning permission for the erection, alteration or replacement of plant or machinery are set out in the following table:\r\nScotland\r\n£401 for each 0.1 hectare of the site area, subject to a maximum of £20,055.\r\nEngland\r\nWhere the site area does not exceed five hectares, £385 for each 0.1 hectare of the site area.\r\nWhere the site area exceeds five hectares, £19,049; and an additional £115 for each 0.1 hectare in excess of five hectares up to a maximum total of £250,000.\r\nWales\r\nWhere the site area does not exceed five hectares, £335 for each 0.1 hectare of the site area.\r\nWhere the site area exceeds five hectares, £16,464; and an additional £84 for each 0.1 hectare in excess of five hectares up to a maximum total of £250,000.\r\nNorthern Ireland\r\nWhere the site area does not exceed five hectares, £357 for each 0.1 hectare of the site area.\r\nWhere the site area exceeds five hectares, £17,824; and an additional £106 for each 0.1 hectare in excess of five hectares, subject to a maximum in total of £265,806.\r\n\r\nApplications for wind farms which would have a capacity of more than 50 megawatts electricity would not be dealt with through the planning system, but would be considered under Section 36 of the Electricity Act 1989. The fee for such an application would range from £18,000 to £60,000 depending on the capacity of the wind farm.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-01-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-01-27T16:55:58.02","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300034,"EventID":"S4W-24002","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5041,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-13T16:55:58.32","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-13T15:51:09","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much financial assistance it provided to each grant-aided special school in each of the last three years.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has provided the following financial assistance (in the form of a grant) to each of the grant-aided special schools in each of the last three years:\r\n2014-15\r\nSchool\r\nRevenue Grant\r\nCapital Grant\r\nCapability Scotland: Corseford\r\n£1,207,237\r\n£23,000\r\nCapability Scotland: Stanmore\r\n£1,712,419\r\n£32,600\r\nDonaldson’s\r\n£1,927,741\r\n£36,600\r\nEast Park\r\n£1,284,423\r\n£24,400\r\nHarmeny\r\n£1,087,673\r\n£20,600\r\nRoyal Blind\r\n£2,573,924\r\n£48,800\r\nScottish Centre for Children with Motor Impairments (Craighalbert)\r\n£740,264\r\n£14,000\r\n2013-14\r\nSchool\r\nRevenue Grant\r\nCapital Grant\r\nCapability Scotland: Corseford\r\n£1,207,237\r\n£23,000\r\nCapability Scotland: Stanmore\r\n£1,712,419\r\n£32,600\r\nDonaldson’s\r\n£1,927,741\r\n£36,600\r\nEast Park\r\n£1,284,423\r\n£24,400\r\nHarmeny\r\n£1,087,673\r\n£20,600\r\nRoyal Blind\r\n£2,573,924\r\n£48,800\r\nScottish Centre for Children with Motor Impairments (Craighalbert)\r\n£740,264\r\n£14,000\r\n2012-13\r\nSchool\r\nRevenue Grant\r\nCapital Grant\r\nCapability Scotland: Corseford\r\n£1,206,317\r\n£23,000\r\nCapability Scotland: Stanmore\r\n£1,711,115\r\n£32,600\r\nDonaldson’s\r\n£1,926,277\r\n£36,600\r\nEast Park\r\n£1,283,447\r\n£24,400\r\nHarmeny\r\n£1,086,849\r\n£20,600\r\nRoyal Blind\r\n£2,571,972\r\n£48,800\r\nScottish Centre for Children with Motor Impairments (Craighalbert)\r\n£739,704\r\n£14,000\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-01-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-01-27T16:55:58.343","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Alasdair Allan","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300035,"EventID":"S4W-24003","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1768,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":131,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-13T16:55:58.587","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-13T16:09:03","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on what progress has been made with the 20 mph speed limit trial on the A7 in Langholm.\r\n","AnswerText":"Since announcing the 20 mph pilot in Langholm we have consulted with the local authority and wider community. In response to our consultation we have received a wide range of views from the local community and we are working with them and the local authority to identify what proposals will provide the greatest safety benefits and meet the needs of the community of Langholm.\r\nA number of surveys are ongoing and will be completed by late February 2015; we will discuss the outcomes with the local authority and community thereafter.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-01-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-01-27T16:55:58.603","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300036,"EventID":"S4W-24004","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1768,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":131,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-13T16:55:58.957","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-13T16:09:03","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when the 20 mph speed limit trial on the A7 in Langholm will conclude and when the results will be published.\r\n","AnswerText":"The statutory process for the introduction of a 20 mph speed limit order necessary to introduce the trial will follow a successful outcome to the pre consultation currently ongoing with the local authority and community. It is too early to be clear on the timescales for the delivery and monitoring of any speed limit pilot in Langholm.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-01-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-01-27T16:55:58.973","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300048,"EventID":"S4W-24005","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":2,"MSPID":2010,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":137,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-14T10:31:41.177","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-14T10:20:49","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when the report of the Scottish Public Inquiry into Hepatitis C/HIV will be published.","AnswerText":"I am pleased to be able to inform Parliament that the Penrose Inquiry final report will be published on Wednesday, 25 March 2015.\r\nFurther details will be available on the Penrose Inquiry website in due course. http://www.penroseinquiry.org.uk/.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-01-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-01-28T10:31:41.283","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300050,"EventID":"S4W-23890","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2108,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":141,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-14T16:53:41.627","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-07T13:03:29","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it considers that Police Scotland's use of the operational method, kettling, to control some football supporters in Glasgow on 16 March 2013 was appropriate and necessary, and what the reasons are for its position on this matter.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-23889 on 21 January 2015. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at: \r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-01-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-01-28T16:53:41.767","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300051,"EventID":"S4W-24006","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1768,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":131,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-14T16:53:42.25","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-14T10:31:26","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-20677 by Kenny MacAskill on 2 May 2014, what progress it has made on establishing the Scottish sentencing council.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is working, in dialogue with senior judiciary, to ensure that the necessary arrangements are in place with a view to the Scottish sentencing council being established before the end of end of 2015.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-01-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-01-28T16:53:42.28","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300052,"EventID":"S4W-24007","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1768,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":131,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-14T16:53:42.733","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-14T10:31:26","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it will announce the names of the (a) judicial, (b) legal and (c) lay members of the Scottish sentencing council.","AnswerText":"Schedule 1 of the Criminal Justice and Licensing (Scotland) Act 2010 provides for the membership and procedures for appointment to the Scottish sentencing council. The council will be chaired by the Lord Justice Clerk. The appointment of other members will take place in due course.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-01-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-01-28T16:53:42.75","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300053,"EventID":"S4W-24008","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2892,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-14T16:53:43.187","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-14T10:56:39.57","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the Smith Commission's recommendation that onshore oil and gas licensing be devolved, what its role will be with the 14th Landward Licensing Round.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is supportive of the devolution of these energy powers to Scotland and we will work jointly with the UK Government to take forward The Smith Commission recommendations in full and as quickly as possible. However, onshore oil and gas licensing is currently a matter reserved to the UK Parliament and the Scottish Government has had no role in the 14th Landward Licensing Round.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-01-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-01-28T16:53:43.217","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300056,"EventID":"S4O-03911","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":3907,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":135,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-14T13:16:39.237","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-12T12:13:53.643","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how the devolution of air passenger duty will help the Ayrshire economy.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-01-28T13:16:39.283","MeetingDate":"2015-01-21T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300057,"EventID":"S4O-03912","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":3101,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-14T13:16:39.533","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-14T11:19:29.49","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to minimise disruption to passengers and businesses during the renovation of Glasgow Queen Street station.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-01-28T13:16:39.55","MeetingDate":"2015-01-21T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300058,"EventID":"S4O-03913","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":2108,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":141,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-14T13:16:39.783","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-12T12:13:54.14","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what assurance it can provide that Clyde and Hebridean ferry services will not be privatised.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-01-28T13:16:39.813","MeetingDate":"2015-01-21T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300059,"EventID":"S4O-03914","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":2853,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":81,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-14T13:16:40.157","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-12T12:13:54.5","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when the Cabinet Secretary for Infrastructure, Investment and Cities last met  North Lanarkshire Council and what was discussed.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-01-28T13:16:40.173","MeetingDate":"2015-01-21T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300060,"EventID":"S4O-03915","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":1882,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":129,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-14T13:16:40.487","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-12T12:13:54.837","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to the rail investment proposals in the Industrial Communities Alliance's paper, Tracks to Work.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-01-28T13:16:40.517","MeetingDate":"2015-01-21T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300061,"EventID":"S4O-03916","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":3745,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":122,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-14T13:16:40.89","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-12T12:13:55.2","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what improvements are planned to upgrade the road and rail network in Aberdeenshire.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-01-28T13:16:40.907","MeetingDate":"2015-01-21T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300062,"EventID":"S4O-03917","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":2615,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":143,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-14T13:16:41.173","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-12T12:13:55.443","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many passengers travelled through Scotland's airports in 2014.\r\n","AnswerText":"The number of passengers who travelled through Scotland’s airports in 2014 was 23,815,000. This represented a 3.78% increase from 2013.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-01-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-01-28T13:16:41.203","MeetingDate":"2015-01-21T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300063,"EventID":"S4O-03918","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":5080,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-14T13:16:41.5","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-12T13:53:27.637","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what recent discussions it has had with Network Rail and Strathclyde Partnership for Transport regarding improvements to the East Kilbride railway line.","AnswerText":"Transport Scotland have discussed electrification of the East Kilbride line with Network Rail as part of general discussions concerning the future electrification of the Scottish rail network from Control Period 6 (2019) onwards.\r\nFurther meetings are planned later this year with external stakeholders, including Network Rail and Strathclyde Partnership for Transport, to maximise the efficiency and phasing of the Scottish Government’s developing rail electrification strategy.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-01-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-01-28T13:16:41.517","MeetingDate":"2015-01-21T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300064,"EventID":"S4O-03919","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":4938,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-14T13:16:41.797","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-12T12:13:55.913","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what cumulative savings have been realised since the establishment of the Scottish Futures Trust.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Futures Trust published its benefits statement for 2013-14 on 6 October 2014, which reported cumulative savings and benefits since its establishment of more than £640 million.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-01-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-01-28T13:16:41.81","MeetingDate":"2015-01-21T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300065,"EventID":"S4O-03920","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":3763,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-14T13:16:42.093","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-13T16:37:23.227","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what progress the Glasgow and Clyde Valley City Deal is making.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Glasgow and Clyde Valley City Deal empowers the Glasgow and Clyde Valley partners to identify, manage and deliver projects, which will stimulate economic growth and create jobs in their area.\r\nThe Scottish Government agreed in August 2014 to contribute £500 million over 20 years in support of the deal. The terms of the deal are clear – the Glasgow Clyde Valley authorities must be ultimately responsible for the funding decisions they take. Should projects cost more than initially planned, the Glasgow Clyde Valley authorities must be responsible for that additional cost. Before any funding is released, Scottish Government and UK Ministers require to be satisfied that Glasgow and the Clyde Valley partners have put in place a suitable assurance framework.\r\nWe are continuing to work closely with Glasgow and Clyde Valley and the UK Government to support the development of an assurance framework that will respect local decision making, ensure investment decisions are based on sound business cases, and deliver projects effectively.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-01-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-01-28T13:16:42.123","MeetingDate":"2015-01-21T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300066,"EventID":"S4O-03921","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":2674,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":99,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-14T13:16:42.497","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-12T12:14:07.893","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it will next meet Ofcom to discuss broadcasting.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-01-28T13:16:42.513","MeetingDate":"2015-01-21T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300067,"EventID":"S4O-03922","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":2394,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-14T13:16:42.793","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-12T12:14:08.15","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what it is doing to promote major events in Scotland.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-01-28T13:16:42.81","MeetingDate":"2015-01-21T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300068,"EventID":"S4O-03923","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":5060,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-14T13:16:43.23","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-14T09:43:03.047","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it last met Creative Scotland and what issues were discussed.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-01-28T13:16:43.263","MeetingDate":"2015-01-21T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300069,"EventID":"S4O-03925","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":2110,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":138,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-14T13:16:43.56","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-12T12:14:09.107","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it plans to recognise Holocaust Memorial Day and the 70th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz in 2015.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-01-28T13:16:43.59","MeetingDate":"2015-01-21T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300070,"EventID":"S4O-03926","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":2595,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-14T13:16:44.01","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-12T15:14:27.417","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the budget priorities are in 2015-16 for the Culture, Europe and External Affairs portfolio.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-01-28T13:16:44.027","MeetingDate":"2015-01-21T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300071,"EventID":"S4O-03927","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-14T13:16:44.323","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-12T12:14:09.747","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many of its staff work in the culture and heritage and external affairs directorates.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-01-28T13:16:44.34","MeetingDate":"2015-01-21T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300072,"EventID":"S4O-03928","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":3771,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-14T13:16:44.65","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-14T11:33:49.073","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what international development support it is providing for people affected by the humanitarian crisis in Iraq.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-01-28T13:16:44.683","MeetingDate":"2015-01-21T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300073,"EventID":"S4O-03929","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":4939,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":78,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-14T13:16:44.98","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-12T12:14:10.307","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with Creative Scotland regarding long-term funding for the Gaelic arts agency, Pròiseact nan Ealan.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-01-28T13:16:45.01","MeetingDate":"2015-01-21T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300074,"EventID":"S4O-03930","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":3743,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":123,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-14T13:16:45.307","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-12T12:14:10.68","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to review the condition of Scotland’s historic buildings.\r\n","AnswerText":"This morning I attended an event to mark the launch of the Traditional Buildings Health Check Scheme, a partnership between Historic Scotland, the Construction Industry Training Board and Stirling City Heritage Trust and the first of its kind in the UK.\r\nThe Scottish Government undertakes various reviews of the built environment. The annual Scottish House Condition Survey monitors the condition of Scotland’s housing stock, including traditional buildings. Historic Scotland also produces a biannual Historic Environment Audit for Scotland. The fourth audit of Scotland’s historic environment will be published this month, which indicates that the condition of A-listed buildings and scheduled monuments is stable. Work is also presently ongoing to evaluate the condition of Scottish Minister’s Properties in Care across Scotland.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-01-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-01-28T13:16:45.337","MeetingDate":"2015-01-21T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Fiona Hyslop","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300075,"EventID":"S4O-03931","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":2633,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-14T13:16:45.603","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-13T14:54:32.837","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it last met NHS Fife and what issues were discussed.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-01-28T13:16:45.633","MeetingDate":"2015-01-22T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300076,"EventID":"S4O-03932","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":5057,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-14T13:16:46.023","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-12T12:14:22.567","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what progress it has made in setting up the Energy Jobs Taskforce.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-01-28T13:16:46.04","MeetingDate":"2015-01-22T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300077,"EventID":"S4O-03933","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":4955,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":105,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-14T13:16:46.367","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-12T12:14:22.86","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to promote training and skills development in the road haulage industry.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-01-28T13:16:46.397","MeetingDate":"2015-01-22T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300078,"EventID":"S4O-03934","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":2215,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":125,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-14T13:16:46.71","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-14T10:15:22.773","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how the additional £15.2 million announced for NHS Grampian in 2015-16 will benefit patient care.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-01-28T13:16:46.727","MeetingDate":"2015-01-22T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300079,"EventID":"S4O-03935","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":5034,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-14T13:16:47.32","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-12T12:14:23.46","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when a Community Justice Centre as recommended by the Commission on Women Offenders will open in Dundee, given that Dundee has the highest percentage of female problem drug use in Scotland.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-01-28T13:16:47.333","MeetingDate":"2015-01-22T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300080,"EventID":"S4O-03936","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":2603,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-14T13:16:47.663","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-12T12:14:23.68","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish  Government what progress it is making on the introduction of its revised business rates incentivisation scheme.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-01-28T13:16:47.677","MeetingDate":"2015-01-22T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300081,"EventID":"S4O-03937","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":2134,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":82,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-14T13:16:48.223","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-12T12:14:24.113","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on the most recent homelessness statistics.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-01-28T13:16:48.24","MeetingDate":"2015-01-22T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300082,"EventID":"S4O-03938","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":1741,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-14T13:16:48.52","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-12T12:14:24.42","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it is planning to meet any increase in demand for NHS services over the next five years.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-01-28T13:16:48.55","MeetingDate":"2015-01-22T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300083,"EventID":"S4O-03939","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":5074,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":104,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-14T13:16:49.003","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-12T12:14:24.72","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to address barriers to employment faced by black and ethnic minority women.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government recognises the particular barriers to employment often faced by black and ethnic minority women. For new Scots, this often includes language difficulties and a lack of understanding of the skills required for particular jobs.\r\nThat is why last week I announced that the Scottish Government is funding the Women Into Sustainable Employment programme, a joint delivery and knowledge exchange venture between Bridges Programmes, Glasgow City College and the Dundee International Women’s Centre.\r\nOver a year, the programme will provide vocational English for speakers of other languages (ESOL) training to 105 women in total – 75 in Glasgow and 30 in Dundee in growth sectors including early years education; bio-science; hospitality/tourism; finance; and customer service. We are hopeful that if successful, the learning from this sector specific approach can become a feature of future ESOL delivery in Scotland.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-01-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-01-28T13:16:49.033","MeetingDate":"2015-01-22T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Annabelle Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300084,"EventID":"S4O-03940","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":3129,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":83,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-14T13:16:49.317","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-12T12:14:24.957","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it supports the principles of the Domestic Workers Convention.","AnswerText":"This is a matter which is reserved to the UK Government. However the Scottish Government is committed to a fairer and more prosperous Scotland, recognises the vital importance of employment rights, and broadly supports the principles which underpin the convention.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-01-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-01-28T13:16:49.347","MeetingDate":"2015-01-22T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Roseanna Cunningham","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300085,"EventID":"S4W-24009","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":2,"MSPID":1882,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":129,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-14T14:26:29.263","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-14T14:19:55","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to support staff facing redundancy at the USC warehouse in Dundonald.\r\n","AnswerText":"I was extremely concerned when I became aware on Wednesday 7 January 2015 of events which were taking place at the USC clothing warehouse in Dundonald.\r\nI can confirm that through our Partnership Action for Continuing Employment (PACE) initiative, we took immediate action to provide support for employees who were facing redundancy. Our local PACE team was at Dundonald on the morning of Thursday 8 January 2015 to provide information on PACE support for employees.\r\nOur PACE representatives were finally allowed onsite at Dundonald on Tuesday 13 January 2015 to give presentations and one to one interview support for affected employees.\r\nI must however express extreme concern and disappointment with regard to the behaviour of the company. My officials made numerous attempts over several days to contact the company and I wrote to the Chief Executive Officer on Friday 9 January 2015 without receiving a response and then to the owner of the company on Tuesday 13 January 2015. I have therefore placed an annex to this response a detailed account of the various efforts made to engage with the parent company of Sports Direct International plc in SPICe (Bib number 56638).\r\nI finally received a letter on Wednesday 14 January 2015 from the Chief Executive Officer advising me that the company had been placed in administration on Tuesday 13 January 2015.\r\nDespite the lack of engagement from the parent company, I hope this reassures you that we have been successful in providing support to the affected employees at Dundonald.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-01-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-01-28T14:26:29.3","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300086,"EventID":"S4W-24015","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2066,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-14T16:41:28.743","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-14T15:24:06.783","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-23841 by John Swinney on 14 January 2015, what level of breakdown it records for its expenditure on fuel.\r\n","AnswerText":"The level of breakdown that the Scottish Government records for fuel is detailed in the following table.\r\nPurchasing Entity\r\nFuel Type\r\nMarine Scotland\r\nMarine gas oil (Marine fuel) \r\nScottish Government\r\nKerosene and gas oil A2 \r\n(Heating oil)\r\nScottish Government (Ministerial cars) – 1 of 2\r\nUltra-low sulphur diesel\r\nScottish Government (Ministerial cars) – 2 of 2\r\nUltra-low sulphur petrol\r\nScottish Government (Car hire fuel)\r\nUltra-low sulphur mixed fuels\r\nScottish Government (Pool car fuel) – 1 of 2\r\nUltra-low sulphur diesel\r\nScottish Government (Pool cars fuel) – 2 of 2\r\nUltra-low sulphur petrol\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-01-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-01-28T16:41:28.76","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300087,"EventID":"S4W-24016","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2066,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-14T16:41:29.133","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-14T15:24:06.783","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answers to question S4W-23841 by John Swinney and question S4W-23842 by Derek Mackay on 14 January 2015, how it will allocate any money saved.","AnswerText":"The impact of any savings emerging from reduced fuel costs will be considered in the same way as any other savings and pressures that emerge across the public finances as part of our annual budget process and as part of individual public bodies and services' own management of their budgets.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-01-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-01-28T16:41:29.15","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300088,"EventID":"S4W-24017","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1768,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":131,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-14T16:41:29.477","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-14T16:11:31","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the (a) setup and (b) running costs of the Scottish sentencing council will be.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Financial Memorandum to the Criminal Justice and Licensing (Scotland) Bill estimated that the setup cost of the sentencing council would be £450,000 and the annual running costs would be £1-£1.1 million.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-01-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-01-28T16:41:29.493","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300089,"EventID":"S4W-24018","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1768,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":131,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-14T16:41:29.883","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-14T16:11:31","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it has (a) identified and (b) acquired accommodation for the Scottish sentencing council.\r\n","AnswerText":"We are working, in dialogue with the senior judiciary, with a view to setting up the sentencing council before the end of 2015 and this includes discussion regarding accommodation needs of the sentencing council.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-01-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-01-28T16:41:29.9","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300090,"EventID":"S4W-24019","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1768,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":131,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-14T16:41:30.24","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-14T16:11:31","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether secondary legislation is required to enable the establishment of the Scottish sentencing council and, if so, how long it will take to introduce it.","AnswerText":"There are provisions in the Criminal Justice and Licensing (Scotland) Act 2010 which will require to be commenced to establish the sentencing council. These are sections 1 to 13 and schedule 1 of the 2010 Act. In addition there is a requirement to bring forward secondary legislation relating to the appointment process of members.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-01-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-01-28T16:41:30.273","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300098,"EventID":"S4W-24010","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2117,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-15T13:53:29.197","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-14T15:01:16.533","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much money was allocated initially to the 2014-15 Adopt an Apprentice programme, and how much had been committed prior to 14 January 2015.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government allocates funding to Skills Development Scotland (SDS) on an annual basis for delivery of employability and training support, including the Adopt an Apprentice programme. It is up to SDS to determine how to allocate this funding between activities. As Adopt an Apprentice is demand-led it is the level of demand which will dictate SDS expenditure on Adopt an Apprentice in current and future years.\r\nThe amount committed to Adopt an Apprentice in the current financial year to 14 January 2015 is an operational matter for SDS. I will ask the Chief Executive to write to you with this information.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-01-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-01-29T13:53:29.23","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Roseanna Cunningham","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300099,"EventID":"S4W-24011","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2117,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-15T13:53:29.603","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-14T15:01:16.533","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many times financial incentives have been paid to companies in the oil and gas sector each year under the Adopt an Apprentice programme, and to how many different companies.","AnswerText":"This is an operational matter for Skills Development Scotland (SDS). I will ask the Chief Executive of SDS to write to you with the information you have requested.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-01-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-01-29T13:53:29.62","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Roseanna Cunningham","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300100,"EventID":"S4W-24012","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2117,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-15T13:53:29.963","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-14T15:01:16.533","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much additional money will be allocated to the Adopt an Apprentice programme in relation to the oil and gas sector in 2014-15 in order to meet the First Minister's commitment in the news release of 14 January 2015, Taskforce set up to support oil & gas jobs.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Adopt an Apprentice programme is demand-led. As such, it is the level of demand which will dictate the value of Skills Development Scotland (SDS) expenditure on Adopt an Apprentice. The need for additional funding will be monitored through existing SDS sponsorship arrangements.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-01-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-01-29T13:53:29.977","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Roseanna Cunningham","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300101,"EventID":"S4W-24013","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2117,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-15T13:53:30.307","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-14T15:01:16.533","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much money was allocated initially to the 2015-16 Adopt an Apprentice programme, and how much additional funding will be allocated in light of the First Minister's commitment in the news release of 14 January 2015, Taskforce set up to support oil & gas jobs.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government allocates funding to Skills Development Scotland (SDS) on an annual basis for delivery of employability and training support, including Adopt an Apprentice. It is up to SDS to determine how to allocate this funding between activities.\r\nYou can view the draft budget, including the anticipated SDS budget, for 2015-16 at http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2014/10/2706. This remains subject to parliamentary approval.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-01-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-01-29T13:53:30.32","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Roseanna Cunningham","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300102,"EventID":"S4W-24014","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2117,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-15T13:53:30.757","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-14T15:01:16.533","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government on what date it will publish the criteria for employers in the oil and gas sector to obtain the additional assistance under the Adopt an Apprentice programme that the First Minister committed to offer in the news release of 14 January 2015, Taskforce set up to support oil & gas jobs.\r\n","AnswerText":"The programme guidelines for Adopt an Apprentice, including details of how to apply are available on the Skills Development Scotland (SDS) website at:\r\nhttp://www.ourskillsforce.co.uk/funding-for-skills/adopt-an-apprentice/.\r\nWe are working with SDS to develop the formal criteria for the additional assistance to be made available under the Adopt an Apprentice programme, announced as part of this government’s guarantee that any modern apprentices in Scotland’s oil and gas sector faced with redundancy will be offered alternative employment or continued off the job training pending alternative employment.\r\nAs part of our commitment to working with partners across the energy sector to maintain jobs, including modern apprenticeships, and to mitigate the potential impact of any losses, we will seek to agree the criteria with the energy jobs taskforce.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-01-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-01-29T13:53:30.773","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Roseanna Cunningham","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300103,"EventID":"S4W-24020","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1768,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":131,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-15T13:53:31.147","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-14T16:22:04","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what (a) financial and (b) other assistance it can provide to homeowners to help with the costs of roof repairs.\r\n","AnswerText":"Private home owners are primarily responsible for repairing and maintaining their own property. The Scottish Government does not provide assistance directly to home owners as local authorities have a broad range of statutory powers to provide assistance with structural repairs including roof repairs through advice and guidance, practical help or financial assistance by way of grants or loans. It is for the local authority to determine what kinds of assistance should be made available in each area on the basis of local priorities and budgets.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-01-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-01-29T13:53:31.18","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Burgess","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300104,"EventID":"S4W-24021","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-15T13:53:31.85","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-14T17:12:20","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-23799 by John Swinney on 14 January 2015, whether it will provide the information that was requested regarding when the Scottish Fiscal Commission last met.\r\n","AnswerText":"Scottish Government officials last met with the Scottish Fiscal Commission on 28 January 2015.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-01-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-01-29T13:53:31.88","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300105,"EventID":"S4W-24022","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-15T13:53:32.66","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-14T17:12:20","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-23799 by John Swinney on 14 January 2015, whether it will provide the information that was requested regarding what the dates are for future meetings of the Scottish Fiscal Commission.\r\n","AnswerText":"As the Scottish Fiscal Commission is operationally independent of the Scottish Government, the commission is not required to notify the Scottish Government of the dates on which it plans to meet.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-01-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-01-29T13:53:32.677","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300106,"EventID":"S4W-24023","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4016,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":133,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-15T13:53:33.237","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-15T10:46:44.463","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what guidelines there are regarding the proximity of wind turbines to public roads, and whether it plans to review these in light of reports that, following storms, part of a turbine was found by a roadside near Stow.\r\n","AnswerText":"Paragraph 169 of Scottish Planning Policy (2014) indicates that proposals for energy infrastructure developments should consider impacts on trunk roads and road traffic.\r\nScottish Government on-line planning advice for onshore wind turbines last updated in December 2013 states:\r\n‘Road Traffic Impacts: In siting wind turbines close to major roads, pre-application discussions are advisable with Transport Scotland’s Trunk Roads Network Management. This is particularly important for the movement of large components (abnormal load routing) during the construction period, periodic maintenance and for decommissioning. Although wind turbines erected in accordance with best engineering practice should be stable structures, it may be advisable to achieve a set back from roads and railways of at least the height of the turbine proposed, to assure safety. Driver distraction may in some circumstances, be a consideration.’\r\nThere are no plans to review Scottish Planning Policy or these guidelines.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-01-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-01-29T13:53:33.27","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300121,"EventID":"S4W-24026","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2678,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-15T16:52:49.033","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-15T13:47:08.717","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it will ensure that people who have been provided with NHS hearing aids with the assistance of Action on Hearing Loss Scotland’s Hear to Help service will have their devices maintained or replaced after funding for the scheme is withdrawn in March 2015.\r\n","AnswerText":"Funding for the Hear to Help service has not been withdrawn. The Scottish Government provided funding for the Borders project over the financial years 2007-10 with further funding made available to seven pilot projects in 2011-12.\r\nThe services provided by the Hear to Help initiative are complementary to those provided by NHS boards, and indeed other third sector organisations, and do not substitute or replace the services already provided by the NHS. People provided with NHS hearing aids will continue to be able to access maintenance and replacement services provided by their local NHS audiology department and from other third sector organisations where they provide a service.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-01-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-01-29T16:52:49.067","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300122,"EventID":"S4W-24027","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2678,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-15T16:52:49.317","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-15T13:47:08.717","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, in light of funding for Action on Hearing Loss Scotland’s Hear to Help service being withdrawn from March 2015, what contingencies it has introduced to deal with any (a) increase in demand  and (b) impact on waiting times at audiology departments in NHS (i) Greater Glasgow and Clyde, (ii) Ayrshire and Arran, (iii) Tayside and (iv) Borders.\r\n","AnswerText":"Funding for the Hear to Help service has not been withdrawn. The Scottish Government provided funding for the Borders project over the financial years 2007-10 with further funding made available to seven pilot projects in 2011-12.\r\nThe services provided by the Hear to Help initiative are complementary to those provided by NHS boards, and indeed other third sector organisations, and do not substitute or replace the services already provided by local NHS audiology departments. Individual boards determine what action is required to meet demand for services in their area.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-01-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-01-29T16:52:49.33","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300123,"EventID":"S4W-24031","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2595,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-15T16:52:49.58","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-15T14:16:26.117","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many times the Finance Sector Jobs Taskforce met in (a) 2012, (b) 2013 and (c) 2014 and whether it will publish the agenda and minutes of each meeting, as was the practice for the meetings in 2009, 2010 and 2011.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Finance Sector Jobs Taskforce engaged with and provided support to a broad range of employers during 2012, 2013 and 2014. The taskforce continues to engage with financial services companies as and when required and those discussions take place on a confidential basis.\r\nThe overseeing Finance Sector Jobs Taskforce Steering Group met twice in 2012 on 29 March and 27 September. The steering group did not meet in 2013, but met once on 30 January 2014. There are no formal minutes available for publication.\r\nAn update on taskforce activity is provided at each Financial Services Advisory Board (FiSAB) meeting. Minutes of FiSAB meetings are available on the Scottish Government website at the following address:\r\nhttp://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Business-Industry/finance/meetings.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-01-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-01-29T16:52:49.597","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300124,"EventID":"S4W-24034","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2595,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-15T16:52:49.953","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-15T14:16:26.117","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when the Finance Sector Jobs Taskforce will next meet and what issues will be on the agenda.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Finance Sector Jobs Taskforce Steering Group will meet during the first quarter of 2015. The focus of the meeting will be to review 2014 activity and discuss key issues facing the sector and potential job implications.\r\nThe taskforce continues to engage with financial services companies as and when required and those discussions take place on a confidential basis.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-01-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-01-29T16:52:49.97","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300125,"EventID":"S4W-24035","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1768,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":131,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-15T16:52:50.267","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-15T14:13:24","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much funding it has allocated to support for women offenders in the community in the 2015-16 budget.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has identified an overall community justice budget for 2015-16 of £113.2 million – which includes over £95 million allocated under Section 27 of the Social Work (Scotland) Act 1968 to Community Justice Authorities to deliver criminal justice social work services. This funding supports services for both men and women, throughout Scotland.\r\nThe budget allocation does not specify how much funding is to be allocated to support women offenders. Provision of funds to specific projects or areas of work is a matter for local community justice partners. Community Justice Authorities have the flexibility to allocate this funding as they see fit across their area, in accordance with their area action plans, and in the way they see as most appropriate to fulfil their statutory obligations and to reduce reoffending.\r\nThis budget includes the Scottish Government’s input to the Reducing Reoffending Change Fund, which has been renewed for 2015-17, to use up to £4 million annually to continue support for offender mentoring services for men and women.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-01-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-01-29T16:52:50.283","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300126,"EventID":"S4W-24036","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1768,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":131,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-15T16:52:50.767","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-15T14:13:24","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much funding it provided to community justice centres in (a) Edinburgh, (b) Glasgow, (c) Aberdeen and (d) Dundee in (i) 2013-14 and (ii) 2014-15.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government issued grant funding in 2013-15 to sixteen projects across Scotland, to support the development of community justice services for women. These grants were made in addition to the annual allocation of funding for community justice activity given to Community Justice Authorities.\r\nThe grant allocation to projects in Edinburgh, Glasgow, Aberdeen and Dundee was as follows:\r\nLocation\r\nProject\r\n2013-14\r\n2014-15\r\nEdinburgh\r\nWillow project\r\n£305,184\r\n£298,835\r\nGlasgow\r\nTomorrow’s Women Glasgow\r\n£274,556\r\n£388,078\r\nAberdeen\r\nWomen offenders project\r\n£54,954\r\n£194,778\r\nThe grant allocation to support women offender services in Dundee supported proposals made by Dundee criminal justice social work (CJSW) leadership, and was used to recruit additional staff into the Dundee City CJSW women offenders team, working from their existing premises.\r\nLocation\r\nProject\r\n2013-14\r\n2014-15\r\nDundee\r\nCJSW women offenders team\r\n£118,800\r\n£118,800\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-01-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-01-29T16:52:50.783","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300127,"EventID":"S4W-24037","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1768,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":131,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-15T16:52:51.203","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-15T14:13:24","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much funding it provided to projects supporting women offenders in the community, other than community justice centres, in (a) 2013-14 and (b) 2014-15, also broken down by project.\r\n","AnswerText":"In 2013-14 and 2014-15 the Scottish Government allocated grant funding to support the development of projects providing community justice services for women, in line with the recommendations of the Commission on Women Offenders’ report. These grants were made in addition to the annual allocation of funding for community justice activity to Community Justice Authorities (CJA).\r\nThe allocations were made in response to proposals submitted by local community justice bodies, for the development of services which they considered would help meet the needs of the local population, and which could be sustained by local resources at the conclusion of the grant funding.\r\nThe answer to question S4W-24036 on 29 January 2015 set out the grant funding provided to community justice centre projects in Glasgow, Edinburgh and Aberdeen. The remaining grants were as follows:\r\nLocation\r\nProject\r\n2013-14\r\n2014-15\r\nAberdeenshire\r\nWomen’s services development officer\r\n-\r\n£61,697\r\nAngus\r\nGlen Isla outreach project\r\n£71,581\r\n£137,162\r\nAyrshire\r\nKilmarnock court support project\r\n-\r\n£45,500\r\nDunbartonshire\r\nWomen offender groupwork project\r\n-\r\n£35,529\r\nDundee\r\nCriminal justice social work (CJSW) women offenders team\r\n£118,000\r\n£118,000\r\nInverclyde\r\nWomen’s services centre\r\n-\r\n£94,278\r\nInverness\r\nGroupwork/outdoor work project\r\n-\r\n£23,000\r\nFife\r\nOutreach project\r\n£65,715\r\n£131,430\r\nFalkirk and Forth Valley\r\nWomen offender support network\r\n£26,305\r\n£48,869\r\nNorth Lanarkshire\r\nCJSW women offenders team\r\n£90,000\r\n£180,000\r\nNorth Strathclyde\r\nRenfrewshire CJSW womens’ service\r\n£23,000\r\n£46,000\r\nSouth Lanarkshire\r\nCJSW women offenders team\r\n£59,000\r\n£118,000\r\nSouth West Scotland\r\nEarly and effective intervention project\r\n£35,548\r\n£71,097\r\nAdditional projects:\r\nLocation\r\nProject\r\n2013-14\r\n2014-15\r\nNorthern CJA\r\nWomen offender services research\r\n-\r\n£50,000\r\nGlasgow\r\nEnhanced diversion project\r\n-\r\n£60,400\r\n\r\nNational evaluation of \r\nwomen offender projects\r\n£118,100\r\nAll answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at: \r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-01-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-01-29T16:52:51.22","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300128,"EventID":"S4W-24038","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-15T16:52:51.593","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-15T15:38:20.583","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it has allocated the additional £65 million to NHS boards for 2015-16.","AnswerText":"Details are as follows:\r\nNHS Board\r\n£000\r\nAyrshire and Arran\r\n3,223\r\nBorders\r\n737\r\nDumfries and Galloway\r\n1,068\r\nFife\r\n3,638\r\nForth Valley\r\n2,013\r\nGrampian\r\n15,200\r\nGreater Glasgow and Clyde\r\n8,269\r\nHighland\r\n9,352\r\nLanarkshire\r\n9,601\r\nLothian\r\n4,863\r\nOrkney\r\n4,172\r\nShetland\r\n311\r\nTayside\r\n2,642\r\nWestern Isles\r\n260\r\nTotal\r\n65,349\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-01-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-01-29T16:52:51.61","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300129,"EventID":"S4W-24039","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-15T16:52:52","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-15T15:38:36.333","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much of the recent Barnett consequentials that arose from additional health expenditure in England has yet to be allocated, and how it plans to use this.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Deputy First Minister has confirmed that all of the £127.4 million of consequentials will be utilised for health.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-01-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-01-29T16:52:52.013","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300130,"EventID":"S4W-24040","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-15T16:52:52.403","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-15T15:39:25.317","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made as to NHS workforce planning to ensure an adequate capacity.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government provides the policies, frameworks and resources for high quality healthcare in Scotland and it is for each NHS board to decide how best to deliver those services to meet the needs of the population. This includes how best to utilise funding, facilities and staff, while taking account of national and local priorities, to meet local health needs. We expect NHS boards to have robust processes in place to ensure the provision of safe, effective and high quality patient care, delivered by the right professional at the right time.\r\nWe have invited patients, families, clinicians, politicians and other stakeholders to work with us in shaping the long term future of NHSScotland, signifying a genuinely new relationship between the Scottish Government and local health and social partnerships. We want to reach consensus about improving services for people across Scotland, and an important component of this involves ensuring our workforce continues to deliver the best possible care as part of our refreshed long-term vision for Scotland’s NHS. Alongside those stakeholders, the professional bodies and Royal Colleges will be key to informing that work.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-01-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-01-29T16:52:52.42","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300131,"EventID":"S4W-24041","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-15T16:52:52.827","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-15T15:39:25.317","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government for what reason it withdrew financial support for training in educational psychology.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-22511 on 22 September 2014. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at \r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-01-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-01-29T16:52:52.857","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alasdair Allan","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300132,"EventID":"S4W-24042","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-15T16:52:53.417","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-15T15:39:25.317","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how the withdrawal of funding support for people training in educational psychology complies with its strategies for improvements in early years and tackling behavioural and conduct disorders in educational settings.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government recognises and values the role that educational psychologists play in supporting learners. They have a key role in identifying needs and providing support for individual pupils to help them overcome barriers to their learning arising from a range of circumstances, including social and emotional factors. It is for local authorities to take decisions around the prioritisation and delivery of the services educational psychologists provide and the numbers of educational psychologists they employ.\r\nFunding for educational psychologist training was introduced in 1998 in response to a staffing shortage in that sector and removed under the spending review 2011 to ensure a consistent approach to funding of postgraduate training. The Scottish Government is working with the National Scottish Steering Group for Educational Psychologists to ensure a sustainable supply of education psychologists to meet potential future needs. We are funding a seconded position in Education Scotland to work with the steering group to undertake a workforce planning project for educational psychology services in Scotland. The secondee took up post in mid-January 2015.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-01-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-01-29T16:52:53.433","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Alasdair Allan","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300133,"EventID":"S4W-24043","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-15T16:52:53.903","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-15T15:39:25.317","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what repayments on brokerage funding it has received from (a) NHS Fife, (b) NHS Tayside, (c) NHS Orkney and (d) NHS 24.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has provided brokerage and received as follows: \r\n(a) NHS Fife\r\n\r\nOpening Balance\r\n£ million\r\nBrokerage £ million\r\nRepayment £ million\r\nClosing Balance £ million\r\n2011-12\r\n0.000\r\n1.110\r\n\r\n1.110\r\n2012-13\r\n1.110\r\n1.400\r\n(0.360)\r\n2.150\r\n2013-14\r\n2.150\r\n0.000\r\n(2.150)\r\n0.000\r\nTotal\r\n\r\n2.510\r\n2.510\r\n\r\n\r\n(b) NHS Tayside\r\n\r\nOpening Balance\r\n£ million\r\nBrokerage £ million\r\nRepayment £ million\r\nClosing Balance £ million\r\n2012-13\r\n0.000\r\n2.250\r\n0.000\r\n2.250\r\n2013-14\r\n2.250\r\n2.850\r\n(0.250)\r\n4.850\r\n2014-15\r\n4.850\r\n0.000\r\n(4.050)\r\n0.800\r\n2015-16 Planned\r\n0.800\r\n0.000\r\n(0.800)\r\n0.000\r\nTotal\r\n\r\n5.100\r\n(5.100)\r\n\r\n\r\n(c) NHS Orkney\r\n\r\nOpening Balance\r\n£ million\r\nBrokerage £ million\r\nRepayment £ million\r\nClosing Balance £ million\r\n2009-10\r\n0.000\r\n1.110\r\n0.000\r\n1.110\r\n2010-11\r\n1.110\r\n1.011\r\n0.000\r\n2.121\r\n2011-12\r\n2.121\r\n2.259\r\n(0.323)\r\n4.057\r\n2012-13\r\n4.057\r\n0.000\r\n0.0000\r\n4.057\r\n2013-14\r\n4.057\r\n1.000\r\n(0.995)\r\n4.062\r\n2014-15\r\n4.062\r\n0.000\r\n0.000\r\n4.062\r\n2015-16 Planned\r\n4.062\r\n0.000\r\n0.000\r\n4.062\r\n2016-17 Planned\r\n4.062\r\n0.000\r\n(3.214)\r\n0.848\r\n2017-18 Planned\r\n0.848\r\n0.000\r\n(0.848)\r\n0.000\r\nTotal\r\n\r\n5.380\r\n5.380\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n(d) NHS 24\r\n\r\nOpening Balance £ million\r\nBrokerage £ million\r\nRepayment £ million\r\nClosing Balance £ million\r\n2011-12\r\n0.000\r\n0.320\r\n0.000\r\n0.320\r\n2012-13\r\n0.320\r\n16.577\r\n0.000\r\n16.897\r\n2013-14\r\n16.897\r\n3.859\r\n0.000\r\n20.756\r\n2014-15\r\n20.756\r\n0.000\r\n0.000\r\n20.756\r\n2015-16 Planned\r\n20.756\r\n0.000\r\n(3.648)\r\n17.108\r\n2016-17 Planned\r\n17.108\r\n0.000\r\n(6.434)\r\n10.674\r\n2017-18 Planned\r\n10.674\r\n0.000\r\n(6.189)\r\n4.485\r\n2018-19 Planned\r\n4.485\r\n0.000\r\n(4.485)\r\n0.000\r\nTotal\r\n\r\n20.756\r\n(20.756)\r\n\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-01-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-01-29T16:52:53.917","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300134,"EventID":"S4W-24044","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-15T16:52:54.323","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-15T15:39:25.317","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much additional funding it provided to NHS 24 in relation to its new IT system; what rescheduling it has agreed with NHS 24, and what the revised schedule of repayment is of any brokerage fees.","AnswerText":"The following table details the original repayable brokerage to NHS 24 for the ‘Futures’ IT system.\r\n\r\nOpening balance (£ million)\r\nBrokerage (£ million)\r\nRepayment (£ million)\r\nClosing balance (£ million)\r\n2011-12\r\n0.000\r\n0.320\r\n0.000\r\n0.320\r\n2012-13\r\n0.320\r\n16.577\r\n0.000\r\n16.897\r\n2013-14\r\n16.897\r\n1.659\r\n0.000\r\n18.556\r\n2014-15\r\n18.556\r\n0.000\r\n(5.275)\r\n13.281\r\n2015-16 planned\r\n13.281\r\n0.000\r\n(5.492)\r\n7.789\r\n2016-17 planned\r\n7.789\r\n0.000\r\n(7.789)\r\n0.000\r\nTotal\r\n-\r\n18.556\r\n(18.556)\r\n-\r\nThe following table details the revised provision of repayable brokerage to NHS 24 for the ‘Futures’ IT system. Brokerage was provided to avoid financing charges of £4.6 million associated with the phased payment of the implementation costs over the 10-year contract term of the future programme (combining the delivery of new technology and applications with service redesign).\r\n\r\nOpening balance (£ million)\r\nBrokerage (£ million)\r\nRepayment (£ million)\r\nClosing balance (£ million)\r\n2011-12\r\n0.000\r\n0.320\r\n0.000\r\n0.320\r\n2012-13\r\n0.320\r\n16.577\r\n0.000\r\n16.897\r\n2013-14\r\n16.897\r\n3.859\r\n0.000\r\n20.756\r\n2014-15\r\n20.756\r\n0.000\r\n0.000\r\n20.756\r\n2015-16 planned\r\n20.756\r\n0.000\r\n(3.648)\r\n17.108\r\n2016-17 planned\r\n17.108\r\n0.000\r\n(6.434)\r\n10.674\r\n2017-18 planned\r\n10.674\r\n0.000\r\n(6.189)\r\n4.485\r\n2018-19 planned\r\n4.485\r\n0.000\r\n(4.485)\r\n0.000\r\nTotal\r\n-\r\n20.756\r\n(20.756)\r\n-\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-01-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-01-29T16:52:54.34","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300135,"EventID":"S4W-24049","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-15T16:52:54.713","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-15T15:41:06.377","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what consideration it has given to Audit Scotland's proposal that NHS boards be given greater flexibility with their financial planning over three years instead of one.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Scottish Public Finance Manual (SPFM) is issued by Scottish Ministers to provide guidance to the Scottish Government and other relevant bodies (which include NHS boards) on the proper handling and reporting of public funds. It sets out the relevant statutory, parliamentary and administrative requirements, emphasises the need for economy, efficiency and effectiveness, and promotes good practice and high standards of propriety.\r\nThe Public Finance and Accountability (Scotland) Act 2000 (PFA Act), which is framed in resource terms sets out the rules for spending money, accounting requirements, accountability of officials and auditing arrangements. The basic principle is that spending can take place only if authorised by the Parliament in budget acts and must not exceed any amount so authorised in relation to that purpose.\r\nFollowing on from the above, NHS boards have a statutory requirement to break even on their revenue and capital budgets during each fiscal year. The Scottish Government expects NHS boards to submit financial plans annually, these plans cover a minimum period of three years. Within these plans, boards have the opportunity to apply for additional funding in the form of brokerage or carry forward of a planned surplus. This offers boards the flexibility to manage their financial position across years whilst remaining within the requirements of the SPFM and the PFA Act.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-01-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-01-29T16:52:54.73","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300136,"EventID":"S4W-24050","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-15T16:52:55.29","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-15T15:41:06.377","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many of the 10,000 equal pay claims identified in Audit Scotland's financial review of the NHS in 2012-13 (a) have now been quantified and (b) were disclosed as an unquantified contingent liability in the boards' accounts for 2013-14.","AnswerText":"None of the equal pay claims identified in Audit Scotland’s financial review of the NHS in 2012-13 have been quantified. \r\n5,953 claims were disclosed as unquantified contingent liabilities in the boards’ accounts for 2013-14. \r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-01-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-01-29T16:52:55.307","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300137,"EventID":"S4W-24051","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-15T16:52:55.71","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-15T15:49:07.747","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government for what reason the 2014-15 budget for health improvement and health inequalities is £55.6 million, given that the amount in the draft budget was £64.4.\r\n","AnswerText":"The draft budget 2014-15 set out an indicative spending allocation for 2015-16 of £64.4 million. The draft budget for 2015-16 reflects the following movements:\r\n£3.3 million was transferred to the Commonwealth Games, Sport, Equalities and Pensioners’ Rights portfolio.\r\nThe Keep Well budget has been reduced by £4.1 million, from £11.1 million to £7 million, however this change in spend will be offset by investment in integrated partnerships whose actions will help drive the shift towards prevention.\r\nFood and Health has been reduced by £1.2 million, from £2.5 million to £1.3 million, and this is due to a transfer of recurring spend for the Healthy Living Award and Community Food and Health (Scotland) to NHS Health Scotland.\r\nGrants to voluntary bodies has been reduced by £0.2 million, from £1.5 million to £1.3 million, due to a permanent transfer to Justice.\r\nThese changes reflect either budget transfers or are offset by investment elsewhere. Therefore there is no overall reduction in spending levels.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-01-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-01-29T16:52:55.727","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300138,"EventID":"S4W-24052","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-15T16:52:56.133","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-15T15:49:07.747","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what additional funding it will provide to NHS National Services Scotland to undertake work in the Health Environment Inspectorate in relation to enforcement powers announced following the report on the Vale of Leven Hospital inquiry.","AnswerText":"NHS National Services Scotland has no role in relation to the proposed additional powers for the Healthcare Environment Inspectorate (HEI), which were announced following the report on the Vale of Leven Hospital Inquiry. We do not therefore plan to provide additional funding to them.\r\nThe Scottish Government has fully accepted the 75 recommendations outlined in the Vale of Leven Hospital Inquiry report, including the recommendation to provide the HEI with further powers to close wards.\r\nIn consultation with key stakeholders, we are currently looking at how the legislative process around ward closures might be taken forward and whether further funding may be required to provide additional enforcement powers to Healthcare Improvement Scotland which has responsibility for the HEI.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-01-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-01-29T16:52:56.147","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300139,"EventID":"S4W-24070","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1860,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-19T16:42:25.467","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-16T15:27:56","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on extending the Lochboisdale – Mallaig ferry service to include summer crossings.\r\n","AnswerText":"Current vessel deployment considerations mean that it is not possible to introduce a summer Lochboisdale to Mallaig ferry service at this stage, as this would impact on existing services elsewhere on the Clyde and Hebrides ferry services network. The winter pilot service will be evaluated over the full three year pilot period before decisions about the way forward are taken. The evaluation will take into account the severe weather disruptions experienced on the route.\r\nCosts to operate a year round Lochboisdale to Mallaig ferry service have not therefore been considered.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-01-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-02-02T16:42:25.483","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300140,"EventID":"S4W-24071","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1860,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-19T16:42:25.81","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-16T15:27:56","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much it would cost to operate a year round Lochboisdale – Mallaig ferry service.\r\n","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-24070 on 28 January 2015. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-01-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-02-02T16:42:25.827","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300145,"EventID":"S4W-24024","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1759,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-16T15:41:20.097","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-15T13:01:43","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what steps it has (a) introduced and (b) plans to ensure that the work being carried out to increase finfish production by 2020 does not impact on the marine environment; how often it measures the impact of this work and with what methodology.\r\n","AnswerText":"Scotland has a regulatory framework in place, providing the right balance between growing aquaculture and protecting the marine environment on which farmed and wild fisheries depend. It was further enhanced by the Aquaculture and Fisheries (Scotland) Act 2013 to help meet the National Marine Plan objectives, ensuring that farmed and wild fisheries and their interactions continue to be managed effectively, maximising their combined contribution to supporting sustainable economic growth with due regard to the wider marine environment.\r\nThe Ministerial Group for Sustainable Aquaculture, which I chair, comprises the aquaculture industry, wild fish interests and other stakeholders, and was established to facilitate industry to achieve its 2020 sustainable growth targets with due regard to the marine environment. The group meets twice a year to review progress. \r\nFor any new fish farm or extension to an existing one, operators must apply for planning permission from the relevant local authority, which conducts a detailed assessment. This includes advice from Marine Scotland, the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA), Scottish Natural Heritage, Historic Scotland and local district salmon fishery boards on potential impacts on water quality, interactions with predators wild salmonids, species and habitats, conservation areas, landscape, marine cultural heritage, noise, and waste.\r\nAs with existing farms, operators must also apply to SEPA for a controlled activities regulation consent. SEPA then conducts a programme of monitoring and evaluation of the use of medicines at each fish farm, ensuring that consent conditions are not breached. Fish farming businesses are also authorised by Marine Scotland under the Aquatic Animal Health (Scotland) Regulations 2009, and inspected regularly for disease control, containment measures and sea lice management.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-01-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-01-30T15:41:20.207","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen McLeod","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300146,"EventID":"S4W-24028","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-16T15:41:20.47","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-15T14:07:49","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it is its policy to seek full fiscal responsibility for the Scottish Parliament and that all tax revenues are retained in Scotland.\r\n","AnswerText":"In its submission to The Smith Commission, the Scottish Government outlined its proposals for ‘more powers to the Scottish Parliament.’ These proposals included full fiscal autonomy which, if implemented, would have led to all tax revenues being retained in Scotland. The Smith Commission published its recommendations on 27 November 2014, and subsequently the UK Government published an overview of its proposals on 22 January 2015. The Smith Commission did not recommend full fiscal autonomy, and currently there are no plans to legislate for full fiscal devolution to the Scottish Parliament. While The Smith Commission recommendations did not go as far as the Scottish Government recommended, and do not live up to the ‘vow’ made before the independence referendum, the Scottish Government welcomes further powers, and they must now be delivered. The Scottish Government is focused on making Scotland a more prosperous country, tackling inequality and protecting our public services, and the new powers being delivered must help deliver those goals.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-01-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-01-30T15:41:20.503","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300147,"EventID":"S4W-24029","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-16T15:41:21.08","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-15T14:07:49","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the impact on public spending if Scotland achieves full fiscal autonomy and the block grant funding mechanism is ended.","AnswerText":"Scotland has a strong fiscal base; in every one of the last 33 years, tax receipts have been higher per head in Scotland than the UK. Even when oil revenues are excluded, tax revenues per person in Scotland are broadly in line with the UK.\r\nUnder full fiscal autonomy, Scotland would still remain part of the UK and would negotiate its share of reserved spending and the operation of payments towards these.\r\nIn its submission to The Smith Commission, the Scottish Government outlined its proposals for ‘More Powers for the Scottish Parliament.’ These proposals included full fiscal autonomy which, if implemented, would have led to all tax revenues being retained in Scotland. The Smith Commission published its recommendations on 27 November 2014, and subsequently the UK Government published an overview of its proposals on 22 January 2015. The Smith Commission did not recommend full fiscal autonomy, and currently there are no plans to legislate for full fiscal devolution to the Scottish Parliament. While the Smith Commission recommendations did not go as far as what the Scottish Government recommended, and do not live up to the ‘vow’ made before the independence referendum, the Scottish Government welcomes further powers, and they must now be delivered. The Scottish Government is focused on making Scotland a more prosperous country, tackling inequality and protecting our public services, and the new powers being delivered must help deliver those goals.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-01-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-01-30T15:41:21.11","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300148,"EventID":"S4W-24030","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-16T15:41:21.673","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-15T14:07:49","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether its estimate of the value of the continuation of the Barnett formula remains at £4 billion annually, or whether it has made a revised estimate.","AnswerText":"It is not clear what estimate of the Barnett formula the parliamentary question refers to.\r\nThe Barnett formula determines the size of the Block Grant from the UK to the Scottish Government and is based on the funding of services in England and Wales.\r\nFrom 2015 the block grant is subject to adjustment to take account of the devolution of a limited amount of autonomy over taxation in Scotland. The proposals set out by the UK Government in response to The Smith Commission highlight the need for further adjustment to take place and for a new mechanism to consider the contribution of individual taxes to the Block Grant.\r\nThe Scottish Government has previously referred to estimates by Lord Holtham of the cost to Scotland of a reduction in the block grant that would flow from the proposals put forward by Westminster parties prior to the vow to conduct a needs based assessment using the Holtham methodology, which is the methodology preferred by the Welsh Government. It is not an estimate of the value of Barnett or of Scotland having full fiscal powers.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-01-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-01-30T15:41:21.703","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300149,"EventID":"S4W-24045","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-16T15:41:22.343","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-15T15:40:04.8","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the comments at paragraph 25 of Audit Scotland's report, NHS financial performance 2012/13, whether NHS National Services Scotland was provided with additional funding and, if not, which services were reduced.\r\n","AnswerText":"In 2013-14 NHS National Services Scotland (NSS) received more than 100 additional allocations from the Scottish Government worth £108.1 million. Throughout the course of the year, NSS and the Scottish Government meet regularly to discuss their funding assumptions and to agree what services should be provided. There were no services reduced by NSS in 2013-14 as a result of funding arrangements being agreed late.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-01-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-01-30T15:41:22.36","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300150,"EventID":"S4W-24046","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-16T15:41:22.857","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-15T15:40:04.8","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether the £159 million maintenance backlog referred to at paragraph 61 of Audit Scotland's report, NHS financial performance 2012/13, has been dealt with.\r\n","AnswerText":"High risk backlog maintenance reduced from £159 million to £96 million as reported in the Annual State of NHSScotland Assets and Facilities Report for 2013 published on 14 February 2014.\r\nWhilst it is essential that high and significant risk backlog is addressed as a matter of priority, it is not practical or affordable to address all backlog over the short term (five years), hence the need for longer term planning. This will be achieved through a combination of:\r\nEstate replacement through capital and revenue funded schemes. \r\nEstate rationalisation and disposal of older properties brought about by estate replacement, thus avoiding the need for expenditure on backlog. \r\nEstate modernisation through refurbishment/upgrading schemes. \r\nTargeted expenditure of circa £46 million per annum on backlog maintenance, particularly focussing on high and significant risk backlog.\r\nNHSScotland managers are focussed on mitigation strategies for the significant backlog maintenance requirement to ensure that high and significant risk backlog is prioritised, based on the risk it poses, for investment within the finite resources made available to them.\r\nThe two key strategies for reducing backlog maintenance are either to invest directly in the rectification of backlog or to rationalise the estate to remove those properties with high levels of backlog maintenance. Investment in reducing backlog has been focussed on the most important higher risk backlog maintenance items. This is shown by the annual reduction in significant and high risk backlog since 2011.\r\nPercentage of High and Significant Risk Backlog\r\nYear\r\n%\r\n2011\r\n53\r\n2012\r\n45\r\n2013\r\n43\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-01-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-01-30T15:41:22.89","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300151,"EventID":"S4W-24047","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-16T15:41:23.42","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-15T15:40:04.8","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the comments at paragraph 60 of Audit Scotland's report, NHS financial performance 2012/13, regarding the maintenance backlog of £948 million in 2012, how much of the backlog was classified as (a) significant and (b) high risk and how much of it was tackled in (i) 2013 and (ii) 2014.\r\n","AnswerText":"Of the £948 million backlog maintenance referenced in The State of the Estate in 2012, 17% was classified as high risk (£159 million) and 28% as significant risk (£265 million).\r\nThe State of the Estate in 2013 (published in February 2014) identified backlog maintenance of £858 million of which 11% was classified as high risk (£96 million) and 32% as significant risk (£275 million).\r\nThe State of the Estate in 2014 report will be published in February 2015.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-01-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-01-30T15:41:23.437","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300152,"EventID":"S4W-24048","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-16T15:41:23.873","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-15T15:40:04.8","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how large the NHS maintenance backlog is and how much is classified as a (a) high risk and (b) significant clinical backlog.\r\n","AnswerText":"The State of the Estate Report 2013 (published in February 2014) identified backlog maintenance of £858 million of which 11% was classified as high risk (£96 million) and 32% as significant risk (£275 million), of which £209 million is clinical space.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-01-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-01-30T15:41:23.903","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300153,"EventID":"S4W-24054","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-16T15:41:24.357","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-15T15:49:50.933","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether the Care Inspectorate monitors whether care home residents have been invited to express a wish in respect of (a) remaining in the care home for terminal care, b) a do not resuscitate statement (DNACPR) and (c) an advance statement or living will.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Care Inspectorate assesses the delivery of palliative and end of life care to care home residents as part of its inspections. Best practice guidance is signposted, including NHS Education for Scotland’s guidance on anticipatory care planning, which includes looking at a person’s resuscitation wishes and if they have a prior advance statement of living well. Each year the Care Inspectorate asks care homes for information about the number of residents who have an anticipatory care plan in place and this information is used to inform inspections.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-01-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-01-30T15:41:24.387","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300154,"EventID":"S4W-24055","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-16T15:41:24.823","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-15T15:49:50.933","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether the Care Inspectorate monitors the number of (a) admissions from care homes to hospital and (b) resident deaths (i) in the care home and (ii) after transfer to a hospital.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Care Inspectorate requires all registered services, including care homes, to notify them of the death of any resident on an ongoing basis. Their inspectors monitor these notifications and the Care Inspectorate will take action if the rate of notification is higher than expected, including requesting their medical adviser to undertake a review of deaths in that service.\r\nThe Care Inspectorate does not currently require care homes to inform them of all admissions to hospital, although the Care Inspectorate do ask to be notified of significant incidents and accidents which in some cases may lead to hospital admission. Their inspectors monitor all notifications from services and will take action where necessary.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-01-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-01-30T15:41:24.857","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300155,"EventID":"S4W-24056","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-16T15:41:25.307","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-15T15:49:50.933","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether the Care Inspectorate monitors the use of (a) antipsychotic medication and (b) tranquilliser medicine in care homes, and what criteria it uses in assessing the use of these.\r\n","AnswerText":"Scottish care homes have been brought within the remit of the Controlled Drugs (Supervision of Management and Use) Regulations 2013. The Care Inspectorate has been designated as a ‘responsible body’ under the terms of these Regulations and has been given powers to ask for self-declarations about how care homes manage and use controlled drugs.\r\nThe Care Inspectorate responds to any concerns raised with them as complaints, or noted by their inspectors during inspections about the appropriate use of medicines in care homes. Where such concerns arise, the Care Inspectorate’s pharmacy advisers can carry out an audit of practice, the findings of which are shared with the service provider, health board and local authority.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-01-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-01-30T15:41:25.323","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300156,"EventID":"S4W-24057","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-16T15:41:25.76","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-15T15:50:57.887","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it has submitted a remit to the Doctors and Dentists Review Body and, if so, whether it will publish the remit and, if not, whether it plans to and, if so, when.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has submitted two remit letters to the Doctors’ and Dentists’ Review Body. Firstly on recommendations for pay for 2015-16 in October 2014, and secondly on contract reform for doctors and dentists in training in December 2014. These letters are in the public domain and have been published via the Office of Manpower Economics website at:\r\nhttps://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/office-of-manpower-economics\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-01-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-01-30T15:41:25.79","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":true},{"UniqueID":300157,"EventID":"S4W-24058","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-16T15:41:26.29","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-15T15:50:57.887","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether the review at UK level of distinction awards for doctors has taken place and, if so, what action it is taking.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Doctors’ and Dentists’ Review Body published their Review of Compensation Levels, Incentives and the Clinical Excellence and Distinction Award schemes for NHS Consultants on 17 December 2012. The report can be viewed at the Office of Manpower Economics website via the following link: \r\nhttps://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/229710/DDRB_CEA_Cm_8518__3_.pdf\r\nAny review of these awards will form part of the Scottish Government’s consideration of how we move towards the delivery of person centred health provision and will be undertaken in the context of the on-going work on the 2020 Workforce Vision and the delivery of seven day services.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-01-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-01-30T15:41:26.32","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300158,"EventID":"S4W-24059","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-16T15:41:26.757","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-15T15:50:57.887","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what steps it will take to retain doctors who would have been eligible for A and A+ distinction awards for outstanding contributions to medicine and the NHS.","AnswerText":"As detailed in the reply to S4W-24058 on 26 January 2015, the Scottish Government is considering ways of how best to achieve a fairer balance of remuneration for NHS consultants while delivering on sustainability and seven day services.\r\nIn the meantime pay package comparisons between NHS Scotland and England show that we offer a competitive package in Scotland based on broadly UK wide terms and conditions of service, and consultant pay in Scotland can be up to £1,000 higher in Scotland than in England. In addition, we also offer job security with our no compulsory redundancy policy which remains in place until 2016.\r\nWhile the distinction award scheme for consultants in NHSScotland is currently frozen with no new awards being granted, consultants already in receipt of an award, at any level, still continue to receive that award but are unable to be considered for further progression.\r\nAll answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-01-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-01-30T15:41:26.79","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":true},{"UniqueID":300159,"EventID":"S4W-24060","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1768,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":131,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-16T15:41:27.21","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-15T16:03:11","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government for what reason it has not implemented the provisions of the Custodial Sentences and  Weapons (Scotland) Act 2007, as amended by the Criminal Justice and Licensing (Scotland) Act 2010, with regard to the release arrangements that apply to prison sentences.","AnswerText":"In 2008, the independent Scotland’s Choice – report of the Scottish Prisons Commission recommended that implementation of the release arrangements contained in the Custodial Sentences and Weapons (Scotland) Act 2007 should ‘‘…follow the implementation of this Commission's other recommendations and the achievement of reductions in the short sentence prison population.’’  \r\nThe Scottish Government agreed and continues to agree with the view of the McLeish Commission in relation to fundamental reform of the system of early release only being able to follow a sustained reduction in the prison population.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-01-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-01-30T15:41:27.243","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300160,"EventID":"S4W-24061","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4016,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":133,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-16T15:41:27.71","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-15T16:18:57.6","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-23804 by Shona Robison on 15 January 2015, if any changes to NHS services were not in line with the 2020 strategy, whether it has the power to intervene and, if so, whether it would do so.","AnswerText":"Ministers can consider proposals that are deemed to be a major service change under the Scottish Government guidance Informing, Engaging and Consulting People in Developing Health and Community Care Services http://www.sehd.scot.nhs.uk/mels/CEL2010_04.pdf.\r\nIf a major service change was to be considered health boards must ensure that the proposed changes are in line with the 2020 vision, and fully engage with their local population before any changes are taken forward. Proposals need to give clear evidence of how the board has carried out this engagement, and how it would address the impact on outcomes for their community.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-01-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-01-30T15:41:27.74","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300161,"EventID":"S4W-24062","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2595,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-16T15:41:28.07","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-15T18:02:17.967","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what budget will be allocated to the Energy Jobs Taskforce in (a) 2014-15 and (b) 2015-16.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Energy Jobs Taskforce will have its first meeting on 28 January 2015 in Aberdeen. The first meeting will identify a range of actions to be taken forward to mitigate the impact of job losses within the sector. Public sector partners and agencies will support activity from within their existing budgets.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-02-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-01-30T15:41:28.083","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300162,"EventID":"S4W-24064","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2595,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-16T15:41:28.427","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-15T18:02:17.967","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will publish illustrative projections for Scottish North Sea tax receipts based on (a) no tax changes and (ii) the tax changes that it has proposed to the UK Government.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is committed to publishing analysis on the oil and gas sector and its contribution to the Scottish economy.\r\nProjections for future tax receipts will depend on what changes to the fiscal regime are made by the UK Treasury, and whether the UK Government improve their stewardship of the industry. The Scottish Government will publish an Oil and Gas Analytical Bulletin in due course.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-01-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-01-30T15:41:28.443","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300163,"EventID":"S4W-24065","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2117,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-16T15:41:28.723","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-16T11:41:58","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many jobs it estimates (a) to have been lost and (b) to be at risk as a result of the falling oil price over the last six months.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is aware that a number of oil and gas companies have recently announced job losses.\r\nIn January 2015 we have seen Schlumberger announce that it expects to cut more than 100 jobs in the North East and offshore; Apache has announced it has started make redundancies from its operations across the globe – estimating that it would be less than five per cent of its 5,000 employee workforce; ConocoPhillips announced it would be cutting 230 jobs in Britain, with its UK workforce expected to drop to just over 1,400 by March; BP has announced 300 jobs losses, 200 staff and 100 contractors, out of 3,500 North Sea employees; and KCA Deutag Drilling limited has announced 132 redundancies out of staff 232.\r\nThe Scottish Government has made a number of proposals to reform the fiscal regime. Despite the need for urgent action, the UK Government has yet to set out when key reforms will be implemented. The Scottish Government has called for a general Investment Allowance to provide additional support for such fields and help to sustain future investment. Analysis by Professor Alex Kemp suggests that such an allowance could increase investment by £20-£36 billion over the period to 2050 and in turn boost production by 1.2-2.2 billion barrels of oil equivalent. Scottish Government estimates, based on industry data, suggest that it could support between 14,000 and 26,000 jobs per year across the UK.\r\nThe First Minister launched the Energy Jobs Taskforce on the 14 January 2015 to deliver a co-ordinated response to the issues being faced by the industry, with partners working across the sector both to maintain jobs and to mitigate the potential impact of any losses. The First Minister also announced a guarantee for Modern Apprentices (MAs) in Scotland’s oil and gas sector to ensure that any faced with redundancy will be offered alternative employment or continued off the job training pending alternative employment. Additional support will be made available specifically to the oil and gas sector to enhance the offer available through the Adopt an Apprentice programme, which offers firms incentives to re-employ MAs who have been made redundant.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-02-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-01-30T15:41:28.74","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300164,"EventID":"S4W-24066","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2117,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-16T15:41:29.083","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-16T11:41:58","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many apprenticeships it estimates (a) to have been lost and (b) to be at risk as a result of the falling oil price over the last six months.","AnswerText":"Skills Development Scotland (SDS) publishes quarterly statistics on the number of Modern Apprenticeship redundancies by Modern Apprenticeship framework grouping. Figures up to the end of quarter 2 for 2014-15 can be found at:\r\nhttp://www.skillsdevelopmentscotland.co.uk/statistics/modern-apprenticeships/modern-apprenticeship-statistics-quarter-2-2014-15/ \r\nIn relation to those at risk, SDS has engaged with companies in the oil and gas sector which have employees at risk of redundancy. To date there have not been significant numbers of modern apprentices being released by employers.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-01-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-01-30T15:41:29.113","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Roseanna Cunningham","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300165,"EventID":"S4W-24067","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1768,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":131,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-16T15:45:12.887","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-15T16:38:21","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many police staff posts will be lost as a consequence of proposed changes to the firearms licensing function arising from the national firearms licensing review.\r\n","AnswerText":"Police Scotland is currently consulting staff and trade unions on proposals to change the way the firearms licensing function is managed and delivered. No decisions have been taken as yet on the way forward, but I understand that there will be no compulsory redundancies as a result of the review.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-01-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-01-30T15:45:12.917","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300166,"EventID":"S4W-24068","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1768,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":131,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-16T15:45:13.37","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-15T16:38:21","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many police (a) officers and (b) staff undertake the role of firearms enquiry officer.\r\n","AnswerText":"I understand that Police Scotland currently has some (a) 27 full time equivalent (FTE) police officers across Scotland and (b) 34 police staff (33 FTE) undertaking the role of Firearms Enquiry Officer. There are also 24 staff involved in administration duties.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-01-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-01-30T15:45:13.4","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300172,"EventID":"S4W-24072","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1866,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-19T13:41:13.827","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-16T16:20:36.503","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what work it has done to assess the impact on (a) investment in flood prevention, (b) investment in national parks, (c) support for farming and food production and promotion, (d) natural heritage and biodiversity, (e) rural communities and (f) its ambition to meet its climate change targets of a £4 billion reduction in its budget if the Barnett formula is abandoned.\r\n","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-24030 on 30 January 2015. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-02-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-02-02T13:41:13.923","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300174,"EventID":"S4W-24085","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-19T13:41:14.66","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-19T12:17:52.367","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when ministers last met the Mental Welfare Commission for Scotland;  who attended, and what future meetings are planned.\r\n","AnswerText":"The former Minister for Public Health met the Chair and Chief Executive of the Mental Welfare Commission for Scotland on 10 September 2013. I am scheduled to meet the Chair and Chief Executive of the Mental Welfare Commission for Scotland on 28 January 2015.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-01-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-02-02T13:41:14.69","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300183,"EventID":"S4T-00900","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":9,"MSPID":4080,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-19T13:04:09.607","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-19T09:58:56.553","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the need for support following the fire at the Peterhead fish processing plant.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-02-02T13:04:09.617","MeetingDate":"2015-01-20T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300185,"EventID":"S4F-02532","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":4976,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-19T13:03:49.71","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-19T09:46:12.577","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister when she will next meet the Prime Minister.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-02-02T13:03:49.787","MeetingDate":"2015-01-22T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300186,"EventID":"S4F-02533","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":3812,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-19T13:03:50.07","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-19T09:58:21.117","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister what engagements she has planned for the rest of the day.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-02-02T13:03:50.083","MeetingDate":"2015-01-22T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300187,"EventID":"S4F-02534","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":2108,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":141,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-19T13:03:50.373","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-19T10:06:40.577","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister what steps the Scottish Government has taken to reassure the Jewish community following recent terrorist attacks and the reported rise in anti-Semitism.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-02-02T13:03:50.383","MeetingDate":"2015-01-22T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300188,"EventID":"S4F-02536","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":5009,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-19T13:03:50.983","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-19T10:28:09.513","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister what issues will be discussed at the next meeting of the Cabinet.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-02-02T13:03:50.997","MeetingDate":"2015-01-22T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300189,"EventID":"S4F-02538","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":4955,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":105,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-19T13:03:51.8","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-19T10:49:33","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister what steps the Scottish Government is taking to reduce the incidence of type 2 diabetes among children and adolescents.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-02-02T13:03:51.817","MeetingDate":"2015-01-22T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300190,"EventID":"S4F-02544","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":3129,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":83,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-19T13:03:53.713","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-19T11:50:12","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister what impact the renewal of Trident would have on the delivery of public services in Scotland. \r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-02-02T13:03:53.733","MeetingDate":"2015-01-22T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300191,"EventID":"S4W-24069","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1860,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-19T16:42:25","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-16T15:27:56","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many crossings on the Lochboisdale – Mallaig ferry service in each month since November 2013 have been (a) scheduled and (b) cancelled, and what the reason was for each cancellation.\r\n","AnswerText":"Details of the number of Lochboisdale to Mallaig a) scheduled and b) cancelled sailings each month since November 2013 to date, and the reason for the cancellation are set out in the following table:\r\n\r\nYear/Month\r\nScheduled Sailings\r\nWeather cancellations\r\nTechnical cancellations\r\nOther cancellations*\r\n\r\n2013-14\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nNovember\r\n24\r\n8\r\n0\r\n4\r\nDecember\r\n36\r\n25\r\n0\r\n0\r\nJanuary\r\n24\r\n10\r\n2\r\n0\r\nFebruary\r\n12\r\n8\r\n0\r\n0\r\nMarch \r\n36\r\n10\r\n0\r\n0\r\nApril\r\n4\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n2014-15\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nNovember\r\n4\r\n0\r\n4\r\n0\r\nDecember\r\n36\r\n16\r\n4\r\n0\r\n*Ship out of position\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-01-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-02-02T16:42:25.06","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300221,"EventID":"S4W-24095","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1860,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-20T17:10:45.08","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-20T14:11:38.927","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government which hospitals were placed on red alert between 1 December 2014 and 15 January 2015 and for how long; how many beds were available during the red alert period, and how this compared with demand.\r\n","AnswerText":"While hospitals have experienced pressures this winter, none has needed to declare a major incident because of the demands that it was facing. Boards have been keeping the Scottish Government informed daily about the pressures that they face and the actions that are being taken to address them. Additional support has been provided to the boards when required.\r\nOfficial statistics on hospital activity and beds relating to the quarters ending December 2014 and March 2015 will be published in March 2015 and June 2015 respectively.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-01-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-02-03T17:10:45.09","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300222,"EventID":"S4W-24096","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1860,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-20T17:10:45.443","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-20T14:11:38.927","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government which (a) local authority and (b) private care homes in each local authority area are subject to admission restrictions set by the Care Inspectorate, and how long these have been in place.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Care Inspectorate has a restriction in place in Marine House Care Home in Forfar at present. This restriction is to limit admissions to no more than one older person every 14 days up to a maximum of 45 older people. This restriction came into effect on 28 August 2014 and is still in place.\r\nAlthough it is uncommon for the Care Inspectorate to place such restrictions, it works closely with local authorities who may cease admissions to services with poor grades until quality improves. This is currently the case in Marine House Care Home as well as in other services across Scotland. The Care Inspectorate works closely with local authorities to keep them informed of its findings and with care services to ensure they can achieve sustainable improvements to their service. In some cases, services themselves may voluntarily stop or restrict admissions for a range of reasons such as refurbishment, staff recruitment issues or whilst they make improvements.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-01-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-02-03T17:10:45.46","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300223,"EventID":"S4W-24098","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4934,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-20T17:10:45.753","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-20T15:09:17.557","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the Smith Commission's recommendation on the matter, what progress is being made with the development of plans to allow international students to remain in Scotland after graduation.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government welcomes the Smith Commission’s view that the UK and Scottish governments should work together to explore a potential scheme to allow international students to remain in Scotland for a defined period of time after graduation and contribute to economic activity. Scottish Government and UK Government officials met last week to begin discussions to take this work forward.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-02-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-02-03T17:10:45.777","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300224,"EventID":"S4W-24099","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1768,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":131,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-20T17:10:46.09","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-20T15:13:39","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much funding it allocated to each community justice authority for (a) 2013-14 and (b) 2014-15, and how much it will allocate in 2015-16.\r\n","AnswerText":"The allocation of funding to each community justice authority (CJA) area in 2013-14, 2014-15 and 2015-16 is as follows:\r\n\r\nFife and Forth Valley\r\nGlasgow\r\nLanarkshire\r\nLothian and Borders\r\n2013-14\r\n£12,562,852\r\n£18,183,684\r\n£11,668,036\r\n£14,544,205\r\n2014-15\r\n£11,853,431\r\n£18,120,784\r\n£10,935,194\r\n£14,586,007\r\n2015-16\r\n£12,166,592\r\n£17,948,674\r\n£10,926,872\r\n£14,708,692\r\n\r\n\r\nNorthern\r\nNorth Strathclyde\r\nSouth West Scotland\r\nTayside\r\n2013-14\r\n£12,247,626\r\n£10,233,282\r\n£9,516,975\r\n£7,828,587\r\n2014-15\r\n£12,214,634\r\n£10,130,463\r\n£9,532,692\r\n£7,827,932\r\n2015-16\r\n£12,023,075\r\n£10,000,494\r\n£9,657,964\r\n£7,765,060\r\n\r\n\r\nTotal\r\n2013-14\r\n£96,785,247\r\n2014-15\r\n£95,201,137\r\n2015-16\r\n£95,197,422\r\n\r\nAny year-on-year changes are reflective of CJA-specific projects and pilots beginning or ending (with funding being changed as a result), as well as changes in criminal justice social work workload being reflected in the allocation to individual CJA areas.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-02-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-02-03T17:10:46.107","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300225,"EventID":"S4W-24101","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1768,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":131,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-20T17:10:46.51","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-20T15:13:39","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much it will allocate to (a) Fife and Forth Valley, (b) Glasgow, (c) Lanarkshire, (d)  Lothian and Borders, (e) Northern, (f) North Strathclyde, (g) Tayside and (h) South West Scotland Community Justice Authority in 2015-16 to help fund women’s justice support services.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has identified an overall community justice budget for 2015-16 of £113.2 million – which includes over £95 million allocated under Section 27 of the Social Work (Scotland) Act 1968 to Community Justice Authorities (CJA) to deliver criminal justice social work services. I refer the member to the answer to her question S4W-24099 on 3 February 2014 which provides details of the allocation of funding to each CJA.\r\nThe allocation of funding each Community Justice Authority does not specify how much funding is to be allocated to support women offenders. Provision of funds to specific projects or areas of work is a matter for local community justice partners. Community Justice Authorities have the flexibility to allocate this funding as they see fit across their area, in accordance with their area action plans, and in the way they see as most appropriate to fulfil their statutory obligations and to reduce reoffending.\r\nAll answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at: \r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-02-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-02-03T17:10:46.543","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300226,"EventID":"S4W-24102","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1768,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":131,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-20T17:10:46.903","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-20T15:20:54.547","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what projects supporting women offenders in the community it will provide support for in 2015-16, broken down by funding.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has identified an overall community justice budget for 2015-16 of £113.2 million – which includes over £95 million allocated under Section 27 of the Social Work (Scotland) Act 1968 to Community Justice Authorities to deliver criminal justice social work services.\r\nThe allocation of funding each Community Justice Authority does not specify how much funding is to be allocated to support women offenders. Provision of funds to specific projects or areas of work is a matter for local community justice partners. Community Justice Authorities have the flexibility to allocate this funding as they see fit across their area, in accordance with their area action plans, and in the way they see as most appropriate to fulfil their statutory obligations and to reduce reoffending.\r\nA number of payments will be made specifically to projects supporting women offenders. An annual payment of £1.7 million is made to support the 218 Centre in Glasgow. The Reducing Reoffending Change Fund has been sustained into 2015-17, with funding of up to £3 million from the Scottish Government, and it will continue to support projects including the national mentoring service for women offenders (which received £1.3 million annually in 2013-15), as well as services for both men and women delivered by Tayside Council on alcohol (£155k annually), and Voluntary Action South Lanarkshire (£90k annually).\r\nIn addition, I indicated on 28 January 2015 that a further £1.5 million will be made available specifically to support community justice services for women in 2015-16.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-02-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-02-03T17:10:46.92","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300227,"EventID":"S4O-03941","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":5057,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-21T13:42:43.803","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-19T12:04:27.253","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many vacant beds there are in secure units for looked-after children.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-02-04T13:42:43.997","MeetingDate":"2015-01-28T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300228,"EventID":"S4O-03942","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-21T13:42:45.32","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-19T12:04:27.557","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it supports college students to complete their studies.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-02-04T13:42:45.343","MeetingDate":"2015-01-28T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300229,"EventID":"S4O-03943","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":4965,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-21T13:42:47.037","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-19T12:04:27.997","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what work it is carrying out to streamline the process for the registration of new teachers.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-02-04T13:42:47.06","MeetingDate":"2015-01-28T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300230,"EventID":"S4O-03944","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":1768,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":131,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-21T13:42:48.397","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-19T12:04:28.197","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with Dumfries and Galloway Council regarding its plans for Dumfries Learning Town.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-02-04T13:42:48.443","MeetingDate":"2015-01-28T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300231,"EventID":"S4O-03946","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":1741,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-21T13:42:50.053","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-19T12:04:29.06","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it anticipates the university student population contracting or expanding over the next five years.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-02-04T13:42:50.077","MeetingDate":"2015-01-28T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300232,"EventID":"S4O-03947","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":2159,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":88,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-21T13:42:51.43","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-19T12:04:29.37","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what progress it has made on agreeing educational outcomes with COSLA as part of the local government settlement.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-02-04T13:42:51.453","MeetingDate":"2015-01-28T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300233,"EventID":"S4O-03948","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":3763,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-21T13:42:51.943","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-20T16:34:46.26","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what support it is providing to colleges in West Scotland to improve the fabric of their buildings.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-02-04T13:42:51.967","MeetingDate":"2015-01-28T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300235,"EventID":"S4O-03950","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":2673,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":114,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-21T13:42:53.217","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-21T10:49:25.247","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what support it provides to local authorities for fostering programmes.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-02-04T13:42:53.243","MeetingDate":"2015-01-28T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300236,"EventID":"S4O-03951","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":5119,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":110,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-21T13:42:53.793","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-21T11:00:02.333","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it is supporting colleges and other adult learning providers to improve adult literacy and numeracy and what progress has been made in tackling poor basic skills levels in adults.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-02-04T13:42:53.82","MeetingDate":"2015-01-28T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300237,"EventID":"S4O-03952","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":1865,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":85,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-21T13:42:54.27","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-19T12:04:30.557","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to monitor the pay of university principals.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-02-04T13:42:54.297","MeetingDate":"2015-01-28T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300238,"EventID":"S4O-03953","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":1845,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-21T13:42:55.207","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-19T12:04:30.963","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what educational principles will underpin the Higher Education Governance Bill.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-02-04T13:42:55.23","MeetingDate":"2015-01-28T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300239,"EventID":"S4O-03954","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":5106,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":118,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-21T13:42:55.88","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-19T12:04:31.237","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many pupils in Aberdeen are being provided with free school meals following its recently introduced policy.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-02-04T13:42:55.91","MeetingDate":"2015-01-28T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300240,"EventID":"S4O-03955","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":2603,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-21T13:42:56.583","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-19T12:04:31.503","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it is engaging with schools to encourage pupils to consider careers in the oil and gas industry.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-02-04T13:42:56.61","MeetingDate":"2015-01-28T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300241,"EventID":"S4O-03956","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":2615,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":143,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-21T13:42:57.237","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-21T11:58:03.07","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it has met the target for full-time equivalent places at colleges.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-02-04T13:42:57.267","MeetingDate":"2015-01-28T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300242,"EventID":"S4O-03957","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-21T13:42:57.74","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-19T12:04:32.06","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the average college bursary funding is compared with England, Wales and Northern Ireland.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-02-04T13:42:57.767","MeetingDate":"2015-01-28T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300243,"EventID":"S4O-03958","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":5042,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-21T13:42:58.577","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-19T12:04:32.337","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to implement the recommendations of Jackie Brock's report on safeguarding vulnerable children.\r\n","AnswerText":"In November 2014 when the Brock report was published the then Cabinet Secretary for Education and Lifelong Learning acted decisively accepting its recommendations in full. The report is one strand of a wider improvement programme to ensure Scotland’s approach to safeguarding children and young people is as robust as possible. We are already taking forward key recommendations in the report. For example, the first cross-sector National Strategic Leadership Summit on Child Wellbeing will take place in February 2015.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-01-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-02-04T13:42:58.607","MeetingDate":"2015-01-28T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Fiona McLeod","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300244,"EventID":"S4O-03959","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":2215,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":125,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-21T13:42:59.817","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-20T11:42:03.527","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what progress North East Scotland College has made following the recent merger. \r\n","AnswerText":"The college has made excellent progress and is a great example of what can be achieved by regional colleges of scale.\r\nFor instance, as an early adopter of the Developing Scotland’s Young Workforce programme, the college is at forefront of developing new vocational pathways for school pupils focussed on STEM provision.\r\nMoreover, the college plans to fund a new state of the art centre for oil and gas at the Fraserburgh campus. Investment in Fraserburgh of this scale would simply not have been feasible for the much smaller and financially restricted Banff and Buchan College.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-01-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-02-04T13:42:59.843","MeetingDate":"2015-01-28T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300245,"EventID":"S4O-03960","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":4014,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-21T13:43:00.567","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-19T12:04:32.967","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what progress the SQA has made on the development of the Scottish Baccalaureate qualification.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Scottish Baccalaureate is fully developed and was first made available to centres on 1 August 2009 in the disciplines of science and languages. The range of Scottish Baccalaureate disciplines was expanded on 1 August 2012 to include expressive arts and social sciences.\r\nEducation Scotland is providing support materials for all courses included with the Scottish Baccalaureate.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-01-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-02-04T13:43:00.593","MeetingDate":"2015-01-28T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Alasdair Allan","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300246,"EventID":"S4O-03961","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-21T13:43:01.337","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-19T12:05:26.28","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what progress it is making in setting the objectives and budget for Wave Energy Scotland.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-02-04T13:43:01.363","MeetingDate":"2015-01-29T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300247,"EventID":"S4O-03962","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":3751,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":108,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-21T13:43:02.037","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-20T12:45:33.917","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what progress the NHS is making toward meeting the demand for organ donations.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-02-04T13:43:02.06","MeetingDate":"2015-01-29T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300248,"EventID":"S4O-03963","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":2110,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":138,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-21T13:43:02.343","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-19T12:05:26.807","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to grow the North Ayrshire economy.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-02-04T13:43:02.37","MeetingDate":"2015-01-29T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300249,"EventID":"S4O-03964","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":1882,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":129,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-21T13:43:02.783","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-19T12:05:27.167","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what progress is being made with the proposal to exempt restoration-related coal production from carbon taxes.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-02-04T13:43:02.81","MeetingDate":"2015-01-29T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300250,"EventID":"S4O-03965","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":4964,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":119,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-21T13:43:03.273","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-19T12:05:27.54","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to assist people with autistic spectrum disorder to gain employment.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-02-04T13:43:03.297","MeetingDate":"2015-01-29T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300251,"EventID":"S4O-03967","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":3907,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":135,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-21T13:43:03.587","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-19T12:05:28","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it last met NHS Ayrshire and Arran and what matters were discussed.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-02-04T13:43:03.61","MeetingDate":"2015-01-29T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300252,"EventID":"S4O-03968","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":3745,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":122,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-21T13:43:03.867","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-19T12:05:28.227","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what steps it has taken to ensure that roads in rural areas are gritted.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-02-04T13:43:03.89","MeetingDate":"2015-01-29T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300253,"EventID":"S4O-03969","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":2134,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":82,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-21T13:43:04.167","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-19T12:05:28.437","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it will introduce legislation on developing a new type of tenancy for the private rented sector.\r\n","AnswerText":"We intend to introduce a Bill to Parliament in autumn 2015.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-01-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-02-04T13:43:04.19","MeetingDate":"2015-01-29T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Burgess","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300254,"EventID":"S4O-03970","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":1814,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":77,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-21T13:43:04.52","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-19T12:05:28.717","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it will next meet NHS Lanarkshire.","AnswerText":"Ministers and government officials regularly meet with representatives of all health boards, including NHS Lanarkshire.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-01-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-02-04T13:43:04.547","MeetingDate":"2015-01-29T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300271,"EventID":"S4W-24078","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5059,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-21T16:54:56.913","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-16T15:52:28","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the impact on the (a) infrastructure and (b) capital investment budget of abandoning the Barnett formula and which infrastructure projects would be affected.\r\n","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-24030 on 30 January 2015. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:\r\nwww.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-02-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-02-04T16:54:56.96","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300272,"EventID":"S4W-24080","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5059,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-21T16:54:57.287","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-16T15:52:28","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what impact abandoning the Barnett formula would have on (a) public transport and (b) the active travel budget.\r\n","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-24030 on 30 January 2014. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-02-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-02-04T16:54:57.303","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300274,"EventID":"S4W-24103","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5041,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-21T16:54:57.817","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-20T16:26:09","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the employment rate for women was between October 2013 and September 2014, broken down by level of qualification.","AnswerText":"The Annual Population Survey provides the preferred measure for detailed labour market information for subsets of the population in Scotland.\r\nThe following table provides the employment rates for women by level of qualification between October 2013 and September 2014.\r\nFemale Employment Rates (16-64 year olds) by Level of Qualification\r\nLevel of Qualification\r\nFemale Employment Rate\r\nSVQ Level 5+\r\n83.8%\r\nSVQ Level 4\r\n76.1%\r\nSVQ Level 2-3\r\n63.8%\r\nBelow SVQ Level 2\r\n42.3%\r\nOther\r\n62.7%\r\nAll\r\n68.7%\r\nSource: Annual Population Survey, October 2013 to September 2014, Office for National Statistics\r\nNotes:\r\n1. SVQ Level 5+ is degree level qualification or above.\r\n2. SVQ Level 4 is Higher National Certificate/Higher National Diploma level qualification or equivalent.\r\n3. SVQ Level 2-3 is Higher, A-level or Credit Standard Grade level qualification or equivalent.\r\n4. Below SVQ Level 2 is General Standard Grade level qualifications or lower.\r\n5. Other includes foreign qualifications and work/professional related qualifications such as finance and banking qualifications. Other will also include qualifications which are not able to be assigned to an appropriate SVQ level.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-01-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-02-04T16:54:57.847","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Annabelle Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300275,"EventID":"S4W-24104","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5080,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-21T16:54:58.143","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-21T15:01:02.68","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many applications for the (a) Fresh Start and (b) New Start scheme have been (i) received and (ii) granted in each year since the scheme began.\r\n","AnswerText":"The numbers of applications received or granted for rates relief under Fresh Start or New Start are not held centrally. Individual local authorities administer the business rates system and accordingly process applications for rates relief in their respective areas.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-01-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-02-04T16:54:58.16","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300276,"EventID":"S4W-24116","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1845,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-21T16:54:58.427","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-21T15:45:25","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many delayed discharge lounges there have been in hospitals in each year since 1999, broken down by NHS board.","AnswerText":"This is a matter for individual health boards. The information requested is not held centrally.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-02-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-02-04T16:54:58.44","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300277,"EventID":"S4W-24117","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1845,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-21T16:54:58.817","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-21T15:45:25","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what support it is giving to help provide defibrillators to every sports club.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is committed to reducing heart disease mortality and increasing survival after out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) in Scotland.\r\nThe Scottish Government will launch the Scottish OHCA Strategy in spring 2015 and as part of that, we will consider the use of defibrillators in community settings throughout Scotland including sport venues.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-01-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-02-04T16:54:58.83","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300282,"EventID":"S4W-24118","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4014,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-22T14:12:06.213","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-21T16:22:01","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many people have required disclosure under the Protection of Vulnerable Groups scheme in each year.","AnswerText":"The Protecting Vulnerable Groups (PVG) scheme came into force on 28 February 2011. The following table gives the number of PVG disclosures requested in each calendar year since its establishment.\r\nYear\r\nPVG disclosures requested (Rounded to the nearest 10)\r\n2011 (from 28 February)\r\n151,990\r\n2012\r\n238,810\r\n2013\r\n342,460\r\n2014\r\n355,080\r\n2015 (to 26 January)\r\n17,160\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-02-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-02-05T14:12:06.273","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Fiona McLeod","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300283,"EventID":"S4W-24119","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4014,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-22T14:12:06.757","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-21T16:22:01","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many organisations have had more than one individual require disclosure under the Protection of Vulnerable Groups Scheme in each year.","AnswerText":"Protection of Vulnerable Groups (PVG) disclosure requests are made by individuals. These requests are often made in connection with recruitment into paid or unpaid work for an organisation. The number of organisations involved in more than one disclosure request in each calendar year since the PVG scheme was established on 28 February 2011 is set out in the following table.\r\nYear\r\nNumber of organisations (Rounded to the nearest 10)\r\n2011 (from 28 February)\r\n1,370\r\n2012\r\n1,620\r\n2013\r\n1,840\r\n2014\r\n1,940\r\n2015 (to 26 January)\r\n980\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-02-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-02-05T14:12:06.773","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Fiona McLeod","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300284,"EventID":"S4W-24126","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2135,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":92,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-22T14:12:07.007","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-22T09:36:37.64","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-24001 by Alex Neil on 21 January 2015, whether it will bring forward proposals to allow the maximum planning fee for a wind farm to be increased to the same level as applied in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.","AnswerText":"Planning fees and fee maxima in Scotland were subject to an ‘across the board’ increase of approximately 20% in 2013 followed by a further 5% increase in 2014. The Scottish Government is not considering further increases at the present time.\r\nLarger wind farm developments of over 50 megawatt generating capacity are not dealt with through the planning system, but are instead considered under section 36 of the Electricity Act 1989. Increasing planning fees would therefore have no impact on the fee payable for such developments.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-02-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-02-05T14:12:07.023","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300285,"EventID":"S4W-24127","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2135,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":92,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-22T14:12:07.337","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-22T09:36:37.64","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-24001 by Alex Neil on 21 January 2015, what discussions it has had with local authorities regarding raising the maximum planning fee for wind farm developments to the same level as applied in England, Wales and North Ireland.\r\n","AnswerText":"Following discussions with planning authorities and business representatives, the Scottish Government consulted in 2012 on proposals for a revised structure for planning fees, including the introduction of a new category for wind farms and an ‘across the board’ increase of the maximum fee for development to £100,000.\r\nFollowing the consultation, it was decided that the existing fee structure and classes should be retained and that planning fees and fee maxima should instead be increased by approximately 20%. This ‘across the board’ increase was implemented in 2013, with a further increase of, on average, 5% in 2014.\r\nLarger wind farm developments of over 50 megawatt generating capacity are not dealt with through the planning system, but are instead considered under section 36 of the Electricity Act 1989. Increasing planning fees would therefore have no impact on the fee payable for such developments.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-02-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-02-05T14:12:07.35","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300286,"EventID":"S4W-24128","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2135,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":92,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-22T14:12:07.647","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-22T09:36:37.64","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-24001 by Alex Neil on 21 January 2015, whether it has made an assessment of the impact on achieving renewables targets if the maximum planning fee for wind farm developments is raised to the same level as applied in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government consulted on proposals to amend the planning fee structure in 2012. As part of that consultation comments were invited on a draft Business and Regulatory Impact Assessment based on the proposed changes. Responses included some concern from industry that the proposed changes could adversely affect the viability of development projects.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-02-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-02-05T14:12:07.68","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300287,"EventID":"S4W-24129","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2135,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":92,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-22T14:12:07.96","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-22T09:36:37.64","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much was paid in planning fees to (a) it and (b) local authorities by wind farm developers in each of the last five years and what average fee was paid per turbine.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has received the following in fees in relation to applications for on-shore wind developments under s36 of The Electricity Act. A proportion of the fee paid to the Scottish Government (2/3) is passed to the relevant planning authority.\r\nYear\r\nTotal fees paid to the Scottish Government\r\nTotal fees paid by the Scottish Government to planning authorities\r\nTotal number of turbines applied for\r\nAverage fee per turbine\r\n2010\r\n£112,000\r\n£74,848\r\n245\r\n£457\r\n2011\r\n£155,000\r\n£102,666\r\n244\r\n£635\r\n2012\r\n£230,000\r\n£140,000\r\n358\r\n£642\r\n2013\r\n£240,000\r\n£160,000\r\n244\r\n£983\r\n2014\r\n£216,000\r\n£144,000\r\n270\r\n£800\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-02-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-02-05T14:12:07.977","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300291,"EventID":"S4W-24130","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2029,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":145,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-22T16:38:20.037","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-22T12:50:32.707","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to proceed with its current proposals for a women's prison in Greenock.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-24161 on 26 January 2015. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-01-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-02-05T16:38:20.147","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300292,"EventID":"S4W-24131","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2029,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":145,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-22T16:38:20.473","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-22T12:50:32.707","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, if it does not proceed with its proposals for a women's prison in Greenock, when it will publish alternative proposals for a women's prison in Scotland.\r\n","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-24161 on 26 January 2015. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-01-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-02-05T16:38:20.503","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300293,"EventID":"S4W-24132","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4080,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-22T16:38:20.77","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-22T12:52:48.893","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-23099 by Alex Neil on 25 November 2014, how it is monitoring the success of its Public Boards and Corporate Diversity Programme and how this work has increased (a) the number of applications from and (b) representation of (i) people from minority ethnic backgrounds, (ii) lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people and (iii) women.","AnswerText":"The progress of our Public Boards and Corporate Diversity Programme in relation to improving the diversity of ministerial appointments to the boards of Scotland’s public bodies is currently monitored through the tracking of applications received and appointments made. We also record the attrition rates of applicants from underrepresented groups, where possible, at different stages of the process.\r\nThe Commissioner for Ethical Standards in Public Life in Scotland, responsible for regulating the public appointments process in Scotland, carries out an annual applicant survey and is currently undertaking a thematic review of appointment rounds carried out under the 2013 Code of Practice. We will use this qualitative feedback to complement the data gathered through our systems to inform future action to further improve diversity.\r\nThe main focus of the programme is gender initially. We are, however, monitoring data and looking for specific opportunities to improve representation of underrepresented groups through the overall programme.\r\nWe will be publishing baseline information in the next few months of 2015, which will be followed by an annual progress reporting cycle. Using the powers we currently have, we will amend the Scottish Specific Duties Regulations to impose a new duty on public bodies to publish the composition of their boards, produce an action plan to increase diversity and gender balance on their boards and to publicly report on progress.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-02-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-02-05T16:38:20.8","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300294,"EventID":"S4W-24135","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4080,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-22T16:38:21.113","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-22T12:52:48.893","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what percentage of public appointments made since 2007 went to (a) women, (b) people under 40, (c) people from black and minority ethnic backgrounds, (d) disabled people and (e) LGBT people.","AnswerText":"The numbers of public appointments, and the breakdown by the listed protected characteristics, are published in the annual reports of the Commissioner for Ethical Standards in Public Life in Scotland (previously the Office of the Commissioner for Public Appointments in Scotland), available at the following link:\r\nhttp://www.publicappointments.org/publications/108/annual-reports \r\nDue to a change in reporting, figures for 2013 cover the calendar year; figures for prior years cover the period 1 April to 31 March.\r\nFigures for 2014 are currently being finalised.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-02-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-02-05T16:38:21.143","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300295,"EventID":"S4W-24136","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1860,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-22T16:38:21.41","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-22T14:05:23.57","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to encourage NHS boards to recruit and retain GPs on 17C contracts.  \r\n","AnswerText":"Health boards have a range of options at their disposal in ensuring appropriate service provision: in addition to securing provision through independent contractors under the terms of the nationally negotiated general medical services contract, or through section 17C (of the 1978 NHS (Scotland) Act) contractual agreements, they can provide services directly themselves with board employed GPs.\r\nStatutory responsibility for the provision of primary medical services rests with health boards and it is for each board to put in place those services that best meet the reasonable needs of their patient populations.\r\nThe service options chosen for each community are entirely operational matters for the territorial health board.\r\nScottish Ministers are fully committed to ensuring that all communities in Scotland receive safe, reliable and sustainable health care services.\r\nRecruitment into GP training remains high, with a 91 per cent fill rate. However the Scottish Government is certainly not complacent, and we are working on a range of initiatives to improve matters.\r\nThe new GP contract, agreed in August 2014, contains several measures to help ease recruitment and workload pressures in general practice.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-02-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-02-05T16:38:21.427","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300296,"EventID":"S4W-24137","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1860,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-22T16:38:21.783","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-22T14:05:23.57","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to protect the terms and conditions of GPs on 17C contracts.  \r\n","AnswerText":"Section 17C of the 1978 NHS (Scotland) Act contains the regulations which govern locally managed GP contracts. These regulations govern the terms and conditions of locally managed GP practices.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-02-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-02-05T16:38:21.8","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300297,"EventID":"S4W-24138","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1860,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-22T16:38:22.127","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-22T14:05:23.57","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to protect dispensary services for GPs on 17C contracts.    \r\n","AnswerText":"Statutory responsibility for the provision of primary medical services rests with health boards and it is for each board to put in place those services that best meet the reasonable needs of their patient populations.\r\nUnder the provisions set out in the NHS Pharmaceutical Services (Scotland) (Regulations) 2009 NHS boards must establish a Pharmacy Practices Committee to consider applications made to them to open a community pharmacy in their area. If an application is granted to open a pharmacy in an area where a GP practice has authority to prescribe and dispense to its patients, the board must take a decision on whether that GP practice can continue to dispense.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-02-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-02-05T16:38:22.143","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300298,"EventID":"S4W-24139","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5047,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-22T16:38:22.423","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-22T14:43:50.04","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to increase the use and promotion of Scottish produce across the tourism and events industries.","AnswerText":"Led by VisitScotland on behalf of the Scottish Government, the 2015 Year of Food and Drink aims to increase and promote Scottish produce across the tourism sector and enhance Scotland’s global reputation as a land of food and drink. It will be used to sustain and build upon the momentum generated by Homecoming Scotland 2014 by promoting messaging around Scotland’s quality food and drink produce and outstanding natural larder and to inspire the people of Scotland and our visitors to enjoy it at establishments and events and festivals across the country.\r\nScotland’s natural larder will be showcased over the next 12 months at events the length and breadth of the country, including special events supported through a dedicated £265,000 fund aimed at raising awareness of the role food and drink plays in the country’s cultural identity and in shaping the nation’s economic success. Events across Scotland will also be encouraged to adopt a food charter aimed at increasing the use and promotion of Scottish produce in order to raise awareness of Scottish produce both at home and abroad. The year will also help give impetus to the Scottish Government decision to articulate the aspiration that Scotland be a Good Food Nation, enhancing our reputation as a land of quality food and drink not only in what we produce but also in what we eat, sell and serve day by day.\r\nThe Scottish Government in partnership with VisitScotland has also established the Taste our Best scheme, which seeks to build on our burgeoning reputation as a land of food and drink by encouraging tourism businesses across the country to use fresh seasonal produce, showcasing our high quality produce to visitors from home and abroad. Since launching in September 2013 over 570 businesses have now achieved the award.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-02-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-02-05T16:38:22.453","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300299,"EventID":"S4W-24140","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2595,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-22T16:38:22.737","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-22T15:05:09.417","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much was paid to each local authority for 2012-13 under the business rates incentivisation scheme.","AnswerText":"The sums retained under the business rates incentivisation scheme for 2012-13 were set out in Annex J of Local Government Finance Circular No. 6/2014:http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Government/local-government/17999/11203/Topics-Government.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-01-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-02-05T16:38:22.767","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300300,"EventID":"S4W-24141","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2595,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-22T16:38:23.093","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-22T15:05:09.417","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when local authorities will be paid under the 2013-14 business rates incentivisation scheme.","AnswerText":"As I have previously informed Parliament, we were unable to reach agreement with COSLA on the application of the business rates incentivisation scheme in 2013-14. As a result I made it clear that it would not apply in that year. Having secured agreement with COSLA on a revised scheme this will apply from 2014-15 onwards.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-01-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-02-05T16:38:23.11","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300301,"EventID":"S4W-24142","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-22T16:38:23.437","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-22T15:14:05.19","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what enforcement action has been taken against fish farms found to be in breach of regulations regarding the protection of wild fish.\r\n\r\n\r\n","AnswerText":"Special Areas of Conservation (SACs) exist for the protection of wild Atlantic salmon in Scotland and aquaculture farms must comply with the Habitats Regulations in order to develop within a SAC or in an area which may affect a SAC. There are no instances of any offence relating to damaging acts in relation to such SACs by aquaculture operators in Scotland.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-02-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-02-05T16:38:23.453","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Richard Lochhead","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300302,"EventID":"S4W-24143","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5059,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-22T16:38:23.937","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-22T15:23:23","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many fines Scottish Water has received for (a) pollution and (b) other environmental issues in each of the last 10 years and what the cost of each fine was.\r\n","AnswerText":"Information about the number of fines and the cost of each fine in each of the last 10 years is contained in the following chart. Scottish Water takes any pollution incident very seriously and works closely with the Scottish Environment Protection Agency and other stakeholders to thoroughly investigate. There are robust emergency procedures which immediately come into effect and Scottish Water’s main priorities are the safety of the public and the protection of the environment.\r\nScottish Water is focused at preventing issues before they occur and have created a dedicated reporting line for Scottish Water teams to report any incidents and enable them to react quickly to any potential incidents. In day to day operations, wastewater compliance has improved significantly over the past 10 years across Scotland and Scottish Water are committed to delivering further improvements, with a minimum of £490 million of investment in the next period 2015-21 to protect and enhance the environment.\r\nYear\r\nNumber of fines\r\nCost of each fine\r\n2005\r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n10\r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\nAdmonished\r\n£7500\r\n£8000\r\n£3000\r\n£5000\r\n£3000\r\n£9000\r\n£1500\r\n£3500\r\n£1000\r\n2006\r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n7\r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n£2500\r\n£6500\r\n£8000\r\n£4000\r\n£5000\r\n£2000\r\n£3500\r\n2007\r\n \r\n \r\n3\r\n \r\n \r\n£10000\r\n£5000\r\n£3000\r\n2008\r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n5\r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n£4000\r\n£3000\r\n£4000\r\n£4000\r\n£2500\r\n2009\r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n6\r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n£1000\r\n£1200\r\n£5000\r\n£4000\r\n£1000\r\nAdmonished\r\n2010\r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n6\r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n£2000\r\n£4000\r\n£6667\r\n£12000\r\n£6000\r\n£1700\r\n2011\r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n5\r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n£2000\r\n£6000\r\n£7500\r\nAdmonished\r\nAdmonished\r\n2012\r\n \r\n \r\n3\r\n \r\n \r\n£7500\r\n£5000\r\n£15000\r\n2013\r\n \r\n2\r\n \r\n£3750\r\n£6000\r\n2014\r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n4\r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n£10000\r\n£6000\r\n£12000\r\n£6500\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-02-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-02-05T16:38:23.953","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300303,"EventID":"S4W-24144","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5059,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-22T16:38:24.217","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-22T15:23:23","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many claims for damages have been made against Scottish Water in each of the last 10 years.","AnswerText":"There has been a significant reduction in claims received by Scottish Water from 2004 to date. During this period Scottish Water has invested over £5 billion across Scotland to improve its service to customers, with massive construction activity to achieve this.\r\nScottish Water’s health and safety performance has improved dramatically and this has played a positive role in the claims reductions. However, it remains focused on its day to day operations both within Scottish Water and through the activities of its supply chain partners. This shows in the huge reduction of claims over the last 10 years.\r\nTotal Number of Incidents:\r\n\r\nPhysical damage\r\nFinancial loss but no damage\r\nInjury\r\nUtility strikes\r\nMotor claims\r\nClaims from employees\r\nTotal\r\n01-04-04 to 31-03-05\r\n769\r\n43\r\n238\r\n314\r\n236\r\n43\r\n1,643\r\n01-04-05 to 31-03-06\r\n872\r\n70\r\n222\r\n258\r\n212\r\n26\r\n1,660\r\n01-04-06 to 31-03-07\r\n755\r\n35\r\n215\r\n182\r\n197\r\n19\r\n1,403\r\n01-04-07 to 31-03-08\r\n637\r\n64\r\n179\r\n201\r\n210\r\n20\r\n1,311\r\n01-04-08 to 31-03-09\r\n503\r\n12\r\n185\r\n163\r\n406\r\n7\r\n1,276\r\n01-04-09 to 31-03-10\r\n467\r\n11\r\n157\r\n104\r\n481\r\n20\r\n1,240\r\n01-04-10 to 31-03-11\r\n517\r\n8\r\n141\r\n66\r\n375\r\n16\r\n1,123\r\n01-04-11 to 31-03-12\r\n443\r\n3\r\n147\r\n168\r\n234\r\n12\r\n1,007\r\n01-04-12 to 31-03-13\r\n435\r\n7\r\n128\r\n89\r\n192\r\n10\r\n861\r\n01-04-13 to 31-03-14\r\n422\r\n5\r\n113\r\n100\r\n140\r\n4\r\n784\r\n01-04-14 to 28-01-15\r\n155\r\n4\r\n41\r\n28\r\n135\r\n5\r\n368\r\nTotal\r\n5,975\r\n262\r\n1,766\r\n1,673\r\n2,818\r\n182\r\n12,676\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-02-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-02-05T16:38:24.25","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300304,"EventID":"S4W-24145","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5059,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-22T16:38:24.5","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-22T15:23:23","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the digital exclusion rate is in each (a) city, (b) local authority area, (c) urban area and (d) rural area.\r\n","AnswerText":"The proportion of households with internet access in Scotland now stands at 80%, compared to 40% at the beginning of 2003.\r\nThe Scottish Household Survey (SHS) is the Scottish Government’s preferred source of measuring digital participation in Scotland. The large sample size in the SHS allows for robust subgroup analysis, providing robust estimates by for example local authorities and urban rural classification.\r\nThe SHS does not provide figures on a city by city basis although three of Scotland’s cities (Dundee, Edinburgh and Glasgow) are provided within the following local authority tables. \r\nScottish Household Survey 2013, Proportion of households with internet access at home, by local authority and urban classification\r\n\r\n2013\r\n\r\n \r\n \r\n2013\r\n\r\nLocal Authority\r\nAccess to internet at home\r\nNo internet at home\r\n\r\nUrban rural classification (2012 definition)\r\nAccess to internet at home\r\nNo internet at home\r\nSouth Ayrshire\r\n78\r\n22\r\n \r\nLarge urban areas\r\n77\r\n22\r\nSouth Lanarkshire\r\n75\r\n25\r\n \r\nOther urban areas\r\n77\r\n23\r\nStirling\r\n80\r\n20\r\n \r\nAccessible small towns\r\n79\r\n21\r\nWest Dumbartonshire\r\n73\r\n27\r\n \r\nRemote small towns\r\n69\r\n31\r\nWest Lothian\r\n83\r\n17\r\n \r\nAccessible rural\r\n82\r\n18\r\nEilean Siar\r\n72\r\n28\r\n \r\nRemote rural\r\n86\r\n14\r\nAberdeen City\r\n80\r\n20\r\n \r\nTotal\r\n78\r\n22\r\n\r\nProportion of Adults* who make use of the internet for personal use by local authority and urban rural classification.\r\n\r\n2013\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n2013\r\n\r\nLocal Authority\r\nPersonal use of the internet\r\nDo not use the internet\r\n\r\nUrban rural classification (2012 definition)\r\nPersonal use of the internet\r\nDo not use the internet\r\nSouth Ayrshire\r\n78\r\n20\r\n\r\nLarge urban areas\r\n80\r\n19\r\nSouth Lanarkshire\r\n74\r\n24\r\n\r\nOther urban areas\r\n80\r\n19\r\nStirling\r\n85\r\n15\r\n\r\nAccessible small towns\r\n80\r\n20\r\nWest Dumbartonshire\r\n76\r\n24\r\n\r\nRemote small towns\r\n75\r\n24\r\nLocal Authority\r\nPersonal use of the internet\r\nDo not use the internet\r\n\r\nUrban rural classification (2012 definition)\r\nPersonal use of the internet\r\nDo not use the internet\r\nWest Lothian\r\n86\r\n14\r\n\r\nAccessible rural\r\n79\r\n20\r\nEilean Siar\r\n76\r\n22\r\n\r\nRemote rural\r\n82\r\n18\r\nAberdeen City\r\n79\r\n20\r\n\r\nTotal\r\n80\r\n20\r\n* includes adults aged 16+\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-01-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-02-05T16:38:24.53","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300305,"EventID":"S4W-24146","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5059,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-22T16:38:24.763","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-22T15:23:23","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many claims have been made against local authorities for damages to (a) vehicles, (b) bicycles and (c) other modes of transport caused by potholes.","AnswerText":"Maintenance of local roads, including pothole repairs, is a matter for local authorities. The number of claims made against local authorities for damages to vehicles, bicycles and other modes of transport, caused by potholes is not held by the Scottish Government.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-01-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-02-05T16:38:24.793","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300306,"EventID":"S4W-24147","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5059,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-22T16:38:25.03","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-22T15:23:23","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much has been paid to each bus company through the Bus Service Operators Grant in each of the last five years.","AnswerText":"A spread sheet showing Bus Service Operator Grant payments to bus operators for the last five financial years has been placed in the Scottish Parliament’s Information Centre, SPICe (Bib number 56657).\r\nFor completeness the total figure for each year also includes payments to community transport organisations who are eligible to receive the grant. The total figure for these organisations for each year has also been included on the spread sheet.\r\nIn addition to the Bus Service Operators Grant and to reimbursement payments made under the National Concessionary Travel Schemes for older, disabled and young people, the Scottish Government supports bus services and operators through the Bus Investment Fund and the Scottish Green Bus Fund.\r\nThe investment made through the Scottish Green Bus Fund since 2010 has amounted to £12.9 million, supporting the addition of 271 low carbon vehicles to the Scottish fleet.\r\nThe Bus Investment Fund has awarded grants amounting to £8 million to 30 individual projects over 2013-14 to 2015-16. \r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-02-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-02-05T16:38:25.043","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300307,"EventID":"S4W-24148","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-22T16:38:25.28","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-22T15:37:58.453","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what proportion of health spend was on mental health in each of the last five years.","AnswerText":"The proportion of NHS expenditure on mental health over the last five years is shown in the following table.\r\nIn 2009-10 NHS Scotland’s expenditure on mental health was £890.5 million, and this rose by £6.1 million in 2013-14 to £896.7 million, an increase of 0.69%.\r\nFinancial Year\r\nPercentage of NHS expenditure related to mental health\r\n2009-10\r\n12.77%\r\n2010-11\r\n12.44%\r\n2011-12\r\n12.18%\r\n2012-13\r\n12.18%\r\n2013-14\r\n11.82%\r\n\r\nAn explanation of how mental health expenditure is recorded is given below.\r\nMental health expenditure is recorded in the Costs Book (Report R340) within hospital, community and resource transfer data for the 14 geographic health boards and the special board the State Hospital only.\r\nTotal expenditure is recorded in the Costs Book (Report R300) and has been restricted to hospital, community and resource transfer data to give a more accurate comparison against mental health expenditure.\r\nTotal expenditure is also restricted here to the 14 geographic health boards, the State Hospital and the Golden Jubilee National Hospital for the same reason. Primary care expenditure is not included in the comparison; this will include expenditure on primary mental health services but the spend is not disaggregated in this way.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-02-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-02-05T16:38:25.293","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300308,"EventID":"S4W-24149","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-22T16:38:25.623","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-22T15:37:58.453","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of spend on mental health conditions compared to spend on (a) obesity- and (b) smoking-related conditions.\r\n","AnswerText":"Funds are allocated to each geographical NHS health board and it is the responsibility of each board to plan and provide services which meet the needs of their population, in line with Scottish Government policy.\r\nIn 2010-11 NHS Scotland’s expenditure on mental health was £867.1 million, and this increased by £29.6 million to 2013-14 (£896.7 million) and accounts for 11.82% of NHS expenditure.\r\nDuring the financial year 2014-15, direct government funding of prevention programmes was £3.769 million which included child and adult healthy weight programmes and Football Fans in Training.\r\nAnnual costs to Scotland's health service associated with tobacco-related illness are estimated to exceed £300 million and may be higher than £500 million each year.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-02-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-02-05T16:38:25.653","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300309,"EventID":"S4W-24150","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-22T16:38:25.917","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-22T15:37:58.453","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the average (a) total spend per head and (b) spend per head on mental health has been in each NHS board in each of the last five years.\r\n","AnswerText":"A table answering this question has been placed in the Scottish Parliament Information Centre (Bib number: 56660).\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-02-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-02-05T16:38:25.95","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300310,"EventID":"S4W-24151","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2603,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-22T16:38:26.247","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-22T15:56:08.767","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many inpatient beds there were in NHS Grampian in (a) 2013-14 and (b) 2014-15.","AnswerText":"The latest published official statistics show that on average there were 2,108 available beds in NHS Grampian across all specialities during the quarter of July 2014 to September 2014.\r\nNHS Grampian has introduced a new patient administration system and is working with Information Services Division (ISD) Scotland to produce statistics on inpatient beds for the full financial year of 2013-14.\r\nOfficial statistics on inpatient beds for the full financial year of 2014-15 are due to be published by ISD Scotland in September 2015.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-02-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-02-05T16:38:26.26","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300311,"EventID":"S4W-24152","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2603,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-22T16:38:26.603","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-22T15:56:08.767","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what recent assessment it has made of GP provision in NHS Grampian, broken down by local authority area.","AnswerText":"Statutory responsibility for the provision of primary medical services rests with health boards and it is for each board to put in place those services that best meet the reasonable needs of their patient populations.\r\nNHS Grampian have undertaken a workforce survey, jointly organised with the Local Medical Committee. The survey was circulated to all NHS Grampian GP surgeries and attracted a 100% response. NHS Grampian now have an action plan regards workforce and retention issues.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-02-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-02-05T16:38:26.62","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300312,"EventID":"S4W-24153","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2603,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-22T16:38:26.963","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-22T15:56:08.767","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many applications for support under the Help to Buy (Scotland) Scheme were (a) made and (b) granted in (i) Aberdeen and (ii) Aberdeenshire in (A) 2013-14 and (B) 2014-15.","AnswerText":"The number of applications under the Help to Buy (Scotland) scheme for Aberdeen City and Aberdeenshire as at 28 January 2015 are set out in the following table:\r\n\r\nYear\r\nAberdeen City\r\nAberdeenshire\r\nApplications\r\n2013-14\r\n96\r\n234\r\nApproved applications\r\n2013-14\r\n75\r\n205\r\nApplications\r\n2014-15\r\n99\r\n210\r\nApproved Applications\r\n2014-15\r\n83\r\n193\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-02-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-02-05T16:38:26.993","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Burgess","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300313,"EventID":"S4W-24154","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2603,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-22T16:38:27.323","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-22T15:56:08.767","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what funding per capita it provided to NHS Grampian in 2013-14 and how this compares with other NHS boards.","AnswerText":"This information is publically available on the Information Services Division Scotland website in the ‘NHS Costs’ section. The most up to date figures relate to the financial period 2013-14 and are provided in the following table:\r\nNHS Board\r\nNet Operating Expenditure per Head (£)\r\nNet Capital Expenditure per Head (£)\r\nAyrshire and Arran\r\n1,953\r\n25\r\nBorders\r\n1,884\r\n34\r\nDumfries and Galloway\r\n1,976\r\n38\r\nFife\r\n1,769\r\n51\r\nForth Valley\r\n1,674\r\n13\r\nGrampian\r\n1,596\r\n94\r\nGreater Glasgow and Clyde\r\n2,033\r\n230\r\nHighland\r\n2,005\r\n51\r\nLanarkshire\r\n1,816\r\n29\r\nLothian\r\n1,674\r\n32\r\nOrkney\r\n2,371\r\n36\r\nShetland\r\n2,377\r\n60\r\nTayside\r\n1,943\r\n34\r\nWestern Isles\r\n2,859\r\n58\r\nNHS Scotland\r\n2,089\r\n90\r\nIt should be noted that spend per capita does not take into account variation in relative need which is what the NHSScotland Resource Allocation Committee (NRAC) formula does. The primary reason for the difference between the per capita expenditure and the weighted per capita expenditure is relative need.\r\nThe NRAC formula is a funding approach agreed by all boards and the Technical Advisory Group on Resource Allocation (TAGRA) that oversees the formula is a group made up of representatives from across the NHS. It is accepted that the NRAC formula will always be subject to refinement and development.\r\nThe NRAC formula has been phased in since 2009-10. It has been made clear that any adjustments made to the 14 territorial health boards’ funding would be phased in over a number of years by way of ‘differential growth’ as has been the practice under both the previous SHARE and Arbuthnott formulae, and that no board would receive a cut in funding.\r\nThe additional parity funding planned to be provided in 2015-16 to NHS boards currently below their target share is shown in the following table:\r\nNHS Board\r\nAdditional NRAC Parity Funding 2015-16 (£ million)\r\nAyrshire and Arran\r\n1\r\nFife\r\n3.5\r\nForth Valley\r\n0.5\r\nGrampian\r\n29\r\nHighland\r\n11.5\r\nLanarkshire\r\n13.5\r\nLothian\r\n7\r\nOrkney\r\n4.5\r\nShetland\r\n0.1\r\nNHS Scotland\r\n70.6\r\nIt is expected that no NHS board will be below 1% from funding parity by 2015-16.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-01-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-02-05T16:38:27.337","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300314,"EventID":"S4W-24161","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":2,"MSPID":3759,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":80,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-23T13:08:03.403","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-23T13:01:59.337","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether the construction of a women’s prison at Greenock will take place as proposed.","AnswerText":"I have decided that the current plans for a prison for women in Inverclyde should not go ahead. The proposals do not fit with my vision of how to address female offending, and I have taken the view that a more ambitious approach is required.\r\nI have instructed Scottish Government and Scottish Prison Service officials to undertake a period of extensive engagement with key partners, with a view to investing in smaller regional and community-based custodial facilities across the country.\r\nThe Justice Committee have been informed of this decision, and I will be announcing the decision publically later today.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-01-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-02-06T13:08:03.623","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300322,"EventID":"S4W-24106","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5059,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-23T14:19:11.403","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-21T15:36:31.997","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what proportion of the funding for each of its subsidised air services is being met from Barnett consequentials, and whether it would be able to provide the same level of funding in the absence of the Barnett formula.\r\n","AnswerText":"The departmental expenditure limit (DEL) budget accounts for 85 per cent of the total resources available to the Scottish Government. Subsidised air services, road equivalent tariff, central government grants to local authorities, welfare reform mitigation, the Regeneration Capital Grant Fund and major public transport projects are all DEL funded. As the member will be aware, only changes to DEL are calculated using the Barnett formula.\r\nWith regard to future funding, I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-24030 on 30 January 2015. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at: \r\nwww.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-02-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-02-06T14:19:11.503","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300323,"EventID":"S4W-24107","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5059,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-23T14:19:11.79","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-21T15:36:31.997","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to encourage the use of low-carbon vehicles, and what impact the removal of the Barnett formula would have on this.\r\n","AnswerText":"We've invested £17 million over the last two years in a range of low emission vehicle initiatives, such as helping public sector fleets procure vehicles, the development of a network of electric vehicle charging infrastructure across Scotland and helping bus operators switch to cleaner technologies through the Scottish Green Bus Fund.\r\nThis investment is helping us achieve our vision, as set out in Switched On Scotland: A Roadmap to Widespread Adoption of Plug-in Vehicles, of freeing Scotland’s towns, cities and communities from the damaging effects of petrol and diesel fuelled vehicles by 2050.\r\nWith regard to future funding, I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-24030 on 30 January 2015. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at: \r\nwww.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-02-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-02-06T14:19:11.813","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300324,"EventID":"S4W-24108","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5059,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-23T14:19:12.103","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-21T15:36:31.997","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government for what reason the Digital Economy and Infrastructure fund has been reduced from £13.8 million in 2014-15 to £1 million for 2015-16, and what impact the removal of the Barnett formula would have had on the amount allocated.\r\n","AnswerText":"In 2014-15 the capital budget for the superfast broadband programme was split across the Infrastructure, Investment and Cities portfolio and Rural Affairs, Food and Environment portfolio. In 2015-16 it was decided to consolidate this budget in a single budget line and following the portfolio restructure in 2014, this now sits within the Finance, Constitution and Economy portfolio. The resource budget for the digital economy remains constant between the two financial years.\r\nWith regard to future funding, I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-24030 on 30 January 2015. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at: \r\nwww.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-02-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-02-06T14:19:12.127","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300325,"EventID":"S4W-24109","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5059,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-23T14:19:12.36","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-21T15:36:31.997","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what impact the removal of the Barnett formula would have on the sustainability of the concessionary fares scheme.\r\n","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-24030 on 30 January 2015. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at: \r\nwww.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-02-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-02-06T14:19:12.387","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300326,"EventID":"S4W-24110","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5059,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-23T14:19:12.623","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-21T15:36:31.997","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much has been allocated to the Road Equivalent Tariff scheme from Barnett consequentials, and what impact the removal of the Barnett formula would have on the scheme.\r\n","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-24106 on 9 February 2015. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at: \r\nwww.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-02-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-02-06T14:19:12.65","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300327,"EventID":"S4W-24111","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5059,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-23T14:19:12.897","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-21T15:36:31.997","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what proportion of the major public transport projects set out in the 2015-16 budget are to be met from Barnett consequentials.\r\n","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-24106 on 9 February 2015. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at: \r\nwww.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-02-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-02-06T14:19:12.92","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300328,"EventID":"S4W-24112","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5059,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-23T14:19:13.153","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-21T15:36:31.997","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much of the 2015-16 Regeneration Capital Fund would be affected by the removal of the Barnett formula.\r\n","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-24106 on 9 February 2015. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at: \r\nwww.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-02-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-02-06T14:19:13.22","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300329,"EventID":"S4W-24113","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5059,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-23T14:19:13.457","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-21T15:36:31.997","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what proportion of the money allocated to mitigating the effects of the so-called bedroom tax in 2015-16 is to be met from Barnett consequentials.\r\n","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-24106 on 9 February 2015 All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at: \r\nwww.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-02-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-02-06T14:19:13.48","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300330,"EventID":"S4W-24114","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5059,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-23T14:19:13.743","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-21T15:36:31.997","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much of the investment programme for Scottish Water for 2015-21 has been allocated from Barnett consequentials.\r\n","AnswerText":"Barnett consequentials accruing to the Scottish Government are added to or deducted from the total funding available to Scottish Ministers. It is then for Scottish Ministers to decide how all the resources available to them should be allocated.\r\nOver the 2015-21 investment period Scottish Water will invest around £3.5 billion to maintain and improve water and waste water services. Of this, up to £720 million will come from loans supplied by government, the remainder largely from customer charges and existing cash balances.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-02-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-02-06T14:19:13.77","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300331,"EventID":"S4W-24115","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5059,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-23T14:19:14.007","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-21T15:36:31.997","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what proportion of the money to be allocated in 2015-16 as central government grants to local authorities is to be met from Barnett consequentials.\r\n","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-24106 on 9 February 2015. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at: \r\nwww.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-02-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-02-06T14:19:14.033","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300332,"EventID":"S4W-24120","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4947,"Party":"Independent","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-23T14:19:14.29","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-21T16:49:48.753","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it can confirm that each stage of upgrading the A9 will be used as an opportunity to install English/Gaelic bilingual road signs.","AnswerText":"Transport Scotland will take forward a strategy for implementation of bilingual signs for advanced directional signs on the A9 primarily on the basis of opportunities created by programmed improvement works or planned maintenance. This is in line with the aims and objectives of the National Gaelic Language Plan and the Scottish Government’s Gaelic Language Plan (2010).\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-02-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-02-06T14:19:14.313","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300333,"EventID":"S4W-24156","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-23T14:19:14.553","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-22T16:15:05.673","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-23636 by Aileen McLeod on 8 January 2015, whether it considers that the Scottish Environment Protection Agency's conclusions are consistent with Scottish Natural Heritage's recent finding that the \"status quo\" has resulted in a 50% drop in the freshwater pearl mussel population due to water quality and low river levels, and what the reasons are for its position on this matter.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) report published in 2014 identified a number of potential impacts on the freshwater pearl mussel population, water quality and low flows being amongst these.\r\nAs stated in the report, there is ongoing work between the Scottish Environment Protection Agency and SNH to determine whether the current ecological status standards for the River Spey Special Area of Conservation and other sites designated under the Birds Directive and the Habitats Directive adequately support conservation objectives.\r\nThis work includes looking for evidence in monitoring data of any deterioration in environmental quality. So far this work suggests that water quality in the Spey has in fact improved from an already high base over the last 10 years, following investment by Scottish Water.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-02-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-02-06T14:19:14.58","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen McLeod","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300334,"EventID":"S4W-24157","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5080,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-23T14:19:15.123","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-22T16:31:51.71","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many post-mortems have been supported by each NHS board in each year since 2007.\r\n","AnswerText":"The information requested is not held centrally.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-01-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-02-06T14:19:15.147","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300335,"EventID":"S4W-24158","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4014,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-23T14:19:15.383","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-23T10:06:10","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much it has spent on art works in each year since 1999, broken down by directorate.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has not purchased any art works since 1999 for display on its estate.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-02-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-02-06T14:19:15.407","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300336,"EventID":"S4W-24159","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1845,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-23T14:19:15.65","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-23T10:15:12","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the UK Government's draft legislation regarding devolving further powers, what its position is on (a) changing the speed limits on roads and (b) road users continuing to drive on the left, and what discussions it has had on this.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has no plans to change national speed limits or associated vehicle speed limits in Scotland; and no prospective powers in relation to driving on the left or right of the road. The Scottish Government has been involved in wide ranging discussions in the context of The Smith Commission and subsequent follow-up work. This has included those aspects of transport covered by the UK Government’s draft legislation.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-01-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-02-06T14:19:15.667","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300344,"EventID":"S4W-24121","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-26T13:50:39.103","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-21T17:25:21","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to paragraph 126 of the Finance Committee’s 1st report 2015, Draft Budget 2015-16, when it will provide detail on the repayments that NHS boards are incurring via the non-profit distributing model.\r\n","AnswerText":"The draft budget sets out the Scottish Government’s spending plans for the upcoming year for consultation with the Scottish Parliament and the people of Scotland, while actual reporting of expenditure is included in the Scottish Government’s consolidated accounts.\r\nExpenditure of repayments relating to non-profit distribution schemes are reported by NHS boards in note 23 of their annual accounts which are published and laid before Parliament each year. A consolidated position, including all NHS boards, is then reported in note 18b of the Scottish Government’s consolidated accounts.\r\nThere are no plans at present to include that information in the draft budget.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-01-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-02-09T13:50:39.21","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300345,"EventID":"S4W-24122","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-26T13:50:39.73","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-21T17:25:21","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the recommendation at paragraph 132 of the Finance Committee’s 1st report 2015, Draft Budget 2015-16, whether the Scottish Fiscal Commission has now been instructed to monitor the Scottish Government's long-term investment commitments.","AnswerText":"As set out in the Scottish Government’s response to the Finance Committee report on the 2015-16 Draft Budget of 3 February 2015, the Scottish Government does not consider that the monitoring of long term investment commitments as currently set out in Annex A of the draft budget falls within the remit of the Scottish Fiscal Commission. The Scottish Government is considering a broader role for the commission in assessing any wider prudential borrowing regime that might be applied in follow up to the Smith Commission proposals.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-02-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-02-09T13:50:39.757","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300346,"EventID":"S4W-24123","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-26T13:50:40.113","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-21T17:25:21","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to paragraph 151 of the Finance Committee’s 1st report 2015, Draft Budget 2015-16, what year on year savings are projected to achieve the £1.1 billion saving noted in the financial memorandum to the Police and Fire Reform (Scotland) Act 2012.","AnswerText":"The year on year savings projected to achieve the £1.1 billion savings target by March 2026 noted in the Financial Memorandum of the Police and Fire Reform (Scotland) Act 2012 are set out in table 2.1 on pages 51-52 of the Financial Memorandum to the Act.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-02-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-02-09T13:50:40.14","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300347,"EventID":"S4W-24124","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-26T13:50:40.49","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-21T17:25:21","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on the observation in paragraph 151 of the Finance Committee’s 1st report 2015, Draft Budget 2015-16, that \"it was difficult to assert whether the timetable for achieving the £1.1billion saving by March 2026 was achievable.\"","AnswerText":"As stated in our response to the Finance Committee report on 3 February 2015, the savings targets for the first two years of police reform have been delivered. The government will continue to work closely with the Scottish Police Authority and Police Scotland to explore all possible options for delivering future savings whilst protecting frontline policing services.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-02-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-02-09T13:50:40.513","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300348,"EventID":"S4W-24125","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-26T13:50:40.837","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-21T17:25:21","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to paragraph 165 of the Finance Committee’s 1st report 2015, Draft Budget 2015-16, when it will publish a full cost analysis of what it will take to achieve the statutory target to eradicate fuel poverty by November 2016.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government will submit its response to the recommendations made in the Finance Committee’s 1st report on the Draft Budget 2015-16, prior to the Stage 3 reading of the Budget Bill on 4 February 2015.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-01-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-02-09T13:50:40.86","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300349,"EventID":"S4W-24163","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5060,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-26T13:50:41.217","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-23T20:36:14","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government on what dates over the last year the Cabinet Sub-Committee on Scottish Government Resilience has met.","AnswerText":"The Cabinet Sub-Committee on Scottish Government Resilience is a standing committee which meets as required to review the Scottish Government's arrangements for dealing with civil contingencies. If the situation requires, the committee may also be convened by Scottish Ministers in response to specific events. In the past year, ministers have convened the committee on the following dates.\r\nDate\r\nSubject of meeting\r\n13-02-2014\r\nFlooding/Weather\r\n14-02-2014\r\nFlooding/Weather\r\n23-02-2014\r\nFlooding/Weather\r\n16-04-2014\r\nUtilities/Power Failure\r\n17-04-2014\r\nUtilities/Power Failure\r\n08-08-2014\r\nRussian Food Embargo\r\n03-09-2014\r\nThreat Level\r\n04-09-2014\r\nThreat Level\r\n14-09-2014\r\nMurder of David Haines\r\n08-10-2014\r\nEbola\r\n15-10-2014\r\nEbola\r\n26-10-2014\r\nFlooding/Weather\r\n27-10-2014\r\nEbola\r\n27-10-2014\r\nFlooding/Weather\r\n28-10-2014\r\nFlooding/Weather\r\n09-12-2014\r\nFlooding/Weather\r\n10-12-2014\r\nFlooding/Weather\r\n22-12-2014\r\nBin Lorry Incident in Glasgow\r\n29-12-2014\r\nEbola\r\n30-12-2014\r\nEbola\r\n09-01-2015\r\nSevere Weather\r\n10-01-2015\r\nSevere Weather\r\n11-01-2015\r\nSevere Weather\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-02-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-02-09T13:50:41.24","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300350,"EventID":"S4W-24164","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-26T13:50:41.513","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-26T07:35:29","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government at which point in its procurement process it is possible to cancel a project without any penalties being applied.\r\n","AnswerText":"Conducting a procurement process does not usually create an obligation to award a contract, and public bodies may specify in tender documents that they reserve the right to cancel the project and not award a contract. It is sometimes possible, therefore, to cancel a procurement process prior to the award of the contract if the public body no longer wishes to proceed with the project. Cancelling a procurement process can, however, especially where the costs of tendering are high, lead to bidders claiming costs. Whether or not there will be any liability for the public body will depend on the specific circumstances in which the procurement was cancelled.\r\nStopping a procurement process with the intention of re-running it, as opposed to cancelling the project, will also bring with it a risk of challenge by the bidders depending on the circumstances that led to the decision not to continue with the original competition and to start again. In addition to that risk, the public body would also have to consider the impact on service continuity as a result of re-tendering (for example, if this would mean that there was no new contract in place at the expiry of the current contract resulting in a gap in the provision of the service).\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-02-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-02-09T13:50:41.537","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300351,"EventID":"S4W-24165","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2394,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-26T13:50:41.867","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-26T12:30:36.607","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-23717 by John Swinney on 18 December 2014, what happened to the 4,614 hard copies of the white paper that were reportedly not distributed.\r\n","AnswerText":"Scotland’s Future: Your Guide to an independent Scotland has been available to order at no cost to individuals in hard copy or digital formats since its launch in November 2013.\r\nA total of 80,000 hard copies were produced in response to unprecedented demand, both from individuals and through the successful programme of public engagement by the Scottish Government.\r\nThe remaining copies are being managed in line with usual practice.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-02-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-02-09T13:50:41.89","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300352,"EventID":"S4T-00910","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":9,"MSPID":4080,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-26T12:51:44.913","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-26T11:47:13","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the announcement that plans for HMP Inverclyde have been abandoned, what consideration it has given to interim arrangements for women prisoners in HMP Cornton Vale.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-02-09T12:51:44.94","MeetingDate":"2015-01-27T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300353,"EventID":"S4T-00912","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":9,"MSPID":2674,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":99,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-26T12:51:45.507","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-26T11:51:50","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what data have been gathered on safety following the introduction of average speed cameras on the A9.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-02-09T12:51:45.53","MeetingDate":"2015-01-27T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300354,"EventID":"S4F-02550","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-26T12:51:12.417","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-23T13:07:14.087","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister what progress has been made in implementing the recommendations in Jackie Brock’s report on closing the gaps in the child protection process.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-02-09T12:51:12.573","MeetingDate":"2015-01-29T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300355,"EventID":"S4F-02552","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":4976,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-26T12:51:13.813","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-26T09:25:19.31","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister when she will next meet the Secretary of State for Scotland.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-02-09T12:51:13.837","MeetingDate":"2015-01-29T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300356,"EventID":"S4F-02554","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":4014,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-26T12:51:14.583","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-26T09:29:30.263","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister what discussions the Scottish Government has had with NHS boards regarding the reported reduction in funding for mental health research.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-02-09T12:51:14.607","MeetingDate":"2015-01-29T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300357,"EventID":"S4F-02555","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":3812,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-26T12:51:14.877","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-26T09:46:41.043","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister what engagements she has planned for the rest of the day.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-02-09T12:51:14.903","MeetingDate":"2015-01-29T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300358,"EventID":"S4F-02558","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":5042,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-26T12:51:15.893","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-26T10:29:15.607","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister what the Scottish Government’s response is to reports that science lessons in schools are being underfunded by £8 million per year.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-02-09T12:51:15.917","MeetingDate":"2015-01-29T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300359,"EventID":"S4F-02570","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":4964,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":119,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-26T12:51:20.163","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-26T11:51:50","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister whether the Scottish Government will provide an update on the work of the Energy Jobs Taskforce.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-02-09T12:51:20.19","MeetingDate":"2015-01-29T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300365,"EventID":"S4W-24166","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2135,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":92,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-26T16:43:13.36","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-26T12:44:43","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether the UK Government has implemented recommendation 4.21 of the Commission on Scottish Devolution and, if so, when it came into effect, what posts in Scotland it applies to, and whether it will apply to the appointment of a new Permanent Secretary.","AnswerText":"The UK Government accepted recommendation 4.21:\r\nRecommendation 4.21: The responsibility for appointing, or approving appointments of, senior civil servants to senior posts in the Scottish Government should be delegated by the Prime Minister to the Head of the Home Civil Service, acting on the advice of the UK Civil Service Commissioners.\r\nAuthority to appoint permanent secretaries and director generals in Scotland has now been formally delegated to the Head of the Civil Service.\r\nThe advice of the UK Civil Service Commissioners is contained in the recruitment principles for appointments to the civil service. In line with the commission’s revised recruitment principles (December 2014), the First Minister will make the final selection decision in relation to the appointment of a permanent secretary in the Scottish Government. This provides formal delegation of authority.\r\nFor director general roles in the Scottish Government the recommendations of the selection panel are approved by the Head of the Civil Service following agreement by the First Minister or by the cabinet secretary most closely associated with the appointment having discussed with the First Minister.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-02-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-02-09T16:43:13.39","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300366,"EventID":"S4W-24167","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2135,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":92,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-26T16:43:13.78","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-26T12:44:43","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will seek to have delegated to the First Minister the responsibility for appointing or approving appointments of senior civil servants previously held by the Prime Minister.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-24166 on 9 February 2015. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at: \r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-02-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-02-09T16:43:13.797","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300367,"EventID":"S4W-24173","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2876,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-26T16:43:14.047","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-26T15:08:16.013","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide a breakdown of recorded religious hate crimes in 2013-14 expressed as the number of incidents per 1,000 members of each religious affiliation, also broken down by incidents recorded under section (a) 74 of the Criminal Justice (Scotland) Act 2003 and (b) 1 of the Offensive Behaviour at Football and Threatening Communications (Scotland) Act 2012.\r\n","AnswerText":"The reports titled Religiously Aggravated Offending in Scotland 2013-14 and Charges reported under the Offensive Behaviour at Football and Threatening Communications (Scotland) Act 2012 in 2013-14 were published on 13 June 2014 and presented information on the number of charges that were reported to the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS) by the police in 2013-14 under section 74 of the Criminal Justice (Scotland) Act 2003 and section 1 and section 6 of the Offensive Behaviour at Football and Threatening Communications (Scotland) Act 2012.\r\nThe following table shows religious aggravation charges that were reported to COPFS in 2013-14 for conduct which was derogatory to each religion under the two pieces of legislation. The final column presents the number of charges per 1,000 members of each, as recorded in the 2011 census.\r\nIt is important to note that reported charges only contain information about the nature of the offensive conduct and not about the religious affiliation of the victims of incidents. In 48% of charges, the victim of the conduct was a police officer (an increase from 40% in 2012-13), and in 11% of charges the victim was a worker (decreased from 12% in 2012-13). The occasions when religious abuse targeted people within the ‘general community’, and not a particular individual, represented 26% of all charges (a decrease from 34% in 2012-13).\r\nThis suggests that for many of the charges it is unlikely the accused knew the religious affiliation/belief of the victim at the time of incident, and that the attacks were more arbitrary in nature.\r\nTable: Religious aggravation and offensive behaviour at football charges derogatory to religions in Scotland in 2013-14 per 1,000 members\r\n \r\nReligious aggravation charges in 2013-141\r\nOffensive behaviour at football charges in 2013-14\r\nThe religion that the conduct was derogatory towards5\r\nNumber of charges2\r\nNumber of members3\r\nCharges per 1,000 members\r\nNumber of charges2\r\nNumber of members3\r\nCharges per 1,000 members\r\nChristianity4,5\r\n540\r\n2,850,199\r\n0.19\r\n57\r\n2,850,199\r\n0.02\r\nof which: Roman Catholicism \r\n367\r\n841,053\r\n0.44\r\n46\r\n841,053\r\n0.05\r\nof which: Protestantism\r\n169\r\n1,717,871\r\n0.10\r\n11\r\n1,717,871\r\n0.01\r\nJudaism\r\n9\r\n5,887\r\n1.53\r\n3\r\n5,887\r\n0.51\r\nIslam\r\n48\r\n76,737\r\n0.62\r\n2\r\n76,737\r\n0.03\r\nUnknown\r\n5\r\nN/A\r\nN/A\r\n0\r\nN/A\r\nN/A\r\nOther\r\n2\r\nN/A\r\nN/A\r\n0\r\nN/A\r\nN/A\r\nTable notes: \r\n1. Information on religious aggravations is taken from Religiously Aggravated Offending in Scotland 2013-14 and information on offensive behaviour at football charges is taken from Charges reported under the Offensive Behaviour at Football and Threatening Communications (Scotland) Act 2012, published on the Scottish Government website on 13 June 2014.\r\n2. The number of charges refers to the religion that the conduct was derogatory towards and not the number of charges where victims had the relevant affiliation. Information about victims’ religious affiliations is not recorded by the police.\r\n3. Religious group membership information data are taken from the 2011 census. These were published in census release 2A, on 26 September 2013. Previous calculations of the number of incidents per 1,000 members for 2011-12 and 2012-13, presented in response to previous parliamentary questions (S4W-15809 and S4W-11536), were based on membership data as presented in the 2001 census: \r\nhttp://www.scotlandscensus.gov.uk/documents/censusresults/release2a/StatsBulletin2A.pdf\r\n4. There are four charges in the Christianity total for religious aggravations charges that referred to conduct which was offensive to Christianity in general and were not directed towards Protestantism or Roman Catholicism.\r\n5. Religious group membership data is based on self-reported affiliation in the 2011 census. Christian denominations are presented in the census under three categories: ‘Roman Catholic’, ‘Church of Scotland’ and ‘other Christian.’ For the purpose of this table only ‘Church of Scotland’ membership has been attribut","AnswerDate":"2015-02-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-02-09T16:43:14.06","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300368,"EventID":"S4W-24174","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1768,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":131,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-26T16:43:14.39","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-26T15:40:16","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what notification local authorities are required to give to residents prior to erecting or moving structures such as bus shelters outside their homes.","AnswerText":"In relation to bus shelters, the Local Government (Omnibus Shelters and Barriers) (Scotland) Act 1958 provides for the erection and maintenance of omnibus shelters and queue barriers by local roads authorities in Scotland. \r\nIt is for local road authorities to decide what notification to give when exercising powers within that Act.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-02-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-02-09T16:43:14.42","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300370,"EventID":"S4W-24183","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":2,"MSPID":2135,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":92,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-27T10:01:40.95","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-27T09:43:13","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on progress made in relation to the Malawi Development Programme funding round 2015-18 and on its response to the recent floods in Malawi.\r\n","AnswerText":"I am pleased to announce that funding from our Malawi Development Programme amounting to a total of £9,245,384 over three years will be provided to 20 projects during the period 2015-18.\r\nThe Scottish Government responded to the recent floods in Malawi on 21 January 2015 by making £150,000 available to work to tackle the current humanitarian crisis there. £30,000 of that £150,000 donation has been awarded to member organisations of the Scotland Malawi Partnership who are working locally in the affected areas to deliver aid to local communities. The remaining £120,000 has been awarded to UNICEF for its Malawi flood appeal, to assist wider humanitarian efforts. Following this immediate response, we will of course also continue to work with organisations on the ground to assess the longer term impacts of this crisis.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-01-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-02-10T10:01:41.063","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300372,"EventID":"S4W-24168","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4939,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":78,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-27T13:40:51.533","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-26T14:00:12.793","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with Falkirk Council and SEStran regarding the Scottish Stations Fund.","AnswerText":"Transport Scotland has regular meetings with SEStran which include discussion on their Scottish Stations Fund applications and aspirations. Transport Scotland has not met with Falkirk Council recently to discuss the Scottish Stations Fund but Network Rail has been in correspondence with them in relation to their application for an additional car park close to Falkirk High station.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-02-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-02-10T13:40:51.66","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300373,"EventID":"S4W-24175","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-27T13:40:51.94","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-26T16:24:34.34","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the impact would be on (a) teacher numbers, (b) school building programmes and (c) class sizes if the Barnett formula was abandoned and its budget reduced by at least £4 billion.\r\n","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-24030 on 30 January 2015. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at: \r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-02-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-02-10T13:40:51.967","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300374,"EventID":"S4W-24176","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-27T13:40:52.61","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-26T16:24:34.34","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the impact would be on (a) local government funding, (b) public sector pay and pensions and (c) economic development if the Barnett formula was abandoned and its budget reduced by at least £4 billion.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-24030 on 30 January 2015. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-01-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-02-10T13:40:52.633","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300375,"EventID":"S4W-24177","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-27T13:40:53.147","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-26T16:24:34.34","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the impact would be on the number of NHS (a) doctors and (b) nurses if the Barnett formula was abandoned and its budget reduced by at least £4 billion.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-24030 on 30 January 2015. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-01-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-02-10T13:40:53.17","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300376,"EventID":"S4W-24178","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-27T13:40:53.657","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-26T16:24:34.34","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the impact would be on housebuilding if the Barnett formula was abandoned and its budget reduced by at least £4 billion.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-24030 on 30 January 2015. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-01-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-02-10T13:40:53.683","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300377,"EventID":"S4W-24179","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2123,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":103,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-27T13:40:54.203","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-26T16:44:49","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to increase human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination rates in (a) general and (b) the areas where rates fall below the national average.","AnswerText":"Uptake rates for the HPV vaccination programme have been consistently high since its introduction in 2008, with final uptake rates nationally exceeding 90% for all three doses. These final uptake rates for the routine cohort of girls compare favourably with the rest of the UK.\r\nAs with other childhood vaccination programmes in Scotland, analysis of the HPV vaccination uptake figures has always been part of the planned public health monitoring and evaluation of the HPV vaccination programme. Where statistics indicate a significant problem in uptake it will be looked into in more detail to understand the reasons for this. NHS boards also use the uptake figures to monitor local performance of the programme and where necessary undertake local awareness raising to promote the benefits of the vaccine.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-02-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-02-10T13:40:54.227","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300378,"EventID":"S4W-24180","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2123,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":103,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-27T13:40:54.78","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-26T16:44:49","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what plans  it has to increase the uptake of cervical screening in (a) general and (b) the areas where rates fall below the national average. ","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government invites all eligible women aged 20-60 to attend cervical screening every three years, however, it is for each individual to make a choice as to whether they take up the offer of screening. It is vitally important that women attending for cervical screening fully understand how it is conducted, what the possible outcomes might be and what subsequent treatment may be required, so as to ensure they are making an informed choice on attendance.\r\nThe Scottish Government constantly seeks to improve the cervical screening programme and the information it provides to women to help make an informed choice. For example, as part of a regular cycle of reviewing communications materials for the programme, the Scottish Government and NHS boards will shortly be considering the invite letters and accompanying literature which are sent to all eligible women. This exercise will include third sector partners and will be test materials with the audience to ensure they are as effective as possible.\r\nWhile the Scottish Government aims to increase uptake in the programme across the country, where the uptake is lower than the national average work is being done to engage with specific audiences. For example, NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde have recently undertaken social marketing activity specifically aimed at a younger audience to address specific issues with uptake in that group. \r\nFurthermore, an event will be hosted by NHS Health Scotland and the Scottish Government in February 2015 for all NHS health board screening co-ordinators, communications officers and others involved in screening. The event will share best practice in promoting screening services with a particular focus on cervical screening and how best to communicate effectively with a range of audiences.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-02-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-02-10T13:40:54.803","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300379,"EventID":"S4W-24181","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2123,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":103,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-27T13:40:55.073","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-26T16:44:49","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to increase public awareness of cervical cancer symptoms.","AnswerText":"We know that cervical screening can detect cervical changes before they become cancerous and reduce the incidence of cervical cancer. Every woman in Scotland between 20 and 60 years of age is invited to be screened for cervical cancer every three years.\r\nAs well as information on screening, each invitation includes information on the signs and symptoms of cervical cancer.\r\nAdditionally, through our ongoing £30 million Detect Cancer Early programme, we aim to increase the proportion of cancers detected at the early stage through raising awareness of cancers, the importance of knowing about screening programmes and the benefits of earlier treatment and we are currently reviewing next steps for the programme.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-02-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-02-10T13:40:55.097","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300380,"EventID":"S4W-24182","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2123,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":103,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-27T13:40:55.38","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-26T16:44:49","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to reduce inequalities in (a) cervical screening uptake and (b) human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination rates.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is continually seeking to reduce inequalities in the services it provides. For example, in cervical screening, work is under way with third sector partners and GP surgeries in areas of multiple deprivation to pilot interventions designed to increase awareness of, and uptake in, the cervical screening programme. This work will be evaluated and best practice shared across all NHS boards.\r\nFurthermore, a review of communications materials used in the cervical screening programme will begin shortly. The review will consider whether current materials could be adapted or enhanced to ensure accessibility and will be tested with a range of audience groups before being published.\r\nHealth Protection Scotland has carried out analyses on HPV vaccination by Scottish Index of Multiple Deprivation (SIMD) in Scotland. Their research report, published in 2013 in the Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health and available at: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23986492, found that routine vaccination of HPV in 12-13 year olds is very equitable across all SIMD scores as well as denomination. Uptake of HPV vaccination by SIMD is routinely monitored and where statistics indicate a significant problem it will be looked at in more detail to understand the reasons for this.\r\nNHS boards ensure equitable access to HPV vaccination by offering girls, who have missed their vaccination, the opportunity to complete their vaccination course in the following and subsequent school years. This increases the chances of these girls completing their HPV vaccination course before they leave school.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-02-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-02-10T13:40:55.407","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300381,"EventID":"S4W-24186","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1853,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":86,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-27T13:40:55.68","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-27T11:34:25","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it is participating in the Civil Service Reserves 1% Challenge, which is aimed at recruiting reservists from among civil servants and, if so, when this commenced.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government recognises the benefits of the skills and experience that its employees gain if they are members of the reserve forces. It therefore supports and encourages service in the reserves. In January 2014 a senior civil servant took on the role of ‘reserves champion’ within Scottish Government and since then the Scottish Government has participated in the cross-UK civil service network associated with the Civil Service Reserves 1% Challenge. She continues to lead efforts to support reserve service, and promote the benefits that it brings, within the Scottish Government.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-02-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-02-10T13:40:55.703","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300397,"EventID":"S4W-24187","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3806,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-27T16:45:58.077","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-27T13:43:46.717","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many closures of the Skye Bridge to (a) high-sided vehicles and (b) all vehicles there have been since September 2014.","AnswerText":"Statistics about closures of the Skye Bridge are contained in the following table:\r\nTime Period\r\nNumber of Closures of the Skye Bridge to High-Sided Vehicles\r\nNumber of Closures of the Skye Bridge to All Vehicles\r\n2012\r\n30\r\n0\r\n2013\r\n54\r\n1\r\n2014\r\n97\r\n11\r\nSeptember 2014 to January 2015\r\n97\r\n14\r\n\r\nThe above data is based on records of triggers automatically generated by the instrumentation on the bridge, which prompts signing by Traffic Scotland and closure of the bridge when the appropriate threshold is reached. In some cases, especially recently, wind speeds have varied substantially over relatively short time periods, resulting in rapid change from one state to another and back again. To reflect these factors in the case of full closures, these have been grouped into one closure event.\r\nThe wind management plan for the bridge requires that it is closed to high-sided vehicles when the wind gust speed exceeds 50 mph and closed to all vehicles when it exceeds 75 mph. These trigger thresholds have not been formally reconsidered for change since they were first established around 2004. In part, this is due to experience that they were operating well. They are designed as much as possible to ensure the safety of the public, whilst minimising disturbance to the movement of traffic. \r\nHowever, in the light of increased wind events and resultant restrictions since September 2014, Transport Scotland has been working with its operating company BEAR Scotland to consider all aspects of the plan with a view to bringing forward any appropriate improvements. The thresholds, contingency planning and possible additional infrastructure are included in this exercise.\r\nTransport Scotland will report in full when all aspects have been considered and discussed with stakeholders, in particular the Highland Council and Police Scotland, with whom the legal authority to close the bridge lies. Safety will remain the overriding principle.\r\nThe location of the Skye Bridge measuring equipment has recently been discussed with our operating company BEAR Scotland and their equipment supplier, Vaisala. The location should represent the likely highest winds that drivers would encounter over their entire crossing journey. A wind profile study undertaken by the previous operating company identified that the current location meets that criteria, hence the interim advice is that it should remain where it is.  \r\nThere has been no specific economic assessment of the impact of closure. However, in seeking to ensure the safety of the public whilst minimising disturbance to the movement of traffic the Scottish Government recognises the importance of the bridge to the people and economy of Skye and beyond.\r\nWe will report on the outcome of our analysis outlined above in due course. In the meantime, BEAR Scotland has improved communications with stakeholders by adopting a system of automatically generated email messages when trigger thresholds are reached.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-02-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-02-10T16:45:58.11","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300398,"EventID":"S4W-24188","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3806,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-27T16:45:58.407","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-27T13:43:46.717","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many closures of the Skye Bridge to (a) high-sided vehicles and (b) all vehicles there were in (i) 2012, (ii) 2013 and (iii) 2014.\r\n","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-24187 on 9 February 2015. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at: \r\nwww.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-02-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-02-10T16:45:58.427","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300399,"EventID":"S4W-24189","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3806,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-27T16:45:58.667","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-27T13:43:46.717","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it last reviewed warning level criteria for high winds on bridges.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-24187 on 9 February 2015. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at: \r\nwww.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-02-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-02-10T16:45:58.687","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300400,"EventID":"S4W-24190","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3806,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-27T16:45:58.91","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-27T13:43:46.717","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it has discussed with Transport Scotland changes in the location of the system for measuring wind speeds on the Skye Bridge.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-24187 on 9 February 2015. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at: \r\nwww.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-02-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-02-10T16:45:58.927","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300401,"EventID":"S4W-24191","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3806,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-27T16:45:59.193","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-27T13:43:46.717","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it has assessed the economic impact on the island of closures of the Skye Bridge.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-24187 on 9 February 2015. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at: \r\nwww.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-02-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-02-10T16:45:59.217","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300402,"EventID":"S4W-24192","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-27T16:45:59.46","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-27T15:32:16","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will publish any template that it has sent to NHS boards to use for their response to the Vale of Leven Hospital inquiry report.","AnswerText":"Yes. Officials are continuing to analyse the responses from NHS boards but will publish both the template and responses once this is completed. It is important that time is taken to ensure the NHS boards’ responses are used to develop a robust, quality response to the Vale of Leven Hospital inquiry report.\r\nAs I stated in Parliament on 25 November 2014, I am establishing an implementation group to consider how to take forward the recommendations from Lord Maclean’s report. The NHS boards’ responses will be used as a baseline for their work going forward.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-02-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-02-10T16:45:59.49","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300403,"EventID":"S4W-24193","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-27T16:45:59.953","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-27T15:32:16","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will publish NHS board responses to the Vale of Leven Hospital inquiry report without redaction and, if so, when.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-24192 on 6 February 2015. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at: \r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-02-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-02-10T16:45:59.977","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300404,"EventID":"S4W-24194","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-27T16:46:00.337","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-27T15:32:16","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government on what date it will publish its full response to the Vale of Leven Hospital inquiry report.","AnswerText":"I gave a commitment to Parliament on 25 November 2014 to publish the Scottish Government’s response to the Vale of Leven Hospital inquiry report in spring 2015 and I intend to fulfil that commitment. You will appreciate that discussions need to take place with the implementation group and reference group to help shape the Scottish Government’s response.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-02-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-02-10T16:46:00.36","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300414,"EventID":"S4W-24195","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5080,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-28T13:07:19.25","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-27T17:26:55.483","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what direction it has given to (a) Scottish Enterprise and (b) Skills Development Scotland regarding the East Kilbride Task Force.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government works closely with a wide range of partners, including Scottish Enterprise, Skills Development Scotland and local authorities, to create the right conditions necessary to support businesses, create employment opportunities and facilitate sustainable economic growth across Scotland, including East Kilbride.\r\nThe enterprise and skills agencies complement the work being undertaken by local authorities, working closely to align support. That is particularly so in East Kilbride where both Scottish Enterprise and Skills Development Scotland are partners in the multi-agency East Kilbride Task Force, which is led by South Lanarkshire Council. The task force is encouraging economic activity, promoting growth and protecting and creating employment opportunities in the area. The Scottish Government is represented on the task force through Scottish Enterprise and Skills Development Scotland.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-02-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-02-11T13:07:19.357","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300415,"EventID":"S4W-24196","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5080,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-28T13:07:20.06","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-27T17:26:55.483","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the manufacturing industry in East Kilbride.\r\n","AnswerText":"The East Kilbride Task Force commissioned a socio economic baseline analysis report for East Kilbride and this was published in April 2013. A copy of the report has been placed in the Scottish Parliament Information Centre (SPICe) Bib number 56679.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-02-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-02-11T13:07:20.077","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300430,"EventID":"S4O-03977","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-28T13:58:04.54","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-26T12:01:43.147","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it will support and develop the third sector across the South Scotland region.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-02-11T13:58:04.563","MeetingDate":"2015-02-04T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300431,"EventID":"S4O-03978","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":4948,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-28T13:58:04.903","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-26T12:01:43.377","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to help bring empty properties back into use as housing.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-02-11T13:58:04.927","MeetingDate":"2015-02-04T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300432,"EventID":"S4O-03979","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":4938,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-28T13:58:05.247","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-26T12:01:43.61","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what recent discussions it has had with the UK Government regarding transfer of responsibility for the electoral registers.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has consistently called for the transfer of remaining responsibilities in relation to elections in Scotland (including the electoral registers) to the Scottish Parliament.\r\nThe UK Government published draft clauses on 22 January 2015 in response to the Smith Commission recommendation that the Scottish Parliament should have all powers in relation to Scottish Parliament and local government elections.\r\nWe will continue to discuss the draft clauses with the UK Government with a view to developing workable provisions ready for introduction as soon as possible after the general election in May 2015.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-02-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-02-11T13:58:05.27","MeetingDate":"2015-02-04T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Marco Biagi","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300433,"EventID":"S4O-03980","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":4955,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":105,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-28T13:58:05.627","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-26T12:01:43.837","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what recent discussions it has had with the UK Government regarding the devolution of benefits.\r\n","AnswerText":"Following the agreement between the First Minister and Prime Minister to set up a joint ministerial working group on welfare, I met with David Mundell, the Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for the Scotland Office, last month to discuss how to progress this. The group will meet for the first time on 11 February 2015, and will include at least three ministers from each government. Myself and Mr Mundell will co-chair this group, which will aim to guide and support the successful devolution of benefits to Scotland.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-02-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-02-11T13:58:05.65","MeetingDate":"2015-02-04T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300434,"EventID":"S4O-03981","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":4080,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-28T13:58:05.923","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-26T12:01:52.467","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to improve access to modern apprenticeships for disabled young people.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-02-11T13:58:05.943","MeetingDate":"2015-02-04T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300435,"EventID":"S4O-03982","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":5059,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-28T13:58:06.367","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-26T12:01:52.703","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it will roll out the Work Programme once it is devolved.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-02-11T13:58:06.393","MeetingDate":"2015-02-04T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300436,"EventID":"S4O-03984","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":5042,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-28T13:58:06.703","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-26T12:01:53.363","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to establish a future jobs fund for Scotland.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-02-11T13:58:06.73","MeetingDate":"2015-02-04T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300437,"EventID":"S4O-03985","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":1845,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-28T13:58:07.047","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-26T12:01:53.587","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what progress it is making on implementing the recommendations of the Commission for Developing Scotland's Young Workforce.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-02-11T13:58:07.067","MeetingDate":"2015-02-04T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300438,"EventID":"S4O-03986","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":1814,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":77,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-28T13:58:07.62","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-26T12:01:53.94","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it encourages engineering apprenticeships.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-02-11T13:58:07.647","MeetingDate":"2015-02-04T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300439,"EventID":"S4O-03987","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":1853,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":86,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-28T13:58:08.313","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-26T12:01:54.237","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to ensure that the Glasgow Curriculum and Estates Plan's proposed transfer of activity to the city centre does not have a detrimental effect on the training needs of people from deprived communities in Maryhill and Springburn.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-02-11T13:58:08.337","MeetingDate":"2015-02-04T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300441,"EventID":"S4O-03989","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":2853,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":81,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-28T13:58:09.513","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-26T12:01:54.883","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it ensures that the agency and contract staff it employs enjoy fair terms and conditions.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-02-11T13:58:09.54","MeetingDate":"2015-02-04T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300442,"EventID":"S4O-03990","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":2394,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-28T13:58:09.837","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-26T12:01:55.25","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what it is doing to incentivise businesses to pay the living wage.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government fully supports the Living Wage Campaign and recognises the real difference the living wage can make to the people of Scotland. Although the Scottish Government is not able to set pay levels in the private sector, or indeed the private and wider public sector in Scotland where employees are not covered by our pay policy, we actively encourage all organisations to ensure all staff on lower incomes receive a fair level of pay.\r\nIn line with this, the Scottish Government has funded a pilot by the Poverty Alliance to increase the number of employers across all sectors in Scotland paying the living wage. And I am pleased to say these now number over 100.\r\nWe have also made a commitment in our Programme for Government that we will introduce a Scottish Business Pledge – making it clear that we want companies to commit amongst other things to pay the living wage and to fair work.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-02-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-02-11T13:58:09.853","MeetingDate":"2015-02-04T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Roseanna Cunningham","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300443,"EventID":"S4O-03991","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-28T13:58:10.633","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-26T12:02:10.193","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many women in the last year have been treated with mesh or tape products to treat pelvic prolapse or stress urinary incontinence.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-02-11T13:58:10.66","MeetingDate":"2015-02-05T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300444,"EventID":"S4O-03992","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":1759,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-28T13:58:11.027","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-26T12:02:10.45","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what progress it is making toward meeting the target of 11% of demand for heat being met by renewables by 2020.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-02-11T13:58:11.05","MeetingDate":"2015-02-05T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300445,"EventID":"S4O-03993","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":2678,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-28T13:58:11.4","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-27T11:22:01.033","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to improve survival rates from brain cancers.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-02-11T13:58:11.427","MeetingDate":"2015-02-05T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300448,"EventID":"S4O-03996","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":2117,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-28T13:58:12.403","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-28T11:32:02.407","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what further steps it will take following the oil jobs summit in Aberdeen on 2 February 2015.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-02-11T13:58:12.427","MeetingDate":"2015-02-05T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300449,"EventID":"S4O-03997","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":2134,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":82,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-28T13:58:12.773","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-26T12:02:11.797","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has for pupil assessment in schools.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-02-11T13:58:12.793","MeetingDate":"2015-02-05T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300450,"EventID":"S4O-03998","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":5106,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":118,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-28T13:58:13.11","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-26T12:02:12.073","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with its partners about railway timetabling and capacity in the north east.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-02-11T13:58:13.133","MeetingDate":"2015-02-05T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300451,"EventID":"S4O-03999","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":4984,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-28T13:58:13.5","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-27T15:34:54.88","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to introduce new initiatives to help people with chronic migraine disorder.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-02-11T13:58:13.523","MeetingDate":"2015-02-05T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300452,"EventID":"S4O-04000","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":5080,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-28T13:58:13.783","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-27T13:04:35.42","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on the review of out-of-hours GP services in NHS Lanarkshire.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-02-11T13:58:13.81","MeetingDate":"2015-02-05T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300453,"EventID":"S4W-24206","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":2,"MSPID":2615,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":143,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-28T14:46:22.033","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-28T14:39:51.763","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on its commitment to consult with survivors and relevant organisations on the terms of reference, and the attributes of the chair of, the national inquiry into historical child abuse.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is today (29 January 2015) inviting survivors and relevant organisations to offer their views on the terms of reference and attributes of the chair and panel for the national inquiry into historical child abuse.\r\nSurvivors and relevant organisations can write or email their views to the Scottish Government by contacting Survivor.Engagement@scotland.gsi.gov.uk\r\nScottish Government officials are also working with a range of support organisations across Scotland and Centre for Excellence for Looked After Children in Scotland to organise a series of events and meetings to hear directly from survivors and others. A series of small local events and larger regional events will be organised from now until the end of March 2015 to give survivors and relevant organisations an opportunity to have their views heard.\r\nMore information on the inquiry, including details of these local and regional events, can be found on the dedicated section on the Scottish Government website: \r\nhttp://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/People/Young-People/protecting/child-protection/historical-child-abuse\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-01-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-02-11T14:46:22.133","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300458,"EventID":"S4W-24197","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1893,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-28T16:54:41.05","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-28T12:36:19","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has carried out of whether the information provided by landlords registering under the Antisocial Behaviour etc. (Scotland) Act 2004 is being used by local authorities when marketing their housing portal services.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has not carried out any assessment on whether the information provided by landlords registering under the Antisocial Behaviour etc. (Scotland) Act 2004 is being used by local authorities when marketing their housing portal services.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-02-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-02-11T16:54:41.08","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Burgess","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300459,"EventID":"S4W-24198","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1893,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-28T16:54:41.457","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-28T12:36:19","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what recent discussions it has had with the providers of private sector housing portals regarding the provision of integrated marketing for private and social rented housing.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has had no recent discussions with the providers of private sector housing portals regarding the provision of integrated marketing for private and social rented housing.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-02-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-02-11T16:54:41.487","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Burgess","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300460,"EventID":"S4W-24199","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1893,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-28T16:54:41.83","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-28T12:36:19","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the impact on private sector housing portals of the launch by local authorities of the Home Choice initiative.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has made no assessment of the impact on private sector housing portals of the launch by local authorities of the Home Choice initiative.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-02-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-02-11T16:54:41.847","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Burgess","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300461,"EventID":"S4W-24200","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5556,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":111,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-28T16:54:42.19","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-28T13:07:10","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether the statutory guidance accompanying the Children and Young People (Scotland) Act 2014 will include reference to the specific needs of disabled children.\r\n","AnswerText":"Draft statutory guidance on parts 4, 5 and 18 (section 96) of the Children and Young People (Scotland) Act 2014 contains references to the specific needs of disabled children. We discussed the developing draft statutory guidance with key stakeholders and launched the full, public consultation on 6 February 2015 as set out in the answer to question S4W-24342. We are committed to working with stakeholders during the consultation period.\r\nIn addition, the statutory guidance which was published to support the implementation of the early learning and childcare provisions of the Children and Young People (Scotland) Act 2014 includes a chapter on children with additional support needs, including those with additional support needs arising from a disability within the meaning of the Equality Act 2010.\r\nStatutory guidance on Part 9 of the Children and Young People (Scotland) Act requires corporate parents to take into account barriers related to the special needs of disabled children. They must then identify and implement appropriate actions to help these children and young people overcome the barriers, so that they can benefit from the opportunities, services and support available to them. The corporate parenting guidance is currently out to public consultation until 15 March 2015 at http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2014/12/2912/downloads#res466889.\r\nFurthermore, the Children's Rights and Services Planning Working Group, which includes members from local authorities, NHS boards and the third sector, oversees and advises on the national support and engagement required for the implementation of Children’s Services Planning duties (Children and Young People (Scotland) Act 2014 - Part 3), including the development of statutory guidance and regulations. This will include how statutory guidance will reflect the need for children’s services plans to provide for children’s services both universal and targeted (including for disabled children), as well as reflecting Part 3 requirements to provide services in a local area which: support wellbeing, prevention and early intervention, are integrated and make the best use of resources.\r\nAll answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-02-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-02-11T16:54:42.203","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Fiona McLeod","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300462,"EventID":"S4W-24201","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5556,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":111,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-28T16:54:42.5","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-28T13:07:10","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on the suggestion in the second survey of Children in Scotland's Parent Participation Project that \"disabled children and their parents and carers frequently find it very difficult to access services that could enable the children to lead fulfilling lives, achieve the best life outcomes possible, and support families adequately\".\r\n","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is committed to equality of access to support and services for disabled children and young people in line with our responsibilities under the Children and Young People’s (Scotland) Act 2014 to take steps in support of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child. We recognise that currently many children with disabilities face barriers to access of services that could help them achieve their potential. The Getting It Right for Every Child framework has been developed to improve the ability of health boards, local authorities and partner services and agencies to work in partnership in their delivery of wellbeing support all children and their families, including those where disability features. Moreover, under Part 3 of the Act, children’s services planning for an area as a whole will now be a joint responsibility of local authorities and health boards and will need to focus on prevention and early intervention, which should ensure more joined-up planning between services in support of disabled children and their families. Work is currently under way to develop statutory guidance for public consultation later in the year.\r\nThere are a number of Scottish Government funding initiatives designed to increase the range and availability of wellbeing support available locally, for example, national projects for disabled children and young people funded through the Strategic Partnership and Early Intervention Funds, the Keys to Life and the Scottish Autism Strategy programme funds, and the Short Breaks funding (£13 million between 2010 to 2015) that supports largely disabled children and young people through a grant scheme providing opportunities that include access to leisure and sporting activities.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-02-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-02-11T16:54:42.533","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Fiona McLeod","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300463,"EventID":"S4W-24202","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5556,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":111,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-28T16:54:42.813","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-28T13:07:10","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on the suggestion in the second survey of Children in Scotland's Parent Participation Project's that disabled children should be asked about their views of the services that support and engage with them.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Children and Young People’s (Scotland) Act 2014 puts into Scottish law the requirement under the United Nations Convention of the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) to seek the views of children in services planning. The Children's Rights and Services Planning Working Group, which includes members from local authorities, NHS boards and the third sector, has a remit to oversee and advise on the national support for the implementation of Part 1 (sections 2 and 3) public authorities duties to report on the UNCRC, and Part 3, children’s services planning duties on behalf of Scottish Ministers. This includes the development of statutory guidance and regulations, and ensuring that appropriate and effective participation and engagement takes place in the preparation for the new duties.\r\nThe remit will also include how statutory guidance will reflect the need for children’s services plans to provide for children’s services both universal and targeted (including for disabled children), as well as reflecting Part 3 requirements to provide services in a local area which support wellbeing, prevention and early intervention, are integrated and make the best use of resources.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-02-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-02-11T16:54:42.843","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Fiona McLeod","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300464,"EventID":"S4W-24203","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5556,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":111,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-28T16:54:43.11","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-28T13:07:10","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to ensure that adequate service provision is allocated to ensure equality of provision for disabled and non-disabled children.\r\n","AnswerText":"Under the Equality Act 2010 service providers have a duty to make reasonable adjustments for disabled children and provide auxiliary aids and services to avoid substantial disadvantage compared to non-disabled children. In addition, service providers have a duty to actively deal with inequality, and to prevent direct disability discrimination, indirect disability discrimination and discrimination arising from disability and harassment or victimisation on the basis, or a perceived basis, of protected characteristics, including disability. It is for individual service providers to ensure that they comply with these duties.\r\nIn addition, under the Education (Disability Strategies and Pupils' Educational Records) (Scotland) Act 2002 responsible bodies have duties to develop and publish accessibility strategies to increase pupils access to the curriculum, access to the physical environment of schools and improving communication with disabled pupils. Also education authorities and other agencies have duties under the Additional Support for Learning Act 2004 (as amended) to identify, provide for and review the additional support needs of their pupils, including disabled pupils.\r\nFurthermore, the Children's Rights and Services Planning Working Group, which includes members from local authorities, NHS boards and the third sector, oversees and advises on the national support and engagement required for the implementation of Children’s Services Planning duties (Children and Young People (Scotland) Act 2014 - Part 3), including the development of statutory guidance and regulations. This will include how statutory guidance will reflect the need for Children’s Services Plans to provide for children’s services both universal and targeted (including for disabled children), as well as reflecting Part 3 requirements to provide services in a local area which: support wellbeing, prevention and early intervention, are integrated and make the best use of resources.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-02-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-02-11T16:54:43.14","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Fiona McLeod","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300465,"EventID":"S4W-24204","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5556,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":111,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-28T16:54:43.42","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-28T13:07:10","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on whether a child rights impact assessment should be included in all legislation.","AnswerText":"Consistent with ministers’ responsibilities within Part 1 of the Children and Young People (Scotland) Act 2014, once commenced, child impact assessment screening will be undertaken in relation to all proposed new Government legislation and policies. Full child impact assessments will be completed where initial screening indicates any relevant impact on the rights and wellbeing of children in Scotland. A template and supporting guidance, for such assessments is being prepared currently.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-02-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-02-11T16:54:43.453","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Fiona McLeod","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300466,"EventID":"S4W-24205","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5556,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":111,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-28T16:54:43.717","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-28T13:07:10","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on each of the key findings reported in the second survey of Children in Scotland's Parent Participation Project.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government welcomes the survey undertaken and will consider its findings carefully. We take a human rights based approach in the development of The Getting It Right for Every Child framework that is designed to improve the delivery by all services and agencies working with disabled children and their families of the wellbeing support that they need. We recognise that some disabled children and young people continue to face health and social inequalities and we have developed a number of strategies that call on localities to promote equality and actively involve people in developing the local services that affect them. Besides the participation work we fund that is described in answers to S4W-24201 and 24202 on 10 February 2015, the national strategies the Keys to Life and the Scottish Autism Strategy have strands of work for children and families, for example, the Parent Participation Project, and local work providing sensory/autism play opportunities and family support. National disabilities organisations are also funded to provide information to parent carers and provide signposting to relevant information.\r\nAll answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-02-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-02-11T16:54:43.75","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Fiona McLeod","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300468,"EventID":"S4W-24086","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3771,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-19T16:42:26.153","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-19T13:31:21.797","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many inpatients waited more than 12 weeks for treatment in (a) 2005-06 and (b) 2006-07.","AnswerText":"The number of patients who waited over 12 weeks for inpatient or day case treatment was 138,288 in 2005-06 and 129,062 in 2006-07.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-01-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-02-02T16:42:26.17","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300469,"EventID":"S4W-24089","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3806,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-20T13:22:43.8","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-19T16:26:48","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it has carried out a study of the impact on the Western Isles economy of the decision to delay improvement works on Ullapool harbour for a five-week period from 20 April 2015 and whether it is aware that B&B owners in Lewis are receiving cancellations due to the lack of sailings during this period.","AnswerText":"In order to ensure the timely completion of the Stornoway-Ullapool ferry project and entry into service of the MV Loch Seaforth, I have set up a taskforce and chaired the first meeting on 15 January 2015. I will be chairing the second taskforce meeting in Stornoway on 2 February 2015.\r\nThe role of the taskforce is to identify issues and to ensure that the project is completed by the end of May 2015. Membership of the taskforce includes Comhairle nan Eilean Siar, Stornoway Port Authority, Ullapool Harbour Trust, CalMac Ferries Ltd and Caledonian Maritime Assets Ltd.\r\nThe taskforce agreed that the Ullapool linkspan replacement works should now be undertaken between 20 April 2015 and 24 May 2015. These works were originally scheduled to take place between 22 February 2015 to 7 April 2015 but have been delayed due to overruns of the pier works being undertaken by Stornoway Port Authority. Further delays to the Ullapool works would mean that the resilience and service benefits of the new facilities would take longer to be put in place, and would add to the overall cost of the improvements. A study on the impact on the Western Isles economy during the five week closure to vehicle ferry traffic has therefore not been undertaken.\r\nVisitScotland, in conjunction with CalMac, is looking at an additional marketing investment to encourage visitors and mitigate any impact the islands may suffer from the short term disruption at Ullapool.\r\nProvisional timetables for 20 April to 24 May have been drafted and CalMac are talking to all interested parties about the details. CalMac have posted background information and answers to “frequently asked questions” relating to the planned closure at Ullapool. The link to this information can be found at:\r\nhttp://www.calmac.co.uk/ullapool-linkspan-closure.htm\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-01-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-02-03T13:22:43.91","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300484,"EventID":"S4W-24207","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-29T13:56:37.223","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-28T17:42:30","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the statement by Fergus Ewing on 28 January 2015 (Official Report, c.17), whether it will provide additional details of the full public health impact assessment on unconventional oil and gas production announced by the minister.\r\n","AnswerText":"The public health impact assessment was announced as part of a wider body of work that the Scottish Government will undertake, including a full public consultation, during the period of the moratorium on unconventional oil and gas planning consents. As indicated during my announcement on 28 January 2015, I will keep Parliament informed of progress and further details will be announced in due course.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-02-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-02-12T13:56:37.287","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300485,"EventID":"S4W-24208","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-29T13:56:38.16","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-28T21:02:49","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-24039 by Shona Robison on 28 January 2015, how much of the Barnett consequentials received for health has been allocated and how.\r\n","AnswerText":"All of the consequentials have been announced and will be used as follows:\r\n\r\nTotal (£ million)\r\nAdditional National Resource Allocation Committee funding\r\n33.1\r\nNew drug pressures – support for boards\r\n32.0\r\nDelayed discharge\r\n30.0\r\nSpecialist nurses\r\n2.5\r\nPerformance capacity and quality\r\n31.5\r\nSub total\r\n129.1\r\nScottish Government Health and Social Care Directorates supplementary contribution\r\n(1.7)\r\nTotal\r\n127.4\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-02-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-02-12T13:56:38.177","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300486,"EventID":"S4W-24212","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2066,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-29T13:56:39.05","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-29T11:06:40.583","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the cost is of infrastructure improvements at Ullapool and Stornoway that are associated with the introduction of the MV Loch Seaforth on that route.            \r\n","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is contributing £9.52 million towards the £12 million Stornoway project and £17.82 million towards the £19.32 million Ullapool project.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-02-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-02-12T13:56:39.063","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300487,"EventID":"S4W-24213","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2066,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-29T13:56:39.627","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-29T11:06:40.583","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what additional operational costs have been incurred by CalMac in the operation of the Ullapool to Stornoway ferry service that are associated with the delay in the installation of suitable berthing facilities for the MV Loch Seaforth at Ullapool and Stornoway.\r\n","AnswerText":"The additional operational costs incurred by CalMac Ferries Ltd associated with the delay in the installation of suitable berthing facilities for the MV Loch Seaforth at Stornoway and Ullapool relate to the extension of the charter of the MV Clipper Ranger. The vessel is expected to be required until the end of May 2015. The additional charter costs for this extension are £1.4 million.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-02-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-02-12T13:56:39.643","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300488,"EventID":"S4W-24214","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2066,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-29T13:56:40.047","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-29T11:06:40.583","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the total operational cost is that has been incurred or will be incurred by CalMac that is associated with operating the MV Loch Seaforth until such time as it commences operations on the Ullapool to Stornoway ferry route. \r\n","AnswerText":"The total operational cost that has been and forecast to be incurred by CalMac Ferries Ltd for operating the MV Loch Seaforth until it enters service on the Ullapool to Stornoway ferry route is £3.9 million.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-02-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-02-12T13:56:40.08","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300489,"EventID":"S4W-24215","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2066,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-29T13:56:40.577","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-29T11:06:40.583","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the full financed cost is of the MV Loch Seaforth and whether it will provide a breakdown of any difference between this and the reported capital cost of £42 million.\r\n","AnswerText":"The MV Loch Seaforth was purchased and financed by Lloyds Banking Group whose financial arrangements with the shipyard are commercially confidential.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-02-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-02-12T13:56:40.593","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300490,"EventID":"S4W-24216","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2066,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-29T13:56:41","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-29T11:06:40.583","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to concerns about the reliability of the Argyll Ferries service between Gourock and Dunoon and what action it will take to increase the reliability of the service.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is committed to ensuring a safe, reliable, frequent, commuter ferry service between Dunoon town centre and the rail terminal at Gourock.\r\nOver the term of the current contract with Argyll Ferries Limited (AFL), the Scottish Government has put a number of measures in place to mitigate against reliability concerns with the town centre to town centre passenger only service.\r\nDedicated replacement buses now run when both its ships are off for prolonged periods, using the Western Ferries (Clyde) Limited service.\r\nAFL have ‘flipped’ their vessels so that the MV Argyll Flyer is now the principal vessel which meets the fast train connections at peak times from Gourock.\r\nThe MV Coruisk has also been used as an additional vessel, in passenger only mode at certain peak periods in the morning and afternoon during both winter 2013-14 and 2014-15. In addition the MV Coruisk is also on standby relief when both AFL vessels are unable to sail to improve resilience on the route.\r\nAll these measures ensure that the effects of weather disruption, to AFL services, to regular commuters are kept to a minimum.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-02-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-02-12T13:56:41.013","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300491,"EventID":"S4W-24217","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2135,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":92,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-29T13:56:41.483","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-29T11:19:46.59","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it will issue an invitation to tender to operate the Clyde and Hebrides ferry services for a six year period from 2016; what the stages of the tendering process will be; when the closing date will be, and when the successful bidder will be announced.\r\n","AnswerText":"The new contract will take effect from 1 October 2016. I will make an announcement shortly confirming the approach and project timeline, including the key stages of the tender process.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-02-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-02-12T13:56:41.5","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300492,"EventID":"S4W-24218","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2135,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":92,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-29T13:56:41.793","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-29T11:19:46.59","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what role public consultation will play in the tendering process for the Clyde and Hebrides ferry services.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Ferries Review involved extensive public engagement and consultation from the spring of 2009 through to the publication of the Ferries Plan in December 2012. The plan sets out the level and type of ferry services to 2022 which will be applied to the Clyde and Hebrides network.\r\nKey stakeholder groups will continue to be engaged and consulted on the development of the specification for the Clyde and Hebrides ferry services contract.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-02-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-02-12T13:56:41.81","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300493,"EventID":"S4W-24219","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2135,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":92,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-29T13:56:42.107","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-29T11:19:46.59","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether long-term pension liabilities in the Clyde and Hebrides ferry services will be included as fixed costs to be met without variance by every prospective tenderer for the Clyde and Hebrides ferry services.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is currently exploring the application of pension conditions in the next contract. Scheme liabilities will be a matter for the trustees and subject to the scheme rules and relevant pensions regulatory provisions.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-02-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-02-12T13:56:42.123","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300494,"EventID":"S4W-24220","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2135,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":92,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-29T13:56:42.42","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-29T11:19:46.59","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will allow unbundling of Clyde and Hebrides ferry services to permit social enterprise or community-owned companies to bid to operate single routes where it can be shown that there is local interest in allowing this. \r\n","AnswerText":"Scottish Ministers confirmed in September 2012 they had looked closely at the options available to drive up ferry service standards across the Clyde and Hebrides routes. There was no compelling case to unbundle the Clyde and Hebrides ferry services. Where enterprises consider that they can provide a local service meeting the quality requirements of the contract they can form part of a consortium in response to the contract notice or seek to enter a subcontract with an operator who has been selected to tender.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-02-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-02-12T13:56:42.45","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300495,"EventID":"S4W-24221","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-29T13:56:42.747","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-29T11:54:13","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government on what date the contract for the (a) new Dumfries hospital and (b) Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route was put out to tender.","AnswerText":"The contract for the new NHS Dumfries and Galloway Royal Infirmary was issued to the Official Journal of the European Union on 25 June 2013, while the Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route/Balmedie to Tipperty was issued on 18 January 2013.\r\nThis is the publication in which all tenders from the public sector which are valued above a certain financial threshold according to EU legislation must be published.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-02-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-02-12T13:56:42.763","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300504,"EventID":"S4W-24231","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":2,"MSPID":4940,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-29T14:16:18.5","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-29T14:14:30","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to enhance the provision of unscheduled care.\r\n","AnswerText":"Today (30 January 2015) we are establishing new best practice guidance to be rolled out across Scottish health boards to help maintain and improve unscheduled care. This new approach, which has been developed in partnership with the Academy of Royal Colleges, is to ensure the whole health and social care system works effectively.\r\nIn addition to this work we have also commissioned a review of primary care out-of-hours services in order to promote sustainable, safe and effective care for the people of Scotland.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-01-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-02-12T14:16:18.61","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300513,"EventID":"S4W-24210","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-29T16:47:30.877","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-29T08:34:29","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government on what date the contract for the V&A project in Dundee was put out to tender. \r\n","AnswerText":"Dundee City Council’s tender for the V&A Dundee construction project was published on 16 August 2013.\r\nThe Scottish Government is a supportive funder of the V&A Dundee but Dundee City Council is the contracting authority for the construction project.\r\nThe V&A Dundee construction tender notice can still be viewed on the Public Contracts Scotland website:\r\nhttp://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/search/show/search_view.aspx?ID=AUG152427\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-02-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-02-12T16:47:30.89","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Fiona Hyslop","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300514,"EventID":"S4W-24223","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2135,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":92,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-29T16:47:31.203","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-29T13:35:34.98","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-23708 by Richard Lochhead on 9 January 2015, whether it will take account of the conclusions of the research described in the paper in Aquatic Conservation: Marine and Freshwater Ecoysytems by Neat, Pinto et al, Site fidelity, survival and conservation options for the threatened flapper skate (Dipturus cf. intermedia), when deciding on the (a) regulations to be imposed and (b) conservation objectives set for a marine protected area to protect the common skate.\r\n","AnswerText":"The best available scientific evidence was used to identify proposals for nature conservation marine protected areas (MPAs) in Scotland’s seas, and this included the identification of Loch Sunart to Sound of Jura MPA that was designated in July 2014 for common skate. Loch Sunart to Sound of Jura MPA is home to relatively high numbers of common skate, in particular of large, reproductively mature common skate. The study referred to in the question undertaken by Neat, Pinto et al has already been taken into account in the identification of the MPA, as well as in considering the conservation objectives and the approaches presented at the recently closed consultation on the management of the MPA.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-02-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-02-12T16:47:31.22","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Richard Lochhead","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300515,"EventID":"S4W-24224","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2135,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":92,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-29T16:47:31.5","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-29T13:35:34.98","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-23708 by Richard Lochhead on 9 January 2015, whether it will ensure that any marine protected area established to protect the common skate recognises that (a) the numbers are still declining, (b) the survival rate as recorded by Neat, Pinto et al is a very low 0.64, (c) the proposed \"closed\" boxes will only reduce fishing effort by up to 5%, (d) management should consider all depths for protection as skate range through depths and (e) the banning of tickler chains will make no significant difference given that very few nethrops trawlers use these chains.","AnswerText":"Loch Sunart to Sound of Jura marine protected area (MPA) that was designated in July 2014 does recognise that common skate is critically endangered with declining numbers worldwide. Common skate was identified as an MPA search feature due to its endangered status as well as for its relevance to Scottish waters. The prohibition on landing common skate was introduced in 2009 and as such there has to date been an insufficient time series to statistically assess whether common skate is currently stable, declining or increasing in our waters. A survival rate of 0.64 is low, but the report cited by the member also states that there is considerable uncertainty surrounding this figure. Nevertheless it suggests the species still requires further protection and we hope to be able to do our part to help this iconic species retain its place in our seas.\r\nWith regards to fishing we have recently ended a consultation on approaches to management within the MPAs which includes Loch Sunart to Sound of Jura MPA. The approaches for the MPA that were presented for consultation were for the conservation of more features than just the common skate – management has also been proposed for benthic features that would also confer protection for common skate. As a result of this wider protection, there are a range of depths from the shallows of Loch Sunart to the deeps of the Sound of Jura being proposed in the MPA management approaches that would provide protection to the common skate. The approaches that relate to tickler chains are being proposed as there is evidence that this type of gear can cause damage to the common skate, and the purpose of this proposed measure is to ensure this is not used in this area by other fleets in the future. There have however been very few studies of damage caused by nephrops trawls on skate so at this stage there is little evidence available to support stricter approaches that relate to nephrops trawls. As with the other designations there is not a target for coverage of fisheries management; instead the aim is to have management in place that achieves the conservation objectives and the approaches we have consulted on reflect the views of our scientific advisers to achieve the objectives. The next stage in considering the management is to analyse the responses we have received from the consultation and a decision will be made following this analysis on the levels of management required to achieve the conservation objectives for the common skate in the MPA. The aim is to implement these measures by the end of 2015.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-02-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-02-12T16:47:31.517","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Richard Lochhead","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300516,"EventID":"S4W-24225","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2135,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":92,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-29T16:47:31.78","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-29T13:35:34.98","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its timescale is for designating a special area of conservation for the harbour porpoise.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is awaiting finalised advice from the Joint Nature Conservancy Council and Scottish Natural Heritage on possible locations that may warrant consideration for designation as special areas of conservation for harbour porpoise. This will include the development of a timetable for this process to ensure that consultations about any potential sites can proceed as quickly as possible.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-02-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-02-12T16:47:31.797","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Richard Lochhead","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300517,"EventID":"S4W-24226","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2135,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":92,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-29T16:47:32.077","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-29T13:35:34.98","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government who the members are of the Harbour Porpoise Project Board; how often the board has met, and whether it will publish the minutes of the meetings. \r\n","AnswerText":"Members of the Harbour Porpoise Project Board include all UK administrations and other relevant government departments and agencies, as appropriate. The project board has met on six occasions, as required. The meetings facilitated discussions on policy development and matters of a legally sensitive nature, and therefore we do not intend to publish the meeting documents. The conclusions of this policy development process will be available in due course.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-02-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-02-12T16:47:32.093","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Richard Lochhead","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300518,"EventID":"S4W-24227","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2135,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":92,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-29T16:47:32.39","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-29T13:35:34.98","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to designate any part of the Firth of Lorne as a special area of conservation for harbour porpoises.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is awaiting finalised advice from the Joint Nature Conservancy Council and Scottish Natural Heritage on possible locations that may warrant consideration for designation as special areas of conservation for harbour porpoise in the waters around Scotland.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-02-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-02-12T16:47:32.403","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Richard Lochhead","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300519,"EventID":"S4W-24228","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2135,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":92,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-29T16:47:32.67","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-29T13:35:34.98","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will introduce a means of monitoring the fishing activity of vessels engaged in commercial fishery no matter their length.\r\n","AnswerText":"Vessels over 12 metres in length are required by EU Regulation to report their position to their Flag State every two hours, via a Vessel Monitoring System.\r\nMarine Scotland has commissioned a trial of an Automatic Identification System fishing vessel monitoring system on 300 inshore vessels of less than 12 metres in length. The intention is that the trial, which benefits from European Fisheries Fund support, will establish whether such a system would be a suitable fisheries management tool in some circumstances in Scottish waters.\r\nThe outputs of the trial together with the conclusions from the recent consultation exercise on the management of marine protected areas will inform Marine Scotland’s consideration of options to help manage fishing activity around the country.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-02-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-02-12T16:47:32.687","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Richard Lochhead","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300520,"EventID":"S4W-24229","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2135,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":92,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-29T16:47:32.967","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-29T13:35:34.98","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it has evidence suggesting that illegal dredging has taken place in the Firth of Lorne Special Area of Conservation and, if so, whether prosecutions for illegal dredging have taken place, and what the reasons are for its position on this matter.\r\n","AnswerText":"It is inappropriate for Marine Scotland Compliance to comment on the evidence in any live case. However I can confirm that an investigation is currently on going and a case may be submitted to the Procurator Fiscal. Until our investigations have concluded you will appreciate that nothing further can be said on the matter.\r\nMarine Scotland Compliance investigates all suspected illegal activity at sea within its remit and, where sufficient evidence exists, reports the matter for consideration by the Procurator Fiscal or takes other action such as offering a fixed penalty. Since the establishment of the Firth of Lorne special area of conservation no cases have, to date, been reported by Marine Scotland Compliance to the Procurator Fiscal or fixed penalties offered in relation to that specific area.\r\nThe consultation on management measures for marine protected areas has recently closed and Marine Scotland intends to use the conclusions from the consultation to consider options which could help deliver improved deterrence and detection of illegal fishing, including illegal dredging.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-02-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-02-12T16:47:32.997","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Richard Lochhead","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300521,"EventID":"S4W-24230","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2135,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":92,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-29T16:47:33.293","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-29T13:41:04.3","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what status the Scottish Ferry Services: Ferries Plan (2013-2022) will have in relation to the tender for the Clyde and Hebrides ferry service.","AnswerText":"The Ferries Plan will form the basis of the tender specification of the ferry services to be procured for the Clyde and Hebrides network from 2016.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-02-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-02-12T16:47:33.327","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300522,"EventID":"S4W-24232","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1845,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-29T16:47:33.59","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-29T15:05:32","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what impact the closure of Action on Hearing Loss Scotland’s Hear to Help project in Tayside will have on service users and what discussions it has had with the organisation regarding the closure.\r\n","AnswerText":"NHS Tayside provides patients with a full hearing aid service, including maintenance, tube cleaning and battery replacement free of charge. Many audiology services across NHS Scotland provide these services without a complementary Hear to Help service.\r\nI am due to meet with Delia Henry, Director of Action on Hearing Loss Scotland on 26 February 2015.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-02-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-02-12T16:47:33.607","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300523,"EventID":"S4W-24239","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5041,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-29T16:47:33.95","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-29T16:10:40","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it takes into account the number of young people not in education, employment or training in a local authority area when allocating funding from the Youth Employment Scotland Fund.\r\n","AnswerText":"On behalf of community planning partnerships, local authorities apply to the Scottish Government for funding for Youth Employment Scotland Fund places. Applications are based on local need among young people and employer demand, the funding awarded reflects this. This allocation process was agreed with COSLA at the outset.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-02-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-02-12T16:47:33.98","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Annabelle Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300524,"EventID":"S4W-24240","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-29T16:47:34.247","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-29T16:17:55","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-23998 by Shona Robison on 27 January 2015, whether it will provide the information requested as to whether the Scottish Ambulance Service made/has made any applications for additional money in its budget in (a) 2011-12, (b) 2012-13, (c) 2013-14 and (d) 2014-15 and, if so, whether it will provide details of these applications.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government engage with the Scottish Ambulance Service in a detailed annual financial planning exercise as part of the Local Delivery Plan (LDP) process when service demands on service and funding levels are considered.\r\nThroughout the year, monthly performance reviews/assessments of the agreed financial plan are undertaken, based on the Scottish Government Health and Social Care Directorates monthly Financial Performance Returns with reference to the agreed LDP. Scottish Government officials review and discuss financial performance with the Scottish Ambulance Service regularly throughout the year.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-02-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-02-12T16:47:34.277","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300530,"EventID":"S4W-24234","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5034,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-30T13:43:45.707","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-29T15:30:31","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government on what date the Task Force on Seven Day Services across the NHS last met.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Sustainability and Seven Day Services Task Force held their first meeting on 10 April 2014 and agreed to meet bi-monthly thereafter. Subsequent task force meetings were held on 12 June 2014, 13 August 2014 and 6 October 2014. The meeting scheduled for 10 December 2014 was rearranged to 11 February 2015 due to the rescheduling of another meeting that day which resulted in a number of apologies being received.\r\nI have been assured that the interim Sustainability and Seven Day Services Task Force report is currently being finalised and will be published shortly.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-02-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-02-13T13:43:45.817","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300531,"EventID":"S4W-24235","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5034,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-30T13:43:46.347","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-29T15:30:31","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what decision the Task Force on Seven Day Services across the NHS reached at its first meeting regarding how often it should meet.\r\n","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-24234 on 4 February 2015. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at: \r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-02-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-02-13T13:43:46.36","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300532,"EventID":"S4W-24237","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5034,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-30T13:43:46.627","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-29T15:30:31","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when the Task Force on Seven Day Services across the NHS is scheduled to report.\r\n","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-24234 on 4 February 2015. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at: \r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-02-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-02-13T13:43:46.643","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300533,"EventID":"S4W-24238","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5034,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-30T13:43:46.86","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-29T15:30:31","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government on what dates the Task Force on Seven Day Services across the NHS has met since 14 October 2013.\r\n","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-24234 on 4 February 2015. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at: \r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-02-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-02-13T13:43:46.877","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300534,"EventID":"S4W-24241","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1845,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-30T13:43:47.093","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-29T16:42:39","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to make ponatinib available to patients.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Medicines Consortium (SMC) is currently considering a submission for ponatinib (Iclusig) for the treatment of adult patients with chronic myeloid leukaemia and Philadelphia chromosome positive active lymphoblastic leukaemia. This submission is eligible for consideration under the new SMC arrangements for end of life, orphan and ultra-orphan medicines. This means there is the option for the additional element of Patient and Clinician Engagement and provides two opportunities for manufacturers to put forward a patient access scheme to improve the cost-effectiveness of a medicine. The SMC plans to publish their advice in April 2015.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-02-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-02-13T13:43:47.11","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300535,"EventID":"S4W-24242","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-30T13:43:47.437","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-30T10:36:39.457","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it had prior knowledge that the Crofting Commission planned to lodge a request that a special case be stated on a question of law for the opinion of the Court of Session in connection with the Land Court’s decision of 18 December 2014 in the case of MacGillivray v the Crofting Commission.\r\n","AnswerText":"The regulation of crofting is an operational matter for the Crofting Commission, carried out on behalf of the Scottish Ministers. The Scottish Ministers were aware that a special case might be stated but took no part in the decision to do so.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-02-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-02-13T13:43:47.453","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen McLeod","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300536,"EventID":"S4W-24243","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-30T13:43:47.797","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-30T10:36:39.457","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it is aware of who is remunerating the legal costs involved in pursuing the Crofting Commission’s request that a special case be stated on a question of law for the opinion of the Court of Session in connection with the Land Court’s decision of 18 December 2014 in the case of MacGillivray v the Crofting Commission.\r\n","AnswerText":"Any legal costs incurred by the Crofting Commission in the furtherance of its operations are included in the annual budget included in the Budget (Scotland) Bill 2014-15 Supporting Document, which can be accessed on the Scottish Government website at:\r\nhttp://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2014/01/6802.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-02-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-02-13T13:43:47.813","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen McLeod","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300537,"EventID":"S4W-24244","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2066,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-30T13:43:48.157","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-30T10:15:33","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many road closures there have been on the A83 between Arrochar and the junction with the A815 since May 2007; what the cause was in each case, and how long it took to reopen the road.","AnswerText":"Given the varied nature, cause, and methods of reporting road closures, Transport Scotland does not hold all the information necessary to determine the number of road closures, their cause and duration, on the A83 between Arrochar and the junction with the A815 since 2007.\r\nRoad closures result from a wide variety of causes, including fallen trees, recovery of broken down vehicles, consequences of road traffic accidents, landslides, flooding, snow, ice, high winds, criminal incidents, vulnerable persons and utility emergencies. Closure duration is dependent on the circumstances of each incident and the closures associated with debris, slight or non-injury accidents are often relatively short in timescale. Importantly, given the varied nature of the closures, they are not always reported to the operating company or Traffic Scotland and when they are, the information is not to a consistent standard, which makes subsequent reporting uncertain.\r\nRoad closure information is held on a variety of different databases across Transport Scotland, Traffic Scotland, trunk road operating companies and Police Scotland, for a variety of different purposes. Detailed records are held for injury accidents and for landslides affecting the A83 in this region. Records are held on other closures that are reported to Traffic Scotland and the trunk road operating companies, but this data cannot be considered comprehensive for the reasons outlined above.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-02-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-02-13T13:43:48.17","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300538,"EventID":"S4W-24245","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2066,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-30T13:43:48.483","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-30T10:15:33","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-24015 by John Swinney on 28 January 2015, how much it spent on each of these products in 2013-14. \r\n","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government spend on different categories of liquid fuels is shown in the following table. Prior to October 2013, spend on heating oils was not centrally collated. As a result spend for only part of the year 2013-14 is shown:\r\nPurchasing Entity\r\nFuel Type\r\nAnnual Spend\r\nMarine Scotland \r\n(Marine Gas Oil)\r\nMarine Gas Oil                              \r\n£2.54M (April ‘13 – March ‘14)\r\nScottish Government \r\n(Heating Oils)\r\nKerosene and Gas Oil A2\r\n£41.1k (Oct ‘13  –  March ‘14)\r\nScottish Government \r\n(Car Hire Fuel Top-Ups)\r\nUltra-low Sulphur Mixed Fuels\r\n£25.3k (April ‘13 – March ‘14)\r\nScottish Government \r\n(Ministerial Cars - Diesel)\r\nUltra-low Sulphur Diesel\r\n£91.4k (April ‘13 – March ‘14)\r\nScottish Government \r\n(Ministerial Cars - Petrol)\r\nUltra-low Sulphur Petrol\r\n£11.4k (April ‘13 – March ‘14)\r\nScottish Government \r\n(Pool Car Fuel - Diesel)\r\nUltra-low Sulphur Diesel\r\n£239.9k (April ‘13 – March ‘14)\r\nScottish Government \r\n(Pool Car - Petrol)\r\nUltra-low Sulphur Petrol\r\n£25.9k (April ‘13 – March ‘14)\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-02-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-02-13T13:43:48.497","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300547,"EventID":"S4W-24246","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":2,"MSPID":4964,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":119,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-30T13:52:26.17","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-30T13:48:51.943","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the non-profit distributing (NPD) pipeline of infrastructure investment.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has placed infrastructure investment at the heart of its economic strategy, delivering jobs, increased economic activity and assets of benefit to the people of Scotland. Through our programme of revenue-financed NPD/hub projects, we have sought to maintain investment at a time when, over the 2010-11 to 2015-16 period, conventional capital budgets have been reduced by around a quarter in real terms.\r\nThe NPD programme has successfully delivered two completed projects and sixteen that are in construction, with an estimated capital value of £1.4 billion, injecting around £600 million into Scotland’s economy in the 2014-15 financial year alone, supporting or maintaining around 6,000 jobs. \r\nFollowing recent updates to relevant Eurostat technical guidance on national statistical accounts (the European System of Accounts – ESA 10), applied in September 2014, I wish to advise Parliament about action the Scottish Government is taking in order to secure this continued investment. This relates to the latest interpretation of factors that influence a public or private sector classification for infrastructure projects.\r\nSince 2010 external financial advice has been sought to ensure the correct classification is applied to NPD/hub projects on four separate occasions. Following the introduction of ESA 10, the Scottish Futures Trust (SFT) commissioned financial advice in October 2014 to confirm that the NPD programme classification remained robust. This was the fifth piece of external financial advice sought on classification since 2010 and concluded that private sector classification remained appropriate.\r\nIn November 2014, SFT became aware from Infrastructure UK officials within HM Treasury that the Office of National Statistics (ONS), who report on classification, had raised classification issues on privately financed projects under development in Whitehall in the light of the recent application of ESA 10, which appeared to these officials likely also to be relevant to the NPD programme in Scotland.\r\nIn December 2014 the ONS decided to review the classification issues surrounding the Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route (AWPR) project. I expect this process to take a number of months. For the sake of clarity, this process will have no effect on the construction of the AWPR project itself, which will continue as planned.\r\nIn light of this, I have considered it appropriate to put in place a number of steps to refine the NPD programme, whilst seeking confirmation and further advice on the appropriate classification under the most recent Eurostat approach for infrastructure projects under NPD.\r\nUnder HM Treasury budgeting rules, were an NPD project to be classified to the public sector, no additional cash would be required. However, the Treasury could require upfront budget cover (capital departmental expenditure limits (DEL)) for the project.\r\nThe Scottish Government and SFT believe that current project arrangements demonstrate consistency with the relevant guidelines. However, until the process of engagement with the ONS has concluded, I believe it is appropriate to put in place contingency measures.\r\nGiven that we are now so close to the end of the 2014-15 financial year, I have therefore agreed with HM Treasury that it would be prudent to treat as a contingency arrangement in the short term the Scottish Government’s planned carry forward from 2014-15 into 2015-16 of around £150 million of resource DEL. In turn, HM Treasury has agreed that, as a contingency, additional budget cover of £300 million will be included in the Spring Supplementary Estimate. The budget cover from HM Treasury will not be available for general spending on public services in the event it is not required for contingency purposes. The £150 million of Scottish Government resource DEL will continue to be available to the Scottish Government through the Budget Exchange Mechanism if the contingency is not required.\r\nAs all of the government’s efforts ","AnswerDate":"2015-02-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-02-13T13:52:26.23","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300548,"EventID":"S4W-24249","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-30T15:42:05.62","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-30T14:10:02","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when ministers have met representatives of the Crofting Commission in the last three months and what was discussed.","AnswerText":"Scottish Ministers met the Convener of the Crofting Commission on 28 January 2015 to discuss operational matters relevant to crofting.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-02-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-02-13T15:42:05.653","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen McLeod","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300549,"EventID":"S4W-24250","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-30T15:42:06.23","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-30T14:10:02","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide details of any communications between ministers and representatives of the Crofting Commission in the last three months.","AnswerText":"The only communication between the Scottish Ministers and representatives of the Crofting Commission in the last three months related to arranging the meeting referred to in the answer to question S4W-24249 on 5 February 2015. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-02-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-02-13T15:42:06.247","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen McLeod","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300550,"EventID":"S4W-24252","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1769,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":75,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-30T15:42:06.603","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-30T15:01:03","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government on what date the full contract details of the franchise agreement with Abellio will be published.","AnswerText":"The full suite of franchise agreement documents with commercially sensitive information redacted will be available on the Transport Scotland website by 20 February 2015.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-02-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-02-13T15:42:06.62","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300551,"EventID":"S4W-24253","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4934,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-30T15:42:06.947","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-30T15:10:27.41","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with Abellio regarding the proposal to allow no more than two bicycles per train on the Borders railway.\r\n","AnswerText":"Abellio have confirmed that the current on train cycle policy of at least two cycle spaces per train will be preserved and this includes rail services to the Borders. In addition Abellio will ensure that all on-train staff involved are briefed on cycle capacity procedures and how to provide additional ad-hoc spaces where conditions allow.\r\nAbellio’s overall strategy in the Netherlands has been to reduce the pressure on cycle spaces on board trains by investing in better storage facilities at stations and encouraging regular cyclists to either join their Bike & Go scheme for their onward journeys or maintain a second bike at their destination stations. Abellio intend to replicate this successful approach on ScotRail services.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-02-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-02-13T15:42:06.963","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300552,"EventID":"S4W-24254","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4934,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-30T15:42:07.227","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-30T15:10:27.41","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government for what reason the Borders railway is not referred to in Transport Scotland's Cycling Action Plan for Scotland 2013.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Cycling Action Plan for Scotland 2013 is a strategic document, and as such, does not mention specific rail lines. However, action 6 commits Transport Scotland to develop better integration with public transport through working in partnership with rail operators, including Network Rail and the Scotrail franchisee.\r\nThe document states that “Transport Scotland will require bidders for the next Scottish rail franchise, due to commence in April 2015, to build on past successes including, for example, linkages with the National Cycle Network and develop plans and proposals for actions to improve rail connections with other forms of transport, such as cycling.”\r\nSheltered cycle storage will be offered at all stations on the Borders route and a Cyclepoint at Edinburgh Waverley will be installed by Abellio Scotrail. More detailed information can be found at: http://www.bordersrailway.co.uk/. In addition, in the first three years of the next franchise period (from April 2015), Abellio ScotRail will provide an additional 3,500 cycle parking spaces across the rail network and will continue to carry cycles free of charge.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-02-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-02-13T15:42:07.243","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300553,"EventID":"S4W-24255","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4934,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-30T15:42:07.463","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-30T15:10:27.41","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what it considers should be the appropriate level of cycle storage on trains on the Borders railway.\r\n","AnswerText":"The appropriate allocation of space within a train is always challenging as rolling stock has to run on a variety of routes and cater for passengers with differing requirements.\r\nIn trying to attract more passengers onto train services it is necessary to balance space for seating, cycle racks, toilets, luggage space, facilities for disabled travellers and pram users; and also to ensure safe and quick access on and off the train.\r\nAbellio have confirmed that the current on train cycle policy of at least two cycle spaces per train will be preserved and this includes the planned Borders rail services.\r\nDepending on the trains allocated to Borders services there may be more than two spaces available for passenger usage but this cannot be confirmed at this time. Abellio are working to finalise rolling stock which will be allocated to all services, including those serving Midlothian and the Scottish Borders.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-02-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-02-13T15:42:07.477","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300555,"EventID":"S4W-24083","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-19T13:41:14.327","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-19T12:17:52.367","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of NHS Fife’s Child and Adolescent Mental Health (CAMHS) Intensive Therapy Service, and what recent discussions it has had with the other NHS boards about this service.\r\n","AnswerText":"Clinical activity and outcome data is collated on a four monthly basis as part of the Child and Adolescent Mental Health (CAMHS) South East Tier 4 Consortium. This information is collated in the context of the three regional intensive therapy services and inpatient service that makes up the South East Tier 4 Consortium. The information is then presented to and escalated by the South East and Tayside regional planning group to the Scottish Government.\r\nWe have recently developed a data set with partners which NHS National Services Scotland (Information Services Division Scotland) will be starting to collect data in 2015 to track progress in developing intensive community treatment teams and other tier 4 CAMHS activity and how the adolescent inpatient units are working. This should provide us with a comprehensive picture of how services are functioning nationally. This data is currently only available at a regional level used for managing and planning services locally.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-01-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-02-02T13:41:14.35","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300556,"EventID":"S4W-24259","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":2,"MSPID":4940,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-02T11:55:05.713","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-02T11:51:13","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to increase support for community-led regeneration.\r\n","AnswerText":"On 2 January 2015 I announced an additional funding of £5.6 million to our People and Communities Fund increasing support for community-led regeneration throughout Scotland. This increases the fund from £9.4 million to £15 million in 2015-16 and will be used to help tackle poverty and inequalities in Scotland’s most disadvantaged communities.\r\nThe First Minister announced a £10 million Empowering Communities Fund as part of her Programme for Government. The £5.6 million uplift to the people and communities budget comes from this fund which reinforces this government’s commitment to tackling inequality by empowering people to take decisions that affect their lives.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-02-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-02-16T11:55:05.843","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300557,"EventID":"S4W-24257","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2135,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":92,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-02T14:11:36.3","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-31T16:51:40","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what advice it has given to local authorities regarding the Custom and Self Build Scheme launched by Capita and Lloyds Banking Group and whether it will develop a right to build scheme similar to that operating in England.","AnswerText":"It is for local authorities to decide whether they would wish to support this scheme in Scotland, taking account of their particular circumstances and priorities. The Scottish Government’s revised guidance to local authorities on the preparation of local housing strategies notes that self and custom build approaches can be viable options for a variety of households across a range of areas, both urban and rural.\r\nThere are no current plans to introduce a right to build scheme in Scotland.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-02-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-02-16T14:11:36.417","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Burgess","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300558,"EventID":"S4W-24258","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1768,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":131,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-02T14:11:36.953","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-01T17:58:56","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action Disclosure Scotland takes to ensure that allegations made against people that have been established in court to be false are removed from its records and not provided to prospective employers. \r\n","AnswerText":"Information about an allegation established in court to be false would only be provided to Disclosure Scotland by a chief police officer as ‘other relevant information’ (ORI) in connection with a Police Act enhanced disclosure or a Protecting Vulnerable Groups Scheme record application. Under the Police Act and the Protection of Vulnerable Groups (Scotland) Act 2007 the chief officer is responsible for deciding whether or not he or she should provide such information for inclusion on the disclosure.\r\nIf an individual wishes to dispute the ORI content of a certificate, Disclosure Scotland will contact the police force in question. Again, the decision about whether or not the ORI should stand as issued or be changed rests with the chief officer.\r\nInformation on all disputes handled by Disclosure Scotland in the last two financial years (including those relating to ORI) was provided in response to question S4W-23476 on 10 December 2014. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at: \r\nhttp://www.scottishparliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-02-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-02-16T14:11:36.98","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Fiona McLeod","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300567,"EventID":"S4F-02576","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":4976,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-02T12:59:41.63","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-02T09:07:27.807","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister when she will next meet the Prime Minister.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-02-16T12:59:41.677","MeetingDate":"2015-02-05T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300568,"EventID":"S4F-02577","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":3812,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-02T12:59:41.973","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-02T09:24:02.923","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister what engagements she has planned for the rest of the day.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-02-16T12:59:42.007","MeetingDate":"2015-02-05T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300569,"EventID":"S4F-02578","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":2673,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":114,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-02T12:59:42.333","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-02T10:35:56.473","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister what support the Scottish Government provides to people with dementia and their carers.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-02-16T12:59:42.35","MeetingDate":"2015-02-05T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300570,"EventID":"S4F-02580","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":5009,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-02T12:59:43.44","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-02T10:51:50.527","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister what issues will be discussed at the next meeting of the Cabinet.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-02-16T12:59:43.457","MeetingDate":"2015-02-05T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300571,"EventID":"S4F-02581","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":5034,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-02T12:59:43.707","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-02T11:10:05.977","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister when the Scottish Government will introduce its accident and emergency target to see 98% of patients within four hours.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-02-16T12:59:43.737","MeetingDate":"2015-02-05T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300572,"EventID":"S4F-02585","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":2675,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":93,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-02T12:59:45.14","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-02T11:46:39.58","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister what steps the Scottish Government is taking to encourage voter registration.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-02-16T12:59:45.173","MeetingDate":"2015-02-05T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300573,"EventID":"S4T-00920","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":9,"MSPID":5110,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":89,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-02T13:00:08.35","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-02T10:42:51.093","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what impact the recent Celtic versus Rangers match had on police resources.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-02-16T13:00:08.367","MeetingDate":"2015-02-03T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300574,"EventID":"S4T-00926","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":9,"MSPID":1893,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-02T13:00:10.41","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-02T11:17:04","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it will take in response to the oil and gas summit in Aberdeen on 2 February 2015.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-02-16T13:00:10.423","MeetingDate":"2015-02-03T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300577,"EventID":"S4O-03949","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":5074,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":104,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-21T13:42:52.597","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-21T11:49:14.03","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many college students are achieving qualifications that are recognised and valued by employers.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-02-04T13:42:52.623","MeetingDate":"2015-01-28T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300578,"EventID":"S4O-03971","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":2675,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":93,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-28T13:58:01.24","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-26T12:01:40.71","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how building standards can be improved to help mitigate and adapt to climate change.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-02-11T13:58:01.267","MeetingDate":"2015-02-04T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300579,"EventID":"S4O-03972","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":3759,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":80,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-28T13:58:01.93","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-26T12:01:41.373","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what support it provides to people facing poverty.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-02-11T13:58:01.95","MeetingDate":"2015-02-04T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300580,"EventID":"S4O-03973","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":1892,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":134,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-28T13:58:02.443","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-28T09:24:02.857","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what engagement it has had with Dumfries and Galloway Council and Unison regarding equal pay claims from 2005.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-02-11T13:58:02.47","MeetingDate":"2015-02-04T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300581,"EventID":"S4O-03974","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":1768,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":131,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-28T13:58:02.98","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-26T12:01:42.143","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it will support town centre regeneration in Dumfriesshire in 2015-16.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-02-11T13:58:02.997","MeetingDate":"2015-02-04T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300582,"EventID":"S4O-03975","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":5041,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-28T13:58:03.68","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-26T12:01:42.613","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what progress is being made on preventing youth homelessness.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-02-11T13:58:03.7","MeetingDate":"2015-02-04T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300583,"EventID":"S4O-03976","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":1860,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-28T13:58:04.037","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-27T17:02:05.063","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what it is doing to tackle poverty in the Highlands and Islands.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-02-11T13:58:04.057","MeetingDate":"2015-02-04T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300584,"EventID":"S4O-03988","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":4940,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-28T13:58:08.927","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-26T12:01:54.66","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what it is doing to promote the IT industry as a career choice.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-02-11T13:58:08.953","MeetingDate":"2015-02-04T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300585,"EventID":"S4O-03994","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":4947,"Party":"Independent","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-28T13:58:11.697","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-28T10:57:25.07","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to encourage industry to move from road haulage to rail freight.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-02-11T13:58:11.717","MeetingDate":"2015-02-05T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300586,"EventID":"S4O-03995","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":2159,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":88,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-28T13:58:12.017","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-26T12:02:11.2","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will order a review of the National Accommodation Strategy for Sex Offenders.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-02-11T13:58:12.037","MeetingDate":"2015-02-05T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300587,"EventID":"S4W-24087","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4014,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-21T16:54:57.553","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-19T15:03:00.413","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when ministers were first made aware that the amended projection for the cost of the new V&A building in Dundee would be £80.1 million and what discussion they have had with Dundee City Council officials on the matter.\r\n","AnswerText":"Dundee City Council kept the Scottish Government informed, within the bounds of commercial confidentiality, of the contract negotiations. As part of this, in April 2014, the council informed the Scottish Government that the initial estimate of the price would not be met. The contract price of £80.11 million published by Dundee City Council on 16 January 2015 was shared with Scottish Government on 18 December 2014.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-02-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-02-04T16:54:57.567","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Fiona Hyslop","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300588,"EventID":"S4W-24090","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-20T13:22:44.317","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-20T10:02:19","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government further to the answer to question S4W-23777 by Aileen McLeod on 13 January 2015, whether it will provide a full breakdown of the issues discussed at the meeting.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Cabinet Sub Committee on Climate Change has overall responsibility for ensuring that Scotland meets the world-leading climate change targets set out in the Climate Change (Scotland) Act 2009, contributing to the government’s purpose of creating a more successful country, with opportunities for all of Scotland to flourish, though increasing sustainable economic growth. The Cabinet Sub Committee met for the second time on 8 January 2015 and discussed both the good progress made to date and the policy options available across the members’ portfolios to help ensure Scotland stays on track to meet its world-leading climate change targets. These included options in energy, housing, transport, local government and communities, land use, agriculture and forestry.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-02-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-02-03T13:22:44.347","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen McLeod","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300589,"EventID":"S4W-24091","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2633,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-20T17:10:44.313","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-20T13:33:20","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it was made aware of the (a) delay and (b) rise in cost for the Dundee V&A project.\r\n","AnswerText":"Dundee City Council kept the Scottish Government informed, within the bounds of commercial confidentiality, of the contract negotiations. As part of this, in April 2014, the council informed the Scottish Government that the initial estimate of the price would not be met and that there was a potential impact on the site mobilisation planned for August 2014. The contract price of £80.11 million published by Dundee City Council on 16 January 2015 was shared with the Scottish Government on 18 December 2014.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-02-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-02-03T17:10:44.427","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Fiona Hyslop","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300590,"EventID":"S4W-24092","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2633,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-20T17:10:44.763","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-20T13:33:20","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with (a) Dundee City Council and (b) other partners regarding the (i) construction, (ii) timetable and (iii) cost of the Dundee V&A project.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has had regular discussions with the V&A Dundee partners since the ambitions for the project were first set out by the partners in June 2008. Ministers most recently met the council on 18 December 2014.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-02-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-02-03T17:10:44.793","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Fiona Hyslop","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300591,"EventID":"S4W-24278","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":2,"MSPID":2673,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":114,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-02T15:44:21.827","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-02T15:37:44.39","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on its plans to reform automatic early release.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government intends to expand the policy of ending the current system of automatic early release so that it applies to all long-term prisoners (i.e. prisoners receiving sentences of four years or more). Alongside this will be a policy to guarantee a period of supervision in the community for all long-term prisoners towards the end of their sentence. These changes will be proposed at Stage 2 of the Prisoners (Control of Release) (Scotland) Bill. \r\nThese proposed measures are part of the Scottish Government’s vision that prison is the right place for serious offenders who represent a risk to the public with effective supervision arrangements to reintegrate such offenders back into the community.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-02-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-02-16T15:44:21.857","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300596,"EventID":"S4W-24209","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-02T16:46:26.14","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-29T08:34:29","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-22668 by John Swinney on 28 October 2014, what progress it has made on reviewing the effectiveness of the blacklisting guidance and when it expects to place this on a statutory footing.\r\n","AnswerText":"We continue to monitor the uptake of the blacklisting questions in pre-qualification questionnaires, and to meet regularly with trades unions on the issue.\r\nWe have now published a consultation paper on proposals to both transpose the new European procurement directives and implement the provisions of the Procurement Reform (Scotland) Act 2014. This includes the principles which we think should underpin statutory guidance on a range of workforce-related issues, such as blacklisting. Guidance imposing obligations on public bodies needs to be developed carefully and in consultation with a wide range of stakeholders.\r\nThe consultation currently underway will give all parties an opportunity to comment formally on the effectiveness of the current guidance, now that it has been in place for a reasonable period of time, and on plans for the future. We will bring forward our more detailed proposals for statutory guidance following this consultation.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-02-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-02-16T16:46:26.17","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300597,"EventID":"S4W-24260","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4947,"Party":"Independent","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-02T16:46:26.467","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-02T12:03:39.28","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what proportion of degree-level distance learning courses is taken by undergraduates who are (a) mature students, (b) disabled, (c) on low incomes and (d) from remote areas.\r\n","AnswerText":"The latest data for students on distance learning courses at Scottish Higher Education institutions (HEIs) are Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA) data for 2013-14.\r\nTables 1, 2 and 4 provide information by age, declaration of disability and urban/rural classification.\r\nThe HESA dataset does not contain any income information. Table 3 provides data for students from deprived areas.\r\nData has been provided for degree-level students and for all undergraduate students.\r\nTable 1 - Distance learning students in higher education in Scottish HEIs by level of study and declaration of disability for Disabled Students Allowance (DSA), 2013-14\r\n\r\nTotal\r\nPercentage declaring a disability for DSA\r\nUndergraduate level\r\n                  19,010 \r\n13.9%\r\n…of which Degree level\r\n                  11,405 \r\n15.5%\r\nSource: HESA\r\n\r\nTable 2 - Distance learning students in higher education in Scottish HEIs by level of study and age, 2013-14\r\n\r\nTotal\r\n16-18\r\n19-20\r\n21-24\r\n25-29\r\n30-39\r\n40-49\r\n50-59\r\n60+\r\nUndergraduate level\r\n             19,010 \r\n4.3%\r\n2.7%\r\n10.2%\r\n15.9%\r\n28.6%\r\n23.1%\r\n10.6%\r\n4.5%\r\n…of which Degree level\r\n                  11,405 \r\n0.8%\r\n2.9%\r\n12.2%\r\n17.7%\r\n29.9%\r\n22.8%\r\n9.7%\r\n4.2%\r\nSource: HESA\r\nNotes:\r\n1. Totals include a small percentage of students (>0.1%) whose ages were not reported\r\n\r\nTable 3 - Distance learning students in higher education in Scottish HEIs by level of study and deprivation, 2013-14:\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nTotal\r\nPercentage from 20% most deprived areas\r\nUndergraduate level\r\n                  18,085 \r\n12.8%\r\n…of which Degree level\r\n                  10,600 \r\n13.4%\r\nSource: HESA\r\nNotes:\r\n1. Deprived areas are defined as the 20 per cent lowest ranked areas in the Scottish Index of Multiple Deprivation (SIMD) for the relevant year, in this case SIMD 2012.\r\n2. The student numbers shown in the table do not match the student numbers in Tables 1 and 2 as not all postcodes from student records can be matched to allow analysis by SIMD (e.g. non-Scottish domiciles or those with incomplete or missing postcodes).\r\n\r\nTable 4 - Distance learning students in higher education in Scottish HEIs by level of study and urban/rural classification, 2013-14\r\n\r\n\r\nTotal\r\nLarge Urban Areas\r\nOther Urban Areas\r\nRemote Small Towns\r\nAccessible Small Towns\r\nAccessible Rural\r\nRemote Rural\r\nUndergraduate level\r\n                  18,085 \r\n37.6%\r\n27.9%\r\n4.6%\r\n8.3%\r\n13.1%\r\n8.5%\r\n…of which Degree level\r\n                  10,600 \r\n38.9%\r\n28.4%\r\n4.4%\r\n8.0%\r\n12.7%\r\n7.6%\r\nSource: HESA\r\nNotes:\r\n1. The student numbers shown in the table do not match the student numbers in Tables 1 and 2 as not all postcodes from student records can be matched to allow analysis by SIMD (e.g. non-Scottish domiciles or those with incomplete or missing postcodes).\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-02-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-02-16T16:46:26.483","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300598,"EventID":"S4W-24261","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4947,"Party":"Independent","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-02T16:46:26.763","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-02T12:03:39.28","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what proportion of distance learning courses is taken by undergraduates who are (a) mature students, (b) disabled, (c) on low incomes and (d) from remote areas.\r\n","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-24260 on 12 February 2015. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-02-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-02-16T16:46:26.78","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300599,"EventID":"S4W-24262","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4947,"Party":"Independent","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-02T16:46:27.03","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-02T12:03:39.28","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what importance it considers distance learning has in broadening access to higher education.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government recognises the importance of distance learning in providing students with flexibility in how they choose to engage in higher education.\r\nIn 2014, through the part-time fee grant, 13,773 students with the Open University and other institutions were assisted to engage in higher education through distance learning to attain qualifications and develop their skills.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-02-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-02-16T16:46:27.06","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300600,"EventID":"S4W-24263","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4947,"Party":"Independent","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-02T16:46:27.31","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-02T12:03:39.28","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what impact ineligibility for Student Awards Agency for Scotland funding has on access to higher education for people wanting to study by distance learning.\r\n","AnswerText":"All eligible students with a personal income of less than £25,000 per annum can apply to the Student Awards Agency for Scotland for an award of part-time fee grant (PTFG). This includes students studying with the Open University or other institutions offering distance learning.\r\nIn academic year 2013-14, eligibility for the PTFG was extended to allow those students undertaking 120 Scottish Credit Qualification Framework (SCQF) credits per annum, at non campus based universities, to access support through the PTFG. Studying 120 SCQF credits per annum generally represents full-time study.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-02-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-02-16T16:46:27.327","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300601,"EventID":"S4W-24264","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4947,"Party":"Independent","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-02T16:46:27.59","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-02T12:03:39.28","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on extending Student Awards Agency for Scotland funding to distance learning students studying for their first undergraduate degree.\r\n","AnswerText":"Through the part-time fee grant (PTFG), many students who want to undertake their first undergraduate degree through distance learning are now able to access funding support.\r\nAll eligible students undertaking their first undergraduate degree, with a personal income of less than £25,000 per annum, can apply to the Student Awards Agency for Scotland for an award of PTFG. This includes students studying with the Open University or other institutions offering distance learning.\r\nIn academic year 2013-14, eligibility for the PTFG was extended to allow those students undertaking 120 Scottish Credit Qualifications Framework (SCQF) credits at non campus based universities to access support through the PTFG. Studying 120 SCQF credits per annum generally represents full-time study.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-02-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-02-16T16:46:27.607","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300602,"EventID":"S4W-24265","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-17T10:02:24.377","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-02T12:35:14","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many (a) permanent, (b) temporary and (c) agency staff it employs and how many it employed in (i) 2012-13 and (ii) 2013-14.","AnswerText":"The following table shows the number of people directly employed by the Scottish Government on permanent or fixed term contracts, plus agency workers who are not directly employed. These figures are extracts from the HR database taken at the end of each of the periods requested.\r\n\r\nAs At\r\n31 March 2013\r\n31 March 2014\r\n31 December 2014\r\nPermanent Employees\r\n4956\r\n5063\r\n5173\r\nFixed Term Appointments\r\n171\r\n231\r\n243\r\nAgency Staff\r\n246\r\n348\r\n298\r\nSource: Scottish Government eHR database\r\n\r\nThe latest publication relates to staffing at 31 December 2014 and was published on 18 March 2015: http://www.ons.gov.uk/ons/rel/pse/public-sector-employment/q4-2014/index.html\r\nPlease note that these figures are provisional because we are in the process of reviewing our workforce data including undertaking a data cleanse exercise.","AnswerDate":"2015-04-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-02-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300603,"EventID":"S4W-24267","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-17T10:02:31","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-02T12:35:14","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide a breakdown of the agency staff that it employs by (a) the type of the work, (b) their grade and (c) agency.","AnswerText":"Data on grades for agency staff is not held because the frameworks the Scottish Government uses to procure agency/interim workers are not based on Scottish Government pay grades but rather the job description or the market rate for the role on offer. The collaborative procurement frameworks are used by a range of public sector bodies with different grading structures. Therefore managers are not required to record a pay grade on the system. The following table below shows the agency staff provided in answer to S4W-24265 on 24 April 2015, split by supplier organisation and type of work where known. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.\r\n\r\nSupplier\r\n31 December 2014\r\n\r\nType of Work\r\nCertes Computing Ltd\r\n5\r\nIT experts\r\nGlobal Highland\r\n3\r\nAdministrative and Executive Officer, Interim Specialist\r\nHarvey Nash\r\n20\r\nInterim Managers, and IT expert\r\nHays\r\n16\r\nIT expert\r\nHead Resourcing\r\n19\r\nInterim Managers\r\nParity Resources\r\n61\r\nInterim Managers, specialist and IT expert\r\nPertemps\r\n123\r\nAdministrative and Executive Officer, Interim Specialist, IT expert\r\nRecruitment Zone\r\n17\r\nInterim Managers and IT expert\r\nSource: The Scottish Government eHR database, supplier returns\r\nWe only record information centrally on those suppliers that are attached to the Scottish Government collaborative frameworks. Business areas may use other frameworks where the central Scottish Government frameworks do not meet operational needs. At 31 December 2014 our HR database showed 34 individuals uncategorised against a central supplier. These figures are provisional because we are in the process of reviewing our workforce data including undertaking a data cleanse exercise which will remove records that are out of date. A new framework for the supply of agency workers will come into force on 24 April 2015.","AnswerDate":"2015-04-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-02-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300604,"EventID":"S4W-24268","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-17T10:02:59.393","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-02T12:35:14","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what employment agencies it has contracted and what job types each provides.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government uses the following contracted suppliers:\r\nPertemps, Global Highland, Manpower, ASA and The Recruitment Agency Network (RAN) for the supply of administrative and executive officer roles.\r\nPertemps, Global Highland, Advantage Resourcing UK, Harvey Nash, Harvey Nash Consortium, Head Resourcing, Parity, Recruitment Zone and The Recruitment Agency Network (RAN) for the supply of interims and specialists.\r\nCertes, Harvey Nash, Harvey Nash Consortium, Hays, Hudson, Parity, Pertemps, Recruitment Zone for the supply of IT experts.\r\nThe suppliers named are those who have won the contract to supply the Scottish Government (and other Scottish public sector bodies) with temporary agency and interim workers under the following Scottish Government Collaborative Procurement Frameworks:\r\nTemporary administrative agency workers\r\nInterim specialists\r\nInterim managers\r\nTemporary IT staff\r\nIn addition to these frameworks there are other frameworks where workers may be on site to deliver a service (e.g. IT services).","AnswerDate":"2015-04-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-02-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300605,"EventID":"S4W-24269","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-17T10:02:37.517","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-02T12:35:14","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many (a) temporary and (b) agency staff it employed or has employed for (i) up to a week, (ii) between two and four weeks, (iii) between five and eight weeks, (iv) between nine and 12 weeks, (v) between 13 weeks and six months, (vi) between seven and 12 months, (vii) over a year and (viii) over two years in (A) 2012-13, (B) 2013-14 and (C) 2014-15.","AnswerText":"The following table shows the number of people directly employed by the Scottish Government on temporary fixed term contracts, plus agency workers who are not directly employed. These figures are extracted from the HR database at the end of each of the periods requested.\r\n\r\n31 March 2013\r\n31 March 2014\r\n31 December 2014\r\n\r\nTemporary\r\nAgency\r\nTemporary\r\nAgency\r\nTemporary\r\nAgency\r\nUp to one week\r\n0\r\n6\r\n15\r\n11\r\n1\r\n0\r\n1-4 weeks\r\n7\r\n22\r\n12\r\n18\r\n11\r\n8\r\n4-8 weeks\r\n12\r\n25\r\n11\r\n36\r\n28\r\n17\r\n8-12 weeks\r\n12\r\n37\r\n40\r\n27\r\n25\r\n11\r\n12 weeks to 6 months\r\n60\r\n50\r\n46\r\n76\r\n52\r\n54\r\n6 months to 1 year\r\n51\r\n66\r\n79\r\n91\r\n98\r\n91\r\none to two years\r\n27\r\n23\r\n26\r\n69\r\n26\r\n89\r\nOver two years\r\n2\r\n17\r\n2\r\n20\r\n2\r\n28\r\nTotal\r\n171\r\n246\r\n231\r\n348\r\n243\r\n298\r\nSource: Scottish Government eHR database\r\nPlease note these figures are provisional because we are in the process of reviewing our workforce data, including undertaking a data cleanse exercise. This will remove records that are out of date.","AnswerDate":"2015-04-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-02-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300606,"EventID":"S4W-24270","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-17T10:03:05.393","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-02T12:35:14","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many of its (a) temporary and (b) agency staff were or have been employed on so-called zero-hours contracts in (i) 2012-13, (ii) 2013-14 and (iii) 2014-15.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government does not employ any people on zero hours contracts.","AnswerDate":"2015-04-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-02-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300607,"EventID":"S4W-24271","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-17T10:02:44.11","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-02T12:35:14","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it has used the so-called Swedish derogation as an opt-out clause for (a) temporary and (b) agency workers under the Agency Workers Regulations 2010 and what its position is on the use of this opt-out.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has used the Swedish derogation with its main supplier of agency workers. However the Scottish Government will have pay parity arrangements in place with all suppliers to the new agency and interim collaborative frameworks which come into operation late April 2015.","AnswerDate":"2015-04-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-02-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300608,"EventID":"S4W-24275","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-17T10:03:11.597","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-02T12:35:14","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it has discussed the use of the so-called Swedish derogation with recruitment agencies that it contracts for temporary and agency workers.","AnswerText":"Once all the bidders for the new agency and interim collaborative frameworks have been notified of the outcome of the competitive tender process we will discuss with the successful bidders the arrangements for ensuring pay parity.","AnswerDate":"2015-04-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-02-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300609,"EventID":"S4W-24276","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4947,"Party":"Independent","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-02T16:46:29.853","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-02T13:47:59.723","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many major disruptions there have been on the Far North railway line in each (a) quarter of each of the last five years and (b) of the last six months; what the nature was of each disruption, and what impact each had on passenger numbers.","AnswerText":"(a) The number of major disruptions on the Far North railway line in each quarter of the last five years has been as follows:\r\nYear\r\nQuarter 1\r\n(Jan-March)\r\nQuarter 2\r\n(April-June)\r\nQuarter 3\r\n(July-Sept)\r\nQuarter 4\r\n(Oct-Dec)\r\nTotal\r\n2010\r\n5\r\n1\r\n1\r\n5\r\n12\r\n2011\r\n1\r\n-\r\n-\r\n3\r\n4\r\n2012\r\n1\r\n-\r\n1\r\n2\r\n4\r\n2013\r\n-\r\n-\r\n4\r\n4\r\n5\r\n2014\r\n2\r\n1\r\n2\r\n3\r\n8\r\n\r\n(b) The number of major disruptions in each of the last six months has been as follows:\r\nBy month, 2014 (last six months, including where an emergency timetable has been implemented): \r\nMonth in 2014\r\nNumber\r\nJuly\r\n3\r\nAugust\r\n5\r\nSeptember\r\n6\r\nOctober\r\n13\r\nNovember\r\n3\r\nDecember\r\n3\r\n\r\n(c) The nature of each disruption is listed as follows. The impact each had on passenger numbers is not recorded.\r\nMonday 4 January 2010: Animal strike at Forsinard, 205 delay minutes.\r\nTuesday 5 January 2010: Weather-related disruptions at Wick and Forsinard, 503 delay minutes and one part cancellation.\r\nThursday 7 January 2010: Heavy snow between Helmsdale and Forsinard, 344 delay minutes.\r\nFriday 22 January 2010: Derailment at Dingwall, eight full or part cancellations and 58 delay minutes.\r\nWednesday 10 March 2010: Vehicle fault on train at Forsinard, 204 delay minutes and one part cancellation.\r\nFriday 2 April 2010: Train fault at Fearn, 231 delay minutes.\r\nWednesday 25 August 2010: Engine fault between Inverness and Dingwall, 236 delay minutes.\r\nFriday 26 November 2010: Weather-related incidents (snow) at Muir of Ord, 231 delay minutes and two full or part cancellations.\r\nTuesday 7 December 2010: Weather-related delay, nine full cancellations.\r\nWednesday 8 December 2010: Weather-related incidents, 263 delay minutes.\r\nMonday 20 December 2010: Weather-related disruptions, 12 full or part cancellations and 17 delay minutes.\r\nWednesday 22 December 2010: Train fault at Tain, 234 delay minutes.\r\nMonday 24 January 2011: Train fault (radio-related) at Georgemas Junction, 521 delay minutes and one full cancellation.\r\nThursday 8 December 2011: Wind-related disruptions (Scotland-wide), seven full cancellations. Flooding at Ardgay, five full cancellations.\r\nTuesday 13 December 2011: Blanket speed restrictions (wind-related), five full cancellations.\r\nSunday 22 January 2012: Failure on the radio communication system north of Inverness, which meant a caution on all level crossings in the Far North and to Kyle; 202 delay minutes.\r\nSaturday 14 July 2012: Train defect resulting in poor performance on a Wick/Inverness working, 215 delay minutes (mostly of reactionary delay to other Far North line services).  \r\nTuesday 30 October 2012: Radio based signalling system defect affecting all lines north of Inverness. 312 delay minutes and one part cancellation.\r\nMonday 3 December 2012: Radio signalling fault on train at Invergordon; this was a delay of 13 minutes, but the spillover effects included 205 delay minutes and one part cancellation.\r\nSaturday 17 August 2013: A small amount of late-running (five minutes) on the Far North line led to 225 delay minutes and two full cancellations incurred. \r\nThursday 3 October 2013: Ardgay to Inverness services lost time in running causing 264 delay minutes and no full or part cancellations.\r\nWednesday 9 October 2013: Train at Dingwall lost time in running resulting in 205 delay minutes and two full or part cancellations. \r\nFriday 11 October 2013: Train at Dingwall lost time in running resulting in 379 delay minutes and no full or part cancellations. \r\nThursday 5 December 2013: Severe storm incident. Network Rail invoked a key route strategy, which meant no service on many routes and severely reduced service on the rest. \r\nThursday 16 January 2014: Broken rail at Ardgay (near Tain), 248 delay minutes and two part cancellations.\r\nFriday 14 March 2014: Emergency speed restriction between Dingwall and Invergordon, 245 delay minutes and three part cancellations.\r\nMonday 19 May 2014: Train fault at Inverness, 213 delay minutes and two full cancellations.\r\nTuesday 1 July 2014: Tractor on the line ","AnswerDate":"2015-02-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-02-16T16:46:29.867","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300610,"EventID":"S4W-24277","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4947,"Party":"Independent","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-02T16:46:30.103","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-02T15:25:07.81","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the absence of livestock grazing on areas susceptible to landslides such as the Rest and Be Thankful.","AnswerText":"As part of the A83 Route Study, Transport Scotland commissioned the Transport Research Laboratory (TRL) to undertake an examination of potential ecological and related landslide solutions. TRL produced a report addressing the proposed solutions which includes a section on the use of livestock. The report is available online at:\r\nhttp://www.transportscotland.gov.uk/system/files/uploaded_content/documents/projects/A83/a83-rest-and-be-thankful-project-ecological-related-landslide-mitigation-options.pdf\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-02-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-02-16T16:46:30.117","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300611,"EventID":"S4W-24053","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-03T13:48:18.307","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-15T15:49:50.933","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether its proposed new card for multimodal travel will result in reduced fares for tram users on the Edinburgh Airport to city centre route via Edinburgh Park rail station.\r\n","AnswerText":"The setting of fares for the tram network is, and will remain, the responsibility of Transport for Edinburgh.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-02-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-02-17T13:48:18.337","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300612,"EventID":"S4W-24279","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4014,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-03T13:48:18.887","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-02T16:48:53","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what representations it has made to Tesco in light of reports that the recently announced  job reductions in its retail stores were proportionally higher in Scotland than in the rest of the UK.","AnswerText":"The Leader of Fife Council, David Ross and I wrote a joint letter to David Lewis, Tesco Chief Executive on 30 January 2015 following the announcement to close four Tesco stores in Scotland including a superstore in Kirkcaldy with 189 employees. This letter expressed both the Scottish Government’s and Fife Council’s concern that the company had decided to close these stores and the particular devastating effects this will have on Kirkcaldy, the employees affected and their families.\r\nOn 2 February 2015 a Scottish Government official and Councillor Ross had a constructive meeting with Tesco representatives. Fife Council agreed to consider their available options and put a proposal to Mr Lewis who confirmed that he was willing to look at all proposals put to him.","AnswerDate":"2015-02-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-02-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300613,"EventID":"S4W-24280","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4016,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":133,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-03T13:48:19.273","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-03T08:34:50","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on reports that Jedburgh and Selkirk sheriff courts are to hear cases on alternate weeks, and for what it reason it did not seek parliamentary approval before this change was introduced.\r\n","AnswerText":"This question relates to operational matters that are the responsibility of the Scottish Court Service (SCS) corporate body. This question has been passed to the Chief Executive of the SCS who will reply in writing within 20 days.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-02-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-02-17T13:48:19.29","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300614,"EventID":"S4W-24281","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2633,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-03T13:48:19.57","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-03T10:38:51","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many (a) antisocial behaviour orders and (b) spot fines have been issued in Fife  due to the inappropriate use of (i) quad bikes and (ii) other similar single-person operated vehicles in each of the last five years.\r\n","AnswerText":"Police Scotland inform us there have been no antisocial behaviour orders issued in Fife in relation to the use of quad bikes over the past five years and that information on the number of fixed penalty notices issued for inappropriate use of quad bikes is not held centrally.\r\nReducing the impact of antisocial behaviour is a top priority for Police Scotland in Fife, as outlined within the West Fife and Coastal Villages Multi Member Ward Plan 2014. Local community policing teams are ideally placed to engage with members of their community to identify areas causing concern which can be prioritised for proactive patrols to prevent repeat instances of such behaviour and deal with any offences. In Fife, school based officers often undertake diversionary work aiming to explain the impact of antisocial behaviour and outlining the legal implications of such behaviour.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-02-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-02-17T13:48:19.6","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Paul Wheelhouse","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300615,"EventID":"S4W-24282","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2633,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-03T13:48:19.867","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-03T10:38:51","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many (a) quad bikes and (b) other similar single-person operated vehicles have been reported stolen in Fife in each of the last five years.\r\n","AnswerText":"Police Scotland report that a total of 151 quad bikes have been stolen in Fife over the past five years with the figure of 43 for 2014 representing an increased incidence of this kind of crime and a figure in excess of the average (30.2) over the period 2010-14. The breakdown for each year is as follows:\r\n2010 \r\n 28\r\n2011 \r\n 33\r\n2012 \r\n 26\r\n2013 \r\n 21\r\n2014 \r\n 43\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-02-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-02-17T13:48:19.897","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Paul Wheelhouse","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300616,"EventID":"S4W-24283","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2633,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-03T13:48:20.163","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-03T10:38:51","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many (a) quad bikes and (b) other similar single-person operated vehicles have been seized by the police in Fife in each of the last five years.\r\n","AnswerText":"Information on the number of vehicle seizures, broken down by vehicle type, is not currently collated or held centrally by Police Scotland. A manual exercise would be required for each of the five years to generate the information requested by the member. This would not be feasible in the time scales set out for responding to this parliamentary question, but as discussed with the member during our meeting of 21 January 2015 , Police Scotland have been asked to explain how such information might best be recorded and accessed in the future.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-02-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-02-17T13:48:20.177","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Paul Wheelhouse","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300617,"EventID":"S4W-24284","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2633,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-03T13:48:20.443","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-03T10:38:51","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will promote the DVLA's voluntary registration scheme for (a) quad bikes and (b) other similar single-person operated vehicles and, if so, how.\r\n","AnswerText":"Most quad bikes cannot be used on the road because they don’t meet road safety standards. If using a quad bike off road you do not need to register the quad bike, pay tax or hold a driving licence. This lack of registration and other requirements means that quad bikes and other similar single-person operated vehicles are an easy asset to sell on if stolen, especially if stolen with the original key. Furthermore, if a quad bike is being used antisocially and then seized by the police, it can be difficult to ascertain who the owner is, and whether or not the person riding the quad bike is the owner.\r\nI am supportive of any initiative that could help prevent the theft of quad bikes and other similar single-person operated vehicles. I will be writing to the DVLA to seek more information on their voluntary registration scheme and will intend to approach National Farmers Union for Scotland with a view to assessing whether through options such as FarmWatch or other similar initiatives we can ensure a higher take-up of registration of vehicles, such as quad bikes, to enable Police Scotland to more reliably identity the rightful owner and prosecute those in possession of a stolen vehicle.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-02-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-02-17T13:48:20.46","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Paul Wheelhouse","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300618,"EventID":"S4W-24285","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2117,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-03T13:48:20.723","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-03T12:02:04.38","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government who the members are of the Energy Jobs Taskforce; what organisations they represent and what their relevant responsibilities are.\r\n","AnswerText":"The confirmed members of the taskforce include senior representatives from:\r\nScottish Enterprise (also representing Scottish Development International and Highlands and Islands Enterprise)\r\nScottish Government\r\nSkills Development Scotland (also representing PACE)\r\nScottish Funding Council\r\nAberdeen City Council\r\nAberdeenshire Council\r\nSchlumberger\r\nSTUC\r\nOil and Gas UK\r\nBP\r\nTaqa\r\nAker\r\nWood Group\r\nAMEC\r\nPetrofac\r\nACE Winches\r\nGlobal Energy\r\nSpex Offshore\r\nScottish Engineering\r\nOil and Gas Authority\r\nDECC\r\nAberdeen Chamber of Commerce\r\nOPITO\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-02-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-02-17T13:48:20.74","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300619,"EventID":"S4W-24286","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2117,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-03T13:48:21.083","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-03T12:02:04.38","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what resources it is providing to the Energy Jobs Taskforce and whether it will publish its terms of reference.","AnswerText":"The Energy Jobs Taskforce had its first meeting on 28 January 2015 in Aberdeen. The first meeting identified a range of actions to be taken forward to mitigate the impact of job losses within the sector. Public sector partners and agencies will support activity from within their existing budgets. The taskforce remit is available on the Energy Jobs Taskforce webpage and can be accessed at:\r\nhttp://www.gov.scot/Topics/Business-Industry/Energy/resources/working-groups/energy-advisory-board/Energy-Jobs-Taskforce.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-02-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-02-17T13:48:21.113","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300620,"EventID":"S4W-24287","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2117,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-03T13:48:21.457","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-03T12:02:04.38","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with the UK Government regarding the emergency review of the North Sea oil and gas industry by the Oil and Gas Authority.\r\n","AnswerText":"I have discussed the content and direction of the review with Andy Samuel, Chief Executive of the Oil and Gas Authority, and have offered Scottish Government support to its work. The Scottish Government is using all the levers under its control to support the oil and gas sector during these challenging times. The Energy Jobs Taskforce was launched by the First Minister to deliver a co-ordinated response to the issues being faced by the industry, with partners working across the sector both to maintain jobs and to mitigate the potential impact of any losses.\r\nThe Scottish Government is committed to working with the UK Government to address the challenges that the oil and gas industry currently faces, and we will fully engage with the Oil and Gas Authority review. However, the key levers that can support the sector in the short-term are reserved to the UK Government via the fiscal regime. We have called on the UK Government repeatedly to commit to urgent fiscal changes to support investment, encourage exploration and ensure that the North Sea is a competitive investment location.\r\nDamage to investor confidence in the UK sector has been caused by repeated tax increases under successive Westminster regimes and in particular through the supplementary charge introduced in 2002 and increased again in 2005 by the Labour government and then again by the Conservative/Liberal Democrat government in 2011.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-02-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-02-17T13:48:21.473","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300621,"EventID":"S4W-24288","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2117,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-03T13:48:21.817","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-03T12:02:04.38","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, given the possible impact on jobs in the oil and gas industry, what discussions it has had with the UK Government regarding the safety of workers employed on installations in the North Sea that have a backlog of maintenance work.\r\n","AnswerText":"I have had discussions on health and safety with industry and workforce representatives in many of the meetings I’ve had with them, particularly during the 60 days’ worth of visits I have made to Aberdeen since my appointment as minister.\r\nI have made it clear that safety of the workforce is the paramount consideration.\r\nI am due to meet with the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) in February 2015 and will discuss issues relating to the safety of offshore workers. I have also engaged closely with the Unions to ensure that I am appraised of all issues affecting the offshore workforce.\r\nHealth and safety legislation is reserved to the UK Parliament. HSE is a non-departmental public body sponsored by the UK Department for Work and Pensions.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-02-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-02-17T13:48:21.847","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300622,"EventID":"S4W-24289","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2117,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-03T13:48:22.173","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-03T12:02:04.38","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, given the possible impact on jobs in the oil and gas industry, what discussions it has had with the UK Government regarding the safety of workers employed on North Sea installations where the operator has used operational risk assessments to maintain production in the event of equipment failure.","AnswerText":"I have had discussions on health and safety with industry and workforce representatives in many of the meetings I’ve had with them, particularly during the 60 days’ worth of visits I have made to Aberdeen since my appointment as minister.\r\nI have made it clear that safety of the workforce is the paramount consideration.\r\nI am due to meet with the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) in February 2015 and will discuss issues relating to the safety of offshore workers. I have also engaged closely with the unions to ensure that I am appraised of all issues affecting the offshore workforce.\r\nHealth and safety legislation is reserved to the UK Parliament. The HSE is a non-departmental public body sponsored by the UK Department for Work and Pensions.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-02-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-02-17T13:48:22.19","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300623,"EventID":"S4W-24290","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2117,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-03T13:48:22.533","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-03T12:02:04.38","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with the UK Government regarding (a) flexible working, (b) job sharing, (c) temporary secondment exercises and (d) other worker-friendly initiatives that would reduce job losses for workers in the North Sea oil and gas industry.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Energy Jobs Taskforce held its first meeting on the 28 January 2015, and included senior representatives from industry, Department of Energy and Climate Change, unions, public bodies and the UK Government. The meeting saw some useful ideas shared which shall be considered carefully. A helpline is available for those facing redundancy, the taskforce will be launching an online presence and will be delivering a large employability event Aberdeen in the near future.\r\nHowever, prime consideration is that the UK Government must act now and respond to the requests to provide the tax changes that will help support the industry through this period.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-02-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-02-17T13:48:22.563","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300624,"EventID":"S4W-24291","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2117,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-03T13:48:23.033","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-03T12:02:04.38","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with the UK Government regarding the impact on employment levels in Scotland of the laying-up of offshore supply vessels since December 2014.","AnswerText":"The recent drop in the price of a barrel of crude oil, combined with the long term mismanagement of oil and gas fiscal policy by the UK Government, and other challenges facing the industry, poses a serious threat to a number of jobs. The First Minister established the Energy Jobs Taskforce, to make sure that partners are working across the sector both to maintain all jobs within the industry, and to mitigate the potential impact of any losses and do all we can within devolved powers.\r\nWe have called on the UK Government repeatedly to commit to urgent fiscal changes to support investment, encourage exploration and ensure that the North Sea is a competitive investment location.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-02-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-02-17T13:48:23.063","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300633,"EventID":"S4W-24292","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2394,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-03T16:53:23.45","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-03T13:51:19.017","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to review the regulations regarding people's eligibility to be blood donors.\r\n","AnswerText":"When assessing a donor’s eligibility the Scottish National Blood Transfusion Service (SNBTS) have to take into consideration more than 300 deferral criteria. The guidelines are constantly evolving, for example in calendar year 2014 SNBTS revised 13 of their donor selection rules and the deferral criteria for 32 countries. Changes in deferral criteria are often complex and sometimes need to be made quite rapidly, for example in response to changes in the pattern of infectious diseases in other parts of the world.\r\nSNBTS procedures and policies support staff to make the correct decisions about donor eligibility. Regular reporting and review of donor deferrals aim to reduce variation in practice and highlight criteria to be reviewed at SNBTS or UK level.\r\nSNBTS is represented on the Joint United Kingdom Blood Transfusion and Tissue Transplantation Services Professional Advisory Committee, the UK Advisory Committee on the Safety of Blood, Tissues and Organs and relevant subcommittees which maintain a watching brief on new and emergent issues relevant to donor selection and blood and tissue safety.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-02-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-02-17T16:53:23.543","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300634,"EventID":"S4W-24293","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2394,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-03T16:53:24.067","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-03T13:51:19.017","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what information it has regarding how many people in Scotland have received a blood transfusion in each year since 1980.\r\n","AnswerText":"Please refer to the following table that shows the number of patients who received a blood transfusion in Scotland per calendar year. Data was obtained from the Scottish National Blood Transfusion Service’s (SNBTS) Account for Blood (established in 2009). This data is not available prior to 2009:\r\nCalendar year\r\nPatients transfused\r\n2009\r\n38,894\r\n2010\r\n39,782\r\n2011\r\n38,667\r\n2012\r\n37,871\r\n2013\r\n36,139\r\n2014\r\n34,557\r\nPlease note: \r\nThe data presented does not reflect full coverage of transfusions in Scotland. Due to changes in blood bank systems it has not been possible to get full consistent coverage. The following should be noted when interpreting this information:\r\nThe Western Infirmary blood bank data is not available for 2009 and approximately half of 2010. The addition of data from this blood bank in the latter half of 2010 most likely accounts for the apparent 2% increase in patients transfused in that year against a background of 2-4% decrease in other years.\r\nData from the Western Isles blood bank is only available from 2014.\r\nWishaw General, Caithness General and Belford blood bank information is not available.\r\nPrivate hospital data are not available.\r\nThe number of patients transfused is a count of patients transfused with any blood component at any location. The same patient may be transfused with different blood component types in different locations.\r\nThe count of patients uses the patient Community Health Index (CHI). Where the CHI is unknown or unable to be derived a patient is identified through the local blood bank system identifier\r\nSNBTS currently holds a record of individual units issued dating from 1999. Data on the number of patients transfused began to be formally recorded following the establishment of Account for Blood in 2009.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-02-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-02-17T16:53:24.09","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300635,"EventID":"S4W-24294","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2394,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-03T16:53:24.487","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-03T13:51:19.017","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what information it has regarding how many cases of variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (vCJD) have been recorded in Scotland in each year since 1980.\r\n","AnswerText":"Definite or probable variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (vCJD) cases in Scotland, where Scotland was the last residence before death, from 1 May 1995 - 31 December 2014, are shown in the following table.\r\nNo deaths were recorded for vCJD in the UK prior to 1995.\r\n\r\nYear of death\r\nNumber of deaths in Scotland\r\n1995\r\n0\r\n1996\r\n3\r\n1997\r\n0\r\n1998\r\n1\r\n1999\r\n4\r\n2000\r\n5\r\n2001\r\n4\r\n2002\r\n2\r\n2003\r\n0\r\n2004\r\n2\r\n2005\r\n0\r\n2006\r\n0\r\n2007\r\n1\r\n2008\r\n0\r\n2009\r\n0\r\n2010\r\n0\r\n2011\r\n0\r\n2012\r\n0\r\n2013\r\n0\r\n2014\r\n0\r\nAlive\r\n0\r\nTOTAL\r\n22\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-02-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-02-17T16:53:24.51","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300636,"EventID":"S4W-24295","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2853,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":81,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-03T16:53:24.907","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-03T15:09:31","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it has taken to encourage public transport providers to pass on the reduced costs of fuel to consumers through cheaper fares.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is committed to encouraging more people to use public transport and has taken action to make fares more affordable. For example from 1 April 2015 ScotRail’s regulated peak fares increases will be capped at the level of the Retail Prices Index (RPI) instead of RPI plus one per cent. Road equivalent tariff to ferry fares currently in operation on services to Western Isles, Coll and Tiree, Islay, Gigha, Colonsay and to Arran will also be rolled out to remaining Clyde and Hebrides routes in October 2015, allowing for substantial reduced fares. In addition it is maintaining the Bus Service Operators Grant which provides an annual subsidy of around £50 million to the bus industry to help support the network and to keep fares at affordable levels. Falling fuel costs can be expected to be reflected in bus operators’ decisions on fares, though the extent and timing of this will depend on their wider costs and any fuel hedging arrangements.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-02-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-02-17T16:53:24.933","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300637,"EventID":"S4W-24296","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2117,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-03T16:53:25.237","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-03T15:51:19.707","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-24012 by Roseanna Cunningham on 28 January 2015, whether it has set aside additional resources to enable Skills Development Scotland to meet the First Minister’s commitment to increased provision for the Adopt an Apprentice scheme in the oil and gas industry and, if so, how much.\r\n","AnswerText":"Adopt an Apprentice is demand-led. As such, the level of demand will determine Skills Development Scotland (SDS) expenditure on this initiative. As explained in my answer to S4W-24012, should additional resources be required to meet the First Minister’s commitment this will be managed through existing SDS Sponsorship arrangements. \r\nTo date there has not been significant numbers of modern apprentices being released by employers in the oil and gas industry. SDS will continue to engage with oil and gas companies which have employees at risk of redundancy.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-02-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-02-17T16:53:25.26","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Roseanna Cunningham","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300645,"EventID":"S4W-24297","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2673,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":114,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-04T13:41:54.797","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-03T16:23:46.74","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what impact the decision not to show live coverage of the Open Championship on free-to-air television from 2017 might have on its strategy on promoting sport, and what discussions it has had with the (a) UK Government and (b) R&A regarding this.\r\n","AnswerText":"Under current constitutional arrangements the list of sporting events reserved for free-to-air television is a matter for the UK Government. In the context of the Scotland Bill 2011, the Scottish Government put the case to the UK Government ‘that it would be appropriate for devolved administrations to have the power to add or remove events for their nations.’ This was not reflected in the subsequent Scotland Act 2012. In its submission to The Smith Commission, the Scottish Government argued for full devolution of broadcasting including listing of sporting events. This was not reflected in the Heads of Agreement subsequently issued by The Smith Commission. The Scottish Government has indicated its support for the proposals previously made by the independent review panel chaired by David Davies that would have seen live coverage of the Open Championship guaranteed for free-to-air television.\r\nThe Scottish Government was not a party to the commercial negotiations between the R&A and broadcasters.\r\nIt is regrettable that any benefit gained from broadcasting the Open Championship over free-to-air television will no longer be seen from 2017 onwards. However, the R&A will now be able to use additional revenue to substantially increase their sport in the United Kingdom and Ireland. Scottish Golf are meeting with the R&A in the next few months to discuss this in greater detail.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-02-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-02-18T13:41:54.877","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Fiona Hyslop","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300646,"EventID":"S4W-24298","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-04T13:41:55.187","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-03T16:33:29.403","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-24156 by Aileen McLeod on 8 January 2015, if “the water quality in the River Spey has in fact improved from an already high base over the last 10 years”, what it considers the reason is for the reported 50% drop in freshwater pearl mussels.","AnswerText":"Further to the answer to question S4W-24156, whilst Scottish Natural Heritage’s report of site condition monitoring survey of freshwater pearl mussels in the River Spey during 2013 and 2014 suggests four possible reasons for the decline in the Spey’s freshwater pearl mussel population (namely impacts associated with the proliferation of ranunculus, water level, water quality and wildlife crime), the exact cause (or causes) has yet to be established and the Scottish Environment Protection Agency is continuing to investigate. Such investigation is primarily via an analysis of all of the relevant environmental data gathered over the last ten years.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-02-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-02-18T13:41:55.22","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen McLeod","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300647,"EventID":"S4W-24299","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-04T13:41:55.827","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-03T16:33:29.403","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-24156 by Aileen McLeod on 8 January 2015, when the Scottish Environment Protection Agency and Scottish Natural Heritage will conclude their work on the current ecological status standards for the River Spey Special Area of Conservation and other sites designated under the birds and habitats directives, and on what date the results will be published.\r\n","AnswerText":"As stated in the response to PQ S4W-24298 on 17 February 2015, the Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) 2013-14 site condition monitoring survey of the River Spey Special Area of Conservation suggested four possible reasons for the decline in pearl mussel population, and the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) is continuing to investigate.\r\nAs part of a separate exercise initiated at the end of 2013, the Scottish Government has asked SEPA and SNH to work together to draw together the appropriate objectives and standards for water bodies within conservation sites. There is currently no publication date set for this, however the estimated timetable for work to be completed is as follows:\r\nSEPA aims to complete an assessment of the implications of SNH’s initial proposals by mid-2015.\r\nSNH will review its initial proposals in the light of SEPA’s assessment and finalise its proposed objectives for water bodies in conservation sites.\r\nThe proposals will then be submitted to the Scottish Government for consideration. If appropriate, the Scottish Government will issue a public consultation later in 2015.\r\nAll answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-02-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-02-18T13:41:55.843","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen McLeod","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300648,"EventID":"S4W-24300","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-04T13:41:56.31","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-03T17:49:49.1","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many claims for discounted flights under the Air Discount Scheme have been (a) made and (b) approved in each of the last three years.\r\n","AnswerText":"The figures are as follows:\r\nYear\r\nClaims made\r\nClaims approved\r\n2012\r\n136,607\r\n136,339\r\n2013\r\n148,1431\r\n147,910\r\n2014\r\n162,498\r\n162,2942\r\n1 This figure differs from the figure given in answer of S4W-18687 on 17 December 2013, as the figure given then only related to part of the year.\r\n2 Please note that this figure is provisional as audit work in relation to 2014 has yet to be completed.\r\nAll answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at: \r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-02-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-02-18T13:41:56.327","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300649,"EventID":"S4W-24301","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2066,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-04T13:41:56.78","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-04T10:03:05","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the recent fall in wholesale costs, what representations it has made to (a) liquid petroleum and (b) other gas providers regarding reducing prices charged to consumers.\r\n","AnswerText":"I have already written to the chief executives of the major energy suppliers seeking assurance that consumers will feel the benefit of lower oil prices at the earliest opportunity. We have now seen that the ‘big six’ energy companies have all subsequently announced a reduction in their domestic gas prices.\r\nHowever more needs to be done to ensure that all energy companies, and to specifically include those providers who service customers off the gas grid, do more as these changes do not come quickly enough for customers. The Scottish Government submitted its written evidence to the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) in December 2014 into its ongoing investigation into the workings of the energy market. We have pledged our support for this investigation, and have urged the CMA to make recommendations for those not well-served by the market without jeopardising competition.\r\nWe must have a swift conclusion to the review, and an effective implementation of the CMA’s conclusions – I believe that until the outcome of the report is known, there will continue to be lack of clarity on pricing.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-02-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-02-18T13:41:56.793","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300650,"EventID":"S4W-24303","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1860,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-04T13:41:57.217","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-04T11:52:47.13","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has for the former Dingwall Sheriff and Justice of the Peace Court building.","AnswerText":"This question relates to operational matters that are the responsibility of the Scottish Court Service (SCS) corporate body. This question has been passed to the Chief Executive of the SCS who will reply in writing within 20 days.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-02-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-02-18T13:41:57.23","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300651,"EventID":"S4W-24304","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1860,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-04T13:41:57.607","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-04T11:52:47.13","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what contingency plans there are to accommodate court business if Inverness Sheriff Court is unavailable.","AnswerText":"This question relates to operational matters that are the responsibility of the Scottish Court Service (SCS) corporate body. This question has been passed to the Chief Executive of the SCS who will reply in writing within 20 days.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-02-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-02-18T13:41:57.637","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300658,"EventID":"S4W-24305","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":8,"MSPID":4947,"Party":"Independent","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-04T13:45:46.373","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-04T12:12:55.913","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body, further to the answer to question S4O-03697 by David Stewart on 13 November 2014 (Official Report, c.33), whether it has now received a response from the trustees of the pension scheme and, if so, whether it will publish this.\r\n","AnswerText":"I understand the trustees are due to discuss the matter at their next quarterly meeting on 3 March 2015.  The corporate body will provide an update on this matter as soon as possible after receiving a response from the trustees.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-02-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-02-18T13:45:46.477","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"John Pentland","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300662,"EventID":"S4W-24306","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2345,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":128,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-04T16:42:24.98","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-04T12:25:59.693","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many people are receiving audiology services provided by the third sector in Ayrshire.","AnswerText":"The information requested is not available centrally.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-02-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-02-18T16:42:25.057","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300663,"EventID":"S4W-24307","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2345,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":128,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-04T16:42:25.493","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-04T12:25:59.693","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to develop audiology services in Ayrshire.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government’s National Sensory Impairment Strategy, See Hear was published in April 2014. The strategy established a network of collaborative local partnerships involving local NHS boards, local authorities and the third sector, to re-design and re-align the provision and delivery of services to people with a sensory impairment in a way that is appropriate for the local area: Audiology is a key part of these services.\r\nAction on Hearing Loss is an active member of a number of these local partnerships, most notably Ayrshire and Arran, where, along with the Royal National Institute of Blind People, it has driven the development of the sensory impairment locality plan.\r\nIt is a matter for the sensory impairment local partnerships to determine how best to develop audiology services going forward in the Ayrshire and Arran area.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-02-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-02-18T16:42:25.51","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300664,"EventID":"S4W-24308","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2345,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":128,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-04T16:42:25.82","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-04T12:25:59.693","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to encourage the use of the third sector in the development of audiology services in Ayrshire.","AnswerText":"Third sector organisations are already involved in the development and delivery of audiology services in Ayrshire through the local partnerships established to implement the National Sensory Impairment Strategy.\r\nAction on Hearing Loss is an active member of a number of these local partnerships, most notably Ayrshire and Arran, where, along with the Royal National Institute of Blind People, it has driven the development of the sensory impairment locality plan.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-02-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-02-18T16:42:25.837","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300665,"EventID":"S4W-24309","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2345,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":128,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-04T16:42:26.117","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-04T12:25:59.693","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what financial support it provides to third sector organisations that support audiology services in Ayrshire.","AnswerText":"Scottish Government funding totalling some £2 million from 2013-15 has been allocated equitably to local partnerships across Scotland charged with the implementation of the National Sensory Impairment Strategy.\r\nThe Ayrshire and Arran Local Partnership will receive £134,000 over the two years of the sensory impairment strategy implementation and a proportion of that funding has been used to second a third sector employee to the partnership to drive implementation of the locality plan.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-02-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-02-18T16:42:26.133","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300666,"EventID":"S4W-24310","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2345,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":128,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-04T16:42:26.4","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-04T12:25:59.693","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the financial impact will be on NHS Ayrshire and Arran if Action on Hearing Loss Scotland's Hear to Help service ends on 31 March 2015.","AnswerText":"The NHS Ayrshire and Arran audiology service currently provides assessment, diagnostic, fitting, review and repairs services for both children and adults and this will continue.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-02-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-02-18T16:42:26.413","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300667,"EventID":"S4W-24311","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2345,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":128,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-04T16:42:26.693","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-04T12:25:59.693","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it considers that NHS Ayrshire and Arran's audiology services receive sufficient support.","AnswerText":"It is a matter for NHS Ayrshire and Arran to determine the level of support to provide for its audiology services in order to meet the needs of the local community through both its own audiology departments and in collaboration with other providers in the area.\r\nThe Scottish Government’s sensory impairment policy team is working closely with all partnership leads to support the implementation of the ‘See Hear’ strategy.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-02-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-02-18T16:42:26.71","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300668,"EventID":"S4W-24312","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2345,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":128,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-04T16:42:26.977","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-04T12:25:59.693","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government which NHS boards are using the services of Medinet to reduce waiting lists and times.\r\n","AnswerText":"There are six boards that have used Medinet during 2013-14. The boards are Borders, Forth Valley, Grampian, Highland, Lothian and Tayside.\r\nThe Scottish Government policy is very clear that NHS boards should use NHS funding to build sustainable capacity. The use of the private sector should only be used in the margins to deal with short-term capacity issues.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-02-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-02-18T16:42:26.99","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300669,"EventID":"S4W-24313","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2345,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":128,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-04T16:42:27.333","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-04T12:25:59.693","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the cost to each NHS board has been of using services provided by Medinet in each of the last four years.\r\n","AnswerText":"The specific information is not available centrally.\r\nSix boards have used Medinet during 2013-14 and the costs are provided in the following table:\r\nBoard\r\nCost (£)\r\nForth Valley\r\n271\r\nGrampian\r\n358\r\nHighland\r\n25\r\nLothian\r\n5,627\r\nTayside\r\n305\r\nThe Scottish Government policy is very clear that NHS boards should use NHS funding to build sustainable capacity. The use of the private sector should only be used in the margins to deal with short-term capacity issues.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-02-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-02-18T16:42:27.35","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300670,"EventID":"S4W-24314","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2345,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":128,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-04T16:42:27.617","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-04T12:25:59.693","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many patients in each NHS board have been treated by Medinet staff in each of the last four years.","AnswerText":"The information requested is not available centrally.\r\nThe Scottish Government policy is very clear that NHS boards should use NHS funding to build sustainable capacity. The use of the private sector should only be used in the margins to deal with short-term capacity issues.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-02-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-02-18T16:42:27.63","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300671,"EventID":"S4W-24315","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1866,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-04T16:42:27.913","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-04T13:40:51.773","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-23976 by Fiona Hyslop on 22 January 2015, whether capital funding provided to the National Performing Companies is ringfenced to assets owned by those organisations, or whether it can be used for assets owned by third parties and, if so, to what extent.\r\n","AnswerText":"All capital funding provided to the National Performing Companies was for expenditure on assets which they owned, or were purchasing, or for which they were or would become responsible for under a lease.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-02-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-02-18T16:42:27.927","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Fiona Hyslop","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300672,"EventID":"S4W-24317","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1866,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-04T16:42:28.333","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-04T13:40:51.773","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-23976 by Fiona Hyslop on 22 January 2015, whether it will provide a breakdown of the capital allocations to the National Performing Companies by the (a) asset benefiting from the funding, (b) value of the funding and (c) year of expenditure.\r\n","AnswerText":"From the figures set out in the answer to S4W-23976, Scottish Ballet’s expenditure was all on the Tramway building, Scottish Opera’s expenditure was all in relation to the Theatre Royal project and the Royal Scottish National Opera expenditure was all on the Glasgow Royal Concert Hall.\r\nThe National Theatre’s expenditure up to 2011-12 was all on their existing building at Civic House. In 2012-13 and thereafter, capital funding was spent on the planned new headquarters at Speirs Lock.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-02-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-02-18T16:42:28.35","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Fiona Hyslop","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300673,"EventID":"S4W-24318","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1866,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-04T16:42:28.753","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-04T14:12:39","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the statement by the Minister for Business, Energy and Tourism on 28 January 2015 (Official Report, c.17), how it will examine the climate consequences of unconventional gas production during the current moratorium.","AnswerText":"On 28 January 2015, the Scottish Government announced plans to commission further research on unconventional oil and gas during the moratorium. Further details will be announced in due course.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-02-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-02-18T16:42:28.77","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300674,"EventID":"S4W-24319","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1866,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-04T16:42:29.13","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-04T14:12:39","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government which key stakeholders it plans to meet in advance of the launch of its public consultation on unconventional gas production.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government plans to engage with a range of stakeholders that are representative of the different views and opinions on unconventional oil and gas.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-02-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-02-18T16:42:29.143","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300675,"EventID":"S4W-24320","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-04T16:42:29.487","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-04T14:17:14.847","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many crimes have been aggravated by (a) race, (b) sexual orientation and (c) disability in each year since 2010-11.\r\n","AnswerText":"The number of crimes aggravated by race are published in the statistical bulletin Racist Incidents Recorded by the Police in Scotland, which is publically available via the following web link:\r\nhttp://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2013/12/4535\r\nTable 7a details the crimes recorded by the police as part of racist incidents in Scotland. The latest information available is for 2012-13.\r\nThe Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service publishes information annually on the number of hate crime charges reported to the Procurator Fiscal, broken down by strand of hate crime. This information is publically available via the following web link:\r\nhttp://www.copfs.gov.uk/images/Documents/Equality_Diversity/Hate%20Crime%20in%20Scotland%202013-14.pdf\r\nInformation is also available on criminal proceedings up to 2013-14. The tables available publicly, on the following web link, relate to crimes and offences with a charge proved with an aggravator recorded: \r\nhttp://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Statistics/Browse/Crime-Justice/Datasets/DatasetsCrimProc/offagg1314\r\nFigures for crimes and offences with race, sexual orientation and disability aggravators are included.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-02-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-02-18T16:42:29.52","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Paul Wheelhouse","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300676,"EventID":"S4W-24321","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-04T16:42:30.11","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-04T14:17:14.847","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many people have been convicted of a disability hate crime in each year since the offence was introduced.","AnswerText":"The disability hate crime aggravator was introduced in March 2010, by the Offences (Aggravation by Prejudice) (Scotland) Act 2009.\r\nFrom data held on the Scottish Government criminal proceedings database there were seven people convicted of such crimes in the financial year 2010-11, 16 in 2011-12, 31 in 2012-13, and 41 in 2013-14, the latest financial year for which information is available.\r\nYear-on-year comparisons should not be made for these aggravators owing to their relatively recent introduction and the degree to which campaigns to raise public awareness, such as ‘Speak Up Against Hate Crime’, have improved reporting of incidents, has not been measured.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-02-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-02-18T16:42:30.143","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Paul Wheelhouse","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300677,"EventID":"S4W-24322","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-04T16:42:30.69","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-04T14:17:14.847","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many people have died as a result of a disability hate crime in each year since the offence was introduced.\r\n","AnswerText":"In order to answer this question, centrally held police recorded crime data has been used. These data record deaths that arise as a result of criminal action as homicides.\r\nSince 1 April 2010, there have been no homicide cases recorded by the police as being a disability hate crime in the Scottish Government homicide database.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-02-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-02-18T16:42:30.703","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Paul Wheelhouse","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300678,"EventID":"S4W-24323","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-04T16:42:31.267","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-04T14:17:14.847","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to support Enable Scotland's #BeTheChange campaign.\r\n","AnswerText":"No one should have to face discrimination or prejudice in any form in 21st century Scotland, including learning disabled people. It is never acceptable and it will not be tolerated.\r\nWe are committed to tackling all forms of prejudice and welcome work to increase confidence to encourage people to come forward and report crimes.\r\nIn particular, we welcome, Enable Scotland's #BeTheChange campaign to challenge and end the use of abusive language directed against learning disabled people. I have signed the #BeTheChange challenge and would encourage colleagues across the chamber to do so.\r\nWe will also shortly be developing the disability content on the One Scotland website (www.onescotland.org) and will include a link to the #BeTheChange campaign.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-02-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-02-18T16:42:31.28","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Paul Wheelhouse","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300679,"EventID":"S4W-24324","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1845,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-04T16:42:31.78","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-04T14:17:07","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it will undertake a review of pet legislation, including the breeding of dogs.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government recognise that pet welfare is an important issue. As noted in response to S4W-21706 on 24 June 2014 and again to S4W-23680 on 9 January 2015, we have already begun an initial review of existing companion animal welfare legislation and intend to develop long-term options for further work in this area.\r\nAs previously noted, the current priority on companion animals is responsible dog ownership; however, a wider review of Scottish Government policies on pet legislation will be undertaken in due course with assistance from stakeholders. We will then consider how best to proceed; any new or revised legislation would need to be preceded by full public consultation.\r\nUntil existing animal welfare projects are closer to completion, it is not possible to put a timeframe on these plans.\r\nAll answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-02-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-02-18T16:42:31.797","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Richard Lochhead","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300680,"EventID":"S4W-24325","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1845,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-04T16:42:32.123","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-04T14:17:07","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many dogs have been taken into care by Police Scotland in each year since 1999.\r\n","AnswerText":"This information is not held by the Scottish Government, and is a matter for Police Scotland.\r\nIt is worth noting that Police Scotland is not the only organisation that takes dogs into care; local authorities, the Scottish SPCA and other animal welfare charities also play a significant role. However, again, the Scottish Government does not hold information on the number of dogs involved.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-02-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-02-18T16:42:32.17","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Richard Lochhead","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300681,"EventID":"S4W-24326","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4947,"Party":"Independent","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-04T16:42:32.467","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-04T15:01:43.467","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the procedure is when a member of the public wishes to make a criminal accusation against a member of (a) Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal staff and (b) the judiciary.\r\n","AnswerText":"If a member of the public believes that a criminal offence has been committed, they should report this to Police Scotland on the 101 non- emergency number or write to Chief Constable Sir Stephen House, Police Scotland, PO Box 21184, Alloa, FK10 9DE.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-02-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-02-18T16:42:32.483","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300682,"EventID":"S4W-24327","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4947,"Party":"Independent","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-04T16:42:32.747","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-04T15:01:43.467","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether the creation of Police Scotland resulted in changes to procedures for a member of the public who wishes to make a criminal accusation against a member of (a) Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal staff and (b) the judiciary.\r\n","AnswerText":"The procedure for any member of the public who wishes to make a criminal accusation against a member of the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal staff or the judiciary has not changed as a result of the creation of Police Scotland.\r\nIf a member of the public believes that a criminal offence has been committed, they should report this to Police Scotland on the 101 non-emergency number, or write to Chief Constable Sir Stephen House, Police Scotland, PO Box 21184, Alloa, FK10 9DE.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-02-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-02-18T16:42:32.763","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300683,"EventID":"S4W-24342","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":2,"MSPID":2615,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":143,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-05T11:40:10.897","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-05T11:18:20.877","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it will publish the consultation on the draft (a) Named Persons (Training, Qualifications, Experience and Position) (Scotland) Order to support Part 4, (b) Child's Plan (Scotland) Bill to support Part 5 and (c) statutory guidelines to support Part 18 (section 96) of the Children and Young People (Scotland) Act 2014.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government will publish the consultation on the draft Named Persons (Training, Qualifications, Experience and Position) (Scotland) Order, draft Child’s Plan (Scotland) Order and the draft statutory guidance to support parts 4, 5 and 18 (Section 96, Wellbeing) of the Children and Young People (Scotland) Act 2014 on 6 February 2015.\r\nA copy of the document will placed in SPICe (Bib. number 56684).\r\n\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-02-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-02-19T11:40:11.07","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Fiona McLeod","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300684,"EventID":"S4W-24341","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":2,"MSPID":2673,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":114,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-05T12:09:15.703","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-05T10:45:59.413","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with the Scottish Law Commission regarding what future law reform projects the commission plans to carry out.\r\n","AnswerText":"I have agreed with the Scottish Law Commission its Ninth Programme of Law Reform, which covers the work to be undertaken by the commission for the three year period from 2015 until the end of 2017. The programme was presented to Parliament on 6 February 2015 and is also being published on 6 February 2015. Copies have been placed in the Scottish Parliament Information Centre (Bib. number 56656).\r\nThe projects which will be undertaken under the ninth programme have been selected following consultation by the commission. The programme includes existing projects which began under the eighth programme, such as work on contracts law, compulsory purchase, heritable securities, and moveable property. A joint project with the Law Commission on electoral law will also continue. In addition, the commission expects to undertake new projects which will cover the law of defamation, commercial leases and some aspects of the law on prescription and limitation.\r\nI welcome this programme, which represents a varied and relevant set of proposals, and look forward to receiving reports from the commission in due course. We will continue to work with the commission over ways of taking forward the proposals in those reports, and will continue with the system introduced last year of providing initial responses to reports within three months of publication.\r\nThe Scottish Law Commission also has a general remit to keep the law of Scotland under review for the purpose of promoting reform and development of the law. In addition to the programme of law reform agreed with ministers, the commission also receives from ministers references on specific issues and provides other advice on specific areas of the law.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-02-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-02-19T12:09:15.813","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300685,"EventID":"S4W-24328","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1860,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-05T13:50:23.047","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-04T16:12:00.677","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it protects land used for sport or recreation from development not related to sport or recreation.","AnswerText":"There are existing planning measures in place, both in terms of planning policy and through the notification direction, which help safeguard outdoor sports facilities from inappropriate development.\r\nScottish Planning Policy (SPP), published in 2014, sets out ministers’ clear position on the protection of outdoor sports facilities, that they should be safeguarded from development except in a limited number of prescribed circumstances, such as where the proposed development is ancillary to the use as sports facility, only involves a minor part of the sports facility and would not affect its use for sport and training, or where if the facility to be lost would be replaced by a new facility of comparable or greater value. Through SPP, ministers expect local authorities to identify and protect open space in their local development plans.\r\nMinisters also have a scrutiny role, and have set out in the Town and Country Planning (Notification of Applications) (Scotland) Direction 2009 details of the types of applications which require to be notified to them. This includes development which is likely to a) result in the loss of an outdoor sports facility; b) prejudice the existing use of an outdoor sports facility for that purpose; or c) prevent the use of land, which was last used as an outdoor sports facility, from being used again for that purpose, to which sportscotland has objected or has recommended conditions which the planning authority does not intend to attach to the planning permission.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-02-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-02-19T13:50:23.083","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300686,"EventID":"S4W-24329","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-05T13:50:23.473","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-04T16:27:33.89","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government for what reason the commitment in the 2010 Scottish Intercollegiate Guideline Network (SIGN) 114 report, Non-pharmaceutical management of depression in adults, that the report would \"be considered for review in three years\", has not been met.\r\n","AnswerText":"Any decision whether to update a guideline is based on the volume of new evidence to update that recommendation and Scottish Intercollegiate Guideline Network (SIGN) Council will prioritise topics for update in line with capacity within the SIGN programme. \r\nIn accordance with SIGN procedures, SIGN 114 is being considered for review along with all other guidelines which are more than three years old.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-02-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-02-19T13:50:23.497","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300687,"EventID":"S4W-24330","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-05T13:50:24.043","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-04T16:27:33.89","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action was taken to improve psychological services following the observation in the 2010 Scottish Intercollegiate Guideline Network (SIGN) 114 report, Non-pharmaceutical management of depression in adults, that the \"provision of psychological therapy services across Scotland [was] patchy, idiosyncratic and largely uncoordinated\".\r\n","AnswerText":"Faster access to specialist mental health services for children and young people and to psychological therapies for people of all ages is one of our key challenges. Scotland was the first UK country to introduce a waiting times target.\r\nIn 2009, Audit Scotland published an Overview of Mental Health Services which highlighted areas for improvement. One of the key messages from the report was that basic management information on waiting times is needed for agencies to plan and manage mental health services more effectively.\r\nIn November 2010, we set a HEAT target to ‘Deliver faster access to mental health services by delivering 18 weeks referral to treatment for psychological therapies from December 2014'.\r\nCurrently, the average waiting time for psychological therapies is 8 weeks, and 9 weeks for Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services, with the majority of people needing treatment being seen within 18 weeks.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-02-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-02-19T13:50:24.067","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300688,"EventID":"S4W-24331","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-05T13:50:24.753","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-04T16:29:46.567","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether GPs are trained to (a) diagnose all mental health conditions and personality disorders and (b) identify the appropriate management of the conditions.\r\n","AnswerText":"All general practitioners are registered medical practitioners. All UK University undergraduate programmes in medicine include training in the diagnosis and management of mental disorder (including personality disorder) and illness. Graduation as a medical doctor requires all students to pass examination in psychiatry.\r\nAs part of the Quality and Outcomes Framework, GPs report on the ongoing management of several conditions, including schizophrenia, bipolar affective disorder and other psychoses.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-02-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-02-19T13:50:24.78","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300689,"EventID":"S4W-24332","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-05T13:50:25.217","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-04T16:29:46.567","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government for what reason there is no Scottish Intercollegiate Guideline Network guideline for the general management, including pharmaceutical, of depression.","AnswerText":"Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network (SIGN) guidelines are derived from a systematic review of the scientific literature and are designed to accelerate the translation of new knowledge into action to meet the aim of reducing variations in practice, and improving outcomes. The range of evidence considered in the production of any particular guideline is based on the scope of the guideline and discussions with the multi-disciplinary guideline development.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-02-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-02-19T13:50:25.243","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300690,"EventID":"S4W-24333","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1759,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-05T13:50:25.703","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-05T09:48:43.39","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it will publish the final version of its Heat Generation Policy Statement.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has considered the responses received to the consultation on the draft Heat Generation Policy Statement and is currently finalising the document for publication.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-02-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-02-19T13:50:25.73","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300691,"EventID":"S4W-24334","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-05T13:50:25.997","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-05T09:49:35","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the budget is for the implementation of the recommendations of the Commission for Developing Scotland's Young Workforce.\r\n","AnswerText":"The budget directly associated with the implementation plans in Developing the Young Workforce – Scotland’s Youth Employment Strategy is £12 million for 2014-15 and £16.6 million in 2015-16. That is in addition to our substantial existing investment in post-school learning, along with the resource local government partners make available to schools.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-02-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-02-19T13:50:26.023","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Roseanna Cunningham","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300692,"EventID":"S4W-24335","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-05T13:50:26.303","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-05T09:49:35","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many college students in each year since 2007 were aged (a) 18 to 24 and (b) 25 and older, also expressed as a percentage.\r\n","AnswerText":"The latest available data on students in colleges in Scotland are Scottish Funding Council data for 2013-14.\r\nTables 1 and 2 show the number and percentage of college students aged under 18, 18 to 24 and 25 and over, in each year since 2006-07.\r\nTable 1 - Student Headcount at Scotland's Colleges by age range 2006-07 to 2013-14\r\n\r\n \r\n2006-07\r\n2007-08\r\n2008-09\r\n2009-10\r\n2010-11\r\n2011-12\r\n2012-13\r\n2013-14\r\nunder 18\r\n93,314\r\n108,692\r\n113,311\r\n103,978\r\n86,751\r\n58,964\r\n53,572\r\n52,342\r\n18 to 24\r\n79,022\r\n80,016\r\n82,511\r\n83,861\r\n81,241\r\n80,913\r\n79,582\r\n80,515\r\n25 and over\r\n191,136\r\n190,393\r\n179,022\r\n159,289\r\n137,784\r\n117,921\r\n105,615\r\n105,384\r\nSource: Scottish Funding Council\r\n\r\nTable 2 - Student Headcount at Scotland's Colleges, percentage by age range 2006-07 to 2013-14:\r\n\r\n2006-07\r\n2007-08\r\n2008-09\r\n2009-10\r\n2010-11\r\n2011-12\r\n2012-13\r\n2013-14\r\nunder 18\r\n25.7%\r\n28.7%\r\n30.2%\r\n30.0%\r\n28.4%\r\n22.9%\r\n22.4%\r\n22.0%\r\n18 to 24\r\n21.7%\r\n21.1%\r\n22.0%\r\n24.2%\r\n26.6%\r\n31.4%\r\n33.3%\r\n33.8%\r\n25 and over\r\n52.6%\r\n50.2%\r\n47.8%\r\n45.9%\r\n45.1%\r\n45.7%\r\n44.2%\r\n44.2%\r\nSource: Scottish Funding Council\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-02-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-02-19T13:50:26.33","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300693,"EventID":"S4W-24337","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-05T13:50:26.617","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-05T09:49:35","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what independent evaluation it has commissioned on the changes that it has introduced to the college sector, and whether it will publish the findings. \r\n","AnswerText":"The Scottish Funding Council (SFC) and Education Scotland monitor and evaluate the impact of the Government’s reforms as part of their existing arrangements. Additionally, the SFC has evaluated each college merger, with a full evaluation after two years – with significant input from learners, employers and other key stakeholders.\r\nLatest published data on college performance is positive, showing record rates of successful completion, a 17% increase in full-time funded students since 2006-07 and a 59% increase in the average hours of learning per student over the same period.\r\nEducation Scotland published reviews of nine colleges in 2014, eight of which received the highest possible marking. I am also pleased to say that in 2014 nearly all of Education Scotland’s reviews of colleges showed strong evidence of close alignment of provision to employer need and learner progression.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-02-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-02-19T13:50:26.643","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300694,"EventID":"S4W-24338","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1860,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-05T13:50:26.92","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-05T10:40:34.93","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many teacher vacancies there are in (a) Highland, (b) Moray, (c) Orkney Islands, (d) Shetland Islands, (e) Western Isles and (f) Argyll and Bute Council.\r\n","AnswerText":"This information is not held centrally. However, individual local authorities have an overview of school level vacancies. Local authorities are represented on the Teacher Workforce Planning Advisory Group and their evidence informs final guidance on intakes to initial teacher education.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-02-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-02-19T13:50:26.947","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300695,"EventID":"S4W-24339","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1860,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-05T13:50:27.363","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-05T10:40:34.93","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to its news release of 2 January 2015 regarding 250 additional teacher training places for 2015-16, what further action it is taking to create more teacher training places at colleges in (a) the Highlands, (b) the Western Isles, (c) the Northern Isles and (d) Moray.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has recommended that initial teacher education (ITE) student intake targets for 2015-16 should be increased by 150 in the primary sector and by 100 in the secondary sector.\r\nThe Scottish Government’s advice to the Scottish Funding Council recommends that, from the planned additional ITE places in 2015-16, target intakes for the Professional Graduate Diploma in Education (PGDE) Primary course at the University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI) should be increased from 40 to 60. On the strength of this recommendation, UHI are planning to train teachers in each of the following six UHI colleges in 2015-16: Argyll, Inverness, Lews Castle, Moray, Orkney and Shetland.\r\nIt is also recommended that the remaining increase in the primary sector should be distributed between the Universities of Aberdeen, Dundee and the West of Scotland.\r\nIt is also recommended that eight of the secondary places should be allocated for the PGDE Secondary course that UHI is planning to introduce in 2015-16 in partnership with Comhairle nan Eilean Siar, and that the remaining increase in the secondary sector be distributed proportionately across all the other universities that offer ITE courses, including Aberdeen.\r\nThe University of Aberdeen has been allocated additional places since 2014-15 and, with Scottish Government funding, is working with partner local authorities to train existing employees, such as classroom assistants, as primary teachers, through a part-time PGDE course on a distance learning basis. Highland Council already has a cohort following this route into teaching and Moray Council is due to join soon.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-02-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-02-19T13:50:27.387","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300696,"EventID":"S4W-24340","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5047,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-05T13:50:27.737","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-05T10:40:58.243","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to increase cultural engagement in the most deprived areas.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is committed to ensuring that everyone in Scotland has an opportunity to access, enjoy and participate in cultural activity and can experience and enjoy our heritage. The Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games, through the Cultural Programme, offered an excellent platform for communities across Scotland to engage in cultural activity with over 1500 events taking place, involving thousands of artists, performers and participants, across hundreds of locations and venues the length and breadth of Scotland. We are determined to capitalise on the many opportunities created by hosting the Games to ensure a lasting social, cultural and economic legacy for the whole of Scotland.\r\nThrough our agencies and non-departmental public bodies we support a broad range of programmes, including our work with young people under the umbrella of Scotland’s Youth Arts Strategy Time to Shine, the Youth Music Initiative and Cashback for Creativity, all designed to ensure that no-one’s background is a barrier to taking part in cultural life.\r\nWe sponsor Creative Scotland (£51 million grant in aid in 2014-15), enabling them to fund and support a broad range of individuals and organisations across the cultural sector, helping the cultural sector to build capacity as well as deliver high quality work in communities across Scotland. Encouraging and widening participation in the arts is embedded as one of the five ambitions in Creative Scotland’s ten year strategic plan, Unlocking Potential, Embracing Ambition.\r\nTime to Shine, Scotland’s First National Youth Arts Strategy, sets out a vision and key recommendations to enable all of Scotland's children and young people to flourish in and through the arts and creativity, centred around the themes of participation, progression and provision. Its £3.5 million Youth Arts Development Fund has supported the development of nine youth arts hubs to improve youth arts provision and infrastructure in areas across the country in Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire, Moray, Highlands, West Dunbartonshire, Glasgow, Argyll and Bute, Ayrshire, Edinburgh and Fife, all helping to facilitate new opportunities for young people. These hubs have been developed through partnerships between local and national arts and youth services providers to increase access to youth arts across Scotland in a range of art forms and aim to engage with over 40,000 children and young people. We will continue to support initiatives taking forward the Strategy and in November 2014 we announced an additional £1 million of public and private funding for the national youth arts companies to deepen youth arts participation in the run up to Scotland's Year of Young People in 2018.\r\nThe Youth Music Initiative receives £10 million per annum and supports and creates access to high quality programmes particularly for young people that would not normally engage in music activities.\r\nCashBack for Creativity uses the proceeds of crime in a positive way to expand young people’s horizons and increase their opportunities to develop their interest and skills in an enjoyable, fulfilling and supportive way. The latest phase has seen its funding increased from £750,000 to £1 million a year for the next three years (2014-2017).\r\nWe also core fund the five National Performing Companies (£23.5 million revenue in 2014-15) who run a number of education and outreach initiatives to encourage wider engagement with the arts. For example, the Royal Scottish National Orchestra offers free concert tickets to young people between 14-18 years, while the National Theatre of Scotland produced in partnership with the Scottish Youth Theatre in 2014 The Tin Forest, which was part of the Glasgow 2014 Cultural Programme and where creative teams worked in four ex-industrial communities across Glasgow.\r\nGovernment funding is also helping support programmes such as:\r\nOur four-year funding package of £1.325m for Sistema Scotland which is helping to transform the health, wellbeing and pro","AnswerDate":"2015-02-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-02-19T13:50:27.76","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Fiona Hyslop","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300697,"EventID":"S4W-24343","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2394,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-05T13:50:28.03","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-05T11:34:28.103","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-24165 by John Swinney on 5 February 2015, what it means by \"managed in line with usual practice\".","AnswerText":"“Managed in line with usual practice” means that a stock is retained for as long as the Scottish Government believes a document has continued significance or there remains demand for copies.\r\nScotland’s Future is a landmark document, is of importance in outlining a major step in Scotland’s constitutional journey and is still being ordered by members of the public.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-02-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-02-19T13:50:28.053","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300698,"EventID":"S4W-24345","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4014,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-05T13:50:28.627","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-05T12:05:10","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what support sportscotland provides toward the development of indoor bowling.\r\n","AnswerText":"I have asked sportscotland to respond directly to you.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-02-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-02-19T13:50:28.653","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300699,"EventID":"S4W-24346","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1845,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-05T13:50:28.953","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-05T12:06:31","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many people have had tattoos removed by the NHS in each year since 1999, broken down by NHS board. \r\n","AnswerText":"There is no specific NHS data code for tattoo removal. As a result, this information is not held centrally by NHS National Services Scotland, Information Services Division.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-02-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-02-19T13:50:28.99","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300700,"EventID":"S4W-24347","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1845,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-05T13:50:29.363","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-05T12:06:31","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what family accommodation is provided by each NHS board.","AnswerText":"Information on the provision of family accommodation provided by each NHS board is not held centrally.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-02-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-02-19T13:50:29.39","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300710,"EventID":"S4W-24353","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":2,"MSPID":3771,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-05T14:49:15.637","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-05T14:46:11.373","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what funds it is making available to NHS boards for 2015-16.\r\n","AnswerText":"Territorial boards have been given a general allocation increase of £282 million for 2015-16, an overall average increase over the equivalent 2014-15 allocation of 3.4 per cent.\r\nThe further funding of £30 million announced for delayed discharge will form part of boards’ baseline budgets, taking the total uplift to 3.8 per cent.\r\nSpecial boards’ allocations have increased by 1.0 per cent. In addition, differential efficiency savings have been allocated to the elements of special boards’ budgets not providing direct patient care which results in an overall net increase of 0.6 per cent.\r\nDetails of boards’ revenue resource and capital allocations for 2015-16 are provided in the following tables:\r\nRevenue Resource\r\nTerritorial Boards\r\n2015-16 Uplift (£ million)\r\n2015-16 Uplift (%)\r\n2015-16 General Allocation (£ million)\r\nDelayed Discharge (£ million)\r\n2015-16 Total (%)\r\nAyrshire and Arran \r\n16.6\r\n2.7\r\n635.5\r\n2.3\r\n3.1\r\nBorders \r\n4.4\r\n2.4\r\n184.2\r\n0.6\r\n2.8\r\nDumfries and Galloway \r\n6.2\r\n2.4\r\n265.9\r\n0.9\r\n2.7\r\nFife \r\n17.5\r\n3.1\r\n574.8\r\n2.0\r\n3.5\r\nForth Valley \r\n11.8\r\n2.6\r\n461.5\r\n1.6\r\n3.0\r\nGrampian \r\n49.1\r\n6.3\r\n827.3\r\n2.7\r\n6.7\r\nGreater Glasgow and Clyde \r\n51.8\r\n2.7\r\n1,975.5\r\n7.1\r\n3.1\r\nHighland \r\n24.8\r\n4.7\r\n550.0\r\n1.8\r\n5.1\r\nLanarkshire \r\n38.0\r\n3.8\r\n1,051.8\r\n3.8\r\n4.1\r\nLothian \r\n37.7\r\n3.2\r\n1,225.7\r\n4.3\r\n3.5\r\nOrkney \r\n5.4\r\n15.1\r\n41.3\r\n0.1\r\n15.4\r\nShetland \r\n1.1\r\n2.8\r\n40.7\r\n0.1\r\n3.1\r\nTayside \r\n15.9\r\n2.5\r\n660.9\r\n2.4\r\n2.8\r\nWestern Isles \r\n1.5\r\n2.4\r\n63.7\r\n0.2\r\n2.7\r\nTotal\r\n281.8\r\n3.4\r\n8,558.9\r\n30.0\r\n3.8\r\nSpecial Boards\r\n2015-16 Uplift (£ million)\r\n2015-16 Uplift (%)\r\n2015-16 General Allocation (£ million)\r\nDelayed Discharge (£ million)\r\n2015-16 Total (%)\r\nNational Waiting Times Centre\r\n0.5\r\n1.0\r\n46.0\r\n\r\n\r\nScottish Ambulance Service\r\n2.1\r\n1.0\r\n212.1\r\n\r\n\r\nNational Services Scotland\r\n1.3\r\n0.5\r\n283.3\r\n\r\n\r\nHealthcare Improvement Scotland \r\n-0.3\r\n-1.9\r\n15.2\r\n\r\n\r\nThe State Hospital\r\n0.3\r\n1.0\r\n34.2\r\n\r\n\r\nNHS 24\r\n0.6\r\n1.0\r\n62.7\r\n\r\n\r\nNHS Education for Scotland\r\n2.4\r\n0.6\r\n392.6\r\n\r\n\r\nNHS Health Scotland\r\n-0.9\r\n-4.6\r\n18.0\r\n\r\n\r\nTotal\r\n6.1\r\n0.6\r\n1,064.1\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nCapital Resource\r\nTerritorial Boards\r\n£ million\r\nNHS Ayrshire and Arran\r\n 20.6 \r\nNHS Borders\r\n 6.5 \r\nNHS Dumfries and Galloway\r\n 9.2 \r\nNHS Fife\r\n 13.9 \r\nNHS Forth Valley\r\n 7.3 \r\nNHS Grampian\r\n 15.3 \r\nNHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde\r\n 87.9 \r\nNHS Highland\r\n 11.3 \r\nNHS Lanarkshire\r\n 19.9 \r\nNHS Lothian\r\n 46.7 \r\nNHS Orkney\r\n 2.4 \r\nNHS Shetland\r\n 1.1 \r\nNHS Tayside\r\n 15.5 \r\nNHS Western Isles\r\n 4.9 \r\nTotal\r\n 262.5 \r\nSpecial Boards\r\n£ million\r\nHealthcare Improvement Scotland\r\n 1.5 \r\nNHS 24\r\n 0.3 \r\nHealth Scotland\r\n 0.7 \r\nNational Services Scotland\r\n 5.8 \r\nNational Waiting Times Centre\r\n 3.0 \r\nScottish Ambulance Service\r\n 10.1 \r\nThe State Hospital\r\n 0.3 \r\nTotal\r\n 21.7\r\n\r\nRecurring allocations: in addition to the allocations outlined above, there will be recurring allocations of £40.3 million which will be added to boards’ baseline budgets in 2015-16.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-02-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-02-19T14:49:15.797","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300713,"EventID":"S4W-24348","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1756,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":136,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-05T16:37:27.86","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-05T12:51:08","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide details of each PPP/PFI contract that was in place in each parliamentary constituency in May 2007, also broken down by information regarding (a) annual interest payments and (b) the (i) duration and (ii) total cost of each project.\r\n","AnswerText":"Information relating to both ongoing and expired PPP/PFI contracts is available from the Scottish Government website under ‘unitary payment charges’ by way of the following link: www.scotland.gov.uk\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-02-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-02-19T16:37:27.873","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300714,"EventID":"S4W-24349","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1756,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":136,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-05T16:37:28.303","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-05T12:52:17","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government which hospitals charge for parking and for what reason these charges cannot be prohibited.\r\n","AnswerText":"There are charges for parking at Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh, Glasgow Royal Infirmary and Ninewells Hospital, Dundee.\r\nThese charges cannot be prohibited due to the respective health boards being committed into long-term private finance initiative contracts.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-02-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-02-19T16:37:28.317","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300715,"EventID":"S4W-24350","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1756,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":136,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-20T11:31:56.26","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-05T12:54:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much it would cost to terminate each private contract for the provision of parking at hospitals.","AnswerText":"This information is not held centrally.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-03-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-02-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300716,"EventID":"S4W-24351","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-05T16:37:29.217","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-05T13:26:05","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it expects to (a) advertise for and (b) appoint a Chief Scientific Adviser for Scotland.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government intends to advertise for a new Chief Scientific Adviser Scotland shortly and we hope to appoint later in 2015.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-02-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-02-19T16:37:29.24","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Alasdair Allan","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300717,"EventID":"S4W-24352","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2610,"Party":"Independent","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-05T16:37:29.627","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-05T14:12:17.183","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what information it has regarding how many households have had their (a) gas and (b) electricity supply disconnected, or \"capped\", in each of the last five years, also broken down by local authority area.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government does not hold this information centrally.\r\nHowever, in December 2014, the Office of Gas and Electricity markets (Ofgem) published the Domestic Suppliers Social Obligations: 2013 annual report. Table 10 includes data at a Scottish level for the number of disconnections for non-payment of debt (2011-2013).\r\nhttps://www.ofgem.gov.uk/ofgem-publications/92186/annualreport2013finalforpublication.pdf\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-02-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-02-19T16:37:29.65","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Burgess","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300718,"EventID":"S4W-24354","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1768,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":131,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-05T16:37:29.947","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-05T14:53:03","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the impact that counterfeit electrical goods have on (a) domestic electrical fires, (b) public services and (c) the economy; what information it has on seizures of counterfeit electrical goods from Scottish ports, and what discussions it has had with (i) companies that sell online and (ii) the UK Government regarding the sale of counterfeit electrical goods.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government recognises the range of impacts that counterfeit electrical goods can have and welcomes the work that bodies such as the Scottish Anti-Illicit Trade Group, the Scottish Business Resilience Centre, the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service and Electrical Safety First are doing in this area. Seizures from Scottish ports are the responsibility of UK Border Force and HM Revenue and Customs and regulations concerning counterfeit goods are reserved. I would encourage the UK Government to take action to help reduce the availability of counterfeit goods.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-02-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-02-19T16:37:29.97","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300719,"EventID":"S4W-24355","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1768,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":131,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-05T16:37:30.427","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-05T14:53:03","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it supports local authorities in tackling the sale of counterfeit electrical goods.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government supports the important role that local authorities have in protecting communities. We welcome the work of Trading Standards in protecting citizens across Scotland.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-02-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-02-19T16:37:30.45","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300720,"EventID":"S4W-24359","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-05T16:37:30.863","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-05T15:10:51","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the current status is of NHS Lothian's budget.\r\n","AnswerText":"The current year end forecast for 2014-15 is that the board will deliver a balanced financial position.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-02-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-02-19T16:37:30.887","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300721,"EventID":"S4W-24360","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-05T16:37:31.21","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-05T15:10:51","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it was informed of NHS Lothian’s decision to suspend the recruitment of nursing and other staff because of reported budget difficulties.\r\n","AnswerText":"NHS Lothian has not made any decision to suspend the recruitment of nursing and other staff.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-02-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-02-19T16:37:31.227","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300722,"EventID":"S4W-24361","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-05T16:37:31.493","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-05T15:10:51","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on NHS Lothian’s decision to suspend the recruitment of nursing and other staff because of reported budget difficulties.\r\n","AnswerText":"NHS Lothian has not made any decision to suspend the recruitment of nursing and other staff due to ‘reported budget deficits’.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-02-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-02-19T16:37:31.517","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300723,"EventID":"S4W-24362","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-05T16:37:31.81","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-05T15:10:51","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what assistance it is giving to NHS Lothian to overcome reported budget difficulties.\r\n","AnswerText":"For 2014-15, NHS Lothian received an additional £17.521 million of ‘NRAC (NHSScotland Resource Allocation Committee) parity funding’ recurringly into their baseline allocation. A further £7.000 million is planned for 2015-16.\r\nTo provide the board with flexibility between years, the Scottish Government assisted NHS Lothian by carrying forward a £0.324 million surplus from last year (2013-14).\r\nTo date other allocations of funding have also been provided as follows:\r\nDescription of Funding (2014-15)\r\nAmount (£ million)\r\nLocal Unscheduled Care Action Plan\r\n2.358\r\nWaiting Times Standards\r\n0.500\r\nAccess Support\r\n0.859\r\nDelayed Discharges – Winter Preparedness\r\n0.712\r\nNew Drugs\r\n1.596\r\nTotal\r\n6.025\r\n \r\nFor 2015-16, NHS Lothian was previously planning on a £32.877 million baseline funding uplift (equivalent to a 2.8%); however as a result of the recent announcement of additional funding for drugs and delayed discharges, this has been increased by a further £9.135 million; taking the increase for 2015-16 to a total of £42.013 million; (equivalent to 3.5% of baseline funding).\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-02-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-02-19T16:37:31.833","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300724,"EventID":"S4W-24363","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-05T16:37:32.16","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-05T15:10:51","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it expects NHS Lothian to resume recruiting nursing and other staff.\r\n","AnswerText":"NHS Lothian has confirmed that they have not suspended the recruitment of nursing and other staff and in the last 14 days they have recruited 114 clinical staff and 19 non- clinical staff.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-02-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-02-19T16:37:32.187","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300729,"EventID":"S4W-24364","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4016,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":133,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-06T13:57:14.34","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-06T08:53:13.07","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many beds for (a) all and (b) older patients have been available in NHS Borders in each year since 2007.\r\n","AnswerText":"The following table shows the average number of available staffed beds for all acute medical specialties and geriatric long stay in NHS Borders for financial years 2007-08 to 2013-14. Older people may have a hospital stay for a variety of reasons and may stay in a bed in a specialty not specifically designated for older people.\r\nAverage available staffed beds for all acute medical specialties and geriatric long stay in NHS Borders, financial years 2007-08 to 2013-14.\r\n\r\n2007-08\r\n2008-09\r\n2009-10\r\n2010-11\r\n2011-12\r\n2012-13\r\n2013-14\r\nAcute Medical and Geriatric Long Stay\r\n232\r\n217\r\n201\r\n202\r\n195\r\n217\r\n237\r\nSource: ISD Scotland, ISD(S)1\r\nThese statistics and further information on beds is published under the beds sub-topic of ISD’s acute hospital care publication.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-02-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-02-20T13:57:14.45","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300730,"EventID":"S4W-24365","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4016,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":133,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-06T13:57:14.73","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-06T08:53:13.07","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many acute presentations for (a) all and (b) older patients have been recorded in NHS Borders in each year since 2007.","AnswerText":"The following table shows the number of hospital stays in acute specialties in NHS Borders for all patients and patients aged 65 and over for financial years 2007-08 to 2013-14.\r\nNumber of inpatient and day case stays in acute specialties in NHS Borders for all patients and patients aged 65 or over, financial years 2007-08 to 2013-14.\r\n\r\nAll ages\r\n65 or over\r\n2007-08\r\n21,717\r\n9,371\r\n2008-09\r\n21,986\r\n9,481\r\n2009-10\r\n21,601\r\n9,638\r\n2010-11\r\n22,192\r\n9,867\r\n2011-12\r\n23,114\r\n10,378\r\n2012-13\r\n23,016\r\n10,721\r\n2013-14\r\n24,596\r\n11,645\r\nSource: Information Services Division:Scotland, SMR01\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-02-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-02-20T13:57:14.763","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300731,"EventID":"S4W-24366","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4016,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":133,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-06T13:57:15.043","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-06T08:53:13.07","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the occupancy rate has been for acute wards in NHS Borders in each year since 2007.   \r\n","AnswerText":"The following table shows average occupancy rate (%) for acute specialties in NHS Borders for financial years 2007-08 to 2013-14.\r\nOccupancy rate (%) for acute specialties in NHS Borders, financial years 2007-08 to 2013-14.\r\n \r\n2007-08\r\n2008-09\r\n2009-10\r\n2010-11\r\n2011-12\r\n2012-13\r\n2013-14\r\nOccupancy (%)\r\n79.2\r\n83.4\r\n82.2\r\n81.1\r\n81.1\r\n83.6\r\n83.8\r\nSource: Information Services Division:Scotland, ISD(S)1\r\nThese statistics and further information on beds is published under the 'Beds’ sub-topic of Information Services Divisions Acute Hospital Care publication.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-02-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-02-20T13:57:15.06","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300732,"EventID":"S4W-24367","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4016,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":133,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-06T13:57:15.31","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-06T08:53:13.07","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what percentage of patients has been discharged within six months in each healthcare facility in NHS Borders in each year since 2007.   \r\n","AnswerText":"The following table shows the percentage of inpatient and day case patients discharged within six months of admission at each healthcare facility in NHS Borders for financial years 2007-08 to 2013-14. The specialty of geriatric long stay is included.\r\nPercentage of patients discharged within six months of admission for at each healthcare facility in NHS Borders, financial years 2007-08 to 2013-14\r\n\r\n2007-08\r\n2008-09\r\n2009-10\r\n2010-11\r\n2011-12\r\n2012-13\r\n2013-14\r\nThe Knoll Hospital\r\n97.7\r\n94.2\r\n95.0\r\n94.5\r\n95.3\r\n99.6\r\n100.0\r\nHawick Community Hospital\r\n99.4\r\n100.0\r\n99.6\r\n100.0\r\n100.0\r\n100.0\r\n100.0\r\nKelso Hospital\r\n97.9\r\n98.1\r\n98.1\r\n98.3\r\n99.0\r\n99.6\r\n99.6\r\nHay Lodge Hospital\r\n97.4\r\n96.5\r\n98.2\r\n97.4\r\n98.9\r\n97.8\r\n98.7\r\nBorders General Hospital\r\n100.0\r\n99.9\r\n100.0\r\n100.0\r\n100.0\r\n100.0\r\n100.0\r\nCrumhaugh House\r\n94.3\r\n96.3\r\n91.4\r\n95.9\r\n97.1\r\n96.9\r\nn/a\r\nSource: Information Services Division:Scotland, SMR01\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-02-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-02-20T13:57:15.34","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300733,"EventID":"S4W-24368","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4016,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":133,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-06T13:57:15.59","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-06T08:53:13.07","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what percentage of A&E referrals in NHS Borders has required a hospital bed in each year since 2007.\r\n","AnswerText":"Information on patients attending A&E who require a hospital bed is not collected. However, information on patients attending A&E at Borders General Hospital and were subsequently admitted to Borders General Hospital is available from April 2010, which is shown in the following table.\r\nNumber and percentage of attendances to Borders General Hospital Emergency Department who were admitted to Borders General Hospital, financial years 2010-11 to 2013-14\r\n \r\n2010-11\r\n2011-12\r\n2012-13\r\n2013-14\r\nPercentage admitted from A&E\r\n33.7\r\n33.9\r\n34.8\r\n36.0\r\nNumber admitted from A&E\r\n7,799\r\n8,025\r\n8,261\r\n9,070\r\nSource: Information Services Division (ISD):Scotland, A&E Datamart\r\nBorders General Hospital is the only hospital in NHS Borders with an emergency department.\r\nThese statistics and further information on A&E activity is published in ISD’s Emergency Care publication.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-02-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-02-20T13:57:15.62","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300734,"EventID":"S4W-24369","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4016,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":133,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-06T13:57:15.87","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-06T08:53:13.07","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what analysis it has carried out of the effect of closing community health services on acute services at central hospitals.\r\n","AnswerText":"We have not carried out any specific research on this issue. However, through our work on the integration of adult health and social care, and the development of the Integrated Resource Framework:\r\nhttp://www.isdscotland.org/Health-Topics/Health-and-Social-Community-Care/Publications/index.asp?ID=1353), we are aware that over half of all expenditure on over 65s during the financial year ending 31 March 2014, was within a hospital setting, 60% of which was on unplanned admissions.\r\nThis illustrates the need to ensure that a range of community health and social care services are available to meet local needs, and wherever possible avoid the need for unplanned admission to acute hospitals.\r\nHealth boards should plan for the range of health and social care needs of its population and ensure that the pathways of care put in place reflect the need for community and acute health services.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-02-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-02-20T13:57:15.9","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300735,"EventID":"S4W-24370","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2135,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":92,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-06T15:36:21.837","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-06T14:36:16.083","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether the statutory guidance accompanying the Social Care (Self-directed Support) (Scotland) Act 2013 allows local authorities to provide grant aid to community organisations in order to invest in preventative and universal services.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is committed to developing self-directed support as a way of giving individuals and their families, flexibility, choice and control over the support services they receive. The Social Care (Self-directed Support) (Scotland) Act 2013 gives people a range of options for how their social care is delivered and places firm duties on local authorities to give people informed choice as to how they will receive their support.\r\nThe self-directed support statutory guidance provides a general steer to local authorities and states that they should consider their strategy for investing in preventative and universal services - interventions which prevent or delay the need for formal social care and support.\r\nWhilst each individual local authority holds the responsibility for allocation of their funding, the National Self-directed Support Strategy requires that:\r\nCouncils should invest an appropriate amount of funding in effective preventative and universal services.\r\nServices should meet the needs of funded clients and the wider population, thus helping to prevent the escalation of needs.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-02-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-02-20T15:36:21.967","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300736,"EventID":"S4W-24371","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2135,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":92,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-06T15:36:22.2","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-06T14:36:16.083","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it monitors the operation of the Social Care (Self-directed Support) (Scotland) Act 2013 with regard to ongoing support for third sector and community organisations in rural areas where individual demand for services might be low.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is committed to developing self-directed support as a way of giving individuals and their families, flexibility, choice and control over the support services they receive. The Social Care (Self-directed Support) (Scotland) Act 2013 gives people a range of options for how their social care is delivered and places firm duties on local authorities to give people informed choice as to how they will receive their support.\r\nIn order to aid the successful implementation of self-directed support the Scottish Government have provided significant investment of £6.3 million over four years from 2011-12 to 2014-15 to third and independent sector providers of social care, helping them to build capacity for self-directed support. This includes providers in rural areas. Further funding of £1.1 million for the financial year 2015-16 has been confirmed and we are currently in the process of assessing funding bids from a number of providers.\r\nIn addition to this the Scottish Government currently funds two umbrella bodies to provide on-going support, advice and assistance to both providers and support and information organisations throughout Scotland. Self Directed Support Scotland receive core funding to work closely with support and information organisations and The Coalition of Care and Support Providers Scotland receive core funding to engage with provider organisations. Both umbrella bodies provide an extremely worthwhile service supporting these organisations running regular information sessions and training workshops. They are also key stakeholders of the policy team and are pro-active members of a number of working groups aiming to aid the successful implementation of the self-directed support policy.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-02-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-02-20T15:36:22.31","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300737,"EventID":"S4W-24372","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2135,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":92,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-06T15:36:22.687","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-06T14:36:16.083","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it encourages local authorities under the Social Care (Self-directed Support) (Scotland) Act 2013 to support third sector and community organisations that provide services in rural areas where individual demand for services might be low.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is committed to developing self-directed support as a way of giving individuals and their families flexibility, choice and control over the support services they receive. The Social Care (Self-directed Support) (Scotland) Act 2013 gives people a range of options for how their social care is delivered and places firm duties on local authorities to give people informed choice as to how they will receive their support.\r\nThe Scottish Government has invested £28.52 million between 20110-12 and 2015-16 in service transformation within local authorities to enable individuals to direct their own support. A requirement of this funding is that local authorities work closely with users, carers, providers and wider communities to plan, agree and implement local strategies to support self-directed support. It is vital that the approach is co-produced. The Scottish Government recognise co-creation of local delivery is a major strategic challenge that will take time to establish.\r\nAllocation of the transformation funding is at the discretion of local authorities. Some local authorities have funded user and carer engagement activity to build their capacity and skills to engage with local council self-directed support strategies.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-02-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-02-20T15:36:22.713","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300751,"EventID":"S4W-24373","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5079,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-09T15:09:52.67","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-06T16:44:06.907","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what support it expects operators of the Tenancy Deposit Scheme to provide to service users whose first language is not English.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Tenancy Deposit Schemes (Scotland) Regulations 2011 require scheme administrators to put procedures in place, including an appropriate customer service facility, to handle enquiries and deal with complaints from landlords, tenants and the general public. There are no specific requirements covering the provision of support to assist those whose first language is not English. In practice, each scheme provides language support tailored to the needs of their customers which includes the provision of interpreters or translation of support materials.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-02-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-02-23T15:09:52.827","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Burgess","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300752,"EventID":"S4W-24374","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5079,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-09T15:09:53.137","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-06T16:44:06.907","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what criteria it uses when considering whether to publish information in languages other than English or Gaelic.  \r\n","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is required to meet its legal duty under the Equality Act 2010 in ensuring access to information for everyone. This does not mean however that there is a requirement to automatically translate all publications into a wide range of languages and each case has to be considered on its own merits. Consideration is also given to whether alternative approaches, such as translating a summary of the document, or using an interpreter to provide information to a group of people, might be more appropriate.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-02-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-02-23T15:09:53.16","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Alasdair Allan","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300753,"EventID":"S4W-24375","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5079,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-09T15:09:53.433","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-06T16:44:06.907","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to review the Tenancy Deposit Scheme guidance.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Tenancy Deposit Schemes were introduced to resolve the long standing issue of disputes between landlords and tenants over the return of deposits. The three schemes came into force in July 2012.\r\nThe Scottish Government is not aware of any significant issues with the implementation of the Regulations and so has no plans to review them. It continues to provide oversight of the schemes as set out in the Tenancy Deposit Schemes (Scotland) Regulations 2011.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-02-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-02-23T15:09:53.457","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Burgess","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300754,"EventID":"S4W-24376","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4934,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-09T15:09:53.74","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-06T17:26:23.833","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how  much has been set aside in the 2015-16 budget for (a) active travel, (b) cycling, (c) walking, (d) cycling infrastructure and (e) Smarter Choices Smarter Places measures, also broken down by (i) capital and (ii) revenue budgets.\r\n","AnswerText":"Detailed decisions on funding for active travel in 2015-16 have yet to be taken. The draft budget for 2015-16 included £25 million in the support for sustainable and active travel budget line. In addition, in his speech to Parliament on 4 February 2015 the Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Finance, Constitution and Economy announced that this would be increased by an additional £3.9 million to support investment in cycling and walking infrastructure, taking the total to £28.9 million.\r\nOf this £10 million is revenue funding, of which £5 million will be for an extension to the Smarter Choices, Smarter Places programme, and £5 million is in the form of financial transactions.\r\nIn addition, Scottish Ministers will allocate £8 million to local authorities for cycling, walking and safer streets projects in 2015-16 as part of the local government settlement.\r\nDecisions on the deployment of the £20.25 million capital funding available through the Future Transport Fund have yet to be taken. This will include an allocation for cycling and walking infrastructure projects.\r\nFurthermore, the Scottish Government does not distinguish between investment in (b) cycling and (c) walking as investment in active travel will usually benefit both types of user.\r\nDiscussions with stakeholders and delivery partners about the allocation of budgets are currently on-going and announcements will be made in due course.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-02-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-02-23T15:09:53.763","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300755,"EventID":"S4W-24381","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4934,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-09T15:09:54.06","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-06T17:26:23.833","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what (a) plans and (b) programmes are in place to ensure that the Cycling Action Plan for Scotland target of 10% of transport trips being made by cycling by 2020 is met.\r\n","AnswerText":"The refreshed Cycling Action Plan for Scotland, published in 2013, sets out 19 actions involving all partners, that will help us achieve the shared vision of 10% of everyday journeys by bike by 2020. In addition, local authorities are being encouraged and supported to prepare their own active travel plans and strategies identifying the infrastructure improvements and actions that are required locally to achieve progress towards the vision.\r\nProgrammes that will help achieve the 10% vision include:\r\nInvestment in cycling and walking infrastructure through the Community Links, the National Cycle Network and Safer Routes to Schools programmes supported by investment by local authorities utilising cycling, walking and safer streets funding;\r\nA comprehensive programme of Bikeability Scotland cycle training for primary school pupils across Scotland;\r\nRoad safety campaigns such as ‘Give Me Cycle Space’, and guidance and encouragement to introduce 20 mph zones and speed limits;\r\nA variety of measures aimed at encouraging people to walk and cycle for short journeys delivered through the Smarter Choices, Smarter Places programme and supported by campaigns such as ‘Not far, leave the car’;\r\nInvestment in new and enhanced cycle facilities at stations and on trains through the new Scotrail franchise; and the Active Travel Legacy programme.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-02-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-02-23T15:09:54.087","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300756,"EventID":"S4W-24382","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5060,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-09T15:09:54.357","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-08T21:22:10","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it will to take to help students facing financial hardship during the summer.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is committed to ensuring that all students are afforded the opportunity to access education whatever their personal circumstances. In addition to free tuition, students with a family income of less than £17,000 can access an annual minimum income of £7,500 (from 2014-15), through a combination of bursaries and loans. Students who have been in care can also apply for a grant, of up to £105 per week, towards their accommodation costs during the summer vacations.\r\nIn 2014, as part of a manifesto commitment, the summer exemption from council tax to students articulating from college to university was extended. Further support is also available through the discretionary funds we allocate to colleges and universities each year, which they can use to provide support to students who require additional assistance over the summer vacation.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-02-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-02-23T15:09:54.383","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300757,"EventID":"S4W-24383","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1866,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-09T15:09:54.66","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-09T10:34:05.407","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the effectiveness of compulsory 20 mph zones in reducing road accidents and casualties.\r\n","AnswerText":"Transport Scotland assisted the City of Edinburgh Council with the evaluation of their 20 mph speed limit pilot scheme in South Central Edinburgh which demonstrated that traffic speeds can be reduced without the need for additional traffic calming measures. There is overwhelming evidence that the frequency and severity of accidents rises disproportionately with speed, which is why the Scottish Government supports the use of 20 mph speed limits and zones, where appropriate.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-02-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-02-23T15:09:54.683","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300758,"EventID":"S4W-24384","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1866,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-09T15:09:55.257","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-09T10:34:05.407","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what guidance it provides to local authorities on the implementation of compulsory 20 mph zones.\r\n","AnswerText":"On 8 January 2015 we published a good practice guide, written in conjunction with the Society of Chief Officers of Transportation in Scotland, to provide clarity on the options available to local authorities with regard to setting 20 mph speed restrictions throughout Scotland.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-02-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-02-23T15:09:55.28","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300759,"EventID":"S4W-24385","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1866,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-09T15:09:55.637","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-09T10:38:06.353","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the effectiveness of compulsory 20 mph zones in encouraging active travel.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government assisted with an evaluation of the City of Edinburgh’s 20 mph speed limit pilot scheme in South Central Edinburgh in August 2013. This demonstrated its success in reducing vehicle speeds and promoting positive attitudes to 20 mph limits. In particular, residents viewed the pilot benefited the safety for children walking about the area, safety for children to play in the street, better conditions for walking, less traffic incidents, and better cycling conditions, thus helping to promote active travel.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-02-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-02-23T15:09:55.66","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300760,"EventID":"S4W-24386","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1866,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-09T15:09:56.04","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-09T10:38:06.353","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what legal action can be taken if there is a breach of the Air Quality Standards (Scotland) Regulations 2010.\r\n","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-24387 on 17 February 2015. \r\nThe Air Quality Standards (Scotland) Regulations 2010 transpose into domestic legislation the requirements of Directive 2008/50/EC on ambient air quality and clean air for Europe.\r\nAny legal action taken for breaches of the directive is by the European Commission against individual EU member states. The UK is currently the subject of formal infraction proceedings relating to non-compliance with the nitrogen dioxide limit values. The vast majority of other EU member states are subject to similar action.\r\nThe UK Government, in partnership with the devolved administrations, has formally responded to the commission’s infraction letter outlining the actions being taken to ensure compliance as soon as possible. We are currently awaiting the commission’s response.\r\nWe are also updating the action plans referred to in the answer to S4W-24387, which outline the national and local policies being implemented in relation to air quality.\r\nAll answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-02-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-02-23T15:09:56.067","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen McLeod","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300761,"EventID":"S4W-24387","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1866,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-09T15:09:56.42","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-09T10:38:06.353","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will publish information on the enforcement action it takes in relation to breaches of the Air Quality Standards (Scotland) Regulations 2010.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Air Quality Standards (Scotland) Regulations 2010 transpose into domestic legislation the requirements of Directive 2008/50/EC on ambient air quality and clean air for Europe.\r\nAlthough local authority action has an important contribution to make, responsibility for complying with the directive lies with EU member states. The four UK administrations have jointly produced a series of action plans outlining the national and local policies which are being implemented to ensure compliance with the directive. The UK Government is also required to submit an annual compliance report to the European Commission. The commission may take any action it deems appropriate if it considers that insufficient progress is being made.\r\nThe plans and annual reports can be viewed on the UK-Air website: http://uk-air.defra.gov.uk/\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-02-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-02-23T15:09:56.44","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen McLeod","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300762,"EventID":"S4W-24388","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1866,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-09T15:09:56.78","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-09T10:38:06.353","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it monitors the effectiveness of air quality management areas.\r\n","AnswerText":"As part of their local air quality management responsibilities under the Environment Act 1995 and associated regulations and guidance, all local authorities are required to submit an annual report to the Scottish Government summarising their work on air quality during the previous year. Where an air quality management area is in place, this report should also describe progress with implementing the measures in the air quality action plan.\r\nThese reports are formally appraised by the government and feedback is provided to each authority, especially focusing on aspects where it is considered that insufficient progress is being made.\r\nAll reports are publically available on the Scottish air quality website:www.scottishairquality.co.uk In addition, many local authorities make the reports available on their own websites.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-02-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-02-23T15:09:56.797","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen McLeod","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300763,"EventID":"S4W-24389","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1866,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-09T15:09:57.153","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-09T10:38:06.353","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what impact not meeting air quality targets has on health expenditure.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government recognises that poor air quality can impact on health, and those with existing heart or lung conditions are more susceptible to the increased health risk associated with air pollution. However, due to the wide range of factors that can impact on the health of patients with these types of conditions, it is not possible to accurately assess the financial cost directly attributable to poor air quality.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-02-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-02-23T15:09:57.177","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300764,"EventID":"S4W-24390","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1866,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-09T15:09:57.857","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-09T10:38:06.353","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the impact of the Crofting (Amendment) (Scotland) Act 2013.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Crofting (Amendment) (Scotland) Act 2013 simply made it possible for owner-occupier crofters to apply to the Crofting Commission to decroft the whole or part of their crofts, and for the Crofting Commission to give directions on such applications.\r\nThe Crofting Commission will consider such applications on the merits of individual cases and decide whether the land in question should remain subject to crofting tenure or not.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-02-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-02-23T15:09:57.883","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen McLeod","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300765,"EventID":"S4W-24391","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1866,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-09T15:09:58.25","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-09T10:38:06.353","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many applications to decroft by owner-occupier crofters have been made in each year since 2007, and how many were approved.\r\n","AnswerText":"That information is not held centrally. I have asked the Chief Executive of the Crofting Commission, which administers crofting on behalf of the Scottish Ministers, to provide this information to you and to the Scottish Parliament Information Centre, (SPICe).\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-02-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-02-23T15:09:58.283","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen McLeod","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300766,"EventID":"S4W-24392","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1866,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-09T15:09:58.66","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-09T10:38:06.353","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what support it is providing to the Forestry Commission Scotland with the preparation of its new corporate plan.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government provides £64.1 million to Forestry Commission Scotland to fund its activities. It does not provide any additional specific support to prepare its corporate plan.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-02-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-02-23T15:09:58.68","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen McLeod","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300767,"EventID":"S4W-24393","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1866,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-09T15:09:59.077","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-09T10:38:06.353","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many applications have been made each year to the National Forest Land Scheme and how many have been approved, broken down by (a) project category, (b) tenure type and (c) land area. \r\n","AnswerText":"Since the National Forest Land Scheme opened in 2005, there have been 55 applications approved to date covering 12,976 hectares.\r\nA detailed breakdown of all the applications broken down by project category, tenure type and land area is shown in the following tables:\r\nNational Forest Land Scheme applications approved and sold or leased\r\nName\r\nApplicant\r\nPurpose\r\nNFLS category\r\nHectares\r\nFinancial year sold or leased\r\n\r\nDalavich, Loch Awe\r\nWest Highland Housing Association\r\nAffordable housing\r\nAffordable housing\r\n0.1\r\n2006-07\r\nSold\r\n\r\nKilmun, Dunoon\r\nFyne Homes\r\nAffordable housing\r\nAffordable housing\r\n0.6\r\n2006-07\r\nSold\r\n\r\nSalen, Sunart\r\nWest Highland Housing Association\r\nAffordable housing\r\nAffordable housing\r\n0.5\r\n2006-07\r\nSold\r\n\r\nSlewdrum forest, Coulnacraig\r\nBirse Community Trust\r\nCommunity woodland\r\nCommunity acquisition\r\n167.2\r\n2006-07\r\nSold\r\n\r\nStrathmashie forest, Laggan\r\nLaggan Forest Trust\r\nForest centre and trails\r\nCommunity acquisition\r\n18.1\r\n2006-07\r\nSold\r\n\r\nSuccoth, Arrochar\r\nDunbritton Housing Association\r\nAffordable housing\r\nAffordable housing\r\n2.2\r\n2006-07\r\nSold\r\n\r\nWest Ardhu and Langamull forest, Isle of Mull\r\nNorth West Mull Community Woodland Company\r\nCommunity woodland\r\nSurplus land\r\n693.4\r\n2007-08\r\nSold\r\nFord, Loch Awe\r\nFord Community Project Ltd\r\nCommunity centre\r\nSurplus land\r\n2.5\r\n2007-08\r\nSold\r\n\r\nMilehouse, Kincraig\r\nHighland Small Communities Housing Trust\r\nAffordable housing\r\nAffordable housing\r\n5.2\r\n2008-09\r\nSold\r\nBettyhill, Farr Bay\r\nHighland Small Communities Housing Trust\r\nAffordable housing\r\nAffordable housing\r\n0.3\r\n2008-09\r\nSold\r\nForest park, Burghead\r\nBurghead Thistle Junior Football Club\r\nFootball pitch\r\nSurplus land\r\n1.4\r\n2008-09\r\nSold\r\n\r\nDonich park, Lochgilphead\r\nDunbritton Housing Association\r\nAffordable housing\r\nAffordable housing\r\n1.5\r\n2009-10\r\nSold\r\n\r\nAe village, near Dumfries\r\nLoreburn Housing Association\r\nAffordable housing\r\nAffordable housing\r\n0.4\r\n2009-10\r\nSold\r\n\r\nBadluarach and Durnamuck, Gairloch\r\nBadluarach and Durnamuck Community Woodland\r\nCommunity woodland\r\nSurplus land\r\n8.5\r\n2009-10\r\nSold\r\nGaudiedale strip, Bennachie\r\nBennachie Access Group\r\nAccess to Bennachie\r\nSurplus land\r\n0.1\r\n2009-10\r\nSold\r\n\r\nAcharossan, Tighnabruaich\r\nKilfinan Community Forest Company\r\nCommunity woodland\r\nCommunity acquisition\r\n125.5\r\n2010-11\r\nSold\r\n\r\nBalfour wood, Aboyne\r\nBirse Community Trust\r\nCommunity woodland\r\nCommunity acquisition\r\n241.0\r\n2010-11\r\nSold\r\n\r\nGolticlay forest, Lybster\r\nLatheron, Lybster and Clyth Community Development Company\r\nRenewable energy scheme (wind)\r\nCommunity acquisition\r\n39.1\r\n2010-11 and 2011-12 and 2012-13\r\nSold\r\n\r\nDyke forest (phase 1,2and3), Strath Halladale\r\nRSPB\r\nHabitat restoration\r\nSurplus land\r\n1,548.6\r\n2011/12\r\nSold\r\nArdentinny walled garden, Cowal\r\nArdentinny Community Trust\r\nCommunity gardens and visitor attraction\r\nSurplus land\r\n1.4\r\n2011-12\r\nSold\r\nBroadford wood, Skye\r\nBroadford and Strath Community Company\r\nCommunity woodlands and tourist facilities\r\nCommunity acquisition\r\n20.0\r\n2011-12\r\nSold\r\nSmithton, Inverness\r\nAlbyn Housing Association\r\nAffordable housing\r\nAffordable housing\r\n2.0\r\n2011-12\r\nSold\r\n\r\nTormore forest, Skye\r\nSleat Community Trust\r\nCommunity woodland\r\nSurplus land\r\n441.0\r\n2012-13\r\nSold\r\n\r\nCamustorsa, Sunart\r\nHighland Small Communities Housing Trust\r\nAffordable housing\r\nAffordable housing\r\n1.1\r\n2012-13\r\nSold\r\nStronafian forest, Glendaruel\r\nGlendaruel and Colintraive Community Development Trust\r\nCommunity woodland and wind\r\nSurplus land\r\n615.6\r\n2012-13\r\nSold\r\nStank Glen, Callander\r\nCallander Community Development Trust\r\nRenewable energy scheme (hydro)\r\nCommunity acquisition\r\n8.8\r\n2013-14\r\nLeased\r\nDalmochie, Ballater\r\nDeeside Donside Development Group\r\nVisitor attraction\r\nCommunity acquisition\r\n0.5\r\n2014-15\r\nSold\r\n\r\nGarmony, Isle of Mull\r\nMull and Iona Community Trust\r\nRenewable energy scheme (hydro)\r\nCommunity acquisition\r\n0.2\r\n2014-15\r\nLeased\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nTotal hectares sold or leased\r\n3,946.8\r\n\r\n\r\nNational Forest Land Scheme approved but not yet sold o","AnswerDate":"2015-02-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-02-23T15:09:59.097","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen McLeod","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300768,"EventID":"S4W-24394","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1866,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-09T15:09:59.497","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-09T10:38:06.353","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what progress is being made toward its target to establish 100,000 hectares of new woodland by 2022.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government recognises that this is an ambitious target that will require efforts to address the barriers which are preventing new planting and to increase the demand for planting grants.\r\nThe Scottish Rural Development Plan 2015-2020 includes new forestry proposals, which should encourage more woodland creation applications. Programme approval from the European Commission is expected in 2015, however the new Forestry Grant Scheme will open for applications from mid-March 2015.\r\nThe following table shows the amount of new planting since 2012:\r\nNew planting (ha)\r\nConifer\r\nBroadleaved\r\nTotal\r\n2012-13\r\n1,700\r\n5,300\r\n7,000\r\n2013-14\r\n2,000\r\n6,300\r\n8,300\r\nTotal\r\n3,700\r\n11,600\r\n15,300\r\nWhen the new scheme opens in March 2015, Forestry Commission Scotland expect to approve an additional 1,500 hectares of planting for 2015-2016 planting season giving a forecast figure of new planting in 2015-2016 of 7,000 hectares.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-02-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-02-23T15:09:59.523","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen McLeod","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300769,"EventID":"S4W-24395","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1866,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-09T15:09:59.903","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-09T10:38:06.353","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of how the (a) recent and (b) upcoming changes to the Energy Company Obligation have or will impact on the (i) Home Energy Efficiency Programmes for Scotland scheme and (ii) the 2016 fuel poverty target.\r\n","AnswerText":"At this stage there is uncertainty about the overall level of investment available due to UK Government changes to Energy Company Obligation (ECO). But we will continue to use our Home Energy Efficiency Programmes (HEEPS) funding to maximise leverage of private sector funding from the energy companies seeking to meet their obligations under ECO. Latest statistics from the UK Government, released in December 2014, show that between January 2013 to the end of September 2014, 11.7% of the total energy efficiency measures under ECO were delivered in Scotland - Scotland has 9.3% of households in Great Britain. These figures include ECO measures delivered in Scotland under HEEPS.\r\nWe have made very clear our commitment to improving energy efficiency to help address fuel poverty. We have allocated over half a billion pounds since 2009 on a raft of fuel poverty and energy efficiency programmes, and the recent announcement of extra funding for our fuel poverty programmes will increase funding for our energy efficiency and fuel poverty programmes from £94 million in the current year to £114 million next. As the most recent Scottish House Condition Survey results show, our investment to improve domestic energy efficiency has helped mitigated against the 7% rise in fuel prices in the past year.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-02-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-02-23T15:09:59.93","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Burgess","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300770,"EventID":"S4W-24396","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1866,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-09T15:10:00.303","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-09T10:38:06.353","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what progress it is making toward its target to ensure that people are not living in fuel poverty by November 2016.\r\n","AnswerText":"This government remains committed to eradicating fuel poverty. Unfortunately, we only have the powers to influence one of the levers to tackle fuel poverty, the energy efficiency of the house. That is why we have allocated over half a billion pounds since 2009 on a raft of fuel poverty and energy efficiency programmes and, as the most recent Scottish House Condition Survey results show, our investment to improve domestic energy efficiency has helped mitigated against the seven per cent rise in fuel prices in the past year.\r\nWe continue to focus on increasing the energy efficiency of homes in Scotland and last week announced an additional £20 million to support fuel poverty and energy efficiency programmes in 2016, taking our funding for 2015-16 to £114 million.\r\nWe are also urging the UK Government to use its powers to increase the level of Warm Home Discount and fund that through central resources. And on 8 January 2015 the energy minister wrote to the major energy suppliers seeking assurance that consumers will feel the benefit of lower oil prices at the earliest opportunity.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-02-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-02-23T15:10:00.33","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Burgess","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300771,"EventID":"S4W-24397","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1866,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-09T15:10:00.683","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-09T10:38:06.353","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many residential properties have been retrofitted for energy efficiency each year, broken down by (a) scheme and (b) local authority.\r\n","AnswerText":"Information on the number of residential properties retrofitted each year by scheme and by local authority is available for the years 2009 to 2013 from the Energy Saving Trust website at the following link:\r\nhttp://www.energysavingtrust.org.uk/domestic/sites/default/files/Getting%20Support%20-%20Programme%20statistics%20-%20PDF%20-%20HE%20Summary%20Report%202009%20-%20LC%20-%20July%202014.pdf\r\nInformation on delivery for 2013-14 by scheme and by local authority is published on the Energy Saving Trust website at the following link:\r\nhttp://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Built-Environment/Housing/warmhomes/heeps\r\nThe information for our Area Based Schemes does not include data on the number of residential properties retrofitted but instead sets out how many measures have been installed. Some properties benefit from more than one measure.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-02-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-02-23T15:10:00.71","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Burgess","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300772,"EventID":"S4W-24398","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1866,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-09T15:10:01.087","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-09T10:38:06.353","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to meet each of the milestones set out in Low Carbon Scotland - Meeting our Emissions Reduction Targets 2013-2027.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government will continue to lead work to support the delivery of Low Carbon Scotland - Meeting the Emissions Reduction Targets 2013-2027. It is our intention that RPP2 (the second report on proposals and policies) will be delivered in full, and where policies and proposals are not being delivered, we will look to bring forward new policies with the same, if not greater, level of emissions abatement.\r\nThe Cabinet Sub-Committee on Climate Change has been established to ensure climate change policy is given the highest priority across all Government objectives. The Cabinet Sub Committee met for the second time on 8 January 2015 and discussed both the good progress made to date and the policy options available across the members’ portfolios to help ensure Scotland stays on track to meet its world-leading climate change targets. These included options in energy, housing, transport, local government and communities, land use, agriculture and forestry.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-02-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-02-23T15:10:01.107","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen McLeod","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300773,"EventID":"S4W-24399","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1866,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-09T15:10:01.583","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-09T10:38:06.353","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the (a) estimated and (b) actual carbon savings have been each for projects that have received support from the Climate Challenge Fund.\r\n","AnswerText":"The total estimated and reported actual carbon savings from projects in receipt of grant awards from the Climate Challenge Fund since 2008 are 1,080,411 tCO2e and 281,597 tCO2e respectively. \r\nThese figures are not directly comparable. Of the 266 projects funded since 2012 many are still underway or have not yet started. Consequently, only 34 final project reports with estimates of actual carbon savings have been received. Additionally, when the fund was first introduced there was not the same requirement, as now, to submit carbon reduction figures in final project reports and a standard methodology for doing so was not introduced until 2012.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-02-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-02-23T15:10:01.61","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen McLeod","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300774,"EventID":"S4W-24400","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2033,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":132,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-09T15:10:01.963","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-09T10:47:32","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many students in 2013-14 in each of the lower income brackets claimed the relevant rate of Young Students Bursary, and how many claimed (a) the full and (b) a smaller amount of loan.\r\n","AnswerText":"The following table shows how many students from each of the lower income brackets received the Young Students’ Bursary (YSB) in 2013-14.\r\nFull-time undergraduate students 2013-14 receiving YSB support\r\nNumber of students\r\nAll\r\n32,930\r\nNo income or income not declared/required\r\n655\r\nUp to £16,999\r\n16,675\r\n£17,000 to £23,999\r\n7,570\r\n£24,000 to £33,9999\r\n8,025\r\n23,065 of these students were assessed for the a) maximum loan available with 1,775 claiming less than the b) maximum loan available to them. 8,090 of the students did not apply for any loan.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-02-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-02-23T15:10:01.99","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300775,"EventID":"S4W-24401","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2033,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":132,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-09T15:10:02.3","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-09T10:47:32","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many students in 2013-14 received a total package of Young Students Bursary plus loan support worth £7,250.\r\n","AnswerText":"There were 11,485 students in 2013-14 who received the maximum support package of Young Students Bursary plus loan worth £7,250. This was made up of a bursary of £1,750 and a student loan of £5,500.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-02-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-02-23T15:10:02.327","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300776,"EventID":"S4W-24402","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2033,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":132,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-09T15:10:02.593","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-09T10:47:32","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many students in 2013-14 in each of the lower income brackets claimed the relevant rate of Independent Students Bursary, and how many claimed (a) the full and (b) a smaller amount of loan.\r\n","AnswerText":"The following table shows how many students from each of the lower income brackets received the Independent Students’ Bursary (ISB) in 2013-14.\r\nFull-time undergraduate students 2013-14 receiving ISB support\r\nNumber of students\r\nAll\r\n17,400\r\nNo income or income not declared/required\r\n11,900\r\nUp to £16,999\r\n5,440\r\n£17,000 to £23,999\r\n45\r\n£24,000 to £33,9999\r\n15\r\n14,780 of these students were assessed for the a) maximum loan available with 300 claiming less than the b) maximum loan available to them. 2,620 of the students did not apply for any loan.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-02-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-02-23T15:10:02.617","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300777,"EventID":"S4W-24403","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2033,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":132,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-09T15:10:02.883","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-09T10:47:32","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many students in 2013-14 received a total package of Independent Students Bursary plus loan support worth £7,250.\r\n","AnswerText":"There were 13,645 students in 2013-14 who received the maximum support package of Independent Students Bursary plus loan worth £7,250. This was made up of a bursary of £750 and a student loan of £6,500.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-02-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-02-23T15:10:02.917","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300778,"EventID":"S4W-24404","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2033,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":132,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-09T15:10:03.183","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-09T10:47:32","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government for what reason the average claim for Independent Students Bursary in 2013-14 was lower than the flat-rate grant available.\r\n","AnswerText":"The bursary entitlement is assessed using the household income. If final evidence shows a difference in the original income declared, this may lead to an original bursary entitlement having to be revised. Any additional paid amount a student was not entitled to may be recovered as an overpayment. This could result in more or less bursary.\r\nIf a student withdraws after the fee cut-off date, they will be entitled to a pro-rata amount of bursary for the time they were in attendance. If a student withdraws before the fee cut-off date and received a balance of bursary for their time in attendance, we may deduct the amount they received from any future bursary entitlement.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-02-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-02-23T15:10:03.213","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300779,"EventID":"S4W-24405","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2033,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":132,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-09T15:10:03.497","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-09T10:47:32","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it calculated the figures set out at paragraph 108 of the Education and Culture Committee's report on the draft budget for 2013-14.\r\n","AnswerText":"The table at paragraph 108 shows an estimate of the number of students who would be eligible for each level of bursary payment under the new student support system.\r\nThis was drawn from analysis conducted in 2011-12, which used Student Awards Agency Scotland data drawn from the application process showing students by status (e.g. young or independent); their household income levels and compared this to the proposed thresholds for different levels of bursary.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-02-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-02-23T15:10:03.523","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300780,"EventID":"S4W-24406","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-09T15:10:03.817","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-09T14:02:38","Title":"","ItemText":" To ask the Scottish Government what progress has been made with the establishing a management fee to be paid by non-UK EU students in Scotland.\r\n","AnswerText":"Considerable discussion has taken place with EU representatives about the concept and application of management fees. As my predecessor, Michael Russell, made clear to the Scottish Parliament on 5 December 2013, introduction of such a policy would need to meet with complex EU requirements and is therefore difficult to implement.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-02-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-02-23T15:10:03.843","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300781,"EventID":"S4W-24407","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-09T15:10:04.267","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-09T14:02:38","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether college student numbers have been maintained in each of the last eight years.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Scottish Funding Council’s Baseline Report for Academic Year 2013-14 explains that while there are different ways of measuring student numbers, full-time equivalent student numbers (FTEs) are the most accurate way of comparing the volume of college activity over time.\r\nThe trend in funded FTEs since 2009-10 is explained by colleges exceeding activity targets by a smaller margin than in previous years and, from 2011-12 onwards, the decision to focus school-college activity on pupils in the senior phase.\r\nColleges have exceeded our commitment to maintaining a minimum of 116,300 FTE places every year since its introduction.\r\nAcademic Year\r\nFunded FTEs Delivered\r\n2006-07\r\n120,808\r\n2007-08\r\n122,641\r\n2008-09\r\n123,031\r\n2009-10\r\n124,670\r\n2010-11\r\n121,189\r\n2011-12\r\n119,448\r\n2012-13\r\n116,399\r\n2013-14\r\n119,636\r\nSource: Scottish Funding Council\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-02-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-02-23T15:10:04.293","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300782,"EventID":"S4W-24408","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-09T15:10:04.647","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-09T14:02:38","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many college bursaries have been provided in each of the last eight years.\r\n","AnswerText":"The following table shows a 10% increase in the number of students receiving college bursaries between 2006-07 and 2013-14.\r\nRecord further education student support funding of £104 million in 2014-15 means that students can now receive bursaries of up to £93.03 per week.\r\nYear\r\nNumber of students who have received a further education bursary\r\n2006-07\r\n40,877\r\n2007-08\r\n41,513\r\n2008-09\r\n41,243\r\n2009-10\r\n44,829\r\n2010-11\r\n44,993\r\n2011-12\r\n45,328\r\n2012-13\r\n44,790\r\n2013-14\r\n44,810\r\nSource: Scottish Funding Council\r\nFigures not yet published for 2014-15\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-02-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-02-23T15:10:04.67","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300783,"EventID":"S4W-24409","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-09T15:10:05","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-09T14:02:38","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much money has been allocated to fund college bursaries in each of the last eight years.\r\n","AnswerText":"The following table shows that funding for college bursaries has increased by £26.2 million or nearly 47% since 2007-08. Bursary funding is only one element of the wider further education student support budget, which is at a record level of £104 million in 2014-15.\r\n\r\nFurther Education Bursary Funding (£ million)\r\n2007-08\r\n56.1\r\n2008-09\r\n57.9\r\n2009-10\r\n64.1\r\n2010-11\r\n72.9\r\n2011-12\r\n78.7\r\n2012-13\r\n78.7\r\n2013-14\r\n81.3\r\n2014-15\r\n82.3\r\nSource: Scottish Funding Council\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-02-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-02-23T15:10:05.023","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300784,"EventID":"S4W-24410","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-09T15:10:05.333","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-09T14:02:38","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what percentage of schools has provided free fruit for P1 and P2 pupils in each of the last eight years. \r\n","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government does not hold this information.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-02-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-02-23T15:10:05.36","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Alasdair Allan","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300785,"EventID":"S4W-24411","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4947,"Party":"Independent","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-10T15:29:53.097","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-09T15:00:03.71","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether the Scottish Environment Protection Agency has had discussions with the Ministry of Defence regarding whether military traffic levels have contributed to the reported increase of marine mammal strandings off the west coast.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Scottish Environment Protection Agency has no role in relation to marine mammal strandings. We are not aware of any discussions between them and the Ministry of Defence.\r\nThe Scottish Government does however fund the Scottish Rural College in Inverness to investigate marine mammal strandings around Scotland. During December 2014 and January 2015 they recorded five strandings of Cuvier’s Beaked Whale on the west coast of Scotland during. It was however not possible to determine the cause of death in any of these cases due to the advanced state of decomposition of the carcasses, which meant that any further investigation would have been inconclusive.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-02-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-02-24T15:29:53.143","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Richard Lochhead","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300786,"EventID":"S4W-24412","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4947,"Party":"Independent","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-10T15:29:53.59","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-09T15:00:03.71","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with the Scottish Environment Protection Agency regarding the reported increase in marine mammal strandings off the west coast and the factors that might have contributed to these.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Scottish Environment Protection Agency has no role in relation to marine mammal strandings. Accordingly the Scottish Government has not had any discussions with them on this matter.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-02-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-02-24T15:29:53.603","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Richard Lochhead","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300787,"EventID":"S4W-24413","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5110,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":89,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-10T15:29:53.84","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-10T09:15:26.88","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what it has done to improve the employment rate for people from ethnic minorities and whether this has improved in comparison with other groups.\r\n","AnswerText":"We believe that individuals from different ethnic backgrounds enrich Scotland socially, culturally and economically and recognise the importance of increasing employment rates amongst ethnic minorities.\r\nDuring the period 2012-15 we will provide over £5.2 million to support organisations working with ethnic minority communities to develop and improve their employability skills and access to employment.\r\nThe employment rate for ethnic minorities in Scotland increased by 6.4 percentage points over the year to September 2014, from 56.4 per cent to 62.8 per cent. This is a return to pre-recession levels. Work continues to ensure that we see similar improvements for other groups disadvantaged in the labour market.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-02-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-02-24T15:29:53.85","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Annabelle Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300788,"EventID":"S4W-24414","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2033,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":132,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-10T15:29:54.15","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-09T15:48:37","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many attainment advisers are in place and in which local authorities; when any outstanding positions will be filled, and whether each local authority will have one before May 2016.","AnswerText":"We are committed to ensuring that all local authorities have access to an attainment advisor. We are planning to appoint 12 attainment advisors in the first instance and will keep this under review. The attainment advisors will work collaboratively across groupings of local authorities. Working across local authority boundaries is a key part of the role, encouraging sharing of best practice on a broader scale.\r\nEducation Scotland will work closely with the Association of Directors of Education in Scotland (ADES) to develop detailed plans for appointing and deploying the attainment advisors. Recruitment will begin shortly in collaboration with ADES and we are planning to have attainment advisors in place before May 2016.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-02-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-02-24T15:29:54.16","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300789,"EventID":"S4W-24415","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-10T15:29:54.457","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-09T17:34:10","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what criteria the Scottish Medicines Consortium uses to prioritise its review of medicines and whether it plans to publish the criteria and the weightings applied.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Medicines Consortium (SMC) aims to provide advice on new medicines and new indications to health boards as soon as is practical after a new medicine becomes available for use.\r\nIn the event of receipt of a high number of submissions in a particular month, scheduling for review is prioritised by taking into account factors such as the launch date of the medicine, whether the submission is for a new medicine not already available in NHS Scotland, the availability of treatment alternatives, and the level of service need. For example, a submission for a medicine to treat a condition where no other treatment is available would be prioritised over one for a new indication for an established medicine. No weighting is applied.\r\nAt the January 2015 meeting of the SMC pharmaceutical industry User Group Forum, SMC undertook to include information on its website about the factors taken into consideration when scheduling medicines for assessment.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-02-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-02-24T15:29:54.47","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300790,"EventID":"S4W-24416","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-10T15:29:54.7","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-09T17:34:10","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how often the Scottish Medicines Consortium has had to defer a review of a medicine in the last three years due to its workload and whether it has made an assessment of whether its current level of resourcing is sufficient.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Scottish Medicines Consortium (SMC) aims to provide advice on new medicines and new indications to health boards as soon as is practical after a new medicine becomes available for use.\r\nIn the event of receipt of a high number of submissions in a particular month, scheduling for review is prioritised by taking into account factors such as the launch date of the medicine, whether the submission is for a new medicine not already available in NHS Scotland, the availability of treatment alternatives, and the level of service need. For example, a submission for a medicine to treat a condition where no other treatment is available would be prioritised over one for a new indication for an established medicine.\r\nSMC has seen a significant increase in resources to support implementation of the recommendations arising from reviews on access to new medicines and recruitment and training is on course.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-02-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-02-24T15:29:54.71","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300791,"EventID":"S4W-24417","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4947,"Party":"Independent","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-10T15:29:54.93","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-10T11:31:39.787","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the impact was on each sheriff court of the agreement between Police Scotland and Sheriffs Principal for a reduction in the court programme for domestic abuse cases for the duration of the Commonwealth Games.","AnswerText":"This question relates to operational matters that are the responsibility of the Scottish Court Service (SCS) corporate body. The question has been passed to the Chief Executive of the SCS who will reply in writing with 20 days.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-02-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-02-24T15:29:54.94","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300801,"EventID":"S4O-04001","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":5080,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-11T12:56:18.783","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-11T11:49:44.537","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to boost the economy in Central Scotland.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-02-25T12:56:18.847","MeetingDate":"2015-02-18T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300802,"EventID":"S4O-04002","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":4014,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-11T12:56:19.143","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-09T12:02:29.423","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with Tesco regarding recent closure announcements.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-02-25T12:56:19.173","MeetingDate":"2015-02-18T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300803,"EventID":"S4O-04003","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":4939,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":78,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-11T12:56:19.453","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-09T12:02:29.7","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to boost the economy in the Falkirk Council area.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-02-25T12:56:19.487","MeetingDate":"2015-02-18T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300804,"EventID":"S4O-04004","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":5034,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-11T12:56:19.783","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-09T12:02:30.027","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with Dundee City Council, Scottish Enterprise, Forth Ports and Decom North Sea about the opportunities in Dundee for decommissioning oil and gas facilities.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-02-25T12:56:19.813","MeetingDate":"2015-02-18T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300805,"EventID":"S4O-04005","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":5106,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":118,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-11T12:56:20.063","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-09T12:02:30.477","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the financial impact on the industry in Scotland, what discussions it has had with the UK Government regarding the oil and gas fiscal regime.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-02-25T12:56:20.093","MeetingDate":"2015-02-18T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300806,"EventID":"S4O-04006","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":5060,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-11T12:56:20.453","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-11T11:55:22.47","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to improve the economy in the West Scotland region.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-02-25T12:56:20.483","MeetingDate":"2015-02-18T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300807,"EventID":"S4O-04007","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":2059,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":91,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-11T12:56:20.78","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-09T12:02:31.363","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it allocates money from the budget to capital grant funding for projects.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-02-25T12:56:20.81","MeetingDate":"2015-02-18T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300808,"EventID":"S4O-04008","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":3743,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":123,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-11T12:56:21.107","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-09T12:02:31.783","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what representations it has made to the UK Government regarding the feed-in tariff for hydroelectricity schemes.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-02-25T12:56:21.153","MeetingDate":"2015-02-18T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300809,"EventID":"S4O-04009","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":5107,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":124,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-11T12:56:21.437","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-09T12:02:32.217","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on the Cut Tourism VAT campaign.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-02-25T12:56:21.45","MeetingDate":"2015-02-18T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300810,"EventID":"S4O-04010","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":4940,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-11T12:56:21.747","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-09T12:02:32.833","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on progress since the most recent meeting of the opencast mining taskforce.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-02-25T12:56:21.78","MeetingDate":"2015-02-18T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300811,"EventID":"S4O-04011","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":2673,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":114,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-11T12:56:22.247","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-10T14:25:39.187","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it will assist businesses in Leuchars following the departure of the RAF.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-02-25T12:56:22.277","MeetingDate":"2015-02-18T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300812,"EventID":"S4O-04012","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":2615,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":143,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-11T12:56:22.56","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-09T12:02:33.52","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how the income tax powers recommended by the Smith Commission can be implemented.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-02-25T12:56:22.59","MeetingDate":"2015-02-18T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300813,"EventID":"S4O-04013","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":2675,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":93,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-11T12:56:22.84","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-09T12:02:33.95","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what progress has been made in devolving the powers of the Crown Estate.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-02-25T12:56:22.87","MeetingDate":"2015-02-18T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300814,"EventID":"S4O-04014","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":5075,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":112,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-11T12:56:23.167","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-09T12:02:34.707","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what additional funding it has allocated to Fife Council to protect services.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-02-25T12:56:23.183","MeetingDate":"2015-02-18T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300815,"EventID":"S4O-04015","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":3806,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-11T12:56:23.51","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-10T11:37:43.707","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what it is doing to boost the economy around Inverness and Nairn.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-02-25T12:56:23.527","MeetingDate":"2015-02-18T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300816,"EventID":"S4O-04016","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":2595,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-11T12:56:23.883","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-10T13:14:44.633","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it will next meet Revenue Scotland.","AnswerText":"Revenue Scotland became a body corporate and office-holder in the Scottish Administration on 1 January 2015. I met with its board members in January 2015.\r\nI continue to meet regularly with the Chief Executive of Revenue Scotland.\r\nOur next meeting will take place on 18 February 2015.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-02-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-02-25T12:56:23.9","MeetingDate":"2015-02-18T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300817,"EventID":"S4O-04017","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":2826,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":84,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-11T12:56:24.26","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-11T10:52:22.873","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much households in Glasgow have saved as a result of the council tax freeze.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-02-25T12:56:24.273","MeetingDate":"2015-02-18T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300818,"EventID":"S4O-04019","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":2159,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":88,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-11T12:56:24.523","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-09T12:02:36.383","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when the Cabinet Secretary for Finance, Constitution and Economy last met Glasgow City Council and what matters were discussed.\r\n","AnswerText":"I last met Glasgow City Council formally on 28 May 2012, but regularly meet its representatives at various events.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-02-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-02-25T12:56:24.54","MeetingDate":"2015-02-18T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300819,"EventID":"S4O-04020","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":1860,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-11T12:56:25.21","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-10T16:01:15.44","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what impact the recent fall in oil prices has had on the economy of and employment in the Highlands and Islands.\r\n","AnswerText":"The fall in oil prices will be beneficial in terms of reduced transport costs – helping individuals and businesses. We are aware that this has the potential to impact on levels of investment in the UK Continental Shelf and that is why we have repeatedly pressed the UK Government to ensure a competitive and stable fiscal regime, and proposed a package of measures which we believe will sustain investment and support thousands of jobs.\r\nThe First Minister launched the Energy Jobs Taskforce in January 2015 to deliver a co-ordinated response to the issues being faced by the industry, with partners working across the sector both to maintain jobs and to mitigate the potential impact of any losses.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-02-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-02-25T12:56:25.227","MeetingDate":"2015-02-18T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300820,"EventID":"S4O-04021","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":2108,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":141,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-11T12:56:25.57","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-09T12:03:07.667","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will respond to the Insult to Injury campaign and ensure that war pensioners are treated fairly.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-02-25T12:56:25.6","MeetingDate":"2015-02-19T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300821,"EventID":"S4O-04022","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":4964,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":119,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-11T12:56:25.99","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-09T17:06:39.673","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what information it has on the average length of time taken to process applications for Protecting Vulnerable Groups Scheme membership for people seeking employment in the care sector.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-02-25T12:56:26.023","MeetingDate":"2015-02-19T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300822,"EventID":"S4O-04023","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":3771,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-11T12:56:26.32","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-11T11:35:08.737","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it last met NHS Lanarkshire and what matters were discussed.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-02-25T12:56:26.333","MeetingDate":"2015-02-19T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300823,"EventID":"S4O-04024","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":2394,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-11T12:56:26.71","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-09T12:03:08.66","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it assists farmers who wish to remove silt from river beds.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-02-25T12:56:26.74","MeetingDate":"2015-02-19T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300824,"EventID":"S4O-04025","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":2123,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":103,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-11T12:56:27.13","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-09T12:03:09.133","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on the implementation of minimum staffing levels for all professions in hospitals, as recommended by the former chief nursing officer, Anne Jarvie, and Professor Derek Bell.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-02-25T12:56:27.147","MeetingDate":"2015-02-19T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300825,"EventID":"S4O-04026","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":2892,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-11T12:56:27.457","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-11T11:52:59.45","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on the privacy concerns raised by the Open Rights Group regarding the proposed amendments to the National Health Service Central Register (Scotland) Regulations 2006.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-02-25T12:56:27.49","MeetingDate":"2015-02-19T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300826,"EventID":"S4O-04027","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":2117,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-11T12:56:27.863","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-11T09:27:59.727","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when the Cabinet Secretary for Justice was first aware that Police Scotland intended to consult on a possible merger of A and B Divisions.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-02-25T12:56:27.88","MeetingDate":"2015-02-19T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300827,"EventID":"S4O-04028","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":4016,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":133,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-11T12:56:28.283","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-09T12:03:10.353","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when ministers last met representatives of NHS Borders and what issues were discussed.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-02-25T12:56:28.3","MeetingDate":"2015-02-19T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300828,"EventID":"S4O-04029","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":1845,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-11T12:56:28.643","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-09T12:03:10.6","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of GP surgery provision in Aberdeen city and shire.\r\n","AnswerText":"Statutory responsibility for the provision of primary medical services rests with health boards and it is for each board to put in place those services that best meet the reasonable needs of their patient populations.\r\nNHS Grampian have undertaken a workforce survey, jointly organised with the Local Medical Committee. The survey was circulated to all NHS Grampian GP surgeries and attracted a 100% response. NHS Grampian now has an action plan regards workforce and retention issues.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-02-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-02-25T12:56:28.66","MeetingDate":"2015-02-19T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300829,"EventID":"S4O-04030","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":2080,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":87,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-11T12:56:29.003","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-11T12:00:41.42","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to tackle homelessness.","AnswerText":"Tackling and preventing homelessness is a priority for the Scottish Government and work to address this is overseen by the Homelessness Prevention and Strategy Group, on which I sit as minister with our partners.\r\nHomelessness has been falling in recent years and this has continued in the most recent statistics published in January, when homelessness applications fell by 3% on the previous year.\r\nThis is due to the steps we have taken to support local authorities and others to prevent homelessness through the development of the housing options approach.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-02-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-02-25T12:56:29.033","MeetingDate":"2015-02-19T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Burgess","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300838,"EventID":"S4W-24418","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-11T15:08:44.667","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-11T10:36:48","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it remains its position that it would lower the rate of corporation tax by 3p less than the rest of the UK.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is committed to using every lever possible to create long-term comparative advantage and genuine economic value.\r\nWith full responsibility for corporation tax, the Scottish Government would be able to target tax incentives carefully to encourage the rebalancing and reindustrialisation of the Scottish economy – for example, through more effective capital allowances or to encourage innovation and investment in research and development.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-02-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-02-25T15:08:44.753","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300839,"EventID":"S4W-24419","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-11T15:08:45.277","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-11T10:36:48","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether its position of lowering the rate of corporation tax by 3p less than the rest of the UK would still apply in the context of full fiscal autonomy.\r\n","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-24418 on 23 February 2015. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-02-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-02-25T15:08:45.3","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300840,"EventID":"S4W-24420","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-11T15:08:45.803","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-11T10:36:48","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the £384.7 million figure that it calculated for revenues lost as a result of a 3% reduction in corporation tax rates, as set out at Table 2 of The Impact of a Reduction in Corporation Tax on the Scottish Economy.\r\n","AnswerText":"The £384.7 million figure referred to in the question is an estimate of a direct static change in corporation tax revenues and does not take into account indirect impacts of the policy such as the broadening of the tax base. \r\nFor further detail, I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-15479 on 12 June 2013. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-02-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-02-25T15:08:45.827","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300841,"EventID":"S4W-24421","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5556,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":111,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-11T15:08:46.363","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-11T11:18:17","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many consensual stop and searches have been carried out in the Dunfermline area each month, broken down by the (a) age of the person searched, (b) number of times a person has been searched more than once and (c) outcome, including (i) how many subsequent (A) prosecutions and (B) convictions there were and (ii) details of what further action took place.\r\n","AnswerText":"The information requested is a matter for Police Scotland. I have alerted the Chief Constable to your question and I have asked him to reply to you direct.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-02-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-02-25T15:08:46.387","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300842,"EventID":"S4W-24428","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5034,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-11T15:08:46.623","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-11T13:21:27","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many cases have been raised with the NHSScotland Confidential Alert Line, broken down by month.","AnswerText":"Since the launch of the NHSScotland Confidential Alert Line on 2 April 2013 to 31 January 2015, the latest date for which figures are available, there have been a total of 213 cases raised with the NHSScotland Confidential Alert Line from individuals who have identified themselves as working for NHSScotland. The following table provides the total monthly number of cases, including both public (whistleblowing) and private (contractual). \r\nPublic and Private Cases\r\n2013\r\n2014\r\nApr\r\nMay\r\nJun\r\nJul\r\nAug\r\nSept\r\nOct\r\nNov\r\nDec\r\nJan\r\nFeb\r\nMar\r\n34\r\n17\r\n19\r\n34\r\n13\r\n13\r\n9\r\n3\r\n4\r\n8\r\n5\r\n9\r\n\r\n2014\r\n2015\r\nApr\r\nMay\r\nJun\r\nJul\r\nAug\r\nSep\r\nOct\r\nNov\r\nDec\r\nJan\r\nTotal\r\n2\r\n9\r\n6\r\n6\r\n3\r\n4\r\n6\r\n4\r\n4\r\n1\r\n213\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-02-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-02-25T15:08:46.65","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300843,"EventID":"S4W-24429","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5034,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-11T15:08:46.913","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-11T13:21:27","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many calls the NHSScotland Confidential Alert Line has received, broken down by month.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government only receive information on the number of cases raised each month. However, each case could generate a number of calls relating to that same case. I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-24428 on 19 February 2015.\r\nAll answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-02-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-02-25T15:08:46.937","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300844,"EventID":"S4W-24430","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5034,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-11T15:08:47.247","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-11T13:21:27","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many cases raised with the NHSScotland Confidential Alert Line concerned A&E.","AnswerText":"There is no requirement for a caller to the National Confidential Alert Line to provide personal information such as their name or work location. This is to give confidence to callers who wish to raise their concerns confidentially. This information is therefore not held by the Scottish Government.\r\nThe purpose of the line is to provide an additional level of support to NHSScotland staff who have any doubt about how or whether to whistleblow. The service also provides a safe space where staff can discuss any concerns they may have about patient safety or malpractice, and, where appropriate, have those concerns passed to the appropriate health board or appropriate regulator.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-02-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-02-25T15:08:47.27","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300850,"EventID":"S4W-24432","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5034,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-12T13:41:49.223","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-11T17:11:54","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many suspected or confirmed survivors of trafficking have been (a) arrested, (b) charged and (c) reported to the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service on suspicion of committing a crime in each year since April 2009; what the (i) offence and (ii) outcome was, also broken down by (A) age, (B) gender and (C) nationality, and what information it has on (1) the nature of the trafficking and (2) how many convictions or sentences have been subject to appeal.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government does not hold the requested information.\r\nIn his letter of 21 January 2013 to the Convener of the European and External Relations Committee, the Lord Advocate explained the system which prosecutors must follow when it is identified that a person accused of a crime may be a victim of human trafficking. The Lord Advocate's guidance requires prosecutors in these circumstances to instruct further inquiries into whether the individual may have been trafficked. Where there is credible evidence that the crime was committed by the individual as a direct consequence of his or her trafficked status, there is a presumption not to prosecute. Where, in the interests of justice, it is decided to proceed with prosecution, this decision must be reviewed by the National Lead Prosecutor for Human Trafficking. The Lord Advocate's letter confirmed that these measures are compatible with Article 8 of the EU Directive on combating and preventing trafficking of human beings.\r\nIn line with the terms of Article 8, final decisions about prosecution in all circumstances are a matter for the Lord Advocate.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-02-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-02-26T13:41:49.32","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300851,"EventID":"S4W-24433","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1866,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-12T13:41:49.567","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-12T10:06:53.103","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it has (a) policies and (b) interim targets in place to reach its target of creating 100,000 hectares of new woodland by 2022.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government does not have interim targets in addition to the overall target of creating 100,000 hectares of new woodland over the period 2012-22.\r\nThe woodland creation elements of the new Scottish Rural Development Programme include policies which have been designed to increase the demand for new woodland creation grants.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-02-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-02-26T13:41:49.583","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen McLeod","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300861,"EventID":"S4W-24435","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5059,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-13T14:36:36.073","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-12T15:34:55","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-24143 by Keith Brown on 2 February 2015, what action it is taking to reduce the number of incidents of pollution caused by Scottish Water.\r\n","AnswerText":"As I indicated in my answer to S4W-24143, Scottish Water takes any pollution incident very seriously and works closely with the Scottish Environment Protection Agency and other stakeholders to investigate the cause of each incident. In 2013-14, Scottish Water reduced the number of environmental pollution incidents by 20% on the previous year. A range of actions is underway which will improve performance including replacing and modernising assets and revising operational procedures.\r\nI have asked Scottish Water to provide you with more information on the efforts that it is making to reduce the number of pollution incidents.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-02-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-02-27T14:36:36.153","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300862,"EventID":"S4W-24436","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5059,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-13T14:36:36.397","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-12T15:34:55","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-24143 by Keith Brown on 2 February 2015, what discussions the Cabinet Secretary for Infrastructure, Investment and Cities has had with Scottish Water regarding the pollution.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has regular discussions with Scottish Water about the priorities for investment and its performance. On 1 October 2014, Scottish Water was directed by ministers to deliver a £3.5 billion investment programme over the period 2015-21. Of this, roughly half will be spent of maintaining current levels of performance. A further £500 million will be invested in improvements that will reduce the impact of sewage on Scotland’s environment.\r\nScottish Water’s performance, including that on pollution incidents, is monitored quarterly by the Outputs Monitoring Group. Every three months the group assesses Scottish Water’s progress with the delivery of ministerial objectives and produces a report. The quarterly reports can be found here:\r\nhttp://www.gov.scot/Topics/Business-Industry/waterindustryscot/publications/deliveryprogress.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-02-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-02-27T14:36:36.413","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300863,"EventID":"S4W-24437","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5059,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-13T14:36:36.633","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-12T15:34:55","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-24143 by Keith Brown on 2 February 2015, how many cases against Scottish Water for pollution have been dropped since 2005.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government does not hold this information. The decision about whether to prosecute is entirely a matter for the Procurator Fiscal based upon information provided by the relevant regulator.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-02-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-02-27T14:36:36.657","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300864,"EventID":"S4W-24438","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3806,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-13T14:36:36.88","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-13T13:20:05.69","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the passenger numbers are on the three ferries that service Orkney.\r\n","AnswerText":"Serco NorthLink Ferries Limited regularly publish annual passenger carrying information on their website.\r\nThe information can be found by following the attached link:\r\nhttp://www.northlinkferries.co.uk/other/publications/ \r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-02-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-02-27T14:36:36.897","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300865,"EventID":"S4W-24439","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3806,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-13T14:36:37.157","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-13T13:20:05.69","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government for what reason proof of identity is no longer required by passengers travelling by ferry from Aberdeen to Orkney and Shetland.","AnswerText":"Proof of identity for passengers travelling by ferry from Aberdeen to Orkney and Shetland is not a legal requirement. The decision to remove this requirement was therefore an operational decision for the operator to take.\r\nOrkney Islands Council and Shetland Islands Council were consulted by the operator, and supported the decision.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-02-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-02-27T14:36:37.173","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300866,"EventID":"S4W-24440","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2603,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-16T14:06:43.14","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-13T18:02:40","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what infrastructure projects (a) have commenced since April 2014 and (b) are due to commence in 2015.\r\n","AnswerText":"Information relating to the delivery of infrastructure projects with a capital value of £20 million or more is available from the Scottish Government website under ‘IIP 2011 – Project Pipeline’ by way of the following link: www.gov.scot\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-02-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-02T14:06:43.26","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300867,"EventID":"S4W-24441","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3806,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-16T14:06:43.933","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-16T09:11:06.86","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-24217 by Derek Mackay on 11 February 2015, whether it will confirm that the next Clyde and Hebrides ferry services contract will be for six years from October 2016.\r\n","AnswerText":"Previous ferry service contracts have been set at six years. The next contract will run from 1 October 2016 up to a period of eight years to allow the operator more scope to invest in and deliver service efficiencies and improvements over a longer operating period. The contract will be subject to a mid-point review in year four, which could limit its duration to six years.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-02-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-02T14:06:43.953","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300868,"EventID":"S4W-24442","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4016,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":133,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-16T14:06:44.553","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-16T09:27:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to ensure that work to build the new Kelso High School begins as soon as possible.","AnswerText":"Issues that are affecting certain infrastructure projects as a result of a change to European statistical accounts are being given top priority. The Scottish Government and Scottish Futures Trust are working to resolve these issues as quickly as possible.\r\nI have already shared with Parliament information on the work that we are undertaking, and I commit to updating Parliament on the question in due course. I can confirm, however, that government resources are in place to support Kelso High School.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-03-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300869,"EventID":"S4W-24443","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4016,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":133,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-16T14:06:44.63","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-16T10:56:50.17","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what analysis it has carried out regarding what impact any increase in UK contributions to the EU following the update to Eurostat guidance on national statistical accounts might have on Barnett consequentials and how many infrastructure projects this might subsequently affect.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Barnett formula allocates to Scotland a population share of changes in funding for comparable spending programmes in England. Comparability is the extent to which services delivered by UK Government departments correspond to services delivered by the devolved administrations. Barnett only applies to expenditure classified within Departmental Expenditure Limits – over 80 per cent of Scotland's total budget. Barnett consequentials accrued to the Scottish Government are added to or, if comparable UK budgets have been reduced rather than increased, are deducted from the total available funding available to Scottish Ministers. It is then for Scottish Ministers to decide how all the resources available to them should be allocated.\r\nEU contributions would qualify for a zero comparability factor and therefore any increased expenditure would not be affected by the operation of the Barnett formula.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-02-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-02T14:06:44.647","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300870,"EventID":"S4W-24444","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4014,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-16T14:06:45.16","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-16T12:21:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether (a) health visitors and (b) teachers will have a legal right to opt out of being designated named persons under the Children and Young People (Scotland) Act 2014.","AnswerText":"Health boards, local authorities and other specified organisations have a duty to implement and deliver the Getting it right for every child provisions in the Children and Young Person (Scotland) Act 2014, including the identification of named persons.\r\nThey will put in place the mechanisms and local procedures to deliver the provisions in accordance with the legislative requirements. They will also determine who, in the circumstances, it should appoint as a named person, having regard to the legal requirements, the statutory guidance (draft currently out to consultation) and the particular circumstances.\r\nThe consultation on the draft statutory guidance and a draft Order on the named person will close on 1 May 2015 and the analysis report will be published in mid-June 2015.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-03-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fiona McLeod","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300871,"EventID":"S4W-24445","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4014,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-16T14:06:45.177","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-16T12:21:10","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether parents will have a legal right to withdraw their children from the provisions of the Children and Young People (Scotland) Act 2014 in relation to named persons.","AnswerText":"There will be no legal obligation for families to engage with the named person if they choose not to, but we hope that because the named person will already be someone the family knows and trusts, that they will want to seek their advice and support if they need it. This is already happening in parts of Scotland, and is working well.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-02-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-02T14:06:45.2","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Fiona McLeod","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300879,"EventID":"S4F-02613","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":3759,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":80,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-16T14:02:42.467","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-16T11:57:51","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister what impact ongoing austerity will have on the finance available for public services in Scotland. \r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-02T14:02:42.48","MeetingDate":"2015-02-19T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300880,"EventID":"S4F-02592","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":5009,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-16T12:37:36.777","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-05T12:50:45.967","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister what issues will be discussed at the next meeting of the Cabinet.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-02T12:37:36.853","MeetingDate":"2015-02-19T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300881,"EventID":"S4F-02594","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":4976,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-16T12:37:37.883","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-16T09:09:05.577","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister when she will next meet the Secretary of State for Scotland.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-02T12:37:37.913","MeetingDate":"2015-02-19T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300882,"EventID":"S4F-02599","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":3812,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-16T12:37:39.46","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-16T10:34:43.857","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister what engagements she has planned for the rest of the day.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-02T12:37:39.49","MeetingDate":"2015-02-19T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300883,"EventID":"S4F-02607","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":3061,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-16T12:37:42.47","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-16T11:44:10.187","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister what the Scottish Government’s position is on prescribing methadone to drug users as a rehabilitation process.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-02T12:37:42.487","MeetingDate":"2015-02-19T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300884,"EventID":"S4F-02610","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":2033,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":132,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-16T12:37:43.36","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-16T11:56:50.257","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister what plans the Scottish Government has to allow schools to delay the implementation of the new advanced higher qualifications.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-02T12:37:43.39","MeetingDate":"2015-02-19T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300885,"EventID":"S4T-00943","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":9,"MSPID":2615,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":143,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-16T12:38:05.997","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-16T11:57:51","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to provide councils with resources to maintain teacher numbers.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-02T12:38:06.027","MeetingDate":"2015-02-17T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300886,"EventID":"S4T-00941","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":9,"MSPID":5060,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-16T12:38:05.417","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-16T11:32:54.887","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will consider introducing a pilot scheme for the sale and consumption of alcohol at football matches.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-02T12:38:05.433","MeetingDate":"2015-02-17T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300887,"EventID":"S4W-24448","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":2,"MSPID":4948,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-16T16:09:21.507","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-16T14:35:41.663","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-24217 by Derek Mackay on 11 February 2015, on what date it will announce the details of its approach to the invitation to tender.\r\n","AnswerText":"The contract notice for the Clyde and Hebrides Ferry Services was submitted to Public Contracts Scotland today for publication in the Official Journal of the European Union. This is the first formal step in taking forward a competition for the next Clyde and Hebrides ferry services contract. The contract notice invites potential operators to provide evidence of their suitability to tender for the public service contract to operate these services for a period of up to eight years, effective from 1 October 2016.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-02-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-02T16:09:21.537","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300888,"EventID":"S4W-24446","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2080,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":87,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-16T16:43:58.847","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-16T14:22:34","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to support people with a gambling addiction.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is committed to delivering faster access to psychological therapies for people with mental illness or disorders, including those who are addicted to gambling which is recognised as a type of impulse-control disorder. The delivery of psychological therapies is a core part of NHS activity, all of which is fully funded by the Scottish Government. NHS boards have made good progress in recent years in improving access to many psychological therapies.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-02-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-02T16:43:58.87","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300889,"EventID":"S4W-24447","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2080,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":87,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-16T16:43:59.177","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-16T14:22:34","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to record the number of people sleeping rough.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government asks local authorities to submit data on rough sleeping though the HL1 homelessness data collection.\r\nThe HL1 data collection asks the following two questions on rough sleeping:\r\nHas any member of the applicant household slept rough during the three months preceding their application?\r\nDid any member of the applicant household sleep rough on the night immediately preceding the date of application?\r\nInformation on rough sleeping is published in the annual homelessness statistics. The most recent statistics on rough sleeping for 2013-14 are available at:\r\nhttp://www.gov.scot/Publications/2014/06/3967/3.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-02-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-02T16:43:59.193","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Burgess","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300890,"EventID":"S4W-24449","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4934,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-16T16:43:59.59","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-16T15:44:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how Parliament House came to be in its ownership and that of the Faculty of Advocates, and what role the City of Edinburgh Council played in that process.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government registered a title to Parliament House in the land register after consulting, amongst others, City of Edinburgh Council. These enquiries were made in the context of the need for very substantial investment in the Parliament House complex, for example, to ensure suitable fire safety measures, etc. The council stated in writing that it held no right, title or interest in the property and gave its consent to registration.\r\nThe Scottish Government subsequently transferred to the Faculty of Advocates a title to the Laigh Hall which was first used as part of the Advocates’ Library in the early part of the 18th century. Ownership of the Parliament House complex was transferred to the Scottish Court Service, an independent public body, by the Transfer of Property etc. (Scottish Court Service) Order 2010. A £58 million redevelopment of the complex overseen by the Scottish Court Service was completed in 2013.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-03-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300891,"EventID":"S4W-24450","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4934,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-16T16:43:59.697","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-16T15:54:19.093","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the extent is of ash dieback disease in Scotland.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is working closely with the UK Government on minimising the impact of this disease and learning lessons for the future.\r\nAs at 2 February 2015 there are 169 confirmed sites in Scotland: three nurseries, 63 wider environment sites and 103 new planting sites.\r\nA comparison table for other parts of the UK is as follows.\r\n\r\nNursery\r\nNew Planting\r\nWider Environment\r\nTotal\r\nScotland\r\n3\r\n103\r\n63\r\n169\r\nEngland\r\n19\r\n179\r\n494\r\n692\r\nWales\r\n1\r\n28\r\n6\r\n35\r\nN Ireland\r\n3\r\n89\r\n0\r\n92\r\nUK (total)\r\n26\r\n399\r\n563\r\n988\r\nHowever, from 2 February 2015, reporting will focus on the number of hectares (10x10km squares) in which this disease has been confirmed. Showing only the number of confirmed sites does not account for the possibility of nearby infections which have not yet been detected.\r\nAs at 2 February 2015, the number of new 10 kilometre grid squares with one or more Chalara infections in the wider environment was:\r\n\r\n2012\r\n2013\r\n2014\r\n2015\r\nTotal\r\nPercentage of all 10km squares in country\r\nScotland\r\n7\r\n5\r\n28\r\n15\r\n55\r\n5.0%\r\nEngland\r\n82\r\n60\r\n162\r\n3\r\n307\r\n20.9%\r\nWales\r\n0\r\n1\r\n5\r\n0\r\n6\r\n2.3%\r\nN Ireland\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0.0%\r\nUK (total)\r\n89\r\n66\r\n195\r\n18\r\n368\r\n13.0%\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-02-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-02T16:43:59.707","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen McLeod","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300892,"EventID":"S4W-24451","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4934,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-16T16:43:59.917","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-16T15:54:19.093","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what progress it has made on reducing levels of peat extraction for horticultural use.","AnswerText":"Scottish Planning Policy confirms that planning authorities should use their development plans to protect areas of peatland and only allow commercial extraction in very limited circumstances.\r\nThe Scottish Government has offered its support to the market-led initiatives to reduce the demand and use of peat in horticulture. This reflects that the peat sourced for horticultural use comes from a number of different countries and is a global challenge.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-02-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-02T16:43:59.93","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen McLeod","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300898,"EventID":"S4W-24452","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2673,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":114,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-16T16:46:47.323","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-16T16:37:30.88","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on the climate change pledge agreed by the leaders of the main UK political parties.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is committed to concerted action to bring global emissions down to a level consistent with containing increases in global average temperatures to 2°C or less. With cross-party support, Scotland has unilaterally set challenging targets, both pre and post-2020, with a world-leading target of at least a 42 per cent emissions cut by 2020, and we have a comprehensive package of policies and measures in place to make the transition to a low carbon economy.\r\nAction in Scotland alone is not enough to seriously address climate change. We note the pledge agreed between the current leaders of the Conservatives, Labour and the Liberal Democrats and call on the leaders to commit to raise their levels of ambition to match Scotland’s, including our 42 per cent target.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-02-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-02T16:46:47.367","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen McLeod","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300900,"EventID":"S4W-24453","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3759,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":80,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-17T13:38:42.193","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-16T17:08:40","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it plans to encourage banks to finance small and medium-sized enterprises.","AnswerText":"In regular meetings with banks, ministers, Scottish Government officials and our enterprise agencies will discuss access to finance for small and medium sized businesses. For example at the last local economic partnership forum on 4 November 2014, I invited the banks to consider how best to provide information relevant to small businesses to form part an integral of the finance hub on the Scottish business portal.\r\nIn tandem, the Scottish Government is providing advisory support through our enterprise agencies - Scottish Enterprise, Highlands and Islands Enterprise and Business Gateway, to companies before they approach lenders, helping companies build stronger propositions to improve their chances of securing funding. Viable businesses should be able to access financial products required to support the various stages of their life cycle and aid their start-up, development, growth and internationalisation.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-02-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-03T13:38:42.247","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300901,"EventID":"S4W-24454","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3759,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":80,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-17T13:38:42.677","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-16T17:08:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it ensures that banks invest in that part of the economy related to producing goods and services.","AnswerText":"Scottish Ministers hold regular meetings with the banks to discuss the Scottish Government’s economic priorities, and use every opportunity to reaffirm the importance of investment to continued economic growth.\r\nThe Scottish Government is working with the banks to improve the supply of lending and other relevant support, including improving demand from viable Scottish businesses, as well as providing advisory support through our enterprise agencies and Business Gateway to improve their chances of securing finance.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-03-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300902,"EventID":"S4W-24455","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3759,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":80,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-17T13:38:42.883","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-16T17:08:40","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it has considered the impact of a tax designed to encourage banks to finance small and medium-sized enterprises.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Parliament has limited powers over taxation and the majority of taxes paid by banks, including corporation tax, remain reserved to the Westminster Parliament.\r\nHowever, the Scottish Government, through its enterprise agencies Scottish Enterprise and Highlands and Islands Enterprise, and the local authority delivered Business Gateway, continues to work with businesses to help them understand the approach of the banks – the banks risk lending profiles have changed materially since 2008, with availability of security now being absolute key for businesses to be able to secure debt funding, the processing of loans can take longer and companies need to demonstrate that future loan repayments can be met. Businesses need to ensure that they present a viable funding proposition to banks and seek to secure the right funding product for their business. \r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-02-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-03T13:38:42.91","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300903,"EventID":"S4W-24456","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4951,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-17T13:38:43.163","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-17T11:19:05.623","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it is supporting community-led organisations to encourage community involvement and volunteering as tools for self-management of long-term conditions.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government funds a range of initiatives to support work in this area. For example, the Self Management IMPACT Fund, administered by the Health and Social Care Alliance Scotland, provides £2 million per year for third sector organisations and partnerships to develop and strengthen projects that support self management. In addition, the Scottish Government funds the Scottish Health Council to drive the volunteering programme for NHSScotland.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-02-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-03T13:38:43.19","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300904,"EventID":"S4W-24457","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4951,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-17T13:38:43.447","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-17T11:19:05.623","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it is supporting people to self-manage long-term conditions through community involvement and volunteering.","AnswerText":"The Self Management Network, run by the Health and Social Care Alliance Scotland, brings together people to share learning about self management. Through this, innovative and exciting work around self management can be captured and spread, to improve people’s confidence, awareness and skills. Opportunities for both community engagement and volunteering are made available through ALISS (A Local Information System for Scotland), which allows people to access and contribute to a rich set of assets and services available across the community. In addition, the House of Care early adopter programme is working, mainly in primary care, to deliver a revised approach to care and support planning to enable people to more effectively self manage, drawing upon community resources.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-02-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-03T13:38:43.47","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300905,"EventID":"S4W-24458","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4951,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-17T13:38:43.713","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-17T11:19:05.623","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it considers self-management and volunteering as important tools to address social isolation and loneliness.","AnswerText":"Yes. There are a number of community-led projects, including those that have been funded by the self management fund, that focus on these issues. These include befriending services and support groups whose remit is to build confidence and promote self management across a range of needs.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-02-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-03T13:38:43.74","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300906,"EventID":"S4W-24459","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4951,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-17T13:38:44.07","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-17T11:19:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether community-led approaches to (a) self-management and (b) encouraging volunteering will be aims of the refreshed 2020 vision for health and social care.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government and NHS Scotland are committed to ensuring our healthcare system is able to adapt to the changing needs of the people of Scotland and is fit for the 21st century. That is why we are committed to our shared 2020 vision of everyone living longer, healthier lives at home or in a homely setting. Given the changing needs of Scotland’s population and the developments in healthcare provision, we need to work towards a national aim for achieving the 2020 vision to reflect these challenges.\r\nThe refreshed narrative will set the context for the next stage in evolution of health and social care in Scotland, but will continue to have prevention, anticipatory care and supported self-management at its heart.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-03-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300907,"EventID":"S4W-24460","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4951,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-17T13:38:44.263","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-17T11:19:05.623","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it is encouraging evaluation of community involvement and volunteering focused on the experience of the individual and their health.\r\n","AnswerText":"Evaluation of the personal outcomes and impact of projects is a vital part of the process. For example, projects funded by the Self Management IMPACT Fund have included robust evaluation throughout. Details of the learning from projects to date can be found at: \r\nhttp://www.alliance-scotland.org.uk/what-we-do/self-management/self-management-impact-fund/ \r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-02-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-03T13:38:44.287","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300908,"EventID":"S4W-24462","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4014,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-17T13:38:44.63","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-17T10:58:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government who the members will be of its expert group to review the guidance on assessing and reporting on the condition of the school estate, and when it will meet.","AnswerText":"The working group is comprised of representatives from:\r\nThe Convention of Scottish Local Authorities\r\nThe Association of Directors of Education in Scotland\r\nScottish Futures Trust\r\nNHS Scotland (Estates)\r\nEducation Scotland\r\nArchitecture and Design Scotland\r\nThe Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors\r\nScottish Government officials\r\nThe group held an initial meeting on 8 January 2015 and will continue to meet on a regular basis over the coming months. It is expected to report to ministers in the autumn of 2015.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-03-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300909,"EventID":"S4W-24470","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4014,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-17T13:38:44.913","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-17T10:58:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many incidents there have been of pupils being injured at school in each year since 1999, broken down by local authority.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government does not collect or hold this information centrally.\r\nThe health, safety and wellbeing of all pupils whilst at school is of paramount importance to the Scottish Government, however it is the statutory responsibility of individual local authorities to hold this information under health and safety legislation.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-03-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300910,"EventID":"S4W-24471","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-17T13:38:45.163","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-17T11:33:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-23806 by Richard Lochhead on 9 January 2015, whether it will provide an update on its assessment of how the ban on tail-docking has impacted on working dogs, and whether it has come to a decision regarding formally consulting on a potential exemption for working dogs.","AnswerText":"As noted in response to the question S4W-23806, the latest Scottish Government funded research investigating how the tail docking ban has impacted on working dogs was published in two peer reviewed papers in the Veterinary Record on 4 April 2014.\r\nThat answer also noted that subsequent discussions were held with stakeholders regarding the impact of the results of the research on their views on the tail docking of working dogs, and that the Chief Veterinary Officer for Scotland had further investigated how exemptions allowing tail docking of working dogs have worked in practice in other parts of the UK and how any potential exemption might be genuinely restricted to working dogs in Scotland.\r\nThese views and findings are being thoroughly considered before coming to a decision on what further action to take and on whether we will formally consult on a potential exemption for working dogs.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-03-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Richard Lochhead","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300926,"EventID":"S4W-24461","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5034,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-17T16:47:05.15","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-17T11:18:39","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many (a) psychiatric and (b) other consultant posts there are, and how many are (i) filled and (ii) vacant, broken down by NHS board.\r\n","AnswerText":"Numbers of (a) psychiatric and (b) other consultant posts and how many are (i) filled and (ii) vacant, broken down by NHS boards, are detailed below. Table 1 provides details of the number of psychiatric consultant posts, including staff in post and vacancies; and table 2 provides details of the number of other consultant posts, including staff in post and vacancies.\r\nTable 1: Whole time equivalent establishment, staff in post and vacancies for consultants in psychiatric specialities at 30 September 20141,2\r\nNHS Board\r\nEstablishment\r\nStaff in post\r\nVacancies\r\nNHS Ayrshire and Arran    \r\n29.5\r\n29.5\r\n-\r\nNHS Borders             \r\n11.7\r\n10.7\r\n1.0\r\nNHS Dumfries and Galloway \r\n13.4\r\n12.4\r\n1.0\r\nNHS Fife                \r\n32.5\r\n30.5\r\n2.0\r\nNHS Forth Valley        \r\n21.6\r\n21.6\r\n-\r\nNHS Grampian            \r\n59.4\r\n56.4\r\n3.0\r\nNHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde\r\n163.0\r\n151.0\r\n12.0\r\nNHS Highland            \r\n24.3\r\n19.6\r\n4.7\r\nNHS Lanarkshire         \r\n52.7\r\n52.7\r\n-\r\nNHS Lothian             \r\n88.1\r\n79.0\r\n9.1\r\nNHS Orkney              \r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\nNHS Shetland            \r\n3.0\r\n1.0\r\n2.0\r\nNHS Tayside             \r\n60\r\n57.5\r\n2.5\r\nNHS Western Isles       \r\n2.0\r\n2.0\r\n-\r\nNational Waiting Times Centre\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\nNHS 24\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\nNHS Education for Scotland\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\nNHS Health Improvement Scotland\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\nNHS Health Scotland\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\nNHS National Services Scotland\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\nScottish Ambulance Service\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\nState Hospital\r\n11.5\r\n11.5\r\n-\r\nScotland\r\n572.5\r\n535.2\r\n37.3\r\nSource: Scottish Workforce Information Standard System (SWISS), ISD Scotland\r\nTable 2: Whole time equivalent establishment, staff in post and vacancies for consultants in other specialties at 30 September 20141,2,3\r\nNHS Board\r\nEstablishment\r\nStaff in post\r\nVacancies\r\nNHS Ayrshire and Arran\r\n241.3\r\n221.9\r\n19.4\r\nNHS Borders\r\n93.7\r\n86.7\r\n7.0\r\nNHS Dumfries and Galloway\r\n112.8\r\n93.8\r\n19.0\r\nNHS Fife\r\n245.1\r\n197.0\r\n48.1\r\nNHS Forth Valley\r\n192.0\r\n186.4\r\n5.6\r\nNHS Grampian\r\n477.3\r\n433.3\r\n44.0\r\nNHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde\r\n1,294.5\r\n1,241.7\r\n52.8\r\nNHS Highland\r\n214.3\r\n194.3\r\n20.0\r\nNHS Lanarkshire\r\n391.6\r\n368.6\r\n23.0\r\nNHS Lothian\r\n788.3\r\n764.2\r\n24.1\r\nNHS Orkney\r\n13.5\r\n10.5\r\n3.0\r\nNHS Shetland\r\n11.6\r\n10.6\r\n1.0\r\nNHS Tayside\r\n441.5\r\n424.5\r\n17.0\r\nNHS Western Isles\r\n18.0\r\n12.0\r\n6.0\r\nNational Waiting Times Centre\r\n72.4\r\n69.4\r\n3.0\r\nNHS 24\r\n1.5\r\n1.5\r\n-\r\nNHS Education for Scotland\r\n7.5\r\n7.5\r\n-\r\nNHS Health Improvement Scotland\r\n7.0\r\n1.0\r\n6.0\r\nNHS Health Scotland\r\n3.0\r\n3.0\r\n-\r\nNHS National Services Scotland\r\n29.7\r\n26.7\r\n3.0\r\nScottish Ambulance Service\r\n1.0\r\n1.0\r\n-\r\nState Hospital\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\nScotland\r\n4,657.5\r\n4,355.5\r\n302.0\r\nSource: Scottish Workforce Information Standard System (SWISS), ISD Scotland\r\nNotes: \r\n1. The total establishment is the sum of all staff in post plus any vacancies.\r\n2. The symbol ‘-’ signifies where a figure is nil.\r\n3. The information in table 2 is for all consultants excluding those who have a psychiatric specialty\r\nFurther information on vacancies can be found in the medical trend table on the workforce statistics website at:\r\nhttps://isdscotland.scot.nhs.uk/Health-Topics/Workforce/Publications/2014-12-02/Medical_Trend_S2014.xlsm\r\nFurther information on consultant specialties can be found in the HCHS by specialty table on the workforce statistics website at:\r\nhttps://isdscotland.scot.nhs.uk/Health-Topics/Workforce/Publications/2014-12-02/HCHS_by_specialty_S2014.xlsm\r\nFurther information on the statistics, including information on how the data are collected and notes to aid interpretation, is given in the ‘FAQs’ section of the workforce statistics website at: www.isdscotland.org/workforce\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-02-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-03T16:47:05.187","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300927,"EventID":"S4W-24467","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5034,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-17T16:47:05.493","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-17T11:18:39","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many deaths by suicide have been recorded in psychiatric units in each of the last five years and how many have led to the holding of a fatal accident inquiry, broken down by NHS board.","AnswerText":"Every suicide is a tragedy that has a far reaching impact on family, friends and the community long after a person has died. The annual report of the National Confidential Inquiry into Suicides and Homicides by People with Mental Illness (July 2014) indicates that there are on average 18 in-patient suicides per year in Scotland. The number of in-patient suicides has fluctuated with no overall trend between 2002 and 2011. The information is not broken down to NHS board level, as to do so would risk identifying individual patients. The information available does not enable us to identify psychiatric units as the specific location of the completed suicide.\r\nFatal Accident Inquiries into deaths by suicide, where the person was not in legal custody at the time of their death, are held at the discretion of the Lord Advocate. Information from the Scottish Fatalities Investigation Unit indicates that from April 2011, there have been no Fatal Accident Inquiries into deaths by suicide which occurred in psychiatric units.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-02-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-03T16:47:05.52","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300928,"EventID":"S4W-24469","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5034,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-17T16:47:05.767","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-17T11:18:39","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many deaths by suicide have been recorded in each of the last five years, also broken down by (a) age, (b) gender and (c) local authority area.\r\n","AnswerText":"The information which has been requested can be found on the National Records of Scotland \r\n(http://www.nrscotland.gov.uk/statistics-and-data/statistics/statistics-by-theme/vital-events/deaths/suicides) and Scottish Public Health Observatory \r\n(http://www.scotpho.org.uk/health-wellbeing-and-disease/suicide/data/scottish-trends) websites.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-02-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-03T16:47:05.79","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300929,"EventID":"S4W-24480","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2110,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":138,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-17T16:47:06.04","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-17T14:42:27","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to provide enhanced screening for (a) maple syrup urine disease, (b) homocystinuria, (c) glutaric acidemia type 1 and (d) isovaleric acidemia and, if so, when such a service will commence.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is currently considering the UK National Screening Committee recommendation on expanded newborn bloodspot screening and investigating when and how these changes could be introduced in Scotland, as well as the impact on the current Scottish Newborn Bloodspot Screening Programme.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-02-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-03T16:47:06.063","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300930,"EventID":"S4W-24481","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2394,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-17T16:47:06.66","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-17T14:56:52.58","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-24165 by John Swinney on 5 February 2015, how many hard copies of the Scottish Government's white paper have been ordered in each month since September 2014.\r\n","AnswerText":"The number of hard copies of Scotland’s Future ordered in each month since September 2014 is:\r\nMonth\r\nCopies Ordered\r\nSeptember (19-09 to 30-09 2014)\r\n78\r\nOctober \r\n41\r\nNovember \r\n21\r\nDecember \r\n20\r\nJanuary \r\n23\r\nFebruary (01-02 to 10-02 2015)\r\n15\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-02-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-03T16:47:06.683","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300931,"EventID":"S4W-24482","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-17T16:47:07.05","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-17T14:55:17","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government on which date the contract for the V&A Dundee was (a) awarded and (b) signed.\r\n","AnswerText":"Dundee City Council is the contracting authority for the V&A Dundee construction project. The chief executive of the council has confirmed that he would be happy to address any questions the member has regarding the construction project.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-02-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-03T16:47:07.077","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Fiona Hyslop","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300932,"EventID":"S4W-24484","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2394,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-17T16:47:07.4","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-17T15:11:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to ensure that biomass energy plants do not inflate the price of timber for other sectors, in light of its Electricity Generation Policy Statement - 2013.","AnswerText":"Timber production in Scotland is increasing and the Forestry Commission’s long term forecasts for the availability of future potential softwood indicate increased wood availability up to the 2030s with likely increased availability of small roundwood and sawmill co-products, wood types used by both the wood panel and wood fuel industries.\r\nThe Scottish Government’s 15 megawatt cap on support for new electricity biomass plants in Scotland has removed the incentive for new large scale electricity only biomass plants. Increased demand for wood fuel is likely largely to come from the developing smaller scale renewable heat market where growth in demand for wood fuel will be incremental and at a sustainable level.\r\nBy contrast there is no such 15 megawatt cap south of the border.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-03-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300939,"EventID":"S4O-04031","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":2134,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":82,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-18T13:24:40.003","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-16T12:05:44.73","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what work it is conducting in association with the Scottish Environment Protection Agency to ensure high regulatory standards in waste management.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-04T13:24:40.057","MeetingDate":"2015-02-25T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300940,"EventID":"S4O-04032","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":2615,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":143,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-18T13:24:40.367","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-16T12:05:45.04","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what support it provides to help prevent flooding in urban areas.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-04T13:24:40.39","MeetingDate":"2015-02-25T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300941,"EventID":"S4O-04033","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":2080,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":87,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-18T13:24:40.69","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-16T12:05:45.4","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it will publish the findings of its consultation on the future of land reform.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-04T13:24:40.71","MeetingDate":"2015-02-25T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300942,"EventID":"S4O-04034","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":3771,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-18T13:24:40.973","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-18T11:41:08.037","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what it will be doing in Glasgow to mark the Year of Food and Drink Scotland 2015.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-04T13:24:40.993","MeetingDate":"2015-02-25T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300943,"EventID":"S4O-04035","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":1893,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-18T13:24:41.28","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-16T12:05:45.987","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what it is doing to deliver sustainable development in those rural areas that are hardest to reach.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-04T13:24:41.303","MeetingDate":"2015-02-25T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300944,"EventID":"S4O-04036","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-18T13:24:41.533","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-16T12:05:46.173","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what is being done to comply with the habitats directive to conserve freshwater pearl mussels in the River Spey.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-04T13:24:41.56","MeetingDate":"2015-02-25T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300945,"EventID":"S4O-04037","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":3759,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":80,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-18T13:24:41.99","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-16T12:05:46.633","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with farmers or their representatives on the impact of the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership on animal welfare and food standards.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-04T13:24:42.013","MeetingDate":"2015-02-25T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300946,"EventID":"S4O-04038","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":4964,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":119,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-18T13:24:42.477","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-18T11:17:26.16","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the effectiveness of the single use carrier bag charge.","AnswerText":"Early reports from some major retailers indicate reductions in bag use of up to 90% since the introduction of the charge. This indicates that the charge has been very effective and, encouragingly, many shoppers are now in the habit of reusing bags. We expect that these positive early indications will be confirmed later this year and will lead to a visible reduction in carrier bag litter.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-02-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-04T13:24:42.503","MeetingDate":"2015-02-25T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Richard Lochhead","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300947,"EventID":"S4O-04039","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":5074,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":104,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-18T13:24:42.743","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-16T12:05:46.993","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to ensure that Scottish food and drink products are promoted by local retailers and caterers.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-04T13:24:42.767","MeetingDate":"2015-02-25T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300948,"EventID":"S4O-04040","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":1845,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-18T13:24:43.023","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-16T12:05:47.25","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it will bring forward proposals to address puppy farming.","AnswerText":"Puppy farming has been illegal in the UK since the 1970’s.\r\nAnyone involved in the large-scale production of puppies without being licenced or without fulfilling licence conditions can already be prosecuted under existing UK legislation.\r\nI am aware that some consider that the current threshold of 5 or more litters per year before a licence is required is too high. I am also aware that the new Welsh legislation will lower this threshold to three litters.\r\nScotland has, of course, already taken additional steps through our Animal Dealers Regulation (2009) to further restrict the sale of young cats and dogs. Nevertheless, we will maintain a dialogue with Welsh colleagues and gauge the impact of this change as it’s implemented.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-02-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-04T13:24:43.05","MeetingDate":"2015-02-25T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Richard Lochhead","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300949,"EventID":"S4O-04041","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":5119,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":110,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-18T13:24:43.407","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-17T11:18:19.45","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many civilian police posts have been lost since 2007.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-04T13:24:43.423","MeetingDate":"2015-02-25T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300950,"EventID":"S4O-04042","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":1943,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-18T13:24:43.677","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-16T12:06:20.743","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the actual and contracted expenditure was for ICT systems in the police and fire services in 2013-14.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-04T13:24:43.697","MeetingDate":"2015-02-25T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300951,"EventID":"S4O-04043","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":2159,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":88,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-18T13:24:43.92","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-16T12:06:21.027","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many quad bikes have been seized by police under the Antisocial Behaviour etc. (Scotland) Act 2004 in the last year.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-04T13:24:43.943","MeetingDate":"2015-02-25T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300952,"EventID":"S4O-04044","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-18T13:24:44.193","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-16T12:06:21.247","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will hold an inquiry into the policing and convictions of miners arrested in Scotland during the 1984-85 miners' strike.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-04T13:24:44.22","MeetingDate":"2015-02-25T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300953,"EventID":"S4O-04045","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":4947,"Party":"Independent","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-18T13:24:44.503","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-17T15:06:27.217","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much compensation was paid out by Police Scotland and its predecessor service in each of the last three years.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-04T13:24:44.527","MeetingDate":"2015-02-25T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300954,"EventID":"S4O-04046","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":2610,"Party":"Independent","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-18T13:24:44.807","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-18T09:31:01.563","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it last met the Lord President of the Court of Session and what issues were discussed.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-04T13:24:44.833","MeetingDate":"2015-02-25T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300955,"EventID":"S4O-04047","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":2108,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":141,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-18T13:24:45.123","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-18T11:31:56.713","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether Police Scotland plans to review its operational method known as kettling.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-04T13:24:45.15","MeetingDate":"2015-02-25T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300956,"EventID":"S4O-04048","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":1741,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-18T13:24:45.54","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-17T15:52:57.78","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many people supplying new psychoactive substances have been charged under common law with reckless and culpable conduct, and how many convictions have resulted.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-04T13:24:45.563","MeetingDate":"2015-02-25T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300957,"EventID":"S4O-04049","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":3751,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":108,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-18T13:24:45.85","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-17T12:33:10.977","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the CashBack for Communities scheme.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-04T13:24:45.877","MeetingDate":"2015-02-25T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300958,"EventID":"S4O-04050","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":2066,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-18T13:24:46.133","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-16T12:06:22.677","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to tackle agricultural crime.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-04T13:24:46.157","MeetingDate":"2015-02-25T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300959,"EventID":"S4O-04051","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":5059,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-18T13:24:46.5","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-16T12:06:56.75","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it will support travellers facing disruption due to the closure of the Winchburgh tunnel in summer 2015.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-04T13:24:46.527","MeetingDate":"2015-02-26T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300960,"EventID":"S4O-04052","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":4014,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-18T13:24:46.8","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-16T12:06:56.917","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what provisions there are for parents to access the medical records of their children.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-04T13:24:46.823","MeetingDate":"2015-02-26T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300961,"EventID":"S4O-04053","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":4955,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":105,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-18T13:24:47.07","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-16T12:06:57.11","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it last met the senior management of National Museums Scotland and what issues were discussed.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-04T13:24:47.097","MeetingDate":"2015-02-26T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300962,"EventID":"S4O-04054","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":2892,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-18T13:24:47.433","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-18T09:48:40.453","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the First Minister's comment that there should be “zero tolerance” on tax avoidance, what policy changes it plans to make.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-04T13:24:47.46","MeetingDate":"2015-02-26T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300963,"EventID":"S4O-04055","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":2826,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":84,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-18T13:24:47.78","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-18T09:23:42.87","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the work it is supporting in Malawi. \r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-04T13:24:47.81","MeetingDate":"2015-02-26T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300964,"EventID":"S4O-04056","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":2633,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-18T13:24:48.057","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-18T11:49:48.247","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with Burntisland Fabrications Ltd regarding reports of potential job losses.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-04T13:24:48.08","MeetingDate":"2015-02-26T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300965,"EventID":"S4O-04057","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":2595,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-18T13:24:48.38","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-18T09:53:19.387","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the establishment of a Scottish business development bank.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-04T13:24:48.407","MeetingDate":"2015-02-26T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300966,"EventID":"S4O-04058","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":4956,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":106,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-18T13:24:48.74","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-16T12:06:58.777","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether there is an up-to-date estimate of PFI and PPP costs in the Edinburgh Western parliamentary constituency.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-04T13:24:48.767","MeetingDate":"2015-02-26T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300967,"EventID":"S4O-04059","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":5080,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-18T13:24:49.037","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-17T17:04:29.52","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what role its agencies have in regenerating town centres.","AnswerText":"Regenerating our town centres requires collective effort and best use of available resources and our agencies and public bodies work in partnership with individual local authorities and a range of other partners to support efforts to regenerate Scotland’s town centres. This includes providing support to local businesses and promoting the value of the culture and heritage of our town centres.\r\nThe Town Centre Action Plan sets out a range of actions we as a government are undertaking to encourage and support the wider public, private and community sectors to regenerate town centres, including our agreement with COSLA to adopt the Town Centre First Principle.\r\nThe principle also applies to our agencies and public bodies and asks them to put the health of town centres at the heart of proportionate and best value decision making, and to adopt a collaborative approach which supports the long term plan for each town centre.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-02-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-04T13:24:49.06","MeetingDate":"2015-02-26T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300973,"EventID":"S4W-24472","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5057,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-18T13:39:30.683","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-17T14:21:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what courses Scottish Prison Service facilities provide specifically for sex offenders and what the uptake is.","AnswerText":"I have asked Colin McConnell, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service (SPS), to respond. His response is as follows:\r\n“Moving Forward: Making Changes (MF:MC) is the treatment programme available to specifically address sexual offending. This programme targets those offenders who have committed a sexual offence whose risk is assessed to be moderate or above.\r\nSexual offenders can also access any offending behaviour programme available within SPS if it is deemed they have needs in addition to sexual offending.\r\nMF:MC is a rolling programme where the group continually runs with a maximum of eight group members. When one group member completes treatment and exits the group, another group member will roll in to begin their treatment. \r\nSPS currently have 140 sex offenders assessed as requiring MF:MC but of these a proportion of them will refuse to engage in treatment. Motivation to undertake treatment tends to fluctuate. Additionally there are 148 listed as ‘not suitable’ for a variety of reasons such as serving too short a sentence to undertake treatment or not meeting programme inclusion criteria such as being low risk. There are a further 64 listed for further assessment once more information becomes available, for example, once they have completed other programme work.\r\nThere are seven MF:MC programmes currently being delivered across HMP Glenochil, HMP Edinburgh, HMP Barlinnie and HM YOI Polmont. Each group holds eight group members and typically around 84 offenders overall will complete the programme each year.”\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-03-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300974,"EventID":"S4W-24473","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2117,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-18T13:39:30.997","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-17T14:39:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the statement by Fergus Ewing on 28 January 2015 (Official Report, c.17), whether the moratorium on the granting of planning consents for unconventional oil and gas developments will prohibit the drilling of conventional boreholes for (a) environmental baseline assessments, (b) exploratory flow-back testing and (c) the appraisal of commercial feasibility in relation to potential unconventional oil and gas developments.","AnswerText":"It is estimated that at least 5,000 boreholes are drilled annually in Scotland and for a variety of purposes each year.\r\nWith regard to unconventional oil and gas, only boreholes drilled for the purpose of obtaining a core sample are permitted. Directions have been issued today to planning authorities and the Scottish Environment Protection Agency confirming this position.\r\nIt is the Scottish Government’s position that such boreholes must also have research and geoscience as their key driver and be undertaken in collaboration with an independent research body (such as the British Geological Survey) or academic institution, and the information obtained will be made available to support the evidence-base on unconventional oil and gas.\r\nThe Scottish Government, in consultation with stakeholders, will update planning guidance to reflect this position. Planning guidance will also be reviewed to ensure that borehole applications are subject to appropriate public scrutiny and that proposals satisfactorily address all the likely impacts on local communities and the environment.","AnswerDate":"2015-10-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300975,"EventID":"S4W-24474","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2117,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-18T13:39:31.387","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-17T14:39:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the statement by Fergus Ewing on 28 January 2015 (Official Report, c.17), whether the moratorium on the granting of planning consents for unconventional oil and gas developments will prohibit developments that do not require hydraulic fracturing.","AnswerText":"The moratorium on unconventional oil and gas developments covers coal bed methane developments: these are unconventional developments and as such are covered whether or not they involve hydraulic fracturing. \r\nAll other developments using conventional drilling techniques are not covered by the moratorium.","AnswerDate":"2015-10-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300976,"EventID":"S4W-24475","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2117,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-18T13:39:31.763","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-17T14:39:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the statement by Fergus Ewing on 28 January 2015 (Official Report, c.17), whether the moratorium on the granting of planning consents for unconventional oil and gas developments will apply to (a) underground coal gasification and (b) coalbed methane extraction.","AnswerText":"In line with the precautionary, evidence-based approach already shown on unconventional oil and gas, the Scottish Government has now announced plans for a separate moratorium on planning consents related to underground coal gasification developments in Scotland. The moratorium will be accompanied by a programme of evidence-gathering work.\r\nInformation is available from the Scottish Parliament Information Centre (Bib. number 57240).\r\nCoalbed methane extraction is already covered by the existing moratorium on unconventional oil and gas developments.","AnswerDate":"2015-10-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300977,"EventID":"S4W-24476","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2117,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-18T13:39:32.153","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-17T14:39:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the statement by Fergus Ewing on 28 January 2015 (Official Report, c.17), in light of the moratorium on the granting of planning consents for unconventional oil and gas developments, whether it will carry out a public consultation regarding the (a) planning guidance, (b) environmental regulations and (c) possible health impacts of such developments and, if so, when this will (i) begin and (ii) end.","AnswerText":"In consultation with stakeholders, the Scottish Government has developed a programme of work to take forward the plans announced on 28 January 2015. The Scottish Government has published details of the proposals for evidence-gathering and public consultation, including a timetable. This information is available from the Scottish Parliament Information Centre (Bib. number 57225).\r\nIn order to provide a full picture of evidence to interested stakeholders, a public consultation on unconventional oil and gas will be launched after this work has been completed.","AnswerDate":"2015-10-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300978,"EventID":"S4W-24477","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2117,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-18T13:39:32.573","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-17T14:39:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the statement by Fergus Ewing on 28 January 2015 (Official Report, c.17), what work will be carried out on strengthening the planning guidance with regard to unconventional oil and gas extraction; which government department or non-government body it will commission to do this; when the work will (a) begin and (b) end; when the findings will be published, and how many full-time equivalent staff will be employed to do this.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-24476 on 8 October 2015. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.","AnswerDate":"2015-10-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300979,"EventID":"S4W-24478","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2117,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-18T13:39:32.95","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-17T14:39:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the statement by Fergus Ewing on 28 January 2015 (Official Report, c.17), what work will be carried out on reviewing the environmental considerations with regard to unconventional oil and gas extraction; which government department or non-government body it will commission to do this; when the work will (a) begin and (b) end; when the findings will be published, and how many full-time equivalent staff will be employed to do this.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-24476 on 8 October 2015. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.","AnswerDate":"2015-10-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300980,"EventID":"S4W-24479","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2117,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-18T13:39:33.293","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-17T14:39:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the statement by Fergus Ewing on 28 January 2015 (Official Report, c.17), what work will be carried out on examining the possible health impact of unconventional oil and gas extraction; which government department or non-government body it will commission to do this; when the work will (a) begin and (b) end; when the findings will be published, and how many full-time equivalent staff will be employed to do this.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-24476 on 8 October 2015. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.","AnswerDate":"2015-10-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300981,"EventID":"S4W-24485","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2603,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-18T13:39:33.653","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-17T15:42:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many support staff have been employed by NHS Grampian in each of the last five years, also broken down by (a) role and (b) grade.","AnswerText":"Information on numbers of support staff employed by NHS Grampian in each of the last five years, also broken down by (a) role and (b) grade can be found on the National Services Scotland, Information Services Division workforce website at:\r\nhttp://www.isdscotland.org/Health-Topics/Workforce/Publications/data-tables.asp#857 \r\n\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-03-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300982,"EventID":"S4W-24486","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2603,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-18T13:39:34.087","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-17T15:42:52.58","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what percentage of the adult population in Aberdeen has been registered with an NHS dentist in each of the last five years, and how this compares with the rest of the country.\r\n","AnswerText":"Figures showing the percentage of adults registered with an NHS dentist are published on the website of Information Services Division Scotland. These figures are available at: https://isdscotland.scot.nhs.uk/Health-Topics/Dental-Care/Publications/2015-01-27/Table_1_Registrations_trend.xlsx?14:03:28\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-02-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-04T13:39:34.103","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300983,"EventID":"S4W-24487","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2603,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-18T13:39:34.49","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-17T15:42:52.58","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the take up rate of Keep Well Health Checks has been at NHS Grampian, and how this compares with the rest of the country.\r\n","AnswerText":"NHS boards are no longer required to report to the Scottish Government on the number of Keep Well Health Checks delivered.\r\nNHS boards are encouraged to adapt ‘Keep Well’ to suit the needs of their local population which may include the delivery of health checks.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-02-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-04T13:39:34.517","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300984,"EventID":"S4W-24488","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2603,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-18T13:39:34.9","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-17T15:42:52.58","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many eye examinations were carried out by NHS Grampian in (a) 2012-13 and (b) 2013-14.\r\n","AnswerText":"In 2012-13, the number of eye examinations carried out in NHS Grampian was 209,985. More information can be found at the following link https://isdscotland.scot.nhs.uk/Health-Topics/Eye-Care/Publications/2013-08-27/ophthalmic_table_C_august13.xls?50730533\r\nThe figures for 2013-14 are not currently available but are scheduled to be published on 21 April 2015.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-02-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-04T13:39:34.923","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300985,"EventID":"S4W-24489","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-18T13:39:35.277","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-17T16:05:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-24330 by Jamie Hepburn on 17 February 2015, whether it will address the issue raised in the question regarding what action it has taken to improve psychological services in light of the criticism by the Scottish Intercollegiate Guideline Network (SIGN).","AnswerText":"In November 2010 the Scottish Government introduced the Health improvement, Efficiency, Access and Treatment target: ‘Deliver faster access to mental health services by delivering 18 weeks referral to treatment for Psychological therapies from December 2014’\r\nWe have published The Matrix: a Guide to Delivering Evidence-based Psychological Therapies in Scotland on what treatments are effective for which conditions. The matrix also stresses that services must provide adequate supervision for staff delivering psychological interventions, to ensure patient safety and the delivery of evidence-based care.\r\nThrough NHS Education Scotland, we are working to assess and develop workforce capacity to ensure that a range of staff are equipped to deliver therapies.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-03-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300986,"EventID":"S4W-24490","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-18T13:39:35.763","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-18T09:08:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the cost (a) is in 2015-16 and (b) will be in future years of the recently agreed bonus payments for prison officers.","AnswerText":"I have asked Colin McConnell, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service, to respond. His response is as follows:\r\n“There will be no cost in (a) 2015-16 or (b) in future years for the recently agreed one off payment for prison officers.\r\nAs this is a one off payment the full costs will be met from the 2014-15 budget.”\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-03-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300987,"EventID":"S4W-24491","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-18T13:39:36.34","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-18T09:08:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether the recently agreed bonus payments for prison officers will be included as baseline salary for future negotiations.","AnswerText":"I have asked Colin McConnell, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service, to respond. His response is as follows:\r\n“The one off payment to prison officers is a non-consolidated payment and does not affect the baseline salary for future negotiations.”\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-03-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300988,"EventID":"S4W-24492","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-18T13:39:36.967","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-18T09:08:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether payments similar to the recently agreed bonuses for prison officers are being made to other prison service staff.","AnswerText":"I have asked Colin McConnell, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service (SPS), to respond. His response is as follows:\r\n“The one off payment for prison officers is made in recognition of a specific set of circumstances unique to their frontline role. There are no plans to make similar payments to other SPS employees.”\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-03-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300989,"EventID":"S4W-24493","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-18T13:39:37.527","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-18T09:08:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether the recently agreed bonus payments for prison officers comply with its public sector pay policy and what the reasons are for its position on this matter.","AnswerText":"The pay settlement for frontline prison officers was negotiated and reached between the Scottish Prison Service (SPS) and the Prison Officers Association (Scotland). This settlement recognises the evolutionary role of frontline prison officers in Scotland and is a step on a long term investment strategy for the future of the prison service in Scotland.\r\nAny financial costs incurred will therefore be met by the SPS’ own existing budgets. No additional provision will be made by the Scottish Government to meet these costs, nor will they impact on future pay bills for this group of staff.\r\nMinisters agreed, exceptionally, that SPS could negotiate a pay settlement outside normal Scottish Government pay policy with the aim of securing ongoing engagement from frontline prison officers in the development of the role of a prison officer in the period ahead.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-03-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300990,"EventID":"S4W-24494","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-18T13:39:38.073","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-18T09:08:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it is typical of ministers to be directly involved in pay negotiations and when this has been the case in the last three years.","AnswerText":"Ministers, through their public sector pay policies, set the envelope within which public bodies can negotiate pay awards. Ministers are not directly involved in pay negotiations.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-03-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300991,"EventID":"S4W-24495","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1853,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":86,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-18T13:39:38.67","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-18T09:54:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it considers that the environmental scanning being carried out as part of the National Accommodation Strategy for Sex Offenders scheme is robust and fit for purpose and what the reasons are for its position on this matter.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government considers that the environmental scanning being carried out as part of the National Accommodation Strategy for Sex Offenders (NASSO) is robust and fit for purpose.\r\nUnder the multi-agency public protection arrangements (MAPPA), the responsible authorities – local authorities, the police, Scottish Prison Service and the NHS – have legal and operational responsibility for assessing, managing and monitoring the risks posed by sex offenders. They make an environmental risk assessment to identify any housing-related risks in individual cases. The assessment helps to identify the most manageable housing for minimising the risk an offender may pose to the community. \r\nThe MAPPA national steering group provides a multi-agency national forum where discussion between the Scottish Government and MAPPA practitioners takes place to ensure that policy, guidance and legislation on all aspects of MAPPA including the NASSO remains fit for purpose.\r\nThe Care Inspectorate and Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary in Scotland are currently conducting a thematic review to assess the state, efficiency and effectiveness of MAPPA in Scotland, in terms of keeping people safe and reducing the potential risk of serious harm by registered sex offenders in our communities. The review is due to conclude later this year with a public report. The government will respond to any recommendations that the report makes about the NASSO.","AnswerDate":"2015-03-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Burgess","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300992,"EventID":"S4W-24496","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1853,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":86,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-18T13:39:39.043","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-18T09:54:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with Police Scotland regarding the National Accommodation Strategy for Sex Offenders.","AnswerText":"A multi-agency public protection arrangement (MAPPA) national strategy group, chaired by the Scottish Government’s Public Protection Unit was established in 2011 and meets quarterly. Its membership includes representatives from Police Scotland and Scottish Government officials with responsibility for the National Accommodation Strategy for Sex Offenders. This group provides a multi-agency national forum where its members can discuss current matters and share learning and experience to ensure that policy, guidance and legislation remains fit for purpose. Housing is a regular item on the agenda. The group last met on 8 October 2014 and will be meeting next on 18 March 2015.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-03-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Burgess","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300993,"EventID":"S4W-24497","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1853,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":86,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-18T13:39:39.387","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-18T09:54:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with the housing association movement regarding the National Accommodation Strategy for Sex Offenders.","AnswerText":"The Minister for Housing and Welfare met with representatives of Blochairn and Dunbritton housing associations in December 2013 to discuss their concerns regarding the National Accommodation Strategy for Sex Offenders (NASSO). In March 2014, Blochairn Housing Association submitted a paper to the Scottish Government explaining in more detail these concerns. The Scottish Government responded to the paper in June 2014.\r\nLinthouse Housing Association, on behalf of what it described as a newly formed group of housing professionals, wrote to the government in January 2015 asking for a review of NASSO. The government responded in February 2015.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-03-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Burgess","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300994,"EventID":"S4W-24498","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1853,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":86,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-18T13:39:39.717","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-18T09:54:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it considers that the National Accommodation Strategy for Sex Offenders is functioning effectively and what the reasons are for its position on this matter.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government considers that the National Accommodation Strategy for Sex Offenders (NASSO) is functioning effectively.\r\nNASSO forms part of the multi-agency public protection arrangements (MAPPA) and explains how housing contributes to those arrangements. In particular, the NASSO focuses on assessing and managing the risks that sex offenders under MAPPA may pose by living in a particular community, location and property.\r\nThe MAPPA national steering group brings together the Chairs of the local strategic oversight groups to provide continuing oversight of NASSO to ensure that it is working effectively across Scotland. Its membership includes representatives from Police Scotland and the Scottish Prison Service. Housing officials with responsibility for NASSO attend these meetings, which provide a multi-agency national forum where discussion between the Scottish Government and MAPPA practitioners takes place to ensure that policy, guidance and legislation on all aspects of MAPPA including the NASSO remains fit for purpose.\r\nThe Care Inspectorate and Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary in Scotland are currently conducting a thematic review to assess the state, efficiency and effectiveness of MAPPA in Scotland, in terms of keeping people safe and reducing the potential risk of serious harm by registered sex offenders in our communities. The review is due to conclude later this year with a public report. The government will respond to any recommendations that the report makes about the NASSO.","AnswerDate":"2015-03-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Burgess","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300995,"EventID":"S4W-24499","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-18T13:39:40.03","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-18T10:30:30","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how the recently-announced £2 million in additional funding for the Scottish Ambulance Service for 2015-16 will be allocated, broken down by regional operational division.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has invested £2 million to support delivery of the Scottish Ambulance Service’s strategy Towards 2020: Taking Care to the Patient, which was launched on 3 February 2015.\r\nThe allocation of the resources to deliver the strategy is a matter for the Scottish Ambulance Service.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-02-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-04T13:39:40.04","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300996,"EventID":"S4W-24500","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2117,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-18T13:39:40.357","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-18T10:41:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-24285 by Fergus Ewing on 17 February 2015, who represented each of the named organisations at the first meeting of the Energy Jobs Taskforce in Aberdeen on 28 January.","AnswerText":"The attendees at the meeting on 28 February 2015 were:\r\nLena Wilson (Chair)\t\r\nDavid Rennie, Scottish Enterprise/Highlands and Islands Enterprise/Scottish Development International\r\nGraeme Dickson, Scottish Government\r\nDamien Yeates, Skills Development Scotland\r\nMartin Fairbairn, Scottish Funding Council\r\nAngela Scott, Aberdeen City Council\r\nBelinda Miller, Aberdeenshire Council\r\nKarin Hoeing, Schlumberger\r\nGrahame Smith, Scottish Trades Union Congress\r\nJake Molloy, RMT\r\nWillie Wilson, UNITE\r\nMalcolm Webb, Oil and Gas UK\r\nTim Smith, BP\r\nDonald Taylor, TAQA\r\nMatt Corbin, Aker\r\nBob Keiller, Wood Group\r\nSandy Clark, AMEC\r\nKevin Higgins, Petrofac\r\nRoy MacGregor, Global Energy\r\nSidney Johnston, Spex Offshore\r\nBryan Buchan, Scottish Engineering\r\nAndy Samuel, Oil and Gas Authority\r\nStephen Speed, Department of Energy and Climate Change\r\nBob Collier, Aberdeen and Grampian Chambers of Commerce\r\nJohn McDonald, OPITO","AnswerDate":"2015-03-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300997,"EventID":"S4W-24501","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2117,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-18T13:39:40.717","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-18T10:41:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it expects to publish the minutes of the first meeting of the Energy Jobs Taskforce in Aberdeen on 28 January 2015.","AnswerText":"The minutes from the first taskforce meeting are available online and can be accessed at:\r\nhttp://www.gov.scot/Topics/Business-Industry/Energy/resources/working-groups/energy-advisory-board/Energy-Jobs-Taskforce","AnswerDate":"2015-03-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300998,"EventID":"S4W-24502","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2117,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-18T13:39:41.06","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-18T10:41:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when and where the next meeting of the Energy Jobs Taskforce will be held.","AnswerText":"The second meeting of the Energy Jobs Taskforce took place on 26 February 2015 in Aberdeen. The next meeting of the taskforce will be on 23 March 2015 and it will also be held in Aberdeen.","AnswerDate":"2015-03-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":300999,"EventID":"S4W-24503","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-18T13:39:41.393","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-18T10:50:12.997","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what impact the recently-announced £2 million in additional funding for the Scottish Ambulance Service (SAS) for 2015-16 will have on the reported £436,000 in savings that SAS North Division has been targeted to make.\r\n","AnswerText":"It is important to recognise that all savings made by the Scottish Ambulance Service are retained for reinvestment. How resources are utilised to deliver the Scottish Ambulance Service’s Strategy, Towards 2020: Taking Care to the Patient, and achieve efficiency savings is a matter for the Scottish Ambulance Service.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-02-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-04T13:39:41.413","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301000,"EventID":"S4W-24504","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1759,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-18T13:39:41.823","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-18T12:25:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many prosecutions have been made under the habitats directive for offences relating to native mountain hares.","AnswerText":"There has been one prosecution made under the habitats directive for offences relating to native mountain hares.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-03-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen McLeod","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301001,"EventID":"S4W-24505","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1759,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-18T13:39:42.373","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-18T12:25:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many mountain hares there are in Scotland.","AnswerText":"The only published population estimate for mountain hares is now 20 years old and suggested that there were 350,000 mountain hares in Scotland, but this estimate had large error margins attached to it (+/- 50%). Furthermore, it pre-dates the trend over the past 10-15 years towards intensive culls on some grouse moors that can result in locally depleted hare populations. Furthermore, caution is needed when interpreting indices of population density especially for species such as mountain hares that show population cyclicity.\r\nPopulation trend data are available from two independent sources: the Game and Wildlife Conservation Trust National Gamebag Census data from 1995 to 2009 indicate a 36% decline in the index of mountain hare numbers, while the British Trust for Ornithology Breeding Bird Survey data suggests a decline of 26% over the same period. When combined these indices give a statistically significant decline of 28%, see: http://jncc.defra.gov.uk/pdf/468%20and%20Appendix%20web.pdf \r\nScottish Natural Heritage, the James Hutton Institute and the Game and Wildlife Conservation Trust, acting on the advice of several mountain hare experts, have started work on field trialling a range of methods of assessing mountain hare numbers, in order to develop a better monitoring strategy and to improve the quality of the information used to assess population status and the sustainability of hare management measures. This programme of work is due to be completed in 2017.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-03-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen McLeod","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301002,"EventID":"S4W-24506","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1759,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-18T13:39:42.653","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-18T12:25:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what research it has carried out into diseases that mountain hares may carry.","AnswerText":"A study by Laurenson et al. (2003), which was part-funded by the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC) and the then Scottish Executive Environment and Rural Affairs Department (SEERAD), focused on how culling mountain hares can reduce tick burdens and louping ill virus (LIV) seroprevalence in red grouse. The study site, however, was unusual with very high LIV seroprevalence levels in grouse, and an absence of red deer.\r\nA review of the evidence concerning mountain hare culling as a management tool to reduce louping ill in grouse was supported by NERC and the Scottish Government Rural Environment Research and Advisory Directorate (Harrison et al., 2010). In addition, NERC has funded or part-funded research into mountain hare intestinal parasites and their potential impact on population dynamics (e.g. Newey et al., 2005). Another paper by Newey et al. (2007) was part NERC funded and part RESAS funded (among others) and discusses diseases in mountain hares.\r\nOther work funded or part-funded by the Scottish Government (or SEERAD or the Rural Environment Research and Advisory Directorate) has focussed on louping ill virus which mountain hares carry. This consists of both empirical and mathematical modelling theoretical studies. Several papers have been published, e.g. Gilbert et al. (2001).\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-03-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen McLeod","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301003,"EventID":"S4W-24507","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2108,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":141,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-18T16:46:27.367","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-18T13:21:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on extending the six-week moratorium on diligence under the Debt Arrangement Scheme.","AnswerText":"The Bankruptcy and Debt Advice (Scotland) Act 2014 (the Act) comes into force on 1 April 2015 and introduces a moratorium on diligence for persons considering access to any Scottish Statutory Debt solution. These include the Debt Arrangement Scheme, Protected Trust Deeds and bankruptcy. The Act provides for a moratorium period of six weeks. However this six week period can be extended, in prescribed circumstances, to allow for any application received and in progress to be approved or rejected.\r\nThe Accountant in Bankruptcy (AiB) is willing to consider ideas for improvements to the Debt Arrangement Scheme, however there are no immediate plans to introduce a further extension to the moratorium period, the length of which was supported by the majority of stakeholders who responded to AiB’s consultation on bankruptcy reform.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-03-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301004,"EventID":"S4W-24508","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2108,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":141,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-18T16:46:28.07","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-18T13:21:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what work it has carried out to assess the impact of the six-month moratorium on diligence under the Debt Arrangement Scheme.","AnswerText":"Our analysis shows that the majority of debtors who intimate their intention to apply for the Debt Arrangement Scheme (DAS) go on to have an approved debt payment programme under the scheme. The Bankruptcy and Debt Advice (Scotland) Act 2014 (the Act), which comes into force on 1 April 2015, introduces the six week moratorium period for all statutory debt solutions in Scotland with this length supported by the majority of stakeholders during the consultation. The Act will also allow this six week period to be extended, in prescribed circumstances, to allow for any application received and in progress to be approved or rejected. Since the six week moratorium was introduced in DAS at the end of June 2007, almost 21,000 debtors have been saved from the additional stress of further diligence.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-03-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301005,"EventID":"S4W-24509","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2108,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":141,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-18T16:46:28.63","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-18T13:21:21","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on establishing a statutory right to a \"breathing space\" for all debtors.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Bankruptcy and Debt Advice (Scotland) Act 2014 (the Act) comes into force on 1 April 2015 and introduces a moratorium on diligence for persons considering access to any Scottish statutory debt solution. These include the Debt Arrangement Scheme, Protected Trust Deeds and bankruptcy. The Act provides for a moratorium period of six weeks. During the moratorium period, creditors are prevented from commencing any new diligence action.\r\nThe policy intent behind the introduction of the moratorium period is to allow debtors a breathing space, during which they can explore the most appropriate solution for their specific circumstances, without the fear of new diligence action being taken against them.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-02-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-04T16:46:28.66","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301006,"EventID":"S4W-24510","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2108,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":141,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-18T16:46:28.867","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-18T13:21:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what (a) financial and (b) other support it provides to social advertising campaigns that are aimed at encouraging people on low incomes to put aside at least a modest amount in savings.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government launched Scotland’s Financial Health Service website: www.lightentheloadscotland.gov.uk in December 2014. \r\nThe new website is consumer facing and acts as a hub, bringing together information on various strands including debt advice, employability, housing issues, access to ethical and affordable lending, borrowing and saving, and even help with budgeting.\r\nThe aim of the website is to signpost those in need to the most appropriate area of support. It therefore links out to a range of trusted stakeholders who offer further information and advice, such as Citizens Advice Scotland, Money Advice Scotland and Shelter Scotland; it also links to credit unions promoting the benefits of savings and affordable lending.\r\nA key part of the new website is a financial education module with budgeting and savings tools from a number of the stakeholders. The objective of this section is to educate people about saving as a way to keep on top of their financial worries. The website also allows users to search for their local credit unions and find out about the products offered by them, and to search for approved money advisers.\r\nA marketing campaign has been developed to raise awareness of the Scotland’s Financial Health Service website and to encourage people to visit the new site for support and advice. This has included partnership work with stakeholders, as well as PR and digital and TV adverts. The site has recorded 30,340 unique visitors since its inception.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-03-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301007,"EventID":"S4W-24512","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5047,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-18T16:46:29.457","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-18T13:39:33.887","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to increase block grants to local authorities.","AnswerText":"Despite the significant cuts to the Scottish budget imposed by the UK Government, the Scottish Government has maintained the level of local government funding over the four years from 2012-16 and has increased this funding with extra money for new responsibilities. The local government finance settlement now amounts to almost £10.8 billion in 2014-15 and, with this extra money for additional responsibilities, this will increase to over £10.85 billion in 2015-16.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-02-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-04T16:46:29.47","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301008,"EventID":"S4W-24513","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5047,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-18T16:46:29.767","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-18T13:39:33.887","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it will reduce the unemployment rate of women over the age of 50.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is taking action to support women of all ages into work, including enabling access to further and higher education or skills training and support to start their own businesses.\r\nWe are pleased that statistics published on 18 February 2015 show that, at 1,301,000, women’s employment in Scotland is now at record levels. In particular, it is very encouraging that unemployment for women aged 50 to 64 fell 33% from 16,000 in October to December 2013 to 11,000 in October to December 2014. (Source: Office for National Statistics: Labour Force Survey October to December 2014).\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-02-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-04T16:46:29.8","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Annabelle Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301009,"EventID":"S4W-24514","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5047,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-18T16:46:29.82","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-18T13:39:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it will increase the accountability of social services.","AnswerText":"Local authorities must use resources as efficiently as possible and deliver services effectively to ensure taxpayers get the best possible value. How this is done is a matter for each council - councils are autonomous bodies, responsible for managing their own day to day business and answerable to their electorates. Local authorities are subject to audit and inspection by various bodies such as the Accounts Commission and the Care Inspectorate and accountable to deliver on duties such as best value.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-03-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301010,"EventID":"S4W-24515","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-18T16:46:30.1","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-18T14:03:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what proportion of NHS spending has been allocated to mental health services in each year since 2007.","AnswerText":"The proportion of NHS expenditure on mental health since 2007 is shown in the following table. \r\nIn 2009-10 NHS Scotland’s expenditure on mental health was £727 million, and this rose by £169 million in 2013-14 to £896 million, an increase of 23.2%.\r\nFinancial Year\r\nPercentage of NHS expenditure related to mental health\r\n2007-08\r\n11.65%\r\n2008-09 \r\n12.87%\r\n2009-10\r\n12.77%\r\n2010-11\r\n12.44%\r\n2011-12\r\n12.18%\r\n2012-13\r\n12.18%\r\n2013-14\r\n11.82%\r\n\r\nMental health expenditure is recorded in the Costs Book (Report R340) within Hospital, Community and Resource Transfer data for the 14 geographic health boards and the special board the State Hospital only.\r\nTotal expenditure is recorded in the Costs Book (Report R300) and has been restricted to hospital, community and resource transfer data to give a more accurate comparison against mental health expenditure.\r\nTotal expenditure is also restricted here to the 14 geographic health boards, the State Hospital and the Golden Jubilee National Hospital for the same reason.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-03-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301011,"EventID":"S4W-24516","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3806,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-18T16:46:30.767","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-18T14:08:55.043","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government for what reason it has stopped the joint funding for the Scottish Driving Assessment Service (SDAS), and in light of the only SDAS centre being located in Edinburgh, what support it will provide to people from remote areas who need to be assessed.\r\n","AnswerText":"Scottish Government funding for the driving assessment service was historically based on grant funding that was always intended to cease when the boards took ownership for the service.\r\nUnder the Patient Travel Scheme, financial assistance is provided to those in receipt of certain DWP benefits, or those on a low income. A separate Highlands and Islands Patient Travel Scheme operates in the Highland and Islands area, where those patients who are required to travel 30 miles or more to hospital may claim repayment of travelling expenses.\r\nNHS boards have the discretion to help with the travel costs of patients who do not otherwise qualify for help under the patient travel scheme, but where those costs are deemed to be an extension of the cost of treatment.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-02-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-04T16:46:30.797","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301012,"EventID":"S4W-24517","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3806,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-18T16:46:31.11","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-18T14:08:55.043","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the funding arrangements are for the Scottish Driving Assessment Service.\r\n","AnswerText":"Based on total service costs, NHS Lothian will seek reimbursement for the driving assessment service from each health board from 1 April 2015.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-02-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-04T16:46:31.123","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301013,"EventID":"S4W-24518","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3806,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-18T16:46:31.373","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-18T14:08:55.043","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on reintroducing the mobile Scottish Driving Assessment Service.\r\n","AnswerText":"The recommendation to provide the service from a single site was made by the NHS board directors of planning which was subsequently agreed by the NHS board chief executives.\r\nScottish Government has requested that NHS Lothian undertake a review of the single site to measure performance, service delivery and patient experience. We expect the review to be completed in autumn 2015.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-02-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-04T16:46:31.407","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301014,"EventID":"S4W-24520","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1866,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-18T16:46:31.46","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-18T14:48:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what financial resources it will provide to support the implementation actions identified in flood risk management plans in 2016.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government provides funding of £42 million a year through the local government settlement until 2015-16, for local authorities to continue to invest in major new flood protection schemes. Local authorities were able to apply for this funding on the basis of criteria agreed by the Scottish Government and COSLA. After the last round of applications, all of the available funding until 2015-16 was allocated.\r\nLocal authorities are also free to allocate additional resources to flooding from within the overall funding provided to them by the Scottish Government and from within their own resources.\r\nThe Scottish Government and COSLA have set up a working group to agree a methodology for distributing the capital funding for flood protection from 2016 onwards in such a way as to ensure it will take account of the development of local flood risk management plans.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-03-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen McLeod","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301015,"EventID":"S4W-24521","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1866,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-18T16:46:31.867","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-18T14:48:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what processes there are to recognise the value of natural flood management measures, such as wetland habitats, that are providing flood attenuation.","AnswerText":"Under section 20 of the Flood Risk Management (Scotland) Act 2009, the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) has produced, and mapped, a high level strategic analysis of areas where the implementation of natural flood management measures would be most effective. This is the first ever national source of this information. The maps are indicative and identify the areas where more detailed assessments should take place. They include opportunities for runoff reduction and floodplain storage in wetlands. The outcome of the assessments, which will consider information such as the location and nature of flood risk, current land use, and existing protection, are being captured in flood risk management strategies as a recommended list of actions.\r\nThe SEPA natural flood management maps will also be considered as part of the land use planning process to ensure that natural attenuation opportunities, such as wetlands, are protected.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-03-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen McLeod","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301016,"EventID":"S4W-24522","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1866,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-18T16:46:32.24","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-18T14:48:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it will ensure that natural flood management options and their long-term benefits are prioritised in the shortlist of potential actions identified for each potentially vulnerable area.","AnswerText":"As part of the flood risk management planning process, the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA), working in partnership with local authorities and Scottish Water, will select the most sustainable actions to meet the agreed objectives for managing significant flood risks in each Potentially Vulnerable Area. These will be based on a high level appraisal of costs and impact. The Flood Risk Management (Scotland) Act 2009 then requires SEPA to prioritise those actions, together with an indicative date for delivery by flood risk management planning cycle:\r\nCycle 1 – Before 2022\r\nCycle 2 – 2022-27\r\nAfter Cycle 2 – Beyond 2027\r\nWhere natural flood management measures have been selected as the most sustainable actions to meet the stated objectives, they will be included as part of the prioritisation process.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-03-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen McLeod","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301017,"EventID":"S4W-24523","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1866,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-18T16:46:32.663","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-18T14:48:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how the cost benefit analysis of flood risk management plans will support local authorities in reducing spending on flood alleviation projects that are shown to be of low benefit.","AnswerText":"Cost benefit analysis is a decision support tool that will help to identify projects which maximise value for money in the reduction of flood risk. Within each flood risk management plan, actions to reduce flood risk will be given a priority based on ranking at a range of scales from national to local authority areas. These priorities will then be used by local authorities to determine when actions will be delivered. The delivery of actions set out in the plan must be the priority for local authorities, and any other planned actions to reduce flood risk cannot be taken forward at the expense of those prioritised in the plan.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-03-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen McLeod","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301027,"EventID":"S4W-24524","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2595,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-19T13:51:23.753","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-18T17:57:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when the formal release of the complete IT system for Revenue Scotland will take place.","AnswerText":"The Chief Executive of Revenue Scotland reported the latest position in her report to the Finance and Public Audit Committees on 27 February 2015. She reported that all of the components of the IT system are now in place and that the Tax Administration Programme is at an advanced stage of delivery. Specific milestones passed include the opening, on 16 February 2015, of registration for Scottish Landfill Tax (SLfT) and sign-up to SETS, the Scottish Electronic Tax System, for both SLfT and Land and Building Transaction Tax. This coincided with the publication of a significant volume of guidance – covering all three pieces of primary legislation relating to the devolved taxes, as well as guidance on signing up to SETS. The Revenue Scotland support desk also opened the same day.\r\nThe formal release of the system will take place shortly before the end of March 2015 so that users have maximum opportunity to test the system before release.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-03-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301028,"EventID":"S4W-24525","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2595,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-19T13:51:24.487","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-18T17:57:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what potential risks could prevent full functioning of the Revenue Scotland IT system on 1 April 2015.","AnswerText":"The Revenue Scotland IT system is at an advanced stage of delivery and the Chief Executive of Revenue Scotland is confident that the system will be fully functioning on 1 April 2015.\r\nShe updated the Finance and Public Audit Committees on 27 February 2015 and reported that all of the components of the IT system are now in place. Specific milestones passed include the opening, on 16 February 2015, of registration for Scottish Landfill Tax (SLfT) and sign-up to SETS, the Scottish Electronic Tax System, for both SLfT and Land and Building Transaction Tax (LBTT). This coincided with the publication of a significant volume of guidance – covering all three pieces of primary legislation relating to the devolved taxes, as well as guidance on signing up to SETS. The Revenue Scotland support desk also opened the same day.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-03-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301029,"EventID":"S4W-24526","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1860,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-19T13:51:24.8","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-19T08:50:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with Abellio in relation to the (a) Highland Main Line and (b) Far North Line.","AnswerText":"Transport Scotland are meeting Abellio frequently to discuss a wide range of issues relevant to the delivery of the new ScotRail franchise, that will commence on 1 April 2015. \r\nThe Scottish Government is committed to ensuring a continuously improving service for rail passengers, including services on the Highland Main Line and Far North Line.\r\nThe new ScotRail franchise will bring popular high speed trains between Inverness and the central belt, increasing capacity, reducing journey times and improving on-train comfort. The new franchise will also deliver a scenic railway service on the Far North line.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-03-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301030,"EventID":"S4W-24527","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1860,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-19T13:51:25.13","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-19T08:50:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many new trains it expects Abellio to provide to service the (a) Highland Main Line, (b) Far North Line, (c) West Highland Line north and (d) West Highland Line south.","AnswerText":"Abellio ScotRail will be introducing high speed train rolling stock units during their franchise for Highland Main Line services and Class 158 diesel multiple units for the West Highland Line. These are types of trains which are new to these routes. The Far North Line will continue to be serviced by Class 158 diesel multiple units.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-03-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301031,"EventID":"S4W-24528","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1860,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-19T13:51:25.487","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-19T08:50:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government (a) how and (b) by how much it expects Abellio to improve journey times on the (i) Highland Main Line and (ii) Far North Line.","AnswerText":"We expect Abellio ScotRail to save around 10 to 12 minutes on the Highland Main Line by taking advantage of the government’s infrastructure investment on this route and introducing refurbished intercity high speed train rolling stock by 2019.\r\nWe expect Abellio ScotRail to reduce journey times for services on the Far North Line; this is dependent on the outcome of Network Rail and First ScotRail’s current review of line speeds on the route. The scale of journey time reduction will be available on the conclusion of this review.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-03-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301032,"EventID":"S4W-24529","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1860,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-19T13:51:26.033","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-19T08:50:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it expects Abellio to provide trains on the Far North Line and the West Highland Line with upgrades to enhance the tourist experience and, if so, what upgrades.","AnswerText":"Abellio ScotRail will be introducing trains with upgrades to enhance the tourist experience on the Far North Line and the West Highland Line.\r\nAbellio ScotRail will be using Class 158 diesel multiple units on both routes and these will form part of the ‘Great Scenic Railways of Scotland’ product being introduced with the units being refurbished for this service.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-03-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301033,"EventID":"S4W-24530","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2108,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":141,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-19T13:51:26.363","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-18T18:05:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on holding an independent review of the planning system from a community perspective.","AnswerText":"Scotland's planning system has undergone the most significant modernisation in over 60 years. The overall aim was delivery of a planning service that is efficient, inclusive, fit for purpose and sustainable. The Scottish Government has no current plans to undertake a further review.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-03-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301034,"EventID":"S4W-24531","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2108,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":141,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-19T13:51:26.723","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-18T18:05:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what information it holds on the experience of third parties who participate in the planning system.","AnswerText":"In addition to responses to relevant public consultations, the Scottish Government regularly receives correspondence from MSPs and members of the public regarding the operation of the Scottish planning system.\r\nThe Scottish Government also has a role in reviewing and providing feedback on individual planning authorities’ annual planning performance framework reports.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-03-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301035,"EventID":"S4W-24532","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2108,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":141,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-19T13:51:27.05","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-18T18:05:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how the planning system contributes to delivering the national outcome, \"We have strong, resilient and supportive communities where people take responsibility for their own actions and how they affect others\". ","AnswerText":"The planning system can play an important role in supporting the conditions in which strong communities grow through the development of well-designed, sustainable places, building the strong physical infrastructure required to create economic and social success. The modernised planning system has been designed to enable early and effective community engagement in development planning and decision making.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-03-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301036,"EventID":"S4W-24533","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4016,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":133,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-19T13:51:27.38","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-19T09:25:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it is supporting jobs in the fishing industry in Berwickshire.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government places a high importance on the fishing industry and the benefits it brings to local communities such as those in Berwickshire and has been working with other government agencies to provide assistance to help maintain and indeed create new jobs locally in both the onshore and offshore sectors.\r\nThe Scottish Government fought hard and proactively in the annual EU fisheries negotiations to secure the best deal for Scotland’s fishermen in 2015 – of course respecting science and sustainability issues – and thinking ahead to creating the best starting point for negotiating quota for 2016 under the first year of the demersal landing obligation. Helpfully, to fishermen on the east coast, an increase in the Scottish share of the North Sea quota for Nephrops was secured.\r\nWe are also taking steps to empower local communities. The east coast Inshore Fisheries Group (IFG) includes the Berwickshire area. IFGs are non-statutory bodies that aim to improve the management of Scotland’s inshore fisheries (out to six nautical miles) and to give commercial inshore fishermen a strong voice in wider marine management developments. Our national inshore fisheries programme is actively supporting these ambitions, from testing new technologies to researching new approaches to managing the interactions between mobile and static fishing vessels in the inshore environment.\r\nThe government has utilised the European Fisheries Fund to make 12 awards to a range of fisheries related businesses in Berwickshire since 2008 amounting to £588,000 which has enabled investment of £1.5 million and a target of 49 jobs. Examples include five fishing vessel modernisation grants totalling £27,000 which have enabled investment of £104,000, three fishing port facilities projects at Eyemouth Harbour attracting grants of £142,000 enabling investment of £188,000 and creating 11 jobs, and four processing and marketing grants totalling £419,000 which enabled investment of £1.23 million in facilities and plant and which aim to create 38 jobs.\r\nThe government will also work to maximise the benefit to fishing communities, such as those in Berwickshire, of the successor European Maritime and Fisheries Fund (EMFF), which will provide a widened package of support for marine actions. We plan to launch the new scheme later this year. The Scottish allocation of the EMFF is over 107 euros and will be co-financed with domestic funds.\r\nA Scottish Creel Support Fund was launched in February 2014 to support this sector which suffered due to the exceptional weather during the winter of 2012-13. The government made available over £400,000 to assist the sector in two ways, £300,000 direct funding of which £40,000 was awarded to 20 fishermen in the south east of Scotland. Additionally funding totalling £100,000 was provided to assist with developing new and existing markets for creel caught produce.\r\nThe UK-wide Coastal Communities Fund (CCF), administered by the Big Lottery Fund in Scotland, has awarded over £190,000 to two fisheries projects in the last three years; the Firth of Forth Lobster Hatchery received funds to develop a lobster hatchery based at North Berwick Harbour, and Seton Care received funds to deliver training programmes to those in the fisheries, offshore and processing sectors around the coast from the Forth to East Berwickshire.\r\nWhilst there are no further rounds of CCF funding expected, the Smith Commission recommendations will enable us to make sure that island and coastal local authorities receive 100% of net revenues generated from the existing functions of the Crown Estate in Scottish waters out to 12 nautical miles so that coastal and island communities can benefit in future from the assets currently administered by the Crown Estate.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-03-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Richard Lochhead","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301037,"EventID":"S4W-24534","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4016,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":133,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-19T13:51:27.69","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-19T09:25:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many jobs have been connected to the fishing industry in Berwickshire in each year since 1999.","AnswerText":"The number of fishermen employed in Berwickshire fishing creeks is given in the following table:\r\nTotal number of fishermen employed in Berwickshire 1999 to 2013\r\n \r\nBurnmouth\r\nCove\r\nEyemouth\r\nSt Abbs\r\nTotal\r\n1999\r\n16\r\n3\r\n98\r\n28\r\n145\r\n2000\r\n17\r\n2\r\n149\r\n16\r\n184\r\n2001\r\n12\r\n3\r\n136\r\n11\r\n162\r\n2002\r\n7\r\n1\r\n100\r\n10\r\n118\r\n2003\r\n8\r\n2\r\n99\r\n10\r\n119\r\n2004\r\n8\r\n2\r\n97\r\n9\r\n116\r\n2005\r\n8\r\n2\r\n99\r\n7\r\n116\r\n2006\r\n8\r\n2\r\n104\r\n5\r\n119\r\n2007\r\n10\r\n2\r\n89\r\n5\r\n106\r\n2008\r\n7\r\n2\r\n65\r\n5\r\n79\r\n2009\r\n9\r\n2\r\n62\r\n6\r\n79\r\n2010\r\n21\r\n6\r\n74\r\n-\r\n101\r\n2011\r\n17\r\n4\r\n64\r\n14\r\n99\r\n2012\r\n19\r\n4\r\n59\r\n14\r\n96\r\n2013\r\n22\r\n5\r\n73\r\n15\r\n115\r\n\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-03-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Richard Lochhead","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301049,"EventID":"S4W-24542","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":2,"MSPID":4940,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-19T13:53:55.447","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-19T13:42:16","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what progress it has made on establishing the independent commission to consider fairer systems of local taxation.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Commission on Local Tax Reform will meet for the first time on Monday 23 February 2015 and report in autumn 2015. As Minister for Local Government and Community Empowerment, I shall co-chair the commission with Councillor David O’Neill, the President of COSLA. The members are: \r\nCouncillor Susan Aitken, SNP Local Government Convener and Leader of SNP Group, Glasgow City Council;\r\nCouncillor Catriona Bhatia, Leader of Liberal Democrat Group and Deputy Leader, Scottish Borders Council;\r\nCouncillor Angus Campbell, Leader of Comhairle nan Eilean Siar and Leader of the Independent Group at COSLA;\r\nCouncillor Rhondda Geekie, Leader of East Dunbartonshire Council and Leader of Labour Group at COSLA;\r\nDr Angela O’Hagan, Research Fellow in the Institute for Society and Social Justice Research and Convenor of the Scottish Women's Budget Group;\r\nIsobel d’Inverno, Convenor of the Tax Committee of the Law Society of Scotland and Director of Corporate Tax at Brodies LLP;\r\nMary Kinnonmonth, Manager of Dundee Citizens Advice Bureaux and member of Citizens Advice Scotland Board of Directors;\r\nDr Jim McCormick, Scotland Advisor, Joseph Rowntree Foundation;\r\nDon Peebles, Head of CIPFA Scotland;\r\nAlex Rowley, MSP for Cowdenbeath and Shadow Minister for Local Government and Community Empowerment;\r\nAndy Wightman, writer and researcher, representing the Scottish Green Party.\r\nThe commission will be independent from both the Scottish Government and COSLA, but will report to both against a remit which is: \r\nTo identify and examine alternative systems of local taxation that would deliver a fairer system of local taxation to support the funding of services delivered by local government. In doing so, the commission will consider:\r\nThe impacts on individuals, households and inequalities in income and wealth;\r\nThe wider macro-economic, demographic and fiscal impacts, including housing market and land use;\r\nThe administrative and collection arrangements that apply, including the costs of transition and subsequent operation;\r\nPotential timetables for transition, with due regard to the 2017 local government elections. \r\nThe impacts on supporting local democracy, including on the financial accountability and autonomy of local government;\r\nThe revenue raising capacity of the alternatives at both local authority and national levels.\r\nIn conducting its work, the commission will engage with communities across Scotland to assess public perceptions of the emerging findings and to reflect this evidence in its final analysis and recommendations.\r\nThe commission will be supported by an independent secretariat comprising staff seconded from COSLA and the Scottish Government.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-02-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-05T13:53:55.573","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Marco Biagi","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301056,"EventID":"S4W-24535","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3806,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-19T16:43:57.407","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-19T10:39:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what recent discussions it has had with Network Rail and the Highlands and Islands Transport Partnership (HITRANS) about increasing the amount of double track in the Highland rail network.","AnswerText":"Transport Scotland has regular meetings with Network Rail to take forward phase two of the Highland Main Line improvements and phase one of the Aberdeen to Inverness improvements projects. Transport Scotland also has regular meetings with the Highlands and Islands Transport Partnership to discuss their proposals and priorities for enhancing the Highland rail network.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-03-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301057,"EventID":"S4W-24536","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3806,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-19T16:43:57.67","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-19T10:39:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to reduce the amount of freight transported on Highland roads.","AnswerText":"We operate four freight mode shift grant schemes which enable the transfer of freight from road to rail or water where road is the cheaper option. Since 2007 we have invested over £6.9 million in shipping and rail projects in the Highlands which have already removed over 11 million lorry miles from Scotland’s roads. The most recent award of grant was made in August 2014. This award of Waterborne Freight Grant of £959,773 to Boyd Brothers enabled the launch of a new shipping service between Corpach and Tilbury in London transporting sawn-timber from BSW’s Kilmallie sawmill by sea rather than road.\r\nForestry Commission Scotland’s Strategic Timber Transport Fund supports the sustainable transport of timber in rural areas of Scotland. In the Highlands to date 24 projects have been awarded a total of over £3.6 million in grant support including four which have directly contributed to the reduction of timber lorries on public roads.\r\nAs part of our £3 billion of capital investment programme in rail to 2019, work will take place to deliver enhancements on the Highland Main Line and Aberdeen to Inverness Line, which will benefit both passenger and freight services by improving journey times, frequency and capacity. In addition, a £30 million Scottish Strategic Rail Freight Investment Fund has been made available over and above the funding for the rail network which will provide targeted investment to help grow the rail freight market in Scotland.\r\nTaken together, these initiatives will continue to encourage the transfer of freight from road to rail and water throughout Scotland and support our vision for a greener and more efficient transport network.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-03-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301058,"EventID":"S4W-24538","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3806,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-19T16:43:58.187","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-19T10:39:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the average journey time is, expressed in minutes, in both directions for the (a) Inverness to Glasgow/Edinburgh, (b) Aberdeen to Edinburgh/Glasgow, (c) Perth to Inverness and (d) Edinburgh to Glasgow passenger rail service.","AnswerText":"Average journey times taken from the current ScotRail (December 2014) timetable – does not include other operator services:\r\n(a) Inverness to Glasgow/Edinburgh\r\nOrigin\r\nDestination\r\nWeekdays (min)\r\nSundays (min)\r\nInverness\r\nGlasgow\r\n203\r\n195\r\nInverness\r\nEdinburgh\r\n212\r\n199\r\nGlasgow\r\nInverness\r\n195\r\n195\r\nEdinburgh\r\nInverness\r\n205\r\n205\r\n(b) Aberdeen to Edinburgh/Glasgow\r\nOrigin\r\nDestination\r\nWeekdays (min)\r\nSundays (min)\r\nAberdeen\r\nGlasgow\r\n159\r\n163\r\nAberdeen\r\nEdinburgh\r\n151\r\n151\r\nGlasgow\r\nAberdeen\r\n160\r\n161\r\nEdinburgh\r\nAberdeen\r\n146\r\n155\r\n(c) Perth to Inverness\r\nOrigin\r\nDestination\r\nWeekdays (min)\r\nSundays (min)\r\nPerth\r\nInverness\r\n128\r\n127\r\nInverness\r\nPerth\r\n133\r\n127\r\n(d) Edinburgh to Glasgow\r\nOrigin\r\nDestination\r\nWeekdays (min)\r\nSundays (min)\r\nEdinburgh\r\nGlasgow\r\n52\r\n52\r\nGlasgow\r\nEdinburgh\r\n52\r\n52\r\n\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-03-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301059,"EventID":"S4W-24539","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3806,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-19T16:43:58.453","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-19T10:39:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what average improvement in journey times, expressed in minutes, ScotRail has achieved in both directions for its (a) Inverness to Glasgow/Edinburgh, (b) Aberdeen to Edinburgh/Glasgow, (c) Perth to Inverness and (d) Edinburgh to Glasgow services in the last three years, also broken down by (i) weekday peak time, (ii) weekday off-peak and (iii) weekend service.","AnswerText":"Average minutes improvements to journey times in the last three years taken from ScotRail (December 2011 v December 2014 timetables) – does not include other operator services.\r\n(a) Inverness to Glasgow/Edinburgh\r\nOrigin\r\nDestination\r\n(i) weekday peak (min)\r\n(ii) weekday off-peak (min)\r\n(iii) weekend service (Sunday) (min)\r\nInverness\r\nGlasgow\r\n8\r\nNil\r\n5\r\nInverness\r\nEdinburgh\r\nNil\r\nNil\r\n4\r\nGlasgow\r\nInverness\r\nNil\r\n5\r\n1\r\nEdinburgh\r\nInverness\r\nNil\r\n6\r\n8\r\n(b) Aberdeen to Edinburgh/Glasgow\r\nOrigin\r\nDestination\r\n(i) weekday peak (min)\r\n(ii) weekday off-peak (min)\r\n(iii) weekend service (Sunday) (min)\r\nAberdeen\r\nGlasgow\r\nNil\r\nNil\r\n3\r\nAberdeen\r\nEdinburgh\r\nNil\r\nNil\r\nNil\r\nGlasgow\r\nAberdeen\r\nNil\r\nNil\r\n1\r\nEdinburgh\r\nAberdeen\r\nNil\r\n4\r\nNil\r\n(c) Perth to Inverness\r\nOrigin\r\nDestination\r\n(i) weekday peak (min)\r\n(ii) weekday off-peak (min)\r\n(iii) weekend service (Sunday) (min)\r\nPerth\r\nInverness\r\n11\r\n6\r\n8\r\nInverness\r\nPerth\r\n3\r\nNil\r\n3\r\n(d) Edinburgh to Glasgow\r\nOrigin\r\nDestination\r\n(i) weekday peak (min)\r\n(ii) weekday off-peak (min)\r\n(iii) weekend service (Sunday) (min)\r\nEdinburgh\r\nGlasgow\r\nNil\r\nNil\r\n1\r\nGlasgow\r\nEdinburgh\r\nNil\r\nNil\r\n1\r\n\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-03-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301060,"EventID":"S4W-24540","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3806,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-19T16:43:58.733","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-19T10:39:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the best improvement to journey times is, expressed in minutes, that ScotRail has achieved in both directions for its (a) Inverness to Glasgow/Edinburgh, (b) Aberdeen to Edinburgh/Glasgow, (c) Perth to Inverness and (d) Edinburgh to Glasgow passenger services in the last three years.","AnswerText":"Best improvement to journey times in the last three years taken from ScotRail (December 2011 v December 2014 timetables) – does not include other operator services.\r\n(a) Inverness to Glasgow/Edinburgh\r\nOrigin\r\nDestination\r\nService departure\r\nImprovement (min)\r\nInverness\r\nGlasgow\r\n12:45 (Sunday)\r\n10\r\nInverness\r\nEdinburgh\r\n12:53\r\n4\r\nGlasgow\r\nInverness\r\n18:11\r\n17\r\nEdinburgh\r\nInverness\r\n13:56 (Sunday)\r\n16\r\n(b) Aberdeen to Edinburgh/Glasgow\r\nOrigin\r\nDestination\r\nService departure\r\nImprovement (min)\r\nAberdeen\r\nGlasgow\r\n13:31 (Sunday)\r\n21\r\nAberdeen\r\nEdinburgh\r\n20:09\r\n2\r\nGlasgow\r\nAberdeen\r\n09:37 (Sunday)\r\n7\r\nEdinburgh\r\nAberdeen\r\n16:28\r\n2\r\n(c) Perth to Inverness\r\nOrigin\r\nDestination\r\nService departure\r\nImprovement (min)\r\nPerth\r\nInverness\r\n10:51 (Sunday)\r\n16\r\nInverness\r\nPerth\r\n12:45 (Sunday)\r\n11\r\n(d) Edinburgh to Glasgow\r\nOrigin\r\nDestination\r\nService departure\r\nImprovement (min)\r\nEdinburgh\r\nGlasgow\r\n10:00 (Sunday)\r\n6\r\nGlasgow\r\nEdinburgh\r\n08:30 (Sunday)\r\n5\r\n\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-03-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301061,"EventID":"S4W-24541","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-19T16:43:58.983","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-19T13:20:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what proportion of the £13,938.1 million turnover in the food and drink sector identified in its growth sector statistics is attributable to the seafood and aquaculture industries when all income from fish processing is included.","AnswerText":"Of the £13.9 billion turnover generated by the food and drink growth sector in 2012, about 14 per cent (£1.9 billion) is attributable to the seafood and aquaculture industries, including fish processing (data source: Scottish Annual Business Survey).\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-03-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Richard Lochhead","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301062,"EventID":"S4W-24543","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-19T16:43:59.39","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-19T15:02:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will ensure that all consultation responses relating to Police Scotland's proposal to merge K and L divisions are considered in advance of a decision being made.","AnswerText":"The decision in this matter is ultimately for Police Scotland acting under the oversight of the Scottish Police Authority.\r\nAs you are aware Police Scotland have undertaken a comprehensive consultation process to gather views on these proposals to strengthen local policing. Through this process all councillors, MSPs and MPs received written communication from Divisional Commanders and other engagement, including one-to-one meetings, area-based focus groups and presentation to local scrutiny committees, has been undertaken.\r\nPolice Scotland are continuing their local consultation process in the North East and Argyll and Bute, West Dunbartonshire, Inverclyde and Renfrewshire areas. They want to ensure that the views from local communities are fully considered so that any future decisions are based on the strongest possible consensus\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-03-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301063,"EventID":"S4W-24544","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-19T16:43:59.967","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-19T15:02:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether the Cabinet Secretary for Justice will meet residents in Dumbarton and Vale of Leven to discuss Police Scotland’s proposal to merge K and L divisions in advance of a decision being made.","AnswerText":"The decision on these proposals is ultimately for Police Scotland, with the Scottish Police Authority (SPA) providing oversight.\r\nI understand Police Scotland is continuing local consultation to listen to the views of local communities.\r\nTo date, the consultation process has included engagement with elected representatives in the areas concerned, who have received written communication from Divisional Commanders and one-to-one meetings. In addition, Police Scotland met with local scrutiny committees, local authority chief executives, community planning partnerships, local stakeholders and representatives of community councils.\r\nGraham Houston and Douglas Yates, the SPA board members with responsibility for the relevant local authority areas, have also engaged with key local stakeholders on this issue.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-03-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301065,"EventID":"S4W-24545","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1860,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-20T13:24:28.723","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-19T17:45:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many children have been admitted to adult psychiatric wards in each year since 2003.","AnswerText":"Accurate data for the years prior to 2008-09 is not available.\r\nData taken from the Mental Welfare Commission shows the number of children and young people admitted to adult psychiatric wards since 2008:\r\nYear\r\nNumber of children/young people admitted\r\nto adult psychiatric wards\r\n2008-09 \r\n138\r\n2009-10 \r\n147\r\n2010-11 \r\n128\r\n2011-12 \r\n115\r\n2012-13 \r\n148\r\n2013-14 \r\n179\r\nFurther information can be obtained from the following link:\r\nhttp://www.mwcscot.org.uk/publications/statistical-monitoring-reports/\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-03-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301066,"EventID":"S4W-24546","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4014,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-20T13:24:29.303","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-19T16:36:35","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to introduce average speed cameras on the (a) A92 and (b) A85.\r\n","AnswerText":"Average speed cameras have a proven track record in improving road safety and have been deployed successfully in many countries. We currently have no plans to install an average speed camera system on the A92 or the A85, but we will continue to promote evidence based road safety interventions across the trunk road network. This may include the wider use of speed management, including average speed cameras, where this is justified in light of the evidence available to us at the time.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-02-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-06T13:24:29.323","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301067,"EventID":"S4W-24548","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4014,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-20T13:24:29.613","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-19T16:36:35","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it considers that Shetland Island Council's decision not to (a) produce a consultation report or (b) impose a five year moratorium, following its decision not to proceed with proposed closures of the junior secondary schools on Whalsay and Yell, is in accordance with the Children and Young People's (Scotland) Act 2014.","AnswerText":"We fully expect local authorities to comply with the Schools (Consultation) (Scotland) Act 2010 (as amended by the Children and Young People (Scotland) Act 2014), including the requirements regarding publishing a consultation report and observing a five year restriction on further consultation.\r\nI understand that Shetland Islands Council is reviewing its position to ensure that it complies with all the requirements imposed on it by the legislation.","AnswerDate":"2015-03-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alasdair Allan","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301068,"EventID":"S4W-24549","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1845,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-20T13:24:29.803","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-19T16:37:29","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to introduce average speed cameras on the (a) A96 and (b) A90.\r\n","AnswerText":"Average speed cameras have a proven track record in improving road safety and have been deployed successfully in many countries. We currently have no plans to install an average speed camera system on the A96 or the A90, but we will continue to promote evidence based road safety interventions across the trunk road network. This may include the wider use of speed management, including average speed cameras, where this is justified in light of the evidence available to us at the time.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-02-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-06T13:24:29.863","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301069,"EventID":"S4W-24551","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2108,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":141,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-20T13:24:30.27","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-19T17:33:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many school librarians have lost their jobs in each of the last three years as a result of reductions in local government funding.","AnswerText":"The information requested is not held centrally.\r\nThe responsibility for the provision of education rests with individual local authorities including all matters relating to the employment of staff. The specific level of education spending by local authorities, including that relating to the employment of librarians, is a matter for democratically elected local decision makers.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-03-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301070,"EventID":"S4W-24552","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2108,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":141,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-20T13:24:30.58","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-19T17:33:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many school libraries have closed in each of the last three years as a result of reductions in local government funding.","AnswerText":"The information requested is not held centrally.\r\nThe responsibility for the provision of education rests with individual local authorities including the provision of school libraries. The specific level of education spending by local authorities including that relating to library provision is a matter for democratically elected local decision makers.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-03-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301071,"EventID":"S4W-24553","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2108,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":141,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-20T13:24:30.893","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-19T17:33:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the collective budget for school libraries has been in each of the last three years.","AnswerText":"The information requested is not held centrally.\r\nThe specific level of education spending by local authorities including that relating to library services, is a matter for democratically elected local decision makers.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-03-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301072,"EventID":"S4W-24554","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2108,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":141,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-20T13:24:31.207","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-19T17:33:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it is demonstrating its support for school libraries in addressing literacy levels across the country.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is committed to improving literacy levels across the country as part of the drive to raise attainment and reduce educational inequalities.\r\nLocal authorities have full autonomy to make decisions concerning school libraries in their areas. We provide support to libraries by funding the Scottish Library and Information Council, the independent national advisory body for the library and information sector. The council actively engages with local authorities about their provision of public and school library services and provides self-evaluation tools to support development of good quality library provision across Scotland.\r\nMinisters welcomed the research undertaken by Robert Gordon University in 2013 on behalf of the Scottish Library and Information Council which showed the value of school libraries in terms of supporting learning across the curriculum and raising attainment.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-03-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alasdair Allan","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301075,"EventID":"S4W-24555","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5057,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-20T15:34:13.87","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-20T13:22:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on reports that traces of the toxin, DEHP, have been found in water samples taken at Whitelee wind farm and what action it has taken to establish the cause of the contamination.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) is responsible for assessing groundwater quality, where required. A 2009 report on the water quality samples taken during Whitelee wind farm construction, which received recent media attention, was produced by a contractor who sampled water quality on behalf of Scottish Power. These samples were taken during the period 2006 to 2008 and the report submitted to East Ayrshire Council. SEPA has assessed the information in the report, which was inconclusive as to the source of the DEHP, and will liaise with East Ayrshire Council to establish whether any more recent reports were prepared, which may provide more information to help identify the source of the contamination.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-03-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen McLeod","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301076,"EventID":"S4W-24556","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5106,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":118,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-20T15:34:14.34","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-20T14:37:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on clarifying the duty of solicitors acting on behalf of buyers in property transactions.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government expects all solicitors acting on behalf of buyers in property transactions to provide the best possible level of service and advice. \r\nFormer Sheriff Principal Bowen’s report to the Council of the Law Society of Scotland on consumer protection in conveyancing has been published. It is available at: \r\nhttps://www.lawscot.org.uk/media/439009/Law-Society-report-Consumer-Protections-in-Conveyancing-Cases.pdf. The report suggested that thought needs to be given to clarifying the legal duty of a solicitor acting for a purchaser in certain circumstances. \r\nAs the report is to the Law Society of Scotland, this recommendation is for the society to consider in the first instance.\r\nI am advised by the society that issues on clarifying the duty of solicitors in conveyancing transactions will be considered by their Property Law Committee at their next meeting in April 2015. Through my regular meetings with the society, I will discuss with them the recommendations in Sheriff Principal Bowen’s report, the action that should be taken and the likely timescales.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-03-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Paul Wheelhouse","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301077,"EventID":"S4W-24557","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5106,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":118,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-20T15:34:14.683","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-20T14:37:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with the Law Society of Scotland regarding reforms to the Guarantee Fund.","AnswerText":"Scottish Government is aware of the terms of Sheriff Principal Bowen’s report in relation to consumer protections in conveyancing cases which makes a recommendation in relation to the Guarantee Fund. The Scottish Government also understands that the Law Society of Scotland has recently received a report following a review of the Guarantee Fund which it had commissioned from KPMG.\r\nI have raised the subject of the operation of the Guarantee Fund with the Law Society of Scotland and will seek an early opportunity discuss with the society how it intends to take forward the recommendations arising from both reports and whether any legislative action is required.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-03-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Paul Wheelhouse","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301078,"EventID":"S4W-24558","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5106,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":118,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-20T15:34:15.2","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-20T14:37:01","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on changing bankruptcy legislation to ensure that any problems arising as a result of person being declared bankrupt are not transferred to an innocent party in a property transaction case.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has already made relevant changes to the law on property rights following bankruptcy. Section 17 of the Bankruptcy and Diligence etc. (Scotland) Act 2007 made a number of amendments.\r\nIn particular, the changes made by section 17 of the Bankruptcy and Diligence etc. (Scotland) Act 2007 provide that a trustee cannot register title to the property of a debtor for 28 days after the bankruptcy is registered. That enables a third party who has purchased property in good faith from a debtor to complete title by registration.\r\nThe Land Registration etc. (Scotland) Act 2012, which came fully into force on 8 December 2014, also includes a number of safeguards for those transacting with property and sets out a regime for more effective remedies for some parties who have been subject to property fraud; and a more robust compensation framework where parties suffer loss through certain events.","AnswerDate":"2015-03-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301089,"EventID":"S4W-24559","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1768,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":131,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-23T12:17:56.113","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-20T17:41:13","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what statutory rights grandparents have to contact with their grandchildren when the parents or guardians deny contact and whether it plans to review these rights.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government values the role played by grandparents in helping to bring up children. This is reflected in Family Matters: Charter for Grandchildren: http://www.gov.scot/Publications/2006/04/21143655/0. \r\n\r\nWhen there is disagreement on matters such as contact, the Children (Scotland) Act 1995 provides that the welfare of the child is the paramount consideration. A grandparent does not have a statutory right to contact with a grandchild as there is no guarantee that this would be in line with the principle that the welfare of the child is paramount. Under the 1995 Act, a person with an interest in a child, including a grandparent, may ask the court to make an order such as a ‘contact order’, setting out with whom a child should have contact, and when.\r\nThe Scottish Government has no plans to review the rights of grandparents to contact with their grandchildren.","AnswerDate":"2015-03-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Paul Wheelhouse","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301090,"EventID":"S4W-24560","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4016,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":133,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-23T12:17:56.487","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-22T06:23:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many short-term private nursing home places NHS Borders has purchased in each month since April 2014.","AnswerText":"NHS Borders purchased the following care home places since April 2014.\r\nMonth\r\nCare home places purchased\r\nApril 2014\r\n3\r\nMay 2014\r\n3\r\nDecember 2014\r\n5\r\nJanuary 2015\r\n13\r\nFebruary 2015\r\n11\r\nAll these places were to reduce the delayed discharge levels. The 29 places since December 2014 were purchased using NHS Borders’ share of the £5 million allocated in November 2014 from the Scottish Government to reduce delayed discharges.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-03-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301091,"EventID":"S4W-24564","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3763,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-23T12:17:56.83","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-23T10:34:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether there is an up-to-date estimate of PFI and PPP costs in the West Scotland parliamentary region, broken down by (a) parliamentary constituency and (b) local authority area.","AnswerText":"Information on the cost of PFI and PPP contracts is updated annually and available from the following website:\r\nwww.gov.scot/Topics/Government/Finance/18232/12308\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-03-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301092,"EventID":"S4T-00945","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":9,"MSPID":1932,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":117,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-23T12:17:53.853","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-23T09:00:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on the comments in the recent House of Lords committee report regarding extending the franchise to 16 and 17-year-olds for the 2016 Scottish election.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-09T12:17:53.877","MeetingDate":"2015-02-24T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301093,"EventID":"S4F-02614","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":3812,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-23T12:17:16.287","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-23T09:19:41.33","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister what engagements she has planned for the rest of the day.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-09T12:17:16.433","MeetingDate":"2015-02-26T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301094,"EventID":"S4F-02615","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":4976,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-23T12:17:16.823","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-23T09:51:26.68","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister when she will next meet the Prime Minister.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-09T12:17:16.85","MeetingDate":"2015-02-26T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301095,"EventID":"S4F-02617","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":1756,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":136,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-23T12:17:17.453","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-23T10:46:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister, in light of the recent report of three Muslim girls being encouraged to travel to Syria following apparent contact with Aqsa Mahmood, what action the Scottish Government can take to monitor and intercept any communications aimed at encouraging Scottish Muslim girls to travel to Syria.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-09T12:17:17.477","MeetingDate":"2015-02-26T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301096,"EventID":"S4F-02619","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":4080,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-23T12:17:18.167","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-23T11:27:29.923","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister what the Scottish Government's response is to claims that its officials and Police Scotland sought to influence the content and publication of Kath Murray's PhD research into the use of stop and search.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-09T12:17:18.197","MeetingDate":"2015-02-26T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301097,"EventID":"S4F-02621","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":4955,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":105,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-23T12:17:18.78","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-23T11:31:35","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister what steps the Scottish Government is taking to raise educational attainment among children from deprived communities.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-09T12:17:18.803","MeetingDate":"2015-02-26T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301098,"EventID":"S4F-02626","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":5034,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-23T12:17:20.16","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-23T11:58:18.693","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister what action the Scottish Government is taking to ensure that children and adolescents receive the mental health services that they need as quickly as possible.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-09T12:17:20.187","MeetingDate":"2015-02-26T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301115,"EventID":"S4W-24561","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-23T17:16:04.917","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-23T07:27:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it has \"no strike\" agreements with groups of public sector employees other than prison officers and, if so, which groups.","AnswerText":"Other than the voluntary agreement in the Scottish Prison Service, which was entered into by Scottish Ministers in 2001, the Scottish Government does not have any such agreements with groups of public sector employees.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-03-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301116,"EventID":"S4W-24562","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-23T17:16:05.447","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-23T07:27:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government on what dates since 25 November 2014 the Cabinet Secretary for Justice has had meetings with the (a) Scottish Prison Service and (b) Prison Officers Association.","AnswerText":"I meet with the Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service on a regular basis.\r\nI met with representatives from the Prison Officers Association Scotland on 18 December 2014.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-03-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301117,"EventID":"S4W-24563","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-23T17:16:06.15","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-23T07:27:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what recent meetings the Cabinet Secretary for Justice and the Cabinet Secretary for Finance, Constitution and Economy have had to discuss the prison officers’ pay settlement.","AnswerText":"The Cabinet Secretary for Justice and the Cabinet Secretary for Finance, Constitution and Economy met in December 2014 to agree that the Scottish Prison Service (SPS) and the Prison Officers Association (POA) (Scotland) could commence negotiations regarding the pay settlement for prison officers. \r\nThe deal was negotiated and reached between SPS and POA(S). Any financial costs incurred will therefore be met from within the SPS’s own existing budgets, not from the Scottish Government.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-03-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301118,"EventID":"S4W-24566","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5119,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":110,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-23T17:16:06.62","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-23T14:12:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what analysis it has made of employment trends up to (a) 2020 and (b) 2025, and what information it has regarding how this compares with the projections made by the UK Commissioner for Employment and Skills.  ","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government does not produce forecasts of employment trends comparable to the projections made by the UK Commissioner for Employment and Skills.\r\nThe UK Commission for Employment and Skills produces labour market projections for the UK including Scotland in its Working Futures reports. The latest report was published in March 2014 and covers the period 2012-22. It should be noted that the projections do not take account of the economic policies and priorities of the Scottish Government, and instead assume that current UK Government policies are adopted across the whole of the UK.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-03-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301119,"EventID":"S4W-24567","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5119,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":110,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-23T17:16:06.837","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-23T14:12:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many new jobs will be needed by (a) 2020 and (b) 2025 to meet the changing demographics of the labour force.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government does not produce forecasts of jobs or the changing demographics of the labour market.\r\nThe Office for National Statistics principal population projections (2012) are for the Scottish working age population to increase by 162,000 in the eight year period from 2012 to 2020 and an increase by 150,000 in the thirteen year period from 2012 to 2025. To put these projections into context, the number of people in employment in Scotland has increased by 114,000 in the four year period from October to December 2010 to October to December 2014.\r\nThe impact of a rising working age population on the labour market will depend on a number of factors including the proportion of people of working age in work or seeking work and the labour market participation rates of those above state pension age.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-03-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301120,"EventID":"S4W-24568","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2117,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-23T17:16:07.04","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-23T14:52:15.493","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it will publish the minutes of the meeting between the First Minister and the Scottish Energy Advisory Board on 16 February 2015.","AnswerText":"The minutes will remain in draft format until they are formally cleared by the board at its next meeting.\r\nHowever the Scottish Government will publish the draft minutes prior to this meeting with the agreement of the co-chairs. Officials are currently confirming their accuracy with regard to technical details discussed and will publish them shortly.","AnswerDate":"2015-03-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301121,"EventID":"S4W-24569","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2117,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-23T17:16:07.323","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-23T14:52:15.493","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what advice the Scottish Energy Advisory Board gave the First Minister regarding security of electricity supply at their meeting on 16 February 2015.","AnswerText":"At the 16 February 2015 meeting, the board discussed the need to have greater transparency on the evidence underlying National Grid’s assumptions and methodology for assessing risk. National Grid has not provided the data which underlies their modelling nor their modelling scenarios. The board sought a clearer understanding of National Grid’s assessment of risk and their pricing of that risk within their technical analysis and procurement strategy for system services.\r\nNational Grid recognised the need for increased transparency of its evidence base. The board concluded an annual ‘capacity statement’ was required for Scotland and this proposal would be followed up with National Grid. Related to this, the board was keen to understand what a ‘tough day’ for Scotland looked like in order to test the robustness of National Grid’s generation and network scenarios. National Grid undertook to provide the information requested by the board.","AnswerDate":"2015-03-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301122,"EventID":"S4W-24570","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2117,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-23T17:16:07.633","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-23T14:52:15.493","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government (a) how many times and (b) on what dates the (i) current and (ii) previous First Minister has met the Scottish Energy Advisory Board since 2011.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Energy Advisory Board (SEAB) has met on eleven occasions since the start of 2011. It met on the following dates:\r\n16 February 2015\r\n10 July 2014 \r\n16 May 2014\r\n30 October 2013\r\n6 March 2013\r\n14 November 2012\r\n23 May 2012\r\n8 February 2012\r\n20 September 2011\r\n7 June 2011\r\n9 February 2011\r\nThe current First Minister co-chaired the most recent meeting on 16 February 2015, her first SEAB attendance.\r\nThe previous First Minister was in attendance and co-chaired all of the previous SEAB meetings with the exception of the meeting on 16 May 2014.","AnswerDate":"2015-03-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301123,"EventID":"S4W-24571","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2117,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-23T17:16:07.917","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-23T14:52:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government which companies have approached the Scottish Energy Advisory Board with concerns about the security of electricity supply in Scotland.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Energy Advisory Board does not receive approaches from companies or the general public in the way the question appears to imply. The board formulates a work programme with the co-chairs, Professor Sir Jim McDonald and the First Minister, which on occasion dictates the involvement of external experts by invitation on a topic-by-topic basis.\r\nThe board comprises members selected for their personal professional expertise in energy-related matters. Whilst informed by their experience within their individual organisations or companies, quite deliberately, the contributions members make are in a personal capacity.\r\nThe Scottish and UK Governments are aware that many companies, academics and representative bodies have expressed long-standing concerns about security of electricity supply within the GB market.","AnswerDate":"2015-03-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301124,"EventID":"S4W-24572","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2117,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-23T17:16:08.197","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-23T14:52:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much its agencies (a) have spent so far and (b) will spend in 2014-15 on fuel, and what estimate it has made for 2015-16.","AnswerText":"This information is not held centrally.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-03-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301125,"EventID":"S4W-24573","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2117,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-23T17:16:08.603","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-23T14:52:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether (a) its agencies and (b) public sector organisations that make savings on fuel costs because of the falling oil price will be able to retain the money saved at the end of (i) 2014-15 and (ii) 2015-16.","AnswerText":"The impact of any savings emerging from reduced fuel costs will be considered in the same way as any other savings and pressures that emerge across the public finances as part of our annual budget process and as part of individual public bodies and services’ own management of their budgets.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-03-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301126,"EventID":"S4W-24574","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3824,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-23T17:16:08.883","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-23T14:54:09.78","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the announcement in 2010 that the Spanish power company, Iberdrola, would invest £2.7 billion in Scottish business over the following two years, what companies received funding and what the nature was of each investment.","AnswerText":"This is matter for the company, Iberdrola S.A. The information requested is not held centrally.","AnswerDate":"2015-03-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301127,"EventID":"S4W-24575","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3824,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-23T17:16:09.133","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-23T15:12:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what percentage of (a) primary school children receives at least two hours and (b) pupils in S1 to S4 receives 100 minutes of PE each week, broken down by local authority area.","AnswerText":"This information was published on 17 June 2014 as part of the Scottish Government Statistics Publication - Summary statistics for attainment, leaver destinations and healthy living, No. 4: 2014 Edition and can be accessed at the following address: http://www.gov.scot/Resource/0045/00453110.pdf\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-03-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alasdair Allan","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301128,"EventID":"S4W-24576","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3824,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-23T17:16:09.353","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-23T15:12:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much it is spending on initiatives to tackle childhood obesity and what these initiatives are.","AnswerText":"Since 2008 the Scottish Government has directly funded NHS boards to deliver child healthy weight interventions. Three classes of intervention have been run – one to one, family group and school based supported by an annual £2 million funding.\r\nThis work goes together with a number of other initiatives whose actions indirectly support children of all ages reach and maintain a healthy weight for example supporting the actions outlined in Improving Maternal and Infant Nutrition: A Framework for Action with an annual funding of £2.5 million. A commitment of £11.6 million over 2012-16 to get children more active through two hours of physical education a week in primary schools and two periods a week for secondary school children, to more specific support of an annual £500,000 to increase the number of teenage girls participating in physical education through the Active Girls programme. In addition since 2007 sportscotland has invested over £80 million in the Active Schools Programme, support for Active Schools was reinforced on 3 July 2014 when sportscotland announced that it will invest up to £50 million over 2015-19 across all 32 of Scotland’s local authorities. Together with a number of measures to improve diet for which we are spending over £7.5 million between 2012 and 2015 on a range of projects to encourage healthy eating including the Healthier Scotland Cooking Bus as well as the Eat Better Feel Better campaign to provide advice to individuals and families on how to access and eat a healthier diet.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-03-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301129,"EventID":"S4W-24577","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3824,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-23T17:16:09.62","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-23T15:12:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what (a) male, (b) female and (c) child obesity rates it recorded in each year from 2007 to 2014.","AnswerText":"Obesity prevalence information is published in the Scottish Health Survey. The survey has run annually from 2008. The latest published information is for the 2013 survey.\r\nThe percentage of men and women aged 16 and over classified as ‘obese’ (BMI 30 or higher) in each year is as follows:\r\n% obese\r\n2008\r\n2009\r\n2010\r\n2011\r\n2012\r\n2013\r\nMen\r\n26.0\r\n26.9\r\n27.4\r\n27.7\r\n26.6\r\n24.9\r\nWomen\r\n27.5\r\n27.6\r\n28.9\r\n27.6\r\n27.5\r\n29.3\r\nThe percentage of children aged two to 15 classified as ‘at risk of obesity’ (BMI at or above the 95th percentile) in each year is as follows:\r\n% at risk of obesity\r\n2008\r\n2009\r\n2010\r\n2011\r\n2012\r\n2013\r\nChildren\r\n16.6\r\n16.4\r\n16.1\r\n17.2\r\n16.8\r\n16.0\r\nChild height and weight data is also collected in Scottish schools at the Primary 1 review. This data is used by Information Services Division (ISD) to produce BMI statistics, including the proportion of Primary 1 children at risk of obesity. Information on the BMI distribution (including at risk of obesity) of children in Primary 1 (aged approximately 4.5 to 6.25 years) is published on ISD’s website at: \r\nhttps://isdscotland.scot.nhs.uk/Health-Topics/Child-Health/Publications/2015-02-17/P1_epidemiologicalBMI_2013_2014.xls\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-03-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301130,"EventID":"S4W-24578","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3824,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-23T17:16:09.79","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-23T15:12:15.78","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what (a) information and (b) guidelines it provides to NHS boards on (i) identifying and (ii) dealing with obesity in (A) adults and (B) children.\r\n","AnswerText":"For both children and adults information and guidance on the identification and appropriate interventions is available through the Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network publication SIGN 115 Management of obesity – A national clinical guideline.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-02-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-09T17:16:09.81","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301131,"EventID":"S4W-24579","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3824,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-23T17:16:10.073","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-23T15:12:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much funding it makes available to (a) NHS boards and (b) local authorities for tackling obesity.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government and COSLA published Preventing Overweight and Obesity in Scotland A Route Map towards Healthy Weight in February 2010. The route map made a long-term commitment (over 20 years) to taking actions to prevent overweight and obesity. The route map recognised that obesity is not just a health issue – it is a consequence of our culture, society and lifestyle. The route map made it clear that work across all areas of government and public sector was required to ensure that both local and national policies are directed at supporting people to achieve and then maintain a healthy weight and to limit weight gain. This will require a level of re-prioritisation of investment to support both the short and medium term across the areas of action set out in the route map. At the time of publication it was estimated that between 2008 and 2011, up to £200 million was allocated by the Scottish Government to various organisations for actions that either directly or indirectly contributed to preventing obesity.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-03-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301132,"EventID":"S4W-24580","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4947,"Party":"Independent","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-23T17:16:10.29","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-23T15:17:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what arrangements are in place to ensure that the civil or criminal justice court system does not place at a disadvantage people who do not have a sufficient understanding of English.","AnswerText":"Where a person is the subject of criminal proceedings, interpretation and translation assistance is statutorily required by the Right to Interpretation and Translation in Criminal Proceedings (Scotland) Regulations 2014. The court hearing those proceedings must take all reasonable steps to determine whether the person requires interpretation or translation assistance. Where the court determines that a person requires such assistance it must ensure that arrangements are made for the person to be provided it.\r\nThe Regulations may be found at:\r\nhttp://www.legislation.gov.uk/ssi/2014/95/contents/made \r\nIn the case of civil proceedings, ordinarily this would be a matter for the parties, with payment becoming an expense in the cause. However, I am advised by the Scottish Court Service that, as an exception, it will provide and pay for an interpreter in civil proceedings where a party requiring these services is unrepresented.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-03-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301133,"EventID":"S4W-24581","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4947,"Party":"Independent","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-23T17:16:10.51","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-23T15:17:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether people accessing the civil or criminal justice court system who require a translator have equal access to such a service regardless of location, and what the reasons are for its position on this matter.","AnswerText":"This question relates to operational matters that are the responsibility of the Scottish Court Service (SCS) corporate body. The question has been passed to the Chief Executive of the SCS who will reply within 20 days. \r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-03-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301134,"EventID":"S4W-24582","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4947,"Party":"Independent","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-23T17:16:10.73","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-23T15:17:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the availability of translators in Mandarin in the civil or criminal justice court system.","AnswerText":"This question relates to operational matters that are the responsibility of the Scottish Court Service (SCS) corporate body. The question has been passed to the Chief Executive of the SCS who will reply in writing within 20 days\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-03-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301135,"EventID":"S4W-24583","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4947,"Party":"Independent","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-23T17:16:10.963","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-23T15:20:45.71","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide a breakdown of the estimated value of the contract for provision of Clyde and Hebrides Ferry Services from 2016 to 2024 in terms of (a) contract payments, (b) vessel and infrastructure investment, (c) implementing the Road Equivalent Tariff and (d) total annual public subsidy.","AnswerText":"Information on contract payments, vessel and infrastructure investment, and annual public subsidy will form part of tender submissions and considerations. In order not to prejudice bids, this information is considered commercially sensitive until the procurement process is complete.\r\nAs indicated in my response to S4W-23297 on 3 December 2014, when the Road Equivalent Tariff (RET) scheme is rolled out to the entire Clyde and Hebrides network, the estimated total annual cost will be between £13.4 million and £15.2 million.\r\nAll answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at: \r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx","AnswerDate":"2015-03-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301136,"EventID":"S4W-24584","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4947,"Party":"Independent","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-23T17:16:11.167","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-23T15:20:45.71","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide a breakdown of the estimated value of the contract for a harbour operating agreement on Clyde and Hebrides Ferry Services from 2016 to 2024 in terms of (a) contract payments, (b) vessel and infrastructure investment and (c) total annual public subsidy paid by Caledonian Maritime Assets Ltd to the successful bidder.","AnswerText":"Information on contract payments, vessel and infrastructure investment, and annual public subsidy will form part of tender submissions and considerations. In order not to prejudice bids, this information is considered commercially sensitive until baseline figures for vessel and infrastructure investment are included in the invitation to tender documentation.\r\nCaledonian Maritime Assets Ltd. does not provide public subsidy to the operator.","AnswerDate":"2015-03-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301137,"EventID":"S4W-24585","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4947,"Party":"Independent","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-23T17:16:11.4","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-23T15:20:45.71","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the projected passenger fare revenues will be in each year of the 2016 to 2024 contract for Clyde and Hebrides Ferry Services and whether bidders for the contract will be entitled to revenue support from the Scottish Government under specified circumstances.","AnswerText":"Information on passenger fare revenues will form part of tender submissions and considerations. In order not to prejudice bids, this information is considered commercially sensitive until the procurement process is complete.","AnswerDate":"2015-03-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301138,"EventID":"S4W-24586","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4947,"Party":"Independent","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-23T17:16:11.637","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-23T15:20:45.71","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the total annual value was of the 2007 to 2013 contract with Caledonian MacBrayne for Clyde and Hebrides ferry services and what estimate it has made of the total annual value of the contract extension to October 2016 that it signed in 2013.","AnswerText":"The total annual value of the Clyde and Hebrides ferry service contract is as follows:\r\nContract Year 1 \r\n(October 2007-September 2008)\r\n£47 million\r\nContract Year 2\r\n£55 million\r\nContract Year 3\r\n£58 million\r\nContract Year 4\r\n£63.1 million\r\nContract Year 5\r\n£70.6 million\r\nContract Year 6\r\n£81.3 million\r\nThe estimates of the total annual value for the three years the contract was extended:\r\nContract Year 7\r\n£90.7 million\r\nContract Year 8\r\n£95.4 million\r\nContract Year 9\r\n£98.8 million\r\nThese are the estimates as agreed when the contract extension was signed in 2013.","AnswerDate":"2015-03-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301139,"EventID":"S4W-24587","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4947,"Party":"Independent","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-23T17:16:11.87","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-23T15:20:45.71","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what profits Caledonian MacBrayne made in each year of its 2007 to 2013 contract for Clyde and Hebrides Ferry Services and which routes were (a) most and (b) least profitable over the life of the contract.","AnswerText":"The profits in each year of the Clyde and Hebrides ferry service contract are as follows:\r\nContract Year 1\r\n£2.2 million\r\nContract Year 2\r\n£2.2 million\r\nContract Year 3\r\n£2.1 million\r\nContract Year 4\r\n£2.1 million\r\nContract Year 5\r\n£2.2 million\r\nContract Year 6\r\n£2.1 million\r\nProfit/loss information on a route by route basis is not recorded.","AnswerDate":"2015-03-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301140,"EventID":"S4W-24588","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4947,"Party":"Independent","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-23T17:16:12.073","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-23T15:20:45.71","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government which (a) paragraphs or (b) sections of the Scottish Ferries Services: Ferries Plan (2013-2022) will form the basis of the 2016 to 2024 contract for Clyde and Hebrides Ferry Services.","AnswerText":"All relevant sections of the ferries plan that relate to the Clyde and Hebrides, together with other strategic policy commitments, will be reflected in the invitation to tender and accompanying draft contract, due to issue in June 2015.","AnswerDate":"2015-03-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301141,"EventID":"S4W-24589","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4947,"Party":"Independent","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-23T17:16:12.277","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-23T15:20:45.71","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what Caledonian Maritime Assets Ltd’s total annual spend on (a) vessels and (b) infrastructure on the Clyde and Hebrides ferry network (i) was between 1 January 2007 and 31 January 2015 and (ii) is estimated to be in each year between 2016 and 2024.","AnswerText":"Caledonian Maritime Assets Ltd’s (CMAL) total annual spend on vessels and infrastructure on the Clyde and Hebrides ferry service network is as follows:\r\n\r\nActual Capital expenditure (£)\r\nYear Ending\r\nVessels\r\nInfrastructure\r\n31 March 2008\r\n5,000\r\n3,923\r\n31 March 2009\r\n5,114\r\n4,542\r\n31 March 2010\r\n8,012\r\n7,113\r\n31 March 2011\r\n13,009\r\n7,926\r\n31 March 2012\r\n6,792\r\n12,492\r\n31 March 2013\r\n13,569\r\n5,881\r\n31 March 2014\r\n8,297\r\n7,231\r\n31 March 2015\r\n12,009*\r\n9,128*\r\nTotal\r\n71,802\r\n58,236\r\n*Currently Forecasted.\r\nPlease note that up until October 2009 the responsibility for maintaining harbours was with CalMac Ferries Ltd.\r\nFuture spending on vessels and infrastructure for 2016–24 will be subject to the outcome of future spending reviews. Scottish Ministers have already ordered a third hybrid vessel which is currently under construction at a cost of £12.8 million. In addition, CMAL have tendered for the procurement of two new 100 metre vessels. Ministers have also given a commitment for the redevelopment of Brodick harbour at an estimated cost of £18 million. The redevelopment work will start in May 2015.","AnswerDate":"2015-03-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301142,"EventID":"S4W-24590","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4947,"Party":"Independent","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-23T17:16:12.48","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-23T15:20:45.71","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it will issue the invitation to tender (ITT) for the 2016 to 2024 contract for Clyde and Hebrides Ferry Services and whether it will consult potential bidders on the contractual specifications prior to publication of the ITT.","AnswerText":"The ITT is due to issue in June 2015. The publication of the contract notice, prospectus and pre-qualification questionnaire on 17 February 2015 means that we are now constrained in the discussions we can have with bidders. Consequently, we will not consult bidders on the contractual specifications until the ITT is issued.","AnswerDate":"2015-03-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301143,"EventID":"S4W-24591","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4947,"Party":"Independent","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-23T17:16:12.697","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-23T15:20:45.71","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the differences are between competitive dialogue and competitive procedure with negotiation in the procurement of public ferry services.","AnswerText":"Competitive procedure with negotiation is the preferred procurement process for tendering the Clyde and Hebrides ferry services. It provides for a mandatory service specification, whilst affording the opportunity for bidders to highlight their approach to innovation and service quality. The competitive dialogue process does not prescribe a detailed specification, but one which is informed through dialogue with potential bidders.\r\nUsing competitive procedure with negotiation, tenders are submitted before proposals are discussed. Bilateral negotiations take place on the non-mandatory elements of these tenders, which can lead to revisions of the innovative and service quality elements of the requirements sought in further tender submissions. Participants cannot be asked to revise their proposals after the final tenders have been submitted.","AnswerDate":"2015-03-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301144,"EventID":"S4W-24592","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4947,"Party":"Independent","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-23T17:16:12.933","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-23T15:20:45.71","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the deadline is for bidders for the 2016 to 2024 contract for Clyde and Hebrides Ferry Services to submit their proposals for meeting (a) employment and (b) pension obligations.","AnswerText":"The current timeline anticipates bidders submitting initial tenders by the end of July 2015. Following the negotiated procedure on non-mandatory elements of the tender specification, final tenders are anticipated to be submitted by the end of January 2016. The tenders will include proposals in relation to employment and pensions obligations.","AnswerDate":"2015-03-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301145,"EventID":"S4W-24593","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4947,"Party":"Independent","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-23T17:16:13.167","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-23T15:20:45.71","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the deadline is for bidders for the 2016 to 2024 contract for Clyde and Hebrides Ferry Services to submit their proposals for meeting passenger service obligations.","AnswerText":"The current timeline anticipates bidders submitting initial tenders by the end of July 2015. These tenders will include proposals for passenger service obligations. Following the negotiating procedure on non-mandatory elements of the tender specification, final tenders are anticipated to be submitted by the end of January 2016.","AnswerDate":"2015-03-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301146,"EventID":"S4W-24594","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4947,"Party":"Independent","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-23T17:16:13.387","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-23T15:20:45.71","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it plans to start the competitive procedure with negotiation procurement process with bidders for the 2016 to 2024 contract for Clyde and Hebrides Ferry Services and to what extent this process will inform (a) passenger service, (b) employment and (c) pension specifications in the invitation to tender for this contract.","AnswerText":"The answer to question S4W-24448 on 17 February 2015 announced the start of the Clyde and Hebrides Ferry Services procurement process. The invitation to tender is due to issue in June 2015. This will confirm the specification for services being tendered and will include employment and pensions specifications and conditions to the extent legally permissible. This part of the specification will not be negotiable under the competitive procedure with negotiation procurement process.\r\nAll answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at: \r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx","AnswerDate":"2015-03-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301147,"EventID":"S4W-24595","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4947,"Party":"Independent","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-23T17:16:13.603","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-23T15:20:45.71","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will publish the advice on which it based the decision to put out to tender an eight-year contract for Clyde and Hebrides Ferry Services from October 2016.","AnswerText":"The decision was taken after consideration of the European Commission guidelines (2014) on the interpretation of Council Regulation 3577/92 applying the principles of freedom to provide services to maritime transport within members states (marine cabotage) and discussion with potential bidders to ensure the best ferry services for those that use the Clyde and Hebrides network.","AnswerDate":"2015-03-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301148,"EventID":"S4W-24598","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5009,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-23T17:16:13.823","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-23T15:57:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what consideration it has given to carrying out a privacy impact assessment on plans for the extension of access to the NHS Central Register.","AnswerText":"The NHS Central Register (NHSCR) is a register managed by National Records of Scotland and was created in the early 1950s. There is no Privacy Impact Assessment (PIA) for the NHSCR as a whole since it pre-dates this requirement.\r\nThe Scottish Government and delivery partners have two published PIAs for the policy and operational system relating to myaccount. Organisations using myaccount are also expected to undertake a PIA prior to implementing it.\r\nConsultation is an important part of the PIA process and the Scottish Government’s public consultation on the use of the NHSCR will inform the development of PIAs for each of the other proposals that we set out in the consultation that closed on 25 February 2015. PIAs will accompany the final proposals.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-03-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301149,"EventID":"S4W-24599","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5009,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-23T17:16:14.057","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-23T15:57:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what consideration it has given to extending the public consultation on plans for the extension of access to the NHS Central Register until a privacy impact assessment is completed.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-24598 on 4 March 2015. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at: \r\nwww.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-03-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301150,"EventID":"S4W-24600","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5009,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-23T17:16:14.29","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-23T15:57:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what consultation it carried out with external stakeholders regarding plans for the extension of access to the NHS Central Register ahead of the launch of the public consultation on the issue.","AnswerText":"Discussions were had with key stakeholders from across the Scottish public sector and HMRC as the proposals were being developed. These discussions helped to inform the final proposals set out in the public consultation.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-03-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301151,"EventID":"S4W-24618","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":2,"MSPID":4948,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-24T10:50:00.553","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-24T10:39:25","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much funding it will allocate to Wave Energy Scotland and what its work programme will be.\r\n","AnswerText":"The budget for Wave Energy Scotland (WES) is £1.3 million in the current financial year (2014-15) and £13 million in 2015-16.\r\nScottish ministers recognise the potential of wave energy to contribute to Scotland’s sustainable energy future. We set up WES to encourage collaboration in research and development activity and accelerate the development of wave energy technologies.\r\nThe £1.3 million budget for this financial year covers the costs of establishing the new entity and the costs of the acquisition of intellectual property and other assets from Pelamis Wave Power.\r\nThe £13 million budget for 2015-16 will allow WES to offer five funding calls worth £10.5 million to address a range of technology priorities, including power-take off systems, control systems, and moorings and foundations. It will also enable WES to recruit a small staff team and an industry-led advisory group. WES has awarded its first contract to 12 former Pelamis employees to capture the knowledge of the Pelamis technology path for the wider benefit of the wave energy sector.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-02-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-10T10:50:00.63","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301166,"EventID":"S4W-24596","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1860,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-24T13:51:47.21","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-23T15:35:42","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what maximum distance people are expected to travel to access out-of-hours healthcare, broken down by NHS board.","AnswerText":"NHS 24 acts as the first point of contact for patients during the out-of-hours period; its role is to help people access the services that best meet their needs. This is a national telephone service, integral to the NHS in Scotland, which provides patients with healthcare advice and support when their GP practice is closed.\r\nThe provision of out-of-hours primary care services is a matter for NHS health boards to design, plan and manage in accordance with the needs of their populations. The Scottish Government would expect NHS boards to consider public transport accessibility, journey times, rurality and deprivation to ensure reasonable accessibility to all patients.","AnswerDate":"2015-03-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301167,"EventID":"S4W-24597","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1860,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-24T13:51:47.537","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-23T15:35:42","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the waiting time targets are for out-of-hours NHS services and whether these are being met, broken down by NHS board,","AnswerText":"NHS 24 acts as the first point of contact for patients during the out-of-hours period; its role is to help people access the services that best meet their needs.\r\nAs part of the Local Delivery Plan process, in 2013-14 NHS 24 was required to ensure 90% of GP priority and routine calls were responded to within 20 and 60 minutes respectively. Performance against these targets for 2013-14, was 99.97% for priority calls and 99.98% for routine calls.","AnswerDate":"2015-03-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301168,"EventID":"S4W-24601","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-24T13:51:47.897","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-23T16:03:11","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what analysis it has carried out of how the reduction in the number of trains in the ScotRail fleet from April 2015 will impact on passengers, and whether it will publish the findings.","AnswerText":"The ScotRail franchise commencing on 1 April 2015 was the subject of a procurement exercise. Through that exercise, Scottish Ministers specified the rail services and train capacity they require to see delivered. Abellio ScotRail are now contracted to deliver these, with sufficient rolling stock capacity for each service.","AnswerDate":"2015-03-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301169,"EventID":"S4W-24602","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-24T13:51:48.27","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-23T16:03:11","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government on what date (a) ministers were and (b) Transport Scotland was advised that the lease agreement between ScotRail and the Eversholt Rail Group for Class 170 diesel trains was due to expire in April 2015.","AnswerText":"The current First Group rolling stock leases with the train owners were extended until 31 March 2015 around the same time as the ScotRail franchise term extension was granted by Scottish Ministers on 6 December 2012. The expiry date for all rolling stock leases are coterminous with the end of rail franchises and this has been the case since the time of the award of the ScotRail franchise in 2004.","AnswerDate":"2015-03-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301170,"EventID":"S4W-24604","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-24T13:51:48.63","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-23T16:03:11","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government (a) how many and (b) which services will be affected by short-forming because of the reduction in the number of trains in the ScotRail fleet from April 2015.","AnswerText":"The ScotRail franchise commencing on 1 April 2015 was the subject of a procurement exercise. Through that exercise, Scottish Ministers specified the rail services and train capacity they require to see delivered. Abellio ScotRail are now contracted to deliver these, with sufficient rolling stock capacity for each service.","AnswerDate":"2015-03-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301171,"EventID":"S4W-24605","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-24T13:51:49.007","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-23T16:03:11","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether additional trains will be hired to cover the shortfall of carriages because of the reduction in the number of trains in the ScotRail fleet from April 2015 and, if so, (a) on which services and (b) how much this will cost.","AnswerText":"The ScotRail franchise commencing on 1 April 2015 was the subject of a procurement exercise. Through that exercise, Scottish Ministers specified the rail services and train capacity they require to see delivered. Abellio ScotRail are now contracted to deliver these, with sufficient rolling stock capacity for each service.","AnswerDate":"2015-03-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301172,"EventID":"S4W-24606","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-24T13:51:49.397","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-23T16:03:11","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what analysis it has carried out of how the Borders railway service will impact on other ScotRail services and whether it will publish the findings.","AnswerText":"Planning for the delivery of the Borders railway project has been undertaken by Network Rail and the services were specified by Scottish Ministers for the franchise procurement. Abellio ScotRail are now contracted to deliver the ScotRail franchise with sufficient rolling stock capacity for each service.","AnswerDate":"2015-03-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301173,"EventID":"S4W-24607","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-24T13:51:49.757","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-23T16:03:11","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many trains will be required to operate on the Borders railway line and how many will be (a) new, (b) taken from other ScotRail services, broken down by service, and (c) hired from other operators.","AnswerText":"The timetable for the Borders railway requires seven trains. The rolling stock will be from the train fleet Abellio ScotRail will be using to deliver the contractualised Abellio ScotRail franchise services.","AnswerDate":"2015-03-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301174,"EventID":"S4W-24608","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-24T13:51:50.147","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-23T16:03:11","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, following the negotiations with Abellio and Govia, how much it will cost to sub-lease back to ScotRail the five of the nine trains that were due to be withdrawn from the fleet in April 2015.","AnswerText":"This information is commercially confidential between Abellio ScotRail and Govia Thameslink.","AnswerDate":"2015-03-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301175,"EventID":"S4W-24609","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-24T13:51:50.52","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-23T16:29:48","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-24406 by Angela Constance on 23 February 2015, on what dates in the last four years it has had meetings with the European Commission at which the establishment of a management fee has been discussed and who attended these meetings.","AnswerText":"As indicated in the previous answer, there have been a number of discussions with European colleagues on this matter. The most recent meeting in the last four years was between former Cabinet Secretary for Education and Lifelong Learning, Michael Russell MSP, and Androulla Vassilliou, the then European Education Commissioner, on 26 April 2012.","AnswerDate":"2015-03-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301176,"EventID":"S4W-24610","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2066,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-24T13:51:50.913","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-23T16:45:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much the NHS will spend on heating oil in 2015-16 and has spent in each of the last four years.","AnswerText":"Year\r\nGas Oil (£)\r\nHeavy Fuel Oil (£)\r\nKerosene (£)\r\nDiesel (£)\r\n2010-11\r\n5,273,731\r\n2,530,119\r\n50,189\r\n324,978\r\n2011-12\r\n4,275,537\r\n3,040,750\r\n116,725\r\n309,196\r\n2012-13\r\n4,088,057\r\n2,819,835\r\n522,234\r\n318,854\r\n2013-14\r\n3,483,326\r\n2,394,648\r\n721,210\r\n265,255\r\n2014-15 (April to January only)\r\n2,472,070\r\n1,727,075\r\n537,172\r\n155,301\r\nNHSScotland does not know how much it will spend on heating oil in 2015-16 as this will be dependent on a number of factors, such as external winter temperatures, generator use, run-time of combined heat and power units, etc.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-03-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301177,"EventID":"S4W-24611","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2066,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-24T13:51:51.27","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-23T16:45:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what decisions it has made regarding the need for new ferries for the public service obligation Gourock-Dunoon ferry service to begin in summer 2017; whether any new tonnage will be passenger only, and whether there is a need for one or two new vessels.","AnswerText":"In line with European procurement law all publicly subsidised ferry routes need to go through regular, fair and open tendering competitions to provide ferry services.\r\nIt is anticipated a contract notice will be published in 2015, seeking expressions of interest from suitably qualified operators to run the service from 2017. We are continuing to work with stakeholders, including the local communities, to confirm the number and type of vessels to be procured for the route.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-03-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301178,"EventID":"S4W-24612","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2066,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-24T13:51:51.583","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-23T16:45:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the (a) annual payment and (b) total cost to Caledonian Maritime Assets Ltd will be of financing the MV Seaforth.","AnswerText":"The MV Loch Seaforth was purchased and financed by Lloyds Banking Group whose financial arrangements with the shipyard are commercially confidential.\r\nThe MV Loch Seaforth is leased to Caledonian Maritime Assets Ltd, who, in turn, charters the vessel to CalMac Ferries Ltd. The subsequent financial arrangements between Lloyds Banking Group, Caledonian Maritime Assets Ltd and CalMac Ferries Ltd are also commercially confidential.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-03-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301179,"EventID":"S4W-24613","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1866,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-24T13:51:51.913","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-23T16:38:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many successful applications for air source heat pump installations there have been since 2007, broken down by local authority.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government does not hold this information.\r\nHowever, you may find the statistics at the attached link useful information. These relate to the UK Government’s Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI):\r\nhttps://www.gov.uk/government/collections/renewable-heat-incentive-renewable-heat-premium-payment-statistics\r\nWithin this link:\r\nTable 1.6 - shows the breakdown of non-domestic RHI accreditation by local authority (this is not technology specific).\r\nTable 2.10 - shows the breakdown of domestic RHI accreditations by local authority (this is not technology specific).\r\nTable 2.7 - shows the domestic RHI accreditations split by technology in Scotland for both on and off-grid.\r\nThe Scottish Government’s home renewable loans scheme provides interest free loans to householders of up to £10,000 (max of up to 75% of the total cost) for owner-occupiers in Scotland who wish to install a domestic renewable system or up to £5,000 (max 100% of the costs) of connecting to a district heating scheme.\r\nTo date there has been 275 air source heat pump applications supported through the home renewable loans scheme.\r\nPrior to this scheme the Scottish Government has supported the installation of air source heat pumps through the Energy Saving Scotland home renewables grant.","AnswerDate":"2015-03-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301180,"EventID":"S4W-24614","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1866,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-24T13:51:52.27","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-24T09:49:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what (a) action it is taking to monitor and (b) discussions it has had with the UK Government regarding confirmed cases of bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) in Canada.","AnswerText":"Scottish Government officials continue to work with officials from the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on transmissible spongiform encephalopathy controls that impact the UK.\r\nThere have been no specific discussions on the recent confirmed BSE case in Canada. However, Canada is listed as having a controlled BSE risk and there are appropriate import conditions in place to protect public and animal health. Therefore it should not be necessary for the EU or the UK to take any further action.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-03-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Richard Lochhead","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301181,"EventID":"S4W-24616","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1866,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-24T13:51:52.617","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-24T09:49:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what impact it expects confirmed cases of bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) in Canada to have on Scotland.","AnswerText":"We do not expect the confirmed case of BSE in Canada to have any impact on Scotland.\r\nPrior to the recent confirmed BSE case, Canada was listed as a controlled BSE risk country. The export health certificates for bovine, ovine and caprine meat already incorporate appropriate conditions so it should not be necessary for the EU or the UK to take any further action.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-03-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Richard Lochhead","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301182,"EventID":"S4W-24617","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1866,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-24T13:51:52.943","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-24T09:49:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it holds data on beef imports to Scotland from Canada.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government does not hold specific data on beef imports from Canada.\r\nBeef imports from Canada would have to enter the EU through a Border Inspection Post (BIP) and Scotland does not have any BIPs for beef. Any beef imports from Canada would need to enter the UK through a BIP in England.","AnswerDate":"2015-03-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Richard Lochhead","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301183,"EventID":"S4W-24622","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5110,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":89,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-24T13:51:53.287","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-24T12:28:18.51","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many children attend nursery outside of their council area and which local authorities are experiencing (a) additional and (b) less attendance as a result.","AnswerText":"Information is not held centrally on how many children take up their entitlement to early learning and childcare out with their own local authority area; and, which local authorities experience additional or less attendance as a result.","AnswerDate":"2015-03-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fiona McLeod","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301184,"EventID":"S4W-24623","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5110,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":89,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-24T13:51:53.553","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-24T12:29:29.373","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many places at private nurseries are funded by Glasgow City Council, and how this compares with the rest of the country.","AnswerText":"Glasgow City Council has 2,802 early learning and childcare registrations at partner provider nurseries. This equates to 24% of their total early learning and childcare registrations.\r\nThe national proportion of early learning and childcare registrations at partner providers is 27%.","AnswerDate":"2015-03-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fiona McLeod","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301201,"EventID":"S4W-24624","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1853,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":86,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-24T17:01:49.983","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-24T12:23:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on conducting a baseline study on the extent of female genital mutilation (FGM) in Scotland.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government provided funding of £20,000 to the Scottish Refugee Council to support a report, presenting a research based baseline of Scotland-specific data to help inform our approach with community and statutory partners to tackling female genital mutilation in Scotland. This baseline report was launched on 17 December 2014.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-03-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301202,"EventID":"S4W-24625","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1853,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":86,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-24T17:01:50.343","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-24T12:23:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what work it is conducting to support schools and teachers in identifying and reporting cases of students at risk of female genital mutilation (FGM).","AnswerText":"Scottish Ministers wrote to all headteachers in February 2014 to alert them that female genital mutilation is illegal in the UK, is considered child abuse and should be dealt with as a child protection concern, with links to the National Guidance for Child Protection and a number of other resources. Education Scotland subsequently prepared material for all schools to use to update staff at the start of the 2014-15 school term. Education Scotland is currently in the process of gathering resources that can be used in the classroom in an age appropriate manner.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-03-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301203,"EventID":"S4W-24626","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1853,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":86,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-24T17:01:50.64","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-24T12:23:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what guidance it provides to Police Scotland regarding female genital mutilation (FGM).","AnswerText":"Police Scotland is a member of the Scottish Government Multi Agency Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) Short Life Working Group. Through this group they are working collaboratively with the Scottish Government and other partners to develop national guidance to ensure agencies and organisations have the necessary understanding and skills to deal appropriately and consistently with FGM.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-03-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301204,"EventID":"S4W-24627","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1853,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":86,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-24T17:01:50.953","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-24T12:23:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to raise awareness of female genital mutilation (FGM).","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has taken a range of steps to raise awareness of female genital mutilation (FGM) in Scotland and during 2014:\r\nWrote to all head teachers in Scotland reminding them of the procedures to be followed and guidance available in relation to FGM. Education Scotland subsequently prepared material for all schools to use to update staff at the start of the 2014-15 school term. Education Scotland is currently gathering resources that can be used in the classroom in an age appropriate manner.\r\nIssued a letter from the Chief Nursing Officer/Chief Medical Officer to update health care professionals on developments in Scotland related to FGM.\r\nProvided funding to the Women's Support Project to develop a range of information and training materials on FGM, launched 06 February 2015. These resources are being circulated and promoted via relevant websites and established multi agency networks.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-03-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301205,"EventID":"S4W-24628","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1853,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":86,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-24T17:01:51.28","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-24T12:23:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what support is provided to women and girls who may be affected by female genital mutilation (FGM).","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has allocated £213.500, for the period 2014-15, to tackle female genital mutilation (FGM), in Scotland. This includes support for survivors of FGM through counselling, medical intervention and peer group assistance and support to minority ethnic women’s organisations which provide services to women who come from communities affected by FGM.\r\nAll women are asked about FGM during their maternity booking and women would be referred to relevant specialists as required, subject to their consent. Health professionals would also signpost women to third sector support services as appropriate. Where it is considered that a baby is at risk of FGM, child protection processes would begin and women would have the support of the wider multi-agency team.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-03-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301206,"EventID":"S4W-24629","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1853,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":86,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-24T17:01:51.627","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-24T12:23:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what (a) support and (b) protection is available for girls who fear that they will be subjected to female genital mutilation (FGM). ","AnswerText":"(a) The Scottish Government has allocated £213,500, for the period 2014-15, to tackle female genital mutilation (FGM) in Scotland (see also answer to S4W-24628 on 5 March 2015). This includes support for survivors of FGM through counselling, medical intervention and peer group support and to support and empower women and girls to resist FGM.\r\n(b) The National Guidance for Child Protection in Scotland, updated in 2014, offers comprehensive guidance for professionals working with children and sets out what action should be taken if there are child protection concerns about any child (including the suspicion or knowledge of abuse). Within that guidance is a specific section providing advice on how to respond if there are concerns that a child may have been subject to, or may be at risk from, FGM. Local authorities will also have specific local guidance in place to supplement the national guidance as required.\r\nAll answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-03-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301207,"EventID":"S4W-24630","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1853,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":86,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-24T17:01:51.983","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-24T12:23:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to establish a partnership with the UK Government’s new specialist female genital mutilation (FGM) unit.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has confirmed through contact with the UK Government that a lead official has recently been appointed to the female genital mutilation unit, however is not yet in post. Once the official is in post Scottish Government officials will establish and maintain connections to exchange information.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-03-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301208,"EventID":"S4W-24631","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2066,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-24T17:01:52.313","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-24T15:03:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it considers that road transport and the road haulage sector are of critical importance to all other sectors of the economy.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government values freight transport as a key enabler for enhancing productivity and delivering sustainable growth.\r\nWe recognise that road is the predominant mode for moving goods in Scotland and that the road haulage sector have a key role in helping us achieve our vision – that is for Scotland to be a place where the movement of freight through the entire supply chain is efficient and sustainable, thus allowing Scotland’s businesses to compete and grow in a global economy.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-03-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301209,"EventID":"S4W-24632","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2066,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-24T17:01:52.827","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-24T15:03:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it will increase (a) awareness of and (b) interest in the road haulage sector among pupils.","AnswerText":"As noted in Developing the Young Workforce – Scotland’s Youth Employment Strategy, we are keen to see employers shape the workforce of the future by helping to develop and deliver young people’s experience of the world of work while at school.\r\nThe Commission for Developing Scotland’s Young Workforce recommended that the Scottish Government should support the creation of regional industry-led Invest in Youth Groups to provide leadership and a single point of contact to facilitate engagement between employers and education. The groups will develop activity to encourage employers to engage with education, offer work experience and placements and recruit more young people. There will be opportunities for road haulage companies to engage with these groups as they develop.\r\nThe Scottish Government is committed to an all age career information, advice and guidance service. Our skills agency Skills Development Scotland delivers a high quality careers service to ensure our young people can better understand the opportunities available within different sectors and supports them to develop their aspirations to make informed learning and career choices.\r\nI am aware that Skills Development Scotland met with the Road Haulage Association in February 2015 to discuss this and other issues for how the industry can meet its current and future skills needs and are due to meet again later in the year to discuss progress.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-03-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Roseanna Cunningham","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301210,"EventID":"S4W-24633","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2066,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-24T17:01:53.173","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-24T15:03:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what support it can provide to help school leavers stay in employment in the road haulage sector until they are 18 and can apply for a large goods vehicle (LGV) or heavy goods vehicle (HGV) licence.","AnswerText":"An enthusiastic and trained workforce underpins Scotland’s ambition for economic success and our successful Modern Apprenticeship (MA) programme supports this goal by providing individuals with the opportunity to secure industry-recognised qualifications while earning a wage. There are MA opportunities available within the field of transport, specifically in the area of freight logistics and by the end of December 2014 there had been 1,281 new MA starts on this specific framework, with 17% of those being aged 16-19.\r\nHowever the Scottish Government appreciates that there are a number of issues which concern freight hauliers generally about the recruitment and retention of young drivers, including the minimum age of licenses and insurance premiums. Whilst there is a limit to what the Scottish Government can do in addressing these issues, we are providing assistance to encourage the employment of young people through the support available from Skills Development Scotland and our Youth Employment Scotland Fund.\r\nI am aware that Skills Development Scotland met with the Road Haulage Association in February 2015 to discuss this and other issues for how the industry can meet its current and future skills needs and are due to meet again later in 2015 to discuss progress.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-03-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Roseanna Cunningham","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301211,"EventID":"S4W-24634","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2066,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-24T17:01:53.5","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-24T15:03:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to address (a) any shortages in the number and (b) reported ageing profile of drivers in the road haulage sector.","AnswerText":"Skills Development Scotland (SDS), our national skills body, offers a range of services for both individuals and employers. SDS has a dedicated employer helpline and a specific web service, Our Skillsforce, offering help on planning, recruiting and developing a skilled workforce. Our Skillsforce includes support available not only from SDS but also Jobcentre Plus, Scotland’s local authorities and other partners. Specific funding support is available to employers includes:\r\nModern Apprenticeships (MAs) – a funding contribution towards the cost of training and assessment is available to support work based learning with employed status following an approved MA framework.\r\nFlexible Training Opportunities gives Scottish businesses with up to 100 employees the opportunity to apply for up to £5,000 towards employee training costs.\r\nAdditionally the Scottish Government also provides assistance to encourage the employment of young people through our Youth Employment Scotland Fund.\r\nI am aware that Skills Development Scotland, our national skills body, met with the Road Haulage Association in February 2015 to discuss the current and futures skills needs of the industry. This included highlighting the variety of support available and agreeing to meet again later in the year to discuss progress.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-03-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Roseanna Cunningham","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301212,"EventID":"S4W-24635","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2066,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-24T17:01:53.843","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-24T15:03:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it plans to make funding for training in the road haulage sector more flexible and to ensure that self-employed people have access to training schemes and support.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government supports training for small businesses, including those who are self-employed, through our Flexible Training Opportunities, where businesses with up to 100 employees can apply for up to £5,000 towards employee training costs. Funding is available for up to 10 employees per business and the money is an investment in developing higher skills so the employer does not have to pay it back. Managed on our behalf by Skills Development Scotland, the programme will refund up to 50% of each episode of employee training up to a maximum of £500 for each training episode.\r\nAdditionally, support may be available for those on low incomes through Individual Learning Accounts to contribute toward the cost of approved employability training.\r\nI am aware that Skills Development Scotland, our national skills body, met with the Road Haulage Association in February 2015 to discuss their current and future skills needs of the industry. This included highlighting the variety of support available and an agreement to meet again later in the year to discuss progress.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-03-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Roseanna Cunningham","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301213,"EventID":"S4W-24636","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2066,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-24T17:01:54.173","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-24T15:03:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to increase funding support for training for people aged 25 and older who wish to work in the road haulage sector.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government, through Skills Development Scotland, provides a contribution towards to the cost of training and assessment for Modern Apprenticeships (MAs). We prioritise this funding towards young people, however in recognition that there are industry areas in the economy that contribute significantly towards economic growth, we also provide a contribution for MAs aged over 25 in key and enabling sectors. This includes the specific framework for Freight Logistics where over half of the 1,281 MA starts on this framework up to the end of December 2014 have been for those aged 25 and over.\r\nAdditionally we support training for small businesses through our Flexible Training Opportunities, where businesses with up to 100 employees can apply for up to £5,000 towards employee training costs and there is no age limit for eligibility. Funding is available for up to 10 employees per business and the money is not a loan so the employer does not have to pay it back. Managed on our behalf by Skills Development Scotland, the programme will refund up to 50% of each episode of employee training up to a maximum of £500 for each training episode.\r\nSupport may also be available for individuals of all ages on low incomes through Individual Learning Accounts to contribute toward the cost of approved employability training.\r\nI am aware that Skills Development Scotland met with the Road Haulage Association in February 2015 to discuss their current and future skills needs of the industry. This included highlighting the variety of support available, including MAs, and there is an agreement to meet again later in the year to discuss progress.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-03-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Roseanna Cunningham","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301214,"EventID":"S4W-24637","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2066,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-24T17:01:54.5","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-24T15:03:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it will support training providers to deliver the appropriate skills and fill the reported skills gap in the road haulage sector.","AnswerText":"I am aware that Skills Development Scotland (SDS), our national skills body, met with the Road Haulage Association (RHA) and Lantra in February 2015 to discuss the current and future skills needs of the industry.\r\nThis included a discussion to better understand that scale of the issue in Scotland and on the variety of support already available. The RHA has agreed to consider the information provided at and after that meeting, and to meet with SDS again later in the year to discuss progress. This will highlight any follow up activity needed with training providers in Scotland.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-03-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Roseanna Cunningham","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301215,"EventID":"S4W-24648","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":2,"MSPID":2135,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":92,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-25T10:55:31.203","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-25T10:49:56.7","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the progress that has been made with the 2015-16 International Development Small Grants Programme funding round.\r\n","AnswerText":"I am pleased to announce that funding amounting to a total of £457,207 will be provided to the 15 organisations from our small grants programme 2015-16 for projects to commence in April 2014.\r\nTotal amount of recommended funding – programme year 2015-16\r\nType of Grant\r\nTotal Recommendation\r\nProject\r\n£395780\r\nFeasibility\r\n£45586\r\nCapacity Building\r\n£15,841\r\nTotal\r\n£457,207\r\nRecommendations for funding after assessment by country and grant type – programme year 2015-16\r\nCountry\r\nProject\r\nFeasibility\r\nCapacity Building\r\nTotal\r\nMalawi\r\n4\r\n1\r\n2\r\n7\r\nIndia \r\n1 (Bihar)\r\n1 (Madhyan Pradesh)\r\n-\r\n2\r\nTanzania\r\n2\r\n-\r\n-\r\n2\r\nZambia\r\n1\r\n2\r\n-\r\n3\r\nPakistan\r\n\r\n1\r\n\r\n1\r\nTotal\r\n8\r\n5\r\n2\r\n15\r\nThe small grants programme 2015-16 attracted 21 applications before the deadline on 26 November 2015. One application was received after the closing date which was not assessed due to its lateness and not meeting our criteria. A further two applications were rejected as outwith our eligibility criteria, and therefore were not part of the full assessment process. One application was withdrawn prior to assessment. The remaining 18 applications were fully assessed, three of which did not meet our assessment criteria and were therefore not awarded funding.\r\nThe full list of the projects to be funded is available on the following web link: \r\nhttp://www.gov.scot/Topics/International/int-dev/smallgrants\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-02-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-11T10:55:31.347","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301216,"EventID":"S4O-04062","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":1741,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-25T13:08:44.57","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-23T12:02:15.763","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking in response to the petition signed by over 7,000 staff, patients and members of the public demanding adequate parking and public transport at the new South Glasgow Hospitals.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-11T13:08:44.613","MeetingDate":"2015-03-04T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301217,"EventID":"S4O-04063","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":3763,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-25T13:08:44.923","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-24T09:44:33.883","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has for health service delivery in the west of Scotland.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-11T13:08:44.947","MeetingDate":"2015-03-04T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301218,"EventID":"S4O-04064","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":1853,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":86,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-25T13:08:45.233","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-23T12:02:16.28","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many referrals of children and adolescents with mental health issues to specialist child and adolescent mental health services have been rejected by those services in the last quarter.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-11T13:08:45.257","MeetingDate":"2015-03-04T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301219,"EventID":"S4O-04065","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-25T13:08:45.593","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-25T11:01:43.88","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government for what reason the 2015-16 funding for NHS Shetland is 2% below the 2015-16 NHS Scotland Resource Allocation Committee target allocation.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-11T13:08:45.617","MeetingDate":"2015-03-04T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301220,"EventID":"S4O-04066","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":3907,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":135,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-25T13:08:45.987","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-23T12:02:16.917","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it supports participation in sport by disabled people in the Kilmarnock and Irvine Valley constituency.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-11T13:08:46.003","MeetingDate":"2015-03-04T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301221,"EventID":"S4O-04067","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":1893,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-25T13:08:46.217","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-23T12:02:17.113","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it will take in light of NHS Grampian missing the target of treating 90% of patients within 18 weeks.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-11T13:08:46.24","MeetingDate":"2015-03-04T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301222,"EventID":"S4O-04068","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":2123,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":103,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-25T13:08:46.467","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-23T12:02:17.377","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to improve the provision of perinatal mental health services.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-11T13:08:46.487","MeetingDate":"2015-03-04T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301223,"EventID":"S4O-04069","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":1759,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-25T13:08:46.77","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-24T16:40:38.923","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the future of the Glasgow Centre for Integrative Care and its funding arrangements.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-11T13:08:46.793","MeetingDate":"2015-03-04T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301224,"EventID":"S4O-04070","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":2673,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":114,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-25T13:08:47.003","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-25T11:40:30.667","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the uptake of the shingles vaccine has been by 70 to 79-year-olds since September 2013.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-11T13:08:47.023","MeetingDate":"2015-03-04T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301225,"EventID":"S4O-04071","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-25T13:08:47.253","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-23T12:02:18.043","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what measures it is taking to increase the training, recruitment and retention of mental health officers across child and adolescent mental health services.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-11T13:08:47.277","MeetingDate":"2015-03-04T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301226,"EventID":"S4O-04072","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":5075,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":112,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-25T13:08:47.507","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-23T12:02:18.253","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what additional support it has given NHS Fife to help improve its performance.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-11T13:08:47.517","MeetingDate":"2015-03-04T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301227,"EventID":"S4O-04073","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":2826,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":84,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-25T13:08:47.743","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-25T11:24:37.72","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it last met representatives of NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde and what issues were discussed.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-11T13:08:47.763","MeetingDate":"2015-03-04T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301228,"EventID":"S4O-04074","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":1865,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":85,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-25T13:08:48.043","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-23T12:02:18.67","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the proposed parking provision and transport links for staff and visitors at the new South Glasgow Hospitals.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-11T13:08:48.063","MeetingDate":"2015-03-04T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301229,"EventID":"S4O-04075","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":1814,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":77,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-25T13:08:48.417","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-23T12:02:19","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it last met NHS Lanarkshire.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-11T13:08:48.433","MeetingDate":"2015-03-04T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301230,"EventID":"S4O-04076","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":2066,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-25T13:08:48.78","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-23T12:02:19.36","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it supports the provision of locally accessible maternity scanning services in the Highlands and Islands.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-11T13:08:48.803","MeetingDate":"2015-03-04T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301231,"EventID":"S4O-04077","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":1932,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":117,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-25T13:08:49.21","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-23T12:02:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what recent discussions it has had with NHS Forth Valley regarding services for mental health patients, including action to improve waiting times.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is in regular contact with NHS Forth Valley regarding waiting times to access services by mental health patients. I spoke with the chief executive last week about Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services in the Forth Valley area.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-03-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-03-04T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301232,"EventID":"S4O-04078","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":1866,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-25T13:08:49.537","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-24T14:45:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to promote healthy personal relationships and sexual wellbeing for young people.","AnswerText":"The sexual wellbeing of young people, and the importance of healthy personal relationships, is an issue which cuts across a number of Scottish Government policies.\r\nOur Sexual Health and Blood Borne Virus Framework acknowledges the importance of healthy and respectful relationships and sexual wellbeing for young people, and this informs a range of activities delivered under the framework.\r\nThe relationships, sexual health and parenthood (RSHP) element of Curriculum for Excellence is also key. Through the provision of RSHP, schools and other learning establishments support learning around the importance of positive healthy relationships.\r\nAdditionally, one of the considerations for the new teenage pregnancy and young parents strategy, which will be published later in 2015, will be the importance and impact of promoting healthy personal relationships and sexual wellbeing in young people.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-03-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-03-04T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301233,"EventID":"S4O-04079","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":5038,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-25T13:08:49.863","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-25T11:22:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it expects NHS boards to reverse the reported upward trend and then eliminate the practice of admitting children with mental health issues to non-specialist adult wards.","AnswerText":"We are working with NHS boards to deliver commitment 12 of the Mental Health Strategy to reduce the admissions of under 18s to adult wards.\r\nThere are some reasons why it may not always be possible for a young person to be admitted to a specialist child and adolescent bed – for example, a crisis admission out of hours where there are concerns for the young person’s safety, or where a specialist facility might be a considerable distance from family support that could help recovery.\r\nMost of these admissions are among young people aged 16 or 17 where an adult facility might in certain cases be clinically judged to be the more appropriate setting, but we nevertheless expect almost all children and young people admitted to adult wards to be discharged quickly or transferred to Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-03-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-03-04T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301234,"EventID":"S4O-04080","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":2215,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":125,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-25T13:08:50.113","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-25T10:35:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it considers that patient feedback is an important part of improving NHS service provision and, if so, how it encourages such feedback.","AnswerText":"Yes. The Scottish Government is committed to ensuring a culture of openness and transparency within our NHS, which actively welcomes all forms of feedback as a tool for continuous improvement.\r\nThe Patient Rights (Scotland) Act 2011 introduced new patient rights and principles for the delivery of healthcare, including a specific right for people to complain, raise concerns, make comments and give feedback about NHS services. It also placed a duty on the NHS to encourage, monitor, take action and share learning from the views they receive.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-03-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-03-04T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301235,"EventID":"S4O-04081","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":2110,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":138,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-25T13:08:50.473","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-23T12:02:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the percentage reduction in patient mortality has been in NHS Ayrshire hospitals since 2007, and how many lives are estimated to have been saved.","AnswerText":"Since 2007, there has been a 14.5% reduction in hospital standardised mortality ratios at University Hospital and a 34.2% reduction at University Hospital, Crosshouse. This compares with a national reduction of 16.3%. These excellent figures reflect the tremendous efforts of staff at both hospital with regard to patient safety and the work of the Scottish Patient Safety Programme.\r\nThese data indicate that nationally, 15,000 lives have been saved since data collection commenced.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-03-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-03-04T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301236,"EventID":"S4O-04082","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":4080,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-25T13:08:50.763","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-23T12:02:52.767","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government under what circumstances it considers it appropriate for a guardianship order to be granted.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-11T13:08:50.79","MeetingDate":"2015-03-05T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301237,"EventID":"S4O-04083","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":3061,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-25T13:08:51.03","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-24T09:40:10.903","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when the various phases of the Transport Scotland Raith Junction improvement works are due for completion.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-11T13:08:51.047","MeetingDate":"2015-03-05T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301238,"EventID":"S4O-04084","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":3771,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-25T13:08:51.307","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-23T12:02:53.24","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it last met Glasgow City Council to discuss how it is taking forward the childcare commitment for eligible two-year-olds and all three and four-year-olds.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-11T13:08:51.33","MeetingDate":"2015-03-05T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301239,"EventID":"S4O-04085","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":5080,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-25T13:08:51.597","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-25T11:36:08.47","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what progress it is making toward addressing payday lending and gambling in town centres and neighbourhoods.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-11T13:08:51.627","MeetingDate":"2015-03-05T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301240,"EventID":"S4O-04086","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":2033,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":132,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-25T13:08:51.853","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-23T12:02:53.69","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to publish further details of its attainment fund.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-11T13:08:51.88","MeetingDate":"2015-03-05T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301241,"EventID":"S4O-04087","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":5107,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":124,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-25T13:08:52.107","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-23T12:02:53.903","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it has responded to the EU consultation on the impact of the use of endocrine disruptors in farming.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-11T13:08:52.133","MeetingDate":"2015-03-05T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301242,"EventID":"S4O-04088","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":3806,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-25T13:08:52.417","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-25T11:25:44.477","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what appraisal it has made of the economic impact  in the Highlands and Islands of the oil and gas sector.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-11T13:08:52.43","MeetingDate":"2015-03-05T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301243,"EventID":"S4O-04089","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":2675,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":93,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-25T13:08:52.67","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-23T12:02:54.353","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much private and public land in Scotland was registered on the national map-based register of land ownership by December 2014 and how much it envisages being registered in the next five years.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-11T13:08:52.693","MeetingDate":"2015-03-05T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301244,"EventID":"S4O-04091","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":5057,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-25T13:08:53.163","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-23T12:02:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to develop the abandoned harbour area in Stranraer.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is committed to supporting sustainable economic growth in Dumfries and Galloway by working closely with Scottish Enterprise and Dumfries and Galloway Council as partners in the South of Scotland Alliance.\r\nI welcome the good progress that Dumfries and Galloway Council is continuing to make with their rural economic development programme. The redevelopment of the Stranraer waterfront is a key part of that ambitious vision for growth in the south of Scotland.\r\nI understand that the land around the former ferry terminal in Stranraer is still owned by Stena Line and any future use of that land would be a matter for them, in consultation with Dumfries and Galloway Council.","AnswerDate":"2015-03-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-03-05T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301245,"EventID":"S4W-24638","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1866,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-26T10:32:59.377","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-24T15:42:31","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-24433 by Aileen McLeod on 24 February 2015, what monitoring it has put in place to assess progress in meeting its target of 100,000 hectares of new woodland by 2022.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government monitors the progress of the 100,000 hectares target of new woodland during the course of each year.\r\nMonitoring is undertaken at two stages: at the ‘woodland creation approval’ stage which is when woodland creation applications become contracts and also at the ‘woodland creation paid’ stage which is when grant claims are paid for the planting.\r\nThe area of planting achieved each year is published as part of the national statistics on forestry produced by the Forestry Commission.","AnswerDate":"2015-03-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen McLeod","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301246,"EventID":"S4W-24639","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1866,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-25T13:28:05.86","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-24T15:42:31","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will list all of the land disposed of by Forestry Commission Scotland since 1 June 2010, broken down by size, and whether this was (a) native woodland, (b) open ground or (c) commercial timber.","AnswerText":"Since 2005 details of all land bought and sold by Forestry Commission Scotland has been made available via their website and the link to this information is as follows: \r\nhttp://scotland.forestry.gov.uk/managing/work-on-scotlands-national-forest-estate/land-and-building-management/re-positioning-programme\r\nThe website provides details of the type of land sold categorised as either forest, buildings, other or sale to communities/NGOs under the National Forest Land Scheme, the forest district, property name, size and date of sale. Forest Commission Scotland does not routinely record the composition of how much native woodland the disposals contain.","AnswerDate":"2015-03-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen McLeod","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301247,"EventID":"S4W-24640","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1866,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-25T13:28:06.187","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-24T15:42:31","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what advice Forestry Commission Scotland seeks from Scottish Natural Heritage, National Parks, conservation NGOs and other expert bodies before land is identified for disposal to ensure that its ability to be restored for priority species and or habitats is not overlooked.","AnswerText":"Forestry Commission Scotland’s (FCS) repositioning programme started in 2007. The programme involves selling areas with low potential to deliver public benefits to invest in land for delivery of greater public benefits, such as the creation of urban woodland.\r\nAt the beginning of the programme all areas that were selected for sale were identified via a portfolio evaluation exercise.\r\nThe properties identified for sale had typically all or some of the following characteristics: relatively low levels of public access and use; relatively remote from significant communities and with limited or no community involvement; no significant natural and cultural heritage assets that would be put at risk by sale; no prominent landscape features that would be put at risk by sale; and likely to be expensive to manage and/or to generate low levels of income.\r\nPrior to any sale FCS sends details of the area being considered for sale to the Scottish Government property controls team. This team alerts other government departments and also other NGOs including the Community Woodland Association, the Community Land Unit, Scottish Environment Link, National Trust for Scotland, RSPB, and Woodland Trust (Scotland), who are able to contact FCS directly with any concerns or opportunities.","AnswerDate":"2015-03-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen McLeod","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301248,"EventID":"S4W-24641","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1866,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-25T13:28:06.61","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-24T15:42:31","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what work Forestry Commission Scotland is undertaking to restore land that has priority open ground habitats and was afforested in the past, and where such investment is underway.","AnswerText":"Forestry Commission Scotland (FCS) provides grant support through the Scottish Rural Development Programme to fund the restoration of priority open ground habitats. FCS administers a habitat and species grant which funds, for example, works to remove woodland on peatland sites. FCS also provides funding for research and publishes guidance on the restoration of priority open ground habitats.\r\nThe budget for this grant is approximately £0.5 million per year and is available nationally. Since 2009, a large proportion has been awarded to projects associated with the Caithness and Sutherland Special Area of Conservation/Special Protection Area, using Scottish Rural Development Programme funding or via FCS approving an unconditional felling license. This has resulted in 1,060 hectares of previously afforested land being cleared or approved for clearance. In addition over the last 15 years 2,500 hectares of forest have been cleared, and a further 1,000 hectares are in the planning stages for approval.\r\nOn the National Forest Estate, Forest Enterprise Scotland is completing a survey of all the open habitat and this is 63% complete. To date 84,633 hectares of open UK Biodiversity Action Plan (UKBAP) priority habitats have been identified out of 133,000 hectares surveyed. Alongside the ongoing survey work, since 2000 Forest Enterprise Scotland has undertaken almost 3,000 hectares of open UKBAP priority habitat restoration to open ground. Significant progress has been made over the last year with more than 1,000 hectares of peatland habitat being restored with funding from the Scottish Natural Heritage Peatland Action Fund.\r\nIn addition, just over 9,000 hectares of habitat condition improvement work has been undertaken on twenty open UKBAP priority habitats. This work has involved the introduction of conservation grazing regimes, particularly on upland heathland, as well as the removal of tree regeneration from peatland areas combined with drain blocking.","AnswerDate":"2015-03-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen McLeod","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301249,"EventID":"S4W-24642","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1866,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-25T13:28:06.967","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-24T16:57:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-24398 by Aileen McLeod on 19 February 2015, whether it will outline the policy options identified in each of the topic areas.","AnswerText":"The policy options discussed at the Cabinet Sub Committee on Climate Change meeting in January 2015 are in development and decisions are still to be taken. I will publish proposals in due course.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-03-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen McLeod","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301250,"EventID":"S4W-24643","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1768,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":131,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-25T13:28:07.327","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-24T17:10:04","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how the number of firefighters changed in the year to 31 March 2014, broken down by local authority area; what the reasons are for any change, and how it affected the work of the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service.","AnswerText":"The information of changes in numbers of fire fighters and support staff in the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service broken down at local authority area level is not held centrally. Information on aggregate staff numbers employed in the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service across Scotland are presented in:\r\nhttp://www.gov.scot/Publications/2015/02/9404 which was published on 24 February 2015.","AnswerDate":"2015-03-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Paul Wheelhouse","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301251,"EventID":"S4W-24644","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1768,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":131,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-25T13:28:07.703","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-24T17:10:04","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how the number of support staff in the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service changed in the year to 31 March 2014, broken down by local authority area; what the reasons are for any change, and how it affected the work of the service.","AnswerText":"The information of changes in numbers of fire fighters and support staff in the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) broken down at local authority area level is not held centrally. Information on aggregate staff numbers employed in SFRS across Scotland are presented in:\r\nhttp://www.gov.scot/Publications/2015/02/9404 which was published on 24 February 2015.","AnswerDate":"2015-03-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Paul Wheelhouse","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301252,"EventID":"S4W-24646","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-25T13:28:08.047","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-25T09:09:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it issued the comments attributed to a spokesperson for the Cabinet Secretary for Infrastructure, Investment and Cities on page 3 of ThePress and Journal on 25 February 2015.","AnswerText":"This was a political response provided by special advisers on behalf of ministers - in response to a direct newspaper query - and was not a Scottish Government press office comment.\r\nThe full quote that issued to the Press and Journal is as follows:\r\nSpokesperson for Keith Brown:“No amount of shameless electioneering from Danny Alexander can disguise the fact that this SNP Government is delivering for Highland transport projects where the Lib Dems failed to.\r\n“They failed to upgrade the Highland mainline during eight years in office at Holyrood – we are delivering a £5 billion package of funding for our railways by 2019, including substantial improvements to the line between Aberdeen and Inverness.\r\n“We are also pressing ahead with the dualling of the A9 and A96 – projects the Lib Dems ignored when they were in office.”","AnswerDate":"2015-03-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301253,"EventID":"S4W-24647","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1768,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":131,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-25T13:28:08.483","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-25T10:07:19","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to introduce a bill to reform the law of damages for personal injury and, if so, when.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is still considering some of the policy issues around a damages Bill, in light of stakeholder responses to Scottish Governments’ consultation, and we currently have no firm timescale for taking this legislation forward. Scottish Ministers are continuing to engage with stakeholders on aspects of measures featured in the consultation, such as in respect of time-bar in relation to survivors of historic child abuse.","AnswerDate":"2015-03-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Paul Wheelhouse","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301254,"EventID":"S4W-24649","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1756,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":136,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-25T13:28:08.86","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-25T11:13:11","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on the number of serving police officers reported to the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service in 2013-14, in light of a reported 6.7% of cases leading to proceedings, and what percentage of these proceedings (a) remain current and (b) led to a (i) guilty and (ii) not proven verdict.","AnswerText":"The vast majority of police officers act with integrity but on the on the rare occasions when those standards may have fallen below those expected and criminality is inferred it is proper that there are independent and transparent processes in place to consider the evidence.\r\nThe information requested relates to data published in the Police Investigations and Review Commissioner’s (PIRC) report entitled Police Complaints: Statistics for Scotland 2013-14. The PIRC report sets out, on page 10, that 225 complaint cases were referred to the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service following an allegation of criminality, with 6.7% of these cases leading to proceedings being taken.\r\nThe PIRC data only relates to referrals following complaints made against police officers by members of the public, where there is an allegation of criminality. If there is an inference of criminality, Police Scotland will report the officer to the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service. Proceedings data are not held by either the Scottish Government or the Crown Office in relation to complaints made by the public.\r\nSeparately, the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS) has provided data relating to criminal cases where COPFS has received a standard prosecution report (SPR) from the police. Figures show that 135 police officers were the subject of criminal reports to COPFS in 2013-14. Of these, 60 officers were the subject of court proceedings: 30 were convicted, one was found not proven, six were found not guilty and 23 are ongoing. There has not yet been a final decision on whether or not to take court proceedings in respect of a further 39 officers.","AnswerDate":"2015-03-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301255,"EventID":"S4W-24652","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2633,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-25T13:28:09.28","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-25T12:14:16.117","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many antisocial behaviour orders have been issued in Fife in each of the last five years and for what offences.","AnswerText":"The Antisocial Behaviour (Scotland) Act 2004 places a statutory requirement on local authorities to keep records of all antisocial behaviour orders and interim orders. The member may wish to write to the Chief Executive of Fife Council directly to request the information sought.","AnswerDate":"2015-03-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Paul Wheelhouse","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301256,"EventID":"S4W-24653","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-25T13:28:09.593","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-25T12:33:54","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether Glasgow Prestwick Airport is its preferred Scottish location to become the first UK spaceport.","AnswerText":"The decision of where to locate the spaceport is a matter for the UK Government. The Scottish Government wants to see the spaceport located in Scotland but at this stage we will remain neutral in terms of the Scottish locations shortlisted by the UK Government as a potential permanent location for the spaceport. The Scottish Government and its agencies will provide advice and support to any Scottish airfield which wishes to pursue the spaceport opportunity.","AnswerDate":"2015-03-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301269,"EventID":"S4W-24663","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":2,"MSPID":4940,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-25T15:44:10.367","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-25T15:39:37","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to examine the delivery of maternity and neonatal services.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is committed to ensuring that all children in Scotland get the best possible start in life. The best quality maternity care and the best quality neonatal care are therefore crucial. We continue to make advances in care standards and strive for excellence, however to assure ourselves that maternity and neonatal services in Scotland are as good as they can be, we think that the time is right to refresh our approach to them to ensure that care is person centred, and as safe, sustainable and high quality as possible. Further details on the scope and process of the review will be announced in due course following a short period of consultation with key partners and service user representatives.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-02-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-11T15:44:10.473","MeetingDate":"2011-01-01T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301281,"EventID":"S4W-24654","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-25T16:43:50.473","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-25T13:14:12","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it will publish the findings of the review into the concerns raised by Dr Jane Hamilton about the perinatal service and its management at St John’s Hospital, Livingston.","AnswerText":"The review was commissioned by NHS Lothian rather than by the Scottish Government. The publication of its findings is a matter for NHS Lothian.","AnswerDate":"2015-03-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301282,"EventID":"S4W-24655","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4947,"Party":"Independent","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-25T16:43:50.83","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-25T14:03:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government on how many instances involving children under 16 police officers have (a) drawn and (b) discharged a Taser in each of the last three years.","AnswerText":"The recording of this information is a matter for Police Scotland.\r\nThe Chief Constable must refer any incident where a firearm has been used (including handguns, Tasers and CS Sprays) to the independent Police Investigations and Review Commissioner who will assess the incident and may investigate.\r\nThe commissioner has confirmed that there has been one instance where a Taser has been discharged against a child under the age of 16 since 1 April 2013. In that investigation, the commissioner found Police Scotland’s use to be proportionate and justified.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-03-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301283,"EventID":"S4W-24662","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3101,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-25T16:43:51.097","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-25T15:11:29","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what it will do in Glasgow to promote the contributions of ethnic minority communities to Scottish cuisine for the Year of Food and Drink Scotland 2015, such as the reported creation of Chicken Tikka Masala by the Shish Mahal restaurant.","AnswerText":"Scotland’s natural larder will be showcased over the next 12 months at events the length and breadth of the country to raise awareness of the role food and drink plays in the country’s cultural identity and in shaping the nation’s economic success.\r\nThe Scottish Government is also currently working with BEMIS (a national umbrella body supporting minority ethnic community organisations in Scotland) to develop their plans to engage a multi-cultural Scotland in the Year of Food and Drink. This builds on the success of the multi-cultural Homecoming celebration in 2014 led by BEMIS, supported by a £40k funding contribution from the Scottish Government, which attracted over 6000 participants to 43 diverse events across the country designed by communities themselves. For 90% of the communities involved in the multi-cultural Homecoming celebration this was the first time they had participated in a national celebratory event of this scale and all of the organisations involved expressed a willingness to participate in the future.\r\nFurther announcements on partner plans to specifically engage Scotland's multi-cultural communities in the celebration of the 2015 Year of Food and Drink will follow in due course.","AnswerDate":"2015-03-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301284,"EventID":"S4O-04061","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":3,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-26T10:09:18.29","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-19T11:24:38","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body what assistance it gives to school pupils from remote and rural areas to visit the Parliament.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-12T10:09:18.397","MeetingDate":"2015-03-05T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301285,"EventID":"S4O-04092","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":3,"MSPID":1756,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":136,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-26T10:14:09.137","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-24T14:13:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body for what reason there has been no uplift in capped postage provision since 2009 given the increase of 59% and 77% in stamp costs, and whether it considers that this reduces members’ ability to correspond with their constituents.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-03-05T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301286,"EventID":"S4O-04093","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":3,"MSPID":2610,"Party":"Independent","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-26T10:09:19.553","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-24T16:39:32","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body how it will engage on the proposal to establish a register of lobbying.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-12T10:09:19.567","MeetingDate":"2015-03-05T09:38:47.573","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301295,"EventID":"S4W-24651","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1860,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-26T13:56:26.343","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-25T11:32:33.39","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many NHS beds were planned to be opened each week in winter 2014-15, broken down by (a) NHS board and (b) hospital, and how this compares with the number that were opened.","AnswerText":"This information is not held centrally. The Scottish Government issued ‘Preparing for Winter Guidance’ to NHS boards on 23 September 2014, which advised boards to undertake detailed analysis and planning to effectively schedule elective activity based on forecast emergency and elective demand. Boards were also advised to ensure that this action specifically took into account the surge in activity in the first week in January. NHS boards signed off their winter plans by the end of November 2014.\r\nOfficial statistics on the number of hospital beds relating to the quarters ending December 2014 and March 2015 will be published in March 2015 and June 2015 respectively.\r\nThe bed planning toolkit will be piloted across all NHS territorial boards from April 2015. This will support boards to develop a more consistent approach to bed planning over the short, medium and longer term to ensure that the right bed is available for the right patient at the right time.","AnswerDate":"2015-03-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301296,"EventID":"S4W-24656","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5009,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-26T13:56:26.687","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-25T14:45:37.537","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much it would cost to implement its proposals to expand the use of the NHS central register, as proposed in its consultation on amendments to the National Health Service Central Register (Scotland) Regulations 2006.  ","AnswerText":"The costs of providing additional public bodies with the ability to use myaccount will be absorbed within the existing budget for this service. The costs of the other proposals would be minimal and met within existing budgets.","AnswerDate":"2015-03-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301297,"EventID":"S4W-24657","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5009,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-26T13:56:26.903","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-25T14:45:37.537","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how long it would take to implement the changes to the NHS central register, as proposed in its consultation on amendments to the National Health Service Central Register (Scotland) Regulations 2006.","AnswerText":"The only proposed change to the NHS central register is to supplement existing postcode information with postcode information sourced from the Community Health Index system. As with other amendments, this would be implemented following the completion of a data sharing agreement.","AnswerDate":"2015-03-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301298,"EventID":"S4W-24658","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5009,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-26T13:56:27.153","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-25T14:45:37.537","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when the responses to its consultation on amendments to the National Health Service Central Register (Scotland) Regulations 2006 will be published online.","AnswerText":"The responses to the consultation on amendments to the National Health Service Central Register (Scotland) Regulations 2006 will be published online within 25 working days after the close of the consultation in line with Scottish Government guidance. Responses will therefore be published no later than 1 April 2015.","AnswerDate":"2015-03-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301299,"EventID":"S4W-24659","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5009,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-26T13:56:27.373","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-25T14:45:37.537","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government for what reason its consultation on amendments to the National Health Service Central Register (Scotland) Regulations 2006 did not include details of the legal instruments that would be used to ensure that any extension of the register complied with data protection legislation.","AnswerText":"Data protection legislation requires data to be processed fairly and lawfully. The consultation sets out the detail of the amendments that would be made to the 2006 Regulations to provide the legal basis for sharing at the discretion of the Registrar General. Existing sharing arrangements under the 2006 Regulations are backed up by data sharing arrangements in line with data protection requirements and the consultation makes clear that similar data sharing arrangements are proposed for the amendments.","AnswerDate":"2015-03-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301300,"EventID":"S4W-24660","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5009,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-26T13:56:27.593","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-25T14:45:37.537","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government for what reason its consultation on amendments to the National Health Service Central Register (Scotland) Regulations 2006 did not include an assessment of safeguards against abuse that would be introduced if the register was extended.","AnswerText":"Privacy impact assessments will be completed for all provisions before regulations are laid. The consultation also makes clear that the Registrar General would only share information if he has put in place data sharing agreements which would provide safeguards. All organisations to which the Registrar General would be allowed to provide information would have to comply with the Data Protection Act 1998 which is regulated by the Information Commissioner’s Office.","AnswerDate":"2015-03-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301301,"EventID":"S4W-24661","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5009,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-26T13:56:27.827","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-25T14:45:37.537","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4O-04026 by John Swinney on 19 February 2015 (Official Report, c.6), in light of the concerns raised regarding the proposed amendments to the NHS central register, what lessons it has learned from the decision of the UK Government in 2010 not to proceed with plans for either an ID database or ID cards.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government had no need to take lessons from the decision of the UK Government. The Scottish Government has had, and has, no plans to create an ID database or to introduce ID cards. The National Health Service central register has been in existence since the 1950s to enable effective delivery of public services; it does this by holding a minimal amount of information on an individual.","AnswerDate":"2015-03-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301302,"EventID":"S4W-24664","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4939,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":78,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-26T13:56:28.06","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-25T16:09:06.357","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many unannounced inspections of abattoirs took place in (a) 2012-13 and (b) 2013-14.","AnswerText":"The Food Standards Agency (FSA) are responsible for food safety and animal welfare rules in abattoirs and they have informed me that under EU law abattoirs are required to have a permanent official veterinary presence to verify continuous compliance with food safety and animal welfare rules. This involves inspection of all animals, carcases and offal by FSA officials to ensure meat is fit for human consumption, which is supported by regular risk based audits of plant procedures. Unannounced inspections therefore have not taken place for this type of food business within these years.\r\nHowever due to undercover filming inside two FSA approved slaughterhouses in England in 2015, which provided evidence of cruelty and breaches of welfare, the FSA has commissioned unannounced inspections to all slaughterhouses in Great Britain, these commenced on 23 February 2015 and are due to be completed by the end of March 2015.","AnswerDate":"2015-03-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Richard Lochhead","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301303,"EventID":"S4W-24665","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2117,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-26T13:56:28.327","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-26T09:24:52.03","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-24296 by Roseanna Cunningham on 10 February 2015, whether it has now decided to allocate additional resources to Skills Development Scotland to fund the Adopt an Apprentice scheme in the oil and gas industry and, if so, how much additional funding it will allocate through this scheme and when the funds will be available for Skills Development Scotland to distribute.","AnswerText":"As explained in my answers to your previous questions S4W-24296 and S4W-24012 on 28 January 2015, Adopt an Apprentice is demand-led, with the level of uptake determining overall spend on the programme. Should additional funding be required to meet the First Minister’s commitment of 14 January 2015 to provide an enhanced incentive to support apprentices made redundant in the oil and gas sector, this will be managed through existing Skills Development Scotland (SDS) sponsorship arrangements.\r\nSDS are currently accepting application for the enhanced incentive of £5,000, subject to the eligibility criteria as detailed at: \r\nhttp://www.skillsdevelopmentscotland.co.uk/our-services/provider-central/national-training-programmes/modern-apprenticeships/\r\nAll answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at: \r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx","AnswerDate":"2015-03-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Roseanna Cunningham","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301304,"EventID":"S4W-24666","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-26T13:56:28.67","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-26T09:35:53.777","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the cost of the A898 Erskine Bridge Vehicle Barrier Replacement project was and how much was paid to each contractor.","AnswerText":"The works for the A898 Erskine Bridge Barrier Replacement contract were substantially complete in May 2014 and finished, after the Commonwealth Games, in early September 2014. The contract for these works is within the defects correction period, thus is currently ongoing and the final account and out-turn costs remain to be agreed. The defects correction period is the duration stipulated in the contract following completion of the works or scheme, which is defined by issue of the ‘Certificate of Substantial Completion’. During this period if there are any defects in the works or scheme arising out of the quality of the works and construction they have to be rectified by the contractor, at their expense.\r\n\r\nInformation in relation to the contract and previously released freedom of information requests are available on the Erskine Bridge website at the following link: \r\nhttp://www.transportscotland.gov.uk/project/a898-erskine-bridge-vehicle-barrier-replacement","AnswerDate":"2015-03-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301305,"EventID":"S4W-24667","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-26T13:56:29.17","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-26T09:35:53.777","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what financial incentives it offered to contractors to encourage early completion of the A898 Erskine Bridge Vehicle Barrier Replacement project.","AnswerText":"The works for the A898 Erskine Bridge Barrier Replacement contract were substantially complete in May 2014 and finished, after the Commonwealth Games, in early September 2014. The contract for these works is within the defects correction period, thus is currently ongoing and the final account and out-turn costs remain to be agreed. The defects correction period is the duration stipulated in the contract following completion of the works or scheme, which is defined by issue of the ‘Certificate of Substantial Completion’. During this period if there are any defects in the works or scheme arising out of the quality of the works and construction they have to be rectified by the contractor, at their expense.\r\nInformation in relation to the contract and previously released freedom of information requests are available on the Erskine Bridge website at the following link: \r\nhttp://www.transportscotland.gov.uk/project/a898-erskine-bridge-vehicle-barrier-replacement","AnswerDate":"2015-03-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301306,"EventID":"S4W-24668","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-26T13:56:29.943","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-26T09:35:53.777","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what financial incentives it paid to each contractor on the A898 Erskine Bridge Vehicle Barrier Replacement project.","AnswerText":"The works for the A898 Erskine Bridge Barrier Replacement contract were substantially complete in May 2014 and finished, after the Commonwealth Games, in early September 2014. The contract for these works is within the defects correction period, thus is currently ongoing and the final account and out-turn costs remain to be agreed. The defects correction period is the duration stipulated in the contract following completion of the works or scheme, which is defined by issue of the ‘Certificate of Substantial Completion’. During this period if there are any defects in the works or scheme arising out of the quality of the works and construction they have to be rectified by the contractor, at their expense.\r\nInformation in relation to the contract and previously released freedom of information requests are available on the Erskine Bridge website at the following link: \r\nhttp://www.transportscotland.gov.uk/project/a898-erskine-bridge-vehicle-barrier-replacement","AnswerDate":"2015-03-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301307,"EventID":"S4W-24669","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-26T13:56:30.457","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-26T09:36:29.06","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the cost was per day of the lane occupation charges agreed with contractors to discourage late completion of the A898 Erskine Bridge Vehicle Barrier Replacement project.","AnswerText":"The works for the A898 Erskine Bridge Barrier Replacement contract were substantially complete in May 2014 and finished, after the Commonwealth Games, in early September 2014. The contract for these works is within the defects correction period, thus is currently ongoing and the final account and out-turn costs remain to be agreed. The defects correction period is the duration stipulated in the contract following completion of the works or scheme, which is defined by issue of the ‘Certificate of Substantial Completion’. During this period if there are any defects in the works or scheme arising out of the quality of the works and construction they have to be rectified by the contractor, at their expense.\r\nInformation in relation to the contract and previously released freedom of information requests are available on the Erskine Bridge website at the following link: \r\nhttp://www.transportscotland.gov.uk/project/a898-erskine-bridge-vehicle-barrier-replacement","AnswerDate":"2015-03-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301308,"EventID":"S4W-24671","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-26T13:56:30.943","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-26T12:18:14","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what support is available to young farmers who want to (a) rent and (b) purchase their own farm.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Rural Development Programme (SRDP) will provide Scotland’s new entrant young farmers with help towards the start-up costs associated with a new farming business.\r\nAll costs, including land acquisition, linked to an approved business plan will be eligible for support up to a maximum of 70,000 (£53,000).\r\nThe proposals for the SRDP were submitted to the European Commission in mid-2014. It is hoped that approval of the programme in its entirety will be secured by summer 2015. We have already secured approval to open the new entrants start-up scheme for applications to assist applicants nearing the age threshold.","AnswerDate":"2015-03-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Richard Lochhead","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301309,"EventID":"S4W-24672","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1860,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-26T13:56:31.253","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-26T12:55:27","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to reduce the level of delayed discharges at Western Isles Hospital,  Stornoway.","AnswerText":"We are working closely with NHS Western Isles and the Comhairle nan Eilean Siar to ensure a reduction in the number of delayed discharges. To assist, we are investing £100 million over the next three years. Western Isles will receive £640,000 of this funding, which will help develop a range of community services that will ensure people are discharged from hospital without unnecessary delay.","AnswerDate":"2015-03-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301310,"EventID":"S4W-24673","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1860,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-26T13:56:31.553","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-26T12:55:27","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on making available the capital grant of approximately £450,000 that has been estimated to be required to furnish the Bethesda Care Home and Hospice to a standard that would help reduce the level of delayed discharges at Western Isles Hospital, Stornoway.","AnswerText":"We are currently in discussion with NHS Western Isles and the Comhairle nan Eilean Siar regarding the future of the Bethesda Care Home.","AnswerDate":"2015-03-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301311,"EventID":"S4W-24674","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1860,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-26T14:03:51.673","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-26T12:55:27","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what steps it will take to support (a) patients and (b) the families of patients if they are referred to mainland hospitals due to delayed discharges at Western Isles Hospital, Stornoway.","AnswerText":"We are working closely with NHS Western Isles and the Comhairle nan Eileen Siar to ensure a reduction in the level of delayed discharges. However, to date NHS Western Isles have not been required to transfer any patients to the mainland due to delayed discharges.\r\nTo assist all partnerships tackle delayed discharge we are investing £100 million over the next three years, and NHS Western Isles will receive a £640,000 share of this funding.","AnswerDate":"2015-03-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301312,"EventID":"S4W-24675","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1860,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-26T13:56:32.193","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-26T12:55:27","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what public consultation must be carried out by NHS boards before decisions are reached regarding reducing the number of hospital beds.","AnswerText":"NHS boards are required to involve people in designing, developing and delivering the health care services they provide for them whether those services are delivered in hospital, in the community or at home. The Scottish Government has introduced guidance – ‘Informing, Engaging and Consulting People in Developing Health and Community Care Services’ (CEL(04)10) – which sets out responsibilities for all NHS boards to inform, engage and consult their patients and the wider public and how that process should work. The guidance is available at:\r\nhttp://www.sehd.scot.nhs.uk/mels/CEL2010_04.pdf","AnswerDate":"2015-03-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301313,"EventID":"S4W-24676","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1860,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-26T13:56:32.473","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-26T12:55:27","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what support it provides to NHS Western Isles to allow elective surgery to be carried out at the Ospadal Uibhist agus Bharraigh (Uist and Barra Hospital), Benbecula.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government provides policies, frameworks and resources to all NHS boards, including NHS Western Isles, in order that they can plan and deliver the services that meet the needs of their local population. In terms of NHS Western Isles budget, from 2014-15 to 2015-16, the board’s budget will increase by £1.7 million (2.7%) from £62.2 million to £63.9 million.\r\nI have asked NHS Western Isles to write to you directly about the elective surgery carried out and Uist and Barra Hospital.","AnswerDate":"2015-03-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301314,"EventID":"S4W-24677","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3806,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-26T17:06:56.197","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-26T14:17:54.457","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many applications there have been for a Freight Facilities Grant for (a) rail and (b) sea freight in each year since 2011 and how many were awarded.","AnswerText":"Freight Facilities Grant applications and awards since 2011.\r\n\r\nApplications\r\nAwards\r\nYear\r\nRail\r\nCoastal Shipping\r\nRail\r\nCoastal Shipping\r\n2011\r\n2\r\n2\r\n1\r\n1\r\n2012\r\n4\r\n1\r\n0\r\n0\r\n2013\r\n2\r\n1\r\n0\r\n0\r\n2014\r\n2\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n2015\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0","AnswerDate":"2015-03-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301315,"EventID":"S4W-24678","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3806,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-26T17:06:56.463","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-26T14:17:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many applications there have been to the Mode Shift Revenue Support Scheme for (a) rail and (b) sea freight in each year since 2011 and how many were awarded.","AnswerText":"Mode Shift Revenue Support applications and awards since 2011.\r\n\r\nApplications1\r\nYear\r\nRail\r\nScotland only services2\r\nScotland-England cross-border services3\r\nInland Waterways4\r\n2011\r\n3\r\n9\r\n1\r\n2012\r\n3\r\n13\r\n1\r\n2013\r\n2\r\n9\r\n0\r\n2014\r\n2\r\n9\r\n0\r\n2015\r\n2\r\n8\r\n0\r\n\r\n\r\nAwards1\r\nYear\r\nRail\r\nScotland only services\r\nScotland-England cross-border services\r\nInland Waterways \r\n2011\r\n3\r\n9\r\n1\r\n2012\r\n3\r\n13\r\n1\r\n2013\r\n2\r\n9\r\n0\r\n2014\r\n2\r\n9\r\n0\r\n2015\r\n2\r\n8\r\n0\r\nNotes:\r\n1. Awards of Mode Shift Revenue Support (MSRS) are made for a maximum period of one financial year, with annual application required.\r\n2. Scotland-only services are administered and funded by the Scottish Government.\r\n3. Scotland-England cross-border services are administered by either the Scottish Government or the UK Government depending on which country the majority of environmental benefits of services are generated. These services are funded jointly by the Scottish Government and the UK Government with contributions based on the share of environmental benefits generated in Scotland and England.\r\n4. MSRS is available to rail and inland waterways movements only.","AnswerDate":"2015-03-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301316,"EventID":"S4W-24679","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3806,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-26T17:06:56.743","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-26T14:17:54.457","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many applications there have been for a Waterborne Freight Grant in each year since 2011 and how many were awarded.","AnswerText":"Since 2011 there has been one application for Waterborne Freight Grant. This was applied for and awarded in 2014.","AnswerDate":"2015-03-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301317,"EventID":"S4W-24680","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3806,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-26T17:06:57.023","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-26T14:17:54.457","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what actions it plans to promote greater use of Freight Facilities Grants.","AnswerText":"We will continue to promote all our freight mode-shift grant schemes, including Freight Facilities Grants, through regular engagement with the road, rail and waterborne freight industries and their representative bodies. This will be achieved through information on the Transport Scotland website, emails to a large database of stakeholders and direct contact with potential applicants.\r\nWe focus promotion of our freight mode-shift grant schemes on the freight industry as it is best placed to identify where rail and waterborne freight solutions offer a practical alternative to road and then promote these to potential customers.","AnswerDate":"2015-03-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301318,"EventID":"S4W-24681","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1845,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-26T17:06:57.29","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-26T14:43:03","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what discussions have taken place between Transport Scotland and (a) Aberdeenshire Council and (b) NESTRANS regarding the potential introduction of average speed cameras on the (i) A96 and (ii) A90.","AnswerText":"No such discussions have taken place regarding the A96 and the A90.","AnswerDate":"2015-03-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301319,"EventID":"S4W-24682","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1845,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-26T17:06:57.633","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-26T14:43:03","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what discussions have taken place between Transport Scotland and Moray Council regarding the potential introduction of average speed cameras on the A96.","AnswerText":"No such discussions have taken place.","AnswerDate":"2015-03-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301320,"EventID":"S4W-24684","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2135,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":92,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-26T17:06:57.977","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-26T15:54:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its expectations are regarding NHS boards' provision of dental services to remote rural communities.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is committed to ensuring that patients who wish to have access to NHS dental services are able to do so, regardless of geography.\r\nConsiderable progress has been made by boards with regard to access to an NHS dentist in rural areas. The following table shows the proportion of people registered with a NHS dentist in September 2014 (the latest figures available), compared with September 2007, for a number of rural board areas:\r\nNHS Board\r\n% Registered with a NHS Dentist\r\n\r\nSeptember 2007\r\nSeptember 2014\r\nAyrshire and Arran\r\n57.9\r\n89.6\r\nDumfries and Galloway\r\n46.2\r\n81.6\r\nHighland\r\n35.9\r\n74.0\r\nOrkney\r\n36.8\r\n76.1\r\nShetland\r\n44.0\r\n81.2\r\nWestern Isles\r\n40.6\r\n76.7\r\nSource: Information Services Division, MIDAS, November 2014","AnswerDate":"2015-03-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301321,"EventID":"S4W-24685","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2135,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":92,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-26T17:06:58.26","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-26T15:54:59.88","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to ensure that NHS Highland delivers dental services to remote rural and island communities.","AnswerText":"Independent Dentists:\r\nA number of specific incentives are available to independent dentists wishing to provide NHS General Dental Services (GDS) in remote and rural communities, and islands.\r\nThe Scottish Government funds a programme of Scottish Dental Access Initiative (SDAI) grants in designated areas that have been identified by each NHS board as having unmet patient demand. SDAI grants provide funding support to dentists to establish new, expand or purchase existing NHS dental practices.\r\nThe list of designated areas that qualify for SDAI support are reviewed, in conjunction with boards, on a regular basis; in the case of NHS Highland, SDAI grants are presently available in Islay.\r\nIndependent dentists who provide GDS from a remote or rural location also benefit from a Remote Areas Allowance. A dentist who provides NHS GDS in an island location, or in an area which has less than 0.5 persons per hectare, can be eligible for payments of up to £9,000 per annum.\r\nPublic Dental Services:\r\nThe Public Dental Service (PDS) is also available to NHS boards to provide NHS GDS to people who cannot access care from independent dentists. The Scottish Government works closely with NHS boards in remote and rural areas on dental provision. Where the provision of routine care from independent dentists has been exhausted, the Scottish Government continues to fund an effective PDS for people without access to NHS dental treatment.","AnswerDate":"2015-03-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301322,"EventID":"S4W-24686","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2135,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":92,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-26T17:06:58.54","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-26T15:54:59.88","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what representations it has received regarding NHS Highland's provision of dental services to remote rural and island communities.","AnswerText":"In the last twelve months two individuals, and one MSP on behalf of a constituent, have written to Scottish Ministers about the provision of dental services in Oban.\r\nIn the last twelve months one parliamentary question (S4W-21447 answered on 12 June 2014) has been tabled about the provision of dental services in Skye. Parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at: \r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx","AnswerDate":"2015-03-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301323,"EventID":"S4W-24687","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2135,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":92,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-26T17:06:58.807","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-26T15:54:59.88","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what powers it has to ensure that NHS boards deliver dental services to remote rural and island communities. ","AnswerText":"The National Health Service (Scotland) Act 1978 places a duty on every NHS board, in accordance with the regulations, to make arrangements with dental practitioners to provide NHS General Dental Services (GDS).\r\nIn the event that service provision is inadequate, NHS boards can put in place other arrangements. These can include provision of NHS GDS by the Public Dental Service, or the board can make special arrangements with an independent contractor to provide NHS GDS at suitable centres or in the homes of persons requiring such services.","AnswerDate":"2015-03-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301324,"EventID":"S4W-24688","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2135,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":92,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-26T17:06:59.087","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-26T15:54:59.88","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it considers adequate dental services in remote rural or island communities that do not provide regular dental assistance to children in schools nor sufficient capacity to allow regular dental check-ups for all patients.","AnswerText":"In the overwhelming majority of remote, rural, and island communities the level of provision is sufficient.\r\nWhere additional capacity is required, boards can make necessary arrangements to ensure that the level of provision is adequate.","AnswerDate":"2015-03-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301325,"EventID":"S4W-24689","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4014,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-26T16:48:17.6","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-26T16:05:22.8","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it calculated the predicted cost of £880 million for 30 hours of funded weekly nursery care by 2020.","AnswerText":"The estimated annual revenue cost of £880 million in 2019-20 is based on publicly available information identifying current spend, and on the funding model agreed with COSLA for the current expansion of early learning and childcare to 600 hours.","AnswerDate":"2015-03-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fiona McLeod","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301341,"EventID":"S4W-24690","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4934,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-27T13:50:22.767","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-26T17:53:55.78","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the threat to (a) the beekeeping industry and (b) wild bees from the small hive beetle.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government take the threat of the introduction of the small hive beetle (SHB) extremely seriously and have already taken, and continue to take, a proactive approach. In order to keep abreast of the latest developments we are in frequent contact with the National Bee Unit (NBU) in York who provide reports from the European Commission and the Italian authorities.\r\nSeveral initiatives have been put in place to ensure early detection of SHB, these include:\r\nProviding training and guidance materials on pest recognition to Scottish Government Bee Inspectors and to inspectors responsible for checking UK imports of plants and plant products (e.g. Plant Health and Seeds Inspectors and Horticulture Marketing Inspectors);\r\nMonitoring and inspecting imports of honey bees;\r\nChecking imports of fresh fruit and herbs both at point of entry and from supermarket shelves; \r\nEstablishing a series of sentinel apiaries around the country focussing on risk points (e.g. airports or sea ports) where voluntary beekeepers monitor the apiaries for a range of pests and diseases and report their findings to the Scottish Government.\r\nChecking for SHB through our honey bee health surveillance programme which covers the whole of Scotland in an intensive inspection programme;\r\nWorking with beekeeper associations, government agencies and importer trade associations to raise awareness amongst beekeepers, plant produce importers and growers who use managed bees for pollination services.","AnswerDate":"2015-03-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Richard Lochhead","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301342,"EventID":"S4W-24691","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4934,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-27T13:50:23.297","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-26T17:53:55.78","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on restricting the import of bees.","AnswerText":"The free trade of animals and their products within the EU represents an important and significant contribution to the UK economy. The rules governing membership of the EU prevent Member States taking actions that interfere with free trade.\r\nHowever trade may bring a risk of animal diseases, therefore imports (including bees) from EU Member States and third countries are subject to strict controls under EU and national rules. In order to further reduce risk, countries where a notifiable disease or pest has been confirmed must apply ‘safeguard measures’ to control and prevent the spread of infection, this includes a ban on exports from an area around infected sites.\r\nIt is also important that beekeepers exercise care to ensure that pests and diseases are not imported into the UK. The best defence is for beekeepers to be proactive in making themselves aware of the signs of diseases and to source bees that are healthy.\r\nDetailed guidance is available at: \r\nhttps://secure.fera.defra.gov.uk/beebase/index.cfm?pageid=126","AnswerDate":"2015-03-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Richard Lochhead","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301343,"EventID":"S4W-24692","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4947,"Party":"Independent","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-27T13:50:23.547","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-27T11:29:43.787","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many times each of the four weekday trains from Wick was cancelled for all or part of its journey due to (a) track problems including signalling and (b) congestion on the line due to other trains being late in the period from July to December 2014.","AnswerText":"There were 13 full or part cancellations reported for the six months 1 July to 31 December 2014 for trains from Wick to Inverness, for the reasons cited in the question. The reported reasons include:\r\nReason\r\nNumber of full or part cancellations\r\nTrack defects\r\n1\r\nPower supply failure\r\n2\r\nOther network issue (no further information available)\r\n1\r\nLeaf contamination of railhead\r\n1\r\nLevel crossing failures\r\n2\r\nPoints failures\r\n1\r\nRadio/telecoms systems\r\n4\r\nToken systems\r\n1\r\nNo full or part cancellations were reported because of congestion on the line due to other trains being late.","AnswerDate":"2015-03-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301344,"EventID":"S4W-24693","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4947,"Party":"Independent","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-27T13:50:23.847","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-27T11:29:43.787","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to ensure that mountain rescue services remain properly funded.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government provides annual grant funding to Scottish Mountain Rescue (SMR) of £312,000, to distribute to the 27 voluntary teams across Scotland, and is the only government in the UK to do so. The Scottish Government has taken steps to develop a good working relationship with SMR and assists further, financially, if it is able to meet any additional requests. SMR are grateful for the continued financial support, acknowledging that it goes some way to meeting the cost of delivering Scotland’s world class mountain rescue service.","AnswerDate":"2015-03-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301352,"EventID":"S4W-24696","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5556,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":111,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-27T15:38:26.313","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-27T13:25:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on extending the moratorium on fracking to include underground coal gasification.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-24475 on 8 October 2015. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.","AnswerDate":"2015-10-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301353,"EventID":"S4W-24697","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5556,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":111,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-27T15:38:26.58","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-27T13:25:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on reports of serious groundwater contamination and large carbon emissions being associated with underground coal gasification.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-24475 on 8 October 2015. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.","AnswerDate":"2015-10-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301354,"EventID":"S4W-24698","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5556,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":111,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-27T15:38:26.797","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-27T13:25:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government for what reason the moratorium on fracking does not include underground coal gasification.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-24475 on 8 October 2015. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.","AnswerDate":"2015-10-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301355,"EventID":"S4W-24699","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5556,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":111,"ApprovedDate":"2015-02-27T15:38:27.033","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-27T13:25:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on the recent comment from Friends of the Earth Scotland that \"underground coal gasification is the most experimental and frightening method of unconventional gas extraction\".","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-24475 on 8 October 2015. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.","AnswerDate":"2015-10-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301361,"EventID":"S4W-24700","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4939,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":78,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-02T13:40:27.4","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-27T15:39:16.643","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with Falkirk Council regarding the proposal to reduce the primary school week from 25 to 22.5 hours in 2016-17.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301362,"EventID":"S4W-24701","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4939,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":78,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-02T13:40:28.197","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-27T15:45:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it considers that Falkirk Council's proposed reduction in the number of hours in a school day will have an impact on pupil attainment in the Falkirk area.","AnswerText":"The statutory responsibility for the provision of adequate and effective education rests with individual local authorities, including the requirement that all schools must be open for 190 days. It is for individual councils to determine the length and structure of the school day.\r\nFalkirk Council’s provisional budget for 2016-17 includes a proposal to reduce the primary school week from 25 hours to 22.5 hours from August 2016, delivering a reduction in teacher costs. The Scottish Government has been consistent in our commitment to maintain teacher numbers as part of our priority to raise attainment.","AnswerDate":"2015-03-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alasdair Allan","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301363,"EventID":"S4W-24702","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1768,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":131,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-02T13:40:28.913","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-02T11:15:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government which minister has portfolio responsibility to grant a local community permission to sell its village hall.","AnswerText":"Where a trust deed for a village hall requires the consent of the Secretary of State for Scotland for any changes, this responsibility has not transferred to the Scottish Ministers. The community should therefore contact the Scotland Office.","AnswerDate":"2015-03-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Marco Biagi","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301364,"EventID":"S4T-00954","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":9,"MSPID":5034,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-02T12:50:11.893","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-02T11:19:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it has taken to suspend the use of transvaginal mesh implants since the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Wellbeing called for this on 17 June 2014.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":"2015-03-03T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301365,"EventID":"S4T-00957","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":9,"MSPID":2892,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-02T12:50:13.747","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-02T11:37:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what concerns it has regarding reports that an anti-Muslim demonstration is to be called by the organisation, Pegida Scotland.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":"2015-03-03T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301366,"EventID":"S4T-00959","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":9,"MSPID":4940,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-02T12:50:15.077","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-02T11:54:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to the findings of the research commissioned by the Welfare Reform Committee, which suggest that parents and disabled people are being hit hardest by the UK Government's welfare reforms.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":"2015-03-03T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301377,"EventID":"S4W-24703","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":2,"MSPID":4964,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":119,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-02T12:46:39.013","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-02T12:37:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it will update the Government Economic Strategy.","AnswerText":"Scotland’s Economic Strategy was published today and is available at www.gov.scot/economicstrategy. \r\nThe strategy sets out how the Scottish Government and its partners will deliver on its vision to make Scotland a more successful country, with opportunities for all, through increasing sustainable economic growth. It brings increased focus to the dual objectives of boosting competitiveness and tackling inequality, and sets out the priorities that the Scottish Government will target to achieve these mutually reinforcing goals.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-03-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301378,"EventID":"S4F-02627","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":5009,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-02T12:49:33.093","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-02-26T12:52:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister what issues will be discussed at the next meeting of the Cabinet.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":"2015-03-05T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301379,"EventID":"S4F-02629","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":4014,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-02T12:49:34.117","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-02T09:06:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister what the Scottish Government's position is on the National Trust for Scotland, the John Muir Trust and RSPB Scotland's view that the planning process should be wholly independent of government.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":"2015-03-05T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301380,"EventID":"S4F-02630","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":3812,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-02T12:49:35.087","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-02T09:24:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister what engagements she has planned for the rest of the day.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":"2015-03-05T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301381,"EventID":"S4F-02631","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":4976,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-02T12:49:35.87","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-02T09:30:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister when she will next meet the Secretary of State for Scotland.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":"2015-03-05T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301382,"EventID":"S4F-02632","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":3763,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-02T12:49:36.447","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-02T09:55:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister what discussions the Scottish Government has had with the MOD regarding environmental concerns on the River Clyde.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":"2015-03-05T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301383,"EventID":"S4F-02633","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-02T12:49:37.187","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-02T10:23:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister what measures the Scottish Government is taking to ensure that NHS 24 is able to recruit and retain the staff it needs.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":"2015-03-05T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301384,"EventID":"S4W-24705","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1943,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-02T15:32:15.02","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-02T15:15:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much the transmission charges are for 2014-15, broken down by power station.","AnswerText":"The specific information requested is not routinely compiled or published by the Scottish Government. Transmission charges are administered by National Grid Electricity Transmission plc which publishes details of the tariffs that apply to different zones across Great Britain on its website at: \r\nhttp://www2.nationalgrid.com/uk/Industry-information/System-charges/Electricity-transmission/Transmission-Network-Use-of-System-Charges/Statement-of-Use-of-System-Charges/.\r\nTransmission charging is an increasingly critical issue in relation to future electricity generation in Scotland and as such the Scottish Government has asked National Grid to make public as much information as possible about the charges applied to particular power stations. This is further to our request that National Grid publishes its full detailed analysis of security of supply in Scotland, to ensure proper scrutiny of this matter which is of utmost national importance.","AnswerDate":"2015-03-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301386,"EventID":"S4W-24704","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1768,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":131,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-02T16:40:52.35","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-02T14:43:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many wind turbines have been decommissioned in each of the last two years for which figures are available, broken down by (a) location and (b) the reason for decommissioning.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government does not centrally hold information on the decommissioning of wind turbines. It is the responsibility of the relevant planning authorities to monitor conditions of a planning consent, including those relating to the decommissioning of wind turbines.","AnswerDate":"2015-03-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301390,"EventID":"S4W-24707","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4964,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":119,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-03T13:55:24.657","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-02T16:13:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much public money would be available for (a) Scotland and (b) the rest of the UK from 2015 to 2020 if UK departmental spending was increased by 0.5% each year, and what information it has regarding how this compares with the spending plans (i) announced by the UK Government and (ii) proposed by the UK Labour Party.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government proposed that UK public spending on day-to-day public services is increased in real terms by 0.5% from 2016-17 to 2019-20.\r\nUsing Office for Budgetary Responsibility forecasts of the UK economy, it was estimated that this would provide the following total department expenditure funds for the UK and Scotland over the period 2015-16 to 2019-20:\r\nAll figures in real terms (2014-15)\r\n2015-16\r\n2016-17\r\n2017-18\r\n2018-19\r\n2019-20\r\nUK Spending on Public Services (Departmental Expenditure Limit) (assumes increase spending by 0.5% per annum from 2016-17)\r\n382\r\n384\r\n385\r\n387\r\n389\r\nScottish Spending on Total Departmental Expenditure Limit (assumes increase spending by 0.5% per annum from 2016-17)\r\n32\r\n32\r\n32\r\n32\r\n32\r\nOver the whole period 2015-16 to 2019-20, it was estimated this represents:\r\ni) £179 billion of extra resources for the UK and around £14 billion extra for Scotland, compared to plans announced and implied by the UK Government at Autumn Statement 2014.\r\nii) £79 billion of extra resources for the UK and around £6 billion extra for Scotland, compared to plans announced and implied by the Labour Party.","AnswerDate":"2015-03-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301391,"EventID":"S4W-24708","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-03T13:55:25.53","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-03T08:23:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it plans to review the legislation regarding intestacy, and how it will consult people who consider that the current law has had a negative impact on them.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Law Commission (the Commission) reviewed the law of succession and issued a report in 2009: Report on Succession (Scot Law Com No 215). The report made recommendations on a range of succession issues including:\r\n\r\nIntestacy (where a person dies without making a will);\r\nProtection against disinheritance; \r\nProtection for cohabitants;\r\nBonds of caution (a form of indemnity insurance) for executors-dative;\r\nA range of technical issues on jurisdiction, choice of law, wills and survivorship.\r\nThe Scottish Government carried out a period of informal pre-consultation dialogue with a number of stakeholders on the report’s key recommendations. Since then the Scottish Government issued a consultation on technical issues relating to succession http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2014/08/1185 in August 2014. Responses are currently being analysed and will inform the Succession Bill announced in the Programme for Government on 26 November 2014.\r\nThat consultation paper made it clear that a second formal and public consultation on the more complex and substantive proposals for reform of succession, including intestacy, will follow later this year. Alongside that exercise, an attitudes survey will be commissioned to replicate an earlier study carried out in 2005 – ‘Attitudes Towards Succession Law: Findings of a Scottish Omnibus Survey’\r\nhttp://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2005/07/18151328/13297\r\nThe analysis of both will inform the way forward.","AnswerDate":"2015-03-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Paul Wheelhouse","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301392,"EventID":"S4W-24710","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-03T13:55:26.17","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-03T08:46:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when the Minister for Housing and Welfare last visited the Deans South housing estate in Livingston.","AnswerText":"The Minister for Housing and Welfare (and predecessors) has been kept fully briefed on the situation concerning the Deans South housing estate in Livingston and has met with the local MSP, elected representatives and council officials on five occasions over the last five years to discuss. The most recent of these occasions was on 1 May 2014 with Angela Constance MSP. The Minister for Housing and Welfare has not visited the estate.","AnswerDate":"2015-03-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Burgess","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301393,"EventID":"S4W-24711","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-03T13:55:26.867","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-03T08:46:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on the reported long-standing problems at the Deans South housing estate in Livingston; what action it is taking to resolve these matters, and what resources it has offered West Lothian Council to help purchase the remaining properties on the estate.","AnswerText":"West Lothian Council, as the strategic housing authority, is responsible for resolving the housing situation in Deans South, Livingston and its offer to buy back any of the owner-occupied properties, at the District Valuer valuation plus £15,000, will continue until August 2015.\r\nThe Scottish Government has and continues to offer preferential access to eligible owners to its Open Market Shared Equity (OMSE) scheme to assist a move to another property. 37 of the 47 eligible owners have either taken advantage of this scheme, or have agreed for the council to purchase their property. The availability of preferential access for eligible owners to the OMSE scheme is currently available to 31 August 2015.\r\nIn the last nine years, Scottish Government funding of over £6.5 million has been spent in the area on funding for owners who purchased through the Open Market Shared Equity scheme; funding for Castle Rock Edinvar Housing Association to develop a site for 56 units to the west of Deans South, and on the acquisition of land and other associated costs.","AnswerDate":"2015-03-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Burgess","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301394,"EventID":"S4W-24714","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3806,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-03T13:55:27.54","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-03T11:00:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many road collisions took place in each local authority area in the last 12 months involving a (a) motor vehicle and a cyclist and (b) cyclist and a pedestrian.","AnswerText":"Reported road casualties Scotland provides information on injury road accidents reported to the police. The latest statistics available cover the year 2013.\r\nThe following table shows the number of injury road accidents involving motor vehicles and cyclists and cyclists and pedestrians by local authority area for 2013. The numbers for accidents involving cyclists and pedestrians are small and should be treated with caution when making any comparisons.\r\nNumber of injury road accidents by local authority, 2013\r\n\r\nAt least one motor vehicle and at least one cyclist\r\nAt least one cyclist and at least one pedestrian\r\nAberdeen City\r\n46\r\n1\r\nAberdeenshire\r\n16\r\n0\r\nAngus\r\n10\r\n0\r\nArgyll and Bute\r\n8\r\n0\r\nClackmannanshire\r\n16\r\n0\r\nDumfries and Galloway\r\n10\r\n0\r\nDundee City\r\n25\r\n0\r\nEast Ayrshire\r\n13\r\n1\r\nEast Dunbartonshire\r\n6\r\n0\r\nEast Lothian\r\n18\r\n0\r\nEast Renfrewshire\r\n13\r\n1\r\nEdinburgh, City of\r\n228\r\n7\r\nEilean Siar\r\n0\r\n0\r\nFalkirk\r\n24\r\n0\r\nFife\r\n59\r\n1\r\nGlasgow City\r\n130\r\n4\r\nHighland\r\n24\r\n2\r\nInverclyde\r\n8\r\n0\r\nMidlothian\r\n7\r\n0\r\nMoray\r\n7\r\n0\r\nNorth Ayrshire\r\n15\r\n0\r\nNorth Lanarkshire\r\n29\r\n4\r\nOrkney Islands\r\n2\r\n0\r\nPerth and Kinross\r\n14\r\n0\r\nRenfrewshire\r\n21\r\n0\r\nScottish Borders\r\n9\r\n0\r\nShetland\r\n0\r\n0\r\nSouth Ayrshire\r\n16\r\n0\r\nSouth Lanarkshire\r\n27\r\n0\r\nStirling\r\n18\r\n0\r\nWest Dunbartonshire\r\n12\r\n0\r\nWest Lothian\r\n21\r\n0\r\nTotal\r\n852\r\n21\r\nSource: Reported Road Casualties Scotland 2013, Transport Scotland\r\nNote: Motor vehicle includes cars, goods vehicles, motor cycles and electric vehicles.","AnswerDate":"2015-03-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301395,"EventID":"S4W-24715","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3806,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-03T13:55:28.217","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-03T11:01:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, in road collisions involving (a) vehicles and pedestrians and (b) cyclists and pedestrians in the last 12 months, in what percentage of cases the (i) driver, (ii) cyclist and (iii) pedestrian was at fault, broken down by local authority area.\r\n","AnswerText":"No information is held on those at fault in injury road accidents.\r\nHowever, information on contributory factors to road accidents is available from the police as part of the GB wide “STATS 19” road accident data collection. The data collection allows the reporting officer to include up to 6 pre-defined factors that give an indication of the circumstances that lead to the accident occurring based on information available at the time. The latest statistics available cover the year 2013. \r\n\r\nPercentage of contributory factors in each category for accidents involving at least one motor vehicle and at least one pedestrian, by local authority, 2013\r\n\r\nRoad Environment\r\nVehicle defects\r\nDriver / Rider\r\nPedestrian\r\nSpecial cases\r\nother\r\nAberdeen City\r\n1%\r\n0%\r\n28%\r\n69%\r\n1%\r\n1%\r\nAberdeenshire\r\n1%\r\n0%\r\n35%\r\n63%\r\n0%\r\n0%\r\nAngus\r\n0%\r\n0%\r\n53%\r\n44%\r\n0%\r\n3%\r\nArgyll and Bute\r\n0%\r\n6%\r\n44%\r\n44%\r\n0%\r\n6%\r\nClackmannanshire\r\n0%\r\n0%\r\n29%\r\n67%\r\n0%\r\n5%\r\nDumfries and Galloway\r\n5%\r\n0%\r\n24%\r\n71%\r\n0%\r\n0%\r\nDundee City\r\n1%\r\n0%\r\n29%\r\n68%\r\n0%\r\n2%\r\nEast Ayrshire\r\n0%\r\n0%\r\n15%\r\n85%\r\n0%\r\n0%\r\nEast Dunbartonshire\r\n6%\r\n0%\r\n48%\r\n46%\r\n0%\r\n0%\r\nEast Lothian\r\n0%\r\n0%\r\n40%\r\n60%\r\n0%\r\n0%\r\nEast Renfrewshire\r\n0%\r\n0%\r\n45%\r\n55%\r\n0%\r\n0%\r\nEdinburgh, City of\r\n1%\r\n0%\r\n35%\r\n61%\r\n0%\r\n2%\r\nEilean Siar\r\n8%\r\n0%\r\n15%\r\n77%\r\n0%\r\n0%\r\nFalkirk\r\n6%\r\n0%\r\n48%\r\n44%\r\n0%\r\n2%\r\nFife\r\n1%\r\n1%\r\n35%\r\n62%\r\n0%\r\n0%\r\nGlasgow City\r\n2%\r\n1%\r\n31%\r\n65%\r\n0%\r\n2%\r\nHighland\r\n0%\r\n0%\r\n40%\r\n57%\r\n1%\r\n1%\r\nInverclyde\r\n0%\r\n0%\r\n27%\r\n73%\r\n0%\r\n0%\r\nMidlothian\r\n0%\r\n0%\r\n26%\r\n74%\r\n0%\r\n0%\r\nMoray\r\n3%\r\n0%\r\n50%\r\n48%\r\n0%\r\n0%\r\nNorth Ayrshire\r\n1%\r\n1%\r\n30%\r\n62%\r\n1%\r\n4%\r\nNorth Lanarkshire\r\n1%\r\n0%\r\n33%\r\n65%\r\n1%\r\n1%\r\nOrkney Islands\r\n0%\r\n0%\r\n71%\r\n29%\r\n0%\r\n0%\r\nPerth and Kinross\r\n6%\r\n0%\r\n40%\r\n53%\r\n1%\r\n0%\r\nRenfrewshire\r\n2%\r\n1%\r\n34%\r\n59%\r\n1%\r\n2%\r\nScottish Borders\r\n0%\r\n0%\r\n37%\r\n60%\r\n0%\r\n3%\r\nShetland Islands\r\n0%\r\n0%\r\n67%\r\n33%\r\n0%\r\n0%\r\nSouth Ayrshire\r\n3%\r\n0%\r\n35%\r\n62%\r\n0%\r\n0%\r\nSouth Lanarkshire\r\n5%\r\n0%\r\n26%\r\n60%\r\n7%\r\n2%\r\nStirling\r\n6%\r\n2%\r\n46%\r\n42%\r\n2%\r\n2%\r\nWest Dunbartonshire\r\n4%\r\n0%\r\n26%\r\n68%\r\n2%\r\n0%\r\nWest Lothian\r\n0%\r\n0%\r\n31%\r\n65%\r\n0%\r\n4%\r\nScotland\r\n2%\r\n0%\r\n34%\r\n62%\r\n1%\r\n1%\r\nSource: Reported Road Casualties Scotland 2013, Transport Scotland\r\nNotes:\r\n1. Based on 2,613 contributory factors from 1,297 reported injury road accidents that included at least one motor vehicle and at least one pedestrian, where an officer attended the accident.\r\n2. Due to rounding, individual figures may not sum to 100.\r\n3. Motor vehicle includes cars, goods vehicles, motor cycles and electric vehicles.\r\n\r\nPercentage of contributory factors in each category for accidents involving at least one pedal cyclist and at least on pedestrian, by local authority, 2013\r\n\r\nVehicle defects\r\nDriver/Rider\r\nPedestrian\r\nAberdeen City\r\n0%\r\n100%\r\n0%\r\nEast Ayrshire\r\n0%\r\n100%\r\n0%\r\nEdinburgh, City of\r\n0%\r\n0%\r\n100%\r\nFife\r\n0%\r\n0%\r\n100%\r\nGlasgow City\r\n20%\r\n60%\r\n20%\r\nHighland\r\n0%\r\n100%\r\n0%\r\nNorth Lanarkshire\r\n0%\r\n75%\r\n25%\r\nScotland\r\n6%\r\n65%\r\n29%\r\nSource: Reported Road Casualties Scotland 2013, Transport Scotland\r\nNotes:\r\n1. Based on 17 contributory factors from 17 reported injury road accidents that included at least one pedal cyclist and at least one pedestrian, where an officer attended the accident.\r\n2. Only authority areas where at least one accident occurred involving a pedal cyclist and pedestrian are included.\r\n3. Due to small numbers involved percentages may be subject to relatively large variation.","AnswerDate":"2015-03-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301396,"EventID":"S4W-24716","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4014,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-03T13:55:28.883","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-03T11:01:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what support it is providing to help grow the sport of lawn bowling at grass roots level.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government’s support for lawn bowling in Scotland is routed through sportscotland, the national agency for sport. They invest in Bowls Scotland, the Scottish Governing Body, focussing on governance, development and performance. See the following table showing their investment since 2007:\r\nYears\r\nAmount\r\n2013-15*\r\n £633,624 \r\n2012-13\r\n £333,167 \r\n2011-12\r\n £301,500 \r\n2010-11\r\n £301,500 \r\n2009-10\r\n £301,500 \r\n2008-09\r\n £154,500 \r\n2007-08\r\n £126,500 \r\n*sportscotland’s investment of £633,624 into bowls for the period 2013-15 is based on a 19-month realignment investment (realigning the governing body’s year end to that of sportscotland’s). The longer time period also explains the increased amount of funding.","AnswerDate":"2015-03-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301397,"EventID":"S4W-24717","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4014,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-03T13:55:29.443","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-03T11:01:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what support it will provide to bowling clubs to address the impact on them of the introduction of rates.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government funds a range of business rates relief, including the Small Business Bonus Scheme and relief for registered charities and Community Amateur Sports Clubs, for which many bowling clubs will be eligible. Information for applicants is available at the Scottish Government's online business portal: www.business.scotland.gov.uk/view/guide/business-rates-relief.\r\n\r\nSupport and information are available to sport clubs from sportscotland through their ‘Direct Club Investment’ and ‘Help for Clubs’ initiatives. Their website can be found at: http://www.sportscotland.org.uk/clubs/help-for-clubs","AnswerDate":"2015-03-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301398,"EventID":"S4W-24718","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-03T13:55:29.967","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-03T11:13:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide the names of the (a) people and (b) organisations outwith the Scottish Government involved in the implementation of The Digital Strategy for Justice in Scotland.","AnswerText":"The Digital Strategy for Scotland implementation programme involves a range of organisations across the justice sector, other public services, and private, third sector and voluntary organisations. We expect the list of organisations to grow as work progresses.\r\nTo date, officials and representatives from the following organisations are involved in the implementation programme - Scottish Court Service, Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service, Police Scotland, Scottish Legal Aid Board, Scottish Children’s Reporter Administration, Scottish Prison Service, Scottish Tribunal Service, Scottish Fire and Rescue Service, Scottish Police Authority, Scottish Arbitration Centre, Scottish Mediation Network, Citizen’s Advice Scotland, Which?, Law Society of Scotland, Scottish Women’s Aid, Social Work Scotland, Victim Support Scotland and The Faculty of Advocates.\r\nThe implementation will draw on contributions from a user forum and operations forum. The user forum will bring together those who have experience of the multiple and sometimes complex user requirements. The operations forum will bring together those who work in the various justice sectors and are familiar with their requirements and processes, including representatives from the legal profession and businesses.","AnswerDate":"2015-03-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301399,"EventID":"S4W-24719","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-03T13:55:30.873","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-03T11:13:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide the names of everyone who wrote The Digital Strategy for Justice in Scotland.","AnswerText":"The Digital Strategy for Justice in Scotland is a collaborative piece of work contributed to by organisations across the justice landscape, including officials and representatives from the Scottish Court Service, Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service, Police Scotland, Scottish Legal Aid Board, Scottish Children’s Reporter Administration, Scottish Prison Service, Scottish Tribunal Service, Scottish Fire and Rescue Service, Scottish Police Authority, Scottish Arbitration Centre, Scottish Mediation Network, Citizen’s Advice Scotland, Which?, the Law Society of Scotland, Scottish Women’s Aid, Social Work Scotland, Victim Support Scotland and The Faculty of Advocates. The strategy was collated by officials from Criminal Justice Division of the Scottish Government and approved by the justice board.","AnswerDate":"2015-03-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301400,"EventID":"S4W-24720","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-03T13:55:31.77","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-03T11:52:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government for what reason Shetland was excluded from the recent funding from the Attainment Scotland Fund.","AnswerText":"The Attainment Scotland Fund is targeted at schools in local authorities with the biggest concentration of primary age children from households in deprived areas. Analysis of statistics around primary school pupils whose homes are located in the Scottish Index of Multiple Deprivation deciles 1 and 2 (the bottom 20%) indicate that the highest concentrations are in Glasgow, Dundee, Inverclyde, West Dunbartonshire, North Ayrshire and Clackmannanshire. These will therefore be the first areas to benefit from this programme. The Scottish Government recognises that there is a need across Scotland. During the coming year we will continue to work with other local authority areas which are geographically diverse and socially mixed but where there are pockets of severe deprivation, to dig deeper into addressing the local need.\r\nThe Scottish Attainment Fund supplements our existing national support for raising attainment which has been enhanced by a new commitment to ensuring an attainment advisor will be available in every local authority. Schools in Shetland have also benefited from the Access to Education Fund, which was established to help reduce barriers experienced by pupils from disadvantaged backgrounds.","AnswerDate":"2015-03-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301422,"EventID":"S4W-24721","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1769,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":75,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-03T17:10:29.393","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-03T12:21:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the proposed closure by NHS Lanarkshire of the clinics at Coatbridge and Carluke run by the Centre for Integrative Care at Glasgow Homeopathic Hospital (CIC) and to cease access to the CIC, what its position is on democratic intervention and whether it considers that this action is in breach of the Patient Rights (Scotland) Act 2011 as a reported 80.6% of patients and the public responding to the consultation objected to it.","AnswerText":"Under the NHS Reform (Scotland) Act 2004, health boards are required to involve local stakeholders in designing, developing and delivering the health care services they provide for them. National guidance on informing, engaging and consulting people in developing health and community care services was issued in February 2010 and can be accessed at the following link:\r\nhttp://www.sehd.scot.nhs.uk/mels/CEL2010_04.pdf\r\nIn line with this guidance, only proposals for major service change in the NHS are subject to ministerial approval. NHS Lanarkshire’s proposals were not designated major service change. As such, this was a decision for the board of NHS Lanarkshire, following careful consideration of all the available information, evidence and representations.","AnswerDate":"2015-03-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301423,"EventID":"S4W-24722","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1769,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":75,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-03T17:10:30.23","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-03T12:21:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will review public consultations on health issues, in light of the proposed closure by NHS Lanarkshire of the clinics at Coatbridge and Carluke run by the Centre for Integrative Care at Glasgow Homeopathic Hospital (CIC) and to cease access to the CIC despite a reported 80.6% of patients and public urging continuation of access in response to the consultation on the matter.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government keeps all national policies, guidelines and frameworks under regular review to ensure they are fit for purpose.","AnswerDate":"2015-03-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301424,"EventID":"S4W-24723","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1769,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":75,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-03T17:10:30.957","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-03T12:21:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it considers that NHS Lanarkshire took account of the area's levels of ill-health, chronic conditions and poverty statistics in deciding to close the Centre for Integrative Care's clinics at Coatbridge and Carluke.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-24721 on 11 March 2015. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website; the search facility for which can be found at: \r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/Apps2/Business/PQA/Default.aspx","AnswerDate":"2015-03-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301425,"EventID":"S4W-24724","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2108,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":141,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-03T17:10:31.75","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-03T13:34:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when the new guidance on the administration of medicines in schools will be published, and for what reason there has been a delay in updating them.","AnswerText":"The review of guidance on the administration of medicines is not yet complete. The administration of medicines in schools is extremely complex in nature. It is necessary to ensure that the guidance is appropriate and considered appropriately. It is intended that the revised guidance will be published for consultation prior to final publication, and that this consultation will take place in the summer this year.","AnswerDate":"2015-03-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alasdair Allan","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301426,"EventID":"S4W-24725","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3061,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-03T17:10:32.637","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-03T13:57:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government (a) how many and (b) what type of weapons have been seized in Airdrie Sheriff Court in each of the last five years.","AnswerText":"This question relates to operational matters that are the responsibility of the Scottish Court Service (SCS) corporate body. The question has been passed to the Chief Executive of the SCS who will reply in writing within 20 days","AnswerDate":"2015-03-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301427,"EventID":"S4W-24726","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5047,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-03T17:10:33.29","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-03T14:57:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to showcase Scotland at the Expo Milano 2015 event.","AnswerText":"As the First Minister announced at the promotional event on 27 February 2015 co-hosted by the Scottish Government and the Italian Embassy, the Scottish Government is working with a range of organisations to showcase Scottish excellence in areas such as food and drink (including promotion of Scotland’s Year of Food and Drink 2015), tourism, agricultural research, architecture, planning, urban and rural sustainability (including promotion of Scotland’s Year of Architecture, Innovation and Design 2016), as well as encouraging Scottish companies and other interested organisations to take part in business to business events during the period of the Expo Milano.","AnswerDate":"2015-03-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301428,"EventID":"S4W-24727","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4016,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":133,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-03T17:10:33.887","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-03T15:00:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the occupancy rate has been for (a) acute and (b) non-acute wards in NHS Borders in each month since March 2014.","AnswerText":"Information is available for the average monthly occupancy rate of hospital beds. The following table shows average occupancy rate (%) for acute and non-acute specialties in NHS Borders for the months March to September 2014.\r\nOccupancy rate (%) for acute and non-acute specialties in NHS Borders by \r\nmonth; March to September 2014.\r\n\r\nMar 2014\r\nApr 2014\r\nMay 2014\r\nJun 2014\r\nJul 2014\r\nAug 2014\r\nSep 2014\r\nAcute Specialties \r\n88.6 \r\n88.0 \r\n87.9 \r\n88.5 \r\n83.6 \r\n83.9 \r\n88.2 \r\nNon-Acute Specialties \r\n73.9 \r\n83.4 \r\n80.6 \r\n78.9 \r\n66.5 \r\n78.3 \r\n80.0 \r\nSource: Information Services Division Scotland, ISD(S)1\r\nOfficial statistics on the number of hospital beds relating to the quarters ending December 2014 and March 2015 will be will be published by ISD in March 2015 and June 2015 respectively.","AnswerDate":"2015-03-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301445,"EventID":"S4O-04094","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":3771,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-04T13:02:38.577","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-02T12:04:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it seeks to support Jewish culture in Scotland.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-03-11T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301446,"EventID":"S4O-04095","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":2603,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-04T13:02:39.39","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-02T12:04:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what proportion of Creative Scotland's project funding was spent in Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire in the last year, and how many projects in Aberdeen received support.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-03-11T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301447,"EventID":"S4O-04096","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":3101,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-04T13:02:40.123","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-02T12:04:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it plans to announce details of a new film and TV studio in Scotland.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-03-11T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301448,"EventID":"S4O-04097","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":4934,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-04T13:02:40.7","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-02T12:04:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what recent discussions it has had with representatives of the European Commission.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-03-11T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301449,"EventID":"S4O-04100","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":3763,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-04T13:02:41.247","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-02T12:04:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on the impact on devolved areas of responsibility of reported plans to replace the TV licence fee with a household tax.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-03-11T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301450,"EventID":"S4O-04101","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":1759,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-04T13:02:41.87","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-02T12:04:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what support it has given to community arts groups across rural South Scotland in the last year.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-03-11T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301451,"EventID":"S4O-04102","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":2633,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-04T13:02:42.417","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-02T12:04:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much funding is available for the 2015 Edinburgh Festivals Expo Fund and when the details will be announced.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-03-11T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301452,"EventID":"S4O-04104","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":2117,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-04T13:02:43.087","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-02T12:05:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it plans to contribute to the proposed City Deal for Aberdeen.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-03-11T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301453,"EventID":"S4O-04105","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-04T13:02:43.773","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-02T12:05:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what rail investment plans it has for South Scotland.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-03-11T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301454,"EventID":"S4O-04106","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":4940,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-04T13:02:44.38","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-02T12:05:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what progress is being made with the handover of the ScotRail franchise.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-03-11T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301455,"EventID":"S4O-04107","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":3751,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":108,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-04T13:02:44.913","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-02T12:05:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what investment will be made in active travel using the Future Transport Fund.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-03-11T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301456,"EventID":"S4O-04108","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":1853,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":86,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-04T13:02:45.583","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-02T12:05:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it considers the charrette process an effective means of investing in the development of cities and what support accompanies it.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-03-11T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301457,"EventID":"S4O-04109","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":2066,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-04T13:02:46.363","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-02T12:05:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to alter speed limits on trunk roads in the Highlands and Islands.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-03-11T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301458,"EventID":"S4O-04110","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":2876,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-04T13:02:47.127","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-02T12:05:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what recent discussions it has had with local authorities regarding the Glasgow and Clyde Valley City Deal.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-03-11T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301459,"EventID":"S4O-04111","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":1943,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-04T13:02:47.737","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-02T12:05:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with Network Rail regarding upgrading the railway station at Glasgow Prestwick Airport.","AnswerText":"I can advise that the matter of potentially upgrading the railway station at Glasgow Prestwick Airport remains the responsibility of the owner, Glasgow Prestwick Airport.\r\nGlasgow Prestwick Airport operates on a wholly commercial basis, and at arm’s length from the Scottish Government. The airport is very aware that the current condition of the train station would benefit from significant investment befitting an international gateway.\r\nHowever, this needs to be considered alongside all long-term investment needs for the airport, to generate a long-term return for taxpayers.","AnswerDate":"2015-03-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-03-11T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301460,"EventID":"S4O-04112","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-04T13:02:48.25","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-02T12:05:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government which contractors named by the Scottish Information Commissioner as having used the services of The Consulting Association have been awarded public contracts since 20 November 2013.","AnswerText":"In relation to Neil Findlay’s question, I can advise that the Scottish Government is not aware of any publication by the Scottish Information Commissioner in relation to the naming of contractors as using the services of The Consulting Association.\r\nWe do not hold sufficiently detailed information that would allow us to state definitively that a company identified by the Information Commissioner’s Office is the same legal entity as a company shown in Public Contracts Scotland as having been awarded a contract since 20 November 2013.","AnswerDate":"2015-03-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-03-11T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301461,"EventID":"S4O-04113","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":1932,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":117,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-04T13:02:48.843","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-02T12:05:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much it is providing to support the development of infrastructure in Stirling.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is committed to growing the Stirling economy and creating employment opportunities by working closely with our delivery partners, including Stirling Council.\r\nOur commitment to enhancing infrastructure in the area has been demonstrated, for example, by the refurbishment of Riverside Primary in August 2013 as part of our Schools for the Future programme. We are also funding a new care village in the grounds of Stirling Community Hospital with an estimated total capital investment of £33 million and expected to start construction July 2015.\r\nThe Scottish Government is willing to listen to all good ideas for increasing investment and I have written to each of Scotland’s seven cities including Stirling to put on record my willingness to explore how best to deliver the infrastructure investments outlined in city investment plans and the associated Scottish Cities Alliance investment prospectus.","AnswerDate":"2015-03-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-03-11T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301462,"EventID":"S4O-04114","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":2826,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":84,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-04T13:02:49.53","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-02T12:08:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what progress has been made in implementing self-directed support in Glasgow. ","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-03-12T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301463,"EventID":"S4O-04115","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":2110,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":138,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-04T13:02:50.06","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-02T12:08:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many additional whole time equivalent staff are employed in NHS Ayrshire and Arran compared with 2007 and what impact this has had on patient care.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-03-12T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301464,"EventID":"S4O-04116","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":5119,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":110,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-04T13:02:50.81","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-02T12:08:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many young people who left school in 2014 are not in education, employment or training.\r\n","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-03-12T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301465,"EventID":"S4O-04118","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":3806,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-04T13:02:51.293","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-02T12:08:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with NHS Western Isles about the Well North and Keep Well programmes.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-03-12T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301466,"EventID":"S4O-04119","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":1814,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":77,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-04T13:02:52.04","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-02T12:08:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it will next meet the Scottish Police Federation.\r\n.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-03-12T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301467,"EventID":"S4O-04120","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":1866,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-04T13:02:52.773","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-02T12:08:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on how long patients with type 1 diabetes should have to wait for access to an insulin pump.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-03-12T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301468,"EventID":"S4O-04121","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":2595,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-04T13:02:53.57","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-02T12:08:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the Spring Budget Revision.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-03-12T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301469,"EventID":"S4O-04122","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":2673,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":114,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-04T13:02:54.193","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-02T12:08:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on the use of e-cigarettes.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-03-12T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301470,"EventID":"S4O-04123","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":1893,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-04T13:02:54.787","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-02T12:08:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to address the reported concerns of smaller landowners regarding its land reform proposals.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-03-12T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":true},{"UniqueID":301471,"EventID":"S4W-24728","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4947,"Party":"Independent","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-04T13:45:17.07","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-03T16:02:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government to what extent it can direct its regulated public bodies to follow its policies.","AnswerText":"The nature of each regulated public body’s relationship with the Scottish Ministers is outlined in its founding legislation and framework document. All public bodies operate within a policy context determined by ministers and should therefore contribute to the achievement of the National Performance Framework and the Scottish Government’s Economic Strategy.","AnswerDate":"2015-03-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301472,"EventID":"S4W-24729","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4947,"Party":"Independent","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-04T13:45:17.68","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-03T16:03:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what evaluation it has carried out of the effectiveness of its Gaelic language plan; when it will next carry out an evaluation, and who it will consult on this.","AnswerText":"In 2013 Bòrd na Gidhlig commissioned FE Scott to carry out an independent study on the delivery of the commitments contained in a number of Gaelic language plans including the Scottish Government. This study found that the Scottish Government was indeed meeting its commitments.\r\nIn addition, there is an annual evaluation exercise to Bòrd na Gidhlig carried out by all public bodies that have produced a Gaelic language plan in Scotland. The Scottish Government last reported on progress with the commitments in our plan in September 2014.","AnswerDate":"2015-03-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alasdair Allan","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301473,"EventID":"S4W-24730","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4947,"Party":"Independent","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-04T13:45:18.24","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-03T16:05:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it takes to ensure that, when (a) it and (b) its regulated public bodies operate on a per-capita funding basis, the challenges of geography are taken into consideration so that this does have not a negative impact on remote or rural areas.","AnswerText":"The allocation of resources is driven by the ‘Purpose of the Scottish Government’: to create a more successful country, with opportunities for all of Scotland to flourish through increasing sustainable economic growth.\r\nAny regional allocation of central Scottish Government resources, such as to health boards and local authorities, is typically managed through objective formula incorporating indicators such as population, deprivation, rurality and remoteness so that no geographic areas are systematically disadvantaged.\r\nIt is for individual agencies, in collaboration with their community planning partners, to determine the appropriate regional distribution of the resources under their control.","AnswerDate":"2015-03-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301474,"EventID":"S4W-24731","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4947,"Party":"Independent","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-04T13:45:18.82","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-03T16:06:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it will take in light of reports of a reduction in the profile of the Gaelic language on the MV Loch Seaforth.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is unaware of any reports regarding the reduction in the profile of the Gaelic language on the MV Loch Seaforth. CalMac Ferries Ltd remains committed to the promotion of the Gaelic language and this is continued on MV Loch Seaforth. Relevant signage in English is also replicated in Gaelic.","AnswerDate":"2015-03-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alasdair Allan","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301475,"EventID":"S4W-24732","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2610,"Party":"Independent","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-04T13:45:19.397","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-04T09:11:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the findings of the Fiscal Affairs Scotland report, Local government funding challenges, what action it will take to ensure that local authorities are able to meet demand for (a) school meals and (b) other non-statutory services.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has, despite the significant cuts to its budget imposed by the UK Government, treated local government fairly. The 2014-15 local government finance settlement has been increased to almost £10.8 billion and this will increase further to over £10.85 billion in 2015-16.\r\nWithin these totals, the Scottish Government is fully funding the extension of free school meals to all pupils in primary 1 to 3. Following agreement with COSLA, we are providing local authorities with additional revenue funding of £70.5 million over  2014-16 to deliver the commitment, supported with additional capital funding for local government of £24.8 million to prepare canteens, dinner halls and other facilities and ensure demand is met.\r\nFuture years settlements will depend on the budget allocated by the UK Government and will be the subject for discussion between Scottish Ministers and local government. The allocation of funding to all services, both statutory and non-statutory, is the responsibility of each local authority.","AnswerDate":"2015-03-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301476,"EventID":"S4W-24733","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-04T13:45:19.927","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-03T18:21:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the remit was for the production of the Marine Scotland report, Management of the Scottish Inshore Fisheries: Assessing the Options for Change, and whether it was agreed by ministers.","AnswerText":"The research remit was to assess the economic impact of i) national and regional restrictions on the use of mobile fishing gears within one and three nautical miles of the shore and ii) limits on the number of creels. The research was to be conducted using economic impact analysis and cost benefit analysis. The research remit was agreed by ministers and was subsequently amended to drop the assessment of creel limits following the Creel Consultation in 2012.","AnswerDate":"2015-03-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Richard Lochhead","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301477,"EventID":"S4W-24735","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-04T13:45:20.91","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-03T18:21:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the cost was of researching and producing the Marine Scotland report, Management of the Scottish Inshore Fisheries: Assessing the Options for Change.","AnswerText":"The cost of researching and producing this report was £50,100.","AnswerDate":"2015-03-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Richard Lochhead","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301478,"EventID":"S4W-24736","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-04T13:45:21.703","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-04T10:17:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it will capitalise the proposed Scottish business development bank.","AnswerText":"We are looking at a range of sources and are speaking to a wide range of partners and stakeholders in exploring options for establishing a Scottish Business Development Bank. This includes an option appraisal of whether the best structure should be public, private, third sector or hybrid and that is why we are engaging with our enterprise agencies partners and the public and private sectors. Any final decision as to Scottish Government capitalisation will be taken in the context of the forthcoming budget process.","AnswerDate":"2015-03-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301479,"EventID":"S4W-24738","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5057,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-04T13:45:22.983","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-04T11:31:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-24472 by Michael Matheson on 3 March 2015, how many sex offenders there are in the prison estate and how many do not access the courses offered, broken down by prison.","AnswerText":"I have asked Colin McConnell, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service, to respond. His response is as follows:\r\n‘‘There are currently around 900 offenders in custody who have a current conviction for a sexual offence. It is not possible to provide definitive figures of how many do not access sex offender treatment from this population, as this changes on a regular basis.\r\nFigures which are available indicate that of these prisoners currently in custody around 120 have completed or are currently undertaking the programme. Around a further 150 have been assessed as requiring treatment and may proceed to do so according to their case management plan, their continued motivation to do so and as resources allow. Around 100 have been assessed as benefiting from treatment but currently refuse it.\r\nWe do not have information on the remainder. They will largely comprise those in the process of assessment, those who refuse to be assessed and those who will not be assessed due to expected date of liberation. Set out in the following table is a snapshot of convicted sex offenders currently held in each prison. These figures should be treated with caution given daily movements in population and progression arrangements.’’\r\nEstablishment\r\nConvicted Sex Offenders\r\nAddiewell\r\n5\r\nBarlinnie\r\n198\r\nCornton Vale\r\n2\r\nDumfries\r\n75\r\nEdinburgh\r\n167\r\nGlenochil\r\n334\r\nGrampian\r\n22\r\nGreenock\r\n9\r\nInverness\r\n11\r\nKilmarnock\r\n3\r\nLow Moss\r\n0\r\nOpen Estate\r\n9\r\nPerth\r\n35\r\nPolmont\r\n39","AnswerDate":"2015-03-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301493,"EventID":"S4W-24743","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":2,"MSPID":2010,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":137,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-04T15:18:01.243","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-04T15:11:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what progress has been made by the Scottish Veterans’ Commissioner since his appointment in August 2014.","AnswerText":"The Commissioner, Eric Fraser, spent an initial period meeting with and listening to key interests involved in delivering support to the veterans’ community in Scotland. These included local authorities, health boards, service delivery organisations, ex-service charities and, crucially, individual veterans.\r\nDrawing on these wide ranging discussions and information gathering, the Commissioner has now produced a strategy and workplan for 2015 that he is publishing today and available to view at: http://scotland.gov.uk/About/public-bodies/veterans-commissioner/Publications. The Commissioner has set out a testing and ambitious programme but I believe it is achievable and will lead both to new and improved support and opportunities for veterans. The Commissioner will prioritise his 2015 work on housing and employability issues impacting on veterans.\r\nHe will also examine the findings and recommendations contained within the 2014 report from Lord Ashcroft entitled Veterans transition Review, commissioned by the Prime Minister, in order to advise Scottish Ministers on how best they can be addressed and implemented in Scotland in respect of our devolved responsibilities. A copy of the strategy and workplan will be available in SPICe.\r\nThe Commissioner will be happy to engage at the earliest opportunity on his strategy and workplan with MSPs and other interests and, as a first step, will attend a ‘Meet The Commissioner’ Scottish Parliamentary reception on 1 April 2015 hosted by the Chairman of the Cross Party Group on Armed Forces Veterans.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-03-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301494,"EventID":"S4W-24739","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4939,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":78,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-04T17:01:45.697","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-04T14:23:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with Falkirk Council regarding the next round of the Attainment Scotland Fund.","AnswerText":"There have been no direct discussions with Falkirk Council regarding the allocation of the Attainment Scotland Fund.\r\nThe Attainment Scotland Fund is initially targeted at schools in local authorities with the biggest concentration of primary age children from households in deprived areas. Analysis of statistics around primary school pupils whose homes are located in Scottish Index of Multiple Deprivation deciles 1 and 2 (the bottom 20%) indicate that the highest concentrations are in Glasgow, Dundee, Inverclyde, West Dunbartonshire, North Ayrshire and Clackmannanshire. These will therefore be the first areas to benefit from this programme. The Scottish Government recognises that there is a need across Scotland. During the coming year, we will continue to work with other local authority areas which are geographically diverse and socially mixed but where there are pockets of severe deprivation, to dig deeper into addressing the local need.\r\nThe Scottish Attainment Fund supplements our existing national support for raising attainment which has been enhanced by a new commitment to ensuring an attainment advisor will be available in every local authority. Schools in Falkirk have also benefited from the Access to Education Fund, which was established to help reduce to barriers experienced by pupils from disadvantaged backgrounds.","AnswerDate":"2015-03-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301495,"EventID":"S4W-24740","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5059,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-04T17:01:46.367","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-04T14:23:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many contracts with community benefit clauses it has awarded in each of the last five years.","AnswerText":"The information you required about community benefit clauses across the whole Scottish Government is not centrally held. However we can provide information on contracts and frameworks which are procured by The Scottish Procurement Commercial Directorate \r\nThe following number of contracts and frameworks which generated community benefits in the last four years are:\r\n\r\nFinancial Year 2011-12\r\nFinancial Year 2012-13\r\nFinancial Year 2013-14\r\nFinancial Year 2014-15\r\nNumber of Contracts\r\n9\r\n19\r\n26 \r\n21 (to date)\r\nNo data is currently held in relation to community benefits prior to financial year 2011-12.\r\nScottish Government contracts and frameworks have delivered a number of significant community benefits including new apprenticeships; graduate trainee schemes; school education programmes; school and community engagement; and financial support for community groups and charities.\r\nThese benefits are delivered through community benefit clauses in relevant contracts and frameworks; as part of the specification or contract conditions; or through active contract management following contract award.","AnswerDate":"2015-03-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301496,"EventID":"S4W-24741","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5059,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-04T17:01:46.897","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-04T14:23:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many new entrants have obtained employment through targeted recruitment and training clauses in public sector contracts in each of the last five years and what their destinations were at the end of their employment contracts.","AnswerText":"While we have evidence that the use of community benefit clauses in procurement is widespread across the public sector in Scotland and is creating a large range of training and recruitment opportunities, we do not hold the information asked for.\r\nAn example of this is the Forth Replacement Crossing project where community benefit clauses were written into the principal contract, which required an annual average of 45 vocational training positions, 21 professional body training places and 46 positions for the long term unemployed, as well as Modern Apprenticeship opportunities. As at 31 January 2015, 565 places for vocational and professional body training and the long-term unemployed have been generated. \r\nThe Scottish Government has commissioned a report which is currently being prepared by the Training and Employment Research Unit at the University of Glasgow which shall make a series of recommendations relating to monitoring and reporting procedures and inform the content of the statutory guidance with respect to reporting on the use of community benefits in public contracts in the future.","AnswerDate":"2015-03-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301497,"EventID":"S4W-24744","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3763,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-04T17:01:47.397","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-04T15:38:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what information it has regarding how many (a) drug-related and (b) other money laundering offences in each of the last five years were linked to (i) gambling machines and (ii) fixed-odds betting terminals.","AnswerText":"Money laundering is recorded as the crime which relates to how the money was obtained, for example, fraud or drug crimes. As the data held centrally on recorded crime is based on an aggregate count of crime and offences recorded and cleared up by the police, it is not possible to separately identify the number of money laundering crimes, or those which related to gambling machines and fixed-odds betting terminals.","AnswerDate":"2015-03-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301498,"EventID":"S4W-24745","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4934,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-04T17:01:48.067","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-04T15:55:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government for what reason the contract to supply water services to public bodies is one contract rather than split into lots.","AnswerText":"The current collaborative framework for water and waste water services has been in place since 1 April 2011 and is broken into lots. The recent tender exercise replicates this model. The two framework lots cater for different parts of the Scottish public sector.","AnswerDate":"2015-03-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301499,"EventID":"S4W-24746","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4934,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-04T17:01:48.597","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-04T15:55:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on the supply of water services to public bodies being (a) exempt from the need for commercial tender and (b) reserved for a bidder with a public service mission.","AnswerText":"The Water Services etc. (Scotland) Act 2005 established the framework for retail competition. This framework introduced competition into the Scottish water market. When there is competition in a market, EU rules stipulate that public contracts must be competed, even when a publicly-owned company is capable of delivering the service. As a result of the 2005 legislation, Scotland has had a fully competitive water market for commercial and public sector customers since 2008.","AnswerDate":"2015-03-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301512,"EventID":"S4W-24759","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":2,"MSPID":2674,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":99,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-05T11:03:52.59","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-05T10:50:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what progress has been made in respect of the speed limit review.","AnswerText":"Transport Scotland has been progressing with the speed limit reductions identified in the speed limit review since it was published in late 2012. Progress has been good and nine of the orders are complete and in place. Consultation on others has been progressing and we welcome the opportunity this has given local communities to comment on the proposals.\r\nTransport Scotland has recently updated the background information for the speed limit review, recognising the time that has passed and the benefits of making decisions on the basis of the most current road safety performance data. This update supports the continued delivery of the majority of the remaining speed reductions. Consultation on these will continue. Others will be taken away for further consideration and evidence gathering before proposals are finalised.\r\nA small number (five from the original 44 proposed reductions) are not supported by the updated traffic and accident information. These include both of the proposed speed limit reductions on the A87, one on the A84 and a further two on the A95. Work on these will end and the speed limit on these will remain as it currently is.\r\nRoad safety is of paramount importance and the proposed speed limit reductions are part of our wider programme of measures to ensure that casualty numbers continue to fall across the country.\r\nThe ‘setting local speed limits’ guidance which framed the original publication of the speed limit review encourages updates to the findings where new information becomes available. The recent update to the background information reflects this and supports our continued ability to make evidence based decisions.\r\nConsultation is central to the consideration of any speed limit order and we will continue to engage with communities in promoting the orders recommended by the speed limit review.\r\nThe five orders we are intent on not progressing are:\r\nA87 Invergarry to Viewpoint\r\nA87 Cluanie Inn to Kintail Lodge\r\nA84 Buchany to Drumvaich\r\nA95 Craigellachie\r\nA95 Ballindalloch","AnswerDate":"2015-03-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301514,"EventID":"S4W-24748","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5079,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-05T13:53:01.227","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-04T17:04:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what guidance it provides to local authorities to ensure that the most disadvantaged young people receive appropriate support to access the labour market.","AnswerText":"Our policy and practice framework Opportunities for All: Post-16 Transitions: Supporting all young people to participate in post-16 learning, training or workpublished in 2014 provides local authorities and their partners with guidance on delivering transition planning which supports their access to employment, education or training, and which meets the needs of all young people, particularly those disadvantaged in accessing the labour market. \r\nIn addition guidance is provided to local authorities on the delivery of activity agreements, the education maintenance allowance and on the local authority paid work experience element of the Youth Employment Scotland programme.","AnswerDate":"2015-03-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Annabelle Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301515,"EventID":"S4W-24749","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5079,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-05T13:53:01.82","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-04T17:04:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what proportion of the youth employment funding that it announced on 3 March 2015 will be allocated to the provision of childcare to support young parents in accessing employment or training.\r\n","AnswerText":"On 3 March 2015, the Scottish Government announced the local authority distribution of £6.5 million to support the Developing the Young Workforce programme which underpins our youth employment strategy.\r\nLocal government are our full partners in this programme, and it is for individual local authorities to deploy funding to best meet local needs and circumstances. Activity in each authority will support the programme’s ambition to reduce inequality of access to education and training.","AnswerDate":"2015-03-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Roseanna Cunningham","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301516,"EventID":"S4W-24750","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5079,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-05T13:53:02.397","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-04T17:04:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it will ensure that the locally-funded schemes that use the youth employment funding it announced on 3 March 2015 are monitored to confirm that they do not discriminate on grounds of gender, race, disability or other protected characteristics.","AnswerText":"On 3 March 2015, the Scottish Government announced the local authority distribution of £6.5 million to support the Developing the Young Workforce programme which underpins our youth employment strategy.\r\nActivity in each authority will support the programme’s ambition to reduce inequality of access to education and training. Local government are full partners in this seven year national programme on which we will publish an annual report, including on advancing equalities, at the end of 2015.","AnswerDate":"2015-03-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Roseanna Cunningham","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301517,"EventID":"S4W-24751","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5079,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-05T13:53:03.453","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-04T17:04:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what guidance it provides to local authorities to ensure that disabled young people receive appropriate support to access employment, education or training.","AnswerText":"Local authorities and their partners work together to support young people, including those with disabilities to plan for their next move beyond the compulsory school leaving age. The Policy and Practice Framework Opportunities for All: Post-16 Transitions: Supporting all young people to participate in post-16 learning, training or workpublished in 2014 provides local authorities and their partners with guidance on delivering this transition planning. \r\nIn addition guidance is provided to local authorities on the delivery of activity agreements, the education maintenance allowance and on the local authority paid work experience element of the Youth Employment Scotland programme.","AnswerDate":"2015-03-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Annabelle Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301518,"EventID":"S4W-24752","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-05T13:53:11.713","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-05T08:53:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on extending free personal care to people under 65 who have Alzheimer’s or dementia. ","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government and COSLA are working together to create a fairer system of charging for social care.\r\nIt is important to consider charging as part of the wider social care system. We need to ensure that resources are in place so we have the quantity and quality of social care that our people require.\r\nIt would be inappropriate and unfair to base decisions on charging on the basis of specific conditions.","AnswerDate":"2015-03-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301520,"EventID":"S4W-24754","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2059,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":91,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-05T13:53:20.543","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-04T17:49:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what resources it has provided to the previous First Minister to assist in the compilation of his memoirs.","AnswerText":"None.","AnswerDate":"2015-03-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Joe FitzPatrick","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301521,"EventID":"S4W-24755","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-05T13:53:21.113","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-04T21:53:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government which psychological therapies have been approved by the Scottish Medicines Consortium.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Medicines Consortium does not have responsibility for approving psychological therapies.","AnswerDate":"2015-03-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301522,"EventID":"S4W-24756","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4948,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-05T13:53:22.18","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-05T09:50:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what estimate it has made of the number of homes that have been purchased through the (a) Help to Buy (Scotland) and (b) Open Market Shared Equity scheme, broken down by local authority.","AnswerText":"Help to Buy (Scotland) sales are published quarterly in arrears on the Scottish Government website (www.gov.scot/htb). The following table provides the most recent data covering Help to Buy sales from October 2013 until 31 December 2014. \r\nHelp to Buy (HtB) – Financial Year Monitoring1\r\nHtB Funding by Local Authority \r\nGrand Total to Date (Oct 2013 to Dec 2014)\r\nHomes\r\nScottish Government Funding (£)2,3,4\r\nAverage Scottish Government HtB stake (£)\r\nAverage Value of Property Purchased (£)\r\nAberdeen\r\n130\r\n6,400\r\n52,000\r\n259,000\r\nAberdeenshire\r\n280\r\n14,600\r\n52,000\r\n260,000\r\nAngus\r\n40\r\n1,700\r\n39,000\r\n198,000\r\nArgyll and Bute\r\n*\r\n*\r\n*\r\n*\r\nClackmannanshire\r\n40\r\n1,200\r\n30,000\r\n151,000\r\nDumfries and Galloway\r\n50\r\n1,700\r\n37,000\r\n184,000\r\nDundee\r\n40\r\n1,500\r\n34,000\r\n174,000\r\nEast Ayrshire\r\n90\r\n2,800\r\n33,000\r\n166,000\r\nEast Dunbartonshire\r\n140\r\n7,300\r\n54,000\r\n272,000\r\nEast Lothian\r\n80\r\n3,200\r\n39,000\r\n195,000\r\nEast Renfrewshire\r\n60\r\n3,100\r\n54,000\r\n271,000\r\nEdinburgh\r\n260\r\n11,600\r\n44,000\r\n223,000\r\nEilean Siar (Western Isles)\r\n*\r\n*\r\n*\r\n*\r\nFalkirk\r\n190\r\n7,100\r\n38,000\r\n192,000\r\nFife\r\n260\r\n9,000\r\n35,000\r\n174,000\r\nGlasgow\r\n310\r\n10,300\r\n33,000\r\n167,000\r\nHighland\r\n220\r\n8,500\r\n38,000\r\n190,000\r\nInverclyde\r\n20\r\n800\r\n37,000\r\n183,000\r\nMidlothian\r\n310\r\n11,800\r\n38,000\r\n193,000\r\nMoray\r\n60\r\n2,300\r\n37,000\r\n184,000\r\nNorth Ayrshire\r\n50\r\n1,800\r\n35,000\r\n173,000\r\nNorth Lanarkshire\r\n440\r\n15,800\r\n36,000\r\n181,000\r\nOrkney Isles\r\n10\r\n200\r\n22,000\r\n110,000\r\nPerth and Kinross\r\n130\r\n5,200\r\n40,000\r\n206,000\r\nRenfrewshire\r\n190\r\n7,900\r\n42,000\r\n212,000\r\nShetland Isles\r\n*\r\n*\r\n*\r\n*\r\nSouth Ayrshire\r\n50\r\n2,000\r\n44,000\r\n222,000\r\nSouth Lanarkshire\r\n320\r\n11,300\r\n35,000\r\n177,000\r\nStirling\r\n70\r\n2,900\r\n41,000\r\n206,000\r\nThe Scottish Borders\r\n40\r\n1,200\r\n34,000\r\n171,000\r\nWest Dunbartonshire\r\n80\r\n3,000\r\n38,000\r\n189,000\r\nWest Lothian\r\n240\r\n9,500\r\n39,000\r\n195,000\r\nScotland\r\n4,180\r\n166,000\r\n40,000\r\n199,000\r\nSource: Scottish Government administrative data\r\nNotes:\r\n1. The Scottish Government Help to Buy stake is up to 20 per cent of the purchase price of a property.\r\n2. Some values have been rounded for ease of presentation and therefore may not sum to total.\r\n3. Sales figures represent actual sales based on date of entry.\r\n4. Small numbers have been supressed (*) to prevent disclosure.\r\nThe number of completions for the Open Market Shared Equity scheme by local authority area for 2013-14 and 2014-15 is provided in the following table:\r\nLocal Authority\r\n2013-14\r\n*2014-15\r\nAberdeen City\r\n33\r\n6\r\nAberdeenshire\r\n21\r\n8\r\nAngus\r\n15\r\n8\r\nArgyll and Bute\r\n2\r\n3\r\nClackmannanshire\r\n10\r\n9\r\nDumfries and Galloway\r\n19\r\n20\r\nDundee City\r\n34\r\n23\r\nEast Ayrshire\r\n1\r\n-\r\nEast Dunbartonshire\r\n3\r\n3\r\nEast Lothian\r\n51\r\n52\r\nEast Renfrewshire\r\n2\r\n6 \r\nEdinburgh, City of\r\n263\r\n292\r\nEilean Siar\r\n0\r\n-\r\nFalkirk\r\n24\r\n27\r\nFife\r\n42\r\n36\r\nGlasgow City\r\n58\r\n68\r\nHighland\r\n93\r\n86\r\nInverclyde\r\n3\r\n3\r\nMidlothian\r\n42\r\n51\r\nMoray\r\n6\r\n7\r\nNorth Ayrshire\r\n5\r\n-\r\nNorth Lanarkshire\r\n25\r\n18\r\nOrkney\r\n10\r\n5\r\nPerth and Kinross\r\n73\r\n88\r\nRenfrewshire\r\n19\r\n13\r\nScottish Borders\r\n5\r\n3\r\nShetland\r\n2\r\n-\r\nSouth Ayrshire\r\n4\r\n1\r\nSouth Lanarkshire\r\n34\r\n23\r\nStirling\r\n20\r\n15\r\nWest Dunbartonshire\r\n4\r\n-\r\nWest Lothian\r\n128\r\n119\r\nTotal Sales \r\n1,051\r\n993\r\n*In line with published statistics, the 2014-15 figures cover sales between \r\n1 April 2014 and 31 December 2014.","AnswerDate":"2015-03-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Burgess","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301535,"EventID":"S4W-24747","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3806,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-05T13:51:02.613","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-04T16:07:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what recent discussions it has had with (a) Ofgem and (b) the UK Government regarding the 2p-per-unit surcharge on SSE customers in the Highlands and Islands and, in light of its potential impact on fuel poverty in the region, what representations it has made to the UK to consider legislating to allow such charges to be removed.","AnswerText":"I am aware that customers in the North of Scotland face some of the highest electricity prices in the country and I have long argued for greater fairness in the way network charges are applied.\r\nI have raised this issue with the Chief Executive of Ofgem directly and written to the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change – urging them to do more to ensure the market works in the best interests of all consumers. Both Ofgem and the Department of Energy and Climate Change have committed to investigating the matter further but as yet this work has not been made public.\r\nI have also asked the Competition and Markets Authority to address this issue as part of their current energy market investigation, highlighting concerns about the impact of the current arrangements for recovering the costs of delivering electricity on consumers and the apparent slow pace of progress in terms of Ofgem’s further investigation into the matter.\r\nIn February 2015, the Energy and Climate Change Select Committee recommended that Ofgem and the UK Government publish an analysis of the benefits and costs of a national network charge and the Scottish Government will continue to press for a timely, effective and equitable resolution for Scottish consumers.","AnswerDate":"2015-03-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301536,"EventID":"S4W-24760","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-05T16:43:52.053","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-05T13:13:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many hours and what proportion of trainee GPs’ studies is dedicated to mental health issues.","AnswerText":"Following graduation from medical school, postgraduate medical training encompasses two years of foundation training followed by, in the case of those choosing general practice, either three or four year GP specialty training which would lead to individuals joining the General Medical Council’s list of qualified GPs. The training GPs undergo is competency-based and, through a variety of rotations in different clinical placements (in both primary and secondary care settings) and regular assessments, is designed to equip them with the knowledge and experiences they need to fulfil their general practitioner role. The training is not predicated on the numbers of hours or percentage of patients’ conditions encountered.\r\nThe way GPs are trained is subject to review following the shape of training review.","AnswerDate":"2015-03-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301537,"EventID":"S4W-24761","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-05T16:43:53.053","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-05T13:15:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what payment system is used for GPs when (a) diagnosing, (b) supporting and (c) treating people with stress, anxiety or depression. ","AnswerText":"In all cases, decisions on the management of an individual’s healthcare, is a matter of professional judgement for the responsible healthcare provider. Based on their assessment of the condition and clinical need of an individual patient, a practitioner will undertake the physical examinations they consider necessary to identify the need, if any, for treatment or further investigation; and where appropriate and necessary, make that treatment or further investigation available, including referral to other healthcare professionals and services. In managing patient healthcare, practitioners are expected to follow national clinical guidelines and any local guidelines and care pathways agreed locally by their health board.\r\nThe General Medical Services Contracts (Scotland) Regulations 2004 require that essential services must be provided by all GP contractors. They include the management of registered patients who are ill or who believe themselves to be ill with any acute, chronic or terminal condition. Essential services are paid for mainly through global sum payments to practices, which are calculated for every practice on an annual basis, according to patient list size and a range of weighted factors determined by the Scottish Allocation Formula.\r\nThe Quality and Outcomes Framework (QOF) for Scotland, which was designed to assist practices in the diagnosis and treatment pathways for a small number of specific chronic diseases, contains an indicator for 2015-16 for the initial management of depression. Over the last two years the QOF has been substantially reduced, as the contracting arrangements with GPs move towards a greater emphasis on professional clinical judgement, and less on bureaucratic process. This remains the broad approach of this government as we work with the profession to redesign the contracting arrangements in Scotland for the future.","AnswerDate":"2015-03-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301538,"EventID":"S4W-24762","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4014,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-05T16:43:54.113","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-05T11:59:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many damp homes have been recorded by each local authority in each year since 1999.","AnswerText":"The Scottish House Condition Survey collects statistical data on rising or penetrating damp in Scottish homes. This can cover anything from a small damp patch or area of condensation on a single wall in one room to prevalence throughout a dwelling, so does not indicate a serious housing quality issue in all cases. Information by local authority area is published in three year data sets back to 2003. This is available online at:\r\nhttp://www.gov.scot/Topics/Statistics/SHCS/keyanalyses","AnswerDate":"2015-03-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Burgess","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301539,"EventID":"S4W-24763","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-05T16:43:54.673","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-05T13:56:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it will publish the responses to its consultation on an interim constitution for Scotland.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government intends to publish the consultation responses to the Scottish Independence Bill: A Consultation on an Interim Constitution for Scotland in the near future.","AnswerDate":"2015-03-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301540,"EventID":"S4W-24765","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3806,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-05T16:43:55.767","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-05T14:35:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to develop a deep-water port and what the reasons are for its position on this matter.","AnswerText":"We have no plans to develop a deep-water port. Scotland has a market led ports policy and it would be for a port operator to bring forward proposals should they determine there was a business case for such a development.","AnswerDate":"2015-03-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301541,"EventID":"S4W-24766","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1759,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-05T16:43:56.5","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-05T15:29:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government which public bodies have published a report on their compliance with the biodiversity duty as required by the Wildlife and Natural Environment (Scotland) Act 2011, broken down by date of publication. ","AnswerText":"Although the Scottish Government encourages public bodies to inform it of publication of their reports on the biodiversity duty, it is not a requirement for public bodies do so. From the reports notified to the Scottish Government, a total of 25 local authorities and nine other public bodies have published a biodiversity duty report. The Scottish Government has also published a report.\r\nLinks to these reports are listed below:\r\nAberdeen City Council\r\nhttp://www.aberdeencity.gov.uk/web/files/Natural_Heritage/ACC_Biodiversity_Duty_Report_2014.pdf\r\nAberdeenshire Council\r\nhttp://www.aberdeenshire.gov.uk/green/BiodiversityDutyReporting.asp\r\nAngus Council\r\nhttps://archive.angus.gov.uk/sustainability/pdfs/AngusStatutoryBiodiversityDutyReport.pdf\r\nArgyll and Bute Council\r\nhttp://www.argyll-bute.gov.uk/moderngov/documents/s96026/Biodiversity%20Duty%20Reporting%20December%202014.pdf\r\nComhairle nan Eilean Siar\r\nhttp://www.cne-siar.gov.uk/biodiversity/duty.asp\r\nDumfries and Galloway Council\r\nhttp://www.dumgal.gov.uk/CHttpHandler.ashx?id=15493&p=0 .\r\nEast Dunbartonshire Council\r\nhttp://www.eastdunbarton.gov.uk/content/environment/green_issues/biodiversity.aspx\r\nEast Lothian Council\r\nhttp://www.eastlothian.gov.uk/info/379/countryside_and_wildlife/1498/biodiversity\r\nEast Renfrewshire Council\r\nhttp://www.eastrenfrewshire.gov.uk/CHttpHandler.ashx?id=13410&p=0\r\nEdinburgh Council\r\nhttp://www.edinburgh.gov.uk/download/meetings/id/45061/item_no_77_-_edinburgh_biodiversity_duty_report_2012-14\r\nFalkirk Council\r\nhttp://www.falkirk.gov.uk/services/environment/docs/biodiversity/Biodiversity%20duty%20report.pdf?v=201412171040\r\nFife Council\r\nhttp://publications.1fife.org.uk/uploadfiles/publications/c64_BiodiversityDutyReport-FifeCouncil-2012-2014.pdf\r\nGlasgow City Council\r\nhttps://www.glasgow.gov.uk/CHttpHandler.ashx?id=26673&p=0\r\nHighland Council\r\nhttp://www.highland.gov.uk/info/1210/environment/68/biodiversity\r\nInverclyde Council\r\nhttp://www.inverclyde.gov.uk\r\nMidlothian Council\r\nwww.midlothian.gov.uk/download/meetings/id/4176/6_appendix\r\nMoray Council\r\nhttp://www.moray.gov.uk/moray_standard/page_1861.html\r\nNorth Ayrshire Council\r\nhttp://www.north-ayrshire.gov.uk/resident/planning-and-building-standards/conservation-natural-environment/biodiversity-and-conservation-information.aspx\r\nOrkney Islands Council \r\nhttp://www.orkney.gov.uk/Service-Directory/B/Biodiversity.htm\r\nPerth and Kinross Council\r\nhttp://www.pkc.gov.uk/article/2483/Planning-and-Biodiversity\r\nScottish Borders Council\r\nhttp://www.scotborders.gov.uk/info/1225/countryside_farming_and_wildlife/964/biodiversity\r\nSouth Ayrshire Council\r\nwww.south-ayrshire.gov.uk\r\nSouth Lanarkshire Council\r\nwww.southlanarkshire.gov.uk\r\nStirling Council\r\nhttp://www.stirling.gov.uk/services/planning-and-the-environment/conservation/conservation-countryside\r\nWest Lothian Council \r\nhttp://www.westlothian.gov.uk/article/2208/Biodiversity-in-West-Lothian\r\nForestry Commission Scotland\r\nhttp://scotland.forestry.gov.uk/supporting/strategy-policy-guidance/forestry-strategy\r\nhttp://scotland.forestry.gov.uk/supporting/strategy-policy-guidance/biodiversity\r\nNHS Shetland \r\nhttp://www.shb.scot.nhs.uk/board/policies/ActivityReportNHSShetlandBiodiversity2011-2014.pdf\r\nNHS Tayside\r\nhttp://www.nhstayside.scot.nhs.uk/Publications/index.htm\r\nRoyal Botanic Garden Edinburgh\r\nhttp://www.rbge.org.uk/assets/files/about_us/Corporate_Info/RBGE%20Biodiversity%20Duty%20Report%202011-14%20v1compressed%20copy.pdf\r\nScottish Enterprise \r\nhttp://www.scottish-enterprise.com/knowledge-hub/articles/publication/biodiversity-report\r\nScottish Government\r\nhttp://www.gov.scot/Topics/Environment/Wildlife-Habitats/biodiversity/duty\r\nScottish Legal Complaints\r\nhttp://www.scottishlegalcomplaints.org.uk/about-slcc/what-we-do/our-processes/biodiversity.aspx\r\nScottish Natural Heritage\r\nhttp://www.snh.gov.uk/about-scotlands-nature/scotlands-biodiversity/snh-and-biodiversity/\r\nScottish Water\r\nwww.scottishwater.co.uk/climatechange\r\nSEPA\r\nhttp://www.sepa.org.uk/sci","AnswerDate":"2015-03-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen McLeod","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301542,"EventID":"S4W-24767","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1759,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-05T16:43:57.093","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-05T15:30:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government which public bodies are still to report on meeting their biodiversity duty as required by the Wildlife and Natural Environment (Scotland) Act 2011.  ","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government encourages public bodies to inform it of the publication of reports on the biodiversity duty, however such notification is not a requirement. Therefore, we do not hold complete information regarding which public bodies are still to report on activities under the biodiversity duty. The answer to question S4W-24766 on 17 March 2015 lists those organisations which have informed the Scottish Government that they have published a report.\r\nAll answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at: \r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx","AnswerDate":"2015-03-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen McLeod","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301543,"EventID":"S4W-24768","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1759,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-05T16:43:57.67","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-05T15:30:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government where the public can access the biodiversity compliance reports submitted by public bodies in accordance with the Wildlife and Natural Environment (Scotland) Act 2011.","AnswerText":"The biodiversity reports are available on each organisation’s webpage. A list of the links to those reports which have been notified to the Scottish Government can be found at:\r\nhttp://www.biodiversityscotland.gov.uk/duty/work/results/","AnswerDate":"2015-03-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen McLeod","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301544,"EventID":"S4W-24769","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1759,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-05T16:45:27.927","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-05T15:31:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it will use the information gathered under the Wildlife and Natural Environment (Scotland) Act 2011 to ensure that public bodies are upholding their biodiversity duty under the Nature Conservation (Scotland) Act 2004.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is commissioning a research project to evaluate the compliance and quality of biodiversity duty reports. It will also revise the guidance available to public bodies. The research project will begin later in 2015.","AnswerDate":"2015-03-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen McLeod","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301554,"EventID":"S4W-24753","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-05T13:53:19.857","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-05T08:53:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much it would cost to extend free personal care to people under 65 with Alzheimer’s or dementia.","AnswerText":"Data is not currently available to accurately estimate how much it would cost to extend free personal care to people who have Alzheimer’s disease or dementia and are aged under 65.","AnswerDate":"2015-04-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301561,"EventID":"S4W-24758","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-06T13:34:16.53","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-05T10:48:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-23887 by Shona Robison on 21 January 2015, how much of the (a) £100 million, (b) £18 million and (c) £10 million each local authority or NHS board has received or will receive.","AnswerText":"A breakdown of these figures is contained in the following table:\r\nBoard\r\nTotal funding for 2014*\r\n£100 million funding (2015-16 to 2018-19)\r\nAyrshire and Arran\r\n£1,874,731\r\n£7,700,000\r\nBorders\r\n£414,000\r\n£2,130,000\r\nDumfries and Galloway\r\n£394,727\r\n£3,040,000\r\nFife\r\n£2,065,885\r\n£6,730,000\r\nForth Valley\r\n£1,773,938\r\n£5,360,000\r\nGrampian\r\n£3,383,848\r\n£9,120,000\r\nGreater Glasgow and Clyde\r\n£6,149,457\r\n£23,660,000\r\nHighland\r\n£2,224,072\r\n£6,150,000\r\nLanarkshire\r\n£3,033,700\r\n£12,550,000\r\nLothian\r\n£3,970,414\r\n£14,240,000\r\nOrkney\r\n£98,491\r\n£410,000\r\nShetland\r\n£98,011\r\n£410,000\r\nTayside\r\n£1,385,867\r\n£7,860,000\r\nWestern Isles\r\n£146,526\r\n£640,000\r\nCentral support\r\n£150,000\r\n-\r\nCare Inspectorate\r\n£178,000\r\n-\r\nSAS\r\n£160,000\r\n-\r\n\r\n£27,163,667\r\n£100,000,000\r\nTotal funding for 2014 includes £18 million (which increased to £19.2 million with additional unscheduled care money issued to health boards facing significant challenges. Also includes £1 million access support funding and the Winter Resilience Funding (some of which is still to be allocated).","AnswerDate":"2015-03-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301562,"EventID":"S4W-24764","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-06T13:34:17.527","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-05T14:18:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, in light of its announcement on 5 March 2015 of the introduction of a primary school building programme, whether the European statistical accounts interpretation that was delaying closure on the Scottish Futures Trust's capital schools building programme has been resolved.","AnswerText":"As outlined in the answer to question S4W-24246 provided on 2 February 2015, we expect the review of the classification issues to take a number of months. We are however taking all appropriate action to protect vital capital investment in Scotland and to resolve these issues as promptly and effectively as possible.\r\nThis was underlined by our recent announcement on further primary schools in East Renfrewshire, Dundee and Argyll and Bute which are to be built or refurbished under the first component of phase four of our Schools for the Future programme.\r\nWe are committed to delivering well-designed, sustainable schools through our £1.8 billion programme and 18 schools have already been completed with a further 17 schools currently in construction. Providing high quality learning is at the heart of the Scottish Government’s work and our programme is expected to deliver more than 100 new or refurbished schools by March 2020.\r\nAll answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at: \r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx","AnswerDate":"2015-03-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301563,"EventID":"S4W-24777","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4016,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":133,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-06T13:34:18.293","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-05T20:59:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it is supporting economic development in communities along the A7 south of Hawick.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government works closely with a wide range of partners, including Scottish Enterprise, Dumfries and Galloway Council and Scottish Borders Council as partners in the South of Scotland Alliance, to create the right conditions necessary to support businesses, create employment opportunities and facilitate sustainable economic growth for communities along the A7 south of Hawick.\r\nThat commitment can be clearly demonstrated by the £410 million being invested by the Scottish Government and its public and private sector partners in our Digital Scotland Superfast Broadband programme which, alongside commercial deployment by BT and other operators, will deliver fibre broadband access to 95% of premises in Scotland by 2017-18. The programme will deliver significant coverage benefits to Canonbie, Hollows, Langholm, Teviothead, and Newmill.\r\nWe have also established Community Broadband Scotland, a £7.5 million initiative that is supporting the development of community-led schemes in those areas that are unlikely to have a superfast solution delivered commercially, or by the Digital Scotland Superfast Broadband programme. Community Broadband Scotland is engaged with a number of communities in the area including Eskdalemuir, with a view to the development of an aggregated approach to encourage the commercial delivery of superfast broadband to these communities.","AnswerDate":"2015-03-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301564,"EventID":"S4W-24778","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5074,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":104,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-06T13:34:22.193","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-06T09:42:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide a breakdown by local authority of the (a) 5,500 young people who have received support from the Community Jobs Scotland programme and (b) 1,000 job opportunities for young people as part of the next phase of the programme as announced by the First Minister on 25 February 2015 and (c) 65,000 young people who have been supported by the Prince’s Trust in the last 10 years as announced by the Cabinet Secretary for Fair Work, Skills and Training on 25 February 2015.","AnswerText":"Community Jobs Scotland (CJS) opportunities are allocated by the Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations based on Office for National Statistics data on youth unemployment in the local authority area.\r\n(a) The CJS programme has allocated a total of 5,842 opportunities up to March 2015. The breakdown of allocations by local authority is as follows:\r\nAberdeen City\r\n116\r\nAberdeenshire\r\n96\r\nAngus\r\n106\r\nArgyll and Bute\r\n91\r\nClackmannanshire\r\n105\r\nDumfries and Galloway\r\n165\r\nDundee City\r\n232\r\nEast Ayrshire\r\n198\r\nEast Dunbartonshire\r\n92\r\nEast Lothian\r\n83\r\nEast Renfrewshire\r\n60\r\nEdinburgh City\r\n413\r\nEilean Siar\r\n55\r\nFalkirk\r\n146\r\nFife\r\n424\r\nGlasgow City\r\n917\r\nHighland\r\n186\r\nInverclyde\r\n127\r\nMidlothian\r\n110\r\nMoray\r\n69\r\nNorth Ayrshire\r\n243\r\nNorth Lanarkshire\r\n492\r\nOrkney Islands\r\n37\r\nPerth and Kinross\r\n117\r\nRenfrewshire\r\n210\r\nScottish Borders\r\n100\r\nShetland\r\n35\r\nSouth Ayrshire\r\n132\r\nSouth Lanarkshire\r\n314\r\nStirling\r\n99\r\nWest Dunbartonshire\r\n136\r\nWest Lothian\r\n140\r\nTotals\r\n5,842\r\n\r\n(b) In Phase 5 of the CJS programme (over financial year  2015-16) a further 1,000 supported training opportunities for young people will be funded. Of those 1,000 opportunities, 700 will be allocated across the 32 local authority areas in the normal manner. The remaining 300 opportunities will provide an extended level of support to vulnerable groups, such as care leavers, and will be allocated nationally on a demand led basis. The breakdown of the 700 opportunities is as follows:\r\nAberdeen City\r\n11\r\nAberdeenshire\r\n10\r\nAngus\r\n14\r\nArgyll and Bute\r\n10\r\nClackmannanshire\r\n11\r\nDumfries and Galloway\r\n17\r\nDundee City\r\n29\r\nEast Ayrshire\r\n27\r\nEast Dunbartonshire\r\n10\r\nEast Lothian\r\n12\r\nEast Renfrewshire\r\n8\r\nEdinburgh City\r\n43\r\nEilean Siar\r\n5\r\nFalkirk\r\n22\r\nFife\r\n53\r\nGlasgow City\r\n108\r\nHighland\r\n14\r\nInverclyde\r\n18\r\nMidlothian\r\n10\r\nMoray\r\n10\r\nNorth Ayrshire\r\n30\r\nNorth Lanarkshire\r\n57\r\nOrkney Islands\r\n4\r\nPerth and Kinross\r\n13\r\nRenfrewshire\r\n23\r\nScottish Borders\r\n13\r\nShetland Islands\r\n4\r\nSouth Ayrshire\r\n19\r\nSouth Lanarkshire\r\n44\r\nStirling\r\n11\r\nWest Dunbartonshire\r\n20\r\nWest Lothian\r\n20\r\nTotals\r\n700\r\n\r\n(c) The breakdown by local authority of the 65,000 young people supported by the Trust is not information which the Scottish Government holds centrally and cannot be provided.\r\nIn 2014-15, the Princes Trust expects to support 8,800 young people. The trust anticipates the percentage of young people supported per local authority to be as follows:\r\nAberdeen City Council\r\n1.73%\r\nAberdeenshire Council\r\n3.67%\r\nAngus Council\r\n0.69%\r\nArgyll and Bute Council\r\n1.56%\r\nClackmannanshire Council\r\n0.13%\r\nDumfries and Galloway Council\r\n2.60%\r\nDundee City Council\r\n6.19%\r\nEast Ayrshire Council\r\n4.71%\r\nEast Dunbartonshire Council\r\n2.37%\r\nEast Lothian Council\r\n0.52%\r\nEast Renfrewshire Council\r\n0.24%\r\nEdinburgh City Council\r\n15.80%\r\nEilean Siar Council\r\n0.65%\r\nFalkirk Council\r\n0.09%\r\nFife Council\r\n4.52%\r\nGlasgow City Council\r\n22.90%\r\nHighland Council\r\n1.36%\r\nInverclyde Council\r\n1.52%\r\nMidlothian Council\r\n1.81%\r\nMoray Council\r\n0.32%\r\nNorth Ayrshire Council\r\n1%\r\nNorth Lanarkshire Council\r\n10%\r\nOrkney Islands Council\r\n0.17%\r\nPerth and Kinross Council\r\n0.88%\r\nRenfrewshire Council\r\n2.62%\r\nScottish Borders Council\r\n1.35%\r\nShetland Islands Council\r\n0.18%\r\nSouth Ayrshire Council\r\n1.22%\r\nSouth Lanarkshire Council\r\n2.87%\r\nStirling Council\r\n1.38%\r\nWest Dunbartonshire Council\r\n2.75%\r\nWest Lothian Council\r\n2.77%","AnswerDate":"2015-03-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Annabelle Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301565,"EventID":"S4W-24779","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3806,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-06T13:34:22.74","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-06T12:00:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it will take to reinstate the pathway extending between Forres and Brodie on the A96.","AnswerText":"While some kind of path may have existed on the A96 between Forres and Brodie many years ago (before our current operating company BEAR Scotland took over the route in 2001), no formal path currently exists. We support the nearby Sustrans National Cycle Route, which provides connection between Brodie and Forres on quieter, less trafficked roads which are more suitable for cyclists than the A96.","AnswerDate":"2015-03-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301568,"EventID":"S4W-24770","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1759,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-06T15:29:55.523","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-05T16:33:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to the suggestion in the Fish Health Management Report: October to December 2014 that regular sea lice levels are above that recommended in the Code of Good Practice for Scottish Finfish Aquaculture.","AnswerText":"The Code of Good Practice for Scottish Finfish Aquaculture contains suggested criteria for the treatment of sea lice on individual farms sites rather than limits.\r\nThe latest report highlights the ongoing challenge faced by industry in relation to the management of sea lice, particularly when coupled with the unpredictable environmental events experienced in Scottish marine waters during 2014. The Scottish Government and the fish farming industry continue to invest in research into improving sea lice management. The recently launched, and government funded, Scottish Aquaculture Innovation Centre has identified improved sea lice control as a key priority.","AnswerDate":"2015-03-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen McLeod","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301569,"EventID":"S4W-24771","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1759,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-06T15:29:56.257","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-05T16:34:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what efforts it is making to enforce the Code of Good Practice for Scottish Finfish Aquaculture.","AnswerText":"The Code of Good Practice for Scottish Finfish Aquaculture is a voluntary accredited code and is independently audited to ensure membership compliance.","AnswerDate":"2015-03-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen McLeod","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301570,"EventID":"S4W-24773","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1759,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-06T15:29:56.803","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-05T16:40:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it can take to prevent the spread of small hive beetles to Scotland; what discussions it has had with the UK Government regarding reports that these insects have been found in Italy, and whether its experience from the outbreak of ash dieback disease in 2012 has helped inform its contingency planning in dealing with invasive species.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government take the threat of the introduction of the small hive beetle (SHB) extremely seriously. The Scottish Government has a contingency plan in place for any outbreak of SHB in Scotland and has taken a number of actions to ensure early detection of SHB which can be found in the answer to question S4W-24690 on 11 March 2015.\r\nIn order to prevent the spread of SHB it is important that beekeepers exercise care to ensure that pests and diseases are not imported into the UK. The best defence is for beekeepers to be proactive in making themselves aware of the signs of diseases and to source bees that are healthy.\r\nThe Scottish Government maintains close contacts with both UK Government policy colleagues in Defra as well as the National Bee Unit in York which is part of the UK Government’s Animal and Plant Health Agency. The Scottish Government also sits on the Bee Health Advisory Forum where SHB has been discussed at recent meetings.\r\nThe Scottish Government continues to work closely with other government departments and agencies to learn lessons from the ash dieback outbreak in 2012 and to ensure we have a robust system in place to maintain and improve our resilience to pest and disease threats.\r\nAll answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at: \r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx","AnswerDate":"2015-03-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-04-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen McLeod","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301571,"EventID":"S4W-24775","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1759,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-06T15:29:57.567","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-05T16:40:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-15634 by Paul Wheelhouse on 25 June 2013, whether it will provide an update on what action it is taking to address the reported decline in the bee population.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government recognises the importance of protecting our pollinators and is involved in a number of actions and initiatives to support pollinators. Through the 2020 Challenge for Scotland’s Biodiversity (2013) and the Honey Bee Health Strategy for Scotland (2010) the Scottish Government will continue to work with stakeholders to achieve a sustainable population of honey bees.\r\nIn addition, the Scottish Government is contributing to a Defra-led research project which is designing and testing a national pollinator and pollination monitoring scheme. We are also supporting a number of agri-environment options in the new Scotland Rural Development Programme which are beneficial to pollinators.\r\nWe are also in the process of developing a national pollinator strategy in collaboration with Scottish Natural Heritage. This will focus on the conservation of wild bees and other insect pollinators, while making linkages to our existing work on honey bees. There will be an opportunity for interested parties to feed into the public consultation for this strategy later in 2015.","AnswerDate":"2015-03-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen McLeod","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301572,"EventID":"S4W-24776","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1759,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-06T15:29:58.177","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-05T16:40:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many prosecutions for badger baiting there have been since 2005 and how many led to a conviction, broken down by local authority area.","AnswerText":"The Protection of Animals Act 1911 section 1(1)(c) makes it an offence to bait animals and there were no proceedings under this Act in the period referred to.\r\nThe following table presents the number of persons proceeded against for the crime group offences involving badgers, some of which may relate to badger baiting. Section 1 of the Protection of Badgers Act 1992 refers to ‘Taking, injuring or killing badgers’, Section 2 ‘Cruelty’, Section 3 ‘Interfering with badger setts’ and Section 11 ‘Powers of constables’.\r\nPersons proceeded against in Scottish courts for related to badgers1, 2005-06 to 2013-14\r\nLocal authority2\r\nCrime\r\nResult\r\n2005-06\r\n2006-07\r\n2007-08\r\n2008-09\r\n2009-10\r\n2010-11\r\n2011-12\r\n2012-13\r\n2013-14\r\nAberdeen City\r\nProtection of Badgers Act 1992 Section 3(1)(C)\r\nProceeded against\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n1 \r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\nGuilty\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n1\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\nAberdeenshire\r\nProtection of Badgers Act 1992 Section 3(1)(B)\r\nProceeded against\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n1 \r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\nGuilty\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n1 \r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\nProtection of Badgers Act 1992 Section 3(1)(E)\r\nProceeded against\r\n-\r\n4 \r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n1 \r\n-\r\n-\r\nGuilty\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\nDumfries and Galloway\r\nProtection of Badgers Act 1992 Section 1\r\nProceeded against\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n1 \r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\nGuilty\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\nProtection of Badgers Act 1992 Section 2(1)(A)\r\nProceeded against\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n1 \r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\nGuilty\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n1 \r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\nProtection of Badgers Act 1992 Section 3(1)(A)\r\nProceeded against\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n2 \r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\nGuilty\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n2 \r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\nProtection of Badgers Act 1992 Section 11A(1)\r\nProceeded against\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n1 \r\n-\r\n-\r\nGuilty\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n1 \r\n-\r\n-\r\nEast Ayrshire\r\nProtection of Badgers Act 1992 Section 2(1)(A)\r\nProceeded against\r\n-\r\n-\r\n1 \r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\nGuilty\r\n-\r\n-\r\n1 \r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\nEdinburgh, City of\r\nProtection of Badgers Act 1992 Section 3(1)(A)\r\nProceeded against\r\n-\r\n-\r\n4 \r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\nGuilty\r\n-\r\n-\r\n2 \r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\nProtection of Badgers Act 1992 Section 3(1)(C)\r\nProceeded against\r\n-\r\n-\r\n2 \r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\nGuilty\r\n-\r\n-\r\n2 \r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\nFife\r\nProtection of Badgers Act 1992 Section 3(1)(D)\r\nProceeded against\r\n-\r\n-\r\n2 \r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\nGuilty\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\nHighland\r\nProtection of Badgers Act 1992 Section 3(1)(C)\r\nProceeded against\r\n-\r\n1 \r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\nGuilty\r\n-\r\n1 \r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\nMoray\r\nProtection of Badgers Act 1992 Section 3(1)(C)\r\nProceeded against\r\n-\r\n1 \r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\nGuilty\r\n-\r\n1 \r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\nScottish Borders\r\nProtection of Badgers Act 1992 Section 2(1)(C)\r\nProceeded against\r\n-\r\n-\r\n2 \r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\nGuilty\r\n-\r\n-\r\n2 \r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\nSouth Ayrshire\r\nProtection of Badgers Act 1992 Section 3(1)(A)\r\nProceeded against\r\n-\r\n1 \r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\nGuilty\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\nScotland all crimes related to badgers\r\nProceeded against\r\n-\r\n7 \r\n11 \r\n1 \r\n2 \r\n3 \r\n2 \r\n-\r\n-\r\nGuilty\r\n-\r\n2 \r\n7 \r\n-\r\n2 \r\n3 \r\n1 \r\n-\r\n-\r\n1. Where main offence\r\n2. Incorporates an approximate mapping of sheriff courts into local authority areas. Some sheriff courts will deal with cases from more than one local authority area.","AnswerDate":"2015-03-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301573,"EventID":"S4W-24780","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1860,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-06T15:29:58.77","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-06T13:32:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the (a) highest and (b) lowest bed occupancy was at Ospadal Uibhist agus Bharraigh [Uist and Barra Hospital] in Benbecula each week in 2014.","AnswerText":"The following table shows average monthly occupancy rate (%) for Uist and Barra Hospital, NHS Highland between January and September 2014.\r\nOccupancy rate (%) for Uist and Barra Hospital, by month.\r\n\r\nJan 2014\r\nFeb 2014\r\nMar 2014\r\nApr 2014\r\nMay 2014\r\nJun 2014\r\nJul 2014\r\nAug 2014\r\nSep 2014\r\nOccupancy rate (%)\r\n56.4\r\n74.4\r\n58.4\r\n46.8\r\n53.8\r\n46.2\r\n44.3\r\n42.7\r\n37.0\r\nSource: Information Services Division Scotland, ISD(S)1\r\nOfficial statistics on the number of hospital beds relating to the quarters ending December 2014 and March 2015 will be will be published by ISD on 31 March 2015 and in June 2015, respectively.","AnswerDate":"2015-03-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301574,"EventID":"S4W-24781","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1759,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-06T15:29:59.503","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-06T14:11:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many offences have been committed under the Aquaculture and Fisheries (Scotland) Act 2013, broken down by offence.","AnswerText":"The Aquaculture and Fisheries (Scotland) Act 2013 commenced on 16 September 2013. There have been no offences recorded under this Act on the Scottish Government criminal proceedings database. The latest data recorded on the database is for the financial year 2013-14.","AnswerDate":"2015-03-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301579,"EventID":"S4W-24782","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2394,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-09T13:46:47.377","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-06T15:58:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many days' stock of blood there are, broken down by type.","AnswerText":"Blood stock levels are provided in the following table for the Scottish National Blood Transfusion Service (SNBTS) processing sites and represent number of units stock and work in progress (units being processed), expressed as a ratio of average daily issues. The average stocks of the eight blood groups, classed by ABO and Rhesus typing, are as follows:\r\nBlood group\r\nAverage number of days stock (by year) and work in progress\r\nO negative\r\n7.6\r\nO positive\r\n8.2\r\nA negative\r\n7.8\r\nA positive\r\n9.5\r\nB negative\r\n7.8\r\nB positive\r\n10.5\r\nAB negative\r\n9.0\r\nAB positive\r\n17.5\r\n\r\nPlease note that a similar amount of stock is normally held by NHS Scotland hospital blood banks. In June/July 2014 SNBTS stocks were increased in preparedness for the Commonwealth Games, so the average for the year is higher than normal. The average data by year is taken from June 2014 onwards as this is when the SNBTS automated system went live, so the year represents the average from 5 June 2014 to 28 February 2015.","AnswerDate":"2015-03-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301580,"EventID":"S4W-24783","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2394,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-09T13:46:48.473","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-06T15:58:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many times stocks of O negative blood dropped below six days in the last 12 months.","AnswerText":"There were 48 days in the last 12 months (March 2014 to February 2015) where O negative stock was below six days in the Scottish National Blood Transfusion Service processing sites. However, it should be noted that normally a similar amount of stock is held by hospital blood banks across NHS Scotland.","AnswerDate":"2015-03-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301581,"EventID":"S4W-24784","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4939,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":78,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-09T13:46:49.313","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-06T16:09:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-23789 by Keith Brown on 14 January 2015,  when each contract (a) was taken out and (b) will expire, and how much each is worth.","AnswerText":"Details of the contracts are as follows:\r\nContract\r\nContract Start Date\r\nContract End Date\r\nContract Value\r\neProcurement Service Management\r\n05-11-2011\r\n04-11-2015\r\n£19,500,000\r\nPayroll Implementation Project\r\n03-10-2011\r\n02-10-2018\r\n£1,376,579\r\nSystem Integration Re-Let\r\n01-11-2012\r\n31-10-2015\r\n£7,334,108\r\nScottish Tribunals Service – Smaller Tribunals Case Management Support\r\n30-07-2013\r\n30-07-2015\r\n£62,280\r\nSupport and Maintenance of Childcare Information Services Website\r\n01-06-2013\r\n31-05-2015\r\n£85,806\r\nLandlord Registration System\r\n07-12-2011\r\n06-12-2014\r\n£210,000\r\nScotXed Software Development Services\r\n16-03-2014\r\n15-03-2016\r\n£1,250,000\r\nThe Provision of Support and System Development for the Scottish Tribunal Services Case Management System\r\n01-09-2014\r\n30-07-2015\r\n£6,050\r\nScottish Neighbourhood Statistics\r\n01-08-2014\r\n30-11-2014\r\n£48,630\r\nScottish Neighbourhood Statistics\r\n22-10-2014\r\n08-02-2015\r\n£110,260","AnswerDate":"2015-03-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301582,"EventID":"S4W-24788","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4016,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":133,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-09T13:46:49.867","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-07T19:35:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much extra funding it will provide to NHS Borders to implement the named persons provisions of the Children and Young People (Scotland) Act 2014.","AnswerText":"NHS Borders received £42,298 for additional health visitors this year (2014-15) to support the implementation of the named person provisions in the Children and Young People (Scotland) Act 2014.\r\nThe named person will work closely with families and is the single point of contact that families told us they wanted. This will take the form of a health visitor from birth until they start primary school. The Scottish Government announced in June 2014 funding of £41.6 million over the next four years for additional health visitors across Scotland. This will help health boards ensure they have enough health visitors to provide universal visits for all families and meet their obligations under the Children and Young People (Scotland) Act 2014.\r\nIn addition, a further £1.5 million is being invested to update health visitor education.","AnswerDate":"2015-03-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fiona McLeod","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301591,"EventID":"S4T-00965","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":9,"MSPID":4956,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":106,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-09T12:49:46.94","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-09T11:50:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to the Edinburgh Airport report, The impact of reducing APD on Scotland’s airports.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":"2015-03-10T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301592,"EventID":"S4F-02651","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":5009,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-09T12:49:19.933","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-06T08:02:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister what issues will be discussed at the next meeting of the Cabinet.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":"2015-03-12T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301593,"EventID":"S4F-02652","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":4976,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-09T12:49:20.447","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-09T08:47:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister when she will next meet the Prime Minister.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":"2015-03-12T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301594,"EventID":"S4F-02653","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":3812,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-09T12:49:20.913","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-09T09:47:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister what engagements she has planned for the rest of the day.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":"2015-03-12T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301595,"EventID":"S4F-02654","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":2110,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":138,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-09T12:49:21.567","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-09T10:07:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister what the impact on rural businesses and communities will be of Royal Mail's decision to reduce collection times at 3,300 Scottish postboxes.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":"2015-03-12T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301596,"EventID":"S4F-02655","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":2673,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":114,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-09T12:49:22.337","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-09T10:55:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister what assistance the Scottish Government provides to cancer patients for day-to-day tasks.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":"2015-03-12T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301597,"EventID":"S4F-02659","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":2033,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":132,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-09T12:49:25.247","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-09T11:37:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister what support the Scottish Government is giving to the poorest university students.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":"2015-03-12T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301598,"EventID":"S4W-24772","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2610,"Party":"Independent","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-09T17:08:41.367","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-05T16:35:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the average age is of ScotRail's rolling stock.","AnswerText":"The average age of the current rolling stock fleet is just over 19 years old based on a per train figure.","AnswerDate":"2015-03-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301599,"EventID":"S4W-24789","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-09T17:08:41.95","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-09T11:52:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it took to increase the level of completions for (a) social housing, (b) housing association properties and (c) affordable housing in 2014, and for what reason the number of completions was smaller than in 2013.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has set a five year target to deliver 30,000 affordable homes, 20,000 of which are for social rent.\r\nIn response to (a) and (b), in July 2013 the Scottish Government, in recognition of the financial pressures facing councils and housing associations, took decisive action by increasing all social housing grant benchmarks by £16,000 per unit. This action was backed up with an increase in the affordable housing supply budget and we now plan to spend over £1.7 billion over the lifetime of this Parliament to deliver our target of 30,000 affordable homes.\r\nIn response to (c), the Scottish Government remains committed to helping people on low to moderate incomes access homeownership, or a home at a mid-market rent, and it is easing housing pressures by continuing to work with partners to develop innovative funding approaches, including our National Housing Trust initiative and investment programme in charitable bonds.\r\nSince 2011-12, the Scottish Government has exceeded its commitment to deliver over 6,000 affordable homes each year, of which at least 4,000 must be for social rent.\r\nQuarterly housing statistics published on 3 March 2015 reflect the period for the year to December 2014. Statistics for the financial year 2014-15 are scheduled to be published around the end of May 2015. The Scottish Government remains on track to achieve its target for the financial year 2014-15.","AnswerDate":"2015-03-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Burgess","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301600,"EventID":"S4W-24790","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-09T17:08:42.73","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-09T11:52:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many socially-rented homes it plans to build each year, and what its position is on the comment by Shelter Scotland that \"at least 10,000 new homes for social rent need to be built each year to start meaningfully to tackle Scotland's housing crisis\".","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government’s five year target is to deliver at least 30,000 additional affordable homes of which 20,000 are for social rent.\r\nWe are working with councils and partners to deliver our target and they are doing this to excellent effect. Three quarters of the way into its five year target, the Scottish Government has delivered 23,979 affordable homes of which 16,679 are for social rent which is 83% of its social rent target.\r\nNow is not the time to change the high level target. However, we continue to give priority to housing supply and regard the existing 6,000 affordable homes per year target, not as the height of our ambition, but as a baseline to be exceeded.","AnswerDate":"2015-03-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Burgess","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301601,"EventID":"S4W-24791","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-09T17:08:43.397","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-09T11:53:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much it will allocate in the 2015-16 draft Budget to socially-rented housing, and what its position is on the evidence submitted to the Infrastructure and Capital Investment Committee by Shelter Scotland, which recommended that at least £200 million in addition to the already allocated budget should be committed toward this.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government does not have a separate budget for social rented housing. Funding for the provision of social rented housing is included within the budget for the Affordable Housing Supply Programme.\r\nIt is up to each local authority to put forward to Scottish Government its strategic local proposals for social and affordable housing developments, based on their local housing strategy.\r\nThe housing supply budget for 2015-16 is £597.63 million which is an increase of £229.13 million on the previous year’s budget of £368.50 million.","AnswerDate":"2015-03-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Burgess","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301602,"EventID":"S4W-24792","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1768,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":131,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-09T17:08:44.08","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-09T15:04:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what transport arrangements can be made for patients with suppressed immune systems to access treatments offered only at specialist hospitals.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Ambulance Service operates the patient transport service which is aimed at patients who require clinical support during transportation in attending healthcare appointments. The patient transport service will advise patients who do not meet their criteria of alternative transport options. These alternatives apply to all patient groups and does not differentiate between illness and condition but do vary according to health boards.","AnswerDate":"2015-03-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301603,"EventID":"S4W-24793","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2610,"Party":"Independent","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-09T17:08:44.88","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-09T16:31:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what (a) treatment is available and (b) support is provided to people diagnosed with chronic (i) Crohn’s disease and (ii) colitis.","AnswerText":"Treatment of Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis can involve a range of medication, including powerful immunosuppressant drugs, steroids and biologic treatments. Some patients will also undergo surgery.\r\nThe Scottish Government has provided funding to the charity Crohn’s and Colitis UK to set up a Scottish inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) steering group. This group brings together a range of stakeholders with the aim of designing a programme to improve the quality of clinical care and supporting the implementation of new approaches to the management of IBD.\r\nNHS Inform is also a helpful source of information for people diagnosed with Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis. Information is available about symptoms, causes, diagnosis and treatment as well as support that is available. Information can be found at the following page: \r\nhttp://www.nhsinform.co.uk/health-library/articles/i/inflammatory-bowel-disease/introduction/","AnswerDate":"2015-03-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301652,"EventID":"S4W-24819","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5009,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-10T13:56:17.247","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-10T11:36:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government which (a) public bodies, (b) companies or (c) consultants or contractors were involved in the NHS Central Register (NHSCR) Governance Board’s research exercise to link the NHSCR and the 2011 census.","AnswerText":"The linkage which was carried out between an extract of the National Health Service Central Register (NHSCR) and an extract of the 2011 Census was carried out under the direction of the Beyond 2011 Programme Board which was chaired by the Registrar General.\r\nAll staff who worked on the linkage and subsequent analysis between the extract of the NHSCR and the extract of 2011 Census data were National Records of Scotland employees.","AnswerDate":"2015-03-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fiona Hyslop","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301653,"EventID":"S4W-24795","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4939,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":78,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-10T13:54:03.12","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-09T18:42:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what powers are available to local authorities to implement necessary repairs to housing blocks where the local authority is not the majority landlord.","AnswerText":"Local authorities have powers under the Housing (Scotland) Act 2006 to issue work notices requiring any home owners to carry out work to repair substandard homes. If an owner fails to comply with a work notice the local authority can carry out work and recover their costs from the owner. The Housing (Scotland) Act 2014 will introduce some changes to help local authorities recover costs more effectively. The Scottish Government will shortly publish guidance for local authorities on the use of these new powers. The 2014 Act will also allow local authorities to raise breaches of the statutory repairing standard for private rented homes directly with the private rented housing panel on behalf of vulnerable tenants.","AnswerDate":"2015-03-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Burgess","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301654,"EventID":"S4W-24796","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4016,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":133,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-10T13:54:03.883","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-10T08:36:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on the Scottish Court Service being able to require courts to share business on alternative weeks, reducing the number of locations at which criminal and civil business is dealt with, without public consultation or parliamentary approval.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-24797 on 19 March 2015. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.","AnswerDate":"2015-03-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301655,"EventID":"S4W-24797","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4016,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":133,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-10T13:54:04.51","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-10T08:36:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will consider changing the rules relating to the powers of sheriffs principal, allowing them to make courts share business on alternative weeks without public consultation or parliamentary approval.","AnswerText":"Section 15 of the Sheriff Courts Act 1971 (‘the 1971 Act’) as amended by section 47 of the Judiciary and Courts (Scotland) Act 2008 (‘the 2008 Act’) provides that it is the responsibility of the sheriff principal in each sheriffdom to secure the efficient disposal of business in the sheriff courts of that sheriffdom. This is re-iterated in section 27(1) of the Courts Reform (Scotland) Act 2014 (‘the 2014 Act’). Both the 2008 and the 2014 Acts were passed unanimously by the Scottish Parliament.\r\nNeither the 1971 nor the 2014 Act requires the sheriff principal or the Scottish Court Service to consult prior to making any decision regarding the efficient disposal of business.\r\nThe Scottish Government has no plans to amend the legislation.","AnswerDate":"2015-03-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301656,"EventID":"S4W-24798","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2135,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":92,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-10T13:54:05.053","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-10T08:54:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it will respond to the findings in Scottish Marine and Freshwater Science Volume 5 Number 14: Electrofishing for Razor Clams (Ensis siliqua and E. arquatus): Effects on Survival and Recovery of Target and Non-Target Species.","AnswerText":"This report was published by Marine Scotland Science and the Scottish Government is now considering the policy implications arising from it, noting that fishing with electricity is currently illegal under the terms of EU legislation. To assist the consideration of policy, officials will meet with a number of interested parties at the end of March 2015.","AnswerDate":"2015-03-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Richard Lochhead","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301657,"EventID":"S4W-24799","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2135,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":92,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-10T13:54:05.617","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-10T08:57:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the findings regarding electrofishing for razor clams set out in Scottish Marine and Freshwater Science Volume 5 Number 14: Electrofishing for Razor Clams (Ensis siliqua and E. arquatus): Effects on Survival and Recovery of Target and Non-Target Species, whether it will establish a pilot project in Argyll and Bute to help inform national policy on this matter and, if so, whether it will meet the Razor Fisheries Forum to discuss the (a) licensing arrangements for and (b) setting-up of such a scheme.","AnswerText":"The government has no plans at present to establish further pilot projects involving fishing with electricity. During the preparation of the report noted in the question, field studies were undertaken that involved the use and operation of commercial fishing vessels. The government therefore considers that this work has collected the information required at present to assist the consideration of policy on this matter. Should further or different information be required the government will consider additional research activity, which may again involve the use of commercial fishing vessels.\r\nMarine Scotland has met with the Razor Fisheries Forum twice in 2014 to discuss licencing arrangements for the fishery and will meet with them again at a razor stakeholder event at the end of March 2015.","AnswerDate":"2015-03-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Richard Lochhead","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301658,"EventID":"S4W-24801","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2135,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":92,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-10T13:54:06.27","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-10T09:00:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much damage is caused to (a) the seabed and (b) sustainable fisheries by the use of dredging to collect razor clams, and how this compares with electrofishing.","AnswerText":"A recent Marine Scotland Science report on electrofishing for razor clams suggests that electro-fishing is potentially less damaging than other traditional fishing methods, including the use of dredges, with the exception of hand gathering by divers. The study did not address the broader question of long-term sustainability of razor clam populations under various levels of commercial fishing activity, nor the medium and long-term effects of electrofishing. It also concluded that electrofishing is a much more efficient method of harvesting. The report does not offer any advice on the amount of fishing effort which could be applied in different areas supporting razor populations and recognised that further research is required to establish this.","AnswerDate":"2015-03-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Richard Lochhead","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301659,"EventID":"S4W-24802","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-10T13:54:06.863","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-10T09:06:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many (a) educational and (b) clinical psychologist posts there were in each year between 2010 and 2014.","AnswerText":"The numbers of educational psychologist posts are a matter for education authorities and numbers are not held centrally. The numbers of full-time equivalent (FTE) educational psychologists in post from 2010 to 2014 are shown in Table 1.\r\nThe numbers of clinical psychologist posts in NHSScotland are not held centrally. The numbers of clinical psychologists employed from 2010 to 2014, in headcount and whole time equivalent (WTE), are shown in Table 2.\r\nTable 1: Number of FTE educational psychologists in Scotland 2010-14\r\nYear\r\nFull-time equivalent (FTE)\r\n2010\r\n401\r\n2011\r\n390\r\n2012\r\n411\r\n2013\r\n407\r\n2014\r\n405\r\nSource: Teacher Census Supplementary data \r\nTable 2: Clinical psychologists employed in NHSScotland from 2010-14 \r\nTimepoint\r\nHeadcount\r\nWhole time equivalent (WTE)\r\n30 September 2010\r\n656\r\n578.2\r\n30 September 2011\r\n688\r\n580.1\r\n30 September 2012\r\n711\r\n592.7\r\n30 September 2013\r\n741\r\n619.0\r\n30 September 2014\r\n808\r\n674.1\r\n31 December 2014\r\n844\r\n705.3\r\nSource: NHS Education for Scotland-Information Services Division National Psychology Workforce Database. \r\nData are published quarterly as national statistics at the following website: http://www.isdscotland.org/Health-Topics/Workforce/Psychology/.","AnswerDate":"2015-03-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alasdair Allan","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301660,"EventID":"S4W-24804","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-10T13:54:07.55","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-10T09:07:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many applications were made to educational psychology courses in Scotland in each year between 2010 and 2014 and how many people took up the course, broken down by institution.","AnswerText":"The University of Dundee and the University of Strathclyde run, with an intake in alternate years, two year Master of Science (MSc) courses in educational psychology. The number of applications and number taking up a place is shown in the following table:\r\nIntake Year\r\nUniversity\r\nNumber of applications (1)\r\nNumber taking up a place\r\n2014 \r\nDundee\r\n46\r\n24 \r\n2013 \r\nStrathclyde\r\n69\r\n16\r\n2012 \r\nDundee\r\n105 (92)(2)\r\n21\r\n2011\r\nStrathclyde\r\n212\r\n22\r\n2010 \r\nDundee\r\n127\r\n22\r\nSource: Data provided by Dundee University and Strathclyde University\r\nNotes:\t(1) Number of applications received by closing date\r\n\t(2) 105 applicants reduced to 92 following the announcement of withdrawal of funding","AnswerDate":"2015-03-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alasdair Allan","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301661,"EventID":"S4W-24810","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5009,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-10T13:54:08.22","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-10T11:31:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government on what legislative authority the NHS Central Register (NHSCR) Governance Board decided to link the NHSCR to the 2011 census.","AnswerText":"The linkage which was carried out between an extract of the National Health Service Central Register (NHSCR) and an extract of the 2011 Census was carried out under the direction of the Beyond 2011 Programme Board which was chaired by the Registrar General.\r\nSection 5 of the Census Act 1920 imposes a duty on the Registrar General to further the supply and provide for the better co-ordination of any available statistical information with respect to the number and condition of the population between each census. The statistical research exercised that was carried out between the NHSCR and the census data was carried out in support of this duty.","AnswerDate":"2015-03-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fiona Hyslop","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301662,"EventID":"S4W-24811","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5009,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-10T13:54:08.813","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-10T11:32:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government for what reason the NHS Central Register (NHSCR) Governance Board linked the NHSCR to the 2011 census.","AnswerText":"The linkage which was carried out between an extract of the National Health Service Central Register (NHSCR) and an extract of the 2011 Census was carried out under the direction of the Beyond 2011 Programme Board which was chaired by the Registrar General.\r\nThe Beyond 2011 Programme was established to explore the provision of population and socio-demographic statistics in Scotland. The programme aimed to investigate a range of options and alternatives in relation to the supply and provision of available statistical information, including the possibility of using administrative sources and methods for developing a more cost-effective and efficient census design. This linkage of extracts took place to help assess the suitability of increasing the use of the NHSCR in the production of census statistics.","AnswerDate":"2015-03-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fiona Hyslop","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301663,"EventID":"S4W-24812","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5009,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-10T13:54:09.39","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-10T11:32:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the outcomes were of the NHS Central Register (NHSCR) Governance Board’s decision to link the NHSCR to the 2011 census.","AnswerText":"The linkage which was carried out between an extract of the National Health Service Central Register (NHSCR) and an extract of the 2011 Census was carried out under the direction of the Beyond 2011 Programme Board which was chaired by the Registrar General. Statistical reports on the results of this linkage are available on the National Records of Scotland website www.nrscotland.gov.uk.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-03-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fiona Hyslop","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301664,"EventID":"S4W-24813","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5009,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-10T13:54:12.153","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-10T11:33:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether information from the 2011 census has been included in the NHS Central Register.","AnswerText":"No. Linkage work between the 2011 Census and the National Health Service Central Register (NHSCR) was carried out in 2013 between two very limited subsets extracted from the datasets, by NRS staff on NRS systems in NRS premises. The linkage was a purely statistical exercise – census data has never been attached to the ‘live’ NHSCR.","AnswerDate":"2015-03-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fiona Hyslop","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301665,"EventID":"S4W-24814","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5009,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-10T13:54:14.697","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-10T11:35:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether an identifying number or code is retained in either the 2011 census or the NHS Central Register to allow individual records in one system to be cross-referenced to the other.","AnswerText":"No. Neither the 2011 Census nor the NHS Central Register systems contain an identifying number or code which allows individual records to be cross-referenced between the two.","AnswerDate":"2015-03-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fiona Hyslop","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301666,"EventID":"S4W-24815","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5009,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-10T13:54:17.427","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-10T11:35:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether the NHS Central Register (NHSCR) Governance Board’s decision to link the 2011 census and NHSCR is consistent with the Scottish Government's identity and management principles.","AnswerText":"The linkage which was carried out between an extract of the National Health Service Central Register (NHSCR) and an extract of the 2011 Census was carried out under the direction of the Beyond 2011 Programme Board which was chaired by the Registrar General. This work was consistent with the principles and the privacy impact assessment will be published in due course.","AnswerDate":"2015-03-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fiona Hyslop","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301667,"EventID":"S4W-24816","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5009,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-10T13:54:22.323","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-10T11:35:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether the NHS Central Register (NHSCR) Governance Board had the consent of the people concerned when it linked records from the 2011 census and the NHSCR.","AnswerText":"The linkage which was carried out between an extract of the NHSCR and an extract of the 2011 census was carried out under the direction of the Beyond 2011 Programme Board which was chaired by the Registrar General.\r\nThe Data Protection Act 1998 does not require consent to allow processing of data provided that any processing of data is fair and legal and that appropriate conditions are met. The processing was fair as it was not possible to identify individuals in the outputs, no decisions were made in respect to individuals and the processing was necessary in the legitimate interests of National Records of Scotland for carrying out statistics and research. The processing was also legal as under section 5 of the Census Act 1920 the Registrar General has a duty to further the supply and better co-ordination of available statistical information with respect to the number and condition of the population in the interval between each census.","AnswerDate":"2015-03-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fiona Hyslop","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301668,"EventID":"S4W-24817","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5009,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-10T13:54:24.943","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-10T11:36:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether the NHS Central Register (NHSCR) Governance Board conducted a cost/benefit analysis of the research exercise to link the NHSCR and the 2011 census and, if so, what it concluded.","AnswerText":"The linkage which was carried out between an extract of the National Health Service Central Register and an extract of the 2011 Census was carried out under the direction of the Beyond 2011 Programme Board which was chaired by the Registrar General.\r\nThe programme contained several work streams and this linkage project was a subset of one work stream. A cost/benefit analysis was not produced for this specific piece of work, which involved minimal costs (see the answer to question S4W-24818 on 19 March 2015)\r\nAll answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.","AnswerDate":"2015-03-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fiona Hyslop","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301669,"EventID":"S4W-24818","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5009,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-10T13:54:27.503","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-10T11:36:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the cost was of the NHS Central Register (NHSCR) Governance Board’s research exercise to link the NHSCR and the 2011 census.","AnswerText":"This work involved a very small amount of staff time, within a much larger programme and so a precise figure is not available. However, we estimate the total cost is likely to have been around £3,000. All of this work was carried out within existing NRS budgets.","AnswerDate":"2015-03-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fiona Hyslop","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301681,"EventID":"S4O-04124","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":1932,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":117,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-11T13:25:16.887","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-09T12:04:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on progress on establishing a commission on widening access as outlined in the Programme for Government 2014-15.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-03-18T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301682,"EventID":"S4O-04125","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":4948,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-11T13:25:17.667","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-09T12:04:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how the Schools for the Future programme can help improve the school estate and how many pupils it impacts on.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-03-18T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301683,"EventID":"S4O-04126","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":2394,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-11T13:25:18.227","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-09T12:04:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to expand the range of foreign language courses available in schools.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-03-18T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301684,"EventID":"S4O-04127","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":2134,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":82,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-11T13:25:18.977","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-09T12:04:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it will increase the number of students from Lanarkshire attending university.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-03-18T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301685,"EventID":"S4O-04128","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":5107,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":124,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-11T13:25:19.507","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-09T12:04:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it encourages the study of Scottish literature and drama in schools.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-03-18T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301686,"EventID":"S4O-04129","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-11T13:25:20.037","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-09T12:04:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what work it is undertaking with educational institutions to tackle occupational segregation.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-03-18T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301687,"EventID":"S4O-04130","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":1845,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-11T13:25:21.067","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-09T12:04:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what recent discussions have taken place between the SQA and local authorities regarding pupils' career advice and subject choice.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-03-18T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301688,"EventID":"S4O-04131","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":1943,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-11T13:25:21.77","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-09T12:04:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what recent discussions it has had with the UK Government regarding reintroducing the post-study work visa in Scotland.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-03-18T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301689,"EventID":"S4O-04132","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":1759,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-11T13:25:22.47","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-09T12:04:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what educational arrangements and support are in place for young carers and young adult carers in the transition from primary, secondary and tertiary education.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-03-18T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301690,"EventID":"S4O-04133","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":3745,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":122,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-11T13:25:23","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-09T12:04:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it last met Aberdeenshire Council to discuss the recruitment and retention of teachers.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-03-18T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301691,"EventID":"S4O-04134","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":3759,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":80,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-11T13:25:23.53","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-09T12:04:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it last met South Lanarkshire Council's education department and what issues where discussed.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-03-18T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301692,"EventID":"S4O-04135","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":2010,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":137,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-11T13:25:24.14","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-09T12:04:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what value it places on early years education.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-03-18T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301693,"EventID":"S4O-04136","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":5060,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-11T13:25:24.717","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-09T12:04:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the impact is of severe deprivation on a child’s educational attainment. ","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-03-18T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301694,"EventID":"S4O-04137","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":5042,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-11T13:25:25.233","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-09T12:04:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many non-teaching staff there are in schools and how this compares with 2013-14.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-03-18T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301695,"EventID":"S4O-04138","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":4939,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":78,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-11T13:25:25.747","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-09T12:04:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with Falkirk Council regarding its proposal to reduce the primary school week from 25 to 22.5 hours in 2016-17.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-03-18T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301696,"EventID":"S4O-04139","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":2059,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":91,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-11T13:25:26.403","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-09T12:04:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what support it is providing to college students.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-03-18T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301697,"EventID":"S4O-04140","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":4965,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-11T13:25:26.947","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-09T12:04:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it has taken to help local authorities find teachers.","AnswerText":"We work closely with local authorities and other partners to ensure we have the right numbers of teachers with the right skills in the right places.\r\nFor example, we have increased intake targets for student teachers in each of the last four years, we have provided financial support to the University of the Highlands and Islands to allow them to establish and expand their initial teacher education provision and to the University of Aberdeen to develop a part-time, distance learning initial teacher education course.","AnswerDate":"2015-03-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-03-18T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301698,"EventID":"S4O-04141","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":3824,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-11T13:25:27.417","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-09T12:04:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what additional support it is giving to councils where parents cannot access free childcare entitlement due to capacity issues.","AnswerText":"£329 million was allocated to local authorities in agreement with COSLA for the first two years following implementation of the Children and Young People (Scotland) Act 2014. We are not aware of any local authorities unable to meet the new requirements.\r\nUnder the Act, local authorities must now consult and publish plans on the delivery of early learning and childcare. They must deliver a range of models and choice, within a framework of up to 8 hours a day across the whole year.\r\nMost consulted voluntarily before the implementation of the Act and many have already started further consultation.","AnswerDate":"2015-03-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-03-18T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"Fiona McLeod","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301699,"EventID":"S4O-04142","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":2826,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":84,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-11T13:25:27.93","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-09T12:04:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how the UK Government’s immigration policy impacts on Scottish universities.","AnswerText":"The immigration measures brought in by successive UK governments undermine the efforts of Scottish universities to compete in a global marketplace and attract the brightest and best international student talent.\r\nThey impact on the international competitiveness of Scottish education, create additional burdens for institutions and students and are being negatively perceived overseas, deterring prospective students from applying to study in the UK.","AnswerDate":"2015-03-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-03-18T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301700,"EventID":"S4O-04143","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":2215,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":125,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-11T13:25:28.46","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-09T12:04:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking in the north east to help develop language skills that will bring more international business to the area.","AnswerText":"Our commitment to stronger languages provision in schools is fundamentally linked to our ambitions for business growth throughout Scotland (as underlined in our economic strategy).\r\nWe are already starting to see exciting changes in what schools are offering and in what young people expect to be able to learn, to equip them for life and work.\r\nSince 2010 there has been a 8% increase in Higher language entries.\r\nThere is a clear potential impact on inward investment: at a recent Aberdeen ‘Business Breakfast’ event, Total UK and Barclays Bank were amongst employers emphasising the value of language skills in their workforces to young people from local high schools.","AnswerDate":"2015-03-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-03-18T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"Alasdair Allan","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301701,"EventID":"S4O-04144","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":5038,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-11T13:25:29.24","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-09T12:05:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its assessment is of the effectiveness of the reformed Scottish Medicines Consortium drug appraisal process and whether it considers that further reform is required.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-03-19T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301702,"EventID":"S4O-04145","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":1860,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-11T13:25:29.71","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-09T12:05:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what it is doing to encourage teenage girls to become and remain more active.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-03-19T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301703,"EventID":"S4O-04146","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":1853,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":86,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-11T13:25:30.38","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-09T12:05:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many dermatology inpatient beds will be available at the new South Glasgow Hospitals.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-03-19T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301704,"EventID":"S4O-04147","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":1892,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":134,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-11T13:25:31.27","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-09T12:05:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it will implement the recommendations of the Beef 2020 Report.  ","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-03-19T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301705,"EventID":"S4O-04148","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":2603,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-11T13:25:31.893","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-09T12:05:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with Aberdeen City and Aberdeenshire councils on the Aberdeen City Region Deal bid and what assistance it will provide to support the bid.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-03-19T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301706,"EventID":"S4O-04149","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":3743,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":123,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-11T13:25:32.703","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-09T12:05:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to the Crisis report, Benefit sanctions and homelessness: a scoping report.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-03-19T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301707,"EventID":"S4O-04150","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":1741,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-11T13:25:33.203","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-09T12:05:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to publish an Oil and Gas Analytical Bulletin.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-03-19T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301708,"EventID":"S4O-04151","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":5556,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":111,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-11T13:25:33.75","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-09T12:05:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to reduce cancer treatment referral waiting times for NHS Fife patients.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-03-19T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301709,"EventID":"S4O-04152","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":3751,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":108,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-11T13:25:34.233","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-09T12:05:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what help it can provide to encourage dog owners to pick up dog waste.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is committed to encouraging responsible dog ownership and recognises that dog fouling is a concern for many residents in communities across Scotland and, as I am sure the member is aware, aside from being unsightly and an unpleasant hazard for pedestrians and those using sports pitches, dog waste can pose a serious health risk to the public and, in particular, is a risk for children.\r\nThe Dog Fouling (Scotland) Act 2003 gives local authorities the powers to deal with irresponsible dog owners, through the issuing by ‘authorised officers’ of fixed penalty notices to those owners who do not pick up their dog’s waste, and such powers are essential. \r\nLooking beyond the power of the Act, I intend to approach Scotland’s local authorities in an effort to identify best practice in encouraging dog owners to pick up dog waste and look at opportunities to promote that best practice across all local ","AnswerDate":"2015-03-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-03-19T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"Paul Wheelhouse","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301713,"EventID":"S4W-24820","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4014,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-11T13:50:14.833","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-10T16:05:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many arrests have been made by the British Transport Police in Scotland (a) on trains and (b) at train stations, and how many incidents the force has responded to, in each year since 1999.","AnswerText":"This is a reserved matter.\r\nAs you are aware, powers for the policing of the railway industry will transfer over to Scotland through recommendations put forward by the Smith Commission.\r\nThe Scottish Government has set out its intent to integrate the British Transport Police in Scotland within Police Scotland and is taking forward discussions with the British Transport Police, the British Transport Police Authority, the British Transport Police Association and all relevant stakeholders in relation to this.","AnswerDate":"2015-03-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-25T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301714,"EventID":"S4W-24823","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3061,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-11T13:50:15.393","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-10T17:01:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government on what date the formal review of waste spreading will commence, and whether the public will have the opportunity to respond.","AnswerText":"The review into the spreading of sewage sludge on land began on 6 March 2015 when the Scottish Environment Protection Agency, Scottish Water and Scottish Government met to finalise the terms of the review.\r\nThe review will take into account the views of a range of stakeholders and community groups. A meeting has already taken place with representatives of the Avonbridge and Standburn Community Council to hear their views and concerns.","AnswerDate":"2015-03-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-25T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Richard Lochhead","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301715,"EventID":"S4W-24824","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4014,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-11T13:50:16.06","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-11T10:14:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on reports that there have been a high number of accidents at the Ryze trampoline park in Dalkeith; what discussions it had had with Midlothian Council about this issue, and what information it has about whether investigations are (a) taking place or (b) are planned.","AnswerText":"It is the responsibility of Midlothian Council as the licensing authority to determine whether any licences are required by particular business and to deal with any infraction of licensing laws or conditions.\r\nWe understand that the council have been working with the operators to resolve any licensing and health and safety issues and the trampoline park will be reopening shortly.","AnswerDate":"2015-03-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-25T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301716,"EventID":"S4W-24826","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4014,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-11T13:50:16.53","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-11T10:14:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what guidance it provides to local authorities regarding the granting of indoor sports entertainment licences and the inspection of establishments that have these.","AnswerText":"Local authorities operate with well-established licencing principles regarding the issuing or inspecting of indoor sports entertainment licences.\r\nThe Health and Safety Executive offers guidance on the operation of leisure activities.","AnswerDate":"2015-03-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-25T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301717,"EventID":"S4W-24827","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-11T13:50:17.023","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-11T10:23:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what (a) consideration it has given to and (b) representations it has received regarding locating Wave Energy Scotland in Orkney.","AnswerText":"Scottish Ministers and Highlands and Islands Enterprise have received representations from Mr McArthur and one of his constituents. A final decision on the location of Wave Energy Scotland is one for Highlands and Islands Enterprise.","AnswerDate":"2015-03-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-25T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301718,"EventID":"S4W-24829","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-11T13:50:17.873","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-11T10:24:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether the issue of Wave Energy Scotland being located in Orkney will be considered at the next meeting of the Island Areas Ministerial Working Group.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-24831 on 25 March 2015. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at: \r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx","AnswerDate":"2015-03-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-25T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301719,"EventID":"S4W-24830","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-11T13:50:18.697","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-11T10:31:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it considers the decision to locate Wave Energy Scotland in Inverness is consistent with the commitment to \"island-proof\" all decisions by it and its agencies.","AnswerText":"The Wave Energy Scotland (WES) inception team is currently based in Inverness. A decision on the permanent location – or locations – for WES in the Highlands and Islands has not yet been made. This is a matter for Highlands and Islands Enterprise.","AnswerDate":"2015-03-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-25T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301720,"EventID":"S4W-24831","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-11T13:50:19.437","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-11T10:34:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the debate on motion S4M-12218 on 18 February 2015, where Wave Energy Scotland is to be located in the future.","AnswerText":"A small Wave Energy Scotland team will be located in the Highlands and Islands. The final decision on location is one for Highlands and Islands Enterprise.","AnswerDate":"2015-03-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-25T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301723,"EventID":"S4W-24785","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1866,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-11T16:45:46.803","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-06T18:20:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action is taken by (a) it, (b) Scottish Natural Heritage and (c) other public bodies to support access to allotments for people living in areas of multiple deprivation.","AnswerText":"Part 7 of the Community Empowerment Bill will place new duties on local authorities which will significantly increase access to allotments for people throughout Scotland, including those living in areas of multiple deprivation.\r\nThe Scottish Government and Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) have supported a small number of community growing projects including allotments by providing grants to local community groups across Scotland over recent years. These community groups have been from across Scotland, including areas of multiple deprivation.\r\nAs part of its work to mitigate the health impacts of welfare reform, the Scottish Government is providing funding to support a number of projects in NHS Tayside for 2014-15. One of the projects brings together a small group of volunteers who are in recovery from drug and/or mental health issues, to develop a community garden. The project is supported by a community practice nurse and by Dundee City Council who have provided space for the allotment along with an allotment officer to help oversee the project.\r\nSNH’s grants to community groups for community growing projects including allotments have included two for allotment projects within a Scottish Index of Multiple Deprivation (SIMD) area; Dalbeattie Allotment Association 2008 and Calder community 2013\r\nSNH’s new external funding priorities mean that the focus of future funding is on priority groups, including communities from SIMD areas.\r\nForestry Commission Scotland (FCS) have worked with Greenspace Scotland to develop a community information sheet on how groups can establish allotments on the land it manages, in addition to the two existing allotment projects on FCS managed land.","AnswerDate":"2015-03-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-25T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Richard Lochhead","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301724,"EventID":"S4W-24786","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1866,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-11T16:45:48.05","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-06T18:20:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when research was last conducted by (a) it, (b) Scottish Natural Heritage and (c) other public bodies on access to allotments for people living in areas of multiple deprivation; what plans it has to update this, and through what method.","AnswerText":"In 2008, Scottish Natural Heritage  undertook research on access to greenspace, which included an analysis of the population within each decile of the Scottish Index of Multiple Deprivation that has access to an allotment site within a 600 meters (10 minute walk) buffer.\r\nThe Scottish Government had indicated that following enactment of Part 7 of the Community Empowerment Bill it intends to develop with key stakeholders a national strategy for food growing involving allotment and community growing interests. That piece of work will include consideration of future research needs.","AnswerDate":"2015-03-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-25T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Richard Lochhead","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301725,"EventID":"S4W-24787","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1866,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-11T16:45:48.787","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-06T18:20:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what support it has made available to assist outside organisations in conducting research on access to allotments for people living in areas of multiple deprivation.","AnswerText":"Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) has provided support funding to Greenspace Scotland for Our Growing Communities publication (2013). This was a pack that looked at a wide range of community initiatives and locations. One of which was allotments.\r\nThe 2011 Greenspace Scotland survey http://greenspacescotland.org.uk/1greenspace-survey-2011.aspx)\r\nThis research was undertaken among a representative sample of people living in urban areas in Scotland. Key findings include\r\n32% of people living in urban areas grow fruit and vegetables; this proportion drops to 14% among those living in the 15% most deprived areas.\r\nAmong those growing fruit and vegetables, 87% grow it in their garden and 5% in an allotment. \r\nAmong those who do not grow fruit and vegetables, 26% of all respondents and 27% of those living in the 15% most deprived areas said they would like to.\r\nAmong those who do not currently grow fruit and vegetables but said they would like to, the main obstacles were: ‘no garden’ (mentioned by 39%), ‘lack of time’ (35%), ‘don’t know how to’ (5%) and ‘can’t get an allotment/none nearby/waiting list’ (4%).\r\nSNH have also provided funding to Scottish Allotments and Gardens Society for the development of the following publications: Allotment Design Guide 2012; Audit and Good Practice Case Studies of Allotment Sites in Scotland 2007; and Finding Scotland’s Allotments 2007.","AnswerDate":"2015-03-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-25T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Richard Lochhead","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301726,"EventID":"S4W-24833","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1943,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-11T16:45:49.513","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-11T10:49:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government which gas-fired power stations have been mothballed and in what year; what the annual cost has been to maintain each; what the maximum output of each would be if reinstated, expressed as a percentage of overall (a) Scottish and (b) UK capacity, and what information it has regarding stations in the rest of the UK.","AnswerText":"The only major, transmission-connected gas power station in Scotland is sited at Peterhead and remains operational. The information requested on annual maintenance costs and maximum output of mothballed gas power stations in the rest of the UK is not held centrally. This information may be available from the owners of these power stations.","AnswerDate":"2015-03-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-25T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301727,"EventID":"S4W-24845","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1943,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-11T16:45:50.04","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-11T11:12:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the running costs have been of each operational gas-fired power station in each year since 1999, and what information it has regarding stations in the rest of the UK. ","AnswerText":"The information requested is not held centrally. Such commercial information may be available from the owners of the relevant power stations.","AnswerDate":"2015-03-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-25T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301728,"EventID":"S4W-24847","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1943,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-11T16:45:50.563","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-11T11:24:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what information it has regarding how much investment by National Grid would be needed to keep Longannet power station operational, also expressed as a percentage of National Grid's operating profit for (a) 2012-13 and (b) 2013-14.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government does not have access to Longannet’s profit and loss accounts. This information is held by Scottish Power. During a parliamentary committee hearing on 11 March 2015, Neil Clitheroe, Scottish Power’s Chief Executive Officer of Retail and Generation, said that “If Longannet was paying transmission charges of around £10 million instead of £40 million, the plant would just survive.”\r\nThe information requested relating to National Grid’s operating profit is not held centrally by the Scottish Government.","AnswerDate":"2015-03-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-25T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301729,"EventID":"S4W-24849","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-11T16:45:51.07","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-11T14:01:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide a breakdown of how the £12 million allocated for the implementation of the Developing Scotland’s Young Workforce programme will be spent in 2015-16.","AnswerText":"The Developing Scotland’s Young Workforce programme budget for 2014-15 is £12 million, the breakdown of which is set out in the following table. The distribution of the £16.6 million budget for 2015-16 has not yet been established.\r\nTable 1: Developing the Young Workforce budget breakdown 2014-15\r\nArea\r\nActivity\r\nBudget\r\nLocal Government\r\nDeveloping pathways for young people into sustained and quality jobs that align with local circumstances and labour market.\r\n£6.5 million \r\nSkills Development Scotland\r\nFunding a skills package including development of advanced and foundation apprenticeships.\r\n£3 million\r\nInvest in Young People groups \r\nEstablishing new regional employer partnerships.\r\n£0.1 million *\r\nInvest in Young People accolade\r\nImplementing a new accolade for employers \r\n£0.5 million\r\nColleges\r\nSupporting the sector’s approach to planning for DYW delivery. \r\n£0.5 million\r\nEducation Scotland\r\nDeveloping resources to support young people towards work.\r\n£0.5 million\r\nScottish Government programme costs\r\nRunning the seven year programme at a national level.\r\n£0.9 million\r\nTotal\r\n\r\n£12 million\r\n*Original sum allocated was £1 million for 2014-15. Slippage in establishing the groups means £100k has been spent to date. These groups, once established will be fully funded by the Scottish Government in 2015-16.","AnswerDate":"2015-03-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-25T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Roseanna Cunningham","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301730,"EventID":"S4W-24850","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5034,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-11T16:45:51.943","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-11T15:13:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether referrals to the Centre for Integrative Care in Glasgow have ceased and, if so, (a) for what reason and (b) what alternative provisions are being made for the centre’s service users. ","AnswerText":"Individual NHS boards decide what services they make available locally, and what services they refer patients to, based on the needs of their resident population in line with national guidance.","AnswerDate":"2015-03-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-25T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301745,"EventID":"S4W-24852","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5060,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-12T13:40:44.273","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-11T16:24:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on the arguments set out in motion S4M-11154, and whether these reflect its policies on student residences and affordable housing.","AnswerText":"Scottish Planning Policy sets out the Scottish Government’s policy on enabling the delivery of new homes. It sets out that local authorities, through their development plans, should address the supply of land for all housing. Plans should identify any expected developer contributions towards delivery of affordable housing.","AnswerDate":"2015-03-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301746,"EventID":"S4W-24853","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-12T13:40:44.93","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-11T16:45:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its estimate is of how much will be required to capitalise the Scottish business development bank and what the set-up costs will be.","AnswerText":"We are looking at different options of how best to deliver a Scottish development bank, working jointly with enterprise agencies and public and private sector stakeholders. This work includes agreement on the best scope, scale and structure. Once this work is completed, indicative set-up costs including capitalisation can be estimated.","AnswerDate":"2015-03-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301747,"EventID":"S4W-24855","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4080,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-12T13:40:46.113","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-11T16:58:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether the Scotland Act 1998 (Modifications of Schedules 4 and 5 and Transfer of Functions to the Scottish Ministers etc.) Order 2015 has the effect of extending the legislative competence of the Scottish Parliament to include Section 3 of the Representation of the People Act 1983 in respect of people aged 16 and 17 who are in prison.","AnswerText":"The Scotland Act 1998 (Modifications of Schedules 4 and 5 and Transfer of Functions to the Scottish Ministers etc.) Order 2015 does not extend the legislative competence of the Scottish Parliament to alter Section 3 of the Representation of the People Act 1983. It therefore remains outwith legislative competence for the Scottish Parliament to make provision in respect of participation in elections for people of any age who are in prison in pursuance of a sentence.","AnswerDate":"2015-03-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301748,"EventID":"S4W-24856","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5034,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-12T13:40:46.723","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-11T17:08:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether the Live Active Exercise Referral Scheme is a national programme; whether there has been a reduction in funding for the scheme and, if so, on what basis and whether it has considered the impact on deprived areas; for what reason there has been a reduction in service in certain areas, and which deprived areas are affected by these reductions.","AnswerText":"There are a number of exercise referral schemes in Scotland. There is no single national programme.","AnswerDate":"2015-03-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301749,"EventID":"S4W-24861","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1741,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-12T13:40:47.33","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-12T10:53:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many whole-time equivalent GPs there have been in each year since 2007.","AnswerText":"\r\nYear\r\nNumber of GPs\r\n2007\r\n4,686\r\n2008\r\n4,890\r\n2009\r\n4,907\r\n2010\r\n4,905\r\n2011\r\n4,888\r\n2012\r\n4,856\r\n2013\r\n4,881\r\n2014\r\n4,918\r\n\r\nInformation on whole-time equivalent status of GPs is not routinely available. However, the next national primary care workforce survey will be held later in 2015.\r\nOther information on the GP workforce, including headcount data, is published by NHS Scotland: http://www.isdscotland.org/Health-Topics/General-Practice/GPs-and-Other-Practice-Workforce/","AnswerDate":"2015-03-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301750,"EventID":"S4W-24865","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2010,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":137,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-12T13:40:48.143","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-12T11:38:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many (a) businesses and (b) people have submitted online planning applications via the ePlanning Scotland website in each year since 2009, broken down by local authority, and what the average saving was.","AnswerText":"Anyone who registers on the portal can set their account as either a ‘professional’ or a ‘general public’ user. The reason for this initial distinction is to customise their experience. As regular users of the portal professionals benefit from additional functionality made available to them. The general public are assisted with easy to use forms and guidance. The Scottish Government does not however retain information on the breakdown of applications submitted through the ePlanning portal by types of user, whether they be professionals, businesses or the general public.\r\nThe average saving per applicant is based on several factors associated with producing a traditional paper based application. This includes savings to be made from costs associated with printing technical drawings, design statements, visualisations etc. as well as the packaging and postage costs. Other savings are generated by the efficiencies the portal provides, freeing up the applicants time to work on other activities. None of these savings have a bearing on which planning authority is processing the application or who the applicant is; an average is applied across all applications.","AnswerDate":"2015-03-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301751,"EventID":"S4W-24870","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2117,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-12T13:40:48.75","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-12T12:07:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with Abellio regarding the delivery of refurbished rolling stock for use on the Abellio ScotRail franchise.","AnswerText":"Transport Scotland officials have been meeting regularly with the Abellio mobilisation team to discuss many aspects of the new franchise operation.\r\nAbellio is due to have completed all leases for the rolling stock, such as high speed trains for inter-city routes, it requires to operate ScotRail services by the end of this month.\r\nWithin the leases detailed refurbishment programmes are being developed and Abellio is obliged to deliver these commitments, as required within the terms of the franchise agreement. Penalties are in place if the deadlines for the refurbishment and introduction of these trains into service are not met, but these are commercially confidential, given the involvement of third parties in this process.","AnswerDate":"2015-03-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301752,"EventID":"S4W-24871","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2117,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-12T13:40:49.623","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-12T12:07:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what assurances it has had from Abellio that the refurbished rolling stock due to be in use on routes to Aberdeen and Inverness by the end of 2018 will be delivered on time.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-24870 on 23 March 2015. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at: \r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx","AnswerDate":"2015-03-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301753,"EventID":"S4W-24872","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2117,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-12T13:40:50.343","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-12T12:07:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether there are penalties in the Abellio ScotRail franchise agreement for late delivery of refurbished or new rolling stock and, if so, what penalties and when and how they can be imposed.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-24870 on 23 March 2015. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at: \r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx","AnswerDate":"2015-03-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301754,"EventID":"S4W-24873","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1759,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-12T13:40:51.06","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-12T12:19:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when Scottish Natural Heritage will produce the annual update to the wind farm footprint maps.","AnswerText":"There is no scheduled update of the Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) wind farm footprint map. The Scottish Government and SNH are in discussion with the UK Government about securing more comprehensive data on wind turbines supporting better mapping of wind turbines across the country on which everybody can rely. The Scottish Government and SNH are doing this in response to criticism that the wind farm footprint map previously produced by SNH was incomplete. SNH’s wind farm footprint map did not comprehensively capture all small scale wind farms and single turbines primarily as their remit was focussed on commenting on large scale wind farms.","AnswerDate":"2015-03-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-04-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301755,"EventID":"S4W-24874","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1759,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-12T13:40:51.637","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-12T12:19:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it will produce its annual update to the 2020 Routemap for Renewable Energy in Scotland.","AnswerText":"We plan to publish an update to the 2020 Routemap for Renewable Energy in Scotland in the near future.\r\nThe Scottish Government’s annual compendium of energy statistics was published on 29 January 2015. It confirmed that in 2013, the equivalent of 44.4% of gross electricity consumption in Scotland was from renewable sources, up from 38.8% in 2012. The compendium, Energy in Scotland 2015, is available on the Scottish Government website at: \r\nhttp://www.gov.scot/Topics/Statistics/Browse/Business/Energy","AnswerDate":"2015-03-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301756,"EventID":"S4W-24876","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-12T13:40:52.213","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-12T12:51:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will detail the £150 million underspend in 2014-15, broken down by portfolio.","AnswerText":"As in previous years, I will provide details of the expected Departmental Expenditure Limit outturn by portfolio alongside my provisional outturn statement in June 2015.","AnswerDate":"2015-03-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301757,"EventID":"S4W-24862","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4014,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-12T16:46:29.74","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-12T11:02:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer question S4W-24689 by Fiona McLeod on 11 March 2015, whether it will provide details of the \"publicly available information\" and the funding model agreed with COSLA, and how it used this information to calculate the £880 million figure.","AnswerText":"The publicly available information relates to the Local Financial Return 2013-14 expenditure release of 24 February 2015 which sets out the baseline annual revenue spend by local government of £320 million on the 475 hours policy, i.e. prior to commencement of the Act’s provisions on early learning and childcare. The additional costs associated with the early learning and childcare provisions in the Act were set out in the original and supplementary financial memoranda, for both the stage 1 and stage 2 early learning and childcare provisions, to the financial year 2019-20.\r\nThis model was then adapted to scale up to 1,140 hours per year – 30 hours per week for 38 weeks – to give a total of £881 million total annual revenue spend.","AnswerDate":"2015-03-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fiona McLeod","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301758,"EventID":"S4W-24863","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5042,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-12T16:46:30.267","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-12T11:21:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how the Scottish Attainment Fund will improve the attainment of pupils with additional support needs irrespective of whether they live in the most deprived local authority areas.","AnswerText":"The Attainment Scotland Fund is targeted at local authorities with the biggest concentration of primary school pupils living in households in our most deprived areas. It will focus on literacy, numeracy and health and wellbeing in the primary sector to support children and young people in these communities to achieve their potential.\r\nOur approach to raising attainment is for all children and young people including those with additional support needs, and has a firm foundation in all our key policies and programmes, the pillars of which are Curriculum for Excellence, Teaching Scotland’s Future, Getting it right for every child, the Early Years Framework and Developing Scotland’s Young Workforce. There are a range of activities already underway and planned, which are supporting authorities and schools across Scotland to raise attainment and reduce the attainment gap.\r\nIn addition, education authorities and other agencies have duties under the Additional Support for Learning Act 2004 (as amended) to identify, provide for and review the additional support needs of their pupils. An additional support need can arise for any reason and be of short or long term duration.\r\nScottish Ministers are required to report to Parliament annually on the implementation of the Act. The February 2014 report indicated that there has been increase of 2% in attendance for pupils with additional support needs, a pattern of better qualifications and higher grades for pupils with additional support needs since 2009-10, and that 82.3% of school leavers with additional support needs were in a positive destination, a rise of almost 8% on 2009-10.","AnswerDate":"2015-03-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301759,"EventID":"S4W-24864","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5042,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-12T16:46:30.777","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-12T11:21:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, other than exam results and qualification attainment, what national indicators or measures it will use to monitor progress on closing the attainment and achievement gap for pupils.","AnswerText":"As clearly set out in our Programme for Government, we are committed to ensuring that educational outcomes for all learners are improving and that inequity is eradicated. A range of educational performance data, including school-leaver destinations, exam results, literacy and numeracy survey reports and international Program for International Student Assessment figures currently provide information about attainment in Scotland.\r\nI have announced in recent weeks extensive measures we are putting in place including the Attainment Scotland Fund, Read, Write, Count and local support. Working with key partners, we are developing a national improvement framework which will build on the existing data to help us make further progress on narrowing the attainment gap for pupils.","AnswerDate":"2015-03-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301760,"EventID":"S4W-24877","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-12T16:46:31.267","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-12T13:27:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4O-04069 by Maureen Watt on 4 March 2015 (Official Report, c.12), in light of the minister's comment that \"there are no plans to close the CIC [Glasgow Centre for Integrative Care], which we see as having a role for patients across Scotland”, what its position is on NHS Lanarkshire's decision to no longer refer patients to the centre from April 2015, and whether it will ask the board to review its decision.","AnswerText":"Health boards are required to involve local stakeholders in designing, developing and delivering the health care services they provide for them. This should be done in line with national guidance on informing, engaging and consulting people in developing health and community care services. The guidance can be accessed at the following link:\r\nhttp://www.sehd.scot.nhs.uk/mels/CEL2010_04.pdf.\r\nIn line with this guidance, only proposals for major service change in the NHS are subject to ministerial approval. NHS Lanarkshire’s proposals were not designated major service change. As such, this was a decision for the board of NHS Lanarkshire to make, following careful consideration of all the available information, evidence and representations.","AnswerDate":"2015-03-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301761,"EventID":"S4W-24878","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4014,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-12T16:46:31.937","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-12T16:15:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether headteachers in post prior to the introduction of the professional masters qualification in 2018-19 will be required to undertake the new qualification if they wish to move to another headship.","AnswerText":"No, current headteachers have already demonstrated that they have met the Standard for Headship either as a result of having successfully completed the Scottish Qualification for Headship, the Flexible Route to Headship or that otherwise the local authority is satisfied that they have demonstrated through appointment procedures the qualities and experience described in the standard.\r\nIn the longer term existing headteachers may wish to consider undertaking parts of the new qualification as part of their professional learning.","AnswerDate":"2015-03-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301762,"EventID":"S4W-24879","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4014,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-12T16:46:32.43","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-12T16:15:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the projected number is of (a) primary and (b) secondary headteachers who will hold the new professional masters qualification by (i) 2019-20, (ii) 2020-21 and (iii) 2021-22.","AnswerText":"These figures are not currently available. The Scottish Government is currently working with the Scottish College for Educational Leadership and the Association of Directors of Education in Scotland to estimate the number of teachers that will need to be trained between now and the requirement coming into force in 2018-19. It is the responsibility of local authorities to ensure they employ suitably qualified staff to lead schools.","AnswerDate":"2015-03-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301772,"EventID":"S4W-24869","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1866,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-13T13:46:03.73","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-12T11:59:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4O-04120 by Maureen Watt on 12 March 2015 (Official Report, c. 5), what the target is for patients to receive access to an insulin pump when it is deemed to be medically appropriate.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has not set a specific target in relation to initiation on to insulin pump therapy. However, we expect insulin pumps to be made available as soon as possible after a clinical decision is made to provide one, taking account of individual patient circumstances and clinical considerations.","AnswerDate":"2015-03-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301773,"EventID":"S4W-24880","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-13T13:46:04.54","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-12T16:15:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government for what reason there is a reduction of £8.972 million in the discretionary housing payments budget for 2015-16.","AnswerText":"The budget for funding local authorities for discretionary housing payments (DHPs) in both 2014-15 and 2015-16 is £35 million. The Scottish Government has provided local authorities with £26,028,194 for DHPs from 1 April 2015 and has retained £8,971,806 to be paid out at the end of 2015-16, according to local authorities’ housing benefit caseload data and actual levels of DHP expenditure.\r\nThis approach was agreed with COSLA to ensure each local authority receives sufficient funding to fully mitigate the bedroom tax in 2015-16.","AnswerDate":"2015-03-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Burgess","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301774,"EventID":"S4W-24881","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-13T13:46:05.603","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-12T16:16:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what estimate it has made of the reduction in discretionary housing payments from the UK Government to local authorities for 2015-16.","AnswerText":"The UK Government has reduced funding to Scottish local authorities for discretionary housing payments (DHPs) by £1.9 million, from £15.2 million in 2014-15 to £13.3 million in 2015-16. \r\nThe Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) provides DHP funding based on housing benefit caseload and the impact of certain aspects of welfare reform on local authorities. The DWP has reduced the total core funding, as well as the funding linked to the benefit cap and changes to local housing allowance. The total funding available in Scotland linked to the bedroom tax has increased by £118,000 for 2015-16 compared to 2014-15.\r\nThe DWP publishes details of the UK Government’s contribution to local authorities for DHPs. Details of funding for 2015-16 are contained in the housing benefit circular S1/2015 which is available at: \r\nhttps://www.gov.uk/government/publications/hb-subsidy-circular-s12015-discretionary-housing-payments-government-contribution-for-tax-year-2015-to-2016","AnswerDate":"2015-03-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Burgess","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301775,"EventID":"S4W-24882","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-13T13:46:06.803","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-12T16:18:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much of the £35 million discretionary housing payments budget allocated to local authorities in 2014-15 has been spent, broken down by local authority.","AnswerText":"Details of expenditure on discretionary housing payments by local authority in Scotland are published on the Scottish Government website at: \r\nhttp://www.gov.scot/Topics/Statistics/Browse/Social-Welfare/dhp","AnswerDate":"2015-03-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Burgess","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301776,"EventID":"S4W-24883","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-13T13:46:07.88","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-12T16:13:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many comments were issued to the press, broadcasters or media outlets by (a) special advisers and (b) Scottish Government officials with media relations responsibility in each month of 2014 and in the first two months of 2015.","AnswerText":"Information on the number of news releases and calling notices issued to the media is available on a monthly basis. However, we do not hold records of the number of formal and informal comments issued to press and other media outlets by Scottish Government officials and by special advisers. The number of news releases and calling notices issued by the Scottish Government Communications Division is set out in the following table:\r\n2014\r\n\r\nJanuary\r\n202\r\nFebruary\r\n211\r\nMarch\r\n250\r\nApril\r\n227\r\nMay\r\n199\r\nJune\r\n293\r\nJuly\r\n204\r\nAugust\r\n226\r\nSeptember\r\n85\r\nOctober\r\n244\r\nNovember\r\n206\r\nDecember\r\n289\r\n2015\r\n\r\nJanuary\r\n297\r\nFebruary\r\n217\r\n\r\nThe number of news releases and calling notices was lower during September 2014 due to the restricted period ahead of the referendum.","AnswerDate":"2015-03-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301777,"EventID":"S4W-24884","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-13T13:46:08.643","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-12T16:43:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government which railway stations it discussed with the Department for Transport in relation to approving Access for All funding for 2006 to 2014.","AnswerText":"Phase 1 of the Access for All (AfA) Programme 2006 to March 2014: When the first phase of the UK Government’s AfA programme was launched in 2006, it was agreed that the Scottish Ministers would recommend the Scottish stations for inclusion in the UK programme with authorisation by the Secretary of State for Transport.\r\nBetween 2006 and the end of the first phase of the programme in March 2014, the Scottish Ministers recommended a total of 20 Scottish stations, all of which were agreed by the Secretary of State for Transport.\r\nThe Scottish stations recommended and agreed for phase 1 were:\r\nStations\r\nBarrhead\r\nCupar\r\nDalmuir\r\nDunblane\r\nDyce\r\nEasterhouse\r\nGleneagles\r\nHyndland\r\nKirkcaldy\r\nLinlithgow\r\nMilliken Park\r\nMontrose\r\nMotherwell\r\nMount Florida\r\nNewton\r\nPerth\r\nRosyth\r\nRutherglen\r\nShotts\r\nStirling\r\n\r\nThe feasibility studies identified station infrastructure upgrades to improve accessibility at 19 of the listed stations and an operational upgrade to improve accessibility at Stirling.\r\nPhase 2 of the Access for All (AfA) Programme April 2014 to March 2019:\r\nWith the launch in April 2014 of the second phase of the UK Government’s AfA programme, the Department for Transport (DfT) changed the station selection process. Scottish Ministers, the Welsh Assembly and each of the English regions were requested to submit a long list of stations requiring access improvements to the DfT. The DfT would then select which stations would be included in the second phase of the AfA programme according to the selection criteria without any further input from the regions, Welsh Assembly or Scottish Ministers.\r\nScottish Ministers submitted the following long list of 15 stations for consideration for inclusion in phase 2 of the AfA programme:\r\nAviemore\r\nBlairhill\r\nBurntisland\r\nCathcart\r\nCoatdyke\r\nDumbarton East\r\nElgin\r\nGreenock West\r\nHamilton Central\r\nKilmarnock \r\nKilwinning\r\nQueens Park\r\nSpringburn\r\nStirling\r\nWesterton\r\nIn April 2014 the Secretary of State for Transport announced that the following  three Scottish stations would be included in the £100 million programme:\r\nBlairhill\r\nElgin\r\nHamilton Central\r\nIn December 2014 the Secretary of State for Transport announced an additional £60 million funding which included a further three Scottish stations to be added to the second phase of the AfA programme:\r\nKilmarnock\r\nKilwinning\r\nWesterton","AnswerDate":"2015-03-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301778,"EventID":"S4W-24885","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-13T13:46:09.533","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-12T16:44:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether the Department for Transport objected to Access for All funding being allocated to any railway stations proposed in Scotland between 2006 and 2014 and, if so, when and on what basis.","AnswerText":"The Department for Transport (DfT) did not object to any of the 20 Scottish stations recommended and subsequently included them in the Access for All (AfA) programme between 2006 and 2014.\r\nIn the first phase of the programme to 31 March 2014, all 20 Scottish stations recommended by the Scottish Ministers were included in the programme. The feasibility studies carried out on these stations identified station infrastructure upgrades to improve accessibility at 19 of the stations, supported by £41 million of investment, and an operational upgrade to improve accessibility at Stirling.\r\nAs a consequence of a change to funding arrangements, the DfT changed the station selection process for the second phase of the programme to run from 1 April 2014 to 31 March 2019. When the second phase of the UK Government’s Access for All (AfA) programme was launched in April 2014, the Department for Transport (DfT) changed the station selection process. Each of the English regions, the Welsh Assembly and Scottish Ministers were requested to submit a long list of stations requiring access improvements to the DfT, who would then select which stations would be included in the second phase of the AfA programme according to the DfT’s selection criteria without any further input from the regions, Welsh Assembly or Scottish Ministers.\r\nScottish Ministers submitted a long list of 15 stations for consideration for inclusion in phase 2 of the AfA programme. In April 2014 the Secretary of State for Transport announced that three Scottish stations, selected from Scottish Ministers’ long list, would be included in the £100 million programme and in December 2014 the Secretary of State for Transport announced an additional £60 million funding which included a further three Scottish stations being selected from the long list. For details I also refer the member to the answer to question S4W-24884 on 23 March 2015.\r\nAll answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at: \r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx","AnswerDate":"2015-03-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301779,"EventID":"S4W-24886","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-13T13:46:10.377","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-12T16:46:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-24755 by Jamie Hepburn on 12 March 2015, given that the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) has responsibility for psychological therapy treatment, such as mindfulness, in England, what the equivalent authority is for approving such treatments in Scotland.","AnswerText":"In partnership with Scottish Government, NHS Education for Scotland (NES) has produced and updated ‘The Matrix’ – A Guide to Delivering Evidence-based Psychological Therapies in Scotland since 2008. The Matrix summarises the evidence base for psychological therapies, offering guidance on choosing the most effective therapies for mental illness and disorder, and on the training and governance structures necessary to ensure safe and effective practice. NES also supports the training of both mindfulness teachers and supervisors across Scotland.","AnswerDate":"2015-03-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301780,"EventID":"S4W-24887","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-13T13:46:11.343","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-13T08:51:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether (a) Amec Building Ltd, (b) Amec Construction Ltd, (c) Amec Facilities Ltd, (d) Amec Ind Div, (e) Amec Process & Energy Ltd, (f) Amey Construction, (g) B Sunley & Sons, (h) Balfour Beatty, (i) Balfour Kilpatrick, (j) Ballast (Wiltshire) PLC, (k) Bam Construction (HBC Construction), (l) Bam Nuttall (Edmund Nutall Ltd), (m) C B & I, (n) Cleveland Bridge UK Ltd, (o) Costain UK Ltd, (p) Crown House Technologies (Carillion/Tarmac Const), (q) Diamond M & E Services, (r) Dudley Bower & Co Ltd, (s) Emcor (Drake & Scull), (t) Emcor Rail, (u) G Wimpey Ltd, (v) Haden Young Kier Ltd, (w) John Mowlem Ltd, (x) Laing O’Rourke (Laing Ltd), (y) Lovell Construction (UK) Ltd, (z) Miller Construction Limited, (aa) Morgan Ashurst, Morgan Est, (ab) Morrison Construction Group, (ac) N G Bailey, (ad) Shepherd Engineering Services, (ae) Sias Building Services, (af) Sir Robert McAlpine Ltd, (ag) Skanska (Kaverna/Trafalgar House Plc), (ah) SPIE (Matthew Hall), (ai) Taylor Woodrow Construction Ltd, (aj) Turriff Construction Ltd, (ak) Tysons Contractors, (al) Walter Llewellyn & Sons Ltd, (am) Whessoe Oil & Gas, (an) Willmott Dixon and (ao) Vinci PLC (Norwest Holst Group) has been awarded public sector contracts in Scotland since 20 November 2013 and, if so, what the (i) name and (ii) value of such contracts is.","AnswerText":"Information on contracts awarded by Scottish public bodies is already in the public domain and can be found on Public Contracts Scotland which can be accessed at: http://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/Default.aspx\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-03-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301787,"EventID":"S4W-24892","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2394,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-13T15:43:45.243","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-13T14:41:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to prevent the loss of the grass species, or landrace, Scots’ Timothy (phleum pratense).","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government operates the Scottish Landrace Protection Scheme (SLPS). This scheme is designed to prevent the genetic loss of Scottish landraces by providing a safety net in the event of harvest failure or other loss of seed. The Scots Timothy Seed Growers Association has not yet entered Scots’ Timothy into the SLPS but has been encouraged to do so.","AnswerDate":"2015-03-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-31T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Richard Lochhead","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301805,"EventID":"S4W-24890","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1756,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":136,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-16T14:14:14.207","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-13T13:15:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on reports that the MOD-operated Castlelaw ranges in the Pentland Hills have been contaminated with heavy metals that could contaminate the Glencorse reservoir and, in light of the potential health risks to the public and animals, what discussions it has had with (a) the MOD, (b) the Scottish Environment Protection Agency and (c) others.","AnswerText":"Following representations to the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) as to suggestions of contamination issues at the MOD-operated range at Castlelaw, the agency engaged with the operators to understand what issues, if any, existed and any associated environmental implications. Following these discussions, SEPA has advised that they do not consider there to be any risk to the environment.","AnswerDate":"2015-03-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen McLeod","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301806,"EventID":"S4W-24891","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1756,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":136,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-16T14:14:15.28","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-13T13:22:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on Scottish Borders Council's implementation of self-directed support as, according to its website, support is only available for needs identified as “critical” and “substantial” and resources are not available to meet “moderate” and “low” needs, and whether it considers that this is outwith the spirit of the law.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government expect all local authorities to comply with their duty of care under Section 12A of the Social Work (Scotland) Act 1968. They must be sure that the resources they allocate to a person are sufficient to meet their needs and any provision or assistance should be based on a detailed and outcomes-focussed social care assessment. Local authorities must be fair and transparent in allocation of funds.\r\nThe self-directed support statutory guidance provides a steer to local authorities that they should consider their strategy for investing in preventative and universal services – interventions which prevent or delay the need for formal social care and support. \r\nThe Scottish Government has provided funding of £720,000 from 2011-12 to 2015-16 to Scottish Borders Council to deliver the self-directed support strategy. Local authorities are expected to:\r\nInvest an appropriate amount of funding in effective preventative and universal services.\r\nEnsure services meet the needs of funded clients and the wider population, thus helping to prevent the escalation of needs.","AnswerDate":"2015-03-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301807,"EventID":"S4W-24896","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2603,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-16T14:14:16.38","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-13T15:19:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what resources it will provide to the University of Aberdeen dental school to address the concerns highlighted in the recent inspection report by the General Dental Council.","AnswerText":"The General Dental Council was satisfied that the Aberdeen Dental School’s response to these events was appropriate. The school has reviewed and improved its processes accordingly. The issues were not related to resourcing, nor has the school asked for additional resourcing.","AnswerDate":"2015-03-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301808,"EventID":"S4W-24898","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2603,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-16T14:14:17.26","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-13T15:22:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many NHS Grampian patients have been treated in private hospitals in the last year and at what cost.","AnswerText":"The number of Grampian patients treated in a private hospital during the year ending December 2014 was 1,209. This information relates to acute surgical specialties and is derived from Information Services Division (ISD) Scottish morbidity return for inpatient and day cases. It should however, be noted that there are data quality issues around the NHS Grampian information and ISD are actively working with the board to improve data quality.\r\nIn relation to the information on the cost of NHS Grampian’s patients being treated in the private sector, I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-23170 on 28 November 2014. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.\r\nNHS Grampian have been investing to build additional capacity in their own services by making available £18 million in 2013-14 to build new theatres and employing more doctors and a further £7 million in 2014-15 to support improvements, including in the specialties of orthopaedics, general surgery and urology.\r\nThe Scottish Government policy is that NHS boards should use NHS funding to build sustainable capacity. The use of the private sector should only be used in the margins to deal with short-term capacity issues.","AnswerDate":"2015-04-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301809,"EventID":"S4W-24900","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1860,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-16T14:14:18.34","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-13T15:56:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the membership is of the (a) Violence Against Women Joint Strategic Board and (b) violence against women strategy working groups.","AnswerText":"The Violence Against Women Joint Strategic Board will be co-chaired by the Scottish Government and COSLA with membership drawn from key statutory and third sector partners. We will make the membership of the new board and four expert working groups available as soon as it is possible to do so.","AnswerDate":"2015-03-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301810,"EventID":"S4W-24902","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1860,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-16T14:14:19.07","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-13T15:56:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when each of the violence against women strategy working groups (a) has met, (b) will report on progress and (c) will report its recommendations to the joint strategic board.","AnswerText":"As stated in the answer to S4W-24905 on 25 March 2015, positive progress is being made in a number of key areas and to take forward the early commitments made in Equally Safe. Unfortunately it has not been possible to move forward as quickly as originally envisaged in establishing the four expert working groups proposed in Equally Safe to inform the development of longer term action plans in the areas of: primary prevention; capacity and capability; justice, and accountability. We are currently looking at the timing and development of this longer term work.\r\nAll answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at: \r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx","AnswerDate":"2015-03-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301811,"EventID":"S4W-24905","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1860,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-16T14:14:19.87","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-13T15:57:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what developments there have been regarding the strategy, Equally Safe: Scotland's Strategy for Preventing and Eradicating Violence against Women and Girls, since its publication.","AnswerText":"Since Equally Safe was published on 25 June 2014 positive progress has been made in a number of key areas. Building on the strategy, the Scottish Government committed in the Programme for Government to consult in 2015 on the potential to introduce a specific ‘domestic abuse’ offence and an offence against the sharing of intimate images – so-called ‘revenge porn’. The courts and Crown office have put in place additional resources to speed up the processing of cases, including cases involving domestic abuse and sexual offences, through the courts, and Police Scotland is currently piloting a disclosure scheme for domestic abuse in two locations – Aberdeen and Ayrshire.\r\nIn addition, the Scottish Government announced on 20 March 2015 that it will be investing £11.8 million from its equality budget (total £20.3 million) in a range of projects and services to tackle, raise awareness of, and support those affected by violence and abuse during 2015-16. This funding includes: £60,000 for a Multi Agency Risk Assessment Conference development officer Scotland in connection with the commitment made by the Scottish Government in Equally Safe to ‘‘roll-out a National Framework for Multi-Agency Risk Assessment Conferences’’, and £220,000 of funding to support work to tackle female genital mutilation in 2015-16.","AnswerDate":"2015-03-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301812,"EventID":"S4W-24907","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2826,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":84,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-16T14:14:20.62","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-13T16:12:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many additional whole-time equivalent staff are employed by NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde compared with 2007 and what impact this has had on patient care.","AnswerText":"The following table shows that as at December 2014 there are 34,082.2 whole-time equivalent (WTE) staff working in NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde. This is 919.8 WTE more than September 2006.\r\nNHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde has seen an 83% fall in cases of clostridium difficile infection in those over 65 since 2007 (472 from January to March 2007 to 79 from July to September 2014), and a 94% fall in cases of MRSA since 2007 (68 from January to March 2007 to 4 from July to September 2014).\r\nWTE of NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde staff\r\n\r\nSeptember 20062\r\nDecember 2014\r\nDifference September 2006 to December 2014\r\nOverall staff\r\n33,162.4\r\n34,082.2\r\n919.8\r\nTotal consultants1\r\n1,131.3\r\n1,411.3\r\n279.9\r\nEmergency medicine consultants1\r\n26.0\r\n68.3\r\n42.3\r\nNursing and midwifery \r\n15,277.1\r\n15,232.4\r\n-44.7\r\n\r\nSource: Scottish Workforce Information Standard System\r\nNotes:\r\n1. Consultant figures include medical and clinical directors and directors of public health.\r\n2. To allow a comparable trend with post 2007 information, adjustments have been made.","AnswerDate":"2015-03-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301813,"EventID":"S4W-24908","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2134,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":82,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-16T14:14:21.26","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-16T09:05:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will introduce a programme similar to that in England to ensure that all nursery staff are trained to at least level two first aid.","AnswerText":"This issue is currently under consideration. The Care Inspectorate is the body responsible for inspecting standards of care in Scotland, including day care of children services, and they have indicated that they will discuss with the Scottish Social Services Council and the Scottish Qualifications Authority first aid becoming mandatory in all early learning and childcare courses in Scotland.\r\nIn addition, as part of the ongoing Review of National Care Standards, the Care Inspectorate will consider introducing a specific standard regarding paediatric first aid training.\r\nThe Care Inspectorate have further stated that they welcome the successful campaign in England to introduce a requirement for newly qualified childcare staff with level 2 and 3 qualifications to have an emergency paediatric first aid or full paediatric first aid certificate, and have been monitoring developments with interest.","AnswerDate":"2015-03-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fiona McLeod","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301814,"EventID":"S4W-24914","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4939,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":78,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-16T14:14:22.027","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-16T10:41:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government which local authorities it expects will meet the 2015 Scottish Housing Quality Standard.","AnswerText":"The independent Scottish Housing Regulator is responsible for monitoring landlords’ progress towards meeting the Scottish Housing Quality Standard. The returns made by landlords to the Scottish Housing Regulator earlier in 2015 indicated that one local authority anticipated that some of their housing stock would not meet the standard by April 2015. However, after further engagement with that local authority the regulator has advised that the local authority now expects to achieve the standard.","AnswerDate":"2015-03-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Burgess","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301815,"EventID":"S4W-24915","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2603,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-16T14:14:22.567","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-16T11:07:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-21209 by Margaret Burgess on 30 May 2014, whether it will provide an update on how much was awarded in 2014-15.","AnswerText":"The amount of Affordable Housing Supply Programme funding paid to individual registered social landlords was:\r\nHousing Association Grant (£ million) – Aberdeenshire\r\nGrant Recipient\r\n2012-13\r\n2013-14\r\n2014-15*\r\nAberdeenshire Council\r\n2.105\r\n0\r\n1.393\r\nCastlehill Housing Association\r\n0.542\r\nn/a\r\nn/a\r\nCornerstone Community Care\r\n0.230\r\n0.073\r\n0\r\nGrampian Housing Association\r\n0.937\r\n1.738\r\n0\r\nLangstane Housing Association\r\n0.146\r\n0\r\n0\r\nSanctuary Housing Association\r\nn/a\r\nn/a\r\n1.295\r\nTotal\r\n3,961\r\n1,812\r\n2.688\r\n*spend so far in 2014-15\r\n\r\nHousing Association Grant (£ million) – Aberdeen\r\nGrant Recipient\r\n2012-13\r\n2013-14\r\n2014-15*\r\nAberdeen City Council\r\n0.848\r\n0.044\r\n3.303\r\nCastlehill Housing Association\r\n0\r\n0.251\r\n0.515\r\nTenants First Housing Association\r\n2.362\r\n3.114\r\n0\r\nGrampian Housing Association\r\n0\r\n0\r\n2.072\r\nLangstane Housing Association\r\n0.491\r\n0.627\r\n0.453\r\nTotal\r\n3.702\r\n4.037\r\n6.343\r\n*spend so far in 2014-15\r\nNote: the 2014-15 spend data is not the year-end figure. For example, Aberdeenshire Council will claim on spend at the end of March 2015, and have indicated this will be £5.848 million. Likewise in Aberdeen City Council (on 18 March 2015) we are holding claims to be processed worth £1.481 million for Langstane Housing Association. We therefore anticipate the final spend figure for 2014-15 to be significantly higher in each council area.","AnswerDate":"2015-03-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Burgess","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301816,"EventID":"S4T-00969","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":9,"MSPID":2029,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":145,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-16T13:10:50.79","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-16T09:34:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to consult on its proposal for the future of the British Transport Police.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":"2015-03-17T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301817,"EventID":"S4T-00976","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":9,"MSPID":4940,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-16T13:10:54.14","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-16T11:44:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it is tackling severe and extreme poverty in Scotland. ","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":"2015-03-17T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301818,"EventID":"S4F-02687","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":1741,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-16T13:10:23.217","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-16T11:25:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister what the Scottish Government's position is on confidentiality clauses for staff leaving NHS jobs.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":"2015-03-19T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301819,"EventID":"S4F-02680","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-16T13:10:18.29","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-16T09:57:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister, in light of the new analysis by Professor Brian Ashcroft regarding fiscal autonomy, whether the two Scottish Government reports entitled Benefits of Improved Economic Performance are based on the continuation of the Barnett formula.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":"2015-03-19T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301820,"EventID":"S4F-02673","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":2110,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":138,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-16T13:10:13.633","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-16T07:59:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister what the implications for Scotland are of the UK Budget.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":"2015-03-19T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301821,"EventID":"S4F-02671","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":3759,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":80,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-16T13:10:12.263","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-15T20:21:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister what action the Scottish Government is taking to tackle racial discrimination.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":"2015-03-19T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301822,"EventID":"S4F-02674","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":3812,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-16T13:10:14.543","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-16T09:23:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister what engagements she has planned for the rest of the day.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":"2015-03-19T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301823,"EventID":"S4F-02676","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":4976,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-16T13:10:15.807","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-16T09:29:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister when she will next meet the Secretary of State for Scotland.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":"2015-03-19T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301829,"EventID":"S4W-24897","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2603,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-16T16:55:18.763","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-13T15:22:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many NHS Grampian patients had to travel to other NHS boards for treatment in the last year.","AnswerText":"The number of Grampian patients who had treatment in a different NHS board area during the calendar year 2014 was 2,150. This represents 1.5% of NHS Grampian’s overall annual acute activity of around 139,000 inpatients and day case discharges. This information relates to acute surgical specialties and is derived from Information Services Division Scottish morbidity returns for inpatient and day cases.\r\nIt is important to note that it is not unusual for patients to be treated in another health board area, particularly if a patient requires to be seen at a regional or national centre.","AnswerDate":"2015-04-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301830,"EventID":"S4W-24909","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2123,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":103,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-16T16:55:19.62","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-16T07:05:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the (a) capacity and (b) demand for (i) colonoscopy and (ii) flexible sigmoidoscopy services over the next five years, and how it will ensure that there is sufficient investment in these services.","AnswerText":"NHS boards are responsible for planning and delivering services to meet the needs of their local population now and in future. The Scottish Government Health Directorate is actively supporting all boards to better project demand for NHS services and to plan for sufficient capacity to meet these demands over coming years.\r\nThe Detect Cancer Early campaigns will result in challenges to diagnostic capacity, in imaging and endoscopy. This is why the programme is supported by £30 million additional funding with a further release of up to £9.2 million in 2015-16. It is anticipated that much of this funding will be used to provide additional diagnostic capacity.\r\nIn addition to this funding from the Detect Cancer Early Programme, performance against the cancer waiting times standards continues to receive scrutiny; support from the cancer access team is being offered to those NHS boards where there are challenges to sustained delivery of the cancer access standards – this includes colorectal with an additional £2.5 million released in 2014-15.\r\nTo support the increasing demands placed on the NHS in the next five years, the First Minister has already announced that should we be re-elected in 2016, the next NHS revenue budget will receive real term increases for each year of the Parliament.","AnswerDate":"2015-03-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301831,"EventID":"S4W-24911","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2123,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":103,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-16T16:55:20.193","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-16T07:05:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what  resources it has made available to the programme, Endoscopy: Raising Standards and Effectiveness (ENDORSE), and what additional funding it will provide to assist  with raising the quality of endoscopy units.","AnswerText":"A Health Improvement Scotland led ENDORSE programme board is overseeing partnership working to deliver improvements in endoscopy services. This follows on from the HIS endoscopy review report A Look inside Scotland’s Endoscopy Services – National Overview (March 2013) which identified the need for service improvement actions across all NHS boards.","AnswerDate":"2015-03-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301832,"EventID":"S4W-24912","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2123,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":103,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-16T16:55:20.72","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-16T07:05:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it takes to ensure that people who are considered at higher risk of developing bowel cancer and require surveillance colonoscopy  because  of a (a) genetic condition and (b) history of it in their family are seen within six weeks of their planned recall appointment.","AnswerText":"From 31 March 2009, the Scottish Government set a national waiting time standard that patients will wait no more than six weeks for any of the eight key diagnostic tests. These tests include colonoscopy. There is no target waiting time for endoscopy specifically for patients identified as high risk and requiring ongoing surveillance. The underlying medical condition determines the recommended surveillance interval for colonoscopy and clinicians are expected to prioritise patients according to clinical need.","AnswerDate":"2015-03-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301833,"EventID":"S4W-24913","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2123,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":103,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-16T16:55:21.263","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-16T07:05:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to improve colonoscopy performance in the bowel screening programme.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Bowel Screening Programme evaluation and monitoring group regularly reviews and monitors all key performance indicators (KPI) for the programme, including that of colonoscopy performance.\r\nThe bowel screening KPI report, most recently published in August 2014, showed the completed colonoscopy rate as well above the Healthcare Improvement Scotland target of 90%. The evaluation and monitoring group, however, identified some variability in a small number of boards, with regard to colonoscopic complications.\r\nThe Scottish Government, the relevant NHS board screening coordinators and Information Services Division (as the body responsible for programme data), have looked at the issue in detail. This has identified a number of issues around data capture as responsible for the reported variability. \r\nThe necessary improvements in data capture have now been implemented. The next publication of KPI data for the programme will be issued in August 2015.","AnswerDate":"2015-03-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301834,"EventID":"S4W-24916","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4080,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-16T16:55:21.81","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-16T14:49:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether Police Scotland maintains a database of images that it uses for facial recognition purposes.","AnswerText":"The information requested is a matter for Police Scotland. I have alerted the Chief Constable to your question and I have asked him to reply to you direct.","AnswerDate":"2015-03-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301835,"EventID":"S4W-24917","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4080,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-16T16:55:22.407","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-16T14:50:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many times Police Scotland, or the legacy forces, accessed (a) the Police National Database and (b) other database to use facial recognition technology in each year since 2007.","AnswerText":"The information requested is a matter for Police Scotland. I have alerted the Chief Constable to your question and I have asked him to reply to you direct.","AnswerDate":"2015-03-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301836,"EventID":"S4W-24919","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4080,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-16T16:55:23.017","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-16T14:51:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with Police Scotland regarding the (a) use of facial recognition technology and (b) development or use of databases for facial recognition purposes, and whether this matter was discussed with the legacy forces.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has not discussed these matters with Police Scotland or legacy forces.","AnswerDate":"2015-03-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301837,"EventID":"S4W-24920","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4080,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-16T16:55:23.63","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-16T14:53:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what (a) legislation and (b) rules are applied to Police Scotland's (i) use of facial recognition technology and (ii) retention of (A) personal, (B) custody-suite and (C) other images.","AnswerText":"The information requested is a matter for Police Scotland. I have alerted the Chief Constable to your question and I have asked him to reply to you direct.","AnswerDate":"2015-03-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301838,"EventID":"S4W-24921","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4080,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-16T16:55:24.223","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-16T14:54:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what funding it has provided to (a) investigate the potential for and (b) establish or maintain a facial recognition database for use by Police Scotland.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has not provided any funding specifically for a facial recognition database.\r\nFacial recognition is one element of the Police National Database services, the national information management system for police services across the UK to share intelligence to help prevent and detect crime to make communities safer.\r\nPrior to the formation of Police Scotland in April 2013, the Scottish Government met the cost of the Police National Database services for legacy forces in Scotland. The costs are now met by Police Scotland directly to the Home Office, which is responsible for managing the system.","AnswerDate":"2015-03-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301839,"EventID":"S4W-24922","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4080,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-16T16:55:24.823","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-16T14:54:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with the UK Government regarding police use of facial recognition technology.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has not had any discussions with the UK Government regarding police use of facial recognition technology.","AnswerDate":"2015-03-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301840,"EventID":"S4W-24924","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4080,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-16T16:55:25.427","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-16T14:55:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many people have had their image taken by the police in each year since 2007, broken down by legacy force or division; how many were never (a) subsequently charged with and (b) convicted of an offence, and what information it has on what happened to the images.","AnswerText":"The information requested is a matter for Police Scotland. I have alerted the Chief Constable to your question and I have asked him to reply to you direct.","AnswerDate":"2015-03-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301841,"EventID":"S4W-24925","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4080,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-16T16:55:26.093","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-16T14:55:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether (a) Police Scotland and (b) any other public body it has responsibility for retains indefinitely images taken of people who were never (i) subsequently charged with and (ii) convicted of an offence and, if so, what its position is on this matter.","AnswerText":"I have alerted the Chief Constable to your question regarding Police Scotland and I have asked him to reply to you direct. The Scottish Government has clear procedures for the retention and disposal of records. Information and records are retained only as long as they are required to support the Scottish Government in its business requirements and legal obligations. At the end of that time, the records will either be destroyed or transferred to the National Records of Scotland for permanent preservation. Other public bodies in Scotland retain information and records in accordance with records management plans required under the Public Records (Scotland) Act 2011.","AnswerDate":"2015-03-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301842,"EventID":"S4W-24926","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4080,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-16T16:55:26.717","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-16T14:55:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many (a) images used in connection with facial recognition technology and (b) other images have been uploaded to (i) the Police National Database and (ii) other databases by Police Scotland and the legacy forces in each year since 2007, and when ministers were made aware of this.","AnswerText":"The information requested is a matter for Police Scotland. I have alerted the Chief Constable to your question and I have asked him to reply to you direct.\r\nFacial recognition technology is one aspect of the Police National Database service. That functionality was added in 2014. The number of images used and uploaded is not notified to Scottish Ministers.","AnswerDate":"2015-03-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301843,"EventID":"S4W-24927","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4080,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-16T16:55:27.353","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-16T14:56:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much funding (a) it and (b) Police Scotland provides to the Police National Database.","AnswerText":"Prior to the formation of Police Scotland in April 2013, the Scottish Government met the costs of the Police National Database services for legacy forces in Scotland. The costs are now met by Police Scotland directly to the Home Office. The current cost is £725,893 plus VAT per annum.","AnswerDate":"2015-03-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301844,"EventID":"S4W-24928","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4080,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-16T16:55:28.003","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-16T14:56:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what role (a) it and (b) Police Scotland has in the management or supervision of the Police National Database.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has no role in the management or supervision of the Police National Database (PND) services; this is a matter for the Home Office. Police Scotland has representation at various PND groups, including the national user group and the business advisory group.","AnswerDate":"2015-03-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301845,"EventID":"S4W-24930","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1769,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":75,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-16T16:55:28.63","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-16T15:47:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will offer teenagers immunisation against meningococcal W disease and, if so, within what timeframe and what age groups.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government, like the other UK health departments, receives advice on vaccination from the Joint Committee for Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI).\r\nAt its meeting on 4 February 2015 the JCVI considered the most recent epidemiological evidence and advised the need for an immunisation programme to vaccinate all UK adolescents aged 14 to 18 years of age (school years S3-S6) with MenACWY, in order to protect them and also generate herd protection against meningococcal W disease (MenW) for the rest of the population.\r\nWhilst Scotland has not seen the dramatic increase in cases of MenW as has been experienced in England and Wales, the Scottish Government will work with Health Protection Scotland, NHS Scotland and other UK health departments to determine how and when the JCVI’s advice would be best implemented in Scotland.","AnswerDate":"2015-03-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301846,"EventID":"S4W-24931","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1769,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":75,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-16T16:55:29.373","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-16T15:47:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it is publicising the symptoms of meningococcal W disease.","AnswerText":"Through the Scottish immunisation programme, as part of the routine childhood immunisation schedule, children in Scotland are offered important protection against meningitis. Although meningitis W specifically is not yet part of the immunisation programme in Scotland, information coverage of the signs and symptoms of meningitis within the Scottish immunisation programme is high. The communications materials, including leaflets and the Immunisation Scotland website, which support the programme highlight the signs and symptoms of the disease as well as containing web links to NHS Inform and meningitis charity websites for further information.\r\nThe Scottish Government also continue to work with meningitis charities to raise awareness of the signs and symptoms of meningococcal disease to encourage prompt action where the disease is suspected.","AnswerDate":"2015-03-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301847,"EventID":"S4W-24933","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":2,"MSPID":1865,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":85,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-17T11:37:13.813","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-17T11:18:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on progress on the Edinburgh Glasgow Improvement Programme.","AnswerText":"The Edinburgh Glasgow Improvement Programme (EGIP) is making good progress and, as members are aware, a major milestone will be reached in summer 2015 with the works at the Winchburgh Tunnel. This will however mean a change from usual operations on the route but ScotRail and Network Rail are working together to minimise the disruption and ensure passengers can still travel between the two cities.\r\nI can confirm that the rail industry will on 19 March 2015 launch a major publicity and communications campaign to inform passengers of the works at Winchburgh, its impact and how passengers can continue to make their journeys during this time.\r\nEGIP forms part of the biggest ever package of improvements to our transport networks. Transport Scotland and their partners have a coordinated programme in place to minimise the impact on users.\r\nTo this end, the M8 traffic management and Winchburgh Tunnel closure have both been scheduled to take place during the summer months when transport networks are traditionally quieter and less likely to be further impacted by weather events.\r\nTransport Scotland has undertaken a detailed review with operators on our roads and railways to ensure minimal disruption. While people will be able to complete their journeys, they should factor disruption caused by these schemes into their travel plans.","AnswerDate":"2015-03-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-31T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301848,"EventID":"S4W-24893","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2394,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-17T13:51:11.967","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-13T15:18:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on reviewing the guidelines regarding noise pollution from onshore wind developments.","AnswerText":"Responsibility for dealing with any complaints about noise and nuisance, including from onshore wind developments rests with local authorities, who have a duty to investigate such complaints under the provisions of the Environmental Protection Act 1990. In support of this the Scottish Government issued guidance on these provisions in January 2009: \r\nhttp://www.gov.scot/Publications/2009/01/23142152/0. Further guidance specifically relating to noise from wind turbines – Wind Farm Noise Statutory Nuisance Complaint Methodology – and aimed at all of the UK was published in April 2011:\r\nhttps://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/69222/pb-13584-windfarm-noise-statutory-nuisance.pdf\r\nThe Institute of Acoustics published A Good Practice Guide to the Application of ETSU-R-97 for the Assessment and Rating of Wind Turbine Noise in May 2013. The Scottish Government recognised that the guidance represented industry good practice in correspondence with the Institute of Acoustics. The view of the Scottish Government is that the provisions currently in place in respect of planning and environmental health provide an appropriate and practical level of public protection from noise concerns arising from the development and operation of wind farms in Scotland. We are aware that some people in Scotland are concerned about possible health impacts from wind farms. In line with our approach to other public health issues, the Scottish Government receives evidence-based advice from Health Protection Scotland, our national health protection experts, and also from Public Health England. They have the expertise to assess the scientific literature available on this topic, and keep it under review. At the current time, there is not sufficient evidence to conclude that wind farms have negative health impacts. In this context the Scottish Government will study the Northern Ireland Assembly wind energy inquiry report for any lessons. \r\nThe Scottish Government has also commissioned research looking at whether the impacts predicted by developers prior to approval at 10 onshore wind farm developments were consistent with the impacts experienced with those wind farms now that they are operating. The study is looking specifically at visual, shadow flicker and noise impacts. Whilst the study results are not expected to be representative of the wind farm sector as a whole, as they relate only to 10 wind farms where there have been known complaints, it is expected to lead to further changes in planning advice and guidance to help manage the future impacts of wind farms.","AnswerDate":"2015-03-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-31T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen McLeod","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301849,"EventID":"S4W-24894","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2394,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-17T13:51:12.84","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-13T15:19:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on the report on turbine noise that was compiled by Professor Ursula Walsh on behalf of the Northern Ireland Assembly's Committee for the Environment as part of its wind energy inquiry.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-24893 on 25 March 2015. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at: \r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx","AnswerDate":"2015-03-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-31T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen McLeod","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301850,"EventID":"S4W-24895","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2394,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-17T13:51:13.763","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-13T15:19:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to monitor the long-term implication of noise pollution from wind turbines.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-24893 on 25 March 2015. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at: \r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx","AnswerDate":"2015-03-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-31T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen McLeod","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301851,"EventID":"S4W-24932","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4939,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":78,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-17T13:51:14.903","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-17T10:07:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what percentage of rent loss is attributed to void council properties, broken down by local authority area.","AnswerText":"The following table shows rents lost on void (un-let) council properties, total amount and as a percentage of gross rental income, by local authority area. \r\nYears ending 31 March\r\nLocal Authority1\r\nNear actuals\r\nEstimates\r\n2013-14\r\n2014-15\r\nTotal rent lost on voids\r\n(£million)\r\nAs a percentage of gross rent income\r\nTotal rent lost on voids\r\n(£million)\r\nAs a percentage of gross rent income\r\nAberdeen City\r\n1.317\r\n1.7\r\n1.000\r\n1.3\r\nAberdeenshire\r\n0.402\r\n1.0\r\n0.574\r\n1.4\r\nAngus\r\n0.592\r\n2.6\r\n0.620\r\n2.7\r\nArgyll and Bute\r\nn.a.\r\nn.a.\r\nn.a.\r\nn.a.\r\nClackmannanshire   \r\n0.353\r\n2.2\r\n0.365\r\n2.2\r\nDumfries and Galloway\r\nn.a.\r\nn.a.\r\nn.a.\r\nn.a.\r\nDundee City\r\n1.067\r\n2.4\r\n0.702\r\n1.5\r\nEast Ayrshire\r\n0.792\r\n2.0\r\n1.155\r\n2.8\r\nEast Dunbartonshire\r\n0.095\r\n0.8\r\n0.050\r\n0.4\r\nEast Lothian\r\n0.547\r\n2.5\r\n0.409\r\n1.8\r\nEast Renfrewshire\r\n0.211\r\n2.3\r\n0.230\r\n2.4\r\nEdinburgh, City of\r\n0.644\r\n0.7\r\n0.704\r\n0.8\r\nEilean Siar\r\nn.a.\r\nn.a.\r\nn.a.\r\nn.a.\r\nFalkirk\r\n0.638\r\n1.4\r\n0.425\r\n0.9\r\nFife\r\n1.554\r\n1.7\r\n1.059\r\n1.1\r\nGlasgow City\r\nn.a.\r\nn.a.\r\nn.a.\r\nn.a.\r\nHighland\r\n0.721\r\n1.6\r\n0.660\r\n1.4\r\nInverclyde\r\nn.a.\r\nn.a.\r\nn.a.\r\nn.a.\r\nMidlothian\r\n0.502\r\n2.4\r\n0.267\r\n1.2\r\nMoray\r\n0.102\r\n0.7\r\n0.094\r\n0.6\r\nNorth Ayrshire\r\n0.157\r\n0.4\r\n0.188\r\n0.4\r\nNorth Lanarkshire\r\n1.054\r\n1.0\r\n1.334\r\n1.3\r\nOrkney Islands\r\n0.102\r\n3.3\r\n0.105\r\n3.3\r\nPerth and Kinross\r\n0.688\r\n3.0\r\n0.654\r\n2.7\r\nRenfrewshire\r\n1.211\r\n2.7\r\n1.163\r\n2.6\r\nScottish Borders\r\nn.a.\r\nn.a.\r\nn.a.\r\nn.a.\r\nShetland Islands\r\n0.122\r\n2.0\r\n0.208\r\n3.2\r\nSouth Ayrshire\r\n0.470\r\n1.8\r\n0.536\r\n1.9\r\nSouth Lanarkshire\r\n0.978\r\n1.3\r\n1.052\r\n1.3\r\nStirling\r\n0.102\r\n0.6\r\n0.078\r\n0.4\r\nWest Dunbartonshire\r\n1.669\r\n4.8\r\n1.854\r\n5.0\r\nWest Lothian\r\n0.100\r\n0.2\r\n0.315\r\n0.7\r\nScotland\r\n16.190\r\n1.6\r\n15.801\r\n1.5\r\nSource: Scottish Government Communities Analytical Services, based on statistical returns for the Housing Revenue Account by local authorities.\r\nNotes:\r\n1. Six councils transferred their housing stock to the housing association sector and no information is available (n.a.) for them.","AnswerDate":"2015-03-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-31T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Burgess","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301852,"EventID":"S4W-24934","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1845,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-17T13:51:15.523","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-17T11:18:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what it is doing to increase the number of first aiders.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to the question S4W-24935 on 31 March 2015. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.","AnswerDate":"2015-03-31T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-31T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301853,"EventID":"S4W-24935","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1845,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-17T13:51:16.193","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-17T11:18:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what it is doing to encourage an increase in the training of first aiders in (a) schools and colleges and (b) workplaces.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government recognises the valuable role that first aid skills can play in delivering better outcomes and experience for patients, avoiding unnecessary hospital attendances, and strengthening and empowering local communities to make them safer and healthier.\r\nIn recognition of this, we have worked in partnership with organisations such as the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents, the Child Accident Prevention Trust, Barnardos and Volunteer Development Scotland. We provide financial support for work on injury prevention and safety initiatives and our commitment to this important agenda is set out in a range of policies and frameworks including the Curriculum for Excellence and National Parenting Strategy.\r\nWork to tackle unintentional injuries takes place across a wide range of policy areas including road safety, fire safety and inland water safety for example and we seek to ensure that good practice is shared across these diverse areas of activity. The Scottish Ambulance Service also works with a range of partners to support community resilience, including health boards and healthcare professionals, the emergency services, community groups, carers’ organisations, schools and nurseries, and charitable and voluntary organisations.\r\nAs a specific illustration of our activity to increase skills within our communities, the government published its Out of Hospital Cardiac Arrest Strategy (OHCA) on Friday 27 March 2015, which aims to improve all of the key elements of the ‘Chain of Survival’, including defibrillation. All patients who have a survivable cardiac arrest require CPR and the majority also require defibrillation, both of which must be applied in a matter of minutes in order to be successful. CPR and defibrillation can be performed by ambulance first responders, other first responders in the community, or bystanders (if equipment and instruction are made rapidly available). The interplay of these key elements forms the ‘Chain of Survival’ which a person must successfully pass through in order to go home from hospital neurologically intact. The OHCA strategy includes an aim to equip an additional 500,000 people with CPR skills by 2020. Increasing the incidence of bystander CPR is the cornerstone of improving outcomes because prompt bystander CPR can increase the likelihood of survival after OHCA by two or three times.","AnswerDate":"2015-03-31T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-31T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301900,"EventID":"S4O-04154","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-18T13:37:42.59","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-16T12:04:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to tackle low pay.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-03-25T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301901,"EventID":"S4O-04155","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":4984,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-18T13:37:45.727","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-16T12:04:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the work of the National Advisory Group on Developing the Young Workforce.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-03-25T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301902,"EventID":"S4O-04156","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":4934,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-18T13:37:48.847","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-16T12:04:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to achieve parity of esteem between academic and vocational education, as recommended by the Commission for Developing Scotland's Young Workforce.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-03-25T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301903,"EventID":"S4O-04157","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":5059,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-18T13:37:55.21","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-16T12:04:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to open up opportunities for young people to work in civil engineering.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-03-25T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301904,"EventID":"S4O-04158","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":5075,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":112,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-18T13:37:58.363","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-16T12:04:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many modern apprenticeships it supports in the Kirkcaldy parliamentary constituency.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-03-25T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301905,"EventID":"S4O-04159","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":3907,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":135,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-18T13:38:04.853","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-16T12:04:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what progress is being made with the Investors in Young People scheme.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-03-25T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301906,"EventID":"S4O-04161","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":5047,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-18T13:38:11.28","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-16T12:04:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what support it gives to 16 to 25-year-olds who are not in education, employment or training.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-03-25T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301907,"EventID":"S4O-04162","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":1943,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-18T13:38:11.777","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-16T12:04:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to increase training and apprenticeship provision in the care industry.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-03-25T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301908,"EventID":"S4O-04163","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":3771,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-18T13:38:12.263","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-16T12:04:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what progress it has made toward achieving its target of at least 150 living wage accredited-employers in Scotland, as set out in the programme for government.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-03-25T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301909,"EventID":"S4O-04164","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":2010,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":137,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-18T13:38:13.277","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-16T12:05:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on the content of the report, Severe Poverty in Scotland, in relation to severe or extreme poverty among children. ","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-03-25T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301910,"EventID":"S4O-04165","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":2876,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-18T13:38:13.807","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-16T12:05:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what meetings it has had with representatives of religious organisations who are denied pension credit as they are fully maintained by their order.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-03-25T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301911,"EventID":"S4O-04166","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":4964,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":119,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-18T13:38:14.353","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-16T12:05:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what guidance it has issued to planning authorities regarding the provision or expansion of primary healthcare facilities as a consequence of residential development.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-03-25T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301912,"EventID":"S4O-04167","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":2595,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-18T13:38:14.943","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-16T12:05:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the budget priorities are for the Social Justice, Communities and Pensioners' Rights portfolio in 2015-16.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-03-25T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301913,"EventID":"S4O-04168","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":5038,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-18T13:38:15.647","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-16T12:05:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the impact on poverty of Fife Council’s decision to abolish social care charges.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-03-25T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301914,"EventID":"S4O-04169","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":4938,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-18T13:38:16.147","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-16T12:05:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to ensure that the planning process is as streamlined as possible.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-03-25T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301915,"EventID":"S4O-04170","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":2675,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":93,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-18T13:38:16.63","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-16T12:05:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it will spend the £14 million announced in the budget for low-cost home energy efficiency loans.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-03-25T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301916,"EventID":"S4O-04171","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":2033,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":132,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-18T13:38:17.3","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-16T12:05:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to tackle poverty.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-03-25T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301917,"EventID":"S4O-04172","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":1741,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-18T13:38:17.83","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-16T12:05:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to increase the number of housing completions.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-03-25T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301918,"EventID":"S4O-04173","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":5042,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-18T13:38:18.407","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-16T12:05:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to reduce levels of fuel poverty.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-03-25T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301919,"EventID":"S4O-04174","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":2345,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":128,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-18T13:38:18.94","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-16T12:05:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what progress it is making with the bid for a spaceport to be located in Scotland.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-03-26T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301920,"EventID":"S4O-04175","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":2394,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-18T13:38:19.437","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-16T12:05:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when the rules on eligibility of blood donors were last reviewed.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-03-26T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301921,"EventID":"S4O-04176","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":5110,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":89,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-18T13:38:20.343","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-16T12:05:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the financial impact would be in Scotland of an increase in the inheritance tax threshold to £1,000,000.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-03-26T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301922,"EventID":"S4O-04177","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":4014,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-18T13:38:20.827","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-16T12:05:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what assurance it can give to the officers currently employed in the British Transport Police in Scotland that their jobs will be retained under Police Scotland.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-03-26T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301923,"EventID":"S4O-04178","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":3806,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-18T13:38:21.357","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-16T12:05:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what recent discussions it has had with the UK Government regarding the establishment of a spaceport.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-03-26T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301924,"EventID":"S4O-04179","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-18T13:38:21.997","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-16T12:05:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on the report by Fiona McKenzie for NHS Lothian regarding concerns about the perinatal ward at St John's Hospital.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-03-26T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301925,"EventID":"S4O-04180","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":5060,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-18T13:38:22.667","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-16T12:05:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it last met NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde and what issues were discussed.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-03-26T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301926,"EventID":"S4O-04181","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":1892,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":134,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-18T13:38:23.15","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-16T12:05:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it will take following the publication in March 2014 of research into tail injuries to working dogs that it commissioned from the University of Glasgow.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-03-26T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301927,"EventID":"S4O-04182","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":5074,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":104,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-18T13:38:23.93","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-16T12:05:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what support it is giving to help reshape how energy is delivered and used in communities throughout the country.","AnswerText":"Practical and reasonable support is being provided.","AnswerDate":"2015-03-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-03-26T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301928,"EventID":"S4O-04183","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-18T13:38:24.4","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-16T12:05:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it last met the Crown Estate and what matters were discussed.","AnswerText":"Scottish Government officials meet regularly with the Crown Estate to discuss a range of rural, coastal and marine issues.","AnswerDate":"2015-03-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-03-26T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301929,"EventID":"S4W-24937","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1860,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-18T13:40:01.117","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-17T15:26:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government on what date it will announce how it will allocate funding from the (a) Equality, (b) Violence Against Women and Girls, (c) Children's Services and (d) Rape Crisis Specific Fund.","AnswerText":"All applicants to the (a) Equality, (b) Violence Against Women and Girls, (c) Children’s Services and (d) Rape Crisis Specific Fund were informed of the outcome of their applications on the 18 and 19 March 2015.\r\nA full breakdown of all of the funded projects is available on the Scottish Government website at: http://www.gov.scot/Topics/People/Equality/Funding/funding.","AnswerDate":"2015-03-31T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-04-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301930,"EventID":"S4W-24938","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1860,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-18T13:40:02.06","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-17T15:26:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when the Voluntary Action Fund made its recommendations to ministers regarding applications to the (a) Equality, (b) Violence Against Women and Girls, (c) Children's Services and (d) Rape Crisis Specific Fund.","AnswerText":"The Voluntary Action Fund does not have a role in making recommendations to, or advising Scottish Ministers.","AnswerDate":"2015-03-31T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-04-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301931,"EventID":"S4W-24939","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-18T13:40:03","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-17T16:14:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will measure the delivery of vocational qualifications alongside other school performance measures and publish the results.","AnswerText":"Data on qualification awards, by type of qualification, are currently published annually (in August and updated in December) by the Scottish Qualifications Authority. \r\nIn addition, the Scottish Government will publish an annual report on progress in implementing the Developing the Young Workforce programme, including data showing progress towards the 11 key performance indicators. This will include key performance indicator 3: Increase the percentage of school leavers attaining vocational qualifications at Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework level 5 and above by 2021.","AnswerDate":"2015-03-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-04-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301932,"EventID":"S4W-24940","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-18T13:40:05.633","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-17T16:14:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much each NHS board has received in payments from private patients in each year since 2006-07.","AnswerText":"NHSScotland boards disclose private patients’ income in their annual accounts. The following table details income received from private patients in each year since 2006-07. The income from private patients represents only 0.05% of boards’ net operating costs.\r\nIncome from Private Patients (£ million)\r\nNHS Territorial Boards\r\n2006-07\r\n2007-08\r\n2008-09\r\n2009-10\r\n2010-11\r\n2011-12\r\n2012-13\r\n2013-14\r\nAyrshire and Arran\r\n0.184\r\n0.142\r\n0.199\r\n0.178\r\n0.130\r\n0.105\r\n0.110\r\n0.139\r\nBorders\r\n0.059\r\n0.056\r\n0.033\r\n0.051\r\n0.026\r\n0.036\r\n0.040\r\n0.022\r\nDumfries and Galloway\r\n0.027\r\n0.035\r\n0.033\r\n0.024\r\n0.015\r\n0.043\r\n0.028\r\n0.007\r\nFife\r\n0.000\r\n0.006\r\n0.030\r\n0.006\r\n0.000\r\n0.000\r\n0.000\r\n0.000\r\nForth Valley\r\n0.041\r\n0.043\r\n0.040\r\n0.042\r\n0.036\r\n0.021\r\n0.014\r\n0.011\r\nGrampian\r\n1.056\r\n0.930\r\n0.762\r\n0.747\r\n0.955\r\n0.732\r\n0.684\r\n0.932\r\nGreater Glasgow and Clyde\r\n0.175\r\n0.041\r\n0.142\r\n0.224\r\n0.254\r\n0.253\r\n0.423\r\n0.635\r\nHighland\r\n0.721\r\n0.537\r\n0.417\r\n0.493\r\n0.358\r\n0.396\r\n0.499\r\n0.519\r\nLanarkshire\r\n0.000\r\n0.006\r\n0.005\r\n0.002\r\n0.018\r\n0.032\r\n0.015\r\n0.010\r\nLothian\r\n3.065\r\n3.286\r\n3.356\r\n3.376\r\n3.088\r\n2.445\r\n2.399\r\n2.492\r\nOrkney \r\n0.004\r\n0.003\r\n0.003\r\n0.006\r\n0.007\r\n0.007\r\n0.002\r\n0.024\r\nShetland\r\n0.000\r\n0.000\r\n0.001\r\n0.000\r\n0.000\r\n0.000\r\n0.000\r\n0.000\r\nTayside\r\n0.411\r\n0.339\r\n0.317\r\n0.215\r\n0.132\r\n0.054\r\n0.068\r\n0.200\r\nWestern Isles\r\n0.000\r\n0.000\r\n0.000\r\n0.000\r\n0.000\r\n0.000\r\n0.000\r\n0.000\r\nNHS Territorial Boards Total\r\n5.743\r\n5.424\r\n5.338\r\n5.364\r\n5.019\r\n4.124\r\n4.282\r\n4.991\r\nNHS Special Health Boards\r\n2006-07\r\n2007-08\r\n2008-09\r\n2009-10\r\n2010-11\r\n2011-12\r\n2012-13\r\n2013-14\r\nNational Waiting Times Centre Board\r\n0.408\r\n0.073\r\n0.136\r\n0.194\r\n0.032\r\n0.037\r\n0.036\r\n0.051\r\nNHS Special Health Boards Total\r\n0.408\r\n0.073\r\n0.136\r\n0.194\r\n0.032\r\n0.037\r\n0.036\r\n0.051\r\nNHS Scotland Total\r\n6.151\r\n5.497\r\n5.474\r\n5.558\r\n5.051\r\n4.161\r\n4.318\r\n5.042\r\nSource: NHSScotland boards’ annual accounts","AnswerDate":"2015-04-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-04-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301933,"EventID":"S4W-24941","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-18T13:40:06.987","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-17T16:16:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what evaluation it will make to ensure that spending is effective in improving pupil attainment and wider achievement.","AnswerText":"We are working with key partners to develop an improvement framework which will set out clearly how we will monitor and evaluate the progress and impact we are making in improving attainment and wider achievement. This will ensure that all partners in education are clearly focused on improving educational outcomes and increasing equity, and will include evaluation of the impact of spend on raising attainment.","AnswerDate":"2015-03-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-04-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301934,"EventID":"S4W-24942","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-18T13:40:08.11","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-17T16:16:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what it is doing to better understand the reason for levels of attainment varying between (a) local authorities, (b) schools and (c) different groups of pupils.","AnswerText":"Evidence from reports such as the Joseph Rowntree Foundation Closing the Attainment Gap in Scottish Education published in May 2014 and School Education, prepared by Audit Scotland in June 2014, have helped to inform work on raising attainment, including the Scottish Attainment Challenge. Through our inspection processes and using the new Insight benchmarking tool for the senior phase in secondary schools, we are able to focus on the disparities between different pupils, across schools and local authorities. The Scottish Attainment Challenge will give support further analysis and research at local authority and school level. We will continue to work in partnership with local authorities and schools to better our understanding in this area.","AnswerDate":"2015-03-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-04-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301935,"EventID":"S4W-24943","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-18T13:40:09.493","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-17T16:17:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what strategic approach it will adopt to reduce the gaps in performance between the highest and lowest performing schools in similar areas of deprivation.","AnswerText":"Our approach to raising attainment is universal, and has a firm foundation in all our key policies and programmes which affect children and young people, the pillars of which are Curriculum for Excellence, Teaching Scotland’s Future, Getting it right for every child, the Early Years Framework and Developing Scotland’s Young Workforce.\r\nThere are a range of activities already underway and planned, which are supporting authorities and schools across Scotland to raise attainment and reduce the attainment gap. These include the innovative Raising Attainment for All programme; the new Read, Write, Count literacy and numeracy campaign; attainment advisors in every local authority in Scotland; roll out of the Insight tool to help authorities and schools to analyse strengths and identify areas for improvement; and the £1.5 million Access to Education Fund, which is available to schools to help reduce barriers to learning experienced by pupils from disadvantaged backgrounds.\r\nWe recently launched the Scottish Attainment Challenge, backed by the £100 million Attainment Scotland Fund over four years to drive forward improvements on educational outcomes in Scotland’s most disadvantaged communities. This fund will complement the existing activities and programmes which are available in all areas of Scotland by developing a new, targeted initiative focused on supporting pupils in the areas of Scotland with the highest concentrations of deprivation.","AnswerDate":"2015-03-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-04-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301936,"EventID":"S4W-24944","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-18T13:40:10.8","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-17T16:18:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what is being done at (a) local authority and (b) national level to consistently measure achievement and performance of pupils from P1 to S3.","AnswerText":"Local authorities and schools have tracking and monitoring arrangements in place to measure achievement and performance of pupils from P1 to S3, and report on this locally to elected members and parents. At a national level, the Scottish Survey of Literacy and Numeracy, the Programme for International Student Assessment and other educational performance data provide us with information on learner achievement and progress. The Scottish Attainment Challenge and a national improvement framework will help provide increased focus on improvement and achievement at both national and local level.","AnswerDate":"2015-03-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-04-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301937,"EventID":"S4W-24945","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-18T13:40:12.103","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-17T16:21:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what it has done to support families with deaf babies to meet the linguistic needs of their child at the appropriate age, as outlined in the 2009 report, The Long and Winding Road: A Roadmap to British Sign Language & Linguistic Access in Scotland.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has provided over £0.5 million to the National Deaf Children’s Society (2011-16) to support families with a deaf baby. The first phase of the project developed resources to help parents understand how to communicate with their deaf baby or toddler from birth through to starting school, so they can get the best start in life.\r\nThe second phase (from May 2013) is supporting families with deaf children aged 0-8 years, providing language skills for the child at a critical age and developing the sign language and communication skills of the rest of the family as well as providing good parenting skills so that the child is nurtured and has the best possible chance of emotional well-being and academic success. Services include one-to-one and telephone support, sign language and audiology training courses and parenting courses as well as peer support networks. In the first 18 months of the award, the project has directly supported a total of 181 parents from 130 families across 6 local authority areas.","AnswerDate":"2015-04-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-04-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alasdair Allan","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301938,"EventID":"S4W-24946","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-18T13:40:13.397","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-17T16:22:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether pupils can study BSL and deaf culture as a curriculum subject from primary school through to university as recommended in the report, The Long and Winding Road: A Roadmap to British Sign Language and Linguistic Access in Scotland.","AnswerText":"Yes but currently only a few schools offer pupils continuous British Sign Language (BSL) learning of this kind. However the 1+2 policy will offer opportunities as local authorities introduce wider language learning in schools and BSL will be part of this landscape of growing provision. Schools and local authorities will plan which languages to offer based on a range of factors including teacher skills, relevance to young people in a particular cluster of schools, local circumstances such as links to business and job opportunities and the availability of opportunities to progress and obtain qualifications. The Scottish Qualifications Authority already has a suite of national qualifications units in BSL at various levels, and as with other languages this provision may develop further in coming years.","AnswerDate":"2015-04-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-04-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alasdair Allan","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301939,"EventID":"S4W-24947","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-18T13:40:15.14","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-17T16:23:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether all public services are deaf and deafblind aware, as recommended in the 2009 report, The Long and Winding Road: A Roadmap to British Sign Language & Linguistic Access in Scotland.","AnswerText":"The roadmap, developed by the British Sign Language and Linguistic Access Working Group, was designed as a resource for central and local government and other public bodies, to enable them to make informed judgements about linguistic access in a policy context. It sets out a vision for what needs to be in place to improve linguistic access for deaf and deafblind people and identifies eight long-term aims; one of these is that all public services are deaf and deafblind aware.\r\nThe Scottish Government does not collect information on deaf and deafblind awareness in public bodies but has taken steps to address this in a variety of settings. Since 2009, the Scottish Government has undertaken a range of activities to address the exclusion and discrimination which deaf and deafblind people face. For example, during 2014 we ran deaf awareness sessions for two key groups of staff to support them in understanding the issues faced by colleagues and customers with hearing loss. NHS Education for Scotland (NES) have commissioned a deaf awareness training pack and course, to be co-delivered by an approved deaf trainer and a member of NHS staff. NHS 24 provide an e-learning deaf awareness course for all their staff, call centre staff as well as HR and senior management so that deaf and hearing colleagues can enjoy the same levels of support as well as those who use the services provided.\r\nIn 2014, the Scottish Government published the Sensory Impairment Strategy, which recommends that “Local partnerships should audit their skills base in relation to awareness of sensory impairment in the workforce and take steps to address any deficits identified.”","AnswerDate":"2015-04-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-04-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alasdair Allan","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301940,"EventID":"S4W-24948","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-18T13:40:16.21","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-17T16:26:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what baseline date has been used to measure progress and performance against the recommendations made in the 2009 report, The Long and Winding Road: A Roadmap to British Sign Language and Linguistic Access in Scotland.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Council on Deafness (SCOD), which chairs the British Sign Language and Linguistic Access Working Group has recently completed a report setting out progress in key areas and concludes that “since 2009, many of the desired outcomes in the roadmap have been achieved, if not in their entirety, then at least in part”. While some progress has been made towards gathering data on deaf people, for example the inclusion of a question on British Sign Language in the 2011 census, there is currently no baseline and no performance indicators in place to measure performance in most areas highlighted in the roadmap.\r\nHowever, the Equality and Access for Deaf People project funded by the Scottish Government and hosted by SCOD since 2012 has started to build a picture of current need and provision for deaf and deafblind people across the public sector. This work will be further developed through Scottish Government funding in 2015-16.","AnswerDate":"2015-04-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-04-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alasdair Allan","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301941,"EventID":"S4W-24949","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-18T13:40:17.397","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-17T16:38:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when the First Minister will host the living wage summit she announced on 26 November 2014.","AnswerText":"Further to my answer at Fair Work, Skills and Training portfolio questions on 25 March 2015, when I confirmed the Living Wage Summit would take place prior to the summer recess, I can confirm the date as 3 June 2015. ","AnswerDate":"2015-03-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-04-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Roseanna Cunningham","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301942,"EventID":"S4W-24950","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2135,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":92,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-18T13:40:17.99","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-18T08:48:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what procedure a local authority must follow when appointing the convener of an adult protection committee.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government expects all the partner organisations on an adult protection committee to be involved in recruiting the convenor, and this is set out in the guidance for the committees.","AnswerDate":"2015-03-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-04-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301943,"EventID":"S4W-24951","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2135,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":92,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-18T13:40:18.603","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-18T08:49:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what safeguards there are to ensure that the convener of an adult protection committee is able to operate independently of local authority control.","AnswerText":"It is in the Adult Support and Protection (Scotland) Act 2007 that the convenor of an adult protection committee cannot be a member or officer of the council. Guidance sets out that the convenor must be seen to be independent in thought and action as well as being someone with the necessary skills and knowledge. The guidance also recommends that it is desirable for the convenor to be independent of all the organisations represented on the committee.","AnswerDate":"2015-03-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-04-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301944,"EventID":"S4W-24952","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2135,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":92,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-18T13:40:19.22","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-18T08:50:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it ensures that adult protection committees are structured in a way that allows their conveners and members to take an independent and objective view of the work of local authorities.","AnswerText":"An adult protection committee must include members nominated by the council, the relevant health board and the relevant chief constable and may include a representative nominated by the Care Inspectorate. The convener must not be a member or officer of the council and, as laid out in guidance ideally, is independent of all representative bodies.\r\nNominees have to show they have the relevant knowledge and skills. This includes having an understanding of the importance of working collaboratively and effectively in a multidisciplinary and multi-agency context.","AnswerDate":"2015-03-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-04-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301945,"EventID":"S4W-24953","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2135,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":92,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-18T13:40:19.777","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-18T08:52:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on the finding of the recent significant case review undertaken by South Lanarkshire Council regarding the care given to Stephen Armstrong and, in light of this, whether it plans to (a) amend the legislation or guidance and, if so, when and (b) revise the Adult Protection and Support Code.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government accepts the findings of this review and is taking forward the recommendations for the Scottish Government, which are: \r\nTo clarify the relationship between the role of the convenor of an adult protection committee in respect of significant case reviews and the guidance to Chief Social Work Officers on significant case reviews, and\r\nTo clarify with the Care Inspectorate the position regarding registration of services provided under the Social Care (Self-directed Support) (Scotland) Act 2013. \r\nFollowing this the Scottish Government will consider whether further changes are required to the guidance that is being developed on significant case reviews in adult protection and to the code of practice for public bodies and office holders involved in adult protection. \r\nThe Scottish Government expects all the agencies involved to consider the findings of this review and to take action on the relevant recommendations.","AnswerDate":"2015-03-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-04-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301946,"EventID":"S4W-24956","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3806,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-18T13:40:20.38","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-18T09:24:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much (a) Caledonian Maritime Assets Limited, (b) CalMac Ferries Ltd and (c) David MacBrayne Ltd has spent on external consultants each year since 2006.","AnswerText":"The following table details Caledonian Maritime Assets Ltd (CMAL), CalMac Ferries Ltd (CFL) and David MacBrayne Ltd (DML) expenditure on external consultants from 2006.\r\nAnnual expenditure on external consultants from 2006\r\nFinancial Year\r\nCMAL\r\nCFL\r\nDML\r\n(£'000)\r\n(£'000)\r\n(£'000)\r\n2006-07\r\n*\r\n£134\r\n£0\r\n2007-08\r\n*\r\n£221\r\n£2\r\n2008-09\r\n*\r\n£58\r\n£102\r\n2009-10\r\n*\r\n£133\r\n£125\r\n2010-11\r\n£820 **\r\n£87\r\n£212\r\n2011-12\r\n£1,731\r\n£131\r\n£464\r\n2012-13\r\n£588\r\n£157\r\n£285\r\n2013-14\r\n£756\r\n£2,804\r\n£1,010\r\n2014-15 (up to the end of February 2015)\r\n£2,051\r\n£3,907\r\n£1,360\r\n* CMAL’s information has been published since October 2010 in accordance with the Public Services Reform (Scotland) Act 2010. Prior to October 2010, CMAL did not record the data in a manner which would allow consistency with the published information.\r\n** From October 2010 to March 2011\r\nCMAL spend on consultants includes expenditure on consulting engineers who are required for the design and development of the various civil engineering projects which CMAL deliver year on year, and these engineers also are engaged as the project managers on these works.\r\nCMAL have delivered a number of major engineering projects over the period and the engineering consultants fees form a significant element of these costs.\r\nCalMac brought in some temporary external contractors to help them prepare for their bid for the next Clyde and Hebrides ferry services contract.\r\nCalMac are currently upgrading their ticketing and online booking systems as well as a major investment in their communication systems for ships and ports. This investment will make Wi-Fi available to their customers on every ship and at every port. These projects require specialised knowledge and expertise that CalMac personnel do not have.","AnswerDate":"2015-03-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-04-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301947,"EventID":"S4W-24957","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3806,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-18T13:40:21.02","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-18T09:25:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much the re-tendering process for the 2016-24 Clyde and Hebrides Ferry Services contract will cost; what restrictions will apply to alternative chartering arrangements proposed in the bid, and whether the successful bidder will be required to (a) carry out annual dry dock maintenance of all vessels or be able to use competitive negotiated procedure to the lengthen contractual periods between such maintenance and (b) charter Caledonian Maritime Assets Limited's current fleet.","AnswerText":"The current estimated tendering costs to the Scottish Government are between £900,000 and £1,000,000, calculated from October 2014 to November 2016.\r\nThe successful operator will be required to charter the current fleet from Caledonian Maritime Assets Ltd, who will set the common terms and price for this. This information will be made available through the invitation to tender, due June 2015.","AnswerDate":"2015-03-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-04-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301948,"EventID":"S4W-24958","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3806,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-18T13:40:21.673","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-18T09:25:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much CalMac Ferries Ltd has spent on (a) vessel maintenance, (b) staff training, (c) on-board passenger services and (d) information technology each year since 2006.","AnswerText":"The following table details how much CalMac Ferries Ltd have spent on vessel maintenance, staff training, on-board passenger services and information technology in each year since 2006.\r\nFinancial Year\r\nVessel Maintenance (£'000)\r\nStaff Training (£'000)\r\nOn-Board Passenger Services (£'000)\r\nInformation Technology (£'000)\r\n2006-07\r\n£6,530\r\n£139\r\n£761\r\n£1,172\r\n2007-08\r\n£9,227\r\n£492\r\n£2,232\r\n£2,282\r\n2008-09\r\n£11,878\r\n£698\r\n£2,377\r\n£2,443\r\n2009-10\r\n£10,431\r\n£543\r\n£2,713\r\n£2,108\r\n2010-11\r\n£11,114\r\n£662\r\n£2,690\r\n£2,448\r\n2011-12\r\n£11,123\r\n£538\r\n£2,851\r\n£2,327\r\n2012-13\r\n£12,452\r\n£660\r\n£2,721\r\n£2,187\r\n2013-14\r\n£14,807\r\n£1,252\r\n£2,827\r\n£3,293\r\n2014-15 (up to the end of February 2015)\r\n£16,172\r\n£1,060\r\n£2,773\r\n£4,874","AnswerDate":"2015-03-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-04-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301949,"EventID":"S4W-24963","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1814,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":77,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-18T13:42:05.957","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-17T19:27:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-10978 by Aileen Campbell on 25 January 2013, whether it has established the position regarding the involvement of NHS personnel in work with families and children who have been held at the Dungavel Immigration Removal Centre since 1 May 2010, and, if so, whether personnel have been involved; on how many occasions, and on what dates.","AnswerText":"This is a reserved matter by the UK Government and therefore the Scottish Government does not hold this information. Officials have been in contact with NHS Lanarkshire who have been unable to provide any advice on their involvement.\r\nThe Scottish Government remains opposed to detaining any children of asylum seekers; detention of children in an asylum context is unnecessary and disproportionate. It is a breach of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child and should not be happening in the UK.\r\nThe Scottish Government will continue to reaffirm this position at every available opportunity.","AnswerDate":"2015-04-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-04-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301950,"EventID":"S4W-24964","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1814,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":77,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-18T13:42:06.78","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-17T19:27:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether Police Scotland personnel have been involved in the transfer of asylum-seeking families with children to or from the Dungavel Immigration Removal Centre since 1 April 2013 and, if so, on how many occasions and on what dates.","AnswerText":"Police Scotland have advised that there are no Police Scotland personnel involved at Dungavel, they were able to advise that the Home Office have brought in private contractors to carry out this work.\r\nI would like to reiterate that the Scottish Government remains opposed to detaining any children of asylum seekers; detention of children in an asylum context is unnecessary and disproportionate. It is a breach of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child and should not be happening in the UK.\r\nThe Scottish Government will continue to reaffirm this position at every available opportunity.","AnswerDate":"2015-04-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-04-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Paul Wheelhouse","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301951,"EventID":"S4W-24965","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1814,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":77,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-18T13:42:07.473","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-17T19:27:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-10977 by Aileen Campbell on 25 January 2013, whether it has established whether local authority personnel have been involved in the transfer of asylum-seeking families with children to or from the Dungavel Immigration Removal Centre since 1 May 2010, and, if so, on how many occasions, on what dates and from which departments.","AnswerText":"This is a reserved matter by the UK Government and the Scottish Government does not hold this information. However, officials of both the Scottish Government and Lanarkshire Council have established that since children and families are no longer detained at Dungavel, the local authority contact is limited to ‘age dispute’ cases only which are rare. \r\nThe Scottish Government remains opposed to detaining any children of asylum seekers; detention of children in an asylum context is unnecessary and disproportionate. It is a breach of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child and should not be happening in the UK.\r\nThe Scottish Government will continue to reaffirm this position at every available opportunity.","AnswerDate":"2015-04-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-04-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Marco Biagi","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301952,"EventID":"S4W-24966","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1814,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":77,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-18T13:42:08.27","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-17T19:27:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-10975 by Aileen Campbell on 25 January 2013, whether it has established whether personnel from social work or education departments of any local authority have been involved in work with families with children who have been held at the Dungavel Immigration Removal Centre since 1 May 2010, and, if so, on how many occasions and on what dates.","AnswerText":"This is a reserved matter by the UK Government and the Scottish Government does not hold this information. However, officials of both the Scottish Government and Lanarkshire Council have established that since children and families are no longer detained at Dungavel, the local authority contact is limited to ‘age dispute’ cases only which are rare.\r\nThe Scottish Government remains opposed to detaining any children of asylum seekers; detention of children in an asylum context is unnecessary and disproportionate. It is a breach of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child and should not be happening in the UK.\r\nThe Scottish Government will continue to reaffirm this position at every available opportunity.","AnswerDate":"2015-04-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-04-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Marco Biagi","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301953,"EventID":"S4W-24970","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3806,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-18T13:42:09.053","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-18T10:45:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what unannounced inspections are carried out on fish farms. ","AnswerText":"Government organisations, including Marine Scotland’s Fish Health Inspectorate and the Scottish Environment Protection Agency, carry out unannounced inspections as part of their routine work programmes.","AnswerDate":"2015-03-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-04-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen McLeod","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301954,"EventID":"S4W-24976","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3806,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-18T13:42:09.653","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-18T12:28:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when the managing agent for the Energy Assistance Scheme will be announced.","AnswerText":"The procurement of a managing agent for the new national fuel poverty scheme is ongoing and we expect to be in a position to announce contract award by the end of April 2015.","AnswerDate":"2015-03-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-04-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Burgess","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301955,"EventID":"S4W-24979","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":2,"MSPID":3771,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-18T15:16:47.9","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-18T14:40:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what arrangements it will make to support implementation of health and social care integration.","AnswerText":"We will extend the Integrated Care Fund for a further two years to support implementation of health and social care integration. Further to the £100 million that will be made available to partnerships in 2015-16, we will extend the fund by a further £200 million, i.e. £100 million in each of the years 2016-17 and 2017-18. This additional £200 million is part of additional funding well in excess of half a billion pounds which we are investing to support integration. Our investment will support and drive innovation in local systems.","AnswerDate":"2015-03-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-04-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301971,"EventID":"S4W-24962","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1866,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-18T17:04:38.207","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-18T09:27:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much it plans to invest in broadband each year in Lothian, broken down by local authority.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government and its public and private sector partners are investing over £410 million in our Digital Scotland Superfast Broadband programme (DSSB) which, alongside commercial deployment by BT and other operators, will deliver fibre broadband access to 95% of premises in Scotland by 2017-18.\r\nMost of the funding for this programme is not allocated to specific local authority areas, but to the national programme as a whole. In addition to the national funding, 14 local authorities provided supplementary funding to maximise coverage in their own areas. In Lothian, these local authorities are Midlothian, which contributed an additional £0.5 million, and West Lothian which contributed an additional £2.5 million.\r\nAll local authorities will be upgraded within the life of the DSSB programme. This table shows the percentage of premises in the three Lothian local authorities expected to have access to fibre broadband at the conclusion of the DSSB programme, compared with commercial deployment alone.\r\nLocal authority\r\nCommercial deployment\r\nDSSB programme combined with existing commercial plans\r\nMidlothian\r\n78.5%\r\n98.1%\r\nWest Lothian\r\n72.9%\r\n99.3%\r\nEast Lothian\r\n66.7%\r\n95.3%\r\n\r\nWe have also established Community Broadband Scotland (CBS) – a £7.5 million initiative that is supporting the development of community-led schemes in those areas that are unlikely to have a superfast solution delivered commercially, or by the DSSB programme.\r\nCBS is engaged with communities in East Lothian (Humbie, Lammermuir, East and West Salton, Bolton and Haddington), and has awarded a total of £169,000 to date.  CBS is also working with the community of Cousland in Midlothian and has awarded £5,000 to date.","AnswerDate":"2015-03-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-04-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301972,"EventID":"S4W-24969","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4939,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":78,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-18T17:04:39.173","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-18T10:36:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it will clarify future funding arrangements for Scotland Excel.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government are not involved in funding arrangements for Scotland Excel. This is a matter for Scotland Excel.\r\nScotland Excel is governed by a Joint Committee comprising at least one elected member from each of Scotland’s local authorities. The committee meets twice a year and is responsible for the strategic direction of the organisation and for approving the annual budget and business plan.\r\nThe lead authority for Scotland Excel is Renfrewshire Council.","AnswerDate":"2015-03-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-04-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301973,"EventID":"S4W-24971","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4080,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-18T17:04:39.83","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-18T11:15:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether Police Scotland plans to alter the timetable for the remodelling of service centres and control rooms, which was approved by the Scottish Police Authority on 30 January 2014; what its review and assessment of the closure programme to date will involve, and whether the outcome will be made public.","AnswerText":"Police control rooms are an operational matter for Police Scotland and the Scottish Police Authority (SPA). One of Police Scotland’s top priorities is to protect and enhance services to local communities.\r\nThe ongoing restructure of Contact, Command and Control (C3) centres will enhance the service to the public by ensuring calls are handled efficiently. Having a smaller number of larger centres will allow calls to be handled better and removing duplication will allow resources to be focused on the frontline.\r\nThe Scottish Police Authority is continuing to monitor the implementation of C3 reforms, and will continue to scrutinise Police Scotland call management performance.","AnswerDate":"2015-04-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-04-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301974,"EventID":"S4W-24972","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4080,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-18T17:04:40.623","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-18T11:15:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with Police Scotland regarding service centre and control room IT systems and whether any issues have been reported to ministers.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has regular discussions with Police Scotland to discuss important issues around keeping people safe and this includes progress on the implementation of change programmes such as Contact, Command and Control (C3).\r\nThe ongoing restructure of C3 includes the introduction of new technology and systems that will further enhance call answering services and allow for an improved response to all calls.\r\nIn recognising that some issues relating to the bedding in of the new systems have been identified, Police Scotland have confirmed that significant work has been, and continues to be done to improve call handling, including an active recruitment exercise.\r\nPolice Scotland deal with 4 million calls through 999 and 101 each year. 90% of 999 calls are answered within 10 seconds and the majority of 101 calls are answered within 40 seconds.\r\nThe Scottish Police Authority is continuing to monitor the implementation of C3 reforms, and will continue to scrutinise Police Scotland call management performance.","AnswerDate":"2015-04-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-04-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301975,"EventID":"S4W-24973","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-18T17:04:41.17","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-18T11:32:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-24763 by John Swinney on 17 March 2015, on what date it will publish the responses to its consultation on an interim constitution for Scotland.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has not yet announced a specific date on which responses to The Scottish Independence Bill: A Consultation on an Interim Constitution for Scotland will be published.","AnswerDate":"2015-04-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-04-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301976,"EventID":"S4W-24974","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-18T17:04:42.42","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-18T11:42:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-24666 by Derek Mackay on 10 March 2015, when it will agree the final account and outturn costs with contractors involved in the A898 Erskine Bridge Vehicle Barrier Replacement project.","AnswerText":"The final account and out-turn costs will be agreed by the end of November 2015.","AnswerDate":"2015-03-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-04-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301977,"EventID":"S4W-24977","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5042,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-18T17:04:43.637","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-18T13:30:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will give public transport authorities the power to compel public transport operators to participate in multi-operator ticketing schemes.","AnswerText":"Sections 28-32 of the Transport (Scotland) Act 2001 enable local transport authorities to specify what ticketing arrangements should be available for their areas and to seek to make these available on a voluntary basis.\r\nIf they cannot achieve satisfactory arrangements voluntarily, then local transport authorities can, following consultation, impose a duty on operators to implement a ticketing scheme, which can then be enforced by the Traffic Commissioner.","AnswerDate":"2015-03-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-04-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301978,"EventID":"S4W-24980","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3806,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-18T17:04:44.197","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-18T15:43:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will add the Mallaig to Lochboisdale ferry route to the Clyde and Hebridean routes that are being put out to tender in 2016.","AnswerText":"The Ferries Plan (2013-2022) committed to consider a Mallaig to Lochboisdale route as part of Clyde and Hebrides ferry services specification. However, the opportunity to pilot this route was agreed, starting in 2013. Decisions about the future provision of a Mallaig to Lochboisdale ferry service will be taken after the three year pilot is complete at the end of the winter 2015-16 timetable period.","AnswerDate":"2015-03-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-04-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301979,"EventID":"S4W-24981","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3806,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-18T17:04:45.01","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-18T15:43:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether there will be capacity in the project to dual the A9 for the laying of fibre-optic cable. ","AnswerText":"Transport Scotland are working with the Cairngorms National Park, the Scottish Government, Highland Council and other agencies to maximise the opportunity to align our programmes. The possibility of laying digital communications infrastructure in the dualled A9 will form part of that agenda.","AnswerDate":"2015-03-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-04-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301980,"EventID":"S4W-24982","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-18T17:04:46.007","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-18T15:33:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it first received notification from the Ministry of Defence of its proposals involving the development at the British Underwater Test and Evaluation Centre at Kyle of Lochalsh.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government received letters from Philip Dunne MP relating to the Ministry of Defence proposal to develop the British Underwater Test and Evaluation Centre. The first was on 19 August 2013, followed by 25 September 2013, 3 November 2014 and 4 March 2015. The letter of the 19 August 2013 was responded to by the then Deputy First Minister for Scotland, Nicola Sturgeon, requesting that jobs be safeguarded and consultation with local stakeholders be undertaken.","AnswerDate":"2015-04-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-04-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Richard Lochhead","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301981,"EventID":"S4W-24983","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1943,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-18T17:04:47.177","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-18T16:07:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it has asked National Grid what its alternative is to procuring electricity system services from thermal generation and, if so, what information National Grid has provided.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has regular dialogue with National Grid on a range of matters relating to electricity security of supply in Scotland and the way the system operator fulfils its responsibilities. National Grid procures electricity system services from a wide range of different types of generation and flexible demand sources in order to operate the transmission system in an efficient, economic and co-ordinated manner consistent with its licence obligations. National Grid publishes regular updates on the balancing services they procure via their website (http://www2.nationalgrid.com/uk/services/balancing-services/).\r\n\r\nNational Grid has advised the Scottish Government that companies operating power barges are free to enter its current tender exercise for transmission constraint management services for Scotland in 2016-17. Precise details relating to the actual bidders in that exercise are subject to strict confidentiality arrangements but at the Economy, Energy and Tourism Committee on 11 March 2015 Mike Calviou of National Grid revealed they are considering three options including “an innovative new provider of services”.\r\nThe Scottish Government is not aware that power barges have been used previously in the UK for constraint management and has conveyed its concerns on the deliverability of this option in the timescales envisaged for the 2016-17 transmission constraint management exercise. National Grid has not provided any advice to the Scottish Government about what the impact would be on the resilience of the electricity system of using floating power barges to provide additional system services compared with conventional thermal generating capacity.","AnswerDate":"2015-03-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-04-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301982,"EventID":"S4W-24984","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1943,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-18T17:04:47.94","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-18T16:08:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether National Grid had advised it that it was considering the use of power barges for the provision of electricity system services.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-24983 on 30 March 2015. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx","AnswerDate":"2015-03-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-04-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301983,"EventID":"S4W-24985","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1943,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-18T17:04:48.533","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-18T16:10:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether National Grid has advised it what impact the use of power barges for the provision of electricity system services could have on resilience.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-24983 on 30 March 2015. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx","AnswerDate":"2015-03-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-04-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301997,"EventID":"S4W-24978","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3824,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-19T15:09:17.89","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-18T13:43:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the rate of early-onset group B streptococcus infections per 1,000 live births has been and how many pregnant women have had (a) an enriched culture medium and (b) standard test for group B streptococcus carriage, in each year from 2003.","AnswerText":"Group B Streptococcal infections are not notifiable under the terms of the Public Health (Scotland) Act 2008. Surveillance of invasive early onset Streptococcal B infection in Scotland is based on laboratory confirmed reports received through the electronic reporting system Electronic Communication of Surveillance in Scotland. Full implementation of this system took place during 2008, prior to this some laboratories may not have reported cases. Based on figures provided by Health Protection Scotland, from reviewing available data on the number of laboratory confirmed reports, gives the estimated incidence per 1000 births of early onset invasive Group B Streptococcal for the period 2009-2013 as:\r\n\r\n2009\r\n0.46\r\n2010\r\n0.46\r\n2011\r\n0.44\r\n2012\r\n0.47\r\n2013\r\n0.32\r\nThe figure for 2014 is 0.44, this is based on the number of births for 2014 extrapolated from the number of births reported for the first three quarters of 2014 and is likely to be amended later in 2015 based on the total number of births for 2014.\r\nData on the number of pregnant women who have had an enriched culture medium and standard test for Group B Streptococcus carriage in not collected nationally.","AnswerDate":"2015-03-31T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-04-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301998,"EventID":"S4W-24989","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1860,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-19T15:09:18.467","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-18T16:36:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it will ensure that there is sufficient capacity in hospitals and communities to provide women with ante-natal scanning services close to home.","AnswerText":"Last month the Scottish Government announced a review of maternity and neonatal services, to ensure every mother and baby continues to get the best possible care from Scotland’s health service. Scanning services will be part of this review.","AnswerDate":"2015-03-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-04-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":301999,"EventID":"S4W-24990","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1860,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-19T15:09:19.26","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-18T16:36:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what interim measures it will take to ensure that women in Argyll and Bute can access NHS ante-natal screening locally, rather than having to travel to Glasgow or Paisley.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to parliamentary question S4O-04076 to Jamie McGrigor on 4 March 2015. The answer to the oral parliamentary question is available on the Parliaments website, the official report can be viewed at: http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28862.aspx?r=9813&mode=pdf. \r\nThe Scottish Government has welcomed NHS Highland’s plan to fund a proposal to develop scanning services locally in Argyll and Bute.\r\nNHS Highland anticipates that the local service will be fully implemented from the autumn of 2016.","AnswerDate":"2015-03-31T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-04-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302000,"EventID":"S4W-24997","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-19T15:09:20.15","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-18T16:49:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what safety impact assessment it has conducted of merging the British Transport Police with Police Scotland and whether it will publish the details.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government will continue to engage with all key stakeholders throughout 2015 on proposals to shape the integration of the function of BTP in Scotland within Police Scotland. This will include the British Transport Police (BTP), the BTP Federation, other staff associations and unions, and the rail regulator on how this can be most effectively achieved within our national Police Service.\r\nThe good work of BTP officers is valued by the Scottish Government and the people of Scotland. It is essential that these skills are maintained and protected for the continued safety and security of the rail network and its passengers","AnswerDate":"2015-04-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-04-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302001,"EventID":"S4W-24998","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-19T15:09:20.947","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-18T16:49:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to consult on its plans for policing of the rail network from 2016.","AnswerText":"Police Scotland is responsible for policing in Scotland and it is an anomaly that policing of the railway is out with the jurisdiction of our national Chief Constable. Integration of the British Transport Police (BTP) within Police Scotland will ensure the most efficient and effective delivery of all policing in Scotland and will ensure accountability for the safety and security of our rail network is directed through the Scottish Police Authority and the Scottish Parliament.\r\nThe Scottish Government will continue to engage throughout 2015 with all key stakeholders to shape the future model of rail policing within Police Scotland and to ensure that our railways continue to enjoy excellent policing. \r\nThe good work of BTP officers and staff in Scotland is valued by the Scottish Government and the people of Scotland, and protecting and maintaining their specialist skills and knowledge will be a priority.","AnswerDate":"2015-04-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-04-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302002,"EventID":"S4W-24999","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-19T15:09:21.587","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-18T16:49:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what estimate it has made of the number of British Transport Police officers working on the Scottish rail network.","AnswerText":"British Transport Police advise that there are currently 223 police officers and 50 support staff working for British Transport Police on the Scottish rail network. ","AnswerDate":"2015-04-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-04-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302003,"EventID":"S4W-25000","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-19T15:09:22.287","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-19T00:00:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what Barnett consequentials arise from the 2015 UK Budget announcements and how these will be allocated.","AnswerText":"Barnett consequentials arising from the UK Budget announcement amounted to £31.5 million, £29.9 million of resource DEL and £1.6 million of capital DEL. The consequentials arising from health expenditure in the rest of the UK will be passed on in full to health in Scotland. Other decisions on deployment of the consequentials will be taken in due course as part of our budget management processes.","AnswerDate":"2015-03-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-04-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302004,"EventID":"S4W-25001","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1756,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":136,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-19T15:09:23.49","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-19T10:27:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it has had discussions with the Lord Advocate with a view to prosecuting the sale of new psychoactive substances, or so-called legal highs, following the precedent of Khaliq and Anor v HMA 1983 SCCR 483 (CCA); 1984 JC 23; 1984 SLT 137, in which the High Court on appeal refused to accept that there was any distinction between supply with knowledge of likely abuse and actual administration of a dangerous substance to a child.","AnswerText":"In a previous answer to Parliament (S4O-04048) on 25 February 2015, I referred to the work that had already been undertaken by the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS) in this area. I attach a link to the Official Report: http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28862.aspx?r=9797\r\nCOPFS issued guidance to Police Scotland in August 2014 prior to their national day of action on 22 August 2014 under Operation Redwall. The guidance specifically covered the use of the offence of culpable and reckless conduct and the type of evidence that would be required. COPFS continues to work with the police, local authorities and trading standards to ensure that, in this difficult area of law, the offence of culpable and reckless behaviour and other types of offences, in particular those under the product safety regulations are used when they are appropriate.\r\nThe Scottish Government thereafter on the 26 February 2015 published the review of the current legal framework available to govern the sale and supply of new psychoactive substances (NPS) which was carried out by the New Psychoactive Substances Expert Review Group. COPFS were represented on that group. The report is available at the following link:\r\nhttp://www.gov.scot/Publications/2015/02/3802/0\r\nThe group considered the use of the common law offence of culpable and reckless conduct and looked at the case of Khaliq v HMA. They concluded that the offence of culpable and reckless conduct could be relevant to the sale and supply of NPS in certain circumstances.","AnswerDate":"2015-04-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-04-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Lesley Thomson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302005,"EventID":"S4W-25002","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2610,"Party":"Independent","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-19T15:11:47.457","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-19T11:21:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the finding that on 17 March 2015 air pollution in central Scotland reached its worst levels in three years, how it plans to reduce air pollution.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government continues to work closely with local authorities, The Scottish Environment Protection Agency, Transport Scotland and other partners to improve air quality in Scotland. We are currently consulting on a draft national low emission strategy for Scotland, which draws together policies across Scottish Government portfolios that impact on air quality. The strategy will build on ongoing work which has contributed to significant reductions in air pollution over recent years, as set out in the Air Quality Strategy for England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland and in Scotland’s National Transport Strategy.\r\nAt a local level, we provide practical and financial support to local authorities to undertake air quality monitoring and, where necessary, develop air quality action plans.","AnswerDate":"2015-03-31T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-04-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen McLeod","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302006,"EventID":"S4W-25003","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2610,"Party":"Independent","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-19T15:11:48.08","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-19T11:21:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the finding that air pollution in central Scotland reached its worst level in three years on 17 March 2015 largely due to car emissions according to environmental groups, how it will encourage individuals to use public transport.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government’s commitment to bus services in Scotland is clearly demonstrated by the quarter of a billion pounds expended every year on the Bus Service Operators’ Grant and concessionary fares. The grant helps to keep fares at affordable levels and enable bus operators to run services that might not otherwise be commercially viable and provides incentives for operators to use low carbon vehicles by giving double the standard payment rate for services which use low carbon vehicles. The Scottish Green Bus Fund was launched in 2010, incentivising the construction and use of new low carbon buses to improve air quality, accessibility and encouraging modal shift. To date this fund has awarded £13.8 million which has helped secure 209 new low carbon emission buses.","AnswerDate":"2015-03-31T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-04-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen McLeod","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302007,"EventID":"S4W-25004","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2610,"Party":"Independent","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-19T15:11:48.673","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-19T11:21:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the finding that air pollution in central Scotland reached its highest levels in three years on 17 March 2015, how it plans to protect vulnerable people, particularly the elderly, young children and those with respiratory conditions, from air pollution.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government operates a pollution alert service called 'Know and Respond'. Members of the public can register to receive an SMS, voicemail or email message whenever air pollution is forecast to be moderate, high or very high as measured by the UK Air Quality Index. The message also provides advice on action that individuals can take to reduce the impact of the pollution during these periods.\r\nThe Scottish Government continues to work closely with local authorities, The Scottish Environment Protection Agency, Transport Scotland and other partners to improve air quality in Scotland.","AnswerDate":"2015-03-31T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-04-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen McLeod","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302008,"EventID":"S4W-25009","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2678,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-19T15:11:49.25","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-19T13:44:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many Community First Responder groups there are, broken down by NHS board area.","AnswerText":"There are currently 123 Community First Responder Groups throughout Scotland. The Scottish Ambulance Service has information as to how many groups there are broken down by the service’s operational divisions, and that is why the information is presented as such.\r\nScottish Ambulance Service Divisional Area\r\nNorth Division which includes NHS Grampian, NHS Highland, NHS Orkney, NHS Shetland and NHS Western Isles.\r\n41 Community First Responder and Co Responder Schemes\r\nEast Central Division which includes NHS Tayside, NHS Forth Valley and NHS Fife\r\n24 Community First Responder and Co Responder Schemes\r\nWest Central Division which includes NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde and NHS Lanarkshire\r\n13 Community First Responder and Co Responder Schemes\r\nSouth East Division which includes NHS Lothian and NHS Borders\r\n25 Community First Responder and Co Responder Schemes\r\nSouth West Division which includes parts of NHS Highland, NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde and NHS Dumfries and Galloway\r\n20 Community First Responder and Co Responder Schemes","AnswerDate":"2015-03-31T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-04-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302009,"EventID":"S4W-25010","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2678,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-19T15:11:49.89","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-19T13:44:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many medical emergencies Community First Responders have responded to in each year since their introduction, broken down by NHS board area.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Ambulance Service has provided information relating to Community First Responder activity back to 2006.\r\nNHS Health Board Territory\r\nCommunity First Responder Scheme Activity\r\n2006\r\n2007\r\n2008\r\n2009\r\n2010\r\n2011\r\n2012\r\n2013\r\n2014\r\nTOTAL\r\nAyrshire and Arran\r\n130\r\n166\r\n114\r\n82\r\n147\r\n191\r\n442\r\n607\r\n638\r\n2517\r\nBorders\r\n0\r\n38\r\n94\r\n129\r\n102\r\n68\r\n92\r\n128\r\n174\r\n825\r\nDumfries and Galloway\r\n29\r\n37\r\n56\r\n87\r\n48\r\n55\r\n89\r\n194\r\n396\r\n991\r\nFife\r\n3\r\n47\r\n390\r\n131\r\n209\r\n262\r\n223\r\n159\r\n284\r\n1708\r\nForth Valley\r\n290\r\n308\r\n316\r\n362\r\n483\r\n388\r\n237\r\n244\r\n235\r\n2863\r\nGrampian\r\n1247\r\n1763\r\n1660\r\n924\r\n1015\r\n627\r\n694\r\n678\r\n941\r\n9549\r\nGreater Glasgow and Clyde\r\n0\r\n4\r\n8\r\n37\r\n75\r\n85\r\n232\r\n280\r\n458\r\n1179\r\nHighland\r\n57\r\n269\r\n434\r\n410\r\n468\r\n569\r\n530\r\n525\r\n741\r\n4003\r\nLanarkshire\r\n1\r\n0\r\n2\r\n70\r\n362\r\n287\r\n190\r\n179\r\n181\r\n1272\r\nLothian\r\n169\r\n307\r\n555\r\n670\r\n489\r\n539\r\n698\r\n683\r\n551\r\n4661\r\nOrkney\r\n0\r\n0\r\n7\r\n19\r\n83\r\n72\r\n72\r\n52\r\n33\r\n338\r\nShetland\r\n0\r\n3\r\n2\r\n19\r\n20\r\n33\r\n25\r\n29\r\n9\r\n140\r\nTayside\r\n0\r\n70\r\n303\r\n328\r\n1045\r\n169\r\n366\r\n457\r\n269\r\n3007\r\nWestern Isles\r\n16\r\n50\r\n89\r\n148\r\n129\r\n112\r\n95\r\n71\r\n70\r\n780\r\nNo Health Board Specified\r\n25\r\n46\r\n64\r\n57\r\n74\r\n94\r\n82\r\n97\r\n151\r\n690\r\nTOTAL\r\n1967\r\n3108\r\n4094\r\n3473\r\n4749\r\n3551\r\n4067\r\n4383\r\n5131\r\n34523","AnswerDate":"2015-04-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-04-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302010,"EventID":"S4W-25011","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2678,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-19T15:11:50.53","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-19T13:45:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much it costs to start a Community First Responder scheme and what the annual running cost is for training and equipment.","AnswerText":"The information requested is broken down in the following table:\r\nItem\r\nCost including VAT\r\nTotal initial start-up cost of a community first responder scheme excluding vehicle costs or expenses claims\r\nCosts vary depending on number of volunteers per scheme – however for a scheme of six members the initial direct costs will be £4000 (approximately).\r\nAnnual Training Costs\r\nBand 3 ambulance staff member visiting a Community First responder Scheme to deliver and quality assure training. 10 hours with a 60 mile round trip including pre planning time. \r\n\r\nBand 7 Member of ambulance staff visiting a Community First responder Scheme to quality assure training. 10 hours with a 60 mile round trip including pre planning time. \r\n£249 per visit\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n£462 per visit \r\n(Approximately 1-2 training visits are carried out per annum) \r\nEquipment Costs\r\n\r\nAirway / CPR manikin (2 x South West, South East, East Central and West Central Divisions, 4 for North for training – price varies dependant on company and model) £3000 each approx = £36,000 approx. initial costs\r\nReplacement lungs, chest skins servicing etc = est. £2000 annually (national)","AnswerDate":"2015-03-31T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-04-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302011,"EventID":"S4W-25012","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2678,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-19T15:11:51.123","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-19T13:45:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many public access defibrillators are available in each NHS board area.","AnswerText":"There are no centrally collected figures on the number of public access defibrillators available in each NHS board area.\r\nThe Scottish Government will launch the Scottish Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest Strategy on 27 March 2015 which aims to improve all the key elements of the chain of survival, including defibrillation. This will include implementing effective arrangements to ensure that public access defibrillators are mapped to Ambulance Control Centres, maintained and accessible to the public.","AnswerDate":"2015-03-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-04-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302012,"EventID":"S4W-25013","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2678,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-19T15:11:51.7","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-19T13:45:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on the Scottish Ambulance Service's decision to restructure its Community Resilience Department due to a lack of funding.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Ambulance Service work in partnership with a number of public and voluntary organisations including the British Heart Foundation who contribute towards service delivery costs in delivery community resilience related functions and services including. The service are currently reviewing how their core funding from the Scottish Government can achieve best value and are approaching voluntary organisations with a view to enabling partnership working with funding contributions towards community related services.\r\nThe Scottish Government has agreed the Local Delivery Plan for the Scottish Ambulance Service for 2015-16 which sets out workstreams to enable continued partner working towards strengthening community resilience. This is echoed in the Scottish Ambulance Service Strategy - Towards 2020 Taking Care to the Patient.","AnswerDate":"2015-04-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-04-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302013,"EventID":"S4W-25018","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-19T15:11:52.31","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-19T14:05:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government on what date it will publish a revised oil and gas bulletin.","AnswerText":"The Budget 2015 represented an admission by the chancellor that his policy for the North Sea has been wrong and that the poor stewardship by successive UK governments has had a detrimental impact on our oil and gas sector. The measures announced by the chancellor are a step in the right direction for our oil and gas sector and reflect the types of reforms that both the Scottish Government and the industry, have been demanding for a number of years.\r\nAs yet the full impact of the March 2015 Budget measures is not clear, for example the Finance Bill 2015 permits the Treasury broaden the scope of the Investment Allowance by introducing subsequent regulations. I sought clarity from the UK Government on this matter when attending the Oil & Gas Council on 24 March 2015.\r\nThe Scottish Government will analyse the fiscal changes that the Chancellor of the Exchequer announced in the Budget, in collaboration with stakeholders in the industry, and assess the impact that the reforms will have on future investment and production, and in turn tax revenues. When this analysis is complete we will publish an updated oil and gas Analytical Bulletin, as soon as is feasible.","AnswerDate":"2015-04-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-04-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302014,"EventID":"S4W-25019","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-19T15:11:53.667","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-19T14:05:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will publish the fiscal assumptions that underpin the assertions in both publications entitled Benefits of Improved Public Performance.","AnswerText":"The assumptions underpinning the modelling scenarios are outlined on page 1 of the report published on 9 March 2015 and are quoted below:\r\n“The first scenario reflects the situation under the Smith Commission powers where the majority of additional tax revenue generated by increased economic activity are retained by the UK Government and cannot be directly reinvested back into the Scottish economy.\r\nUnder the second scenario, all additional tax revenue generated by the expansion in the economy are assumed to be retained in Scotland and reinvested back into Scotland’s public finances and public services. This scenario is referred to in the paper as ‘Full Revenue Retention’.”\r\nThe full report can be accessed via the following link:\r\nhttp://news.scotland.gov.uk/imagelibrary/downloadmedia.ashx?MediaDetailsID=3417&SizeId=-1","AnswerDate":"2015-03-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-04-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302022,"EventID":"S4W-24986","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-19T16:35:13.433","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-18T16:03:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government for what reason it has reduced funding for the curriculum for excellence-aligned digital resource for primary schools, Tigtag, and, in light of (a) the resource being (i) reportedly the most used in the Glow network and (ii) used in over 70 other countries that compete with Scotland for improved Programme for International Assessment (PISA) scores to assist toward establishing high-value science and technology jobs and (b) its investment in promoting the re-launch of the Glow network, whether it considers that this is consistent with the aspiration set out in its programme for government to \"continue to support improvement in the learning and teaching of science, technology, engineering and mathematics in schools, with a particular focus on primary schools\", and what the reasons are for its position on this matter.","AnswerText":"We are committed to supporting primary science as laid out in the Programme for Government, this includes ensuring the delivery of best value across Scotland. We are working with Education Scotland to improve the learning and teaching of science in primary schools in a number of ways, Education Scotland has dedicated staff supporting this area. A range of local and national face-to-face events have taken place. New content has been published to a dedicated STEM central website and the monthly STEM e bulletin now has 2400 subscribers. Other elements of the Glow network have been used to deliver online science learning events to schools across the country and a primary science teachers’ collaborative network has also been established.\r\nIn addition, the Scottish Schools Education Research Centre (SSERC), with support from the Scottish Government, has established a successful primary science cluster programme which has now trained primary science mentors in 16 local authorities. We are continuing to support SSERC to consolidate the progress that has been made and to expand it out to other local authority areas. The science space on Glow is growing. Education Scotland officials are in discussion with the company who provide the 'Tig-Tag' resource to explore ways in which schools and local authorities who have been using this service can continue to do so when the current contract ends in June 2015.","AnswerDate":"2015-04-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-04-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alasdair Allan","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302023,"EventID":"S4W-25005","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1866,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-19T16:35:14.66","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-19T11:41:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many dog thefts have been reported in each year since 2011, broken down by region, and how many resulted in the dog being returned to its owner.","AnswerText":"The data held centrally on recorded crime is based on an aggregate count of crimes and offences recorded and cleared up by the police. Dog thefts would be recorded in the statistics as a crime of theft, however it is not possible to separately identify the number of thefts which related specifically to dogs.","AnswerDate":"2015-04-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-04-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Paul Wheelhouse","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302024,"EventID":"S4W-25007","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1866,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-19T16:35:15.543","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-19T11:41:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what actions it is taking to reduce the number of dog thefts across the country.","AnswerText":"Action to tackle crime is the responsibility of Police Scotland; however, the Scottish Government can and will help to ensure that stolen dogs can be more easily returned to their rightful owners.\r\nWe have long recommended in our Code of Practice for the Welfare of Dogs that microchipping is an effective method of identifying animals that can help re-unite dogs with owners where the dogs have been lost or stolen.\r\nOn 4 March 2015 I announced that microchipping of all dogs will be made mandatory in Scotland from April 2016, after it was overwhelmingly backed in a public consultation.","AnswerDate":"2015-04-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-04-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Richard Lochhead","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302025,"EventID":"S4W-25014","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2108,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":141,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-19T16:35:16.913","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-19T13:56:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what progress has been made in delivering commitment 16 of its national dementia strategy, and how this commitment might support people with Down's syndrome. ","AnswerText":"Through commitment 16 of the 2013-16 national dementia strategy, we are working with others to identify and address barriers to timely diagnosis and effective care, treatment and support for people with dementia specifically in the following groupings: learning disabilities; early onset dementia; chronic conditions; sensory impairment; and in black and ethnic minority communities.\r\nWe know people with Down’s syndrome have an increased risk of Alzheimer’s dementia at an earlier age than the general population. Our world-leading post-diagnostic guarantee for everyone newly diagnosed with dementia, which provides a minimum of a year’s worth of dedicated post-diagnostic support co-ordinated by a named and trained link worker, benefits people with Down’s syndrome and dementia by providing personalised and holistic care to support their specific needs.\r\nWe have had discussions and will work with Down’s syndrome Scotland and other organisations to further address the needs of this group, including through an equality impact assessment on the Local Delivery Plan standard which underpins the post diagnostic support guarantee.","AnswerDate":"2015-03-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-04-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302026,"EventID":"S4W-25016","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2108,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":141,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-19T16:35:17.737","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-19T13:56:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of Down’s Syndrome Scotland's Achieving Better Communication (ABC) groups for children, and what funding streams are available to support these. ","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is committed to improving the lives of people with learning disabilities and their families and carers in Scotland.\r\nAs part of the commitment to support the delivery of The keys to life, the 10 year learning disability strategy, grant funding has been provided to Down’s Syndrome Scotland’s ABC groups in financial year 2015-16. The learning disability policy team will continue to work closely with Down’s Syndrome Scotland as a key delivery partner over the next few years to implement The keys to life implementation plan.","AnswerDate":"2015-03-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-04-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302027,"EventID":"S4W-25020","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-19T16:35:18.42","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-19T15:00:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what it is doing to ensure that all local authorities adequately fund early years education, given the reported variation in funding across Scotland.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has committed £329 million over the next two years to fully fund a significant expansion in early learning and childcare. The allocation and distribution of this funded has been agreed with COSLA.\r\nFunding is distributed to local authorities as part of their block grant, and it is for them to make decisions on how funding is allocated in their area, ensuring they meet their statutory duties. Where this involves partner providers it is therefore the responsibility of local authorities to determine fair and sustainable settlements locally with their partner providers, while securing high quality provision, as set out in the early learning and childcare statutory guidance 2014.","AnswerDate":"2015-03-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-04-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302028,"EventID":"S4W-25021","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-19T16:35:19.36","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-19T15:00:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what changes have been made to the eligibility criteria for free personal care since its inception.","AnswerText":"The need for a national eligibility framework was originally identified in 2008 in reports on Free Personal Care published by Audit Scotland and subsequently by Lord Sutherland’s Independent Review of Free Personal and Nursing Care in Scotland.\r\nThe Free Personal Care Access and Entitlement to Services Group was asked to establish proposals for consistent and transparent eligibility criteria and waiting times.\r\nJoint guidance on Eligibility Criteria for free personal and nursing care was issued by the Scottish Government and COSLA on 28 September 2009.\r\nLocal authorities were asked to confirm by 1 December 2009 that their local arrangements were compatible with the guidance. All 32 local authorities have confirmed that this is the position.","AnswerDate":"2015-03-31T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-04-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302029,"EventID":"S4W-25022","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-19T16:35:20.523","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-19T15:36:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what changes are being made at NHS 24 to deal with calls more effectively.","AnswerText":"NHS 24 delivers safe and effective services to more than 1.5 million people a year. Its performance is measured against an access service level which aims to achieve 90% of calls answered within 30 seconds. NHS 24 achieved 97% in 2013/14 and consistently exceeds this target.\r\nSince the introduction of 111 in April 2014, NHS 24 has seen a sustained increase in demand for its unscheduled care service. NHS 24 is responding to this in its Workforce Plan through recruitment of additional call handlers and clinical staff who deliver clinical governance of the unscheduled care service. The challenges in recruiting nursing staff are being addressed through innovative trials aimed at attracting a more diverse range of nursing backgrounds.\r\nNHS 24 staffing increased by 4.6% between September 2014 and December 2014 and under this government, NHS 24 staffing levels have increased by 9% (from 924.3 whole time equivalent in September 2006, to 1,010.3 in December 2014). ","AnswerDate":"2015-03-31T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-04-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302030,"EventID":"S4W-25030","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":2,"MSPID":4948,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-20T09:47:05.567","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-20T09:37:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what targets it expects Registers of Scotland to achieve in 2015-16.","AnswerText":"Scottish Ministers have set the Keeper of the Registers of Scotland (RoS) the financial targets of achieving:\r\n3% efficiency savings; and\r\nan increase in RoS’ commercial income of 5%. \r\nIn addition, the keeper has set the following service standards for her department:\r\n1. Record new Land Register applications on the application record \r\nWithin one working day \r\n2. Process automated registration of title to land applications \r\nWithin 24 hours \r\n3. Process Chancery and Judicial Registers applications \r\nWithin three working days \r\n4. Process Crofting Register applications \r\nWithin three working days \r\n5. Process General Register of Sasines applications \r\nWithin 20 working days \r\n6. Register applications for deeds affecting registered land \r\nWithin 30 working days \r\n7. Register applications for deeds affecting unregistered land (standard) \r\nWithin 40 working days \r\n8. Register other applications for deeds affecting unregistered land \r\nWithin six months\r\n9. Register applications for deeds affecting part of registered land \r\nWithin nine months \r\n10. Complete all 1979 Act casework \r\nby 8 December 2015\r\n11. Process all customer enquiries to RoS’ customer service centres \r\nWithin two working days \r\n12. Increase our Public Service Quality Index rating \r\nAchieve a score of 74\r\n13. Complete 98.5% or more of registrations, over a 12 month rolling period, without corrective action\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-03-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-04-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302036,"EventID":"S4W-24991","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4080,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-20T13:50:57.297","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-18T16:41:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether (a) the illicit intrusion into a computer network, (b) the disruption or downgrading of computer functionality and network space, (c) e-commerce fraud, (d) fraudulent sales through online auction or retail sites, (e) online mass-marketing fraud, (f) online consumer scams, (g) phishing, (h) pharming and (i) so-called online romance fraud is included in the official crime statistics and, if so, what the estimated scale of it is.","AnswerText":"The terms stated above would be recorded by the police as a crime under the relevant legislation. However, the police recorded crime data collected centrally is based on an aggregate count of crimes and offences recorded and cleared up by the police in Scotland. We do not hold sufficient detail to identify which crimes were committed online. For example, a crime of fraud will be counted in the available statistics as fraud, regardless of whether the crime took place online or on a doorstep etc. \r\nThe Scottish Crime and Justice Survey (SCJS) includes some information on whether the respondent had experienced card or identity fraud. Section 2.5.4 of 2012-13 SCJS report contains information on whether the respondent had experienced card fraud or identity theft and this information can be accessed via the following web-link:\r\nhttp://www.gov.scot/Publications/2014/03/9823/5\r\nThe SCJS 2012-13 estimated that 4% of adults had experienced card fraud in the 12 months prior to interview. Around 1% of adults had been a victim of identity theft, where someone had pretended to be them or used their personal details fraudulently. \r\nThere are also longer term plans to examine ways to integrate information on cybercrime into the SCJS, in the way that the Office for National Statistics is starting to examine for England and Wales:\r\nhttp://www.ons.gov.uk/ons/guide-method/method-quality/specific/crime-statistics-methodology/methodological-notes/index.html","AnswerDate":"2015-04-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-04-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302037,"EventID":"S4W-24992","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4080,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-20T13:50:57.86","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-18T16:41:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many police fines (a) have been issued in 2014-15 and (b) were issued in each year since 2011-12 for failing to notify the DVLA of a change of address, and to whom the money is given, broken down by legacy force or division.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government does not hold this information. This is a matter for Police Scotland, the DVLA and HM Treasury.\r\nThe money raised from fines for failing to notify the DVLA of a change of address in Scotland would be passed directly to HM Treasury.","AnswerDate":"2015-04-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-04-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302038,"EventID":"S4W-24993","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4080,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-20T13:50:58.343","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-18T16:41:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many police civilian firearms licensing and enquiry officers there have been in each year since 2011-12; what future changes are planned, and what plans there are to review whether the number is sufficient.","AnswerText":"Statistics relating to staff numbers and related issues are a matter for Police Scotland. I understand that it is not possible to provide figures for the period prior to the establishment of the single force on 1 April 2013. Since that date there have been the following numbers of civilian staff involved in firearms licensing:\r\nYear\r\nLicensing Administration\r\nFirearms Enquiry Officers\r\n2013-14\r\n35.5\r\n41\r\n2014-15\r\n32\r\n34\r\nPolice Scotland is currently consulting staff on proposals to change the way the firearms licensing function is managed and delivered. No decisions have been taken as yet on the way forward, but I understand that there will be no compulsory redundancies as a result of the review. Any decision on a revised business model is a matter for the chief constable, with the approval of the Scottish Police Authority.","AnswerDate":"2015-04-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-04-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302039,"EventID":"S4W-24994","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4080,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-20T13:50:58.84","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-18T16:41:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how long the initial training period is for police civilian firearms licensing and enquiry officers; what the training includes; what changes have been introduced since 1 April 2014, and what future changes are planned.","AnswerText":"There was no nationally approved training programme for police civilian firearms licensing and enquiry officers under the legacy force arrangements.\r\nSince 1 April 2014 Police Scotland has developed and introduced a national training programme which will be delivered to all police civilian firearms licensing and enquiry officers as well as police officers who will be involved in the licensing regime. This programme began on 3 March 2015 and will be delivered over a four month period.\r\nThe course is three days in duration and includes inputs on: \r\nLegislation;\r\nHome Office manual of guidance;\r\nRisk assessment;\r\nGrant and renewal process; and\r\nRevocation and refusal procedures.\r\nThe course also includes a number of practical scenario based training inputs to test the learning of the participants. Over 300 members of staff and police officers will be trained during the four month period. Training will continue to evolve in line with firearms legislation and guidance.","AnswerDate":"2015-04-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-04-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302040,"EventID":"S4W-24995","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4080,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-20T13:50:59.37","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-18T16:41:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many (a) new and (b) renewal applications for firearms certificates have been submitted in each year since 2011-12, also broken down by the average number of (i) days and (ii) staff hours taken to (A) process and (B) confirm the outcome of an application.","AnswerText":"Information on new and renewal firearms certificate applications was published by calendar year to the end of December 2013 in Table 2 of the Scottish Government’s annual statistical bulletin Firearm Certificate Statistics, Scotland, 2013. This was published on 30 May 2014 and can be found at: \r\nhttp://www.gov.scot/Publications/2014/05/4588/downloads\r\nInformation for the subsequent three months to end March 2014 was published in Firearm Certificate Statistics, Scotland, March 2014, published on 7 October 2014. Changes to national reporting mean that the statistical bulletin now reports on the total number of firearms certificates on issue. Information can be found at Table 1 of the bulletin at: http://www.gov.scot/Publications/2014/10/4039/downloads\r\nFrom 2014-15 onwards, statistics on firearm and shotgun certificates will be published for the end of a financial year, for example to 31 March 2015, instead of the end of a calendar year.\r\nOn 22 October 2014 Police Scotland introduced a national firearms licensing database (Shogun). There was no single system or process in place to record the requested information prior to that date and, as a result, I understand that the full information sought is not currently available. Work is underway to enable this level of information to be extracted accurately from the system in the future.\r\nPolice Scotland processes the majority of renewals within a 12 week period.","AnswerDate":"2015-04-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-04-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302041,"EventID":"S4W-24996","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4080,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-20T13:50:59.873","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-18T16:41:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it considers that the recommendations in chapter 8 of The Public Inquiry into the Shootings at Dunblane Primary School on 13 March 1996, regarding aspects of the certification system relating to firearms that fall within section 1 of the Firearms Act 1968, are being met, and what the reasons are for its position on this matter.","AnswerText":"Following publication of the report of Lord Cullen’s inquiry into the tragic shootings at Dunblane Primary School the UK Government made a number of significant changes to the firearms regime, in line with the report’s recommendations. This included changes to the legislation, by way of the Firearms (Amendment) Act 1997 and to the Home Office guidance on firearms licensing.\r\nResponsibility for the licensing of firearms under section 1 of the Firearms Act 1968 now rests with the Chief Constable of Police Scotland. Police Scotland recognises and acknowledges the recommendations of Lord Cullen in consolidating the previous work of the legacy forces.\r\nAgainst this background, Police Scotland is carrying out a review of the firearms licensing service in order to help realise the benefits of a single national police force. Work has been undertaken to standardise practice across the country in terms of matters such as risk assessments, decision making and revocation and refusal thresholds. In addition, a new national training programme has been introduced to improve the skill base of all staff or officers involved in firearms licensing. The aim of the proposals is to retain a number of staff firearms enquiry officers along with a core group of trained police officers to embed the necessary skill set across the country. This model is designed to maintain the experience of the officers involved in the process.","AnswerDate":"2015-04-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-04-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302042,"EventID":"S4W-25008","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1866,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-20T13:51:00.383","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-19T12:51:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-23847 by Fergus Ewing on 20 January 2015, what discussions it has had with (a) Scottish Power Energy Networks and (b) Scottish Hydro Electric Transmission regarding seeking Ofgem funding to help reduce the visual impact of existing transmission lines in national scenic areas.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government met with Scottish Power Energy Networks (SPEN) and Scottish Hydro Electric Transmission (SHE Transmission) on 23 March 2015 to discuss progress on plans regarding seeking Ofgem funding to reduce the visual impact of existing transmission lines in national scenic areas.\r\nSPEN are currently setting up a stakeholder group – Visual Impact of Existing Wirescape (VIEW). It is intended that this group will provide independent advice to facilitate a proposed project around Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park (encompassing the Loch Lomond national scenic area and Trossachs national scenic area).\r\nInvitations to join the stakeholder group have been issued to a number of organisations, including: Loch Lomond and The Trossachs Community Partnership, Historic Scotland, The John Muir Trust, Scottish Borders Council, Scottish Natural Heritage, The Scottish Campaign for National Parks, SHE Transmission and the Scottish Government.\r\nThe first meeting of VIEW is due to be held in the coming weeks.\r\nSHE Transmission is continuing to develop proposals and identify projects.","AnswerDate":"2015-04-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-04-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302043,"EventID":"S4W-25025","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-20T13:51:01.263","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-19T16:01:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what is being done through socio-psychological early evidence-based assessment to address persistent non-attendance at school.","AnswerText":"The Education (Additional Support for Learning) (Scotland) Act 2004 provides the framework for individual support which underpins young people’s access to educational opportunities in Scotland. This framework enables authorities to provide support for learning, for any reason, in the short or long term. Patterns of attendance and absence often provide indicators of the need for support.\r\nThe attendance rate in Scottish schools has remained steady at just over 93% in recent years with pupils' rate of attendance increasing from 93.1 per cent in 2010-11 to 93.6 per cent in 2012-13. However, the Scottish Government recognises that more needs to be done to promote good attendance at school. Making sure pupils are included, engaged and involved in their education is fundamental to achievement and attainment in school. Absence from school, whatever the cause, disrupts learning.\r\nTo support this we have developed, with key stakeholders, Included, Engaged and Involved Part 1: attendance in Scottish schools. This document provides guidance to schools, communities and local authorities on how to promote engagement and motivation, including among those who may be at risk of poor attendance.","AnswerDate":"2015-04-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-04-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302044,"EventID":"S4W-25026","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1860,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-20T13:51:02.223","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-19T17:20:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-24780 by Shona Robison on 19 March 2015, what the (a) highest and (b) lowest number of bed occupancies was at Ospadal Uibhist agus Bharraigh [Uist and Barra Hospital] in Benbecula in each week in 2014.  ","AnswerText":"Information on weekly occupied beds and occupancy rates is not held centrally. Monthly information is available and the following table shows average number of occupied beds for Uist and Barra Hospital, NHS Highland between January and September 2014.\r\nOccupied beds for Uist and Barra Hospital, by month.\r\n\r\nJanuary 2014\r\nFebruary 2014\r\nMarch 2014\r\nApril 2014\r\nMay 2014\r\nJune 2014\r\nJuly 2014\r\nAugust 2014\r\nSeptember 2014\r\nAverage Occupied Beds\r\n16.4\r\n21.6\r\n16.9\r\n13.6\r\n15.6\r\n13.4\r\n12.8\r\n12.4\r\n10.7\r\nSource: Information Services Division Scotland, ISD(S)1","AnswerDate":"2015-04-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-04-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302045,"EventID":"S4W-25031","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2892,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-20T13:51:02.867","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-20T10:52:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it will receive the final report from the University of Stirling on the research that it commissioned on the Offensive Behaviour at Football and Threatening Communications (Scotland) Act 2012; whether the report will be published in full, and, if so, on what date.","AnswerText":"Researchers at The University of Stirling are currently working on the final report from their evaluation of Section 1 of the Offensive Behaviour at Football and Threatening Communications (Scotland) Act 2012. The Scottish Government is still to receive a final completed report. However, the research will be published in full, in time to meet the statutory deadline set by Parliament.\r\n\r\n\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-04-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-04-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Paul Wheelhouse","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302046,"EventID":"S4W-25033","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4939,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":78,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-20T13:51:03.703","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-20T12:40:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the participation rate is of each local authority in national contracts through Scotland Excel.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government does not track participation rates of local authorities in national contracts through Scotland Excel. This is a matter for Scotland Excel and each local authority.\r\nThe lead authority for Scotland Excel is Renfrewshire Council.","AnswerDate":"2015-03-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-04-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302047,"EventID":"S4W-25034","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4939,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":78,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-20T13:51:04.383","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-20T12:43:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on local authorities not allowing former teachers who have taken voluntary severance to provide supply teaching.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has been consistent in our commitment to maintain teacher numbers in line with pupil numbers as a central part of our priority to raise attainment. We continue to provide significant additional funding specifically to support that commitment.\r\nRecruitment practice in relation to teachers is a matter for local authorities themselves who are best placed to identify the most appropriate, suitably qualified individuals to provide education services in their areas.","AnswerDate":"2015-04-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-04-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302052,"EventID":"S4W-25027","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-20T15:38:37.533","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-19T17:58:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether Revenue Scotland will be fully operational from 1 April 2015.","AnswerText":"On 1 January 2015, Revenue Scotland was established as a non-ministerial department of the Scottish Administration. It started to collect devolved taxes on 1 April 2015 and is now fully operational.","AnswerDate":"2015-04-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-04-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302053,"EventID":"S4W-25028","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-20T15:38:38.773","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-19T17:58:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether there are issues that would cause difficulty with the implementation of the (a) Scottish Landfill Tax and (b) Land and Buildings Transaction Tax.","AnswerText":"Implementation of the two new tax systems is an operational matter for Revenue Scotland. The Scottish Government is satisfied with the arrangements which Revenue Scotland has put in place for the implementation of the Land and Buildings Transaction Tax and Scottish Landfill Tax.","AnswerDate":"2015-04-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-04-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302054,"EventID":"S4W-25035","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-20T15:38:40.013","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-20T14:58:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs' decision to change how it allocates forage area under the common agricultural policy in respect of rights to graze on common land and certain areas of shared grazing in England, and what impact it will have on common grazings in Scotland.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government notes the change of policy in relation to common land by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, following a legal challenge. However, the legal basis regarding common land in England is different from that applying to common grazings in Scotland.\r\nWe recognise this is a complex issue, and although we do not currently envisage any implications for the Scottish Government’s approach to common grazings, we will discuss the issue with crofting and farming stakeholder organisations in the coming weeks, as well as carefully monitoring the situation in England, to consider what, if any, impact the English decision may have for common grazings in Scotland.","AnswerDate":"2015-04-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-04-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Richard Lochhead","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302055,"EventID":"S4W-25036","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2394,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-20T15:38:40.847","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-20T15:26:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many primary school teachers have an undergraduate degree in a modern foreign language.","AnswerText":"This information is not held centrally.","AnswerDate":"2015-04-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-04-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alasdair Allan","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302056,"EventID":"S4W-25037","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2394,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-20T15:38:41.987","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-20T15:26:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many primary school teachers have received training for teaching modern languages in each of the last five years.","AnswerText":"This information is not held centrally.\r\nThere is a growing established expectation that all teachers identify and undertake career long professional learning in a planned and strategic manner. To support implementation of our 1+2 languages policy and deliver more and earlier language learning in schools, we have provided local authorities with an additional £7.2 million in 2015-16 which can be used to fund training. In addition, free ‘Train the Trainer’ languages courses have been run by Education Scotland and Scotland’s National Centre for Languages, which all local authorities were invited to participate in.","AnswerDate":"2015-04-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-04-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alasdair Allan","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302057,"EventID":"S4W-25038","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2394,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-20T15:38:42.77","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-20T15:26:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many language support assistants have been employed in primary schools in each of the last five years.","AnswerText":"There are several kinds of language support assistants managed by local authorities and the details of these are not held centrally.\r\nThe British Council Language Assistant Programme is a nationally available form of language support. The number of British council modern language assistants working in the primary and secondary sector in Scottish publicly funded schools over the last five years is as follows:\r\n2014-15\r\n88\r\n2013-14\r\n54\r\n2012-13\r\n48\r\n2011-12\r\n41\r\n2010-11\r\n105\r\nWe want all young people in Scotland to have excellent language learning opportunities as a normal and expected part of a broad, relevant school education and have provided an additional £7.2 million to support local authorities deliver this in 2015-16. It is up to local authorities to decide how to spend this but we would hope the use of language assistants will increase as they can be an effective enhancement to classroom practice in the implementation of the 1+2 languages policy.","AnswerDate":"2015-04-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-04-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alasdair Allan","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302058,"EventID":"S4W-25042","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":2,"MSPID":2615,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":143,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-23T09:56:05.69","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-23T09:49:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what it is doing to ensure that schools are prepared for the new national qualifications.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is committed to working with partners to support teachers and pupils. That is why we are making a further £1 million available to local authorities to support schools as they move into the final phase of the introduction of the new qualifications. This money can be used to help with the purchase of textbooks and other resources for the new highers, and other local priorities.\r\nThe additional investment provided by the Scottish Government to support Scotland’s Curriculum for Excellence – more than £11 million since 2012 – has enabled schools to make great progress, as evidenced by the successful introduction of the new national qualifications in 2014.","AnswerDate":"2015-03-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-04-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302060,"EventID":"S4T-00982","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":9,"MSPID":1866,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-23T12:37:03.147","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-23T11:34:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it is supporting the farming sector to transition to the new Rural Payments and Services system.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":"2015-03-24T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302061,"EventID":"S4F-02695","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":4938,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-23T12:36:29.617","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-20T09:47:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister what the Scottish Government's position is on the final report of the Penrose Inquiry.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":"2015-03-26T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302062,"EventID":"S4F-02696","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":3812,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-23T12:36:30.177","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-20T14:07:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister what engagements she has planned for the rest of the day.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":"2015-03-26T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302063,"EventID":"S4F-02698","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-23T12:36:31.27","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-22T21:47:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister what action the Scottish Government is taking to end the use of zero-hours contracts.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":"2015-03-26T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302064,"EventID":"S4F-02697","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":5009,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-23T12:36:30.787","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-23T08:44:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister what issues will be discussed at the next meeting of the Cabinet.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":"2015-03-26T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302065,"EventID":"S4F-02701","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":4976,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-23T12:36:33.437","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-23T09:27:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister when she will next meet the Prime Minister.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":"2015-03-26T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302066,"EventID":"S4F-02707","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":2673,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":114,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-23T12:36:36.743","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-23T11:50:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister what the Scottish Government's position is on the Political and Constitutional Reform Committee's report, Constitutional implications of the Government's draft Scotland clauses.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":"2015-03-26T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302067,"EventID":"S4W-24955","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4940,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-23T14:18:01.597","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-17T16:53:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what estimate it has made of how increasing the work allowance for universal credit will impact on (a) the income of working households in the lower end of the income distribution scale and (b) incentives to work for claimants in Scotland.","AnswerText":"Increasing the work allowances for universal credit would provide targeted support to low income households. This would allow households to retain more of their income as they enter work or increase their earnings and can therefore improve incentives to work. The benefits of increasing the work allowances accrue largely to working households in the bottom half of the income distribution.\r\nUniversal credit and the power to change the work allowances remain reserved matters for the UK Government.","AnswerDate":"2015-04-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-04-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Burgess","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302068,"EventID":"S4W-25039","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2394,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-23T14:18:02.12","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-20T16:10:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many appeals have been submitted to the Directorate for Planning and Environmental Appeals in each year since 2007-08.","AnswerText":"The number of Appeals dealt with by the Planning and Environmental Appeals Division (DPEA) of the Scottish Government is set out in the following table:\r\nYear\r\n2007-08\r\n\r\n2008-09\r\n2009-10\r\n2010-11\r\n2011-12\r\n2012-13\r\n2013-14\r\n2014-15\r\nTotal number of Appeals\r\n1372\r\n1351\r\n1069\r\n505\r\n570\r\n618\r\n517\r\n549\r\nThese figures include planning, enforcement, listed building, advertisement and other types of appeal dealt with by DPEA. The reduction in appeal numbers in 2010-11 was largely as a result of planning reform with the introduction of local review bodies who now deal with appeals in respect of smaller scale planning applications.\r\nPlanning reform also changed DPEA’s role in the new system for examining strategic and local development plans and ministers’ expectations that examinations will be completed within 6 to 9 months. This has resulted in a reduction in time from 18 months to 8 months. This improvement has been achieved by assigning teams of reporters to work on plans. The work involved in examining strategic and local development plans now accounts for around one half of DPEA’s workload.\r\nIn addition to appeals and development plan examinations, DPEA handles a wide range of casework including applications for consent for major infrastructure projects such as road schemes, ports and harbours, overhead power lines, renewable energy developments, and compulsory purchase orders supporting regeneration projects, the Forth Crossing, and the Commonwealth Games. DPEA also has responsibility for a wide range for environmental appeals and the recently introduced rights of appeal in relation to high hedges. Later this year DPEA will assume responsibility for appeals in relation to the listing of historic buildings and the scheduling of ancient monuments.","AnswerDate":"2015-04-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-04-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302069,"EventID":"S4W-25040","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2394,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-23T14:18:02.87","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-20T16:11:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many staff have been employed by the Directorate for Planning and Environmental Appeals in each year since 2007-08.","AnswerText":"The number of staff within the Directorate for Planning and Environmental Appeals of the Scottish Government in the year 2007-08 to date is as follows:\r\nYear\r\n2007-08\r\n2008-09\r\n2009-10\r\n2010-11\r\n2011-12\r\n2012-13\r\n2013-14\r\n2014-15\r\nNumber of staff\r\n35\r\n50\r\n51\r\n46\r\n46\r\n42\r\n44\r\n41\r\nThe staffing numbers are made up of reporters and administrative support.","AnswerDate":"2015-04-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-04-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302070,"EventID":"S4W-25041","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2394,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-23T14:18:03.637","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-20T16:11:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the budget for the Directorate for Planning and Environmental Appeals has been in each year since 2007-08.","AnswerText":"The Planning and Environmental Appeals Division (DPEA) of the Scottish Governments budget in the years 2007-2008 to date was as set out in the following table:\r\nYear\r\n2007-08\r\n2008-\r\n09\r\n2009-10\r\n2010-11\r\n2011-12\r\n2012-13\r\n2013-14\r\n2014-15\r\nBudget\r\n(£ 000)\r\n2,796\r\n2,847\r\n3,578\r\n3,457\r\n3,145\r\n2,989\r\n3,253\r\n3,262\r\nThe budget allocations from 2009-10 onwards took account of DPEA’s role in the new system for examining strategic and local development plans and ministers’ expectations that examinations will be completed within 6 to 9 months. This has resulted in a reduction in time from 18 months to 8 months. This improvement has been achieved by assigning teams of reporters to work on plans. The work involved in examining strategic and local development plans now accounts for around one half of DPEA’s workload.\r\nIn addition to planning appeals DPEA handles a wide range of casework including applications for consent for major infrastructure projects such as road schemes, ports and harbours, overhead power lines, renewable energy developments, and compulsory purchase orders supporting regeneration projects, the Forth Crossing, and the Commonwealth Games. DPEA also has responsibility for a wide range for environmental appeals and the recently introduced rights of appeal in relation to high hedges. Later this year DPEA will assume responsibility for appeals in relation to the listing of historic buildings and the scheduling of ancient monuments.","AnswerDate":"2015-04-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-04-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302071,"EventID":"S4W-25043","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5079,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-23T14:18:04.367","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-23T10:58:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with the Expert Ferry Group (EFG) regarding the (a) invitation to tender documents and (b) contract specifications for Clyde and Hebrides Ferry Services (CHFS) from October 2016 and whether it will publish any advice that it receives from the EFG or individual members of the group on the (i) contract specifications or (ii) procurement process.","AnswerText":"No discussions have taken place with the Expert Ferry Group regarding (a) the invitation to tender documents and (b) contract specifications for Clyde and Hebrides Ferry Services from October 2016. The agenda and minutes for each meeting of the Expert Ferry Group are published on the Transport Scotland website.","AnswerDate":"2015-04-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-04-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302072,"EventID":"S4W-25044","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5079,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-23T14:18:04.963","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-23T10:58:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether the Expert Ferry Group met in February 2015 and, if so, whether the Clyde and Hebrides Ferry Services contract was on the agenda.","AnswerText":"There was no meeting of the Expert Ferry Group in February 2015. The group last met on 17 March 2015, and the Clyde and Hebrides Ferry Services contract was not discussed. The agenda and minutes of each meeting are published on the Transport Scotland website.","AnswerDate":"2015-04-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-04-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302073,"EventID":"S4W-25045","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5079,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-23T14:18:05.54","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-23T10:58:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what advice the Expert Ferry Group has given to (a) Transport Scotland and (b) Caledonian Maritime Assets Limited on the future design of Scottish ferries.","AnswerText":"Although no formal advice has been provided to either Transport Scotland or Caledonian Maritime Assets Limited, discussion about the future design of Scottish ferries took place at the 5 November 2014 meeting of the Expert Ferry Group. The agenda and minutes of each meeting of the Expert Ferry Group, including the 5 November 2014 meeting, are available on the Transport Scotland website.","AnswerDate":"2015-04-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-04-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302074,"EventID":"S4W-25046","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5079,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-23T14:18:06.117","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-23T11:00:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it will publish details of the water contract that it has awarded to public sector bodies.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government-led collaborative contract for water and waste water services has not yet been awarded. The tender exercise is in the ‘standstill period’ which gives bidders time to consider some additional feedback on their submissions. Once the tender exercise is complete and the contract awarded we will share the results. The end date of the standstill period is not set but all bidders will be given at least seven days’ notice before the standstill period ends.","AnswerDate":"2015-04-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-04-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302082,"EventID":"S4W-25060","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-23T16:48:20.233","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-23T14:11:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much funding it provides to (a) local authorities and (b) the voluntary sector for non-formal adult learning, in addition to that allocated for colleges and in employability funds.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government funds local authorities through the block grant. Decisions on the provision of non-formal adult learning are made at local level. Non-formal adult learning is part of community learning and development (CLD). Three year plans for CLD are required to be published by local authorities by 1 September 2015. These plans should be a future source of information.\r\nEducation Scotland manages the Scottish Government funding for non-formal adult learning to the voluntary sector; they have awarded a total of £2,161,100 over the three years 2013 to 2016.","AnswerDate":"2015-06-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-04-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Roseanna Cunningham","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302083,"EventID":"S4W-25061","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1768,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":131,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-23T16:48:21.013","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-23T14:27:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action owner occupiers can take when they are dissatisfied by the factoring service provided by a registered social landlord that owns properties in the block or area concerned.","AnswerText":"The Property Factors (Scotland) Act 2011 provides protections for homeowners who use the services of any property factor, including a property factor which is a registered social landlord.\r\nHomeowners who are unhappy about the service provided by their property factor should, in the first instance, raise the matter with the factor directly and follow the factor’s own internal complaints procedure. If the homeowner remains dissatisfied, they can apply to have their case considered by the Homeowner Housing Panel, which can issue legally-binding enforcement orders.","AnswerDate":"2015-04-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-04-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Burgess","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302084,"EventID":"S4W-25062","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-23T16:48:22.153","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-23T15:26:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its policy is on snaring.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Parliament last debated the issue of snaring in 2011, and concluded that snaring should be allowed to continue subject to further changes to the legislation that aims to improve the animal welfare aspects of this pest control method.\r\nThe legislative changes to improve animal welfare and to make snaring practitioners more accountable included requirements that all snaring operators must have successfully completed a training course and obtained their unique identification number from their local police force. All set snares must now be fitted with an identification tag containing the snaring operator’s identification number, which will identify the person who set the snare and the target species.\r\nThe Scottish Government intends to carry out a review of snaring in 2016 and will report the findings of the review to the Scottish Parliament.","AnswerDate":"2015-04-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-04-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen McLeod","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302094,"EventID":"S4W-25066","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":2,"MSPID":2876,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-24T13:32:12.203","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-24T13:18:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will bring forward legislation on smoking in cars containing children as part of its public health bill.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government recently consulted on a variety of measures in its recent consultation, A Consultation on Electronic Cigarettes and Strengthening Tobacco Control in Scotland. This included a measure to ban smoking in cars with children under 18. Having considered the results of this consultation, the Scottish Government has now decided that we will support, in principle, the Member’s Bill lodged by Jim Hume MSP on 15 December 2014. The Scottish Government will therefore not be taking these proposals forward as part of our Public Health Bill. We look forward to working with Mr Hume in developing his Smoking Prohibition (Children in Motor Vehicles) (Scotland) Bill.","AnswerDate":"2015-03-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-04-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302095,"EventID":"S4W-25023","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4939,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":78,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-24T13:46:22.3","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-19T15:50:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government (a) what percentage of and (b) how many (i) primary and (ii) secondary schools are eco-schools with (A) bronze, (B) silver and (C) Green Flag status, and what information it has on how this compares with the rest of Europe.","AnswerText":"Figures provided by Keep Scotland Beautiful for Eco-schools Scotland show that as at 27 March 2015, the number of local authority schools in Scotland with Eco-schools awards is:\r\nPrimary Schools\r\nTotal number of primary schools – 2022\r\n\r\nNumber of awards\r\n%\r\nBronze\r\n169\r\n8\r\nSilver\r\n475\r\n23\r\nGreen Flag\r\n1081\r\n53\r\n\r\nSecondary Schools\r\nTotal number of secondary schools – 337\r\n\r\nNumber of awards\r\n%\r\nBronze\r\n93\r\n28\r\nSilver\r\n119\r\n35\r\nGreen Flag\r\n62\r\n18\r\n\r\nComposite Schools (all-through schools)\r\nTotal number of composite schools – 25\r\n\r\nNumber of awards\r\n%\r\nBronze\r\n6\r\n24\r\nSilver\r\n6\r\n24\r\nGreen Flag\r\n5\r\n20\r\n\r\nAdditional Support Needs Schools\r\nTotal number of Additional Support Needs schools – 145\r\n\r\nNumber of awards\r\n%\r\nBronze\r\n18\r\n12\r\nSilver\r\n25\r\n17\r\nGreen Flag\r\n61\r\n42\r\n\r\n99% of local authority schools in Scotland are registered on the eco-schools programme. In addition, a considerable number of early learning and childcare centres have Green Flags as well as Bronze and Silver awards.\r\nScotland’s eco-schools record compares well with the rest of Europe. Information from the most recent (2013) ‘number of schools’ comparison from Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE) who operate the Eco Schools Programme shows that Scotland had the third largest number of local authority and independent education establishments in Europe with a Green Flag (1690), behind Ireland (2974) and Sweden (1757).","AnswerDate":"2015-04-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-04-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alasdair Allan","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302096,"EventID":"S4W-25047","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1860,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-24T13:46:23.047","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-23T12:14:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to ensure that Scottish Ambulance Service North Division has sufficient resources to meet demand in (a) Shetland and (b) Orkney.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government works in partnership with the Scottish Ambulance Service and has recently agreed its Local Delivery Plan for 2015-16 which sets out how services be delivered in that year including working with NHS boards against the strategic priorities identified in Everyone Matters: 2020 Workforce Vision.\r\nThis administration has provided the Scottish Ambulance Service with the highest level of resource funding the service has ever had with a resource budget of £212.1 million and £10.1 million capital funding in 2015-16. Scottish Ambulance staffing is up nearly 10 per cent under this administration. \r\nThe Scottish Ambulance Service is implementing a comprehensive action plan in Shetland and Orkney to ensure the islands are resourced and managed efficiently and effectively. Measures include upskilling staff and working in partnership with the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service in developing a shared facility in Lerwick, and with the health boards in regular liaison meetings to ensure any issues are quickly mitigated.\r\nA second vehicle was introduced onto Shetland in 2010 where the service introduced their ‘retained ambulance staff’ scheme. Retained staff help paramedic staff be best utilised and assist the service during on-call periods.\r\nShetland received an additional member of staff in 2013 taking the substantive complement up to seven, plus two relief members of staff.\r\nThe service is working with partners developing an integrated approach to health and social care whilst jointly monitoring patient demand to mitigate against the recruitment and retention challenges experienced in North Division.","AnswerDate":"2015-04-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-04-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302097,"EventID":"S4W-25048","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1860,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-24T13:46:23.983","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-23T12:15:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on reports that there is low morale among Scottish Ambulance Service North Division staff due to poor management.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Ambulance Service is developing an implementation plan for the five priorities set out in the 2020 Workforce Implementation Framework in line with ‘Everyone Matters’ which will be monitored by the service’s Staff Governance Committee. Actions around this include those listed below, all of which will assist in strengthening the Service’s workforce resilience both nationally and divisionally.\r\nContinuing to embed NHS Scotland values as part of ongoing organisational development;\r\nDeveloping frontline leadership and management capacity and capability across the service;\r\nDeveloping talent management and effective succession planning;\r\nEnsuring the service has the right mix of skills and resources to effectively contribute in an integrated health and social care system and robust staff governance and Partnership arrangements.","AnswerDate":"2015-04-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-04-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302098,"EventID":"S4W-25049","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1860,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-24T13:46:24.95","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-23T12:15:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on reports that Scottish Ambulance Service North Division has had to use retained crews in order to deal with shortages of trained staff and how it will it ensure that the division has sufficient resources. ","AnswerText":"The Scottish Ambulance Service has an action plan in place to address recruitment and retention issues in the north division. This includes a dedicated continuing professional development adviser assigned to deliver a flexible programme for all staff including those who work with the service on a retained basis.","AnswerDate":"2015-04-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-04-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302099,"EventID":"S4W-25063","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2394,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-24T13:46:26.06","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-23T17:07:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many times mobile speed camera teams were deployed on dual carriageway sections of the A9 between Perth and Inverness from (a) October 2014 to March 2015 and (b) October 2013 to March 2014.","AnswerText":"The requested information is not held by the Scottish Government. This is a matter for Police Scotland.","AnswerDate":"2015-04-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-04-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302100,"EventID":"S4W-25064","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2066,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-24T13:46:27.12","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-24T09:34:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the cost to Argyll Ferries was of operating the MV Coruisk on the Gourock to Dunoon route between (a) December 2013 and March 2014 and (b) December 2014 and March 2015; how many scheduled sailings there were and how many were (i) completed and (ii) cancelled and the reasons for these cancellations; how many additional sailings were undertaken to cover for the MV Ali Cat or Argyll Flyer, and how many passengers were carried on the (A) scheduled and (B) additional sailings.","AnswerText":"The cost to Argyll Ferries Ltd of deploying the MV Coruisk on the Gourock-Dunoon service this winter was £812,000. The net cost to Transport Scotland was £110,000.\r\nI also refer the member to the answer to question S4W-20485 on 22 April 2014 in regard to 2013-14 costs of the deployment of the MV Coruisk. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at: \r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx\r\nOperational statistics on the MV Coruisk are provided in the following table:\r\n\r\n21 December 2013 to\r\n31 March 2014\r\n16 December 2014 to\r\n1 April 2015\r\nScheduled sailings\r\n479\r\n696\r\nCompleted sailings\r\n444\r\n916*\r\nCancelled sailings\r\n35 (32 weather, 3 others)\r\n86 (56 weather, 8 technical, 2 linkspan, 20 hours of rest)\r\nAdditional sailings\r\n133\r\n306**\r\nPassengers carried (total)\r\n9,514\r\n14,885\r\nPassengers carried on additional sailings\r\n1,685\r\n3,269\r\n\r\n*MV Coruisk covered the MV Argyll Flyer’s timetable when off due to technical reasons. The service was operating to timetable and as such, no cancellations were recorded against the MV Argyll Flyer. They are included as additional sailings for MV Coruisk.\r\n**Majority due to above reasons.","AnswerDate":"2015-04-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-04-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302101,"EventID":"S4W-25065","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2066,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-24T13:46:28.087","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-24T09:37:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many scheduled sailings there were on the MV (a) Ali Cat and (b) Argyll Flyer on the Dunoon to Gourock route between (i) December 2013 and March 2014 and (ii) December 2014 and March 2015 and how many were (A) completed and (B) cancelled and the reasons for these cancellations, and how many passengers were carried.","AnswerText":"Operational statistics on the MV Coruisk are given in the following table:\r\n\r\n1 December 2013 to 31 March 2014\r\n1 December 2014 to 31 March 2015\r\nMV Ali Cat\r\n\r\n\r\nScheduled sailings\r\n2,316\r\n2,236\r\nCompleted sailings\r\n2,041\r\n1,995\r\nCancelled sailings\r\n275 (273 weather, 2 others)\r\n241 (weather)\r\nPassengers carried\r\n22,449\r\n24,883\r\nMV Argyll Flyer\r\n\r\n\r\nScheduled sailings\r\n3,539\r\n3,272\r\nCompleted sailings\r\n3,219\r\n3,019\r\nCancelled sailings\r\n320 (302 weather, 18 technical)\r\n253 (245 weather, 6 technical, 2 others)\r\nPassengers carried\r\n49,873\r\n47,544\r\n\r\n*MV Coruisk covered the MV Argyll Flyer’s timetable when off due to technical reasons. The service was operating to timetable and as such, no cancellations were recorded against the MV Argyll Flyer. They are included as additional sailings for MV Coruisk, as per information given in the answer to S4W-25064 on 17 April 2015. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at: \r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.","AnswerDate":"2015-04-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-04-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302108,"EventID":"S4W-25067","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4984,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-24T17:00:50.01","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-24T13:41:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it considers that the Scottish Qualifications Authority publicises other awarding bodies on an equal basis to its own.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) operates under the terms of the Education (Scotland) Act 1996, as amended by the Scottish Qualifications Authority Act 2002. This legislation does not place a duty on the SQA to publicise other awarding bodies.\r\nStatute does give the SQA a duty to accredit qualifications by other awarding bodies. Users can search for accredited qualifications from other awarding bodies through a search function on the SQA accreditation website.","AnswerDate":"2015-04-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-04-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302109,"EventID":"S4W-25068","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1845,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-24T17:00:50.7","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-24T14:50:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many rheumatology nurse specialists there are, broken down by NHS board; whether it considers the provision to be adequate, and for what reason.","AnswerText":"Information on the number of rheumatology clinical nurse specialists in each NHS board as at 30 September 2014 is shown in Table 1.\r\nIt is the responsibility of each individual NHS board to ensure they have the right person in place at the right time to ensure they can provide safe, effective and high quality care for their patients.\r\nDue to the multidisciplinary nature of the role, a nurse may work in more than one specialty; however only one specialist area is recorded for each nurse. The figures shown do not include those who spend part of their time working in rheumatology but have been recorded against another specialty. Care provided is also multidisciplinary, involving nursing, medical and allied health professional skills, knowledge and awareness. For those reasons, patients in boards without specialist nurse provision indicated are fully able to access high quality rheumatology services.\r\nTable 1: Rheumatology clinical nurse specialist staff in post as at 30 September 2014.\r\n\r\nWhole time equivalent\r\nScotland\r\n29.6\r\nNHS Ayrshire and Arran\r\n2.0\r\nNHS Borders\r\n0.6\r\nNHS Dumfries and Galloway\r\n0.6\r\nNHS Fife\r\n-\r\nNHS Forth Valley\r\n-\r\nNHS Grampian\r\n-\r\nNHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde\r\n17.3\r\nNHS Highland\r\n2.0\r\nNHS Lanarkshire\r\n2.0\r\nNHS Lothian\r\n2.9\r\nNHS Orkney\r\n-\r\nNHS Shetland\r\n-\r\nNHS Tayside\r\n1.9\r\nNHS Western Isles\r\n0.2\r\nSource: Scottish Workforce Information standard System (SWISS); Information Services Division Scotland.","AnswerDate":"2015-04-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-04-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302110,"EventID":"S4W-25069","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1845,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-24T17:00:51.407","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-24T14:50:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has carried out of the telephone helpline for rheumatology services and the impact it has had on (a) patient wellbeing and (b) pressure on GP services.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-04-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302111,"EventID":"S4W-25070","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1845,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-24T17:00:52.117","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-24T14:50:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to ensure that all rheumatoid arthritis patients are seen by a nurse specialist within one month of diagnosis.","AnswerText":"Rheumatoid arthritis can be a debilitating condition and the Scottish Government is committed to supporting people living with the illness, as well as their families and carers.\r\nWe want to ensure that everyone who requires care has access to the highest standards of care in every setting, in an NHS facility, or care home, or their own home. That is why we are integrating health and social care to provide a more responsive and joined-up service for all those who require care. It is for each individual NHS board to plan and deliver services to meet the needs of their local population, taking account of available evidence and good practice guidance. We expect NHS boards to ensure that patients with rheumatoid arthritis have appropriate access to a range of professionals, including specialist nurses, to ensure optimum management of their condition.","AnswerDate":"2015-04-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-04-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302112,"EventID":"S4W-25072","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2159,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":88,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-24T17:00:52.807","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-24T15:45:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on whether the criminal law in relation to assisted suicide is clear.","AnswerText":"In Scotland, anyone who assists someone to die will be dealt with under the law of homicide which is clear and accessible. The Lord Advocate made clear in a recent letter to the Justice Committee that in any given case a prosecution will be raised if there is a sufficiency of evidence and it is in the public interest to do so.","AnswerDate":"2015-04-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-04-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302134,"EventID":"S4W-25094","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":2,"MSPID":4964,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":119,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-25T12:09:12.883","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-25T11:59:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to consult on legislation to put the Scottish Fiscal Commission on a statutory footing.","AnswerText":"I have published a consultation paper today inviting comments on a draft Scottish Fiscal Commission Bill.","AnswerDate":"2015-03-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-04-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302135,"EventID":"S4W-25073","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1860,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-25T13:38:29.167","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-24T15:49:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many crossings on the (a) Stornoway – Ullapool, (b) Uig – Tarbert, (c) Oban – Castlebay – Lochboisdale, (d) Barra – Eriskay, (e) Lochboisdale – Mallaig, (f) Berneray – Leverburgh and (g) Uig – Lochmaddy ferry service in each month (i) between November 2013 and April 2014 were and (ii) since November 2014 have been (A) scheduled and (B) cancelled, and what the reason was for each cancellation.","AnswerText":"The information requested is detailed in the following two tables.\r\nTable 1 November 2013 – April 2014\r\nRoute\r\nMonth\r\nTotal\r\nScheduled\r\nSailings\r\nCancelled\r\nSailings\r\nWeather\r\n%\r\nCancelled\r\nWeather\r\nCancelled\r\nSailings\r\nTechnical\r\n%\r\nCancelled\r\nTechnical\r\nCancelled\r\nSailings\r\nOther\r\nReasons\r\n%\r\nCancelled\r\nOther\r\nReasons\r\nStornoway to\r\nUllapool\r\nNov 2013\r\n163\r\n12\r\n7.36%\r\n2\r\n1.23%\r\n0\r\n0.00%\r\n\r\nDec 2013\r\n156\r\n26\r\n16.67%\r\n0\r\n0.00%\r\n0\r\n0.00%\r\n\r\nJan 2014\r\n162\r\n16\r\n9.88%\r\n4\r\n2.47%\r\n0\r\n0.00%\r\n\r\nFeb 2014\r\n156\r\n13\r\n8.33%\r\n3\r\n1.92%\r\n1\r\n0.64%\r\n\r\nMar 2014\r\n166\r\n12\r\n7.23%\r\n6\r\n3.61%\r\n0\r\n0.00%\r\n\r\nApr 2014\r\n164\r\n0\r\n0.00%\r\n0\r\n0.00%\r\n0\r\n0.00%\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n*Uig to \r\nTarbert/\r\nLochmaddy\r\nNov 2013\r\n164\r\n2\r\n1.22%\r\n0\r\n0.00%\r\n0\r\n0.00%\r\n\r\nDec 2013\r\n162\r\n16\r\n9.88%\r\n0\r\n0.00%\r\n0\r\n0.00%\r\n\r\nJan 2014\r\n162\r\n13\r\n8.02%\r\n0\r\n0.00%\r\n0\r\n0.00%\r\n\r\nFeb 2014\r\n152\r\n4\r\n2.63%\r\n0\r\n0.00%\r\n0\r\n0.00%\r\n\r\nMar 2014\r\n168\r\n11\r\n6.55%\r\n0\r\n0.00%\r\n0\r\n0.00%\r\n\r\nApr 2014\r\n178\r\n0\r\n0.00%\r\n0\r\n0.00%\r\n0\r\n0.00%\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nOban to \r\nCastlebay/\r\nLochboisdale\r\nNov 2013\r\n84\r\n12\r\n14.29%\r\n0\r\n0.00%\r\n0\r\n0.00%\r\n\r\nDec 2013\r\n81\r\n32\r\n39.51%\r\n0\r\n0.00%\r\n0\r\n0.00%\r\n\r\nJan 2014\r\n82\r\n13\r\n15.85%\r\n0\r\n0.00%\r\n0\r\n0.00%\r\n\r\nFeb 2014\r\n66\r\n6\r\n9.09%\r\n0\r\n0.00%\r\n0\r\n0.00%\r\n\r\nMar 2014\r\n88\r\n12\r\n13.64%\r\n0\r\n0.00%\r\n0\r\n0.00%\r\n\r\nApr 2014\r\n94\r\n0\r\n0.00%\r\n0\r\n0.00%\r\n0\r\n0.00%\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nArdmhor \r\n(Barra) to \r\nEriskay\r\nNov 2013\r\n276\r\n29\r\n10.51%\r\n0\r\n0.00%\r\n0\r\n0.00%\r\n\r\nDec 2013\r\n262\r\n70\r\n26.72%\r\n4\r\n1.53%\r\n0\r\n0.00%\r\n\r\nJan 2014\r\n268\r\n58\r\n21.64%\r\n0\r\n0.00%\r\n0\r\n0.00%\r\n\r\nFeb 2014\r\n256\r\n20\r\n7.81%\r\n0\r\n0.00%\r\n0\r\n0.00%\r\n\r\nMar 2014\r\n280\r\n30\r\n10.71%\r\n0\r\n0.00%\r\n0\r\n0.00%\r\n\r\nApr 2014\r\n300\r\n0\r\n0.00%\r\n14\r\n4.67%\r\n0\r\n0.00%\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nLochboisdale\r\nTo Mallaig\r\nNov 2013\r\n24\r\n8\r\n33.33%\r\n0\r\n0.00%\r\n4\r\n16.67%\r\n\r\nDec  2013\r\n36\r\n25\r\n69.44%\r\n0\r\n0.00%\r\n0\r\n0.00%\r\n\r\nJan 2014\r\n24\r\n10\r\n41.67%\r\n2\r\n8.33%\r\n0\r\n0.00%\r\n\r\nFeb 2014\r\n12\r\n8\r\n66.67%\r\n0\r\n0.00%\r\n0\r\n0.00%\r\n\r\nMar 2014\r\n36\r\n10\r\n27.78%\r\n0\r\n0.00%\r\n0\r\n0.00%\r\n\r\nApr 2014\r\n4\r\n0\r\n0.00%\r\n0\r\n0.00%\r\n0\r\n0.00%\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nBerneray to Leverburgh\r\nNov 2013\r\n120\r\n8\r\n6.67%\r\n0\r\n0.00%\r\n0\r\n0.00%\r\n\r\nDec 2013\r\n118\r\n22\r\n18.64%\r\n0\r\n0.00%\r\n0\r\n0.00%\r\n\r\nJan 2014\r\n134\r\n27\r\n20.15%\r\n1\r\n0.75%\r\n0\r\n0.00%\r\n\r\nFeb 2014\r\n158\r\n10\r\n6.33%\r\n0\r\n0.00%\r\n0\r\n0.00%\r\n\r\nMar 2014\r\n172\r\n24\r\n13.95%\r\n0\r\n0.00%\r\n0\r\n0.00%\r\n\r\nApr 2014\r\n218\r\n16\r\n7.34%\r\n0\r\n0.00%\r\n0\r\n0.00%\r\n\r\nTable 2 November 2014 – 19 March 2015\r\nRoute\r\nMonth\r\nTotal\r\nScheduled Sailings\r\nCancelled\r\nweather\r\n%\r\nCancelled\r\nweather\r\nCancelled\r\nTechnical\r\n%\r\nCancelled\r\nTechnical\r\nCancelled\r\nOther\r\n%\r\nCancelled\r\nOther\r\nStornoway to\r\nUllapool\r\nNov 2014\r\n159\r\n10\r\n6.29%\r\n0\r\n0.00%\r\n0\r\n0.00%\r\nDec 2014\r\n157\r\n19\r\n12.10%\r\n0\r\n0.00%\r\n0\r\n0.00%\r\nJan 2015\r\n170\r\n40\r\n23.53%\r\n0\r\n0.00%\r\n0\r\n0.00%\r\nFeb 2015\r\n172\r\n4\r\n2.33%\r\n0\r\n0.00%\r\n0\r\n0.00%\r\nMar 2015\r\n103\r\n14\r\n13.59%\r\n0\r\n0.00%\r\n0\r\n0.00%\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n*Uig to\r\n Tarbert/\r\nLochmaddy\r\nNov 2014\r\n162\r\n1\r\n0.62%\r\n0\r\n0.00%\r\n0\r\n0.00%\r\nDec 2014\r\n164\r\n16\r\n9.76%\r\n0\r\n0.00%\r\n0\r\n0.00%\r\nJan 2015\r\n162\r\n28\r\n17.28%\r\n0\r\n0.00%\r\n0\r\n0.00%\r\nFeb 2015\r\n152\r\n16\r\n10.53%\r\n4\r\n2.63%\r\n0\r\n0.00%\r\nMar 2015\r\n103\r\n19\r\n18.45%\r\n0\r\n0.00%\r\n0\r\n0.00%\r\nOban to Castlebay/\r\nLochboisdale\r\nNov 2014\r\n60\r\n3\r\n5.00%\r\n2\r\n3.33%\r\n0\r\n0.00%\r\nDec 2014\r\n84\r\n22\r\n26.19%\r\n0\r\n0.00%\r\n0\r\n0.00%\r\nJan 2015\r\n84\r\n30\r\n35.71%\r\n0\r\n0.00%\r\n0\r\n0.00%\r\nFeb 2015\r\n80\r\n12\r\n15.00%\r\n0\r\n0.00%\r\n2\r\n2.50%\r\nMar 2015\r\n56\r\n13\r\n23.21%\r\n0\r\n0.00%\r\n0\r\n0.00%\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nArdmhor \r\n(Barra) to\r\n Eriskay\r\nNov 2014\r\n270\r\n26\r\n9.63%\r\n2\r\n0.74%\r\n0\r\n0.00%\r\nDec 2014\r\n268\r\n38\r\n14.18%\r\n0\r\n0.00%\r\n0\r\n0.00%\r\nJan 2015\r\n268\r\n54\r\n20.15%\r\n0\r\n0.00%\r\n0\r\n0.00%\r\nFeb 2015\r\n256\r\n22\r\n8.59%\r\n0\r\n0.00%\r\n0\r\n0.00%\r\nMar 2015\r\n172\r\n38\r\n22.09%\r\n0\r\n0.00%\r\n0\r\n0.00%\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nLochboisdale\r\nTo Mallaig\r\nNov 2014\r\n4\r\n0\r\n0.00%\r\n4\r\n100.00%\r\n0\r\n0.00%\r\nDec 2014\r\n36\r\n16\r\n44.44%\r\n4\r\n11.11%\r\n0\r\n0.00%\r\nJan 2015\r\n36\r\n24\r\n66.67%\r\n0\r\n0.00%\r\n0\r\n0.00%\r\nFeb 2015\r\n32\r\n16\r\n50.00%\r\n0\r\n0.00%\r\n0\r\n0.00%\r\nMar 2015\r\n20\r\n12\r\n60.00%\r\n0\r\n0.00%\r\n0\r\n0.00%\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nBerneray to Leverburgh\r\nNov 2014\r\n120\r\n6\r\n5.00%\r\n0\r\n0.00%\r\n0\r\n0.00%\r\nDec 2014\r\n118\r\n18\r\n15.25%\r\n0\r\n0.00%\r\n0\r\n0.00%\r\nJ","AnswerDate":"2015-04-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-04-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302136,"EventID":"S4W-25089","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1845,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-25T13:38:29.993","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-25T11:21:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government which NHS boards operate a telephone helpline for rheumatology services; what assessment has been made of the impact that each has had on (a) patient wellbeing and (b) pressure on GP services, and what its position on setting up a national helpline.","AnswerText":"The provision of a telephone helpline for rheumatology services is a matter for NHS boards. The majority of boards provide local helplines for their patients.\r\nThe Scottish Government has no plans to introduce a national telephone helpline; instead we will support local access to services for patients where advice is tailored to local provision.","AnswerDate":"2015-04-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-04-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302143,"EventID":"S4O-04184","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":3907,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":135,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-25T14:02:28.057","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-23T12:07:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what measures it has introduced to boost the economy in Kilmarnock and Irvine Valley.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-04-01T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302144,"EventID":"S4O-04185","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":5060,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-25T14:02:28.573","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-23T12:07:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to improve the economy and public services.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-04-01T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302145,"EventID":"S4O-04186","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":2595,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-25T14:02:29.12","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-23T12:07:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the implementation of the Revenue Scotland IT system.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-04-01T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302146,"EventID":"S4O-04187","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":4955,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":105,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-25T14:02:29.773","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-23T12:07:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what recent discussions it has had with the UK Government on the implementation of the Smith agreement.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-04-01T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302147,"EventID":"S4O-04188","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":4984,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-25T14:02:30.29","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-23T12:07:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it has filled all vacancies at Revenue Scotland.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-04-01T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302148,"EventID":"S4O-04189","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":4940,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-25T14:02:30.773","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-23T12:07:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what it is doing to promote solar energy.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-04-01T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302149,"EventID":"S4O-04190","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":5107,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":124,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-25T14:02:31.27","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-23T12:07:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to the House of Lords Constitution Committee report, Proposals for the devolution of further powers to Scotland.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-04-01T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302150,"EventID":"S4O-04191","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":1866,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-25T14:02:31.863","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-23T12:07:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to the Committee on Climate Change's expert statement that further actions are required if the 2020 renewable heat target is to be met.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-04-01T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302151,"EventID":"S4O-04192","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":5038,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-25T14:02:32.63","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-23T12:07:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what it is doing to grow the economy in Mid Scotland and Fife.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-04-01T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302152,"EventID":"S4O-04193","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":1892,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":134,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-25T14:02:33.127","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-23T12:07:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to help regenerate the economy of Dumfries and Galloway.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-04-01T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302153,"EventID":"S4O-04194","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":2826,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":84,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-25T14:02:33.69","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-23T12:07:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to the Post-Budget Briefing by the Institute for Fiscal Studies, which finds that the poorest have seen the biggest proportionate losses as a result of the UK Government’s tax and benefit changes.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-04-01T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302154,"EventID":"S4O-04195","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":3751,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":108,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-25T14:02:34.407","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-23T12:07:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the impact on the Scottish economy would be of the UK leaving the EU.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-04-01T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302155,"EventID":"S4O-04196","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":2123,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":103,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-25T14:02:35","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-23T12:07:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it supports more progressive taxation for those on the very highest incomes and those with the most expensive properties.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-04-01T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302156,"EventID":"S4O-04198","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":4965,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-25T14:02:35.623","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-23T12:07:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what it is doing to support the oil and gas industry.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-04-01T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302157,"EventID":"S4O-04199","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":2673,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":114,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-25T14:02:36.14","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-23T12:07:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what progress is being made on improving broadband connectivity where there are exchange-only connections.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government and its partners are investing over £410 million in the Digital Scotland Superfast Broadband programme which, alongside commercial rollout, will deliver fibre broadband to 95% of Scottish premises by the end of 2017. Coverage in Fife is expected to be 98.4%, one of the highest local authority coverage levels.\r\nThe provision of fibre broadband to premises served by exchange-only lines is a routine part of programme deployment. As a result of our programme, to date, over 45,000 more premises in Fife are now able to access fibre broadband services and significant proportion of these are former exchange-only premises.","AnswerDate":"2015-04-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-04-01T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302158,"EventID":"S4O-04200","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":3743,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":123,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-25T14:02:36.717","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-23T12:07:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what recent representations it has made to National Grid and the UK Government regarding the transmission charging regime.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has consistently been calling for changes to the transmission charging regime since 2008. The First Minister wrote to the Prime Minister on 25 February 2015 calling for the UK Government to assess the impact of the UK Government policy and regulatory regime on electricity generation in Scotland. Her letter emphasised how the transmission charging regime is completely inconsistent with objectives for new thermal generation in Scotland. Issues with transmission charging were also raised when the Minister for Business, Energy and Tourism met with National Grid on 26 November 2014.","AnswerDate":"2015-04-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-04-01T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302159,"EventID":"S4O-04201","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":2633,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-25T14:02:37.247","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-23T12:07:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it has carried out an evaluation of the impact on the retail sector of the delay in the review of business rates.","AnswerText":"64 per cent of retail properties in Scotland are estimated to have zero or reduced business rates due to this government’s package of rates relief, which is estimated at £618 million in 2015.\r\nSmall and medium retailers in Scotland already receive the best deal in the UK, with over 96,000 properties estimated to benefit last year from the Small Business Bonus Scheme, and the prospect of rates relief up to £4,800 in 2015-16.","AnswerDate":"2015-04-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-04-01T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302160,"EventID":"S4O-04202","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":5059,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-25T14:02:37.997","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-23T12:07:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what impact removing the Barnett formula would have on the Scottish budget.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has previously assessed the estimates by Lord Holtham of the potential cost to Scotland of a reduction in the block grant that would flow from the proposals put forward by Westminster parties prior to the vow to conduct a needs based assessment. It is not an estimate of the value of Barnett or of Scotland having full fiscal powers.\r\nWhat is clear is the impact of the current UK Government’s austerity agenda, supported by Labour, that will deliver an estimated real terms cumulative cut of £12 billion to Scotland’s spending on public services, over the period 2015-16 to 2019-20, compared to 2014-15 levels.","AnswerDate":"2015-04-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-04-01T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302161,"EventID":"S4O-04203","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":1759,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-25T14:02:38.51","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-23T12:07:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how the National Performance Framework will address energy efficiency in light of the recommendations of the Committee on Climate Change’s fourth report on reducing emissions.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government welcomes the advice from the Committee on Climate Change on the contribution of energy efficiency to reducing Scotland’s emissions. We will consider this advice as part of the current review of the National Performance Framework indicator set.","AnswerDate":"2015-04-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-04-01T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"Joe FitzPatrick","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302162,"EventID":"S4O-04204","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":1741,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-25T14:02:39.057","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-23T12:07:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to the criticism by Dr Neil McKeganey from the Centre for Drug Misuse Research that the government’s methadone programme is “literally a black hole into which people are disappearing\".","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-04-02T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302163,"EventID":"S4O-04205","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":1882,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":129,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-25T14:02:39.633","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-23T12:07:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what lessons the NHS in Scotland can learn from the Freedom to Speak Up Review about having an open and honest reporting culture.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-04-02T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302164,"EventID":"S4O-04206","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":2678,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-25T14:02:40.29","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-23T12:07:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it expects minimum unit pricing of alcohol to be implemented.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-04-02T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302165,"EventID":"S4O-04207","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":3771,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-25T14:02:40.803","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-23T12:07:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of how Glasgow Colleges' Regional Board’s plan for an integrated city-wide curriculum could impact on students and staff.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-04-02T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302166,"EventID":"S4O-04208","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":5556,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":111,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-25T14:02:41.46","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-23T12:07:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how successful it has been in implementing the extension of 600 hours of free early education to eligible two-year-olds.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-04-02T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302167,"EventID":"S4O-04209","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":2394,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-25T14:02:41.957","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-23T12:07:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what it is doing to increase the provision of PE in schools.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-04-02T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302168,"EventID":"S4O-04210","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":1893,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-25T14:02:42.66","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-23T12:07:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what it will do to prevent further deterioration in the state of Scotland’s roads.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-04-02T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302169,"EventID":"S4O-04211","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":2080,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":87,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-25T14:02:43.19","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-23T12:07:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it last met Glasgow City Council and what issues were discussed.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government last met with Glasgow City Council on 9 March 2015, when the First Minister discussed growing the economy, eliminating poverty, relationships with local government and educational attainment.","AnswerDate":"2015-04-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-04-02T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"Marco Biagi","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302170,"EventID":"S4O-04212","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":5042,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-25T14:02:43.767","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-23T12:07:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when the Cabinet Secretary for Health, Wellbeing and Sport last met NHS Lanarkshire and what was discussed.","AnswerText":"Ministers and government officials regularly meet with representatives of all NHS boards, including NHS Lanarkshire, to discuss matters of importance to local people.","AnswerDate":"2015-04-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-04-02T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302171,"EventID":"S4O-04213","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-25T14:02:44.297","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-23T12:07:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it plans to take as a result of the report by Sheriff Principal Bowen, Consumer Protections in Conveyancing Cases.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is aware of the issues raised by Sheriff Principal Bowen’s report. I am in regular contact with the Law Society of Scotland as these issues have been the subject of discussion with the Law Society and, separately, with the Minister for Business, Energy and Tourism, given his portfolio responsibilities for the registries of Scotland to seek their views on how they intend to take forward the recommendations, while contact has also been made with Homes of Scotland on this issue, with a view to addressing the concerns regarding protection for home buyers in conveyancing law.","AnswerDate":"2015-04-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-04-02T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"Paul Wheelhouse","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302172,"EventID":"S4W-25050","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1860,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-25T16:53:40.103","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-23T12:16:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the principal terms are of the (a) leasing contract between Caledonian Maritime Assets Ltd and Lloyds Banking Group and (b) sub-leasing contract between CalMac Ferries Ltd and Caledonian Maritime Assets Ltd in respect of the MV Loch Seaforth.","AnswerText":"The terms of the lease agreements between Caledonian Maritime Assets Ltd and Lloyds Banking Group and Caledonian Maritime Assets Ltd and CalMac Ferries Ltd are confidential due to the requirements of Lloyds Banking Group.","AnswerDate":"2015-04-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-04-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302173,"EventID":"S4W-25051","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1860,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-25T16:53:43.567","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-23T12:18:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government who it appointed to (a) lead its negotiations and (b) advise on the terms of the leasing contract between Caledonian Maritime Assets Ltd and Lloyds Banking Group in respect of the MV Loch Seaforth.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government did not appoint any advisors to negotiate or advise on the terms of the leasing contract between Caledonian Maritime Assets Ltd (CMAL) and Lloyds Banking Group as it was CMAL’s responsibility to obtain appropriate advice.","AnswerDate":"2015-04-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-04-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302174,"EventID":"S4W-25052","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1860,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-25T16:53:44.363","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-23T12:19:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government who will have responsibility for (a) providing and (b) paying for any substitute vessel for the MV Loch Seaforth.","AnswerText":"CalMac Ferries Ltd is responsible for providing a substitute vessel for the MV Loch Seaforth. Costs are dealt with under the provisions of the public service contract between CalMac Ferries Ltd and Transport Scotland.","AnswerDate":"2015-04-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-04-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302175,"EventID":"S4W-25053","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1860,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-25T16:53:45.247","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-23T12:21:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much Caledonian Maritime Assets Ltd will pay each year to lease the MV Loch Seaforth.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-25050 on 2 April 2015. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.","AnswerDate":"2015-04-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-04-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302176,"EventID":"S4W-25056","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1860,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-25T16:53:46.067","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-23T12:26:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-24214 by Derek Mackay on 11 February 2015, whether it will provide a breakdown of what the operational cost will be for the MV Loch Seaforth for its time in service.","AnswerText":"A breakdown of the operational costs for the MV Loch Seaforth is a commercially confidential matter for CalMac Ferries Ltd.","AnswerDate":"2015-04-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-04-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302177,"EventID":"S4W-25057","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1860,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-25T16:53:47.07","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-23T12:26:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-24213 by Derek Mackay on 11 February 2015, whether it will provide an update of the cost of the alterations to the (a) Stornoway and (b) Ullapool harbour facilities in order to the meet the requirements of the MV Loch Seaforth, and from what sources the money was drawn.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-24212 on 11 February 2015. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.","AnswerDate":"2015-04-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-04-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302178,"EventID":"S4W-25058","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1860,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-25T16:53:47.943","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-23T12:28:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what procedures it adopted to ensure that the procurement methods used to secure the use of the MV Loch Seaforth under a private leasing arrangement offered best value for money.","AnswerText":"A full tender process for an operating lease arrangement was undertaken by Caledonian Maritime Assets Ltd (CMAL) in line with the EU procurement rules.\r\nThis resulted in the award of the contract to Lloyds Banking Group as their tender was assessed as the most economically advantageous in terms of lease rentals and lease terms.\r\nCMAL is subject to Procurement Capability Assessments (PCA) as are all public bodies. CMAL participates and prepares documentary evidence for annual Procurement Capability Assessments which are conducted by the Scottish Government.","AnswerDate":"2015-04-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-04-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302179,"EventID":"S4W-25059","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1860,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-25T16:53:48.84","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-23T12:28:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what consultation took place between Caledonian Maritime Assets Ltd and Caledonian MacBrayne Ltd prior to the leasing agreement with Lloyds Banking Group for the the MV Loch Seaforth being entered into.","AnswerText":"CalMac Ferries Ltd were not part of the negotiations that took place between Caledonian Maritime Assets Ltd and Lloyds Banking Group in the run up to the lease being entered into as they were not party to the contract between Caledonian Maritime Assets Ltd and Lloyds Banking Group.","AnswerDate":"2015-04-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-04-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302180,"EventID":"S4W-25084","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3806,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-25T16:53:49.813","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-24T16:30:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the potential impact on tourism, what discussions it has had with the UK Government about preventing toxic oil fumes from entering the cabin and cockpits of passenger aircraft.","AnswerText":"None. Health and safety relating to aviation is reserved to the UK Government. Concerns raised about cabin air have been investigated at length over a number of years by the UK Government. These studies found that while airlines should keep working to minimise fume events (e.g. through scrupulous maintenance procedures), on balance they are of the view that “a toxic mechanism for the illness that has been reported in temporal relation to fume incidents is unlikely”. In reaching this conclusion, they explained that, to cause serious acute toxicity, the chemicals that have been identified in bleed air would have to occur at very much higher concentrations than have been found to date, and also that the symptoms which have been reported following fume events have been wide-ranging and less specific than those that typically occur from chemical toxicity.","AnswerDate":"2015-04-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-04-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302181,"EventID":"S4W-25085","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3806,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-25T16:53:50.473","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-24T16:30:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to develop further freight-only rail links.","AnswerText":"As part of the normal rail planning processes, we have not had any recent, firm proposals from the Scottish rail industry for the development of freight-only rail links.\r\nThrough our £3.5 billion capital investment programme for 2014-19, we are working with the industry to develop detailed specifications for strategic rail schemes, including improvements to the Aberdeen to Inverness and Highland Main Lines, which will include significant benefits for freight users, such as line-speed enhancements, greater capacity and increased reliability.\r\nIn addition, a £30 million Scottish Strategic Rail Freight Investment Fund has been made available over the same period for flexible, industry led investment in support of rail freight growth.","AnswerDate":"2015-04-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-04-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302182,"EventID":"S4W-25086","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3806,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-25T16:53:51.207","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-24T16:30:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what percentage of (a) Perth to Inverness and (b) Aberdeen to Inverness rail links is single track.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-18414 on 29 November 2013. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.","AnswerDate":"2015-04-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-04-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302183,"EventID":"S4W-25087","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2117,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-25T16:53:52.22","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-25T10:21:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-24870 by Derek Mackay MSP on 23 March 2015, what commitments Abellio has made with regard to the delivery of refurbished or new rolling stock as part of the ScotRail franchise, and when those commitments have to be met in order to avoid penalties.","AnswerText":"All of the information related to Abellio’s commitments to introduce new and refurbished rolling stock is within the Franchise Agreement, Schedule 1.6, Part 1. This is the formal contract between Scottish Ministers and Abellio ScotRail and has been available since 20 February 2015 on the Transport Scotland website.","AnswerDate":"2015-04-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-04-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302184,"EventID":"S4W-25088","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1793,"Party":"Independent","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-25T16:53:52.977","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-25T11:08:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on the interpretation of European regulations concerning Basic Payment Scheme payments in relation to common grazing land put forward by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on 16 March 2015, and whether it will review the allocation of such payments in Scotland.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government notes the change of policy in relation to common land by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, following a legal challenge.\r\nHowever, the legal basis relating to common land in England is different from that applying to common grazings in Scotland. In addition, the devolved arrangements that exists within the UK gives each territory the flexibility to adopt different policy choices as regards the implementation of the common agricultural policy. Since 2005 the single payment scheme that has operated in England has been area based whereas Scotland adopted an historic based payments model.\r\nWe will discuss the issue with crofting and farming stakeholder organisations, in the coming weeks, as well as carefully monitoring the situation in England, to consider what if any impact the English decision may have for common grazings in Scotland.","AnswerDate":"2015-04-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-04-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Richard Lochhead","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302185,"EventID":"S4W-25090","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3806,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-25T16:53:53.557","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-25T11:25:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it will avoid further job losses at the Arnish yard on Lewis.","AnswerText":"Arnish is a valuable asset for Lewis and home to a range of businesses including Burntisland Fabrications Ltd, Hebridean Seaweed and The Scottish Salmon Company.\r\nThe site has been identified as a key location for the renewables sector in the Scottish Government’s National Renewables Infrastructure Plan and Highlands and Island Enterprise is working to market the site as a location for businesses in the renewables sector as well as in oil and gas and other sectors.\r\nIn 2013, Arnish received £2 million for site development and improvement from funds made available by the Scottish Government in 2012-13.\r\nWith regard to the recent job losses announced at Burntisland Fabrications Ltd at Arnish and Fife, Highlands and Islands Enterprise, Scottish Enterprise and their partners are working closely with the company to help it diversify and grow its business and to help ensure its future both in Arnish and in Fife.","AnswerDate":"2015-04-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-04-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302186,"EventID":"S4W-25091","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2610,"Party":"Independent","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-25T16:53:54.223","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-25T11:58:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government to what extent it uses revenue from the Scottish Futures Trust created through the use of lower grade debt instruments to finance building infrastructure projects.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government does not use revenue from the Scottish Futures Trust created through the use of lower grade debt instruments in order to finance building infrastructure projects. The Scottish Government pays for non-profit distributing financed infrastructure projects through the payment of a revenue stream, usually over 25 years, once the infrastructure has been satisfactorily constructed and is operating to agreed standards.","AnswerDate":"2015-04-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-04-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302187,"EventID":"S4W-25092","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2610,"Party":"Independent","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-25T16:53:55.017","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-25T11:59:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many building infrastructure projects it has financed (a) throughout Scotland and (b) in Central Scotland region with revenue gained through the Scottish Futures Trust by the use of lower grade debt instruments since 2011.","AnswerText":"To date the Non-Profit Distributing (NPD) programme has signed a total of nine NPD projects and a further 10 privately financed hub projects since 2011. Each of these projects has included an element of junior debt (about 10% of the total financing). Of these, six of the NPD projects and six of the hub projects are located in Central Scotland.","AnswerDate":"2015-04-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-04-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302188,"EventID":"S4W-25093","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2610,"Party":"Independent","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-25T16:53:55.607","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-25T11:59:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the rate of return is for investors on lower grade debt instruments used by the Scottish Futures Trust.","AnswerText":"The rate of return on junior debt is bid in competition by private sector investors in infrastructure projects. The rate of return on junior debt in Non-Profit Distributing and hub projects is generally in the range of 9.5% to 12.5% per annum.","AnswerDate":"2015-04-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-04-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302189,"EventID":"S4W-25095","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-25T16:53:56.193","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-25T13:04:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether creel fishermen are to be excluded from any of the proposed new marine protected areas.","AnswerText":"The responses to the consultation on marine protected area management are currently being considered by Marine Scotland. We will publish an analysis of the responses in May 2015 together with details of the proposed management measures for each of the sites.","AnswerDate":"2015-04-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-04-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Richard Lochhead","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302190,"EventID":"S4W-25096","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4939,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":78,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-25T16:55:53.133","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-25T13:35:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many times its officials have met Community Windpower Ltd.","AnswerText":"Scottish Government officials have met with representatives of Community Windpower Ltd on 11 occasions since January 2014.","AnswerDate":"2015-04-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-04-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302211,"EventID":"S4W-25054","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1860,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-26T14:03:24.277","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-23T12:22:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much CalMac Ferries Ltd, or its successor, will pay each year to sub-lease the MV Loch Seaforth, and for how many years.","AnswerText":"The financial arrangements between Lloyds Banking Group, Caledonian Maritime Assets Ltd and CalMac Ferries Ltd are commercially confidential.\r\nThe operating lease between Lloyds Banking Group and Caledonian Maritime Assets Ltd for the MV Loch Seaforth has been agreed for an eight year period.","AnswerDate":"2015-04-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-04-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302212,"EventID":"S4W-25098","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2610,"Party":"Independent","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-26T14:03:25.183","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-25T14:57:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many people have responded to the NHS Lanarkshire consultation on its proposed changes to its primary care out of hours service.","AnswerText":"NHS Lanarkshire commissioned a review of primary care out of hours services in September 2013. Phase 1 concluded in April 2014 and included extensive communication and engagement with staff, service users and the public in developing options.\r\nA public consultation exercise to look at these options ran commenced on 6 January 2015, and concluded on 6 April 2015. This consultation involved a number of public meetings to advise local residents of the proposals, and how they can get involved to express their own views.\r\nNHS Lanarkshire estimate that 6,000 written consultation responses were received during this period. This includes 781 responses to an on-line questionnaire, 200 email responses as well as petitions and pro forma consultation letters from around 5,000 individuals.","AnswerDate":"2015-04-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-04-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302213,"EventID":"S4W-25099","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2610,"Party":"Independent","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-26T14:03:25.823","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-25T14:57:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many people have used NHS Lanarkshire’s primary out of hours service in each year since 2011, broken down by the out of hours service used.","AnswerText":"NHS Lanarkshire primary care out of hours service usage\r\nCase Type\r\n2011\r\n2012\r\n2013\r\n2014\r\nDistrict Nurse\r\n2,810\r\n2,673\r\n2,206\r\n2,174\r\nDoctor Advice via telephone\r\n9,344\r\n9,208\r\n9,225\r\n10,398\r\nHome Visit by a doctor\r\n15,300\r\n16,140\r\n15,617\r\n14,864\r\nInformation Only1\r\n39\r\n7\r\n31\r\n38\r\nNHS 24 Advice\r\n46,359\r\n47,789\r\n45,735\r\n50,786\r\nParamedic2\r\n19\r\n21\r\n10\r\n21\r\nPatient Transport3\r\n2,480\r\n2,363\r\n1,996\r\n1,790\r\nPrimary Care Emergency Centre\r\n54,684\r\n57,517\r\n52,400\r\n52,298\r\nTotal\r\n131,035\r\n135,718\r\n127,220\r\n132,369\r\n1 Calls dealt with by NHS 24 and passed to NHS Lanarkshire for information\r\n2 NHS 24 request the attendance of a paramedic\r\n3 Where patient requires transport to attend Primary Care Emergency Centre ","AnswerDate":"2015-04-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-04-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302214,"EventID":"S4W-25100","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2610,"Party":"Independent","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-26T14:03:26.46","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-25T14:57:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much NHS Lanarkshire's primary care out of hours service costs to run.","AnswerText":"Information Services Division – part of NHS National Services Scotland – provides health information, health intelligence, statistical services and advice that supports quality improvement in health and care and facilitates robust planning and decision making.\r\nTheir cost book, which can be found at http://www.isdscotland.org/Health-Topics/Finance/Costs/, reports NHS Lanarkshire out of hours service costs as £78,773 million for 2013-14.","AnswerDate":"2015-04-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-04-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302215,"EventID":"S4W-25101","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2610,"Party":"Independent","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-26T14:03:27.133","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-25T14:57:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how NHS Lanarkshire has carried out poverty proofing with regard to its proposed changes to its primary care out of hours service.","AnswerText":"In line with Scottish Government guidance set out in CEL 4 (2010) Informing, Engaging and Consulting People in Developing Health and Community Care Services, NHS Lanarkshire carried out an Equality and Diversity Impact Assessment (EDIA) for their primary care out of hours review process. A further EDIA was completed for the options which formed part of the recent consultation.","AnswerDate":"2015-04-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-04-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302216,"EventID":"S4W-25102","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-26T14:03:27.803","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-25T16:28:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much it has paid its apprentices in each year since 2007.","AnswerText":"Modern apprentices have been employed within the Scottish Government since April 2011. They are brought in on the Scottish Government A3 pay range. The entry pay point for each year is as follows:\r\nFrom 1 August 2010 – £15,792\r\nFrom 1 August 2011 – £15,792\r\nFrom 1 August 2012 – £15,792\r\nFrom 1 August 2013 – £16,042\r\nFrom 1 August 2014 – £16,442\r\nAll Scottish Government employees are paid above the Scottish Living Wage. With effect from 1 August 2015 the A3 entry pay point increases to £16,842.","AnswerDate":"2015-04-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-04-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Roseanna Cunningham","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302217,"EventID":"S4W-25103","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1845,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-26T14:03:28.553","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-25T16:35:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what it is doing to support the development of the NHS appointment text messaging service; whether such a service will be rolled out nationally and, if so, when.","AnswerText":"A national contract negotiated by NHS National Services Scotland on behalf of NHSScotland is in place and provides a competitively priced text messaging service that can be used by NHS boards.\r\nText messaging increased by 37% in between 2012-13 and 2013-14. There has been a further increase of 26% in 2014-15 (to end of February). This amounts to over 20 million text messages to date in 2014-15.\r\nThere are no current plans to have a national text appointments service. NHS boards prefer to run these services as they integrate better with board processes and are more responsive to local circumstances.","AnswerDate":"2015-04-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-04-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302218,"EventID":"S4W-25105","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1845,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-26T14:03:29.287","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-25T16:35:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much in arts funding has been awarded by (a) it and (b) its agencies in each local authority area in each year since 1999. ","AnswerText":"The information requested is not held centrally.\r\nScottish Government funding for national cultural organisations brings benefits in areas across Scotland through their national activity, for example touring exhibitions and performances. It is not possible to break down how this national funding relates directly to individual local authority areas which also varies from year to year.\r\nThe majority of Scottish Government funding to local authorities, including the support of cultural services, is provided by means of a block grant and it is the responsibility of individual local authorities to manage their own budgets and to allocate their own financial resources on the basis of local needs and priorities.\r\nThe Scottish Government’s funding in support of arts is made through Creative Scotland.\r\nI have asked the Chief Executive of Creative Scotland, Janet Archer, to write to the member with the information requested about the allocation of funding for the arts by Creative Scotland and its predecessor organisations.","AnswerDate":"2015-05-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-04-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fiona Hyslop","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302219,"EventID":"S4W-25106","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1845,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-26T14:03:30.003","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-25T16:35:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many times ministers have used the Government Car Service for party political purposes in each year since 2007.","AnswerText":"I shall reply to the member as soon as possible.","AnswerDate":"2015-04-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-04-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302220,"EventID":"S4W-25113","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4080,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-26T14:03:30.703","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-26T10:28:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government for what reason the publication of the updated statistics on (a) domestic abuse incidents, (b) racist incidents, (c) drug seizures and (d) recorded crimes and offences involving firearms has been delayed; when ministers were advised of this; what its position is on this delay; on what date the information will be published, and whether the publication of other crime statistics will also be delayed and, if so, which.","AnswerText":"More time is required to publish 2013-14 statistics for these four areas because Police Scotland needs additional time to collate and review the data required to produce these official statistics. This is due to the information coming from a range of bespoke legacy databases (from the previous police forces) and new data systems within Police Scotland.\r\nSole responsibility for the timing of Scottish Government statistical publications rests with the chief statistician. Statistical users were informed of the decision to give Police Scotland more time to collate and review the relevant data on the 13 March 2015, with ministers informed shortly before this.\r\nThe Scottish Government’s position is clear: statistics should be published in line with the Code of Practice for Official Statistics. This stipulates all reports should be published as soon as they are judged ready by those statisticians responsible for producing them. This judgement will be based upon several factors, including the availability of data and whether its quality is of a sufficient level to meet users’ needs. Once this judgement has been made, a specific date will pre-announced in line with established pre-release practices for official statistics.\r\nThe need for Police Scotland to have additional time to collate and review data does not affect any of the other official statistics on crime.","AnswerDate":"2015-04-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-04-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302221,"EventID":"S4W-25114","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4080,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-26T14:03:31.283","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-26T10:28:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many prisoners were moved from HMPYOI Grampian following the disturbance in May 2014, broken down by facility they were moved to, and how many (a) have now returned or (b) were released while at the alternative facility.","AnswerText":"I have asked Colin McConnell, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service, to respond. His response is as follows:\r\nFollowing the incident on 13 May 2014 a total number of 144 individuals (including 43 male young offenders) were transferred from HMPYOI Grampian between 14 and 16 May 2014.\r\nThe adult male prisoners were transferred as follows:\r\nHMP Barlinnie\r\n\t91\r\nHMP Edinburgh\r\n\t3\r\nHMP Perth\r\n\t4\r\nHMP Shotts\r\n\t3\r\nTotal\r\n\t101\r\nThe 43 male young offenders were all transferred to HMPYOI Polmont.\r\nAs at 31 March 2015, the position in respect of the 101 adult male prisoners is as follows:\r\nLiberated from another establishment \r\n\t57\r\nLiberated from HMPYOI Grampian \r\n\t28\r\nTransfer to another jurisdiction\r\n\t1\r\nIn custody at another establishment\r\n\t16\r\nIn custody at HMPYOI Grampian\r\n\t9\r\nTotal\r\n\t101\r\nAs at 31 March 2015, the position in respect of the 43 young male offenders is as follows:\r\nLiberated from HMPYOI Polmont \r\n\t32\r\nIn custody at HMPYOI Polmont\r\n\t10\r\nDeath in custody at HMPYOI Polmont\r\n\t1\r\nTotal\r\n\t43","AnswerDate":"2015-04-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-04-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302222,"EventID":"S4W-25115","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4080,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-26T14:03:31.86","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-26T10:28:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many facilities that conduct drug testing in accordance with court orders have (a) opened and (b) closed in each year since 2006-07, broken down by NHS board area.","AnswerText":"Drug testing in accordance with court orders occurs in a number of settings and as such information about facilities by NHS board area or other criterion is not held centrally.","AnswerDate":"2015-04-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-04-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302223,"EventID":"S4W-25116","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4080,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-26T14:03:32.437","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-26T10:28:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the (a) latest and (b) average time has been for each (i) sheriff and (ii) justice of the peace court to finish sitting in each month since June 2013.","AnswerText":"This question relates to operational matters that are the responsibility of the Scottish Court Service (SCS) corporate body. The question has been passed to the Chief Executive of the SCS who will reply in writing within 20 days.","AnswerDate":"2015-04-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-04-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302224,"EventID":"S4W-25117","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4080,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-26T14:03:33.03","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-26T10:28:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what average time applicants for emergency orders have had to wait to find out if an order has been granted by each (a) sheriff and (b) justice of the peace court in each month since June 2013.","AnswerText":"This question relates to operational matters that are the responsibility of the Scottish Court Service (SCS) corporate body. The question has been passed to the Chief Executive of the SCS who will reply in writing within 20 days.","AnswerDate":"2015-04-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-04-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302225,"EventID":"S4W-25118","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4080,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-26T14:03:33.607","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-26T10:28:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-21187 by Kenny MacAskill on 29 May 2014, what work is involved with updating the prisoner records system and whether it will provide an update on the progress made.","AnswerText":"I have asked Colin McConnell, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service (SPS), to respond. His response is as follows:\r\n‘‘As set out in Mr MacAskill’s response to S4W-21187, SPS set about a review of the capacity and capability of the current PR2 system as an adaptable framework within which to reconfigure the acquisition and management of rule 95 data. That review has demonstrated that the present configuration of PR2 is less flexible than was believed to be the case and as such, has not proved to be readily adaptable.\r\nAt this stage, and regrettably, the recording of rule 95 data remains as was reported in Mr MacAskill’s previous response. However, SPS is carrying out a detailed re-specification for a targeted update of PR2 which will provide the service with reliable and up-to-date corporate information in respect of rule 95 decisions. As outlined, this is a specialised and targeted reconfiguration and as such, SPS anticipates commissioning specialist support to have this work undertaken within the current financial year.’’","AnswerDate":"2015-04-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-04-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302226,"EventID":"S4W-25119","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4080,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-26T14:03:34.167","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-26T10:28:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many times since 5 November 2013 prisoners have been held in the HMPYOI Cornton Vale separation and reintegration unit, also broken down by the (a) average and (b) longest period of incarceration; how many prisoners were held more than once and for how long, and what prison rules were applied in these cases.","AnswerText":"I have asked Colin McConnell, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service, to respond. His response is as follows:\r\n‘‘The number of women located in the Separation and Reintegration Unit (SRU) at HMPYOI Cornton Vale in the timeframe requested were as follows: \r\n2013 (from 5 November)\r\nMonth\r\n5 Nov\r\nDec \r\nNo. of Women \r\n7\r\n11\r\n18 women were located in the SRU at HMPYOI Cornton Vale in November and December 2013. The average stay was five days. Only two of these women were located for more than one period. One woman was located for 29 days over two periods and the other was located for 18 days over two periods. Both women were held under rule 95 conditions.\r\n2014\r\nMonth\r\nJan\r\nFeb\r\nMar\r\nApr\r\nMay\r\nJun\r\nJul\r\nAug\r\nSep\r\nOct\r\nNov\r\nDec\r\nNo. of Women \r\n17\r\n8\r\n8\r\n11\r\n11\r\n17\r\n11\r\n9\r\n16\r\n17\r\n17\r\n12\r\nThere were 154 women located in the SRU in Cornton Vale in 2014. 94 of these women were located for more than one period. The time spent by women in the SRU ranged from one to 116 days. The average time spent by women was five days.\r\nThere were 115 episodes (the majority) where women were located for less than  three days; 37 episodes where the women were located for less than one week; and  26 episodes where the women were located for less than one month.\r\nSeven women were located within the unit for more than 30 days (range 30-116 days).  Three of these individuals were located under rule 41 conditions; one of these women for one period of 85 days; one was for a total of 33 days over two periods and the third 73 days over nine periods. The four remaining women were all held under rule 95 conditions; 116 days over eight periods; 94 days over 11 periods; 62 days over two periods and 56 days over seven periods.\r\n2015\r\nMonth\r\nJan\r\nFeb\r\nMar\r\nNo. of Women \r\n4\r\n10\r\n6\r\n20 women have been located in SRU in HMPYOI Cornton Vale in 2015. The average time has been four days. From 1 January to 31 March 2015 only one woman has been located for three periods – this covered a total of nine days. This woman was held under rule 114(1)(d).’’","AnswerDate":"2015-04-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-04-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302227,"EventID":"S4W-25121","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1943,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-26T16:49:39.08","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-26T13:33:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many (a) agency and (b) sub-contracted staff are employed by the Scottish Social Services Council, broken down by (i) role and (ii) hiring cost.","AnswerText":"This is a matter for the Scottish Social Services Council. The information requested is not held centrally.","AnswerDate":"2015-04-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-04-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fiona McLeod","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302228,"EventID":"S4W-25122","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1943,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-26T16:49:39.723","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-26T13:34:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many Scottish Social Services Council employees received a salary of over £100,000 in 2013-14.","AnswerText":"The information requested is given in the Scottish Social Services Council Annual Report and Accounts 2013-14, a copy of which is available in the Scottish Parliament Information Centre (Bib. number 56514).","AnswerDate":"2015-04-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-04-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fiona McLeod","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302229,"EventID":"S4W-25123","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1943,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-26T16:49:40.257","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-26T13:35:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the (a) budgeted and (b) actual expenditure was for the Scottish Social Services Council's information technology services in 2013-14. ","AnswerText":"This is a matter for the Scottish Social Services Council. The information is not held centrally.","AnswerDate":"2015-04-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-04-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fiona McLeod","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302230,"EventID":"S4W-25124","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2610,"Party":"Independent","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-26T16:49:40.81","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-26T16:02:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether the Independent Expert Scientific Panel, which published a report in 2014 on unconventional oil and gas extraction, including fracking, continues to meet.","AnswerText":"The Independent Expert Scientific Panel on Unconventional Oil and Gas no longer meets, having completed its review of the scientific evidence, and will be publishing its final report on 28 July 2014.","AnswerDate":"2015-05-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-04-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302231,"EventID":"S4W-25125","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2610,"Party":"Independent","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-26T16:49:41.437","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-26T16:02:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what remuneration was paid to members of the Independent Expert Scientific Panel, which reported on unconventional oil and gas extraction, including fracking, in 2014.","AnswerText":"The members of the Expert Scientific Panel on Unconventional Oil and Gas were not remunerated by the Scottish Government.","AnswerDate":"2015-05-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-04-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302232,"EventID":"S4W-25126","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2610,"Party":"Independent","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-26T16:49:42.307","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-26T16:03:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the (a) timeline and (b) reporting mechanism is for the public consultation on unconventional oil and gas extraction, including fracking, which was announced by the Minister for Business, Energy and Tourism on 28 January 2015.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-24476 on 8 October 2015. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.","AnswerDate":"2015-10-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-04-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302233,"EventID":"S4W-25128","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2610,"Party":"Independent","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-26T16:49:42.947","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-26T16:03:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what funding will be allocated to conducting the public health impact assessment on unconventional oil and gas extraction, including fracking, which was announced by the Minister for Business, Energy and Tourism on 28 January 2015.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-24476 on 8 October 2015. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx. \r\nHealth Protection Scotland will undertake and coordinate the public health impact assessment, drawing on the expertise of others including NHS Health Scotland and the Scottish Environment Protection Agency.","AnswerDate":"2015-10-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-04-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302234,"EventID":"S4W-25129","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2610,"Party":"Independent","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-26T16:49:43.57","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-26T16:04:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government who will be commissioned to carry out the public health impact assessment on unconventional oil and gas extraction, including fracking, which was announced by the Minister for Business, Energy and Tourism on 28 January 2015.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-24476 on 8 October 2015. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.","AnswerDate":"2015-10-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-04-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302235,"EventID":"S4W-25134","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-26T16:49:44.14","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-26T16:29:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when student support rates for 2015-16 will be published.","AnswerText":"The 2015-16 funding guide, which includes details of student support rates, became available on the Student Awards Agency Scotland (SAAS) website on 2 April 2015. The SAAS events team has distributed the guide at events since 26 March 2015.\r\nThe Scottish Government is committed to free tuition and providing financial support for students’ living costs. Ministers will always take the opportunity (including in-year) to further improve student support when that is affordable.","AnswerDate":"2015-04-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-04-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302251,"EventID":"S4W-25107","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-27T13:57:03.98","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-25T16:39:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to revise the National Care Standards for Care Homes for Older People.","AnswerText":"Following consultation on a review of the national care standards, all of the national care standards will be revised.","AnswerDate":"2015-04-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-04-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302252,"EventID":"S4W-25108","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-27T13:57:05.79","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-25T16:39:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to revise the Code of Practice for Part 5 of the Adults with Incapacity (Scotland) Act 2000.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government currently has no plans to revise the Code of Practice for Part 5 of the Adults with Incapacity (Scotland) Act 2000.","AnswerDate":"2015-04-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-04-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302253,"EventID":"S4W-25109","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-27T13:57:06.75","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-25T16:39:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to revise the (a) Adults with Incapacity (Scotland) Act 2000 and (b) Mental Health (Care and Treatment) (Scotland) Act 2003 in terms of issues relating to force, restraint and covert medication.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is currently considering its response to the Scottish Law Commission’s Report on Adults with Incapacity, which was published in October 2014 and relates to deprivation of liberty, and will be consulting on it in due course. Scottish Ministers have indicated that a review of the Adults with Incapacity (Scotland) Act 2000 would be useful to examine issues around the operation of the Act but any review would follow consideration of the Scottish Law Commission’s report. \r\nA Bill to amend the Mental Health (Care and Treatment) (Scotland) Act 2003 is currently before the Scottish Parliament. The Scottish Government will consider whether it will be appropriate to address reference to the use of force, restraint and covert mediation through the Act’s Code of Practice.","AnswerDate":"2015-04-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-04-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302254,"EventID":"S4W-25110","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-27T13:57:07.777","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-25T16:39:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what is being done to raise awareness of the risks associated with giving antipsychotic drugs to older patients with dementia.","AnswerText":"Practitioners’ awareness of the risks associated with giving antipsychotics to all people with dementia is supported by the clinical advice contained in the Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network national clinical guideline for the management of people with dementia (SIGN 86).\r\nThe revised polypharmacy guidance published by the Scottish Government in March 2015 reinforces the risks and benefits in this area of dementia treatment and care, and the Scottish Government first Standards of Care for Dementia in Scotland (2011) set out clear standards on responding to stress and distress in people with dementia in all care settings, including on the use of antipsychotics, and we fund education and training initiatives that offer alternatives to psychoactive medication which are being rolled out nationally.","AnswerDate":"2015-04-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-04-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302255,"EventID":"S4W-25111","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-27T13:57:08.733","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-25T16:39:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to produce guidelines on the use of antipsychotics for older people with dementia.","AnswerText":"Clinical guidelines on the appropriate use of antipsychotics to help manage stress and distress symptoms exhibited by all people with dementia are contained in the Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network national clinical guideline for the management of people with dementia (SIGN 86).\r\nRevised polypharmacy guidance published by the Scottish Government in March 2015 reinforces the principles on the appropriate review and reduction of the use of antipsychotics in people with dementia and identifies three groups which practitioners should prioritise for review: people in care homes, those with vascular dementia, and those with dementia who also have a history of cardiovascular disease, cerebrovascular disease or other vascular risk factors.\r\nThe Scottish Government’s first Standards of Care for Dementia in Scotland (2011) set out clear standards on responding to stress and distress in people with dementia in all care settings. Managing symptoms should involve the development of a multidisciplinary and integrated care plan and psychoactive medication should only be used where there is no appropriate alternative and where there is clear benefit to the person receiving the medication.","AnswerDate":"2015-04-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-04-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302256,"EventID":"S4W-25112","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-27T13:57:09.667","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-25T16:56:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the (a) youngest and (b) oldest age is at which a person will be considered for bariatric surgery.","AnswerText":"There are no specific upper or lower age limits for bariatric surgery. It is not generally recommended in children or adolescents, but may be considered in exceptional circumstances. Decisions to treat will be jointly made between clinicians and patients, taking account of relevant guidance and the patient’s individual circumstances, including their fitness for surgery.","AnswerDate":"2015-04-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-04-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302257,"EventID":"S4W-25130","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5034,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-27T13:57:10.583","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-26T16:24:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-24432 by Michael Matheson on 25 February 2015, for what reason the information is not held centrally.","AnswerText":"The Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service central case management system does not hold information in a format which specifically identifies cases which involve victims of human trafficking. The information is recorded informally and further detail is provided in answer to question S4W-25132.","AnswerDate":"2015-04-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-04-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Lesley Thomson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302258,"EventID":"S4W-25131","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5034,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-27T13:57:11.24","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-26T16:24:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-24432 by Michael Matheson on 25 February 2015, whether it will publish the Lord Advocate’s guidance to prosecutors.","AnswerText":"The approach taken and the factors to be considered by all prosecutors in any case are outlined in the Prosecution Code which is published at:\r\nhttp://www.copfs.gov.uk/publications/prosecution-policy-and-guidance.\r\nIn relation to victims of human trafficking the Lord Advocate has already published a set of draft instructions for prosecutors which are intended to satisfy the terms of section 7 of the Human Trafficking and Exploitation Bill. These draft instructions are available from the Justice Committee website and outline the robust position that will be taken by prosecutors, namely that where it is established that someone is a credible victim of human trafficking they shall not be prosecuted for any offences they are compelled to commit as a result of their trafficked status.\r\nThe instructions also explain the process which should be followed by a prosecutor in considering such a case including the factors which should be taken in to account, the agencies which should be contacted for assistance and the requirement to refer all cases to the National Lead Prosecutor for Human Trafficking.\r\nAny comments which are received regarding these draft instructions will be taken in to consideration by the Lord Advocate prior to the publication of the final version.","AnswerDate":"2015-04-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-04-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Lesley Thomson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302259,"EventID":"S4W-25132","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5034,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-27T13:57:11.783","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-26T16:25:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-24432 by Michael Matheson on 25 February 2015, how many times since April 2009 an accused person has been identified as a possible victim of human trafficking; how many \"further inquiries\" as set out by the guidance were instigated; how many of these led to a decision not to prosecute, and how many of the decisions not to prosecute were (a) reviewed and (b) upheld by the National Lead Prosecutor for Human Trafficking.","AnswerText":"The Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service have considered a number of prosecutions in relation to seven different individuals who have been reported as victims of human trafficking. The National Lead Prosecutor for Human Trafficking made the final decision in relation to the continuation of all of the cases for these seven individuals. In one case the prosecution was continued against the individual as he was not considered to be a genuine victim of human trafficking. In relation to the remaining six individuals their cases were discontinued or no action was taken as the conclusion was reached that they were genuine victims of human trafficking. The UK Human Trafficking Centre provided assessments in each of these cases, all of which were followed by the National Lead Prosecutor for Human Trafficking.","AnswerDate":"2015-04-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-04-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Lesley Thomson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302260,"EventID":"S4W-25133","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5034,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-27T13:57:12.29","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-26T16:26:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-24432 by Michael Matheson on 25 February 2015, what action the Lord Advocate takes to ensure that such prosecutions comply with article 8 of the EU directive.  ","AnswerText":"Full guidance is available for all Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service staff on how to deal with cases involving potential victims of human trafficking. This guidance outlines the process which must be followed which includes the referral of all of these cases to the National Lead Prosecutor for Human Trafficking. The guidance also outlines the factors which prosecutors should consider when assessing whether the individual is a genuine victim of human trafficking and also instructs that prosecutors should seek the assessment of the UK Human Trafficking Centre to assist with any decision. This guidance is sufficiently robust and detailed to ensure that the prosecution service in Scotland adheres to both the terms and the spirit of Article 8 of the directive.","AnswerDate":"2015-04-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-04-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Lesley Thomson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302261,"EventID":"S4W-25136","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-27T13:57:12.803","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-26T16:30:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to increase the use of psychological therapies in treating obesity, in light of the recommendation in SIGN guideline 115 on managing obesity.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-25137 on 21 April 2015. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at: \r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx","AnswerDate":"2015-04-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-04-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302262,"EventID":"S4W-25137","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-27T13:57:13.793","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-26T16:30:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what steps is it taking to encourage the use of psychological therapies as a regular component of obesity treatment.","AnswerText":"The government provides £3.5 million for NHS weight management programmes. These programmes must follow the evidence based recommendations of the Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network national clinical guideline 115 on the management of obesity. Guidance issued with the funding recommends weight management programmes should include physical activity, dietary change and psychological or behavioural change components. Boards need to agree locally what approach to take drawing on evidence and experience to date in delivering sustainable weight loss.","AnswerDate":"2015-04-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-04-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302263,"EventID":"S4W-25138","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-27T13:57:14.89","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-26T16:30:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government in what ways obese people have received psychological services or counselling as part of their treatment process in each of the last five years.","AnswerText":"Guidance issued by the government to accompany its funding of NHS weight management programmes recommends these programmes should include physical activity, dietary change and behaviour change components. Health boards decide what approach to take locally and while the government does not hold detailed information on how psychological interventions for obese people are applied across primary care, specialist weight management or specialised surgical services, the government is aware that boards have incorporated psychological interventions listed in the Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network clinical guidelines 115 on the management of obesity.\r\nApproaches differ depending on the patient, their needs and who referred them as they may already be engaged with a psychology service. Weight management programmes have access to some level of psychological provision from the least intensive cognitive-behavioural components incorporated within the standard weight management programme to intensive individual psychological assessment and therapy. Patents can be seen individually or as groups dependent on an assessment of their required level of support.","AnswerDate":"2015-04-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-04-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302264,"EventID":"S4W-25139","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-27T13:57:15.84","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-26T16:30:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many NHS psychologists specialise in weight loss behavioural therapies.","AnswerText":"Guidance issued by the government to accompany its funding of NHS weight management programmes recommends these programmes should include physical activity, dietary change and behaviour change components. Health boards decide what approach to take locally across primary care, specialist weight management or specialised surgical services, the government is aware that boards have incorporated psychological interventions listed in the Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network (SIGN) clinical guidelines 115 on the management of obesity.\r\nInformation on how many NHS psychologists specialise in weight loss behavioural therapies is not held centrally. Our understanding is that boards have incorporated behaviour interventions listed in SIGN 115 guidance. Approaches differ depending on the patient and who is referring them as they may already be engaged with a psychology service when they are referred to a weight management programme. The service is generally delivered by dieticians who have received training and it is usual for a health board team to include a clinical psychologist and a psychology assistant. Patients can be seen individually or as groups dependent on an assessment of their required level of support.","AnswerDate":"2015-04-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-04-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302265,"EventID":"S4W-25140","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-27T13:57:16.823","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-26T16:30:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what actions it is taking to address obesity.","AnswerText":"Our commitment to tackling obesity is set out in our prevention of obesity route map, one of a coherent group of policy frameworks and guidance which includes: Improving Maternal and Infant Nutrition: A Framework for Action; Better Eating, Better Learning – A New Context For School Food; Recipe for Success and a ten year Physical Activity Implementation Plan. The government continues to update and support the necessary action across a broad front that makes it easier for people to be more active and have a healthy diet.","AnswerDate":"2015-04-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-04-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302266,"EventID":"S4W-25141","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1814,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":77,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-27T13:57:17.85","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-26T18:56:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what involvement it has had in formulating the UK Government's Consultation on Reforming the Electronic Communications Code.","AnswerText":"In 2011, the UK Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) arranged for the Electronic Communications Code to be reviewed by the Law Commission for England and Wales. The report by the commission \r\n(http://lawcommission.justice.gov.uk/publications/2172.htm) was published in February 2013. \r\nThe Scottish Government advised DCMS at the time that we would be happy to help with the implementation of a revised code to ensure that Scottish interests were represented.\r\nInitially, engagement by DCMS with the Scottish Government was very limited, but in November 2014, DCMS told the Scottish Government that they intended to table a revised code as an amendment to the then Infrastructure Bill (now the Infrastructure Act 2015) at Westminster. Provisions were added to the Infrastructure Bill, but were then removed, following representations to DCMS by stakeholders. DCMS then decided to carry out a consultation on the proposed revised code.\r\nThe Scottish Government worked with DCMS to try and ensure that Scottish interests were reflected in the consultation paper. The consultation was launched on 26 February 2015 and closes on 30 April 2015. It can be found at: \r\nhttps://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/consultation-on-reforming-the-electronic-communications-code\r\nA stakeholder engagement event on the consultation was held in Edinburgh on 16 March 2015. Scottish Government officials worked with DCMS to help set this up and attended the event.\r\nThe Scottish Government will continue to work to try and ensure that Scottish interests are represented and reflected in any revised Electronic Communications Code.","AnswerDate":"2015-04-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-04-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Paul Wheelhouse","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302267,"EventID":"S4W-25142","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-27T13:57:18.773","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-27T11:57:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it will provide substantive answers to questions S4W-24265, S4W-24267, S4W-24268, S4W-24269,  S4W-24270, S4W-24271 and S4W-24275, which received holding replies on 16 February 2015.","AnswerText":"The following Parliamentary questions were answered on 24 April 2015 - S4W-24265, S4W-24267, S4W-24268, S4W-24269, S4W-24270, S4W-24271 and S4W-24275.\r\nAll answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.","AnswerDate":"2015-04-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-04-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302281,"EventID":"S4W-25143","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2673,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":114,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-30T13:40:01.343","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-27T12:55:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on spending and ongoing commitment under the CashBack for Communities scheme.","AnswerText":"Details of actual spend and allocated funding for CashBack and other community initiatives since 2008 are set out in the following table. All of the funding has been recovered through the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002.\r\n\r\nCashBack/community initiatives Phases 1 and 2 (2008-09 through to 2015-16 for some projects)\r\nCashBack/community initiatives Phase 3 (2014-15 to 2016-17)\r\nTotal\r\nFunding Committed\r\n56,295,000\r\n18,814,124\r\n75,109,124\r\nActual Spend to Date\r\n52,680,069\r\n3,598,304\r\n56,278,373\r\nOutstanding Spend\r\n1,949,700\r\n15,215,820\r\n17,165,520\r\nTotal Anticipated Spend\r\n54,629,769\r\n18,814,124\r\n73,443.893\r\nActual spend was less than committed funding in phases 1 and 2. Actual spend can differ from committed funding for a variety of reasons including delays in the start of projects, vacancies in staffing and costs being less than anticipated, for example when match funding has been offered.","AnswerDate":"2015-04-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-04-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302282,"EventID":"S4W-25144","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2066,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-30T13:40:02.03","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-27T16:52:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the costs of the road equivalent tariff scheme have been, broken down by (a) year and (b) route. ","AnswerText":"The annual costs of road equivalent tariff are published each year in an annual report to the Scottish Parliament on grants made under Section 70 (1) of the Transport (Scotland) Act 2001. For ease of reference, they are also detailed in the following table.\r\nRoad Equivalent Tariff costs per financial year\r\n£,000\r\n2008-09\r\n£1,739\r\n2009-10\r\n£6,500\r\n2010-11\r\n£4,492\r\n2011-12\r\n£6,500\r\n2012-13\r\n£4,200\r\n2013-14\r\n£3,889\r\n2014-15\r\n£5,034*\r\nTotal\r\n£32,354\r\nTransport Scotland does not hold information on the cost of road equivalent tariff broken down by route.\r\n*estimated outturn figure for 2014-15 as the annual accounts have still to be published.","AnswerDate":"2015-04-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-04-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302283,"EventID":"S4W-25145","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2066,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-30T13:40:02.857","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-27T16:53:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what investment in new vessels will be required to cope with any anticipated increased demand as a result of the network-wide extension of the road equivalent tariff scheme on west coast ferry services and what the cost implications will be.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government, on 19 December 2012, published the Scottish Ferries Plan. This plan sets out short, medium and long term improvements over the next decade and included outline costed proposals for vessel investment.\r\nDiscussions between CalMac Ferries Ltd, Caledonian Maritime Assets Ltd and Transport Scotland on the detail of the vessel replacement and deployment plans are currently ongoing and once finalised, will be published. These plans take account of forecast demand including that created by the success of Road Equivalent Tariff fares on the Clyde and Hebrides ferry service network.","AnswerDate":"2015-04-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-04-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302284,"EventID":"S4W-25146","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2066,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-30T13:40:03.667","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-27T16:54:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether the road equivalent tariff will apply to the Gourock to Dunoon route.","AnswerText":"The Ferries Plan stated our intention for road equivalent tariff (RET) to be rolled out to lifeline ferry services, and indicated the timescale for the roll-out of RET to all services operated under the Clyde and Hebrides Ferries Services contract.\r\nNo decisions have, therefore, been taken about the timing or funding of any roll out of RET to the Gourock-Dunoon routes. Transport Scotland is content to discuss the appropriate form and timing of any RET roll out with ferry operators and other stakeholders.","AnswerDate":"2015-04-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-04-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302285,"EventID":"S4W-25147","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2066,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-30T13:40:04.68","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-27T16:54:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether the road equivalent tariff scheme will be extended to the Gourock to Dunoon route provided by Western Ferries (Clyde) Ltd.  ","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to questions S4W-25146 on 22 April 2015 All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.","AnswerDate":"2015-04-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-04-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302286,"EventID":"S4W-25148","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2066,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-30T13:40:05.54","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-27T16:55:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide annual route carrying information from when road equivalent tariff fares were introduced.","AnswerText":"Annual route carrying information has always been available on the CalMac website and can be found via the following link:\r\nhttps://www.calmac.co.uk/corporate/carrying-statistics.","AnswerDate":"2015-04-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-04-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302287,"EventID":"S4W-25149","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2066,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-30T13:40:06.397","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-27T16:55:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide information on the expected increase in carryings on the routes on which road equivalent tariff will apply from October 2015.","AnswerText":"Transport Scotland does not hold information on the expected increase in carryings on the routes on which road equivalent tariff (RET) will apply from October 2015. Carryings will depend on a range of factors including crossing time. \r\nEvidence from the RET pilot on the Western Isles, Coll and Tiree, found increases in passenger and car carryings in the first year of 19% and 30% respectively. Other routes, where RET was rolled out subsequently, are currently being monitored. The change in carryings on the routes receiving RET from October 2015 will be monitored and evaluated.","AnswerDate":"2015-04-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-04-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302288,"EventID":"S4W-25150","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2066,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-30T13:40:07.443","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-27T16:56:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether the next Clyde and Hebrides ferry services contract will include a requirement for the operator to provide an annual profit and loss statement for each route.","AnswerText":"The invitation to tender for the Clyde and Hebrides ferry services, due to issue June 2015, will confirm the operator’s reporting requirements for the Clyde and Hebrides ferry services network.","AnswerDate":"2015-04-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-04-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302289,"EventID":"S4W-25151","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2066,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-30T13:40:08.363","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-27T16:57:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what minimum frequency of service is specified in the invitation to tender for the Gourock to Dunoon ferry route.","AnswerText":"This information will be included in the Gourock to Dunoon invitation to tender documents.","AnswerDate":"2015-04-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-04-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302290,"EventID":"S4W-25152","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2066,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-30T13:40:09.547","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-27T16:57:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what relief provisions will be included in the invitation to tender for the Gourock to Dunoon ferry route when the service is disrupted due to adverse weather conditions.","AnswerText":"This information will be included in the Gourock to Dunoon invitation to tender documents.","AnswerDate":"2015-04-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-04-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302291,"EventID":"S4W-25153","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2066,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-30T13:40:10.39","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-27T16:57:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether the new passenger ferry berth in Gourock complies with all applicable accessibility legislation.","AnswerText":"The port facilities at Gourock enable the provision of an accessible ferry service.\r\nHowever, the replacement infrastructure for ‘the Kilcreggan steps’ which consists of six platforms set at various levels to provide pedestrian access to passenger ferries at all states of tide by their nature cannot provide full compliance with the Equality Act 2010. \r\nCaledonian Maritime Assets Ltd (CMAL) has overseen development of a design which as far as is practicable is in compliance with the requirements of the Equality Act 2010. This has been achieved by provision of a pedestrian route from the ferry terminal building onto Platform 4 of the new structure via a shore connection platform, which has been designed and constructed to be as level as possible. Where slopes in existing walkways are unavoidable, these have been modified to ensure there are only short lengths of gradients less than 1 in 12.\r\nAccess to the upper or lower platforms is only possible by a short run of steps, however, these have been designed to be as user friendly as possible and have high visibility markings across the leading edge of each step and hand rails. If passengers require assistance to access these platforms, this will be provided by either port or vessel staff, as is the case at the existing steps.\r\nIf necessary, the existing linkspan can be used as a means of level access onto vessel gangways at any state of tide.","AnswerDate":"2015-04-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-04-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302292,"EventID":"S4W-25154","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2066,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-30T13:40:11.247","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-27T16:58:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the cost was of the new passenger ferry berth in Gourock.","AnswerText":"The contract is still on-going. However, outturn costs for the new berth steps structure are estimated to be approximately £1.74 million which includes design, supervision, supply of materials and construction.","AnswerDate":"2015-04-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-04-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302293,"EventID":"S4W-25155","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4964,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":119,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-30T13:40:12.073","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-29T22:45:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the uptake of the MMR vaccination has been in each NHS board area in each of last 10 years, expressed as a percentage.","AnswerText":"The first dose of MMR vaccine is routinely given at 12 to 13 months of age and the second dose at around three years four months to five years of age. Uptake rates of one dose of MMR vaccine by 24 months of age and five years of age are shown in Table 1 and Table 2 respectively.\r\nTable 3 shows uptake of two doses of MMR vaccine by six years of age. The national target is 95% uptake of one dose of MMR vaccine by five years of age, with a supplementary measure at 24 months.\r\nTable 1: Percentage uptake of one dose of MMR vaccine by 24 months of age by calendar year:\r\nNHS Board of residence\r\n2005\r\n2006\r\n2007\r\n2008\r\n2009\r\n2010\r\n2011\r\n2012\r\n2013\r\n2014\r\nScotland\r\n89.9\r\n92.1\r\n92.1\r\n92.0\r\n93.6\r\n93.2\r\n94.0\r\n95.0\r\n95.4\r\n95.6\r\nAyrshire and Arran\r\n89.7\r\n93.2\r\n92.7\r\n92.9\r\n93.7\r\n93.8\r\n94.9\r\n96.4\r\n96.9\r\n96.8\r\nBorders\r\n90.6\r\n91.6\r\n93.1\r\n92.4\r\n94.3\r\n94.4\r\n94.7\r\n96.3\r\n97.2\r\n96.4\r\nDumfries and Galloway\r\n94.2\r\n94.8\r\n95.4\r\n95.6\r\n96.5\r\n94.1\r\n96.3\r\n96.0\r\n96.6\r\n97.7\r\nFife\r\n89.6\r\n92.1\r\n92.2\r\n91.7\r\n93.4\r\n91.2\r\n92.5\r\n93.6\r\n95.2\r\n95.4\r\nForth Valley\r\n90.7\r\n92.7\r\n93.4\r\n91.9\r\n93.6\r\n93.1\r\n94.9\r\n95.8\r\n96.1\r\n96.1\r\nGrampian\r\n90.5\r\n92.8\r\n93.3\r\n93.3\r\n94.9\r\n94.9\r\n94.9\r\n95.1\r\n94.9\r\n94.5\r\nGreater Glasgow and Clyde1\r\n89.5\r\n92.2\r\n91.7\r\n91.7\r\n93.0\r\n93.3\r\n93.5\r\n94.8\r\n95.3\r\n95.7\r\nHighland2\r\n83.3\r\n87.1\r\n88.8\r\n88.8\r\n91.1\r\n90.2\r\n92.0\r\n93.3\r\n94.1\r\n93.7\r\nLanarkshire\r\n89.2\r\n90.8\r\n91.3\r\n91.9\r\n94.3\r\n93.5\r\n94.9\r\n95.6\r\n96.2\r\n96.5\r\nLothian\r\n91.4\r\n93.1\r\n92.3\r\n92.6\r\n94.1\r\n93.6\r\n93.7\r\n95.0\r\n95.3\r\n95.1\r\nOrkney3\r\n84.2\r\n84.4\r\n84.8\r\n84.6\r\n90.5\r\n94.2\r\n91.6\r\n93.0\r\n93.3\r\n92.5\r\nShetland3\r\n78.1\r\n84.6\r\n84.7\r\n84.5\r\n86.6\r\n86.1\r\n88.9\r\n89.8\r\n92.0\r\n89.5\r\nTayside\r\n91.3\r\n93.2\r\n92.4\r\n91.6\r\n92.6\r\n93.2\r\n93.7\r\n95.4\r\n94.8\r\n95.8\r\nWestern Isles3\r\n86.8\r\n88.9\r\n94.6\r\n91.2\r\n94.2\r\n94.1\r\n97.0\r\n94.8\r\n95.4\r\n97.2\r\nSource: Scottish Immunisation and Recall System, February 2015, ISD Scotland\r\nGreater Glasgow and Clyde data for 2005 relate to the former NHS Greater Glasgow health board boundary prior to 1 April 2006 and therefore do not include the area inherited from the former NHS Argyll and Clyde on 1 April 2006.\r\nHighland data for 2005 relate to the NHS Highland boundary prior to 1 April 2006 and therefore do not include the area inherited from the former NHS Argyll and Clyde on 1 April 2006.\r\nThe rates for Orkney, Shetland and Western Isles are based on small populations and therefore may fluctuate from year to year.\r\n\r\nTable 2: Percentage uptake of one dose of MMR vaccine by five years of age by calendar year1:\r\nNHS Board of residence\r\n2006\r\n2007\r\n2008\r\n2009\r\n2010\r\n2011\r\n2012\r\n2013\r\n2014\r\nScotland\r\n93.8\r\n94.4\r\n94.9\r\n96.1\r\n96.0\r\n96.4\r\n96.9\r\n97.1\r\n97.3\r\nAyrshire and Arran\r\n93.9\r\n94.9\r\n95.9\r\n96.8\r\n96.9\r\n97.2\r\n97.6\r\n98.2\r\n98.2\r\nBorders\r\n94.6\r\n94.2\r\n95.5\r\n96.3\r\n96.4\r\n97.3\r\n97.4\r\n97.4\r\n97.4\r\nDumfries and Galloway\r\n95.5\r\n97.2\r\n96.9\r\n98.1\r\n97.3\r\n97.6\r\n98.1\r\n97.8\r\n98.0\r\nFife\r\n94.4\r\n95.1\r\n95.2\r\n96.6\r\n96.2\r\n96.4\r\n96.7\r\n97.1\r\n97.5\r\nForth Valley\r\n94.4\r\n95.4\r\n95.6\r\n96.7\r\n97.0\r\n96.8\r\n96.7\r\n97.7\r\n98.3\r\nGrampian\r\n94.4\r\n95.0\r\n95.3\r\n95.7\r\n96.0\r\n96.4\r\n97.1\r\n96.6\r\n97.1\r\nGreater Glasgow and Clyde\r\n94.1\r\n94.0\r\n95.2\r\n96.3\r\n95.9\r\n96.2\r\n96.7\r\n97.0\r\n97.0\r\nHighland\r\n90.6\r\n92.8\r\n93.1\r\n94.0\r\n94.2\r\n95.6\r\n96.5\r\n96.0\r\n96.2\r\nLanarkshire\r\n93.2\r\n93.9\r\n94.4\r\n95.6\r\n95.9\r\n96.5\r\n96.8\r\n96.8\r\n97.4\r\nLothian\r\n93.9\r\n94.3\r\n94.8\r\n96.3\r\n96.2\r\n96.3\r\n96.9\r\n97.1\r\n97.1\r\nOrkney2\r\n91.9\r\n93.3\r\n86.6\r\n96.0\r\n96.1\r\n95.7\r\n95.9\r\n96.4\r\n94.6\r\nShetland2\r\n86.2\r\n91.9\r\n92.7\r\n95.5\r\n91.7\r\n93.3\r\n95.6\r\n93.2\r\n95.8\r\nTayside\r\n94.3\r\n94.0\r\n94.6\r\n96.2\r\n96.0\r\n96.0\r\n96.7\r\n97.1\r\n97.3\r\nWestern Isles2\r\n94.0\r\n96.4\r\n91.7\r\n94.6\r\n96.1\r\n95.9\r\n96.5\r\n97.8\r\n98.3\r\nSource: Scottish Immunisation and Recall System, February 2015, ISD Scotland\r\nVaccine uptake rates by five years of age have been monitored since 2006 and therefore figures are not available for 2005.\r\nThe rates for Orkney, Shetland and Western Isles are based on small populations and therefore may fluctuate from year to year.\r\n\r\nTable 3: Percentage uptake of two doses of MMR vaccine by six years of age by calendar year\r\nNHS Board of residence\r","AnswerDate":"2015-04-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-04-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302294,"EventID":"S4W-25156","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4964,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":119,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-30T13:40:12.807","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-29T22:45:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what guidance it has issued to NHS boards on promoting the importance of childhood vaccinations.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Immunisation Programme is supported by a range of materials and literature (leaflets, posters, educational packs), resources (DVDs, stickers for children), marketing campaigns (eg TV and radio adverts) which highlight the seriousness of the various diseases that the vaccines protect against. This includes the Immunisation Scotland website which provides information for the public.\r\nThis public information is supplemented by professional advice and guidance to NHS boards, including regular letters from the Chief Medical Officer and health protection Scotland vaccination updates.","AnswerDate":"2015-04-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-04-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302295,"EventID":"S4W-25157","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4964,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":119,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-30T13:40:13.433","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-29T22:45:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what guidance it has issued to NHS boards on how to respond to parental refusal to have a child vaccinated.","AnswerText":"Staff involved in vaccination programmes are trained to answer any questions that parents may have. The Scottish Immunisation Programme also provides a range of materials and information sources which can enable informed discussion/decisions about whether or not to vaccinate. Ultimately however the decision whether or not to vaccinate is for the parent and the NHS will respect the right not to vaccinate.\r\nData in Scotland shows very high levels of uptake of childhood vaccines - > 95%.","AnswerDate":"2015-04-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-04-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302296,"EventID":"S4W-25158","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1759,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-30T13:40:14.103","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-30T10:37:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-24766 by Aileen McLeod on 17 March 2015, whether it will provide an overall analysis of data contained in the reports by public bodies.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is commissioning a research project which will review the reporting mechanism and the submitted reports and also prepare updated guidance for the next reporting period. This project will be launched later in 2015.","AnswerDate":"2015-04-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-04-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen McLeod","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302297,"EventID":"S4W-25159","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1759,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-30T13:40:14.743","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-30T10:38:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-24768 by Aileen McLeod on 17 March 2015, whether it will add the names of the public bodies that have not notified it of the publication of a report alongside details of the published reports on its website.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has published the names of public bodies which have notified us of the publication of their biodiversity duty report. This is available on the Biodiversity Scotland website and includes a link to each report. We do not plan to add the names of those who have not notified the Scottish Government.","AnswerDate":"2015-04-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-04-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen McLeod","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302298,"EventID":"S4W-25160","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1759,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-30T13:40:15.35","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-30T10:38:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-24766 by Aileen McLeod on 17 March 2015, what action it will take to advise public bodies that have not published a report that they are in breach of a statutory obligation, and how it will encourage them to comply with the obligation.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government will write to all public bodies who have not advised us of the publication of a report to ask them to forward the relevant website link to us, following which the Biodiversity Scotland website will be updated. In addition, the Scottish Government is commissioning a research project which will review the reporting mechanism and the submitted reports and also prepare updated guidance for the next reporting period. This project will be launched later in 2015.","AnswerDate":"2015-04-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-04-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen McLeod","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302299,"EventID":"S4W-25161","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1759,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-30T13:40:15.96","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-30T10:38:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-24769 by Aileen McLeod on 17 March 2015, what guidance public bodies were given as to the completion and publication of biodiversity compliance reports; when the guidance was issued, and which public bodies were sent the guidance.","AnswerText":"The Public Bodies Unit of the Scottish Government included guidance regarding the completion and publication of biodiversity compliance reports in their Public Bodies Information Update 118 which was issued in September 2014. Local authorities were reminded of the duty in a letter to chief executives sent in November 2014. Guidance regarding the reporting requirements is also available on the Biodiversity Scotland webpage.","AnswerDate":"2015-04-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-04-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen McLeod","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302300,"EventID":"S4T-00987","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":9,"MSPID":5034,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-30T12:32:37.457","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-30T11:19:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government for what reason there has been a reported 300% rise in the number of NHS patients treated in private hospitals.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-31T00:00:00","MeetingDate":"2015-03-31T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302301,"EventID":"S4T-00988","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":9,"MSPID":2117,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-30T12:32:38.017","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-30T11:48:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what discussions took place between the Scottish Funding Council and the University of Aberdeen before the announcement of a £10.5 million budget reduction and the loss of 150 jobs.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-03-31T00:00:00","MeetingDate":"2015-03-31T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302302,"EventID":"S4F-02713","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":5009,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-30T12:34:02.02","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-26T12:39:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister what issues will be discussed at the next meeting of the Cabinet.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-04-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":"2015-04-02T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302303,"EventID":"S4F-02714","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":2123,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":103,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-30T12:34:02.52","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-30T07:52:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister what services will be supported by the recently announced £20 million to help tackle domestic abuse. ","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-04-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":"2015-04-02T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302304,"EventID":"S4F-02715","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":4976,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-30T12:34:03.11","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-30T09:14:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister when she will next meet the Secretary of State for Scotland.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-04-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":"2015-04-02T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302305,"EventID":"S4F-02718","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":3812,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-30T12:34:04.78","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-30T09:30:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister what engagements she has planned for the rest of the day.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-04-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":"2015-04-02T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302306,"EventID":"S4F-02722","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":2394,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-30T12:34:08.027","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-30T10:57:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister whether the Scottish Government respects the right of broadcasters such as the BBC to be free from political interference.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-04-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":"2015-04-02T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302307,"EventID":"S4F-02727","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":4955,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":105,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-30T12:34:11.567","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-30T11:39:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister what steps the Scottish Government is taking to protect babies from meningitis B.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-04-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":"2015-04-02T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302308,"EventID":"S4W-25166","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-30T16:40:56.28","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-30T12:56:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-24760 by Shona Robison on 17 March 2015, whether GPs can complete their training with no input or experience in mental health.","AnswerText":"No. The training pathway which enables a GP to be entered on the GMC’s list of registered general practitioners is through the accumulation of awareness and competencies across very broad training curricula.\r\nIn terms of mental health, three essential requirements must be demonstrated by trainees to show that they can apply the core competencies in a real life work setting: i) contextual (e.g. legal issues, continuity of care, and others); ii) attitudinal (e.g. how own beliefs and value systems may influence interactions with patients); and iii) scientific (e.g. the evidence base for the care of people with mental health problems and learning disability).\r\nThese competencies are regularly assessed throughout the training pathway and unless the trainees are assessed as having required the competencies to a satisfactory standard, they will not be able to receive their Certificate of Completion of Training.","AnswerDate":"2015-04-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-04-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302309,"EventID":"S4W-25167","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2059,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":91,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-30T16:41:00.153","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-30T13:49:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much financial support it received from the EU in respect of the Glasgow Airport Rail Link project; how much of that funding was spent, and what the terms and conditions for repayment were.","AnswerText":"In January 2007, the European Commission under the TEN-T budget agreed to provide Strathclyde Partnership for Transport (SPT) with financial aid of 1,700,000 to facilitate design and preparatory works necessary for the Glasgow Airport Rail Link project to be developed to Network Rail’s Guide to Railway Investment Projects Stage 4.\r\nThe initial payment of 850,000 was made to SPT. All of the works to which the award related were completed by May 2010 and the final payment of 850,000 was made to Scottish Ministers/Transport Scotland.\r\nThe entire funding award was spent on the Glasgow Airport Rail Link project.\r\nThe terms and conditions of the award made provision that had the works, to which the funding related, not have been completed within 10 years of the date of award, reimbursement could have been demanded.","AnswerDate":"2015-04-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-04-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302310,"EventID":"S4W-25168","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2059,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":91,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-30T16:41:00.773","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-30T13:49:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will transfer any outstanding EU funding relating to the Glasgow Airport Rail Link project to the City Deal programme.","AnswerText":"In January 2007, the European Commission under the TEN-T budget agreed to provide Strathclyde Partnership for Transport (SPT) with financial aid of 1,700,000 to facilitate design and preparatory works necessary for the Glasgow Airport Rail Link project to be developed to Network Rail’s Guide to Railway Investment Projects (GRIP) Stage 4.\r\nThe initial payment of 850,000 was made to SPT. All of the works to which the award related were completed by May 2010 and the final payment of 850,000 was made to Scottish Ministers/Transport Scotland.\r\nThe entire funding award was spent on the Glasgow Airport Rail Link project.","AnswerDate":"2015-04-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-04-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302311,"EventID":"S4W-25169","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1853,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":86,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-30T16:41:01.337","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-30T16:14:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what progress has been made regarding the establishment of a film studio for Scotland.","AnswerText":"As I stated at my evidence session at the Economy, Energy and Tourism Committee on 4 February 2015, Scottish Enterprise have received a new proposal to provide studio infrastructure for Scotland. This proposal is currently subject to due diligence to determine its viability and is ‘commercial in confidence’ at present.","AnswerDate":"2015-04-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-04-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fiona Hyslop","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302312,"EventID":"S4W-25170","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1853,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":86,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-30T16:41:02.137","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-30T16:14:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it monitors the number of Scottish film production companies that have benefitted from the high-end TV tax credit introduced by the UK Government.","AnswerText":"No, we do not monitor this information and there is no way to break it down from UK level to either Scottish or individual production company level.","AnswerDate":"2015-04-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-04-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fiona Hyslop","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302313,"EventID":"S4W-25171","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1853,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":86,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-30T16:41:02.98","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-30T16:14:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it has a preferred site for a future film studio.","AnswerText":"No. We are considering the bid recently received by Scottish Enterprise but continue to be open to any new proposals from the private sector in the short term to provide studio infrastructure in Scotland. Any new proposal would be assessed on individual merit, on the criteria we have set out and which does not expect 100% public sector funding.","AnswerDate":"2015-04-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-04-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fiona Hyslop","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302314,"EventID":"S4W-25172","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1853,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":86,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-30T16:41:03.887","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-30T16:14:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many (a) private hire and (b) taxi operators have been prosecuted for licence violations in each of the last five years, broken down by local authority.","AnswerText":"The available information on persons proceeded against for private hire and taxi licence offences is given in the following table. Please note it is not possible to fully disaggregate licence violations for taxi operators and private hire operators.\r\nPersons proceeded against in Scottish courts for taxi/private hire licence offences1 under the Civic Government (Scotland) Act 19822,3, 2009-10 to 2013-14\r\nLocal Authority3\r\n2009-10\r\n2010-11\r\n2011-12\r\n2012-13\r\n2013-14\r\nAberdeen City\r\n1\r\n1\r\n-\r\n1\r\n-\r\nAberdeenshire\r\n1\r\n-\r\n1\r\n-\r\n-\r\nArgyll and Bute\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n1\r\nClackmannanshire\r\n2\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\nDumfries and Galloway\r\n-\r\n-\r\n1\r\n1\r\n-\r\nEast Ayrshire\r\n1\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n1\r\nEdinburgh, City of\r\n2\r\n1\r\n1\r\n-\r\n-\r\nFife\r\n2\r\n1\r\n1\r\n-\r\n1\r\nGlasgow City\r\n10\r\n18\r\n4\r\n5\r\n5\r\nInverclyde\r\n1\r\n2\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\nMoray\r\n1\r\n1\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\nNorth Ayrshire\r\n1\r\n3\r\n-\r\n1\r\n-\r\nNorth Lanarkshire\r\n1\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\nPerth and Kinross\r\n-\r\n-\r\n1\r\n-\r\n-\r\nRenfrewshire\r\n-\r\n1\r\n-\r\n1\r\n-\r\nScottish Borders\r\n-\r\n-\r\n1\r\n-\r\n-\r\nSouth Ayrshire\r\n1\r\n2\r\n-\r\n1\r\n1\r\nSouth Lanarkshire\r\n1\r\n2\r\n2\r\n1\r\n1\r\nStirling\r\n-\r\n1\r\n-\r\n1\r\n1\r\nWest Dunbartonshire\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n1\r\n-\r\nTotal\r\n25\r\n33\r\n12\r\n13\r\n11\r\n1. Where main offence.\r\n2. Relating to sections 7(1), 21(1)(A)&(B) and 21(4)\r\n3. Incorporates an approximate mapping of sheriff courts into local authority areas.  Some sheriff courts will deal with cases from more than one local authority area. Some local authority areas, including East Dunbartonshire, East Renfrewshire, Midlothian and North Ayrshire, do not contain a sheriff court.\r\nSource: Scottish Government Criminal Proceedings Database.","AnswerDate":"2015-04-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-04-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302315,"EventID":"S4W-25173","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1853,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":86,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-30T16:41:04.8","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-30T16:14:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to review the legislation governing the operation of private hire cars and taxis.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government undertook a detailed consultation on proposals for change to taxis and private hire car licensing between 28 November 2012 and 15 March 2013. The responses to the consultation (http://www.gov.scot/Publications/2013/09/2230) informed the provisions within the current Air Weapons and Licensing (Scotland) Bill. The Scottish Government also intends to take forward specific work to consider the impact of technology such as smartphone apps, as well as reviewing the guidance to allow the sharing of best practice at local authority level.\r\n\r\nNo further review is planned but the Scottish Government will continue to engage with stakeholders on a regular basis and respond to emerging issues.","AnswerDate":"2015-04-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-04-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302330,"EventID":"S4W-25182","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2135,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":92,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-31T13:45:32.53","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-31T08:46:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what decisions it has made regarding the allocation of the primary care development fund announced by the Cabinet Secretary for Health, Wellbeing and Sport on 4 November 2014.","AnswerText":"The funding will be invested in supporting primary care, and we have been discussing the best use of this with a number of partners. An announcement will be made in the near future.","AnswerDate":"2015-04-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-04-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302331,"EventID":"S4W-25183","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4939,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":78,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-31T13:45:33.183","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-31T09:56:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the timescale is for the proposed review of the trade and importation of exotic animals for the pet trade in Scotland. ","AnswerText":"As noted in the Scottish Government news release on 16 February 2015, the review of the importation and trade of exotic animals for the pet trade is part of a wider review of pet welfare, which is a substantial and on-going piece of work.\r\nStakeholder meetings to discuss the issue of exotic pets are being planned and we expect them to take place over the next few months. These will feed into the wider work being conducted on a range of pet welfare issues.\r\nOnce initial considerations of pet welfare are complete, we will discuss how best to proceed with stakeholders. Any new or revised legislation would, of course, be preceded by full public consultation.","AnswerDate":"2015-04-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-04-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Richard Lochhead","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302332,"EventID":"S4W-25184","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-31T13:45:33.9","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-31T10:38:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with Highlands and Islands Airports Limited (HIAL) regarding the planned strike action at HIAL airports on 7 April 2015.","AnswerText":"The Highlands and Islands Airports Limited management team have kept the Scottish Government informed of the discussions it has had with the Prospect Union in relation to the planned industrial action. They have also informed us of the robust contingency arrangements that they have put in place to minimise the impact of the industrial action on services.","AnswerDate":"2015-04-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-04-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302333,"EventID":"S4W-25190","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5556,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":111,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-31T13:45:34.777","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-31T12:32:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to protect hospitality apprenticeships from the impact of the reduction in Skills Development Scotland’s budget.","AnswerText":"Government funding for modern apprenticeships (MA) is a contribution towards the cost of training the apprentice with employers retaining liability for the apprentice’s wages as well as any balance of training costs. Having co-invested in the development of their employees, it is in employers’ best interests to retain apprentices on completion of their training in order to recoup on that investment.\r\nThe changes to MA contribution rates are not as a result of any reduction in Skills Development Scotland’s (SDS) budget, but so that contribution rates offered will be fair and reflective of the complexity of the MA framework and the input from the learning provider.\r\nSDS intend to implement revised contribution rates across all MA frameworks, however in recognition of the impact that this would have on the market for training provision, a phased implementation has been developed over a five year period.","AnswerDate":"2015-04-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-04-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Roseanna Cunningham","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302334,"EventID":"S4W-25191","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5556,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":111,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-31T13:45:35.307","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-31T12:50:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it will provide substantive answers to questions S4W-24696, S4W-24697, S4W-24698 and S4W-24699 regarding its position on underground coal gasification, which received holding answers on 13 March 2015.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-24475 on 8 October 2015. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.","AnswerDate":"2015-10-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-04-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302335,"EventID":"S4W-25192","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5556,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":111,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-31T13:45:35.93","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-31T12:50:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will extend the moratorium on fracking to include underground coal gasification.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-24475 on 8 October 2015. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.","AnswerDate":"2015-10-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-04-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302356,"EventID":"S4W-25194","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-31T17:11:33.61","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-31T14:07:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many appeals to the Directorate for Planning and Environmental Appeals have been recalled by ministers in each year since 2007, broken down by the nature of application, and how many applications were subsequently granted permission to continue.","AnswerText":"Scottish Ministers have recalled 42 appeals for their own decision since 1 January 2007. Of these appeals, 16 have been allowed and two appeals are minded to be allowed subject to appropriate legal agreements being reached between the appellants and the planning authority following issue of an intentions notice. Of the rest, eight have been dismissed, seven have been withdrawn, two are on hold, two are currently being considered by Scottish Ministers, and two are still being considered by reporters from the Directorate for Planning and Environmental Appeals.\r\nThe individual cases are listed.\r\nAppeals received since 1 January 2007 and recalled for ministerial decision\r\nCase Reference\r\nDate Case Received\r\nCase Detail\r\nSite Address\r\nCurrent Status\r\nDecision Description\r\nPPA-270-444\r\n08-01-2007\r\nNew 400-275 kV substation extension to west of existing substation thereto, new 400-275 kV substation building\r\nBeauly Substation, Wester Balblair, Beauly\r\nWithdrawn\r\nWithdrawn\r\nPPA-310-150\r\n23-01-2007\r\nErection of class 1 retail unit with associated car parking, landscaping and access road\r\n2 Kilwinning Road, Dalry\r\nDecision issued\r\nAppeal allowed \r\nPPA-110-625\r\n15-02-2007\r\nRedevelopment of residential institution to hotel conference centre, 281 dwellings, holiday accommodation and more\r\nBlairs College, Blairs\r\nWithdrawn\r\nWithdrawn\r\nPPA-270-459\r\n03-04-2007\r\nDemolition of existing buildings and the erection of a (class 1) retail store, petrol station, parking and associated works\r\nThurso Auction Mart, Ormlie Road, Thurso, KW14 7DW\r\nDecision issued\r\nAppeal allowed \r\nPPA-250-687\r\n27-04-2007\r\nOutline planning permission for residential development\r\n26 Ridge Way, Hillend and Donibristle, Dunfermline, Fife\r\nDecision issued\r\nAppeal allowed \r\nPPA-270-468\r\n31-05-2007\r\nErection of foodstore and related means of access, parking and servicing arrangements\r\nLand at Morangie Road, Tain, Highland\r\nWithdrawn\r\nWithdrawn\r\nPPA-310-159\r\n26-06-2007\r\nWindfarm development consisting of 19 wind turbines (max height 100m), each with capacity of 2.0MW and site infrastructure\r\nSite at Green Hill, Kelburn Estate, Fairlie, Largs, Ayrshire\r\nDecision issued\r\nAppeal allowed \r\nPPA-230-951\r\n31-08-2007\r\nProposed car parking\r\n50 Fairview Road, Edinburgh EH28 8NB\r\nDecision issued\r\nAppeal dismissed \r\nPPA-320-285\r\n04-09-2007\r\nFormation of a country park, construction of 11 dwellinghouses, associated buildings to accommodate rural uses\r\nStaylee Farm (off Hulks Road) Riggend, Airdrie, Lanarkshire Ml6 7SS\r\nWithdrawn\r\nWithdrawn\r\nPPA-370-268\r\n20-09-2007\r\nOpportunity for extension to retail park\r\nLand to north of Liberator Drive, Ayr, South Ayrshire\r\nWithdrawn\r\nWithdrawn\r\nPPA-270-517\r\n27-11-2007\r\nVariation of condition numbers 2 and 20 and deletion of condition numbers 3 and 4 of outline planning permission number 06-00521-outlo\r\nSouth side of Alcan Site Entrance, North Road, Fort William\r\nDecision issued\r\nAppeal allowed \r\nPPA-130-204\r\n21-01-2008\r\nSite for erection of five dwelling houses\r\nLand south west of Allt-Na-Craig, Tarbert Road, Ardrishaig, Lochgilpead, Argyll And Bute\r\nDecision issued\r\nAppeal dismissed \r\nPPA-270-533\r\n12-02-2008\r\nExtension to electricity substation with associated access road, new substation building and new static VAR compensator building\r\nBeauly Grid Substation, Wester Balblair, Beauly, Inverness-shire\r\nDecision issued\r\nAppeal allowed \r\nPPA-130-209\r\n20-02-2008\r\nErection of windfarm consisting of 14 turbines and ancillary development\r\nCorlarach Hill, east of Glen Fyne, Bullwood Road, Dunoon, Argyll\r\nDecision issued\r\nAppeal dismissed \r\nPPA-380-409\r\n07-04-2008\r\nResidential development (in outline)\r\nAirdrie Road, Carluke, Lanarkshire, ML8 5EW\r\nDecision issued\r\nAppeal dismissed \r\nPPA-130-214\r\n16-05-2008\r\nInstallation of 16 wind turbine generators and associated equipment and works\r\nBlack Craig, Glenstriven Estate, Toward\r\nDecision issued\r\nAppeal dismissed \r\nPPA-340-685\r\n19-06-2008\r\nFormation of a 14 turbine wind farm, substation, construction compound, borrow p","AnswerDate":"2015-04-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-04-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302357,"EventID":"S4W-25195","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-31T17:11:34.797","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-31T14:07:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what information it has on the level of landfill tax (a) evasion and (b) avoidance in Scotland, and what the estimate is for each of the next four years.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government does not hold this information. Landfill tax in Scotland, prior to 1 April 2015, was reserved to the UK Government and collected and administered by Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs. The Scottish Government will work with the Scottish Environment Protection Agency and Revenue Scotland to monitor Scottish Landfill Tax evasion through purposefully incorrect tax returns and unauthorised disposals of waste.\r\nThe Scottish Government has created robust measures in legislation, through the Landfill Tax (Scotland) Act 2014, to tax unauthorised disposals of waste. Given the nature of the activity the Scottish Government does not produce forecasts of potential future unauthorised disposals.\r\nWe have also aligned the accounting periods for tax and environmental permitting returns allowing Revenue Scotland to cross reference information from both regimes which should allow for easier identification of on-site landfill tax evasion.","AnswerDate":"2015-04-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-04-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302358,"EventID":"S4W-25196","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-31T17:11:35.5","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-31T14:07:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many enforcement officers with the sole remit of tackling landfill tax evasion will be required; how many are in place, and what plans it has to recruit additional officers.","AnswerText":"This is an operational matter for Revenue Scotland. I have asked the chief executive to write to you.","AnswerDate":"2015-04-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-04-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302359,"EventID":"S4W-25198","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-31T17:11:36.327","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-31T14:07:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what information it has regarding how many (a) prosecutions and (b) convictions there have been in Scotland for landfill tax evasion in each year since 2007.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government does not hold this information. Landfill tax in Scotland, prior to 1 April 2015, was reserved to the UK Government and collected and administered by Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs.","AnswerDate":"2015-04-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-04-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302360,"EventID":"S4W-25199","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-31T17:11:37.013","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-31T14:07:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what consideration it has given to improving the transparency and accuracy of medical notes on patients by the medical profession.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government considers increased transparency as an important way of improving the accuracy of patient records. There are already some condition-specific NHS Scotland services that give patients an opportunity to access particular information online and then feed-back potential errors for the healthcare team to correct. As part of the 2020 Vision it is planned to extend this, so that all patients in Scotland can access a set of services that includes online access to specific medical information that is of value to them.","AnswerDate":"2015-04-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-04-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302361,"EventID":"S4W-25200","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-31T17:11:37.683","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-31T14:07:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how NHS boards ensure that medical notes put on patients files are approved by the patient prior to appearing on computerised or manual systems.","AnswerText":"An important part of the eHealth Strategy is ensuring that patients have maximum opportunity to contribute information to the health care team and are able to access as much of their own information as possible. But ultimately it is down to the clinician – trained as a professional to record data in a manner that enables quality care to be delivered and patient safety to be maintained – to carry out this function on behalf of and in consultation with the patient. Where a factual error is identified, this needs to be corrected in accordance with the Data Protection Act 1998.","AnswerDate":"2015-04-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-04-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302362,"EventID":"S4W-25202","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-31T17:11:38.37","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-31T14:07:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on the adoption of new technology to ensure that transparent and accurate medical notes on patients and a fair record of meetings with them are taken by the medical profession.","AnswerText":"GPs already routinely input relevant patient information gathered during consultations straight onto nationally approved digital applications in the practice; clinicians in a community or hospital context input data gathered from patient meetings in a structured manner onto either digital or paper-based recording systems. All staff need to comply with the Data Protection Act 1998 and ensure that data is accurate and up-to-date regardless of whether they are using ICT or paper. The Scottish Government, via its eHealth Strategy, is ensuring that paper-based processes are being replaced with digital applications with suitable audit trails and increased uptake of mobile devices so that data is more able to be kept accurate and up-to-date.","AnswerDate":"2015-04-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-04-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302363,"EventID":"S4W-25203","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-31T17:11:39.057","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-31T14:07:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government for what reason it has proposed reducing the funding arrangements for some modern apprenticeship training providers; what sector-by-sector analysis it has carried of the potential impact of this; which sectors will no longer be in a position to provide their current level of service; what specific impact this will have on the hospitality and tourism sector, and what support it will provide to the sectors affected.","AnswerText":"Funding for the modern apprenticeship programme in Scotland is an operational matter for Skills Development Scotland (SDS). I have asked the Chief Executive of SDS to write to you with the information you have requested.","AnswerDate":"2015-04-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-04-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Roseanna Cunningham","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302364,"EventID":"S4W-25207","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3806,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-31T17:11:39.773","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-31T14:50:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-24976 by Margaret Burgess on 27 March 2015, whether there is provision in the current contract to allow a speedy handover if a new agent is appointed and how long it will take before a new managing agent will be able to (a) take referrals and (b) begin installations.","AnswerText":"Whilst the new scheme has taken on board lessons learnt and best practice from the energy assistance scheme, it is sufficiently different that any handover from the current contract will be minimal. However, the new managing agent will require time to mobilise and build capacity within their supply chain. Therefore we expect referrals to begin in late summer 2015 and for installations to follow within the timescales specified by the contract. In the intervening period, support is available for people looking to improve the energy efficiency of their home through our Home Energy Efficiency Programmes for Scotland and I would encourage them to call the Home Energy Scotland hotline on 0808 808 2282.","AnswerDate":"2015-04-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-04-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Burgess","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302365,"EventID":"S4W-25211","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5106,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":118,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-31T17:11:40.57","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-31T15:16:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what role Historic Scotland plays in ensuring that proposed new developments do not hide, encroach on or have other negative impacts on buildings or sites of historic importance.","AnswerText":"Historic Scotland has a role as statutory consultee in the planning system. It is the Scottish Government’s executive agency tasked with providing advice and guidance to planning authorities, developers and others on potential impacts of development on the historic environment. This role can include advising on new development affecting the setting of buildings or sites of historic importance.\r\nIn its role as a statutory consultee, Historic Scotland provides advice to local planning authorities on the impacts of change in the historic environment. Historic Scotland can formally object to a planning application if it considers that the new development would have a serious adverse impact on nationally important category A-listed buildings, scheduled monuments, sites on the Inventory of Historic Battlefields and Inventory of Gardens and Designed Landscapes, and the outstanding universal value of World Heritage Sites. This can either be an adverse impact directly on the building, monument or site, or on its setting, or both. An objection must be lodged at the consultation stage, prior to the planning authority determining the planning application. If the planning authority then decides to grant planning permission, while there remains an objection from Historic Scotland, the application must be notified to the Scottish Ministers (other than for inventory gardens and designed landscapes) to consider whether or not to call in the application for their own determination.","AnswerDate":"2015-04-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-04-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fiona Hyslop","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302366,"EventID":"S4W-25212","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5106,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":118,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-31T17:11:41.333","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-31T15:16:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what guidance Historic Scotland follows in deciding whether a proposed new development hides, encroaches on or has other negative impacts on buildings or sites of historic importance.","AnswerText":"The guidance followed is set out in Historic Scotland’s ‘Managing Change in the Historic Environment’ guidance series. This guidance is also for use by planning authorities and other interested parties. It includes guidance on setting, providing advice on the principles that apply to assessing developments that impact on the setting of heritage sites, including key viewpoints, and assessment of the impact of change on the setting.\r\nThe guidance is available on Historic Scotland’s website at: http://www.historic-scotland.gov.uk/managingchange.","AnswerDate":"2015-04-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-04-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fiona Hyslop","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302367,"EventID":"S4W-25213","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5106,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":118,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-31T17:11:42.083","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-31T15:16:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to introduce legislation to ensure that proposed new developments do not hide, encroach on or have other negative impacts on buildings or sites of historic importance.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has no current plans to introduce legislation in this regard. The current legislation is:\r\nHistoric Environment Scotland Act 2014\r\nHistoric Environment Amendment (Scotland) Act 2011\r\nPlanning (Historic Building and Conservation Areas)(Scotland) Act 1997\r\nThe Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Areas Act 1979 (UK legislation)\r\nPlanning legislation, as set out in the Town and Country Planning (Scotland) Act 1997 and the Planning etc. (Scotland) Act 2006, requires that all planning applications developments are determined in accordance with the development plan unless material considerations indicate otherwise. Scottish Planning Policy sets out that the siting and design of development should take account of all aspects of the historic environment.","AnswerDate":"2015-04-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-04-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fiona Hyslop","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302368,"EventID":"S4W-25193","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2015-03-31T17:10:07.78","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-31T13:56:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether the Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice, Communities and Pensioners’ Rights' decision to brief The National newspaper on 31 March 2015 on the contents of a Cabinet paper represents routine practice or was a one-off action, and what the reasons are for its position on this matter.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has made very clear its commitment to achieving social justice by building a fairer Scotland and tackling inequalities; including in the Programme for Government, published 26 November 2014. As shown within the Programme for Government, and as I set out in my interview with The National newspaper, the efforts to create a more socially just Scotland are dependent on a range of interlinked policies that are discussed regularly at Cabinet and reflect the importance of the issue to the Scottish Government.","AnswerDate":"2015-04-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-04-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302369,"EventID":"S4W-25214","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":2,"MSPID":3129,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":83,"ApprovedDate":"2015-04-01T09:40:31.197","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-04-01T09:30:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide the names of the special advisers in post; what their responsibilities are; what their pay bands are; how many special advisers are in each pay band, and what the total salary cost of employing special advisers was in 2013-14.","AnswerText":"Special Advisers are appointed in accordance with Part 1 of the Constitutional Reform and Governance Act 2010 by the First Minister as a special adviser for the purpose of providing assistance to the Scottish Ministers.\r\nThe *total costs of the special adviser team of 14 special advisers employed during the financial year 2013-14 was £1,022,396.\r\nFollowing the change in First Minister 11 special advisers remained in post. With the appointment of Jeanette Campbell and Kate Higgins on 1 April 2015, there are currently 13 special advisers. The special advisers and their specific responsibilities are as follows:\r\nName\r\nRole\r\nAppointed\r\nLiz Lloyd\r\nChief of Staff to the First Minister including the co-ordination of the Special Adviser team \r\nSenior Special Adviser on the Constitution\r\nResponsible for the First Minister’s Strategic programme in Government  \r\nSpecial Adviser for Culture, Europe and External Affairs (temp)\r\n30 January 2012\r\nNoel Dolan\r\nSenior Special Adviser to the First Minister\r\nFMQs, Policy Advice to the First Minister\r\n26 May 2011\r\nStuart Nicolson\r\nHead of Communications Senior Political Spokesperson for the First Minister\r\n26 May 2011\r\nColin McAllister\r\nHead of Policy and Specia Adviser to the Deputy First Minister\r\nSenior Special Adviser for Finance and for Local Government\r\nFMQs, Programme for Government\r\n3 October 2012\r\nCampbell Gunn\r\nDeputy Spokesperson for the First Minister and Communications Adviser\r\n8 July 2013\r\nRoss Ingebrigtsen\r\nDeputy Spokesperson for the First Minister and Communications Adviser\r\nStrategic communications planning\r\n20 January 2014\r\nAlexander Anderson\r\nSpecial Adviser for Infrastructure, Investment and the Cities and for Rural Affairs, Food and Environment, Climate Change and Land Reform\r\n8 October 2012\r\nMalcolm Fleming\r\nSenior Special Adviser for Energy, Enterprise and Tourism and for Fair Work, Skills and Training\r\n25 July 2011\r\nJohn MacInnes\r\nPolitical and Media Research \r\nSupport for First Minister’s QuestionsSupport to Communications Special Advisers\r\n3 June  2011\r\nDavie Hutchison\r\nSpecial Adviser for Health, Wellbeing and Sport\r\nFoI Legislation lead\r\n8 June 2011\r\nJohn McFarlane\r\nSpecial Adviser for Justice\r\nParliamentary Business including liaison with the Parliamentary Group\r\n26 May 2011\r\nJeanette Campbell\r\nSpecial Adviser for Social Justice, Communities and Pensioners’ Rights\r\n1 April 2015\r\nKate Higgins\r\nSpecial Adviser for Education and Lifelong Learning\r\n1 April 2015\r\n\r\nThe special adviser pay bands and ranges and the number of special advisers within each pay band currently in place are:\r\nPay Band\r\nCurrent Pay Range\r\nNumber of Special Advisers\r\n1\r\n£39,445 - £52,904\r\n9\r\n2\r\n£51,041 - £67,709\r\n1\r\n3\r\n£65,017 - £83,963\r\n3\r\n3 (premium)\r\n£83,549 - £100,942\r\n0\r\n4\r\n£86,965 - £104,462\r\n0\r\n*Total Costs include salary, ERNIC and employer pension contributions. Total costs figures have been converted into 2015-16 prices to adjust for inflation using HM Treasury GDP deflators, as at 18 March 2015. The total costs figure for 2014-15 is not yet available.","AnswerDate":"2015-04-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-04-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302370,"EventID":"S4W-25215","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2015-04-01T13:41:18.367","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-04-01T10:30:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its budget is for innovation centres; what it has spent already and over what time period, broken down by centre, and whether it plans to make additional funding available for centres to apply for.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is investing in Innovation Centres through the Scottish Funding Council (SFC), which has committed £124 million of funding for the Innovation Centres programme over six years (2013-19) comprising £110 million of core funding and £14 million to support capital investment. An additional £2 million per annum has also been set aside for postgraduate training places at the Innovation Centres.\r\nAs announced in the Programme for Government, an Innovation Centre challenge fund of £1 million will also be launched in academic year 2015-16. This will support the centres to work together on industrial and societal challenges.\r\nTo date, the SFC has approved £78.5 million of the core funding (out of the £110 million core funding) towards the eight Innovation Centres and this is outlined in the following table:\r\nInnovation Centre\r\nOffer of Grant\r\nCore Funding Awarded over six years (£ million)\r\nSFC Payments to 31 January 2015 (£)\r\nDigital Health Institute\r\nMarch 2013\r\n10.0\r\n2,054,572\r\nCentre for Sensors and Imaging Systems\r\nMarch 2013\r\n10.0\r\n2,070,000\r\nStratified Medicine Scotland\r\nMarch 2013\r\n8.0\r\n2,461,536\r\nIndustrial Biotechnology Innovation Centre\r\nDecember 2013\r\n10.0\r\n1,400,000\r\nOil and Gas Innovation Centre\r\nFebruary 2014\r\n10.6\r\n920,003\r\nScottish Aquaculture Innovation Centre\r\nFebruary 2014\r\n11.1\r\n1,600,000\r\nConstruction Scotland Innovation Centre\r\nMarch 2014\r\n7.5\r\n1,053,625\r\nThe Data Lab\r\nMarch 2014\r\n11.3\r\n865,022\r\nTotal\r\n\r\n78.5\r\n12,424,758\r\nNote: Data was provided by the SFC\r\nInitially, the Innovation Centres have focused on building the necessary and appropriate infrastructure in terms of staff and operating processes. However spend is expected to increase significantly once project activity accelerates.","AnswerDate":"2015-04-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-04-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302371,"EventID":"S4W-25216","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2015-04-01T13:41:19.67","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-04-01T10:30:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the total budget is for each innovation centre, including funding from academic institutions, private enterprise and other major sources.","AnswerText":"The total budget for each Innovation Centre is provided in the following table. It includes indicative funding from the Scottish Funding Council (SFC), academic institutions, private enterprise and other major sources.\r\nInnovation Centres (IC)\r\nSFC funding (£ million)\r\nTotal IC budget (including projected income) – core, capital and project from SFC, public and industry) (£ million)\r\nDigital Health Institute\r\n10.0\r\n33.7\r\nCentre for Sensors and Imaging Systems \r\n10.0\r\n25.1\r\nStratified Medicine Scotland\r\n8.0\r\n23.8\r\nIndustrial Biotechnology Innovation Centre\r\n10.0\r\n45.8\r\nOil and Gas Innovation Centre\r\n10.6\r\n34.9\r\nScottish Aquaculture Innovation Centre\r\n11.1\r\n17.7\r\nConstruction Scotland Innovation Centre\r\n7.5\r\n17.8\r\nThe Data Lab\r\n11.3\r\n25.0\r\nTotal\r\n78.5\r\n223.8\r\nNote: This information was provided by the SFC.\r\nIt should be noted that with the exception of SFC funding, all figures are indicative and are based on current estimates as set out in the Innovation Centres’ business plans.","AnswerDate":"2015-04-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-04-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302372,"EventID":"S4W-25217","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2015-04-01T13:41:20.93","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-04-01T10:30:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what total number of staff is working for innovation centres, also broken down by centre.","AnswerText":"Currently, the total number of staff directly employed by the eight Innovation Centres is 65. The following table breaks this down by centre.\r\nThe numbers in the table are based on current ‘core’ team structure and those directly employed by the Innovation Centres. This does not take account of in-kind staff contributions across industry and academic partners. Numbers are subject to change as the Innovation Centres continue to grow and develop.\r\nInnovation Centres (IC)\r\nNumber of staff directly employed by IC\r\nDigital Health Institute \r\n15\r\nCentre for Sensors and Imaging Systems\r\n16\r\nStratified Medicine Scotland\r\n5\r\nIndustrial Biotechnology Innovation Centre\r\n8\r\nOil and Gas Innovation Centre\r\n8\r\nScottish Aquaculture Innovation Centre\r\n2\r\nConstruction Scotland Innovation Centre\r\n4\r\nThe Data Lab\r\n7\r\nNote: Data provided by the Scottish Funding Council","AnswerDate":"2015-04-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-04-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302373,"EventID":"S4W-25218","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2015-04-01T13:41:22.37","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-04-01T10:30:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many (a) direct and (b) indirect jobs the spending on innovation centres has created, broken down by centre.","AnswerText":"The current total number of staff directly employed by the eight Innovation Centres is 65. This number was broken down by centre in the answer to question S4W-25217 on 29 April 2015.\r\nThis does not take account of in-kind staff contributions across industry and academic partners. Projects funded by Innovation Centres will also include academic and industry staff time.\r\nInnovation Centres are in the initial phase of development and we do not know how many indirect jobs have been created at this stage. Their business plans indicate that they have the potential to create up to 5,000 jobs in their first five years.\r\nThe focus for each of the Innovation Centres has been in establishing the framework for effective operations through recruitment of key board members and operating staff and in securing the initial academia-industry projects that will drive the growth in each industry sector and lead to the creation of new jobs.\r\nAll answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at: \r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx","AnswerDate":"2015-04-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-04-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302374,"EventID":"S4W-25219","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2015-04-01T13:41:23.663","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-04-01T10:30:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it is on target to create 2,000 jobs by 2018 from its investment in innovation centres.","AnswerText":"Innovation centres will help to ensure that Scotland continues to be a pioneer in sciences, innovative technology, ideas and development. Their business plans indicate that they have the potential to create up to 5,000 jobs in their first five years. The innovation centres are steadily building their infrastructure and engaging with businesses to identify projects with the greatest potential for impact on the Scottish economy and wider society.","AnswerDate":"2015-04-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-04-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302375,"EventID":"S4W-25220","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2015-04-01T13:41:25.027","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-04-01T10:30:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how spending by innovation centres is managed and whether it plans to audit the spending.","AnswerText":"This is an operational matter for the Scottish Funding Council.","AnswerDate":"2015-04-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-04-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302376,"EventID":"S4W-25221","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1932,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":117,"ApprovedDate":"2015-04-01T13:41:26.263","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-04-01T11:33:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much (a) Fallin Community Enterprises, (b) the Callander Community Development Trust, (c) the Killin and Ardeonaig Community Development Trust, (d) the Strathfillan Community Development Trust and (e) the Raploch Community Partnership have been awarded by the People and Communities Fund for 2015-16.","AnswerText":"The People and Communities Fund will award these five organisations the following grant amounts in 2015-16: \r\n(a) Fallin Community Enterprises\r\n£36,500\r\n(b) Callander Community Development Trust \r\n£18,780\r\n(c) Killin and Ardeonaig Community Development Trust\r\n£13,271\r\n(d) Strathfillan Community Development Trust\r\n£7,200\r\n(e) Raploch Community Partnership  \r\n£112,795","AnswerDate":"2015-04-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-04-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302385,"EventID":"S4W-25224","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1769,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":75,"ApprovedDate":"2015-04-01T16:37:27.837","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-04-01T14:56:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government who responded to the economic operators’ pre-qualifying questionnaire for the 2016-24 contract for Clyde and Hebrides Ferry Services and on what date it will publish the invitation to tender for this contract. ","AnswerText":"Transport Scotland received two completed prequalification questionnaires from economic operators.\r\nDetails of the economic operators invited to tender for the contract for the Clyde and Hebrides Ferry Services will be confirmed when the invitation to tender is issued. In line with the timeline for the tender process, it is intended to issue the invitation to tender in June 2015.","AnswerDate":"2015-04-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-04-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302386,"EventID":"S4W-25225","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1769,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":75,"ApprovedDate":"2015-04-01T16:37:29.303","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-04-01T14:56:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many respondents to the economic operators’ pre-qualifying questionnaire for the 2016-24 Clyde and Hebrides Ferry Services contract had received guidance from Transport Scotland on completing it.","AnswerText":"Any economic operator who was unclear on anything contained within the prequalification prospectus and questionnaire could submit clarification questions to Transport Scotland. A total of two economic operators asked such clarification questions.","AnswerDate":"2015-04-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-04-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302387,"EventID":"S4W-25226","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1769,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":75,"ApprovedDate":"2015-04-01T16:37:30.053","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-04-01T14:56:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many respondents to the economic operators’ pre-qualifying questionnaire for the 2016-24 Clyde and Hebrides Ferry Services contract indicated plans to reduce current staffing levels.","AnswerText":"The pre-qualification questionnaire did not ask for this information. Staffing arrangements will be addressed within the invitation to tender documentation and tender submissions.","AnswerDate":"2015-04-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-04-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302388,"EventID":"S4W-25227","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1769,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":75,"ApprovedDate":"2015-04-01T16:37:30.757","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-04-01T14:56:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many respondents to the economic operators’ pre-qualifying questionnaire for the 2016-24 Clyde and Hebrides Ferry Services contract indicated plans to reform employees’ pension entitlement.","AnswerText":"The pre-qualification questionnaire did not ask for this information. Pension arrangements will be addressed within the invitation to tender documentation and tender submissions.","AnswerDate":"2015-04-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-04-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302400,"EventID":"S4W-25080","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-04-02T16:56:32.167","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-24T15:54:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-24516 by Jamie Hepburn on 26 February 2015, what consideration was given to (a) stroke patients and (b) others in the Highlands and Islands when the decision was made to base the Scottish Driving Assessment Service at a single site in Edinburgh.","AnswerText":"The decision to rationalise the driving assessment service was agreed by all Scottish NHS board chief executives, as recommended by the NHS Board Directors of Planning who had looked at options to reduce the growing list and waiting times for this service.\r\nNHS board chief executives carefully considered these recommendations to improve the service and provide more assessments for patients across all of Scotland.","AnswerDate":"2015-04-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-05-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302401,"EventID":"S4W-25081","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-04-02T16:56:33.417","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-24T15:54:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government for what reason the Scottish Driving Assessment Service for (a) stroke patients and (b) others is based at a single site in Edinburgh.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-25080 on 28 April 2015. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.","AnswerDate":"2015-04-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-05-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302402,"EventID":"S4W-25082","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-04-02T16:56:34.617","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-24T15:54:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-24516 by Jamie Hepburn on 26 February 2015, whether it considers it appropriate for (a) stroke patients and (b) others in the Highlands and Islands to have to travel to a single site in Edinburgh to access the Scottish Driving Assessment Service.","AnswerText":"This is a matter for local clinical decision. NHS boards have the discretion to help with the travel costs of patients who have been referred for a driving assessment who do not otherwise qualify for help under the patient travel scheme, but where those costs are deemed to be an extension of the cost of treatment.","AnswerDate":"2015-04-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-05-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302403,"EventID":"S4W-25083","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-04-02T16:56:35.757","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-24T15:54:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-24516 by Jamie Hepburn on 26 February 2015, how it will ensure that the review will take into account reports that patients from the Highlands and Islands are experiencing difficulty in travelling to the single site in Edinburgh to access the Scottish Driving Assessment Service.","AnswerText":"NHS Lothian, who host the service, will undertake a review to assess performance, service delivery and patient experience, taking into account patient transport.","AnswerDate":"2015-04-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-05-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302404,"EventID":"S4W-25222","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1860,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-04-02T16:56:36.893","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-04-01T13:59:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what arrangements it has made for prenatal screening in Argyll and Bute until Autumn 2016, and what plans it has for staff to travel to patients to conduct scans.","AnswerText":"It is of paramount importance that women receive safe and effective services during pregnancy. The Scottish Government welcomes NHS Highland’s announcement that the antenatal screening services in Argyll and Bute, which provide women with routine scans, will be implemented from the autumn of 2016. NHS Highland has looked at the feasibility of providing interim locum cover and has had discussions with neighbouring boards about temporary support for the local service, but these options have not been possible to date due to pressures on the availability of trained sonographers that are currently being experienced across Scotland.","AnswerDate":"2015-04-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-05-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302405,"EventID":"S4W-25223","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3806,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-04-02T16:56:37.69","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-04-01T14:00:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the potential to encourage the modal shift of the (a) Motorways of the Sea, (b) Marco Polo and (c) TEN-T funding packages. ","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government welcomes all programmes that can help encourage modal shift and we would support any application that met the criteria of the funding streams available.\r\nWe would encourage any port, shipping company or other party looking to make an application under EU funding streams to engage with Transport Scotland at an early stage to discuss their proposals.\r\nScottish Ministers have supported successful applications for TEN-T projects in the previous funding round, such as feasibility study work to support the Aberdeen Harbour expansion, and have supported projects in the recent call for bids.","AnswerDate":"2015-04-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-05-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302406,"EventID":"S4W-25228","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2033,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":132,"ApprovedDate":"2015-04-02T16:56:38.407","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-04-02T09:22:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to publish information on student support rates for 2015-16 and for what reason there has been a delay in doing so.","AnswerText":"The 2015-16 funding guide, which includes details of student support rates, became available on the Student Awards Agency for Scotland (SAAS) website on 2 April 2015. The SAAS events team has distributed the guide at events since 26 March 2015.\r\nThe SAAS website and online application service holds information for single academic years and application cycles to avoid confusion for students and to ensure that they receive the correct funding information for the correct academic year. The closure of an annual application cycle coincides with the opening of the next annual application cycle; it is at this time that SAAS will normally update its online information for students, as it has done this year.\r\nThe Scottish Government is committed to free tuition and providing financial support for student’s living costs. Ministers will always take the opportunity (including in-year) to further improve student support when that is affordable.","AnswerDate":"2015-05-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-05-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302407,"EventID":"S4W-25229","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2033,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":132,"ApprovedDate":"2015-04-02T16:56:39.11","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-04-02T09:22:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it has made an assessment of what impact the (a) timing and (b) quality of information on student support has on applicants or student behaviour and, if not, whether it will ask its widening access commission to do so.","AnswerText":"Provision of high quality information for students on the level of support they can access is crucial. The Student Awards Agency for Scotland (SAAS) has not looked explicitly at the impact of the timing of information on student support, as this has not been raised to date as an issue by students. Generally, the quality of information available from SAAS is under continuous review with regular feedback received from online application workshops that SAAS deliver to students. \r\nA good example involves changes made to the 2015-16 online application system to highlight the funding available to students coming from care and those with caring responsibilities. These changes were a direct result of engagement between SAAS, Who Cares Scotland and the Scottish Youth Parliament. \r\nThe Commission on Widening Access will seek to identify any barriers to accessing higher education for students from disadvantaged backgrounds.","AnswerDate":"2015-05-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-05-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302408,"EventID":"S4W-25230","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2135,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":92,"ApprovedDate":"2015-04-02T16:56:39.78","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-04-02T09:29:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-24953 by Jamie Hepburn on 26 March 2015, how it ensures that the abuse or neglect of vulnerable adults by carers is addressed and what action it expects (a) A&E and (b) other NHS staff to take if they suspect such abuse or neglect.","AnswerText":"The Adult Support and Protection Act 2007 provides for local authorities to investigate abuse or neglect of vulnerable people by carers, or others, and to take action to protect adults at risk from further harm. The police can conduct a criminal investigation and if a carer is subsequently found guilty of a criminal offence this could result in them being sent to jail. Where the Care Inspectorate identifies adults receiving care are at risk of harm it will refer these matters directly to the local authority, and or police, to investigate. The Care Inspectorate expects care services to notify it of incidents that cause harm or potential harm to people using care services. Once notified, the Care Inspectorate may investigate further or conduct scrutiny where it has concerns about risks to vulnerable people. A & E and other NHS staff are expected to notify the appropriate local authority if they suspect a carer of abusing or neglecting a vulnerable person.","AnswerDate":"2015-04-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-05-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302409,"EventID":"S4W-25231","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2135,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":92,"ApprovedDate":"2015-04-02T16:56:40.543","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-04-02T09:29:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-24953 by Jamie Hepburn on 26 March 2015, whether it will provide (a) local authorities and (b) other stakeholders with a clearer definition of harm from failure to provide adequate care, as set out in the adult support and protection guidelines and mental health legislation. ","AnswerText":"The Code of Practice to the Adult Support and Protection Act 2007 gives a clear definition of harm for the legislation. This makes explicit reference to accidental or intentional neglect by a carer, and to care as one of the types of settings where an adult can be at risk of harm.\r\nSection 53 states harm includes all harmful conduct and, in particular, includes: \r\nconduct which causes physical harm;\r\nconduct which causes psychological harm (for example by causing fear, alarm or distress); \r\nunlawful conduct which appropriates or adversely affects property, rights or interests (for example theft, fraud, embezzlement or extortion); or \r\nconduct which causes self-harm.\r\nThe definition of ‘harm’ in the Act sets out the main broad categories of harm that are included. The list in the definition is not exhaustive and no category of harm is excluded simply because it is not explicitly listed.\r\nThe Mental Health (Care and Treatment) (Scotland Act) 2003 does not define harm but it does refer to a criminal offence of ill treatment, neglect or some other deficiency in care or treatment.","AnswerDate":"2015-04-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-05-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302410,"EventID":"S4W-25232","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2135,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":92,"ApprovedDate":"2015-04-02T16:56:41.31","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-04-02T09:29:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what recourse is available to a member of the public who is concerned that the convener of a child protection committee (a) appears to lack knowledge of key legislation and (b) might be being unduly influenced by a local authority.","AnswerText":"Child protection committee chairs are either independent chairs who are under a contractual arrangement with a local authority, health board or Police Scotland, or direct employees of those agencies.\r\nIt is therefore open to members of the public who have concerns about the child protection committee chair to complain to the relevant agency. Any complaints or concerns must be addressed by that agency. All local agencies must have a complaints procedure in place which they are legally bound to follow and will provide details on request.\r\nIf complainants are unsatisfied with the outcome of that process they can contact the Scottish Public Services Ombudsman which is the independent agency for dealing with complaints against public bodies in Scotland. However, they must have completed the local agencies complaint procedure before the Ombudsman will consider their case.","AnswerDate":"2015-05-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-05-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fiona McLeod","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302411,"EventID":"S4W-25233","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2135,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":92,"ApprovedDate":"2015-04-02T16:56:42.027","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-04-02T09:29:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of effectiveness of the campaign to raise awareness of adult harm, See Something, Say Something. ","AnswerText":"The adult support and protection social marketing activity continues to run at a local level with support from partners and local authorities. Early indications show the campaign has had a positive effect with over 5,000 visits to the Act Against Harm website during the national campaign period. Local lead officers in adult support and protection throughout Scotland have seen an increase of on average 9% in referrals made since the campaign launched, compared to pre-campaign measures.","AnswerDate":"2015-04-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-05-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302412,"EventID":"S4W-25234","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2015-04-02T16:56:42.79","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-04-02T10:34:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it adopted the policy of full fiscal autonomy.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has published a range of proposals for how full fiscal responsibility within the UK could operate. These include:\r\nFiscal Autonomy in Scotland: The case for change and options for reform (February 2009) \r\nhttp://www.gov.scot/Resource/Doc/261814/0078318.pdf\r\nYour Scotland, Your Voice: A National Conversation (November 2009)\r\nhttp://www.gov.scot/Publications/2009/11/26155932/0\r\nMore Powers for the Scottish Parliament: Scottish Government Proposals (November 2014)\r\nhttp://www.gov.scot/Resource/0046/00460563.pdf","AnswerDate":"2015-04-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-05-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302413,"EventID":"S4W-25235","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2015-04-02T16:56:44.1","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-04-02T10:35:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government which cabinet secretary sought agreement from the Cabinet for the policy of full fiscal autonomy and when the matter was discussed.","AnswerText":"Cabinet regularly discusses the ambition for greater powers for Scotland.","AnswerDate":"2015-04-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-05-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302414,"EventID":"S4W-25236","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2633,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-04-02T16:56:45.333","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-04-02T10:50:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it will rescind guardianship of Rowallan Castle.","AnswerText":"The legal and administrative arrangements to secure transitional and ongoing arrangements for preservation of the monument are being finalised. I wrote to the Education and Culture Committee on 28 February 2015 to inform them of this case. These arrangements will include a legally binding agreement including conservation and maintenance along with public access requirements. As soon as these arrangements are completed guardianship of Rowallan Old Castle will be rescinded.","AnswerDate":"2015-05-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-05-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fiona Hyslop","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302415,"EventID":"S4W-25237","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2633,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-04-02T16:56:46.113","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-04-02T10:51:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what weighting it gave to (a) previous public enquiries and (b) the cultural significance of the site, before taking the decision to hand over Rowallan Castle to private ownership.","AnswerText":"Rowallan Old Castle has always been in private ownership. The monument has been maintained by the state since 1950 under a guardianship agreement.\r\n(a) All the relevant history of the site has been taken into account, including previous applications for scheduled monument consent which were taken to public local inquiries. These inquiries examined the case for making physical changes to the monument. The current request is to take the property out of guardianship and that is different from previous applications for consent to make changes to the castle. The changes previously proposed were not countenanced because at that time no alternative to continuing guardianship by the state had been investigated. In the current case the owner’s request to take the property out of guardianship has been considered on its merits in line with the relevant statutory test and having in mind all the circumstances. Section 14 of the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Areas Act 1979 permits the Scottish Ministers to renounce guardianship of the monument by agreement with the persons who are immediately affected by the operation of the guardianship deed (in this case the owner of the monument). In terms of section 14(3) (a) the Scottish Ministers may not agree to terminate guardianship of a monument unless they are satisfied—\r\n(i) that satisfactory arrangements have been made for ensuring its preservation after termination of guardianship; or\r\n(ii) that it is no longer practicable to preserve it.\r\nIn this case (i) above applies. The question of whether satisfactory arrangements have been made for ensuring preservation of the monument has been considered very carefully, taking all existing policy and circumstances into account. These arrangements are that an agreement is entered into under section 17 of the 1979 Act which ministers are satisfied secures transitional and ongoing arrangements for preservation of the monument. The section 17 agreement will also require to be registered in the Land Register (or Sasine Register) as appropriate so as to bind the current and any future owners of the monument. \r\n(b) The cultural significance of the site was recently re-assessed by Historic Scotland as part of an ongoing wider project to undertake a rolling programme of updating and improving our understanding of the properties in care. Historic Scotland is currently assessing an application for scheduled monument consent and, on the basis of the re-assessment it does not appear that the site’s significance will be unduly affected by the works proposed in order to make part of the site habitable. The applicant has also taken account of issues raised with the previous application refused in the 2008-09 inquiry. I am confident that this historic site, like countless others in private hands, will be well looked after for the benefit of the community and enjoyed by local people and visitors.","AnswerDate":"2015-04-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-05-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fiona Hyslop","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302416,"EventID":"S4W-25238","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2633,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-04-02T16:56:46.83","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-04-02T10:51:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much (a) it and (b) its relevant bodies have spent on the upkeep and conservation of Rowallan Castle during its time in public ownership.","AnswerText":"Rowallan has not been in public ownership, it has been maintained by the state under a guardianship agreement with successive owners since 1950. Guardianship of an ancient monument arises where the owner of the monument places it under the control and management of the Scottish Ministers. This is done by means of a guardianship deed. Guardianship is regulated by the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Areas Act 1979 and the guardianship deed. Guardianship confers powers and duties on ministers in respect of the monument, including placing a duty on ministers to maintain a monument. It does not alter the ownership of a monument.\r\nBetween 1950 and 2007 around £1 million or on average around £17,544 per year was spent on upkeep and conservation. In the period 2008-15 Historic Scotland spent £77,663 to meet upkeep and conservation costs.","AnswerDate":"2015-05-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-05-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fiona Hyslop","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302417,"EventID":"S4W-25239","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2678,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-04-02T16:56:47.61","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-04-02T12:39:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it will publish its findings from its consultation, Electronic Cigarettes and Strengthening Tobacco Control in Scotland, which ended on 2 January 2015.","AnswerText":"The analysis of the consultation on Electronic Cigarettes and Strengthening Tobacco Control in Scotland will be published the week commencing 4 May 2015. ","AnswerDate":"2015-04-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-05-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302418,"EventID":"S4W-25240","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2015-04-02T16:56:48.313","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-04-02T13:20:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-24973 by John Swinney on 1 April 2015, what the closing date was for the consultation on an interim constitution for Scotland.","AnswerText":"The closing date for responses to The Scottish Independence Bill: A Consultation on an Interim Constitution for Scotland was 20 October 2014.","AnswerDate":"2015-04-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-05-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302419,"EventID":"S4W-25241","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2015-04-02T16:56:49.64","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-04-02T13:20:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-24763 by John Swinney on 1 April 2015, how many responses it received to its consultation on an interim constitution for Scotland.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government received 110 responses to the consultation The Scottish Independence Bill: A Consultation on an Interim Constitution for Scotland.","AnswerDate":"2015-04-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-05-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302420,"EventID":"S4W-25242","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2015-04-02T16:56:50.95","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-04-02T13:20:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-24763 by John Swinney on 1 April 2015, when it analysed the responses to its consultation on an interim constitution for Scotland.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has been considering the responses to the consultation The Scottish Independence Bill: A Consultation on an Interim Constitution for Scotland since the consultation closed.","AnswerDate":"2015-04-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-05-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302421,"EventID":"S4W-25243","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2015-04-02T16:56:52.307","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-04-02T13:20:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-24763 by John Swinney on 1 April 2015, for what reason it has not yet published the responses to its consultation on an interim constitution in Scotland.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has been considering the consultation responses and intends to publish them in the near future.","AnswerDate":"2015-04-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-05-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302422,"EventID":"S4W-25246","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2117,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-04-02T16:56:53.663","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-04-02T14:17:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had in each year since 2007 with representatives of the workforce at Longannet power station regarding the future of the facility.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has regular contact with representatives of Scottish Power at which the company’s existing generation assets and future investment plans are discussed.\r\nFollowing Scottish Power’s decision to opt-out Longannet from the UK Capacity Market auction in October 2014 – a decision Scottish Power linked explicitly to the UK system of discriminatory transmission charges – both the Deputy First Minister and Minister for Business, Energy and Tourism have visited Longannet power station to meet staff, company and union representatives.\r\nScotland’s energy minister met with the union Prospect on 23 February 2015, on behalf of all the Longannet unions, and on 26 March 2015 he met with a larger union delegation organised by the Scottish Trades Union Congress, which included union officials from Prospect, GMB, Unite, Unison, ASLEF and RMT.\r\nThe Scottish Government at ministerial and official level continues to engage with Scottish Power, Fife Council and workforce representatives to explore options to avert the premature closure of Longannet, protect local employment and safeguard the security of Scotland’s electricity supply. The energy minister and Councillor David Ross of Fife Council have agreed to co-chair a meeting focused on Longannet on 20 May 2015 to which workforce representatives will be invited.","AnswerDate":"2015-05-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-05-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302423,"EventID":"S4W-25247","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2117,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-04-02T16:56:54.427","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-04-02T14:18:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many times and on what dates ministers have met representatives of Iberdrola to discuss Longannet power station and what subsequent action it took following each meeting.","AnswerText":"Scottish Ministers have regular contact with representatives of Scottish Power, part of the Iberdrola Group, at which the company’s current generation assets and future investment plans are discussed.\r\nFollowing Scottish Power’s decision to opt-out Longannet from the UK capacity market auction in October 2014 – a decision Scottish Power linked explicitly to the UK system of discriminatory transmission charges – both the Deputy First Minister and Minister for Business, Energy and Tourism have visited Longannet power station to meet company representatives.\r\nIn addition, ministers have made repeated representations to National Grid and the UK Government at the highest level to underscore the significance of Longannet and to highlight Scottish Government concerns about dwindling spare capacity in the GB electricity system. \r\nUnder the devolved settlement, governmental and regulatory responsibility and operational control of GB energy market issues rests with the UK Government, Ofgem and National Grid. The actions urgently required on the key factors contributing to the threat of premature closure of Longannet – principally, transmission charges and the design of the UK Capacity Market – are ones that must be taken by the relevant UK authorities rather than the Scottish Government.\r\nDetails of recent meetings in person and by telephone are listed in the following table.\r\nDate\r\nActivity\r\n7 October 2014\r\nThe Minister for Business, Energy and Tourism (Fergus Ewing MSP) had a telephone call with Neil Clitheroe (Chief Executive Officer, Scottish Power Retail and Generation) and discussed the future of Longannet.\r\n22 October 2014\r\nFergus Ewing had a telephone call with Neil Clitheroe and had another discussion on the future of Longannet.\r\n12 November 2014\r\nFergus Ewing co-chaired a meeting of the Thermal Generation and Carbon Capture and Storage Industry Leadership Group. The state of the electricity sector was discussed, focusing on supply margins. Scottish Power was represented at the meeting by Hazel Gulliver (Europe and Scotland Policy Manager).\r\n26 November 2014\r\nFergus Ewing met with Mike Calviou (Director of Transmission Network Services, National Grid) to discuss the future of Longannet and emerging findings of National Grid’s System Study for Scotland.\r\n21 January 2015\r\nFergus Ewing met with Keith Anderson (Chief Corporate Officer, Scottish Power), Frank Mitchell (Chief Executive Officer, SP Energy Networks) and Neil Clitheroe. Discussions included the future of Longannet.\r\n16 February 2015\r\nThe First Minister co-chaired a meeting of the Scottish Energy Advisory Board with Professor Sir Jim McDonald of the University of Strathclyde. Mike Calviou gave a presentation on Security of Supply and discussions referenced Longannet. Keith Anderson and Frank Mitchell attended by telephone and in person. \r\n23 February 2015\r\nFergus Ewing visited Longannet Power Station and met with representatives of Scottish Power and the union Prospect.\r\n13 March 2015 \r\nMr Ewing had a phone call with Mike Calviou and discussed the future of Longannet.\r\n19 March 2015 \r\nMr Ewing met with Mike Calviou in London and discussed the future of Longannet.","AnswerDate":"2015-05-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-05-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302424,"EventID":"S4W-25248","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2117,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-04-02T16:56:55.24","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-04-02T14:18:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with the UK Government in each year since 2007 regarding the future of the Longannet power station.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has consistently argued throughout the Scottish National Party administration for reform of the UK transmission charging regime introduced by the Labour government in 2005 that unfairly penalises Scottish generators such as Longannet.\r\nTransmission charging and the important role Longannet plays in security of supply were discussed at a meeting of the Scottish Energy Advisory Board chaired by the First Minister on 16 February 2015. The First Minister subsequently exchanged letters with the Prime Minister in February and March 2015 highlighting Scottish Government concerns about Longannet’s future and the need for the Scottish Parliament and government to have oversight of the analysis and subsequent decisions which affect the security of Scotland’s electricity supply.\r\nUnder the devolved settlement, governmental and regulatory responsibility and operational control of UK energy market issues rests with the UK Government, Ofgem and National Grid. The actions urgently required on the key factors contributing to the threat of premature closure of Longannet – principally, transmission charges and the design of the UK Capacity Market – are ones that must be taken by the relevant UK authorities rather than the Scottish Government.\r\nA chronology of recent discussions and correspondence led by the myself relating to Longannet is listed in the following table.\r\nDate\r\nActivity\r\n6 October 2014\r\nI wrote to the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change requesting urgent talks on Longannet.\r\n7 October 2014\r\nI had a telephone call with Neil Clitheroe (Chief Executive Officer, Scottish Power Retail and Generation) and discussed the future of Longannet.\r\nTopical Question S4T-00804: ‘To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking regarding the future of Longannet power station’ was answered by myself in the Scottish Parliament.\r\n22 October 2014\r\nI had a telephone call with Neil Clitheroe and had another discussion on the future of Longannet.\r\n12 November 2014\r\nI co-chaired a meeting of the Thermal Generation and Carbon Capture and Storage Industry Leadership Group. The state of the electricity sector was discussed, focusing on supply margins.\r\n14 November 2014\r\nI wrote to Steve Holliday, the Chief Executive Officer of National Grid, following the publication of the company’s winter outlook report. National Grid was asked to explain how it assesses the role Longannet has to play in ensuring an adequate level of security of supply in Scotland.\r\n26 November 2014\r\nI met with Mike Calviou, Director of Transmission Network Service at National Grid, to discuss the future of Longannet and the emerging findings of National Grid’s system study for Scotland.\r\n21 January 2015\r\nI met with Keith Anderson (Chief Corporate Officer, Scottish Power), Frank Mitchell (Chief Executive Officer, SP Energy Networks) and Neil Clitheroe. Discussions included the future of Longannet.\r\n23 February 2015\r\nI visited Longannet and met with representatives of Scottish Power and the union Prospect.\r\n25 February 2015\r\nI had a telephone call with the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change and discussed the future of Longannet.\r\n13 March 2015\r\nI had a telephone call with Mike Calviou and sought answers to the many concerns about security of supply in Scotland including Longannet’s future.\r\n19 March 2015\r\nI met with Mike Calviou in London and sought reassurances that National Grid was recognising the full value of Longannet.\r\n26 March 2015\r\nI met with representatives of the Scottish Trades Union Congress, Prospect, GMB, Unite, Unison, ASLEF and RMT at the Scottish Parliament to explore possible actions to avert or mitigate premature closure of Longannet.","AnswerDate":"2015-05-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-05-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302425,"EventID":"S4W-25249","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2015-04-02T16:56:56.067","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-04-02T14:09:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it reconciles the statement in the letter to Liam McArthur MSP from the Minister for Transport and Islands dated 5 February 2015 that “The Ferries Plan, published in December 2012, made clear that Road Equivalent Tariff (RET) will form the basis for the fares structure across all sailings ensuring more people benefit from lower fares.  For the Northern Isles, introducing RET would actually increase fares on a number of services.  The Ferries Plan was clear that RET would be introduced to the Northern Isles over a much longer timeframe, in order that no one would pay more for an RET fare.” with Table 11.7 of the Scottish Government Assessment of the Impacts of the Road Equivalent Tariff Pilot Draft Final Report, March 2011, which shows no increases in fares on any routes and that foot passengers would receive a 19% reduction in fares between Aberdeen and Lerwick and a 65.7% reduction between Scrabster and Stromness.","AnswerText":"We have always been clear that while road equivalent tariff RET would reduce some fares on services to the Northern Isles, it would significantly increase a number of fares. Therefore the commitment made in The Ferries Plan, published in December 2012, is to introduce RET to the Northern Isles over a longer timeframe, beyond the term of this Parliament.\r\nIn table 11.7 of the report referred to, where RET would have been higher than the existing fare, no increase was assumed. Additionally, the RET formula used in the report is out of date, and does not reflect the current RET formula or the current fare pricing situation on the Northern Isles ferry routes. An updated RET formula was applied in 2012 and showed that introducing RET would continue to increase a number of fares on Northern Isles services. Using the most up to date formula from this year does not change this position.\r\nConsideration of how RET can be applied on the Northern Isles will be given during the course of this year, as part of the wider work required to review the RET formula. ","AnswerDate":"2015-04-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-05-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302426,"EventID":"S4W-25250","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2108,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":141,"ApprovedDate":"2015-04-02T16:56:56.97","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-04-02T14:16:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what support it gives to research into Parkinson’s disease.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government provides funding of approximately £475,000 per annum for the Scottish Dementia and Neurodegenerative Disease Research Network. The role of the network is to increase the amount of research in dementia and neurodegenerative disease (including Parkinson’s disease). The network works across the 14 geographical NHS Scotland boards to facilitate the timely, appropriate and effective recruitment and follow-up of patients to studies across the dementia and neurodegenerative disease portfolio.\r\nThe Scottish Government, through the Chief Scientist Office, is currently funding a clinical academic fellowship in Parkinson’s disease. The title of the fellowship, awarded to Dr Angus MacLeod at the University of Aberdeen is ‘Identification of prognostic factors and development of prognostic models in Parkinson’s disease using long-term data from a large, incidence-based cohort’. A total of £192,000 has been committed.","AnswerDate":"2015-04-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-05-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302427,"EventID":"S4W-25251","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2108,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":141,"ApprovedDate":"2015-04-02T16:56:57.907","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-04-02T14:16:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it has assessed whether clinicians specialising in treating patients with Parkinson’s disease are given enough time and support to carry out further research.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government, through its Chief Scientist Office, provides funding to support clinicians working within NHS Scotland to carry out research. The funding provided through this researcher support scheme was £12.7 million for 2014-15.\r\nThe Chief Scientist Office funds the NHS Research Scotland Fellowship Scheme. This scheme provides clinicians working in the NHS with a three year fellowship, during which two sessions per week are reserved for research purposes. To date over 70 fellows have been appointed. £1.6 million has been allocated to the scheme for 2015-16.\r\nWhile neither of the above funding streams are specific to any one clinical speciality, clinicians working in Parkinson’s and other neurodegenerative diseases are open to applications for such.\r\nThe Scottish Government provides funding of approximately £475,000 per annum for the Scottish Dementia and Neurodegenerative Disease Research Network. The core remit of the network is to support research specifically into dementia and neurodegenerative diseases (including Parkinson’s disease) in the NHS.","AnswerDate":"2015-04-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-05-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302428,"EventID":"S4W-25252","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2678,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-04-02T16:56:58.717","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-04-02T14:21:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it will introduce a public health bill to regulate electronic cigarettes.","AnswerText":"We aim to introduce the public health bill prior to summer recess.","AnswerDate":"2015-04-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-05-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302429,"EventID":"S4W-25253","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2117,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-04-02T16:56:59.39","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-04-02T14:27:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the statement by Fergus Ewing on 25 March 2015 (Official Report, c.18), how the proposals put forward by the Scottish coal industry \"to the UK Government for restoration coal, which would introduce a carbon price support exemption for opencast coal sites\" would help reduce Longannet power station's running costs.","AnswerText":"The industry led carbon price support (CPS) proposal for ‘restoration coal’ is with the UK Government for consideration.\r\nThe current cost of coal for Longannet is circa £40 per tonne. Generators then need to pay a circa £40 carbon tax on each tonne of coal resulting in a full cost of coal to the plant of circa £80 per tonne.\r\nUnder the proposed CPS scheme, coal feedstock which is produced as part of coaling operations which are restoring legacy opencast sites would be exempt from the (£40 per tonne) CPS tax.\r\nUnder the proposed CPS model, generators like Scottish Power would then be able to buy ‘restoration coal’ at the market cost (i.e. £40 per tonne) plus a margin to cover the costs of restoration – this margin being less than the £40 carbon tax.\r\nThis scheme could thereby secure a steady stream of lower total cost feedstock resulting in a significant saving to a plant of Longannet’s scale and subsequently lowering the running costs of the plant.","AnswerDate":"2015-05-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-05-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302430,"EventID":"S4W-25254","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2117,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-04-02T16:57:00.153","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-04-02T14:29:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4T-00988 by Alasdair Allan on 31 March 2015 (Official Report, c. 8), when it was announced that the Global Excellence Initiative to support world leading research in Scotland's universities would be time limited, and by whom.","AnswerText":"The previous Cabinet Secretary for Education and Lifelong Learning, Michael Russell, wrote to the Scottish Funding Council (SFC) in March 2013 and asked them to consider allocating additional funding (the ‘global excellence initiative’) to help universities maintain and improve their international competitive position. This letter – which is publicly available at: \r\nhttp://www.sfc.ac.uk/web/FILES/About_the_Council/Letter_of_guidance_re_Global_Excellence2.pdf – recognised that funding may require to be time limited and that decisions on additional investment should be related to what could be afforded within the SFC’s budget.\r\nWe fully expect our universities to build on their success and continue to attract funding from a range of sources, not only from the Scottish Funding Council but also from the UK Research Councils, businesses, charities and the EU.","AnswerDate":"2015-05-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-05-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302431,"EventID":"S4W-25255","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2135,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":92,"ApprovedDate":"2015-04-02T16:57:00.98","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-04-02T15:12:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what proportion of the NHS budget is spent on general practice and was spent in (a) 2010, (b) 2005 and (c) 2000.","AnswerText":"The following table shows the budget for primary medical services (general practice) as a percentage of the total NHS budget.\r\nPrimary Medical Service (PMS) expenditure, in millions \r\n\r\n2000-01\r\n2005-06\r\n2010-11\r\nPrimary Medical Services\r\n377,534\r\n701.009\r\n741.398\r\nTotal Operating Cost\r\n4,764,171\r\n7,715.69\r\n9,640.77\r\nPMS % of Total Operating Cost\r\n7.90%\r\n9.10%\r\n7.70%","AnswerDate":"2015-04-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-05-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302432,"EventID":"S4W-25256","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2135,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":92,"ApprovedDate":"2015-04-02T16:57:01.807","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-04-02T15:12:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many GPs there are in Scotland; how many are in rural practices, and how those figures compare with those for (a) 2010, (b) 2005 and (c) 2000.","AnswerText":"Latest figures show that there are 4,918 GPs working in the 993 GP practices in Scotland, 21% of these practices are classed as being rural.\r\nIn Scotland, for each of the following years below, are total number of GP numbers of general practices and the proportion of those practices whose postcode is designated as rural using the 8-fold Urban-rural classification.\r\nYear\r\nTotal GPs\r\nNumber of GP Practices\r\nNumber of these practices classed as rural\r\n2000\r\n4,253\r\n1051\r\nNot known\r\n2005\r\n4,521\r\n1036\r\n22%\r\n2010\r\n4,905\r\n1019\r\n23%\r\nThis information is taken from part of ISD’s annual GP workforce and practice population statistics publication, which is available by following the following link, http://isdscotland.org/Health-Topics/General-Practice/Workforce-and-Practice-Populations/Practices-and-Their-Populations/. The data above is a snapshot taken on 30 September on each of the years shown.","AnswerDate":"2015-04-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-05-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302433,"EventID":"S4W-25257","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2135,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":92,"ApprovedDate":"2015-04-02T16:57:02.727","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-04-02T15:12:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many GPs work in the NHS Highland area; how many work in rural practices, and how many vacancies there were for posts in rural practices as of 31 March 2015.","AnswerText":"NHS Highland has confirmed there are 450 GPs noted on their performers list, with around 70 of these being locums. Statistics on the number of GPs per region are published by NHS Scotland and are available via the following link:http://www.isdscotland.org/Health-Topics/General-Practice/Workforce-and-Practice-Populations/Workforce/\r\n\r\nWe can confirm there are 100 practices in the board area. \r\nNHS Scotland publishes data on the number of GPs by health board area and community health partnership area, which gives some indication of rurality but does not provide any further breakdown.\r\nGP practices are mostly all independent contractors who are free to decide (within the context of the services they must provide under contract with boards) exactly how they set up their operations in terms of employing staff. The number of vacancies for GP posts are not held centrally as this is a matter for individual GP contractors as employers. \r\nNHS Highland are currently aware of 15 ‘known vacancies’, though not restricted to rural areas, where a GP has left and the practice are trying to find a replacement (regardless of number of sessions or time commitment).","AnswerDate":"2015-04-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-05-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302434,"EventID":"S4W-25258","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2135,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":92,"ApprovedDate":"2015-04-02T16:57:03.57","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-04-02T15:12:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many GPs in rural practices in (a) Scotland and (b) NHS Highland offer out-of-hours cover and what proportion that is of all GPs in that area.","AnswerText":"The delivery of GP services during the out-of-hours period is the responsibility of health boards in accordance with National Health Service (General Medical Services Contracts) (Scotland) Regulations 2004.\r\nScotland’s 14 health boards report having a total of 4704 GPs practicing in Scotland today. The number of practices classified as rural within this figure is unknown from current information available.\r\nNHS Highland reports having a total of 343 GPs, with 27 providing out-of-hours cover. This includes eight GP practices remaining opted-in providing out-of-hours cover from Monday to Thursday and the board covering weekends and public holidays.","AnswerDate":"2015-04-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-05-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302435,"EventID":"S4W-25259","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2135,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":92,"ApprovedDate":"2015-04-02T16:57:04.567","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-04-02T15:12:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether the proportion of the NHS budget spent on rural general practice has fallen or risen over the last decade.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government invests additional funding in general practice every year, in a way which aims to support all of general practice. Rurality is one of the factors on which funding is weighted through the Scottish Allocation Formula for general practice, and as such rural practises receive appropriate baseline funding to reflect this.\r\nWhile we recognise the importance of rural general practices, increases to their funding will be in line with that for the whole of Scotland and under this government investment in primary medical services has increased by £79.7 million since 2006.","AnswerDate":"2015-04-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-05-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302436,"EventID":"S4W-25260","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2135,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":92,"ApprovedDate":"2015-04-02T16:57:05.317","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-04-02T15:12:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to ensure the (a) continuation, (b) growth and (c) health of rural general practice in (i) Scotland and (ii) NHS Highland.","AnswerText":"Scottish Ministers are fully committed to ensuring that all communities in Scotland, including remote and rural communities, receive safe, reliable and sustainable health care services.\r\nWe are working with the Scottish General Practitioners’ Committee to review the GP contract in Scotland to sustain and support all of general practice in Scotland, not just those in rural areas. While we are doing that, rural practices, just like those elsewhere, are benefitting from a period of contractual and financial stability we have agreed to put in place until 2017. We have agreed new flexibility which began in January 2015 for NHS boards to increase golden hello payments in those areas experiencing GP recruitment difficulties, and rural practices will be the main beneficiaries of this.\r\nIn addition, we are supporting NHS Highland with £1.5 million over four years, to develop and test innovative ways of delivering healthcare in rural Scotland. As part of that work we're developing a bespoke recruitment exercise for rural areas.","AnswerDate":"2015-04-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-05-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302437,"EventID":"S4W-25262","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4080,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-04-07T15:06:29.277","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-04-02T16:38:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many housebreakings have been recorded in Edinburgh in each year since 2006-07; what the detection rate was, and how many (a) prosecutions and (b) convictions have resulted, broken down by disposal.","AnswerText":"The number of housebreakings recorded by the police in Edinburgh in each year since 2006-07 is publically available in the tables which accompany Recorded Crime in Scotland 2013-14, which can be accessed via the following link:\r\nhttp://www.gov.scot/Publications/2014/11/6350/downloads\r\nThe available information on prosecutions and convictions is given in the following table.\r\nPeople proceeded against for housebreaking offences1 in Edinburgh2, 2006-07 to 2013-14\r\nResult\r\n2006-07\r\n2007-08\r\n2008-09\r\n2009-10\r\n2010-11\r\n2011-12\r\n2012-13\r\n2013-14\r\nTotal prosecuted\r\n290\r\n311\r\n290\r\n251\r\n271\r\n277\r\n259\r\n149\r\nNot guilty\r\n37\r\n46\r\n36\r\n36\r\n29\r\n59\r\n47\r\n32\r\nCustody\r\n133\r\n129\r\n137\r\n111\r\n145\r\n105\r\n135\r\n60\r\nCommunity sentence\r\n78\r\n70\r\n67\r\n73\r\n42\r\n55\r\n40\r\n44\r\nMonetary\r\n21\r\n40\r\n32\r\n13\r\n25\r\n22\r\n17\r\n6\r\nOther3\r\n21\r\n26\r\n18\r\n18\r\n30\r\n36\r\n20\r\n7\r\nTotal convicted\r\n253\r\n265\r\n254\r\n215\r\n242\r\n218\r\n212\r\n117\r\n1. Where main offence. The main charge is the one receiving the severest penalty if one or more charges are proved. If more than one charge receives the same (or a combined) penalty, then the main charge is the one judged by the police (who provide the information) to be the most serious.\r\n2. Prosecutions in Edinburgh Sheriff and Justice of the Peace courts. Courts can deal with cases from more than one local authority area.\r\n3. The majority of these are admonished.\r\nSource: Scottish Government Criminal Proceedings Database.\r\nPlease note that although the statistics on crimes and offences recorded by the police and those proceeded against in court are collected centrally these two statistics sources are not directly comparable for a number of reasons. A single crime or offence recorded by the police may have more than one perpetrator, or alternatively, an individual may be convicted of several cases of the same crime. There is the possibility that the crime or offence recorded by the police may be altered in the course of judicial proceedings, while a crime or offence may be recorded by the police in one year and court proceedings not concluded until a later year. Crimes and offences alleged to have been committed by children under 16 years old are also generally dealt with through the children’s hearings system rather than through the courts.","AnswerDate":"2015-05-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-05-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302438,"EventID":"S4W-25263","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2633,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-04-07T15:06:30.297","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-04-07T11:30:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the police sickness absence rate has been in each of the last five years, broken down by (a) division and (b) rank.","AnswerText":"The recording and management of sickness absence for police officers is a matter for Police Scotland and the Scottish Police Authority.","AnswerDate":"2015-04-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-05-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302449,"EventID":"S4W-25266","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4080,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-04-09T15:04:49.45","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-04-09T13:40:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-21187 by Kenny MacAskill on 29 May 2014, whether it will provide the same information for 2014-15.","AnswerText":"I have asked Colin McConnell, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service, to respond. His response is as follows:\r\n‘‘The recording of Rule 95 data remains as reported in the previous response (S4W-21187) and regrettably only the same data configuration is available for the reporting period 2014-15. This details the number of occasions when Rule 95(1) has been applied, broken down by gender.\r\n\r\nMale\r\nFemale\r\n2014-15\r\n1,943\r\n162\r\nAs set out in Mr Matheson’s response to S4W-25118, the Scottish Prison Service has reviewed the current PR2 capabilities in relation to reconfiguration of management data for prisoners held in Separation and Reintegration Units. A detailed re-specification of PR2 is underway to improve data capture for prisoners held in Separation and Reintegration Units.’’","AnswerDate":"2015-05-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-05-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302457,"EventID":"S4W-25267","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1759,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-04-10T14:40:19.113","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-04-10T13:45:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what steps it would need to take if the Scottish Beaver Trial led it to propose full-scale beaver reintroduction across Scotland.","AnswerText":"Scottish Natural Heritage will, by the end of May 2015, provide a report to Scottish Ministers, drawing on the knowledge gained from the Scottish Beaver Trial, the Tayside Beaver Study Group and other relevant sources. Scottish Ministers will then consider a number of options relating to the future of beavers in Scotland. If Scottish Ministers decide to pursue any option that involves beavers remaining in Scotland, this will need to be accompanied by plans to ensure continuing compatibility with Council Directive 92/43/EEC (the Habitats Directive) as well as a framework to provide effective management of wild beavers.","AnswerDate":"2015-04-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-05-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen McLeod","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302463,"EventID":"S4W-25268","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5079,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-04-13T15:13:52.353","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-04-10T16:07:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what impact it considers the amendments to the Counter-Terrorism and Security Act 2015 (Risk of Being Drawn into Terrorism) (Amendment and Guidance) Regulations 2015 will have on public sector bodies.","AnswerText":"Counter-Terrorism is reserved and the legislation, and assessment of its impact, is therefore a matter for the UK Government. The impact assessment for the UK Government secondary legislation can be found at:\r\nhttp://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukia/2015/160/pdfs/ukia_20150160_en.pdf\r\nThe duty to have due regard to preventing people from becoming drawn into terrorism is a responsibility shared across the United Kingdom, and Scottish public bodies have been engaged in this strategy since 2008. Given the truncated timescale for the Counter-Terrorism and Security Act 2015 through the UK Parliament, the Scottish Government requested that appropriate time was given to ensure that the public bodies in Scotland were properly identified and consulted.\r\nThe Scottish Government discussed the impact with relevant stakeholder groups, as well as engaging with sectors on the drafting of the statutory guidance, published by the Home Office, in order to ensure its applicability for the Scottish context. Scottish Government officials continue to engage with the relevant sector leads to support the development and implementation of the legislation in Scotland.\r\nThe Prevent Duty Guidance for Scotland can be found at:\r\nhttps://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/417941/Prevent_Duty_Guidance_for_Scotland.pdf","AnswerDate":"2015-05-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-05-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302464,"EventID":"S4W-25269","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2015-04-13T15:13:53.557","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-04-10T17:21:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it remains its position that the referendum on independence will be a once in a generation opportunity, as noted in the response to question 557 on page 556 of its white paper on independence.","AnswerText":"The First Minister set out the Scottish Government’s position on this matter at First Minister’s Questions on 30 April 2015.","AnswerDate":"2015-05-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-05-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302465,"EventID":"S4W-25270","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2015-04-13T15:13:54.74","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-04-10T18:02:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it considers that its estimate of boosting UK spending by £180 billion is incorrect while asserting that debt would reduce in every year from 2016-17 onwards and that the correct figure is £165 billion.","AnswerText":"The First Minister set out a proposal to boost UK spending by £180 billion over the next Parliament on 11 February 2015. The figure of £165 billion is based on HM Treasury analysis published on 9 March 2015.\r\nThe Scottish Government published a comparison of the two approaches on 9 March 2015, available at:\r\nhttp://news.scotland.gov.uk/News/Alternative-to-austerity-170a.aspx.","AnswerDate":"2015-04-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-05-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302466,"EventID":"S4W-25271","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2015-04-13T15:13:55.973","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-04-10T18:02:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it has taken account of spending on extra welfare and pensions costs in its proposals to boost UK spending by £165 billion and, if not, how these would be paid for.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government will make it a priority to press the incoming UK Government for an end to the current austerity agenda. Our proposal is to increase spending on public services by 0.5% a year in real terms from 2016-17 to 2019-20. This is estimated to provide at least an additional £140 billion of resources in real terms over the period 2016-17 to 2019-20 compared to the spending plans published in the March 2015 UK Budget. These plans are fiscally sustainable as both the deficit and national debt would be falling as a share of GDP by the end of this Parliament.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-05-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-05-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302467,"EventID":"S4W-25272","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2015-04-13T15:13:57.27","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-04-10T18:02:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will publish an assessment of the cost of its proposals for (a) freezing the retirement age, (b) scrapping the so-called bedroom tax, (c) fully retaining child benefit and (d) increasing universal credit.","AnswerText":"Whether these proposals are taken forward will be a matter for the new UK Government. However, the Scottish Government will continue to press the UK Government to take action on these priorities, making a case for modest spending increases of 0.5 per cent above inflation in each year of the new UK Parliament and for an end to austerity.","AnswerDate":"2015-05-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-05-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302468,"EventID":"S4W-25273","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2015-04-13T15:13:58.58","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-04-10T18:02:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it accepts the analysis by the Institute for Fiscal Studies that there would be a £7.6 billion gap in public finances with full fiscal autonomy.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government believes that the analysis by the Institute for Fiscal Studies does not provide a meaningful description of the fiscal position in a fiscally autonomous Scotland as it simply projects forward Government Expenditure and Revenue Scotland.\r\nThe fiscal position would depend on a range of factors including the transition process, the negotiated fiscal framework between Scotland and the rest of the UK, Scotland’s contribution to UK wide public services such as defence and international aid, as well as the decisions made by the Scottish Government about economic policy, public spending and borrowing.","AnswerDate":"2015-05-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-05-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302469,"EventID":"S4W-25274","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2015-04-13T15:13:59.78","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-04-10T18:02:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the spend for (a) the NHS, (b) schools and (c) pensions in Scotland was in 2014-15.","AnswerText":"In line with previous years, I will provide details of the Scottish Government’s provisional outturn for 2014-15 to Parliament when it becomes available in June 2015.","AnswerDate":"2015-04-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-05-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302470,"EventID":"S4W-25275","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2015-04-13T15:14:00.997","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-04-10T18:13:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it has consulted the Council of Economic Advisers on full fiscal autonomy and, if so, what view it expressed.","AnswerText":"The Council of Economic Advisers meets twice a year and provides advice on improving the competitiveness of the Scottish economy and tackling inequality in Scotland.","AnswerDate":"2015-05-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-05-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302471,"EventID":"S4W-25276","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2015-04-13T15:14:02.307","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-04-10T18:13:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether the Council of Economic Advisers agrees with the assessment by the Institute for Fiscal Studies that there will be a budget shortfall of £7.6 billion a year with full fiscal autonomy.","AnswerText":"The Institute of Fiscal Studies published the analysis referred to on 19 March 2015. The latest meeting of the Council of Economic Advisers was held on 3 March 2015, prior to this publication.","AnswerDate":"2015-05-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-05-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302472,"EventID":"S4W-25277","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2015-04-13T15:14:03.587","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-04-10T18:13:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on the costings produced by the UK Treasury that the fiscal loss under full fiscal autonomy will increase across the next parliamentary session from £7.7 billion in 2015-16 to £8.4 billion in 2019-20.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government believes that the analysis by the UK Treasury does not provide a meaningful description of the fiscal position in a fiscally autonomous Scotland as it simply projects forward Government Expenditure and Revenue Scotland.\r\nThe fiscal position would depend on a range of factors including the transition process, the negotiated fiscal framework between Scotland and the rest of the UK, Scotland’s contribution to UK wide public services such as defence and international aid, as well as the decisions made by the Scottish Government about economic policy, public spending and borrowing.","AnswerDate":"2015-05-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-05-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302473,"EventID":"S4W-25278","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1768,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":131,"ApprovedDate":"2015-04-13T15:14:04.82","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-04-10T19:03:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with the University of the West of Scotland regarding the provision of additional Postgraduate Diploma of Education places at its Crichton campus to train school support staff employed by Dumfries and Galloway Council as teachers.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has been involved in constructive discussions with Dumfries and Galloway Council and the University of the West of Scotland to explore innovative solutions to meet local needs and welcomes the commitment from Dumfries and Galloway Council to maintain their teacher numbers.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-05-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-05-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302490,"EventID":"S4W-25279","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-04-14T15:19:10.98","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-04-13T17:07:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to assess Tier 4 child and adolescent mental health services. ","AnswerText":"We have recently developed a data set with partners to track progress in developing intensive community treatment teams and other tier 4 child and adolescent mental health services activity, and how the adolescent inpatient units are working. NHS National Services Scotland will be starting to collect the data in autumn 2015, and this should provide us with a comprehensive picture of how services are functioning nationally.","AnswerDate":"2015-04-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-05-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302491,"EventID":"S4W-25280","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-04-14T15:19:11.76","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-04-13T17:07:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to commission Tier 4 in-patient services. ","AnswerText":"Children and young people referred to Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) will generally be treated in the community. Patients with more severe mental health problems can be assessed and referred to Tier 4 services for treatment which may result in admitting them to hospital for specialist treatment. Should this be the case they would be admitted to one of the three regional CAMHS inpatient units.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-04-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-05-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302492,"EventID":"S4W-25281","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5556,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":111,"ApprovedDate":"2015-04-14T15:19:12.493","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-04-13T16:28:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether the First Minister and the Cabinet Secretary for Education and Lifelong Learning have met the Fair Funding for Kids campaign, as indicated in the First Minister’s letter to the member of 4 March 2015, and what action it has taken to address the concerns raised by the campaign.","AnswerText":"The First Minister and the Cabinet Secretary for Education and Lifelong Learning have arranged to meet Fair Funding for our Kids campaign representatives on 28 May 2015. Following the First Minister’s letter to Jenny Gorevan of Fair Funding for Our Kids, the chief statistician has confirmed that his statisticians are considering ways in which the collection and communication of data could be improved; and, officials have met with COSLA to consider how best to further improve data and information on the implementation of early learning and childcare.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-05-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-05-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fiona McLeod","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302493,"EventID":"S4W-25282","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5556,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":111,"ApprovedDate":"2015-04-14T15:19:13.1","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-04-13T16:28:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what steps it will take to ensure effective and independent national oversight of the 600 hours of free early education and childcare.","AnswerText":"As set out in the First Minister’s letter to Fair Funding for Our Kids, the Cabinet Secretary for Education and Lifelong Learning, Angela Constance MSP, is responsible for overseeing the delivery of this policy.\r\n\r\nIn addition, the chief statistician acts independently of government in assuring the quality of statistics. We are also exploring with COSLA how best we can work in partnership to consider further improvements to data and information.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-05-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-05-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fiona McLeod","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302494,"EventID":"S4W-25283","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5556,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":111,"ApprovedDate":"2015-04-14T15:19:13.647","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-04-13T16:28:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will establish a formal mechanism for reciprocal funding arrangements across local authority boundaries to ensure that parents who work in a different council area from where they live have accessible access to the 600 hours of free early education and childcare.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has discussed with COSLA how best to establish or support formal mechanisms for reciprocal funding arrangements across local authority boundaries. This will be discussed further with local authorities and the Early Learning and Childcare Statutory Guidance Group, which comprises all key delivery partners.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-05-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-05-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fiona McLeod","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302495,"EventID":"S4W-25284","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5556,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":111,"ApprovedDate":"2015-04-14T15:19:14.24","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-04-13T16:28:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many (a) three and (b) four-year-olds eligible for the 600 hours of free early education and childcare are not in receipt of it.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government Early Learning and Childcare (ELC) Census collects information on the number of registrations within centres only and not on the number of individual children. However, a registration level of 98.5% of three and four-year-olds is a strong indicator of high uptake.\r\n\r\nSome children can be registered at more than one setting so this additional flexibility can lead to some children being counted more than once. Also, figures are not adjusted for those three-year-olds who start earlier than the term after their third birthday.\r\nThe chief statistician has indicated to the First Minister that statisticians will consider ways in which the collection and communication of data could be improved; and, this will include consideration of any double counting.","AnswerDate":"2015-05-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-05-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fiona McLeod","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302496,"EventID":"S4W-25285","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5556,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":111,"ApprovedDate":"2015-04-14T15:19:14.787","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-04-13T16:28:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many (a) three and (b) four-year-olds eligible for the 600 hours of free early education and childcare attend nurseries that are (i) in partnership with the local authority but have no funded places available and (ii) not in partnership with the local authority.","AnswerText":"(i) The Scottish Government does not collate or hold data on the amount of eligible three and four-year-old children who attend nurseries that are in partnership with the local authority but have no funded places available.\r\n\r\n(ii) The latest published figures as of December 2013 show there were 3,310 eligible three and four-year-olds nationally, who attended nurseries that were not in partnership with the council. However this does not necessarily equate to 3,310 not taking up their funded entitlement. For example this data will not take in to account split placements, whereby children will attend a local authority nursery or a partnership nursery for their funded hours, whilst attending a non-partnership nursery for wraparound hours.\r\nNumber of children aged three and four-years-old registered with a nursery in Scotland December 2013; by partnership type:\t\t\r\n\r\nLocal Authority run services\r\nPrivate or Voluntary sector services in partnership with a Local Authority\r\nPrivate or Voluntary sector services not in partnership\r\nTotal\r\n\r\nAge 3 years\r\n29,580\r\n13,730\r\n1,910\r\n45,220\r\n\r\nAge 4 years\r\n41,780\r\n11,990\r\n1,400\r\n55,170\r\n\r\nTotal\r\n71,360\r\n25,720\r\n3,310\r\n100,390\r\n\r\nPlease note:\t\t\t\r\nInformation relates to services which specified that their main type of service is 'Nursery' in the 2013 Care Inspectorate Annual Return Figures have been rounded to the nearest 10\t\t\t\t\t\r\nSource: Care Inspectorate service lists and annual return data\t\t","AnswerDate":"2015-05-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-05-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fiona McLeod","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302497,"EventID":"S4W-25286","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2015-04-14T15:19:15.347","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-04-14T11:45:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on student debt being included in any future sale of debt.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has no plans to participate in any future sale of student loan debt.","AnswerDate":"2015-05-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-05-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302498,"EventID":"S4O-04214","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":3763,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-04-15T13:25:25.647","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-04-13T12:03:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on the community safety aspects of the licensing of smartphone booking systems for transport services.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-04-22T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302499,"EventID":"S4O-04215","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":5110,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":89,"ApprovedDate":"2015-04-15T13:25:26.473","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-04-13T15:28:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it considers that more could be done to improve the legal rights of fathers in relation to parental custody disputes.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-04-22T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302500,"EventID":"S4O-04216","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":5059,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-04-15T13:25:27.067","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-04-13T12:03:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what recent discussions it has had with trade unions regarding employment related issues in the justice sector.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-04-22T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302501,"EventID":"S4O-04217","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":5107,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":124,"ApprovedDate":"2015-04-15T13:25:27.66","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-04-15T09:13:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what progress is being made in tackling new psychoactive substances.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-04-22T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302502,"EventID":"S4O-04218","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":1741,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-04-15T13:25:28.283","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-04-13T12:03:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it will take to reduce reconviction rates among offenders given drug treatment and testing orders.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-04-22T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302503,"EventID":"S4O-04219","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":2595,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-04-15T13:25:28.923","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-04-13T17:19:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the budget priorities are for the Justice portfolio in 2015-16. ","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-04-22T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302504,"EventID":"S4O-04220","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":1882,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":129,"ApprovedDate":"2015-04-15T13:25:29.61","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-04-13T12:03:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it assists offenders in tackling drug abuse problems.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-04-22T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302505,"EventID":"S4O-04221","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":2159,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":88,"ApprovedDate":"2015-04-15T13:25:30.327","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-04-13T21:29:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what steps are being taken to tackle antisocial behaviour in Glasgow Provan.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-04-22T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302506,"EventID":"S4O-04222","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":1932,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":117,"ApprovedDate":"2015-04-15T13:25:30.903","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-04-13T12:03:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what progress it is making regarding its consultation on the future of the custodial estate for women.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-04-22T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302507,"EventID":"S4O-04223","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":2675,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":93,"ApprovedDate":"2015-04-15T13:25:31.683","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-04-13T12:03:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will produce a publicly-available map of the locations of wildlife crimes since 1999.","AnswerText":"There have been 6,760 recorded wildlife crimes across the 15 year period 1999-2000 to 2013-14.\r\nWe do not have sufficiently precise location information for most of these crimes and it is therefore not practicable to attempt to map them.\r\nIt is worth mentioning that the Partnership for Action Against Wildlife Crime in Scotland have been publishing annual maps since 2010, which show the approximate locations for all crimes against raptors – poisonings, trappings, shootings and the like. These maps have brought partners together, are easy for everyone to understand and most importantly, highlight problem areas. These maps must rely on official data only. The Scottish Government has already committed to considering the use of further maps in the next wildlife crime annual report.","AnswerDate":"2015-04-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-04-22T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"Paul Wheelhouse","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302508,"EventID":"S4O-04225","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":3061,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-04-15T13:25:32.527","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-04-14T14:38:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the review of waste spreading, including sewage sludge.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-04-22T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302509,"EventID":"S4O-04226","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":2117,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-04-15T13:25:33.213","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-04-15T12:03:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what progress is being made in rolling out access to local authority flooding datasets that have been developed through the use of Lidar technology.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-04-22T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302510,"EventID":"S4O-04227","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":5119,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":110,"ApprovedDate":"2015-04-15T13:25:33.993","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-04-15T10:33:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government who is responsible for ensuring the water quality in relation to new building developments.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-04-22T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302511,"EventID":"S4O-04228","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":4948,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-04-15T13:25:34.68","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-04-13T12:04:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what it is doing in this year of food and drink to encourage local authorities and NHS boards to promote Scottish food.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-04-22T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302512,"EventID":"S4O-04229","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":4956,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":106,"ApprovedDate":"2015-04-15T13:25:35.273","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-04-13T12:04:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how the rural affairs directorate is helping farms and other rural businesses take advantage of the opportunities arising from the tourism industry.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-04-22T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302513,"EventID":"S4O-04230","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-04-15T13:25:35.85","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-04-13T12:04:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether the Minister for Environment, Climate Change and Land Reform has been involved in discussions with INEOS regarding its plans for fracking.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-04-22T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302514,"EventID":"S4O-04232","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":4938,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-04-15T13:25:36.567","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-04-13T12:04:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it is supporting the potato industry.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-04-22T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302515,"EventID":"S4O-04233","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":4014,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-04-15T13:25:37.13","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-04-13T12:04:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will seek an extension to the deadline for the registration of single application forms for rural payments and services.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-04-22T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302516,"EventID":"S4O-04234","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":5074,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":104,"ApprovedDate":"2015-04-15T13:25:37.753","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-04-13T12:05:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what relationship it has with UK Visas and Immigration.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-04-23T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302517,"EventID":"S4O-04235","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":1845,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-04-15T13:25:38.313","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-04-13T12:05:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will use consequential funding to help provide defibrillators in public places.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-04-23T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302518,"EventID":"S4O-04236","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":2123,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":103,"ApprovedDate":"2015-04-15T13:25:39.047","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-04-15T09:20:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what support it will provide to the kind of nurse-led initiatives highlighted in the RCN Scotland campaign, Nursing at the Edge.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-04-23T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302519,"EventID":"S4O-04237","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":5057,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-04-15T13:25:39.72","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-04-14T11:38:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it will set out its plans for the regeneration of town centres that are in need of rejuvenation.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-04-23T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302520,"EventID":"S4O-04238","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":5080,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-04-15T13:25:40.327","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-04-14T11:03:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what recent discussions it has had with Rolls-Royce regarding its presence in East Kilbride. ","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-04-23T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302521,"EventID":"S4O-04239","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":2633,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-04-15T13:25:40.84","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-04-15T10:59:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it last met NHS Fife and what issues were discussed. ","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-04-23T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302522,"EventID":"S4O-04240","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":1814,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":77,"ApprovedDate":"2015-04-15T13:25:41.607","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-04-13T12:05:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it last met South Lanarkshire Council.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-04-23T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302523,"EventID":"S4O-04241","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":3824,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-04-15T13:25:42.417","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-04-15T10:36:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to reports that Ayrshire College is facing a shortfall in student support funding. ","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-04-23T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302524,"EventID":"S4O-04242","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":4964,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":119,"ApprovedDate":"2015-04-15T13:25:42.98","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-04-13T12:05:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the potential impact on the lowest-income households in Scotland of the spending reductions required to achieve the targets laid out in the Charter for Budget Responsibility.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-04-23T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302525,"EventID":"S4O-04243","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":4939,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":78,"ApprovedDate":"2015-04-15T13:25:43.633","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-04-13T12:05:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what progress it is making with the development of carbon capture and storage electricity generating plants.","AnswerText":"There are two large scale carbon capture and storage (CCS) developments in Scotland. At Peterhead power station, SSE and Shell are proposing to develop the world’s first full-scale gas carbon capture and storage project. The project is expected to make a final investment decision towards the end of 2015 and aims to become operational in 2018-19.\r\nThe other CCS project is the Caledonia Clean Energy Project, a low-carbon power generation project proposed by Summit Power to be built in Grangemouth. The Scottish and UK Governments have jointly agreed to provide £4.2 million funding for this project.","AnswerDate":"2015-04-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-04-23T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302527,"EventID":"S4W-25287","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2029,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":145,"ApprovedDate":"2015-04-15T15:07:44.11","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-04-14T15:42:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on empowering local people to implement community justice. ","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is committed to reducing re-offending and securing better outcomes for community justice. \r\nIn December 2013, the Scottish Government announced a new model for community justice which has local delivery, partnerships and collaboration at its heart, supplemented by national arrangements to provide the necessary profile, leadership and assurance. The emphasis is on local collective responsibility through a partnership approach, meaning that planning and decision-making will be placed into the hands of local people and agencies who understand the issues and strengths that are unique to their region, will be most affected by local community justice matters whether as victims, offenders or citizens, and are familiar with the community justice partners operating in their area.\r\nThere was a consultation on the detail of the new model from April until July 2014. The Scottish Government then announced in November 2014 its intention to introduce a Community Justice Bill which will take forward the legislative change to establish the new model. The Community Justice Bill was introduced on 7 May 2015.","AnswerDate":"2015-05-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-05-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302528,"EventID":"S4W-25288","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2108,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":141,"ApprovedDate":"2015-04-15T15:07:44.923","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-04-14T19:43:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what support it provides to the organisation, Tell Mama, which records anti-Muslim bigotry and aims to tackle online hate speech and intolerance, and what its position is on promoting the Tell Mama hotline.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government does not provide support to Tell Mama. There are currently over three hundred organisations in Scotland registered as third party reporting centres with Police Scotland. \r\nThe Scottish Government encourages all victims and witnesses to report incidents of hate crime, either directly to Police Scotland or to a third party reporting centre. Details of third party reporting centres are available on Police Scotland’s website at: http://www.scotland.police.uk/contact-us/hate-crime-third-party-reporting/.","AnswerDate":"2015-05-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-05-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302529,"EventID":"S4W-25290","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2108,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":141,"ApprovedDate":"2015-04-15T15:07:46.077","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-04-14T19:43:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to help tackle online hate speech, intolerance and anti-Muslim bigotry.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is clear that there is no excuse for any form of hate crime. In February 2014, we launched the ‘Speak Up against Hate Crime’ awareness campaign to help victims of and witnesses to hate crime to report all incidents to Police Scotland or to a third party reporting centre.\r\nThe Scottish Government is investing over £3.1 million in 2015-16 to organisations working to tackle racist and religious intolerance, as well as improve the lives of minority ethnic and religious communities in Scotland. This includes £25,000 for Islam Information Scotland to promote a wider understanding of Islam and Scotland’s Muslim communities.\r\nThe Scottish Government works closely with the Muslim Council of Scotland to ensure Scottish Muslims are able to achieve their potential in Scotland and also supports the annual Islam Awareness Week.\r\nOur courts have long-standing powers to tackle hate crime through common law powers to take into account aggravating factors when sentencing. This is covered by the provisions of Section 6 of the Offensive Behaviour at Football and Threatening Communications (Scotland) Act 2012, which criminalises the communication of threats of serious violence and threats intended to incite religious hatred, whether sent through the post or posted on the internet.","AnswerDate":"2015-05-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-05-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302530,"EventID":"S4W-25291","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2015-04-15T15:07:47.107","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-04-15T10:52:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to retrofit Braille buttons at the doors and toilets of ScotRail rolling stock that is not so equipped.","AnswerText":"All Abellio ScotRail trains must comply with the European rail vehicle accessibility standards (the TSI PRM) by 1 January 2020.\r\nThe TSI PRM is a wide range of standards that specifies how all aspects of a train should be designed and built to facilitate the safe and comfortable carriage of passengers with reduced mobility. The TSI PRM requires trains to provide braille signage on entrance and toilet door buttons. \r\nCurrently 160 (55.5%) of ScotRail’s fleet of 288 trains already fully complies with the TSI PRM, which includes the provision of braille signage on buttons. It is likely most of the 44.5% of the fleet that does not fully comply with the TSI PRM will have braille signage on buttons, but do not comply with the TSI PRM on other areas.\r\nScotRail has made a commitment to refurbish the remainder of the fleet that will be retained beyond 2020 to the TSI PRM standard by early 2019. This will ensure the entire fleet is fitted with braille signage where appropriate. \r\nAll 104 new trains which are planned to be introduced by the end of 2018 into its fleet by ScotRail will be TSI PRM compliant. \r\nScotRail are currently refining a programme of refurbishment to older rolling stock, and at this stage cannot specify how many trains do not currently have braille signage on buttons and what it will cost to retro-fit these as part of wider refurbishment. However, it is likely to be a relatively small proportion of older trains that may not have braille signage.","AnswerDate":"2015-05-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-05-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302531,"EventID":"S4W-25292","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2015-04-15T15:07:48.213","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-04-15T10:52:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what provisions there are in the ScotRail contract to ensure that blind and partially sighted people can travel independently on trains in safety.","AnswerText":"ScotRail publishes a Disabled Persons Protection Policy (DPPP) as a condition of its operating licence. The DPPP sets out in detail the wide range of services available to assist disabled passengers to use ScotRail services. This includes a telephone assistance and booking service that is of particular benefit for blind or visually impaired passengers.\r\nTo ensure the safest and most comfortable travel experience for a blind passenger, ScotRail provides a dedicated Passenger Assist service. Any disabled passenger who wants to travel independently but who requires help can book assistance in advance of travel and they will be met at the station by staff and escorted to their seat on the train. If requested, a blind passenger will then be assisted off the train and taken to the station entrance or guided to any companion they may be meeting at the destination station. \r\nStation staff will aim to assist any passenger who asks for help. However, to ensure a more reliable level of service, passengers are asked to book assistance a minimum of four hours in advance of travel if possible. This may be of particular benefit for blind passengers travelling alone as it gives staff adequate time to prepare and to assist the blind passenger to their train. \r\nAbellio ScotRail has made a commitment to reduce the period of advance notice required to three hours in the next year and aims to reduce this to one hour over the longer term. This should increase the flexibility and choice for passengers who may need assistance.","AnswerDate":"2015-05-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-05-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302532,"EventID":"S4W-25293","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2015-04-15T15:07:49.273","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-04-15T10:52:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what proportion of ScotRail rolling stock is provided with Braille buttons to assist blind or partially sighted people to (a) board and leave the trains and (b) locate and use the toilets.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-25291 on 1 May 2015. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at: \r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx","AnswerDate":"2015-05-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-05-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302533,"EventID":"S4W-25294","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2015-04-15T15:07:50.243","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-04-15T10:52:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what assessment has been made of the (a) practicality and (b) cost of retrofitting Braille buttons at the doors and toilets of ScotRail rolling stock that is not so equipped.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-25291 on 1 May 2015. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at: \r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx","AnswerDate":"2015-05-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-05-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302534,"EventID":"S4W-25295","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4947,"Party":"Independent","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-04-15T15:07:51.507","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-04-15T11:08:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether the Lord Advocate will make a statement following recent press reports regarding the investigation into the murder of Emma Caldwell.","AnswerText":"After consideration of the information relating to the murder of Emma Caldwell the Lord Advocate has ordered Police Scotland to reinvestigate the case. The Lord Advocate has now met the family of Emma Caldwell to explain the process involved. Police Scotland will report the results of their reinvestigation for consideration of Crown Counsel.","AnswerDate":"2015-06-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-05-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Lesley Thomson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302535,"EventID":"S4W-25298","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1860,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-04-15T15:07:52.38","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-04-15T12:10:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4F-02714 by Nicola Sturgeon on 2 April 2015 (Official Report, c.17), how much of the money will be allocated to (a) judicial, (b) frontline and (c) other services.","AnswerText":"Decisions about the allocation of the additional £20 million will be taken in discussion with key statutory and third sector partners, with a clear focus on improving support and protection for victims, prevention and reducing the risk of harm. Decisions about the final allocation of money to (a) judicial, (b) frontline and (c) other services have not been finalised.\r\nAs set out by the First Minister, the additional funding will help to: support additional fiscals, court staff and judiciary to assist the efficient processing of cases through the courts; widen access to advocacy, support and legal services for the victims of crime, including domestic abuse and sexual offences; explore an expansion to innovative initiatives such as the Caledonian System, which work with men convicted of domestic abuse, and improve education and information resources to help increase public understanding of these crimes.","AnswerDate":"2015-04-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-05-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302536,"EventID":"S4W-25299","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1860,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-04-15T15:07:53.283","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-04-15T12:10:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on reintroducing ringfencing for coordinator posts funded by the Violence Against Women Fund.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has no plans to reintroduce ringfencing for coordinator posts previously funded by the Violence Against Women Fund.","AnswerDate":"2015-04-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-05-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302537,"EventID":"S4W-25300","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2033,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":132,"ApprovedDate":"2015-04-15T15:07:54.22","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-04-15T13:02:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to review the legislation and rules regarding complaints about lawyers.","AnswerText":"In consultation with the Scottish Legal Complaints Commission (SLCC), the Law Society of Scotland, the Faculty of Advocates, the Association of Commercial Attorneys, the Legal Defence Union, the Scottish Solicitors’ Discipline Tribunal, Citizens Advice Scotland, Which?, the Office of Fair Trading and Strathclyde University, we reviewed the process for handling complaints about solicitors’ services and in August 2014 made the following two Scottish Statutory Instruments: The Legal Profession and Legal Aid (Scotland) Act 2007 (Membership of the Scottish Legal Complaints Commission) Amendment Order 2014 and The Scottish Legal Complaints Commission (Modification of Duties and Powers) Regulations 2014. These improve the process by bringing procedural efficiencies to the SLCC, making the legislation a more efficient framework for dealing with legal complaints in Scotland.\r\nAny further change would require primary legislation. We will keep this under review. The process for dealing with complaints regarding the conduct of lawyers is a matter for the Law Society of Scotland.","AnswerDate":"2015-05-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-05-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302538,"EventID":"S4W-25301","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":2,"MSPID":5074,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":104,"ApprovedDate":"2015-04-16T12:50:51.687","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-04-16T12:45:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what progress has been made with the Fair Work Convention.","AnswerText":"The convention will meet for the first time on 30 April 2015 when it will consider priorities for its future work to develop, promote and sustain a fair employment and workplace framework for Scotland. It will be co-chaired by Anne Douglas, former National Secretary of Prospect, and Linda Urquhart, Chairman of Morton Fraser.\r\nFollowing this meeting and after the UK General Election, we will publish the Scottish Government’s full response to the recommendations of the Working Together Review alongside the agreed remit of the convention.\r\nThe full membership of the convention is as follows: \r\nCo-Chairs:\r\nAnne Douglas, former President, Scottish Trades Union Congress (STUC)\r\nLinda Urquhart, Chairman, Morton Fraser\r\nMembers:\r\nMary Alexander, Deputy Regional Secretary – Scotland, Unite\r\nLilian Macer, Scottish Convenor, Unison\r\nBernadette Malone, Chief Executive, Perth and Kinross Council\r\nJohn Reid, General Manager, Michelin\r\nHenry Simmons, Chief Executive, Alzheimer Scotland\r\nGrahame Smith, General Secretary, STUC\r\nAcademic Support:\r\nProvided by Patricia Findlay, Director of the Scottish Centre for Employment Research at the University of Strathclyde.","AnswerDate":"2015-04-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-05-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Roseanna Cunningham","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302539,"EventID":"S4W-25302","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2110,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":138,"ApprovedDate":"2015-04-16T15:08:57.13","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-04-16T13:30:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with animal welfare organisations about electric shock collars, following the debate on motion S4M-11431, A Shocking Way to Treat Your Dog, on 8 January 2015.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government have regular meetings with animal welfare organisations to discuss a range of welfare issues, including electronic shock collars. We are aware of continuing concerns on this matter and are keeping our position under review. In particular, officials are currently in the process of gathering further information on the use of electronic shock collars both in Scotland and in other countries. They will also consider the views of the Public Petitions Committee following a recent petition on this subject.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-05-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-05-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Richard Lochhead","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302548,"EventID":"S4W-25303","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-04-17T14:29:32.077","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-04-17T09:29:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether all NHS boards have reached agreement with local authorities regarding the issue of equipment such as metal crutches, walking aids and braces in order to ensure a fully integrated approach.","AnswerText":"Health boards and their local authority partners work together in a variety of ways to provide community equipment, including walking aids.\r\nGuidance issued by the Scottish Government in 2008 on the provision of equipment and adaptations encourages this joint working through, for example, the development of integrated joint stores, pooled or aligned budgets.\r\nTo accompany the guidance we also published, in partnership with the Joint Improvement Team, a range of good practice guides and self-evaluation tools. A copy of the guidance and accompanying publications is available here: \r\nhttp://www.gov.scot/Topics/Health/Support-Social-Care/Independent-Living/Equipment-Adaptations\r\nAs we move towards the integration of health and social care these integrated arrangements will develop further. The Public Bodies (Joint Working) (Scotland) Act 2014 requires that functions related to the provision of community equipment must be delegated to the Integrated Joint Board. These arrangements must be in place by April 2016.\r\nAn advice note explaining these requirements was published by the Scottish Government on 30 April 2015 and is available here: \r\nhttp://www.gov.scot/Publications/2015/04/9832/downloads\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-05-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-05-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302549,"EventID":"S4W-25304","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-04-17T14:29:33.093","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-04-17T09:29:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what guidance it issues to ensure that equipment such as metal crutches, walking aids and braces is returned after use.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government issued Guidance on the Provision of Equipment and Adaptations in 2008. This guidance emphasises the importance of recycling community equipment. We have also published a report highlighting the benefits and savings to be made through effective recycling.\r\nThe Joint Improvement Team also continues to provide practical support and advice to partnerships on improving the procurement and delivery and recycling of community equipment.","AnswerDate":"2015-05-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-05-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302551,"EventID":"S4F-02734","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":4976,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-04-20T12:53:07.983","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-04-17T09:02:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister when she will next meet the Prime Minister. ","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-04-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":"2015-04-23T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302552,"EventID":"S4F-02735","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":3759,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":80,"ApprovedDate":"2015-04-20T12:53:09.67","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-04-20T09:10:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister what action the Scottish Government is taking to investigate current and historic child sexual exploitation.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-04-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":"2015-04-23T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302553,"EventID":"S4F-02736","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":3812,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-04-20T12:53:10.357","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-04-20T09:22:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister what engagements she has planned for the rest of the day.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-04-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":"2015-04-23T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302554,"EventID":"S4F-02738","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":4940,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-04-20T12:53:12.027","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-04-20T10:47:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister what the Scottish Government’s response is to figures from the Trussell Trust suggesting that the number of people in the UK relying on foodbanks is expected to pass one million. ","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-04-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":"2015-04-23T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302555,"EventID":"S4F-02745","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":1768,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":131,"ApprovedDate":"2015-04-20T12:53:16.08","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-04-20T11:39:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister what the Scottish Government's response is to recent reports that police officers are manipulating the recording of crime statistics by using their discretionary powers to prevent reported incidents being recorded as crimes.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-04-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":"2015-04-23T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302556,"EventID":"S4F-02751","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":2595,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-04-20T12:53:19.623","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-04-20T11:59:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister for what reason unemployment has increased in Scotland.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-04-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":"2015-04-23T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302557,"EventID":"S4T-00996","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":9,"MSPID":4934,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-04-20T12:53:38.497","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-04-20T11:48:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what response it has received to its letter to the UK Government regarding the rescue of migrants attempting to enter Europe across the Mediterranean.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-04-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":"2015-04-21T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302558,"EventID":"S4T-00997","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":9,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-04-20T12:53:39.107","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-04-20T11:51:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what support it is providing to NHS staff to deal with stress.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-04-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":"2015-04-21T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302559,"EventID":"S4W-25162","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3824,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-04-20T16:57:41.54","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-30T11:03:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what it is doing to address the reported £7 million shortfall in student support funding.","AnswerText":"With the Scottish Funding Council (SFC), we have agreed with colleges that the estimated shortfall in further education (FE) student support will be met in 2014-15 through the redirection of funds previously earmarked for depreciation.\r\n\r\nWe are working closely with the SFC, Colleges Scotland and the sector to develop a way forward for 2015-16 which will ensure that students are supported. This work will build on the SFC’s recent review of FE student support.\r\nIn the first instance, SFC will ensure that student support allocations for 2015-16 are more closely aligned to actual need based on the results of last year’s redistribution exercise.","AnswerDate":"2015-05-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-05-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302560,"EventID":"S4W-25163","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3824,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-04-20T16:57:42.6","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-30T11:03:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it considers it appropriate to advise colleges to use depreciation funds to cover shortfalls in student support funds and what it is doing to assist colleges that do not have such funds available.","AnswerText":"By taking decisive action around this technical accounting issue, we have protected the college sector’s ability to spend its full budget allocation and, in doing so, have filled the student support gap in 2014-15.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-05-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-05-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302561,"EventID":"S4W-25164","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3824,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-04-20T16:57:43.223","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-30T11:03:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the total budget for further education student support funding has been (a) across Scotland and (b) for Ayrshire College in each year since 2007.","AnswerText":"Since 2006-07, the total further education (FE) student support budget has increased by 29% in real terms, and the corresponding increase in Ayrshire is 47%.\r\n\r\n\r\nTotal FE Student Support(£m)\r\nAyrshire College* FE Student Support(£m)\r\n2006-07\r\n67.3\r\n5.7\r\n2007-08\r\n69.6\r\n5.8\r\n2008-09\r\n72.3\r\n6.0\r\n2009-10\r\n78.9\r\n6.6\r\n2010-11\r\n83.8\r\n8.5\r\n2011-12\r\n95.5\r\n8.5\r\n2012-13\r\n95.5\r\n8.8\r\n2013-14\r\n102.8\r\n9.2\r\n2014-15\r\n104.01\r\n9.3\r\n2015-16\r\n(planned)\r\n105.3\r\n10.2\r\nSource: Scottish Funding Council \r\n*Figures for Ayrshire College include the transfer of student support funds for the Kilwinning campus of the former James Watt College.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-05-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-05-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302562,"EventID":"S4W-25165","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3824,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-04-20T16:57:43.85","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-03-30T11:03:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what it is doing to ensure that college students are receiving sufficient financial support.","AnswerText":"In the current academic year we are investing a record £104 million in further education student support meaning that students can receive bursaries of up to £93.03 per week. College bursaries rose in line with inflation in 2014-15 and will do so again in 2015-16. Unlike the UK Government, we have also retained the Education Maintenance Allowance.\r\n\r\nFor those students studying higher education courses at college (HNC/HND), a minimum income guarantee of £7,500 is available for those with a household income of less than £17,000. All students, irrespective of circumstances, are eligible for a student loan of £4,750.\r\nEach college also operates a discretionary fund. These funds are intended to provide assistance for students in financial difficulties in order for them to access and/or continue their studies.","AnswerDate":"2015-05-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-05-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302563,"EventID":"S4W-25305","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5079,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-04-20T16:57:44.427","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-04-17T15:44:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many pedestrian crossings there are and how many are fitted with tactile cones, broken down by local authority. ","AnswerText":"The information requested is not held centrally.","AnswerDate":"2015-04-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-05-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302564,"EventID":"S4W-25310","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1768,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":131,"ApprovedDate":"2015-04-20T16:57:45.33","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-04-20T09:33:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to ensure that the grant application process for national awards is made as accessible as possible to local committee volunteers who do not have professional experience.","AnswerText":"Decisions about National Lottery grant applications and awards is a matter for lottery distributors. Our understanding is that all the National Lottery distributors in Scotland provide pre-application support for those interested in seeking grant funding.","AnswerDate":"2015-04-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-05-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302565,"EventID":"S4W-25311","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2015-04-20T16:57:46.22","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-04-20T10:23:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what progress has been made on developing third party reporting systems for disability-related hate crime.","AnswerText":"In some cases, it can be that victims and witnesses of hate crime including disability-related hate crime do not feel comfortable reporting the matter directly to Police Scotland and may be more comfortable reporting it to someone they are familiar with.\r\nThat is why Police Scotland works in partnership with a wide variety of partners who perform the role of third party reporting centres. The staff within third party reporting centres have been trained to assist a victim or witness in submitting a report to the police and can make such a report on the victim/witnesses behalf. Examples of third party reporting centres participating in the Police Scotland scheme range from housing associations to victim support offices and voluntary groups.","AnswerDate":"2015-04-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-05-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302566,"EventID":"S4W-25312","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2015-04-20T16:57:47.453","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-04-20T10:23:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it monitors the number of reports of disability-related hate crime that do not result in a prosecution.","AnswerText":"Responsibility for prosecution of any crime including hate crime falls on the independent Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service. \r\n\r\nIn July 2014, the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service published their annual Hate Crime in Scotland publication. This report indicated that in 2013-14, 154 charges were reported to prosecutors with an aggravation of prejudice relating to disability, 12% more than in 2012-13 (17 additional charges). The report went on to advise that court proceedings were commenced in respect of 126 charges (82%), a higher proportion than in previous years. In total 130 (84%) of charges led to court proceedings, including those not separately prosecuted, but which may have been incorporated into other charges for the same accused. \r\nThe report indicated that no action was taken in respect of 7 charges (5%), a lower rate than in previous years. The most common reason for taking no action was the lack of sufficient admissible evidence for the substantial charge even though there was sufficient evidence for the disability aggravation associated with the charge. If there are no proceedings on the substantial charge, there can be no proceedings on an aggravation associated with the charge.\r\nAt the time this report was compiled, 13 charges (8%) were awaiting the outcome of further enquiries before a final decision on proceedings.\r\nMore generally, the report noted there is a broad consensus that disability-related hate crime may well be under reported compared to other forms of hate crime. Both Police Scotland and the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service are engaged in a variety of activities aimed at increasing the level of awareness, especially amongst disability communities, that hate crime is unacceptable and should not be tolerated.","AnswerDate":"2015-04-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-05-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302567,"EventID":"S4W-25313","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2015-04-20T16:57:48.763","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-04-20T10:23:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what more the (a) police and (b) criminal justice system can do to support people who report a disability-related hate crime.","AnswerText":"Police Scotland have made considerable progress in recent years through the development of third party reporting centres and online reporting of hate crime to help support people affected by hate crime including disability-related hate crime. In addition, specific statutory disability hate crime aggravations were introduced through the Offences (Aggravated by Prejudice) (Scotland) Act 2009 which has improved the recording of hate crime and ensures the court must consider whether to increase an offender's sentence to reflect that an offence has been motivated by malice or ill-will towards another person based on their characteristics relating to their identity such as having a disability.\r\nEfforts will continue by partners in the justice system including Police Scotland and the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service to encourage victims of hate crime to report incidents so access to justice can take place and for a robust approach in dealing with such crimes to continue.","AnswerDate":"2015-04-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-05-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302568,"EventID":"S4W-25314","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2015-04-20T16:57:49.997","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-04-20T10:23:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to introduce a national action plan on hate crime similar to the action plan, Challenge it, Report it, Stop it, in England and Wales.","AnswerText":"Tackling hate crime in partnership with key stakeholders and affected communities is a key priority. The Scottish Government believes hate crime to be unacceptable in modern day Scotland, and we are committed to eradicating it from society. We have already strengthened the law in this area, continue to work closely with Police Scotland and others to encourage reporting and are investing over £20 millionin 2015-16 to achieve equality and tackle discrimination. As we develop our approach, we are looking with interest at the approaches taken in other jurisdictions.","AnswerDate":"2015-04-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-05-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302569,"EventID":"S4W-25316","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2015-04-20T16:57:51.227","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-04-20T12:07:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government on what date it will publish details of the payment regions under the new common agricultural policy, and what discussions it has had with NFU Scotland regarding the delays in publication.","AnswerText":"Details of the payment regions were announced to Parliament on the 11 June 2014. Since then, in October 2014, we wrote to each individual farmer with details of the provisional allocation of their agricultural land into the three new payment regions. Farmers were given the opportunity to request a review of the provisional allocation and we are currently working through those review requests. \r\npayment regions and payment rates can only be finalised once the 2015 single application Form forms have been submitted and validated and we know how much land has been declared and claimed in each region.\r\nWe have regular discussions with NFUS on a number of issues including the CAP.","AnswerDate":"2015-05-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-05-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Richard Lochhead","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302570,"EventID":"S4W-25318","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2015-04-20T16:57:52.1","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-04-20T12:07:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether farmers applying for support under the new common agricultural policy will be required to submit their Integrated Administration and Control System (IACS) forms in advance of the publication of the details about the payment regions.","AnswerText":"As per the answer to question S4W-25316 on 7 May 2015, farmers have already received details of the provisional allocations of their agricultural land into the three payment regions, however, this information is not necessary for the completion of the single application form (SAF). Farmers should complete their SAFs without delay ensuring that they only declare eligible land and eligible activity for the area they are seeking payments. Once this information is validated final allocation of payment regions can be made. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-05-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-05-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Richard Lochhead","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302588,"EventID":"S4W-25306","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2675,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":93,"ApprovedDate":"2015-04-21T17:08:20.21","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-04-19T12:38:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the draft recommendations in the wild fishing review, what research it is conducting on the potential benefits of releasing salmon smolts from hatcheries into salmon fishing rivers.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is in the process of publishing a review of the performance of hatchery-reared salmon smolts (the stage at which the fish are changing from the freshwater to marine form) stocked in to Scottish waters (often termed ‘salmon ranching’). The percentage of ranched smolts that return as adults is much lower than would be expected from salmon reared naturally in the wild. The report concludes that it is not clear that smolt ranching is an economically viable proposition. The report also notes that the practice of ranching carries potential threats to native populations of Atlantic salmon that would need to be balanced against any potential economic benefits.\r\n\r\nStocking of salmon smolts has been undertaken in a number of rivers over the years, although there are few examples of extant long term programmes. The Scottish Government did not receive any applications to stock salmon smolts in 2014, although such consents may have been approved by local district salmon fishery boards. The River Carron is often used as an example of benefits of stocking smolts, however a number of different life stages of salmon have been stocked in the river since 1995 and smolt stocking ceasing in 2011. A recent review by the University of Highlands and Islands concluded that it was not possible to determine whether stocking of salmon played a role in the increasing rod catch within the River Carron.","AnswerDate":"2015-05-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-05-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen McLeod","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302589,"EventID":"S4W-25307","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2675,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":93,"ApprovedDate":"2015-04-21T17:08:21.197","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-04-19T12:38:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government which rivers have smolt release programmes for the boosting of salmon stocks.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-25306 on 5 May 2015. Managers of a number of rivers have experimented with stocking of salmon smolts over the years, including the Tay, Lochy, Dionard, Leven, Irvine, Conon and Carron. Of these managers, only those on the Lochy currently stock salmon smolts. The Scottish Government did not receive any applications to stock salmon smolts in 2014, although such consents may have been approved by local district salmon fishery boards. \r\nAll answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at: \r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx","AnswerDate":"2015-05-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-05-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen McLeod","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302590,"EventID":"S4W-25308","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2675,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":93,"ApprovedDate":"2015-04-21T17:08:21.92","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-04-19T12:38:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what evidence there is regarding whether smolt release programmes sustain salmon stocks for angling.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-25306 on 5 May 2015. There is evidence that stocked salmon smolts return to Scottish rivers as adults. However, the survival rate is very low and much lower than that of wild-reared smolts. The report currently being published by the Scottish Government suggests that the revenue accrued by smolt ranching is unlikely to cover the costs of the activity in many circumstances, a conclusion also reached by certain local managers, as published by the Ness and Tay District Salmon Fisheries Boards. There is a further problem that there may be negative effects on wild stocks as a result of smolts stocking. Where financial outlay and conservation concerns are not serious impediments, smolt release programmes could sustain salmon stocks for angling.\r\nAll answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at: \r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx","AnswerDate":"2015-05-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-05-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen McLeod","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302591,"EventID":"S4W-25309","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2675,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":93,"ApprovedDate":"2015-04-21T17:08:22.797","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-04-19T12:38:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on supporting smolt release on a greater range of (a) east and (b) west coast rivers.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is committed to promoting evidence-based fishery management. Management of salmon fisheries takes place at a local level by District Salmon Fishery Boards who have responsibility for regulation of salmon introductions in their area. Smolt release is one of a variety of potential tools in managing salmon populations and the Scottish Government would encourage those considering this option to do so in the context of the best available science and evidence. As outlined in the response to S4W-25306 on 5 May 2015, the Scottish Government is in the process of publishing a review of the performance of hatchery-reared salmon smolts.\r\n\r\nAll answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.","AnswerDate":"2015-05-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-05-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen McLeod","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302592,"EventID":"S4W-25319","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1866,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-04-21T17:08:23.52","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-04-20T16:11:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many businesses have used its Rural Payments and Services website to register for support.","AnswerText":"As of 13 May 2015, 19,619 businesses have used the Rural Payments and Services website to register for support.","AnswerDate":"2015-05-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-05-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Richard Lochhead","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302593,"EventID":"S4W-25320","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1866,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-04-21T17:08:24.38","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-04-20T16:13:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on the report in The Press and Journal on 18 April 2015 that contractors working on the development of its Rural Payments and Services website were threatened with being dismissed if they reported defects.","AnswerText":"We take all allegations and claims of this nature very seriously. We have conducted an investigation and found no evidence to substantiate this claim.","AnswerDate":"2015-05-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-05-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Richard Lochhead","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302594,"EventID":"S4W-25321","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1866,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-04-21T17:08:25.29","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-04-20T16:13:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many single application forms have been (a) started and (b) completed using its Rural Payments and Services website. ","AnswerText":"As of 13 May 2015, 6,103 single application forms have been started and 3,516 have been completed using the Rural Payments and Services website.","AnswerDate":"2015-05-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-05-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Richard Lochhead","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302595,"EventID":"S4W-25322","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1866,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-04-21T17:08:26.15","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-04-20T16:13:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many paper single application forms have been received by its Rural Payments and Inspection Division in the current year.","AnswerText":"As of 13 May 2015, 2,545 paper single application forms have been received.","AnswerDate":"2015-05-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-05-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Richard Lochhead","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302596,"EventID":"S4W-25323","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1866,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-04-21T17:08:27.22","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-04-20T16:13:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many complaints it has received regarding (a) its Rural Payments and Services website and (b) the single application form process.","AnswerText":"We recognise that the new Rural Payments and Services (RPS) system has not been operating at the performance level we desire and have been working hard to resolve the issues raised by our customers, including making a number of changes to fix known defects. Customer issues and enquiries are a normal feature in the launch of a new IT system and new Common Agricultural Policy programme. We have received one formal complaint; in addition, we are in constant dialogue with all of our customers on matters related to the RPS system and the single application form process and shall continue to keep in regular contact with them.","AnswerDate":"2015-05-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-05-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Richard Lochhead","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302597,"EventID":"S4W-25324","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1866,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-04-21T17:08:28.043","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-04-20T16:13:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much it cost to develop its Rural Payments and Services website and how this was monitored.","AnswerText":"Development of the Rural Payments and Services website is part of a wider programme of work to deliver improvements to the way in which rural payments and inspection services are provided, and also to implement reform of the Common Agricultural Policy. The total programme expenditure as at 31 March 2015 was £90 million, which includes the IT system, staff training, and stakeholder engagement and communication. Costs are monitored through programme governance and as part of routine Scottish Government financial controls.","AnswerDate":"2015-05-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-05-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Richard Lochhead","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302598,"EventID":"S4W-25325","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2033,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":132,"ApprovedDate":"2015-04-21T17:08:28.887","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-04-20T16:27:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much it has spent on the education maintenance allowance in each year since 2007 and how much it plans to spend in each year of the next parliamentary session.","AnswerText":"The following table details the education maintenance allowance (EMA) spend since academic year 2006-07. The EMA is an entitlement in Scotland and a demand led programme which means that any person who meets the eligibility criteria will receive EMA support. Therefore, the spend will fluctuate depending on how many young people qualify for the award.\r\nCurrently the budget for this financial year is £29.6 million. This will, however, be reviewed in light of the First Minister’s announcement to expand the EMA programme to benefit more young people. The Scottish Government are in the process of making the necessary changes.\r\nEMA Spend: 2006-07 to 2013-14\r\nAcademic Year\r\nTotal (£)\r\n2006-07\r\n32,433,285\r\n2007-08\r\n33,340,440\r\n2008-09\r\n35,441,160\r\n2009-10\r\n33,193,010\r\n2010-11\r\n27,177,220\r\n2011-12\r\n27,613,140\r\n2012-13\r\n27,817,195\r\n2013-14\r\n28,234,625\r\nNote: Figures in this table have been rounded to the nearest five.","AnswerDate":"2015-05-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-05-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Roseanna Cunningham","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302599,"EventID":"S4W-25326","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2033,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":132,"ApprovedDate":"2015-04-21T17:08:29.567","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-04-20T16:27:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many people have claimed the education maintenance allowance in each year since 2007 and how many people it expects will claim in each year of the next parliamentary session.","AnswerText":"The number of young people in receipt of education maintenance allowance (EMA) since academic year 2006-07 is detailed in the following table. As EMA is an entitlement in Scotland and a demand led programme this means that any person who meets the eligibility criteria will receive EMA support.\r\nIn light of the First Minister’s announcement to expand the EMA programme we expect an estimated 22,000 additional students to become eligible.\r\nTable 1: Young people in receipt of EMA by institution type: 2006-07 to 2013-14\r\n\r\nAcademic Year\r\nTotal (£)\r\nAll Institutions\r\n2006-07\r\n37,480\r\n2007-08\r\n37,275\r\n2008-09\r\n39,000\r\n2009-10\r\n37,230\r\n2010-11\r\n34,780\r\n2011-12\r\n34,390\r\n2012-13\r\n35,515\r\n2013-14\r\n34,955\r\nNote: Figures in this table have been rounded to the nearest five.","AnswerDate":"2015-05-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-05-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Roseanna Cunningham","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302600,"EventID":"S4W-25327","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2033,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":132,"ApprovedDate":"2015-04-21T17:08:30.203","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-04-20T16:27:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to change the eligibility criteria for education maintenance allowance and how it will pay for this.","AnswerText":"In March 2015, the First Minister announced extending the education maintenance allowance (EMA) scheme. The changes will involve raising the eligibility threshold to make payments available to an estimated 10,000 additional school pupils and extending the scheme to part time college students, helping an estimated 12,000 additional young people stay on in education.\r\nWe are in the process of making the necessary changes and further details will be made available in due course.","AnswerDate":"2015-05-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-05-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Roseanna Cunningham","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302601,"EventID":"S4W-25328","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-04-21T17:08:30.88","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-04-20T20:54:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when NHS National Services Scotland will publish the primary care workforce planning survey for the year to January 2014 and, in light of the January 2013 survey being published in September 2013, what the reason is for the delay.","AnswerText":"The national primary care workforce planning survey is the method by which the Scottish Government currently obtains evidence from independent contractor practices about their staffing arrangements. While every effort is made to ensure practices participate, the status of GPs and practice staff as independent contractors should be recognised as a relevant factor in ensuring appropriate coverage of the survey.\r\nA survey covering the year ending 31 January 2013 was published in September 2013. Prior to that time, the survey was periodic, and as no formal survey structure or cycle was in place, the Workforce Survey Advisory Group accepted a recommendation that such surveys be undertaken every two years. While no survey was carried out in 2014, preparations are currently being made in order for the 2015 survey to take place.\r\nThe Scottish Government and its stakeholders are discussing scope to improve these arrangements, taking into account the varied nature of contractual and employment arrangements within which GPs and their staff work; the practicalities of workforce planning in the context of initiatives such as sustainability and seven day services; the Greenaway report on the shape of medical training; and the Scottish Government’s national review of primary care out of hours services being led by Professor Sir Lewis Ritchie OBE, which will report later in 2015.","AnswerDate":"2015-05-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-05-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":true},{"UniqueID":302602,"EventID":"S4W-25329","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-04-21T17:08:31.853","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-04-20T20:54:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action NHS boards have taken to address the increase in the number of GP vacancies reflected in the Primary Care Workforce Planning Survey 2013, and with what outcome.","AnswerText":"Under this government, the number of GPs employed in Scotland has risen by 6.9 per cent to nearly 5,000 – the highest ever on record. We have also increased funding by 10 per cent and there are more GPs per head of population in Scotland than in England. The Scottish Government works closely with boards to support and sustain Scottish general practice. For example, the recently agreed GP contract aims to give the profession stability over the next three years – reducing bureaucracy and allowing doctors to spend more time with patients. We will continue to work with the The Royal College of General Practitioners, the British Medical Association and others to find innovative solutions to GP recruitment and retention challenges.\r\nWith regard to the Primary Care Workforce Survey, there are difficulties in comparing vacancy findings in 2013 with the proposed vacancy questions for 2015. The 2013 questions around GP vacancies related to the number of sessions undertaken by GPs, not the number of GP posts. The proposed vacancy questions from the National Primary Care Workforce Survey 2015 Stakeholder Group read that they are around vacant posts, rather than vacant sessions.\r\nMedical workforce supply and demand is presently governed by a formula based on estimates of GP retirals with a 1.6 participation uplift to take account of less than full time (LTFT) working by the future GP workforce, and a greater emphasis on medical care delivered in community settings. While, to date, the main factor considered has been the estimate of GP retirals and trends in career choices (e.g. LTFT, portfolio careers) these issues are clearly impacting on the sustainability of local services, so we are actively considering what additional evidence needs to be gathered that will influence future planning assumptions.","AnswerDate":"2015-04-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-05-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":true},{"UniqueID":302603,"EventID":"S4W-25330","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1759,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-04-21T17:08:33.177","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-04-21T09:17:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether all scientific reports produced to underpin the Scottish Beaver Trial have been subject to Scottish Natural Heritage quality assurance to confirm scientific accuracy. ","AnswerText":"The Scottish Beaver Trial monitoring projects have been subject to the standard Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) quality assurance process, involving senior staff and independent assessors, where the project reports are being published as SNH Commissioned Reports. Four projects at the Scottish Beaver Trial are not being handled this way because they fall outwith SNH’s natural heritage remit. These are the monitoring of a scheduled monument (Historic Scotland), public health (Argyll and Bute Council), animal health (Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies) and water chemistry (Scottish Environment Protection Agency). These reports have been led and published by the relevant organisations, although SNH was given the opportunity to contribute to their quality assurance.","AnswerDate":"2015-04-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-05-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen McLeod","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302604,"EventID":"S4W-25331","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1759,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-04-21T17:08:33.893","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-04-21T09:17:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether the Beaver-Salmonid Working Group report, produced as part of the Scottish Beaver Trial, has been quality assured by Scottish Natural Heritage for scientific accuracy or will be subject to future scientific peer review.","AnswerText":"The Beaver-Salmonid Working Group (BSWG) report was not a Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) publication, and consequently it did not go through the standard SNH quality assurance process. The BSWG was made up of a number of organisations and independently chaired, and its report was published by the BSWG. All the organisations concerned contributed to the quality assurance process, and SNH was one of the organisations which was given the opportunity to contribute comments on the draft report.","AnswerDate":"2015-04-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-05-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen McLeod","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302605,"EventID":"S4W-25333","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3806,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-04-21T17:08:34.683","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-04-21T13:55:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what measures are in place to secure the identity of passengers on the Aberdeen - Shetland ferry service.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to his question S4W-24439 on 24 February 2015 in regard to proof of identity no longer being legally required on NorthLink ferries. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-04-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-05-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302606,"EventID":"S4W-25334","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5041,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-04-21T17:08:35.47","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-04-21T15:53:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it considers that the move from a national target to an individual council target for teacher numbers penalises councils that have maintained teacher numbers relative to their demographic/pupil roll movement.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government's preference would have been to reach a Scotland wide agreement on teacher numbers for 2015-16 as in previous years. COSLA's failure to commit to such an agreement left us with no alternative but to secure commitments from individual local authorities. The consequences of this will be different for each local authority dependent on a range of factors including pupil roll movement.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-05-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-05-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302607,"EventID":"S4W-25335","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5041,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-04-21T17:08:36.07","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-04-21T16:03:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much Falkirk Council will receive from the remaining funds in the Attainment Scotland Fund in 2015-16 and whether this will include any additional funding from the initial £20 million allocation. ","AnswerText":"The Attainment Scotland Fund will invest £100 million over four years to tackle the attainment gap and reduce inequalities in education outcomes, including £20 million during 2015-16. The fund is targeted at schools in local authorities with the biggest concentration of primary age children from households in deprived areas. Analysis of statistics around primary school pupils whose homes are located in Scottish Index of Multiple Deprivation deciles 1 and 2 (the bottom 20%) indicate that the highest concentrations are in Glasgow, Dundee, Inverclyde, West Dunbartonshire, North Ayrshire, North Lanarkshire and Clackmannanshire.\r\nThe Scottish Government recognises that deprivation exists in other places in Scotland. During the coming year, we will continue to work with other local authority areas such as Falkirk which are geographically diverse and socially mixed and where there are pockets of severe deprivation, to dig deeper into addressing the local need.\r\nThe Scottish Attainment Fund supplements our existing national support for raising attainment which has been enhanced by a new commitment to ensuring an attainment advisor will be available in every local authority. Schools in Falkirk have also benefited from the Access to Education Fund, which was established to help reduce to barriers experienced by pupils from disadvantaged backgrounds.","AnswerDate":"2015-04-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-05-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302608,"EventID":"S4W-25336","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5041,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-04-21T17:08:36.67","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-04-21T16:03:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what assistance it gives to local authorities to recruit and retain teachers in (a) maths, (b) home economics and (c) sciences and whether local authorities will be penalised if teachers numbers are not maintained due to vacant and supply posts remaining unfilled. ","AnswerText":"Local authorities have a statutory duty to employ adequate numbers of teachers in the schools under their management, and the recruitment and retention of teachers are matters for local authorities. We are working with universities, local authorities and others, through the Teacher Workforce Planning Working Group, to explore how the barriers to recruiting to the Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM) subjects can be overcome. We fully expect all local authorities to meet the teacher numbers commitment that they have made. The terms of the commitment make it clear that successful delivery of the commitment will attract additional resource and that failure to deliver will result in clawback.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-05-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-05-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302639,"EventID":"S4W-25337","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1853,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":86,"ApprovedDate":"2015-04-22T13:29:45.343","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-04-21T16:19:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government for what reasons a GP would be unable to provide an NHS prescription for a homeopathic medicine that had been recommended by an NHS doctor.","AnswerText":"It is the doctor who signs a prescription who carries legal and clinical responsibility and not the clinician who recommended it. GPs will often write a prescription based on another clinician’s advice but generally will only do so if they are in agreement that it is appropriate and if they are sufficiently knowledgeable about the use; interactions; and side effects, to take personal legal responsibility for writing the prescription for it. All GPs have the right to refuse to prescribe a treatment that they are not prepared to take clinical responsibility for.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-05-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-05-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302640,"EventID":"S4W-25338","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1853,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":86,"ApprovedDate":"2015-04-22T13:29:46.03","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-04-21T16:19:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government in what circumstances a letter from a secondary care service medical professional recommending the prescription of a drug or other medication by a GP will incur a charge to the patient.","AnswerText":"It is common practice for hospital consultants to recommend to a patient’s GP the prescribing of a drug as part of the patient’s ongoing care at home. All prescriptions issued on a Scottish NHS prescription form are dispensed free in Scotland.\r\nThe circumstances in which a GP prescription may incur a charge to the patient might include occasions where the prescription is presented and dispensed in a pharmacy in England and the patient does not hold a valid exemption certificate, or is otherwise exempt, and if the GP is treating the patient on a private basis and issues a private prescription for treatment not available on the NHS. A GP can write a private prescription but cannot charge for writing it if the patient is registered for NHS care with that GP or any other GP in the same practice.","AnswerDate":"2015-04-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-05-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302641,"EventID":"S4W-25339","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1853,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":86,"ApprovedDate":"2015-04-22T13:29:46.56","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-04-21T16:19:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government which homeopathic medicines are contained in the approved prescribing list for GPs.","AnswerText":"There is no approved list of homeopathic medicines for prescription. \r\nThe prescribing of specific medicines, including homeopathic ones, is a clinical decision taken in consultation with the patient based on the GP’s competencies and awareness of the medicines concerned, and whether they are appropriate treatment for that patient.","AnswerDate":"2015-04-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-05-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302642,"EventID":"S4W-25340","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1853,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":86,"ApprovedDate":"2015-04-22T13:29:47.187","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-04-21T16:19:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether (a) Syzygium 30c and (b) Natrum Muriaticum 1m powder is available to NHS patients.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-25339 on 1 May 2015. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at: \r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx","AnswerDate":"2015-04-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-05-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302643,"EventID":"S4W-25341","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2610,"Party":"Independent","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-04-22T13:29:47.73","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-04-21T16:27:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-25092 by Keith Brown on 21 April 2015, whether it will provide the (a) names of each project, (b) rate of return for each project on the lower grade debt instruments used to finance them and (c) estimated completion date for each project in Central Scotland.","AnswerText":"The information requested is contained in the following table.\r\nProject\r\nEstimated Completion Date\r\nLower grade debt return to Scottish Futures Trust (SFT)\r\nCentral Scotland Non-Profit Distributing (NPD)\r\n\r\n\r\nCity of Glasgow College\r\nAugust 2016\r\n*\r\nAyrshire College (Kilmarnock Campus)\r\nMay 2016\r\n*\r\nM8/M73/M74 Motorway Improvements\r\nMarch 2017\r\n*\r\nScottish National Blood Transfusion Service National Centre\r\nMarch 2016\r\n*\r\nRoyal Hospital for Sick Children/Department of Clinical Neurosciences\r\nAugust 2017\r\n*\r\nAcute Mental Health and North Ayrshire Community Hospital\r\nMarch 2016\r\n*\r\nCentral Scotland hub\r\n\r\n\r\nJames Gillespie’s High School\r\nJuly 2016\r\n10.9%\r\nNHS Lanarkshire Bundle\r\nMarch 2016\r\n10.5%\r\nRedevelopment of Royal Edinburgh Hospital Campus – Phase 1\r\nDecember 2016\r\n10.8%\r\nLevenmouth High School\r\nJuly 2016\r\n10.0%\r\nMaryhill Health Centre and Eastwood Health and Care Centre\r\nMarch 2016\r\n9.8%\r\nGreenfaulds High School\r\nJune 2017\r\n10.5%\r\n*SFT does not invest in these projects. They were included in the answer to S4W-25092 for completeness.\r\nProject\r\nEstimated Completion Date\r\nLower grade debt return to SFT\r\nCentral Scotland NPD\r\n\r\n\r\nCity of Glasgow College\r\nAugust 2016\r\n*\r\nAyrshire College (Kilmarnock Campus)\r\nMay 2016\r\n*\r\nM8/M73/M74 Motorway Improvements\r\nMarch 2017\r\n*\r\nScottish National Blood Transfusion Service National Centre \r\nMarch 2016\r\n*\r\nRoyal Hospital for Sick Children/Department of Clinical Neurosciences\r\nAugust 2017\r\n*\r\nAcute Mental Health and North Ayrshire Community Hospital\r\nMarch 2016\r\n*\r\nCentral Scotland hub\r\n\r\n\r\nJames Gillespie’s High School\r\nJuly 2016\r\n10.9%\r\nNHS Lanarkshire Bundle\r\nMarch 2016\r\n10.5%\r\nRedevelopment of Royal Edinburgh Hospital Campus – Phase 1\r\nDecember 2016\r\n10.8%\r\nLevenmouth High School\r\nJuly 2016\r\n10.0%\r\nMaryhill Health Centre and Eastwood Health and Care Centre\r\nMarch 2016\r\n9.8%\r\nGreenfaulds High School\r\nJune 2017\r\n10.5%\r\n*SFT does not invest in these projects. They were included in the answer to \r\nS4W-25092 for completeness.","AnswerDate":"2015-05-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-05-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302644,"EventID":"S4O-04244","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-04-22T13:36:52.577","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-04-20T12:07:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what is being done to ensure early diagnosis and appropriate ongoing support for mental health patients.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-04-29T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302645,"EventID":"S4O-04245","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":2675,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":93,"ApprovedDate":"2015-04-22T13:36:53.45","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-04-20T12:07:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what funding is available for minority sports.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-04-29T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302646,"EventID":"S4O-04246","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":5106,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":118,"ApprovedDate":"2015-04-22T13:36:53.947","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-04-20T12:07:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what progress is being made with the development of the new Aberdeen women’s hospital and cancer care centre.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-04-29T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302647,"EventID":"S4O-04247","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":2159,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":88,"ApprovedDate":"2015-04-22T13:36:54.43","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-04-22T11:08:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what podiatry services are available for older people in Glasgow who cannot afford private treatment. ","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-04-29T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302648,"EventID":"S4O-04248","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":2853,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":81,"ApprovedDate":"2015-04-22T13:36:54.853","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-04-22T10:25:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many NHS chief executives were awarded performance-based pay progression of more than 1%, based on performance in the years 2014-15.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-04-29T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302649,"EventID":"S4O-04249","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":1892,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":134,"ApprovedDate":"2015-04-22T13:36:55.273","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-04-22T09:23:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with NHS Dumfries and Galloway regarding future GP provision.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-04-29T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302650,"EventID":"S4O-04250","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":4939,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":78,"ApprovedDate":"2015-04-22T13:36:55.693","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-04-20T16:52:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it takes to help NHS boards to maintain GP numbers.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-04-29T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302651,"EventID":"S4O-04251","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":3751,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":108,"ApprovedDate":"2015-04-22T13:36:56.18","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-04-21T09:15:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what initiatives it has to support community-based sporting groups over the coming year.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-04-29T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302652,"EventID":"S4O-04252","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":5038,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-04-22T13:36:56.663","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-04-22T11:41:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what additional accident and emergency data it is considering publishing.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-04-29T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302653,"EventID":"S4O-04253","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":2615,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":143,"ApprovedDate":"2015-04-22T13:36:57.053","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-04-20T12:08:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what recent discussions it has had with the Scottish Medicines Consortium regarding the licensing of new drugs for the treatment of MS.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-04-29T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302654,"EventID":"S4O-04254","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":2033,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":132,"ApprovedDate":"2015-04-22T13:36:57.443","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-04-20T12:08:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether health spending in Scotland has risen less than in England since 2010.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-04-29T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302655,"EventID":"S4O-04255","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":2633,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-04-22T13:36:57.88","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-04-22T10:39:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to tackle malnutrition. ","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-04-29T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302656,"EventID":"S4O-04256","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":1845,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-04-22T13:36:58.33","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-04-20T12:08:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many cases have been reported to ministers of private and confidential information held on patients being lost, left in public places or breached.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-04-29T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302657,"EventID":"S4O-04257","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":5047,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-04-22T13:36:58.767","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-04-20T12:08:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many general practices have been unable to recruit one or more partners for more than six months.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-04-29T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302658,"EventID":"S4O-04258","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":2673,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":114,"ApprovedDate":"2015-04-22T13:36:59.19","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-04-21T15:45:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will review its \"A Place to be Smoke-free\" campaign.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-04-29T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302659,"EventID":"S4O-04259","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":4938,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-04-22T13:36:59.61","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-04-20T12:08:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it last discussed football club funding with BSkyB, ITV and the BBC.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-04-29T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302660,"EventID":"S4O-04260","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":2108,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":141,"ApprovedDate":"2015-04-22T13:37:00.267","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-04-20T14:44:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it has confidence in the transport, parking and access arrangements for the new South Glasgow Hospitals site.","AnswerText":"When the hospital opens there will be approximately 2,500 spaces available, with a further 1,000 spaces available by 2016 on completion of a third multi storey car park. Currently, the parking capacity must not exceed 3,500 parking spaces, as a condition of planning approval. The new campus will have 200 more spaces than were provided at the hospitals that it replaces.\r\nA planning application has been submitted to Glasgow City Council for the formation of a temporary car park. If successful, 600 spaces dedicated for staff will be developed on a site opposite Linthouse Road, adjacent to the site. This will ease pressures until the full 3,500 spaces are available in 2016.\r\nA range of travel options are being promoted, including walking, cycling, car share, park and ride, and public transport. The new hospitals will be accessible by bus, with 68 peak hour buses serving the site from 11 May 2015, and the site is five minutes by bus from Govan Subway station. The Scottish Government is investing up to £40 million in the new Fastlink scheme which will offer direct transport from three main sites in the city centre, Buchanan Bus Station, Queen Street and Central Station, to the South Glasgow University Hospitals campus. Services will begin on the Fastlink route in early May 2015, providing buses between the city centre and the new hospitals approximately every five minutes at peak times and every 10 minutes off peak.","AnswerDate":"2015-04-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-04-29T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302661,"EventID":"S4O-04261","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":3745,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":122,"ApprovedDate":"2015-04-22T13:37:00.763","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-04-21T10:52:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it last met NHS Grampian and what was discussed.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government meet regularly with representatives of NHS Grampian to discuss matters of importance to local people.","AnswerDate":"2015-04-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-04-29T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302662,"EventID":"S4O-04262","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":2112,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":102,"ApprovedDate":"2015-04-22T13:37:01.343","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-04-21T10:07:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with the SFA and the SPFL on fan ownership of football clubs.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government believes that we need to do more to ensure there is greater fans involvement in the decision making or running of their football club. Following the amendments to the Community Empowerment Bill, discussions have taken place with both the Scottish FA and the Scottish Professional Football League and supporters organisations. We will continue this dialogue along with a range of other organisations including supporters groups.","AnswerDate":"2015-04-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-04-29T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":true},{"UniqueID":302663,"EventID":"S4O-04263","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":2826,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":84,"ApprovedDate":"2015-04-22T13:37:01.873","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-04-21T15:06:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what support it provides to the Patient Opinion service.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has supported the roll-out of the independent website Patient Opinion across Scotland since 2013. This is part of our commitment to developing a culture of openness and transparency within NHS Scotland that welcomes feedback and uses it to drive improvement. \r\nWe have recently awarded Patient Opinion a new contract, which provides for every territorial board in Scotland, and relevant special boards, to be fully registered with the site for up to three years from 1 April 2015. A comprehensive package of support is available to boards to engage effectively with Patient Opinion, with the costs met in full by the Scottish Government.","AnswerDate":"2015-04-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-04-29T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302664,"EventID":"S4O-04264","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-04-22T13:37:02.247","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-04-20T12:09:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what progress it is making in implementing the recommendations in the report by the Commission on Women Offenders.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is committed to delivering on the recommendations of the Commission on Women Offenders, and has made significant progress as set out in the annual progress reports provided to the Scottish Parliament.\r\nKey developments include:\r\nFunding to support local community justice partners in their plans to improve services for women offenders,\r\nThe creation of a national mentoring service for women offenders in custody and in the community; and the national roll out of fiscal work orders to provide procurators fiscal with increased alternatives to prosecution.\r\nI have instructed the development of new plans for the custodial estate for women which are more closely aligned with the recommendations of the Commission on Women Offenders.\r\nOur wider aspiration remains to reduce the use of custody as a disposal, with as many women as possible being supported in the community.","AnswerDate":"2015-04-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-04-30T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302665,"EventID":"S4O-04265","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":5079,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-04-22T13:37:02.95","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-04-22T10:31:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to resolve the industrial dispute at the National Museums of Scotland.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-04-30T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302666,"EventID":"S4O-04266","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":3759,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":80,"ApprovedDate":"2015-04-22T13:37:03.48","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-04-22T11:58:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what measures it is taking to protect public services from the impact of the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-04-30T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302667,"EventID":"S4O-04267","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":2876,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-04-22T13:37:03.9","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-04-20T12:09:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the findings were from its pilot project to monitor assault injury surveillance in NHS Lanarkshire.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-04-30T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302668,"EventID":"S4O-04269","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":4956,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":106,"ApprovedDate":"2015-04-22T13:37:04.307","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-04-22T08:45:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what help is available to local authorities to upgrade infrastructure to support new housing and commercial developments.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-04-30T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302669,"EventID":"S4O-04271","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":2110,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":138,"ApprovedDate":"2015-04-22T13:37:04.68","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-04-20T12:09:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to raise educational attainment in North Ayrshire.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-04-30T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302670,"EventID":"S4O-04272","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":4934,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-04-22T13:37:05.227","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-04-22T11:54:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what progress it is making toward ensuring that every child has the opportunity to undertake on-road cycle training.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-04-30T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302671,"EventID":"S4O-04273","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":2394,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-04-22T13:37:05.617","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-04-20T12:09:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to raise the speed limit on A roads for HGVs over 7.5 tonnes.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-04-30T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302676,"EventID":"S4W-25343","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2015-04-23T13:42:21.183","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-04-22T15:30:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether people with muscular dystrophy can be prescribed the drug, Translarna, by the NHS.","AnswerText":"The manufacturer of Ataluren (Translarna®) has not yet launched this product in the UK and a submission has not yet been made to the Scottish Medicines Consortium.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-05-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-05-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302677,"EventID":"S4W-25344","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2015-04-23T13:42:22.62","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-04-22T15:30:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how the New Medicines Fund was spent in 2014-15.","AnswerText":"The New Medicines Fund provided additional support to NHS boards for the cost of medicines approved under the new process implemented by the Scottish Medicines Consortium in line with the Task and Finish Group report provided to the Scottish Government and published by the Health and Sport Committee and related individual and group patient treatment requests.","AnswerDate":"2015-05-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-05-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302678,"EventID":"S4W-25345","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2015-04-23T13:42:23.383","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-04-22T15:30:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether funding for the drug, Translarna, would be available from the New Medicines Fund and, if so, in what circumstances.","AnswerText":"The manufacturer of Ataluren (Translarna®) has not yet launched this product in the UK.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-05-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-05-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302679,"EventID":"S4W-25346","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2015-04-23T13:42:24.367","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-04-22T15:30:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many specialist neuromuscular care advisers the NHS employs; what their specific responsibilities are, and where they are based.","AnswerText":"Workforce data published by Public Health Information (PHI, formerly Information Services Division) does not specify the number of specialist neuromuscular care adviser (NCA) posts in Scotland.\r\nThe Scottish Government funded a two year pilot project to assess the need for neuromuscular care advisors; one post in each of the regional planning group areas. Currently there is a NCA based in the west of Scotland and one in the south and east.\r\nThe role of the NCA includes: emotional support throughout the patient journey; integration with health and social care multi-disciplinary teams; signposting information and referring to appropriate specialist services; educating patients, families, health and other professionals; and enabling self-management.","AnswerDate":"2015-04-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-05-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302680,"EventID":"S4W-25347","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2015-04-23T13:42:25.24","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-04-22T15:30:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether a specialist neuromuscular care adviser is (a) in post and (b) providing a service in the north of Scotland.","AnswerText":"There is currently no neuromuscular care advisor (NCA) post in the north. The NCA post in the north of Scotland was a project funded for two years with an end date of 31 December 2014. The North of Scotland Planning Group (NOSPG) did not support continued funding as it did not feel that one regional care advisor post in the north was the optimal model for improving neuromuscular care. However, the NOSPG recognised the valuable learning informed by the temporary role of NCA. They will be taking forward a recommendation to bring together the relevant specialist clinical services in the north of Scotland to articulate an improvement plan for implementation over the coming months.\r\nIn addition there are two part time neuromuscular physiotherapy posts in the north of Scotland (Dundee and Aberdeen) who support paediatric physiotherapy for this group of patients. The north has also appointed a part time neuromuscular physiotherapy co-ordinator to work with all services to ensure that patients have appropriate access to allied health care professional support.","AnswerDate":"2015-04-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-05-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302681,"EventID":"S4W-25348","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2015-04-23T13:42:26.003","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-04-23T08:28:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government who the membership of the Widening Access Commission are; what its remit is, and whether this will include examining student financial support levels.","AnswerText":"Further to the appointment of Dame Ruth Silver as Chair, the Scottish Government announced the membership of the Widening Access Commission in a press release on Wednesday 29 April 2015. Members are:\r\n\r\nProfessor Anton Muscatelli, Principal and Vice-Chancellor, University of Glasgow\r\nLiz McIntyre, Principal, Borders College\r\nAli Jarvis, Chair of SFC’s Access & Inclusion Committee\r\nMaureen McKenna, Executive Director of Education, Glasgow City Council\r\nGerry Lyons, Headteacher, St Andrew’s Secondary School, Glasgow\r\nJean Carwood-Edwards, Chief Executive, Early Years Scotland\r\nHelen Martin, Assistant Secretary, Scottish Trades Union Congress\r\nRussell Gunson, Director, NUS Scotland\r\nVonnie Sandlan, Women’s Officer & President elect, NUS Scotland\r\nProfessor Petra Wend, Principal and Vice-Chancellor, Queen Margaret University\r\nCaroline Stuart, Oracle Ltd\r\nOne further member, to bring a UK perspective, will be announced shortly.\r\nThe commission is in the process of finalising its remit but our expectation is that it will consider: barriers to access; measurement and targets; and the identification and upscaling of existing good practice.","AnswerDate":"2015-05-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-05-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302682,"EventID":"S4W-25351","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3824,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-04-23T13:42:26.597","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-04-23T10:51:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with port authorities regarding improvements to plug-in points at ports so that potatoes can be stored in Scotland for export rather than be transported to England.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has had no discussions with port authorities regarding improvements to plug-in points to aid the storage of potatoes in ports. The Scottish Government values the diverse range of ports in Scotland which support our thriving rural economy, including seed potato exports, and would work with any port developers who identified a development opportunity.\r\n\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-05-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-05-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Richard Lochhead","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302683,"EventID":"S4W-25352","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-04-23T13:42:27.033","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-04-23T12:22:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-25107 by Jamie Hepburn on 21 April 2015, when the review of national care standards will be published and its recommendations implemented.","AnswerText":"The analysis of the review of the consultation on the national care standards has been published on the Scottish Government website: http://www.gov.scot/Publications/Recent . Further to my response of 21 April 2015, I can confirm that the project board established to oversee the review of the national care standards expects to develop, test and introduce new standards in 12 to 18 months from now.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-04-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-05-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302694,"EventID":"S4W-25350","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1860,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-04-23T16:30:36.39","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-04-23T09:56:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what it is doing or plans to do to ensure that people with hearing loss have access to lipreading classes or tutors, particularly in the Highlands and Islands.","AnswerText":"A Scottish Lipreading Strategy Group, chaired by Action on Hearing Loss and funded by Scottish Government, recently produced a report, Lipreading Classes in Scotland – the way forward which is currently being considered by Scottish Government officials.\r\n\r\nOne of the recommendations of the report is that a Scottish Lipreading Working Group should be established which will, among other things, improve access to lipreading services in the remote and rural areas by trying out, and evaluating, new technology-based ways.","AnswerDate":"2015-05-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-05-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302695,"EventID":"S4W-25353","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4080,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-04-23T16:30:37.017","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-04-23T16:02:30.35","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government on what date it will publish its response to the consultation on proposed amendments to the NHS Central Register (Scotland) Regulations 2006.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is considering the views expressed in response to our consultation on proposed amendments to the National Health Service Central Register (Scotland) Regulations 2006. We will set out our intended way forward shortly and in doing so will further set out how our commitment to protecting privacy will be met.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-05-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-05-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302700,"EventID":"S4W-25354","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1866,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-04-24T15:29:26.403","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-04-23T17:02:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how hospitals monitor the number of patient falls and what best practice they are expected to follow to minimise the number of incidents.","AnswerText":"NHS boards use incident management systems to record the details of any fall occurring within their estate and these details include the time, location and the extent of any harm suffered. Each board will have a different way of then collating and managing these data.\r\nThe Scottish Patient Safety Programme (SPSP) includes falls as one of the four harms it is seeking to improve within the Scottish Patient Safety Index. The SPSP has a bundle approach which covers a range of interventions to minimise/prevent a fall from occurring and which is being tested within pilot wards across NHS boards. Process and outcome measures are currently collected and reported through SPSP as part of this pilot project.","AnswerDate":"2015-05-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-05-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302701,"EventID":"S4W-25356","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1866,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-04-24T15:29:27.353","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-04-23T17:02:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many inpatients there have been at the Edinburgh Western General Hospital's Royal Victoria Building in each year since 2012; how many were recorded as having fell while in the hospital; how many fell more than once, and how many subsequent complaints were made.","AnswerText":"All patient falls are reported on our adverse event reporting system Datix.\r\nTable 1 reports all falls reported by severity and year for Royal Victoria Building (wards 70-75):\r\n\r\nNo known adverse effect at this time\r\nHarm to a person – minor\r\nHarm to a person – moderate\r\nHarm to a person – major\r\nTotal\r\n2012\r\n632\r\n140\r\n12\r\n11\r\n795\r\n2013\r\n528\r\n158\r\n18\r\n21\r\n725\r\n2014\r\n626\r\n198\r\n22\r\n18\r\n864\r\n2015\r\n142\r\n50\r\n3\r\n3\r\n198\r\nTotal\r\n1,928\r\n546\r\n55\r\n53\r\n2,582\r\n496 patients had more than one fall.\r\nOne complaint by a relative was made regarding a patient fall.","AnswerDate":"2015-05-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-05-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302702,"EventID":"S4W-25362","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4080,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-04-24T15:29:28.15","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-04-24T12:08:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many applications for explosives licences there have been in each of the last three years, broken down by purpose, and how many were issued.","AnswerText":"This information is not held by the Scottish Government. Licensing of explosives is a reserved matter under the UK’s health and safety legislation. Police Scotland’s explosives licensing section is responsible for the administration and enforcement of the Explosives Regulations 2014 (ER2014). Any person or body that wishes to acquire and/or keep any explosive is required to apply to Police Scotland for the appropriate certificate under these regulations.","AnswerDate":"2015-05-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-05-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302703,"EventID":"S4W-25363","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4080,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-04-24T15:29:28.79","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-04-24T12:08:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many police (a) civilian support staff and (b) officers have been authorised to assess applications and issue explosives licences in each of the last three years, broken down by legacy force and division, and what plans there are to review whether the number is sufficient.","AnswerText":"The deployment of police officers and staff is a matter for Police Scotland, with the oversight of the Scottish Police Authority. Licensing of explosives is a reserved matter under the UK’s health and safety legislation. Police Scotland’s explosives licensing section is responsible for the administration and enforcement of the Explosives Regulations 2014 (ER2014). Any person or body that wishes to acquire and/or keep any explosive is required to apply to Police Scotland for the appropriate certificate under these regulations.","AnswerDate":"2015-05-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-05-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302704,"EventID":"S4W-25364","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4080,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-04-24T15:29:29.383","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-04-24T13:44:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-24993 by Michael Matheson on 13 April 2015, how many civilian (a) licensing administration and (b) firearms enquiry officer posts would be retained under the proposals to change how the firearms licensing function is managed and delivered.","AnswerText":"As I said in response to S4W-24993, Police Scotland is currently consulting staff on proposals to change the way the firearms licensing function is managed and delivered. Any decision on the way forward is a matter for the chief constable, with the approval of the Scottish Police Authority. There will be no compulsory redundancies as a result of the review.","AnswerDate":"2015-05-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-05-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302706,"EventID":"S4T-01001","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":9,"MSPID":3806,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-04-27T12:25:11.567","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-04-24T17:38:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the wire corrosion on the Forth Road Bridge.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-04-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":"2015-04-28T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302707,"EventID":"S4T-01002","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":9,"MSPID":5106,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":118,"ApprovedDate":"2015-04-27T12:25:12.253","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-04-26T22:07:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what help it can give to the people of Nepal affected by the recent earthquake and what assistance it can give to the Nepalese community in Scotland.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-04-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":"2015-04-28T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302708,"EventID":"S4F-02752","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":3812,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-04-27T12:24:36.037","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-04-23T14:16:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister what engagements she has planned for the rest of the day.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-04-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":"2015-04-30T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302709,"EventID":"S4F-02753","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":5009,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-04-27T12:24:36.74","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-04-23T16:49:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister what issues will be discussed at the next meeting of the Cabinet. ","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-04-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":"2015-04-30T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302710,"EventID":"S4F-02754","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":4976,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-04-27T12:24:37.287","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-04-24T09:20:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister when she will next meet the Secretary of State for Scotland. ","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-04-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":"2015-04-30T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302711,"EventID":"S4F-02756","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":1756,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":136,"ApprovedDate":"2015-04-27T12:24:38.363","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-04-27T09:38:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister what recent communications there have been between the Scottish Government and the Home Office regarding an independent inspection of Dungavel detention centre. ","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-04-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":"2015-04-30T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302712,"EventID":"S4F-02757","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":2123,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":103,"ApprovedDate":"2015-04-27T12:24:39.347","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-04-27T09:47:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister what level of public expenditure the Scottish Government considers necessary in order to end austerity.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-04-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":"2015-04-30T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302713,"EventID":"S4F-02762","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":1892,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":134,"ApprovedDate":"2015-04-27T12:24:43.137","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-04-27T11:24:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister what the Scottish Government's position is on reports of issues relating to the new single application form IT system.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-04-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":"2015-04-30T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302714,"EventID":"S4O-04270","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":2610,"Party":"Independent","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-04-27T15:07:30.637","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-04-20T12:09:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to encourage individuals to use public transportation in order to reduce air pollution.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-04-30T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302715,"EventID":"S4W-25355","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2015-04-27T17:04:31.97","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-04-23T16:37:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to produce whole-of-Scotland consolidated accounts and, if so, for which financial year.","AnswerText":"I advised the Scottish Parliament’s Finance Committee in December 2014 that I had asked officials to develop proposals to improve and enhance financial reporting. This work is currently in progress through the Scottish Government’s Fiscal Capability 2015 programme. The consideration of proposals to improve and enhance financial reporting will include consideration of consolidated public accounts and, as is proper, the Scottish Government will consult with the Parliament, and specifically with the Public Audit Committee, before proceeding.","AnswerDate":"2015-05-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-05-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302716,"EventID":"S4W-25357","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2015-04-27T17:04:32.563","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-04-23T16:37:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it expects the Scottish Fiscal Commission to share financial and economic information with the Office for Budget Responsibility.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government published A Consultation on the Scottish Fiscal Commission on 26 March 2015. This consultation sets out our detailed proposals for legislation to establish the commission as an independent statutory body in Scotland, including a draft Bill.\r\nWe note in the consultation that it may be necessary for the Scottish and UK governments to agree powers for the Scottish Fiscal Commission and the Office for Budget Responsibility to share information with each other to support their respective functions. We will consider this issue in light of responses submitted to the consultation paper.","AnswerDate":"2015-05-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-05-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302717,"EventID":"S4W-25358","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2015-04-27T17:04:33.01","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-04-23T16:37:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether the introduction of consolidated whole-of-Scotland accounts would help in the assessment of the no deterrent principle in terms of individual tax changes over the fiscal cycle of government spending.","AnswerText":"The principle, and application, of no detriment will be discussed as part of seeking an agreement between the Scottish and UK Governments on a fiscal framework for Scotland. The introduction of further consolidated public accounts may provide useful information and this will be considered as part of the commitment to develop financial reporting. In considering the assessment of the no detriment principle, however, it is likely that other sources of information additional to financial reporting will also be required.","AnswerDate":"2015-05-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-05-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302718,"EventID":"S4W-25359","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-04-27T17:04:33.457","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-04-23T17:15:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many police pipe bands there are; how many there were prior to the establishment of Police Scotland; whether the change in the number of bands has led to a saving being made and, if so, how much.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government does not hold this information. This is a matter for Police Scotland with the oversight of the Scottish Police Authority.","AnswerDate":"2015-05-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-05-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302719,"EventID":"S4W-25361","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2015-04-27T17:04:33.963","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-04-23T16:37:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government which budget would cover any legal costs arising from the civil action between Shetland Islands Council and Highlands and Islands Airports Ltd.","AnswerText":"Apportionment of costs will be a matter for the court if no out of court settlement is reached. It will be for Shetland Islands Council and/or Highlands and Islands Airports to determine how any costs will be met.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-05-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-05-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302720,"EventID":"S4W-25365","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5059,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-04-27T17:04:34.433","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-04-27T00:20:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when the Cabinet Secretary for Infrastructure, Investment and Cities last met the (a) Secretary of State for Defence and (b) Ministry of Defence and what issues were discussed. ","AnswerText":"The Cabinet Secretary for Infrastructure, Investment and Cities has not met with the Secretary of State for Defence. The Cabinet Secretary most recently met with Julian Brazier MP, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State and Minister for Reserves, on 27 November 2014. This was an introductory meeting following Mr Brazier's appointment in July 2014. Mr Brazier is the Ministry of Defence Minister with responsibility for veterans issues and for Scotland.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-05-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-05-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302721,"EventID":"S4W-25366","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5059,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-04-27T17:04:34.813","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-04-27T00:22:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when the (a) Cabinet Secretary for Infrastructure, Investment and Cities and (b) Minister for Transport and Islands last met the Confederation of Passenger Transport and what issues were discussed. ","AnswerText":"The Cabinet Secretary’s last engagement with Confederation of Passenger Transport (CPT) was during his term as Minister for Transport and Veterans where he gave the key note speech at the CPT annual conference on 6 October 2014 on developing bus policy. I had an introductory meeting with CPT on 4 February 2015 to discuss a range of issues including funding, smart ticketing and bus legislation.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-05-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-05-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302722,"EventID":"S4W-25367","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5059,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-04-27T17:04:35.113","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-04-27T00:25:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what information it has on how much local authorities have spent on (a) compensation and (b) legal costs as a result of (i) damage to vehicles and (ii) injuries to pedestrians caused by potholes in each year since 2010-11.","AnswerText":"Maintenance of local roads, including pothole repairs, is a matter for local authorities. The amount spent by local authorities on compensation and legal costs as a result of damage to vehicles and injuries to pedestrians caused by potholes in each year since 2010-11 is not held by the Scottish Government.","AnswerDate":"2015-05-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-05-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302723,"EventID":"S4W-25368","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5556,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":111,"ApprovedDate":"2015-04-27T17:04:35.42","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-04-27T14:25:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how often it receives updates from the lead contractor regarding progress with the Forth Replacement Crossing project; when the last update was provided, and whether this indicated that there might be (a) a delay in the opening of the crossing and (b) an increase in the cost of the project.","AnswerText":"As part of the overall monitoring and management of the Forth Replacement Crossing project and in line with contract requirements, the lead contractor, Forth Crossing Bridge Constructors, provides progress reports to Transport Scotland on a monthly basis. The latest update was provided at the end of March 2015.\r\nThe programme continues to show the Queensferry Crossing opening to traffic by the end of 2016, as planned with no increase in project cost from the current range of £1.35 to £1.40 billion.","AnswerDate":"2015-05-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-05-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302724,"EventID":"S4W-25371","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2066,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-04-27T17:04:35.697","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-04-27T16:25:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what percentage of CalMac Ferries Limited expenditure on onboard catering is spent on items sourced from the islands that the company serves.","AnswerText":"The percentage of CalMac Ferries Ltd expenditure on onboard catering spent on items sourced from the islands served during financial year 2014-15 was 7%. This figure was for food only and did not include alcohol, or other drinks.\r\nCalMac Ferries Ltd were recently awarded a VisitScotland ‘Taste of the Best’ accreditation for their use of local produce on their ships. In addition, their commitment to sourcing and serving Scottish produce has been recognised with a nomination at the Scottish Food and Drink Awards for 2015 in the Scottish Sourcing category.","AnswerDate":"2015-05-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-05-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302725,"EventID":"S4W-25372","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2066,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-04-27T17:04:36.107","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-04-27T16:25:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many (a) shore-based and (b) sea-going employees there are in the companies in the David MacBrayne Group, and what information it has regarding how many are resident on islands.","AnswerText":"CalMac Ferries Ltd employ 522 shore based staff and 986 sea-going staff. Of those staff, 390 are resident on the islands.","AnswerDate":"2015-05-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-05-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302747,"EventID":"S4W-25374","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1769,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":75,"ApprovedDate":"2015-04-28T13:53:38.79","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-04-28T08:37:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-25227 by Derek Mackay on 24 April 2015, whether, under the competitive procedure with negotiations, pre-qualified bidders for the contract will be permitted to discuss the terms of the existing pension schemes for workers after the publication of the invitation to tender.","AnswerText":"The terms of the existing pension scheme are a matter for the trustees, current employers and employees and their representatives and will not form part of negotiations during the tender process.","AnswerDate":"2015-05-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-05-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302748,"EventID":"S4W-25375","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1769,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":75,"ApprovedDate":"2015-04-28T13:53:39.467","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-04-28T08:37:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what progress it has made with trade unions representing workers on Clyde and Hebrides Ferry Services (CHFS) on including existing (a) employment and (b) pension protections in the 2016-24 CHFS contract in the forthcoming invitation to tender documents.","AnswerText":"A joint pensions working group involving officials from Transport Scotland and representatives from the STUC and ferry unions was set up to discuss employment and pension protections in December 2014. The group has met a further three times since December 2014 to discuss specific proposals in relation to pension and employment protections to be included in the Clyde and Hebrides Ferry Services tender specification.","AnswerDate":"2015-05-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-05-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302749,"EventID":"S4W-25376","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1769,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":75,"ApprovedDate":"2015-04-28T13:53:40.183","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-04-28T08:37:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to ensure that pension protections for ferry workers are specified in the forthcoming invitation to tender for the 2016-24 Clyde and Hebrides Ferry Services contract.","AnswerText":"Scottish Ministers want to protect the CalMac pension scheme in the next Clyde and Hebrides Ferry Services contract in line with their stated principles of fairness, affordability and sustainability for public sector pensions. A pensions working group, involving officials from Transport Scotland and representatives from the STUC and ferry unions was set up in December 2014 to discuss the best way to achieve this outcome.","AnswerDate":"2015-05-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-05-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302750,"EventID":"S4W-25377","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1769,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":75,"ApprovedDate":"2015-04-28T13:53:40.843","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-04-28T08:37:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-25224 by Derek Mackay on 22 April 2015, on what date it will publish the harbour operating agreement with Caledonian Maritime Assets Ltd.","AnswerText":"The Clyde and Hebrides Ferry Services harbour operating agreement will issue as part of the invitation to tender, currently planned for June 2015.","AnswerDate":"2015-05-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-05-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302751,"EventID":"S4W-25378","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1769,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":75,"ApprovedDate":"2015-04-28T13:53:41.503","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-04-28T08:37:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it expects to publish a second invitation to tender for the Clyde and Hebrides Ferry Services contract from 2016.","AnswerText":"The procurement process requires an invitation to tender to be issued, followed by further invitations to submit interim tenders as required, before an invitation to submit a final tender.","AnswerDate":"2015-05-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-05-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302752,"EventID":"S4W-25379","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1769,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":75,"ApprovedDate":"2015-04-28T13:53:42.167","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-04-28T08:37:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will publish the timeline for the procurement of Gourock-Dunoon ferry services from 2017 and whether the contractor for these services will be procured using the competitive procedure with negotiation.","AnswerText":"Information on the Gourock to Dunoon procurement timeline and the procurement procedure will be provided when the contract notice is published later in 2015.","AnswerDate":"2015-05-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-05-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302753,"EventID":"S4W-25380","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1769,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":75,"ApprovedDate":"2015-04-28T13:53:42.843","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-04-28T08:37:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government for what reason the section of the minutes from the meeting of the board of Caledonian Maritime Assets Ltd on 27 February 2015 in which Transport Scotland officials discussed the CalMac Pension scheme and the Merchant Navy Officers’ Pension Fund were redacted; whether it will now publish the redacted sections, and for what reason these items were on the agenda.","AnswerText":"The redacted elements relate to the board's confidential consideration of the pension scheme as part of its normal business as an employer. \r\nThe minutes of the meeting are prepared by Caledonian Maritime Assets Ltd (CMAL) who have no plans to publish the redacted sections at this time.","AnswerDate":"2015-05-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-05-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302754,"EventID":"S4W-25382","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1769,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":75,"ApprovedDate":"2015-04-28T13:53:43.53","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-04-28T08:37:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will publish the section of the minutes of board meeting of Caledonian Maritime Assets Ltd on 30 January 2015 at which Transport Scotland officials discussed the pension schemes for workers on Clyde and Hebrides Ferry Services.","AnswerText":"The redacted elements relate to the board's confidential consideration of the pension scheme as part of its normal business as an employer. \r\nThe minutes of the meeting are prepared by Caledonian Maritime Assets Ltd (CMAL) who have no plans to publish the redacted sections at this time.","AnswerDate":"2015-05-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-05-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302755,"EventID":"S4W-25383","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1769,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":75,"ApprovedDate":"2015-04-28T13:53:44.22","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-04-28T08:37:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when Transport Scotland officials last met Serco NorthLink to discuss the pension schemes for workers on Northern Isles Ferry Services. ","AnswerText":"Since the commencement of the Northern Isles Ferry Services contract on 5 July 2012 Transport Scotland officials have met regularly with Serco NorthLink to discuss contract management issues. Pension schemes for workers on Northern Isles Ferry Services have not been specifically discussed at those meetings or at any other meetings with Serco Northlink.","AnswerDate":"2015-05-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-05-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302756,"EventID":"S4W-25384","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1769,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":75,"ApprovedDate":"2015-04-28T13:53:44.887","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-04-28T08:37:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its most recent assessment is of the (a) affordability and (b) sustainability of the CalMac pension fund to 2024.","AnswerText":"The last triennial revaluation of the CalMac pension fund was undertaken in 2012 and reported a deficit of around £30 million. As part of an agreement with the employers, the fund trustees and the Pension Regulator, the Scottish Government agreed to additional annual payments of £3 million, on top of additional payments of £0.7 million already being made by the principal employer, Caledonian Maritime Assets Ltd (CMAL). These payments are in addition to the regular employer contributions made by the fund’s participants: CMAL, CalMac Ferries Ltd and other companies within the David MacBrayne Group which total around £7 million per year. The results of the next triennial revaluation are due in October 2015.\r\nThe current recovery plan agreed by the fund trustees aims to remove the deficit by the time of the 2024 revaluation. At 31 March 2015, the deficit had risen to around £59 million against a target of £20 million.","AnswerDate":"2015-05-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-05-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302757,"EventID":"S4W-25385","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2015-04-28T13:53:45.54","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-04-27T19:31:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many disabled people have applied for a modern apprenticeship in each of the last three years; how many of them were aged 16 to 24, and what percentage of modern apprenticeship placements this represents.","AnswerText":"As all apprentices in Scotland must be employed and recruitment is, rightly, a matter for employers, we do not have figures that tell us how many disabled people have applied for a modern apprenticeship (MA) opportunity.\r\nOur national skills body, Skills Development Scotland (SDS) publish management information about the delivery of the MA programme on their website on a quarterly basis. SDS' Quarter 4 (end-year) report includes details of how many apprentices self-reported a disability.\r\nYou can view SDS' 2013-14 MA year-end information via the following link: http://www.skillsdevelopmentscotland.co.uk/media/1155134/modern_apprenticeships__main_publication__quarter_4__2013-14.pdf Information about apprentices who reported a disability since 2009/10 can be found at 9.2 on page 19.","AnswerDate":"2015-05-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-05-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Roseanna Cunningham ","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302758,"EventID":"S4W-25387","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4014,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-04-28T13:53:46.35","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-04-28T09:31:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what it is doing to increase the number of disabled people enrolled in modern apprenticeships.","AnswerText":"In December 2014 the Scottish Government published Developing the Young Workforce: Scotland's Youth Employment Strategy - Implementing the Recommendations of the Commission for Developing Scotland's Young Workforce. You can view the document via the following link: http://www.gov.scot/Resource/0046/00466386.pdf . ‘Section 5: Equality’ on page 29 details steps the Scottish Government is taking to tackle inequality for our young people.\r\nWith specific regard to the Modern Apprenticeship (MA) programme, our national skills body, Skills Development Scotland (SDS), published their Equality and Diversity Mainstreaming Report 2015-17 in April 2015. The report can be accessed via the following link\r\nhttp://www.skillsdevelopmentscotland.co.uk/media/1344738/equality_and_diversity_mainstreaming_report.pdf . Section 5.2 (pages 20 - 28) updates SDS' 2013-15 action plan; details future actions; and notes performance measures towards improved participation in the MA programme by those from BME communities and disabled people and improved gender balance in occupational participation across MA frameworks.","AnswerDate":"2015-05-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-05-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Roseanna Cunningham","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302759,"EventID":"S4W-25388","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2015-04-28T13:53:46.923","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-04-28T10:22:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the differences are between the funding formula used to calculate road equivalent tariff fares in Assessment of the Impacts of the Road Equivalent Tariff Pilot: Draft Final Report of March 2011 and in Scottish Ferry Services: Ferries Plan (2013-2022), published in December 2012, and what the reasons are for the changes.","AnswerText":"Based on independent contemporary research, the variable element of the road equivalent tariff (RET) car formula, the rate per mile, was updated in 2012 to £0.80 per mile to reflect the higher costs of motoring. A comparable increase was made to the variable element of the RET formula for foot passengers, which was updated to £0.13 per mile. The comparable figures for 2008 were £0.60 per mile and £0.10 per mile respectively. The fixed elements of the RET formula, for both cars and foot passengers, £5.00 and £2.00 respectively, did not change between 2008 and 2012.","AnswerDate":"2015-05-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-05-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302760,"EventID":"S4W-25389","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2015-04-28T13:53:47.827","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-04-28T10:22:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-25249 by Derek McKay on 24 April 2015, if no increase was assumed in table 11.7 where the road equivalent tariff (RET) would result in a higher fare, for what reason RET was not introduced on the routes where it would result in lower fares.","AnswerText":"The fares in table 11.7 of the 2011 Halcrow report contained a number of assumptions and were for illustration purposes only. The Ferries Plan, published in December 2012, was clear that implementing the road equivalent tariff (RET) on routes to the Northern Isles now or in the next few years would mean an increase on a range of fares and therefore RET will be rolled out over a longer timeframe.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-05-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-05-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302761,"EventID":"S4W-25390","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2015-04-28T13:53:48.677","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-04-28T10:22:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it will address the reported disparity in the number of disabled people in Scotland enrolled in modern apprenticeships compared with the numbers in the rest of the UK.","AnswerText":"In December 2014 the Scottish Government published Developing the Young Workforce: Scotland's Youth Employment Strategy - Implementing the Recommendations of the Commission for Developing Scotland's Young Workforce. You can view the document via the following link: http://www.gov.scot/Resource/0046/00466386.pdf . Section 5: Equality on page 29 details steps the Scottish Government is taking to tackle inequality for our young people. \r\nWith specific regard to the Modern Apprenticeship (MA) programme, our national skills body, Skills Development Scotland (SDS), published their Equality and Diversity Mainstreaming Report 2015-17 in April 2015. The report can be accessed via the following link:http://www.skillsdevelopmentscotland.co.uk/media/1344738/equality_and_diversity_mainstreaming_report.pdf. Section 5.2 (pages 20 - 28) updates SDS' 2013-15 action plan; details future actions; and notes performance measures towards improved participation in the MA programme by those from black and minority ethnic communities and disabled people and improved gender balance in occupational participation across MA frameworks.","AnswerDate":"2015-05-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-05-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Roseanna Cunningham ","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302762,"EventID":"S4W-25391","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5556,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":111,"ApprovedDate":"2015-04-28T13:53:49.487","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-04-28T10:54:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what plans there are in the Digital Scotland Superfast Broadband programme to provide superfast broadband to households where fibre optic cabinets are too distant to deliver sufficiently fast internet speeds.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government continues to encourage broadband suppliers to design their networks in a way that allows their customers to access superfast speeds. The £412.3 million investment that the Scottish Government and our partners are making through the Digital Scotland Superfast Broadband (DSSB) programme is extending fibre infrastructure to non-commercial areas and will increase fibre broadband coverage to 95% of Scottish premises by the end of 2017. The programme is deploying a range of technologies to maximise the broadband speeds available. This includes creating new cabinets as well as rolling out fibre to the premise and fibre to the remote node connections.\r\nWe are currently considering options for an additional £41.98 million of public funding for broadband that will further extend coverage and enhance speeds in non-commercial areas. We have also established Community Broadband Scotland to advise and support communities that will not have a superfast connection delivered commercially or through the DSSB programme.","AnswerDate":"2015-05-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-05-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302763,"EventID":"S4W-25392","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5556,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":111,"ApprovedDate":"2015-04-28T13:53:50.077","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-04-28T10:54:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much it plans to invest in broadband each year in Fife.","AnswerText":"The Digital Scotland Superfast Broadband Programme is a £409 million investment to rollout fibre technology throughout the country. The programme is split between two projects, one covering the Highland area, the second covering the rest of Scotland, of which Fife is included.\r\nThe rest of Scotland project is valued at £264 million with:\r\n£157 million from public sources (Scottish Government, European regional development fund, Department for Culture, Media and Sport, and all 27 local authorities that form part of the rest of Scotland project area – the European funding will be used to specifically benefit small to medium size enterprises) and £106.7 million from BT.\r\nThis money will be spent throughout the whole of the rest of Scotland area. Further to this, Fife Council have chosen to contribute an additional £2.8 million to maximise the rollout in the Fife local authority area increasing coverage from 69% of premises, to over 98%. \r\nOur contract with BT does not specify which technologies or costs will be deployed in particular areas. Instead, it focuses on overall national coverage delivered. We remain on track to have extended fibre broadband access to 85% of premises across Scotland by the end of 2015 and 95% by end of 2017.","AnswerDate":"2015-05-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-05-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302764,"EventID":"S4W-25393","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5556,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":111,"ApprovedDate":"2015-04-28T13:53:50.65","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-04-28T10:54:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it will help those households that are connected to fibre optic broadband but continue to have very slow internet speeds.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-25391 on 12 May 2015. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-05-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-05-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302765,"EventID":"S4W-25394","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-04-28T13:53:51.217","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-04-28T11:22:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many gynaecologists have been employed in each year since 2007, broken down by NHS board. ","AnswerText":"The information requested on how many gynaecologists have been employed in each year since 2007, broken down by NHS board is provided in the following table. \r\nTable 1: Number (whole-time equivalent) of obstetrics and gynaecology hospital, community, and public health services medical staff in post as at 30 September, 2006 to 2014\r\n\r\n2006\r\n2007\r\n2008\r\n2009\r\n2010\r\n2011\r\n2012\r\n2013\r\n2014\r\nScotland\r\n574.3\r\n532.1\r\n553.7\r\n640.4\r\n661.3\r\n639.2\r\n578.5\r\n541.7\r\n595.3\r\nNHS Ayrshire and Arran\r\n36.3\r\n34.3\r\n40.9\r\n35.8\r\n45.1\r\n41.4\r\n42.3\r\n42.8\r\n46.4\r\nNHS Borders\r\n14.4\r\n11.5\r\n15.3\r\n10.9\r\n14.3\r\n14.3\r\n6.3\r\n5.5\r\n5.6\r\nNHS Dumfries and Galloway\r\n16.5\r\n19.5\r\n21.7\r\n21.0\r\n20.4\r\n23.0\r\n21.2\r\n17.5\r\n13.5\r\nNHS Fife\r\n34.1\r\n35.0\r\n37.2\r\n34.2\r\n31.1\r\n38.2\r\n35.5\r\n36.9\r\n27.1\r\nNHS Forth Valley \r\n29.1\r\n28.4\r\n25.5\r\n22.0\r\n24.4\r\n23.2\r\n26.3\r\n14.4\r\n27.4\r\nNHS Grampian \r\n66.1\r\n63.2\r\n76.9\r\n81.7\r\n95.6\r\n90.3\r\n86.6\r\n80.8\r\n89.2\r\nNHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde\r\n189.6\r\n139.9\r\n143.5\r\n210.7\r\n194.0\r\n176.6\r\n164.9\r\n174.3\r\n189.6\r\nNHS Highland\r\n19.3\r\n17.8\r\n22.5\r\n23.2\r\n26.3\r\n22.6\r\n26.9\r\n16.3\r\n12.3\r\nNHS Lanarkshire\r\n43.2\r\n42.2\r\n45.6\r\n42.8\r\n48.1\r\n50.2\r\n50.6\r\n45.6\r\n48.8\r\nNHS Lothian\r\n84.7\r\n91.3\r\n73.9\r\n101.7\r\n110.0\r\n103.6\r\n64.6\r\n51.8\r\n78.3\r\nNHS Orkney\r\n0.1\r\n0.1\r\n-\r\n0.8\r\n0.4\r\n1.4\r\n0.4\r\n-\r\n-\r\nNHS Shetland\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n1.0\r\n1.0\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\nNHS Tayside\r\n39.3\r\n47.2\r\n47.8\r\n53.6\r\n48.8\r\n51.4\r\n51.0\r\n53.9\r\n56.1\r\nNHS Western Isles\r\n1.0\r\n1.0\r\n2.0\r\n1.0\r\n1.0\r\n1.0\r\n1.0\r\n1.0\r\n1.0\r\nNational Waiting Times Centre\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\nNHS 24\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\nNHS Education for Scotland\r\n0.6\r\n0.6\r\n1.0\r\n1.0\r\n1.0\r\n1.0\r\n1.0\r\n1.0\r\n-\r\nNHS Health Improvement Scotland\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\nNHS Health Scotland\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\nNHS National Services Scotland\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\nScottish Ambulance Service\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\nState Hospital\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\nSource: Scottish Workforce Information Standard System (SWISS), Information Services Division (ISD) Scotland\r\nNotes: \r\nThe following symbol has been used:\r\n- nil\r\nSWISS contains data provided to ISD by NHS boards. However, it is recognised that data within SWISS do not always match the data held by NHS boards at a local level due to inconsistencies in how data are recorded within each NHS board.\r\nDuring July 2008, medical and dental information was migrated from the MEDMAN web based system to SWISS. This alignment provided the opportunity to capture all NHS Scotland staff in post information in one system which resulted in more robust information being captured and reported.\r\nTo ensure that this migration was successful, ISD worked with all NHS boards to review and amend their medical and dental staff in post details. The data captured started to be of improved quality for the September 2008 census. Considerable movements were seen between specialties from 2007 to 2010 as boards migrated to SWISS and continued to review their data.\r\nIn September 2012 an increase is seen in the number of medical and dental staff that were recorded with not known specialty for NHS Lothian. This was due to an error in the feed from the local system to SWISS that was rectified for September 2014. The result is an apparent drop in the number of obstetrics and gynaecology medics for September 2012 and September 2013.","AnswerDate":"2015-05-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-05-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302766,"EventID":"S4W-25398","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2108,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":141,"ApprovedDate":"2015-04-28T13:53:51.97","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-04-28T12:19:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether support for living costs available to Scottish domiciled students studying at a university in London are lower than that available to English domiciled students and, if so, for what reason.","AnswerText":"We introduced a new support package for all Scottish domiciled students in academic year 2013-14. Every eligible Scottish domiciled student, whether they choose to study for free at a Scottish institution, or elsewhere in the UK, has the same eligibility for help with living costs.\r\nWhile we have simplified the system so that it provides an annual minimum income of £7,500 for all students with a family income of less than £17,000, it no longer features weighted living cost payments linked to the location of study. Accordingly, total living-cost support available to eligible Scottish domiciled students studying at university in London would be lower than that available to English domiciled students. However, as Mr Macintosh may well be aware, there are other university locations where there are issues with living costs.\r\nMr Macintosh has raised an important issue and I intend to consider it more fully, including the numbers of Scottish domiciled students affected, the costs involved and am happy to bring the issue back to the Chamber or to Mr Macintosh in due course.","AnswerDate":"2015-05-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-05-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302767,"EventID":"S4W-25399","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2108,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":141,"ApprovedDate":"2015-04-28T13:53:52.767","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-04-28T12:19:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to review the levels of support for living costs available to Scottish domiciled students who study elsewhere in the UK.","AnswerText":"As already indicated, I intend to consider the issue more fully, including the numbers of Scottish domiciled students affected and the costs involved, and am happy to bring the issue back to the Chamber and to Mr Macintosh in due course. If Mr Macintosh has a particular constituent concern I would be happy to discuss it with him.","AnswerDate":"2015-05-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-05-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302768,"EventID":"S4W-25400","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-04-28T13:53:53.527","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-04-28T12:35:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many GP referrals to gynaecologists have been made in each year since 2007, broken down by NHS board.","AnswerText":"The number of GP referrals to gynaecologist made in each year since 2007, by NHS board is provided in the following table.\r\n\r\nReferrals during Calendar Year\r\nHealth Board of Treatment\r\n2007\r\n2008\r\n2009\r\n2010\r\n2011\r\n2012\r\n2013\r\n20142\r\nNHS Scotland\r\n84,185\r\n103,529\r\n109,538\r\n103,213\r\n103,094\r\n100,602\r\n96,978\r\n97,733\r\nAyrshire and Arran\r\n5,485\r\n6,745\r\n6,886\r\n6,465\r\n5,962\r\n6,447\r\n6,625\r\n6,748\r\nBorders\r\n1,799\r\n1,983\r\n1,939\r\n1,888\r\n2,355\r\n2,518\r\n2,678\r\n2,472\r\nDumfries and Galloway\r\n2,094\r\n2,415\r\n2628\r\n2,454\r\n2,295\r\n2,433\r\n2,371\r\n2,606\r\nFife\r\n5,572\r\n5,942\r\n6247\r\n6,031\r\n6,543\r\n6,392\r\n6,081\r\n5,632\r\nForth Valley\r\n3,374\r\n5,330\r\n5905\r\n5,755\r\n5,636\r\n5,196\r\n5,261\r\n5,049\r\nGrampian\r\n8000\r\n10,260\r\n11,443\r\n10,720\r\n10,679\r\n11,555\r\n11,352\r\n11,069\r\nGreater Glasgow and Clyde\r\n24,228\r\n29,147\r\n31,685\r\n28,986\r\n28,984\r\n25,814\r\n24,758\r\n26,539\r\nHighland\r\n5096\r\n5,510\r\n5,385\r\n5,232\r\n4,891\r\n4,544\r\n4,374\r\n3,659\r\nLanarkshire\r\n8,735\r\n10,983\r\n10,969\r\n10,268\r\n9,649\r\n9,016\r\n8,836\r\n9,101\r\nLothian\r\n13,046\r\n17,729\r\n17,997\r\n17,061\r\n17,701\r\n17,584\r\n16,789\r\n16,753\r\nOrkney\r\n231\r\n248\r\n250\r\n276\r\n245\r\n248\r\n270\r\n356\r\nShetland\r\n267\r\n371\r\n520\r\n422\r\n426\r\n377\r\n381\r\n388\r\nTayside\r\n5,845\r\n6,317\r\n7,084\r\n7,111\r\n7,218\r\n8,012\r\n6,740\r\n6,834\r\nWestern Isles\r\n413\r\n549\r\n600\r\n544\r\n510\r\n466\r\n462\r\n527\r\nSource: Information Services Division Scotland (SMR001 and Waiting Times Data Warehouse2)","AnswerDate":"2015-05-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-05-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302769,"EventID":"S4W-25401","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2135,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":92,"ApprovedDate":"2015-04-28T16:37:09.903","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-04-28T13:14:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what commercial value was put on Castle Toward by Argyll and Bute Council when it approached ministers to seek permission to grant a 99-year lease on the castle to Actual Reality Ltd; on what date the council (a) sought and (b) received ministerial permission to grant it at a peppercorn rent, and what conditions ministers attached to the lease.","AnswerText":"The council sought ministerial permission to lease Castle Toward to Actual Reality Learning and Leadership Company at less than best price in September 2002, and permission was granted on 18 December 2002. In line with normal practice at that time, ministers did not attach conditions to the permission, and the lease terms were not detailed in the consent letter. Information on the commercial value put on Castle Toward by Argyll and Bute Council when it approached ministers is no longer available.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-05-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-05-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Marco Biagi","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302770,"EventID":"S4W-25405","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2135,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":92,"ApprovedDate":"2015-04-28T16:37:10.647","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-04-28T14:00:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether Argyll and Bute Council informed it that, in 2002, it granted a 25-year lease to Actual Reality Ltd regarding Castle Toward instead of the 99-year lease period agreed by ministers after consent by Glasgow and East Renfrewshire councils and, if so, when.","AnswerText":"There is no information available to confirm whether Argyll and Bute Council informed ministers of the change in lease period.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-05-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-05-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Marco Biagi","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302780,"EventID":"S4O-04274","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":2675,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":93,"ApprovedDate":"2015-04-29T13:32:08.33","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-04-27T12:02:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what carbon saving would be made by removing one supermarket lorry from the A9 between Edinburgh and Thurso and carrying the contents by rail.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-05-06T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302781,"EventID":"S4O-04275","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":2394,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-04-29T13:32:09.05","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-04-27T12:02:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what progress has been made on reducing journey times on the Highland mainline between Inverness and Edinburgh.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-05-06T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302782,"EventID":"S4O-04277","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":2595,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-04-29T13:32:09.547","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-04-29T08:43:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what changes it has planned for government procurement.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-05-06T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302783,"EventID":"S4O-04278","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":5080,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-04-29T13:32:09.987","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-04-28T10:25:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on progress with its rail electrification strategy.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-05-06T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302784,"EventID":"S4O-04279","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":4984,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-04-29T13:32:10.327","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-04-28T15:11:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to increase investment in roads as a result of the forecast population increase.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-05-06T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302785,"EventID":"S4O-04280","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":2892,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-04-29T13:32:10.733","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-04-29T11:29:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on the transport recommendations made by the Committee on Climate Change in its 2015 progress report.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-05-06T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302786,"EventID":"S4O-04281","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":4938,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-04-29T13:32:11.263","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-04-27T12:02:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what opportunities enhanced devolution could bring to the transport system.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-05-06T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302787,"EventID":"S4O-04283","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":5110,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":89,"ApprovedDate":"2015-04-29T13:32:11.64","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-04-28T10:28:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the status of the Edinburgh Glasgow Improvement Programme.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-05-06T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302788,"EventID":"S4O-04284","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":1943,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-04-29T13:32:12.013","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-04-29T10:01:56.193","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what benefits it considers the EU brings to Scotland. ","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-05-06T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302789,"EventID":"S4O-04285","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":2853,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":81,"ApprovedDate":"2015-04-29T13:32:12.403","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-04-29T11:13:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when the Cabinet Secretary for Culture, Europe and External Affairs will announce the location and timetable for the development of a permanent Scottish film studio.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-05-06T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302790,"EventID":"S4O-04286","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":1860,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-04-29T13:32:12.84","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-04-27T13:55:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what support it provides to the film and arts sectors in Shetland. ","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-05-06T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302791,"EventID":"S4O-04288","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":1759,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-04-29T13:32:13.353","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-04-29T09:47:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what support it will give to local festivals and community celebrations across South Scotland, such as Beltane in Peebles, Lanimers in Lanark and The Wickerman Festival in Dumfries and Galloway.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-05-06T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302792,"EventID":"S4O-04289","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":2108,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":141,"ApprovedDate":"2015-04-29T13:32:13.73","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-04-29T11:48:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it last met Creative Scotland.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-05-06T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302793,"EventID":"S4O-04290","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-04-29T13:32:14.26","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-04-27T12:02:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what progress is being made in bringing to an end the dispute at the National Museum of Scotland.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-05-06T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302794,"EventID":"S4O-04291","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-04-29T13:32:14.697","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-04-27T12:02:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it monitors proceedings at the European Parliament.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-05-06T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302795,"EventID":"S4O-04292","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":1892,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":134,"ApprovedDate":"2015-04-29T13:32:15.35","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-04-28T15:35:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it monitors the use of the funding that it grants to Scotland’s festivals.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-05-06T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302796,"EventID":"S4O-04293","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":2876,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-04-29T13:32:15.693","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-04-29T09:41:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the Scottish Commemorations Programme’s First World War commemorations for 2015.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-05-06T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302797,"EventID":"S4O-04294","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":2080,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":87,"ApprovedDate":"2015-04-29T13:32:16.083","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-04-27T12:02:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to assess and sustain the levels of support staff in schools.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-05-06T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302798,"EventID":"S4O-04295","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":3061,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-04-29T13:32:16.473","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-04-28T14:50:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on the effectiveness of Police Scotland’s strategy for engaging with local communities.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-05-06T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302799,"EventID":"S4O-04296","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":5107,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":124,"ApprovedDate":"2015-04-29T13:32:16.897","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-04-27T12:02:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what guidance it provides to local authorities on the purposes for which self-directed support may be used.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-05-06T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302800,"EventID":"S4O-04297","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":1741,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-04-29T13:32:17.333","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-04-27T12:02:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what progress has been made with the implementation of the Disclosure Scheme for Domestic Abuse Scotland, which was piloted in Aberdeen and Ayrshire.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-05-06T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302801,"EventID":"S4O-04298","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":2215,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":125,"ApprovedDate":"2015-04-29T13:32:17.77","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-04-29T11:08:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what progress is being made with NorthConnect's £2 billion power scheme between Aberdeenshire and Scandinavia.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-05-06T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302802,"EventID":"S4O-04299","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":5119,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":110,"ApprovedDate":"2015-04-29T13:32:18.317","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-04-28T11:10:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many complaints Police Scotland has received from Fife residents regarding police response and call-out times since services were moved from the Fife control centre to Bilston Glen.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-05-06T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302803,"EventID":"S4O-04300","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":2135,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":92,"ApprovedDate":"2015-04-29T13:32:18.69","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-04-28T09:10:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what progress it is making in ensuring that the ambulance and health services on Mull meet the needs and expectations of the local community as expressed to the Cabinet Secretary for Health, Wellbeing and Sport at a meeting in March 2015.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-05-06T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302804,"EventID":"S4O-04301","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":1814,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":77,"ApprovedDate":"2015-04-29T13:32:19.11","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-04-27T12:02:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when its review of out-of-hours primary care services will be published.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-05-06T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302805,"EventID":"S4O-04302","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":5079,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-04-29T13:32:19.673","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-04-29T09:27:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether Barnett consequentials arising from a mansion tax could help the NHS meet its waiting time guarantee. ","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-05-06T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302806,"EventID":"S4O-04303","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":1845,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-04-29T13:32:20.063","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-04-27T12:02:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what support it provides to help sustain and promote community-based industries.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is committed to supporting sustainable economic growth and tackling inequality across Scotland. Businesses, including community-based industries, can benefit from the wide range of support our enterprise agencies and local authorities provide. \r\nIn addition, enterprising third sector organisations can access business support through Just Enterprise. Supported by the Scottish Government, Just Enterprise is committed to the growth and sustainability of Scotland’s third sector – start up, business support, business recovery, procurement, leadership and learning services are all available.","AnswerDate":"2015-05-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-05-06T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302807,"EventID":"S4W-25419","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":2,"MSPID":4939,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":78,"ApprovedDate":"2015-04-29T16:42:21.22","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-04-29T16:38:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the Futures Programme that is supporting the delivery of the new common agricultural policy 2015.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government’s Futures Programme is the new online rural payment and services system that will administer over £4 billion of payments to farmers and rural Scotland in the first five years alone as part of the new common agricultural policy (CAP) where the Single Farm Payments based on historical activity are replaced by payments based on land areas.\r\nThe new system has been designed for the seven year CAP cycle but can be expected to last considerably longer. It has more benefits than the current system, and is designed to reduce risk of significant financial disallowance from the EU and also errors for farmers completing their single application forms through real time checking and validation functions built into the system. \r\nThe total cost estimate for the five year programme is £178 million representing around 4% of the payments expected to be issued in this CAP period. This cost covers a range of aspects such as the IT system, staff training and stakeholder communications. So far, just over £74 million has been spent on the IT system and just over £15 million on other areas such as business change, staff training and stakeholder communications. \r\nThe government is making every effort to reduce costs – for example, we are in discussion with HMRC on the potential reimbursement of VAT incurred so far. All activity and costs are under continuous monitoring and scrutiny and are subject to final agreement with ministers.\r\nThe new system officially opened in January 2015 and over 17,000 businesses have registered. The window for applicants to submit their single application form opened on 16 March 2015 and they have until 15 June 2015 to do so, following the decision to extend the deadline by one month. As of 27 April 2015, over 2,000 applications have been submitted and we continue to encourage as many people as possible to submit their application through the online system. People can, however, still submit their applications manually through the paper versions that have also been available since the opening of the application period. We recognise that many farmers do not submit their applications until later in the application window but urge all applicants to do so well before the 15 June 2015 closing date.","AnswerDate":"2015-04-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-05-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Richard Lochhead","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302818,"EventID":"S4W-25407","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5079,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-04-29T16:54:43.553","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-04-29T13:38:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4F-01163 by Alex Salmond on 31 January 2013 (Official Report, c.16266), which of the projects he listed have been completed.","AnswerText":"The current status of those projects listed in question S4F-01163 is provided in the following table.\r\nProject name\r\nCurrent status\r\nBrechin High (Angus Council)\r\nIn construction\r\nWick High (Highland Council)\r\nIn construction\r\nJames Gillespie’s High (City of Edinburgh Council)\r\nIn construction\r\nPrimary Care Health Centres (NHS Lanarkshire)\r\nIn construction\r\nWoodside Health Centre (NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde)\r\nIn hub development\r\nEastwood Health and Care Centre (NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde)\r\nIn construction\r\nGorbals Health Centre (NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde)\r\nIn hub development\r\nMaryhill Health Centre (NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde)\r\nIn construction\r\nRedevelopment of Royal Edinburgh Hospital Campus – Phase 1 (NHS Lothian)\r\nIn construction\r\nRoyal Hospital for Sick Children/Department of Clinical Neurosciences and Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service (NHS Lothian)\r\nIn construction\r\nRedesign of Mental Health Facilities Argyll and Bute (NHS Highland)\r\nIn hub development\r\nForres, Tain and Woodside Health Centres (NHS Grampian and NHS Highland)\r\nOperational\r\nAyrshire College – Kilmarnock Campus\r\nIn construction\r\nScottish National Blood Transfusion Service National Centre NHS (National Services Scotland)\r\nIn construction\r\nAcute Mental Health and North Ayrshire Community Hospital (NHS Ayrshire and Arran)\r\nIn construction\r\nAberdeen Western Peripheral Route/Balmedie-Tipperty Road Scheme\r\nIn construction\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-05-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-05-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302819,"EventID":"S4W-25408","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5079,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-04-29T16:54:44.083","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-04-29T13:38:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government on (a) how many and (b) what occasions a Scottish Government employer, including non-departmental public bodies and executive agencies, has sought the assistance of ACAS to resolve a dispute between it and a recognised trades union.","AnswerText":"Within the Scottish Government main bargaining unit (core directorates and some other bodies) and Scottish Government marine bargaining unit there has been no use of ACAS in resolving disputes with the trade unions.\r\nIt is a matter for individual employers whether to use ACAS in dispute resolution and records are not held centrally.","AnswerDate":"2015-05-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-05-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302820,"EventID":"S4W-25409","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5041,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-04-29T16:54:44.543","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-04-29T14:34:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether the £700,000 announced for nursing care and support for people with motor neurone disease has been fully allocated.","AnswerText":"The funding of £700,000 announced on 7 January 2015 for nursing care and support for people with motor neurone disease was earmarked to fund all NHS motor neurone disease specialist nurses from the public purse from 1 April 2015 and to double their number. The Chief Nursing Officer has advised boards of funding arrangements and outcomes to be delivered and funds will be allocated in the near future.","AnswerDate":"2015-05-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-05-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302821,"EventID":"S4W-25410","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5041,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-04-29T16:54:45.007","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-04-29T14:34:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many NHS specialist motor neurone disease nurses have been funded from the £700,000 allocated for nursing and support for people with motor neurone disease.","AnswerText":"The funding of £700,000 will allow all existing NHS motor neurone disease specialist nurses to be paid from the public purse from 1 April 2015 and to double their number. Funding to NHS boards to achieve this will be allocated in the near future.","AnswerDate":"2015-05-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-05-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302822,"EventID":"S4W-25411","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5041,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-04-29T16:54:45.44","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-04-29T14:34:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many specialist motor neurone disease nurses there were in (a) 2011, (b) 2012, (c) 2013 and (d) 2014 and have been to date in 2015.","AnswerText":"Workforce information on how many specialist motor neurone disease nurses there were in (a) 2011, (b) 2012, (c) 2013 and (d) 2014 and have been to date in 2015 is not held centrally. National Services Scotland, Information Services Division (ISD) does not capture this information. Motor neurone disease is treated within the specialty of neuroscience/neurology. The number of clinical nurse specialists in neuroscience/neurology is shown in Table 1.\r\nTable 1: The number of whole time equivalent neuroscience/neurology clinical nurse specialist staff in post as at 30 September\r\nYear\r\n2011\r\n2012\r\n2013\r\n2014\r\nScotland\r\n21.1\r\n21.7\r\n20.8\r\n26.8\r\nSource: Scottish Workforce Information Standard System; ISD Scotland\r\nNotes:\r\nClinical nurse specialist data are published annually (data as at 30September). Therefore data for 2015 are not yet available.\r\nDue to the multidisciplinary nature of the role a nurse may work in more than one specialty. However, only one specialist area is recorded for each nurse. The data shown in Table 1 include clinical nurse specialists who have been recorded with a specialty of neuroscience/neurology.\r\nFurther information on these statistics, including information on how the data are collected and notes to aid interpretation, is given in the ‘FAQs’ section of the workforce statistics website at: www.isdscotland.org/workforce\r\nThe most recently published information on the number of clinical nurse specialist staff in post can be found on the workforce statistics website at: \r\nhttps://isdscotland.scot.nhs.uk/Health-Topics/Workforce/Publications/2015-03-03/Clinical_Nurse_Specialists_S2014.xls","AnswerDate":"2015-05-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-05-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302823,"EventID":"S4W-25412","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5041,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-04-29T16:54:45.873","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-04-29T14:34:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how the remaining consequential funding for people with motor neurone disease will be spent.","AnswerText":"The First Minister announced on 7 January 2015 that an additional £2.5 million will be invested in specialist nursing and care from 2015-16. The announcement also included the commitment that all existing NHS motor neurone disease clinical nurse specialists will be paid from the public purse and their number will be doubled. Funding of £700,000 was earmarked for this purpose. The remaining funds will enhance access to and provision of other specialist nursing and care across Scotland, based on local needs, including the recruitment of additional specialist nurses in all NHS boards.","AnswerDate":"2015-05-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-05-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302824,"EventID":"S4W-25420","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3806,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-04-30T13:33:11.427","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-04-30T09:52:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the current waiting time is for a driving assessment from the Scottish Driving Assessment Service.","AnswerText":"As at 1 May 2015, the average waiting time for the Scottish Driving Assessment Service is 17.2 weeks (based on the last 20 patients seen). Waiting times for the service have recently increased due to unexpected staff leave at the beginning of March 2015. NHS Lothian has recruited one full time and one part time member of staff, and expects the waiting times to reduce to 13 weeks.","AnswerDate":"2015-05-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-05-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302827,"EventID":"S4W-25423","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-04-30T16:31:42.25","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-04-30T11:44:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when humidification levels in hospitals were last recorded and what the results were, broken down by NHS board. ","AnswerText":"Health boards, in general, do not provide humidification as there has been no identified clinical need and therefore they do not record any humidification data.","AnswerDate":"2015-05-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-05-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302828,"EventID":"S4W-25424","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-04-30T16:31:43.18","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-04-30T11:45:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what guidelines have been issued by Health Facilities Scotland regarding humidification levels in hospitals and what action each NHS board has taken to follow these.","AnswerText":"Health Facilities Scotland has issued Scottish Health Technical Memorandum (SHTM) 03-01: Ventilation for healthcare premises, which provides guidance on humidification. The Scottish Government does not hold information centrally on specific action taken by each NHS board.\r\nSHTM 03-01 Part A ‘Design and Validation’:\r\nClauses 3.14 and 3.15 deal with humidity control requirements; and\r\nClauses 4.92 to 4.119 deal with humidification.\r\nSHTM 03-01 Part B ‘Operational management and performance verification’:\r\nClauses 3.41 to 3.48 cover humidifiers.\r\nThere are other sections covering the cleaning and inspection of humidifiers.\r\nSHTM guidance advises that:\r\n‘3.14 Providing humidification is expensive in terms of plant, running costs and maintenance, and therefore its use should be restricted to where it is necessary for physiological or operational reasons.’\r\n‘3.15 Humidification was originally required for some healthcare applications, e.g. operating theatres, in order to control the risk associated with the use of flammable anaesthetic gases. The use of such gases has now ceased. Humidification is therefore no longer required unless there is a very specific application requirement.’","AnswerDate":"2015-05-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-05-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302829,"EventID":"S4W-25426","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-04-30T16:31:43.97","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-04-30T11:45:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action is being taken to reduce airborne infections arising from reduced humidity in hospitals.","AnswerText":"NHS boards, in general, do not provide humidification as there has been no identified clinical need. Therefore, there is no specific healthcare associated infection policy or guidance on this matter.","AnswerDate":"2015-05-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-05-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302830,"EventID":"S4W-25427","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4014,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-04-30T16:31:44.77","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-04-30T11:53:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on the finding of the 2014 Scottish Survey of Literacy and Numeracy suggesting that literacy standards among schoolchildren have fallen and, in light of this, for what reason its Standing Literacy Commission has previously claimed that such standards have improved.","AnswerText":"Tackling inequality is at the heart of this government's agenda so that every child can succeed in school and gain the skills they need for life. Literacy and numeracy are vital skills in this regard. The most recent findings from the Scottish Survey of Literacy and Numeracy (SSLN) found that most Scottish pupils are doing well, but the Scottish Government has already acknowledged that the results are not as good as they should be. \r\nThe independent Standing Literacy Commission considered a wider range of qualitative and quantitative data and evidence - prior to publication of the SSLN 2014 results - and concluded that many of the key indicators of literacy development in early years, school and adult literacy are moving in the right direction. The commission stated clearly that there is still progress to be made, especially in closing the gap in attainment between the most and least disadvantaged young people. They also made 13 recommendations to improve literacy levels in Scotland, across all sectors, which we are studying carefully and intend to respond to in due course.","AnswerDate":"2015-05-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-05-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302831,"EventID":"S4W-25428","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2394,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-04-30T16:31:45.45","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-04-30T14:30:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it will introduce an age restriction of 18 on e-cigarettes.","AnswerText":"An age restriction for electronic cigarettes will be included in the forthcoming Public Health Bill. We aim to introduce the Bill before summer recess.","AnswerDate":"2015-05-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-05-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302832,"EventID":"S4F-02769","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":3812,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-05-01T12:07:53.717","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-04-30T13:29:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister what engagements she has planned for the rest of the day. ","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-05-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":"2015-05-06T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302833,"EventID":"S4F-02770","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":5009,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-05-01T12:07:54.513","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-04-30T13:40:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister what issues will be discussed at the next meeting of the Cabinet. ","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-05-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":"2015-05-06T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302834,"EventID":"S4F-02771","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-05-01T12:07:55.187","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-04-30T16:04:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister what the Scottish Government's position is on fracking.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-05-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":"2015-05-06T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302835,"EventID":"S4F-02774","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":4976,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-05-01T12:07:57.52","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-01T10:20:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister when she will next meet the Prime Minister.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-05-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":"2015-05-06T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302836,"EventID":"S4F-02776","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":2876,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-05-01T12:07:58.877","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-01T10:30:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister what progress the Scottish Government is making on widening access to university for young people from the most deprived communities.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-05-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":"2015-05-06T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302837,"EventID":"S4F-02777","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":2673,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":114,"ApprovedDate":"2015-05-01T12:07:59.697","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-01T10:56:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister what the Scottish Government's position is on the increase in Scotland's population.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-05-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":"2015-05-06T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302857,"EventID":"S4W-25421","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4947,"Party":"Independent","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-05-01T15:40:35.033","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-04-30T10:07:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when the extra commuter trains between Inverness and Elgin, which were discussed at the Highlands and Islands Transport Partnership board meeting of 10 April 2015, will become operational; what times of day they will operate, and how it will ensure that there will be sufficient (a) train sets available and (b) spare capacity retained at Inverness as contingency cover for breakdowns.","AnswerText":"Transport Scotland is currently working with Abellio, Scotrail and Network Rail, progressing the development work that will ensure that the opportunities presented by investment in the Aberdeen-Inverness line for passengers and freight are realised as early as possible.","AnswerDate":"2015-05-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-05-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302858,"EventID":"S4W-25422","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4947,"Party":"Independent","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-05-01T15:40:35.547","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-04-30T10:07:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much double-tracking between Inverness and Nairn, as set in August 2014 in the document, Aberdeen to Inverness Rail Improvements Project GRIP 3 – Phase 1 Enhancements, is to be provided; where it will be laid, and what the timescale is for the work.","AnswerText":"Infrastructure improvements for the Aberdeen to Inverness Improvements project, including some double tracking between Inverness and Nairn, will be prioritised for delivery in the next phase of the project (during Control Period 6 2019-24). I can confirm that the Scottish Government is absolutely committed to delivering significant journey time improvements and greater connectivity on the Inverness to Aberdeen corridor, including enhancing services between Inverness and Elgin.","AnswerDate":"2015-05-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-05-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302859,"EventID":"S4W-25431","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1759,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-05-01T15:40:36.017","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-01T09:47:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to ensure that it meets its obligations under the air quality directive and to what timescales.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is working closely with the UK Government, the other devolved administrations, local authorities and other delivery partners to ensure compliance with the air quality directive as soon as possible. We are currently updating the action plans with the aim of submitting them to the European Commission by the end of 2015. These action plans will specify specific actions that need to be undertaken with appropriate milestones.","AnswerDate":"2015-05-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-05-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen McLeod","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302860,"EventID":"S4W-25432","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1759,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-05-01T15:40:36.437","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-01T09:47:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to the Supreme Court's recent judgement in relation to compliance with the air quality directive.","AnswerText":"Air quality in Scotland and the rest of the UK has improved significantly in recent years and, as this judgement recognises, work is already underway on revised plans to meet the air quality directive targets on nitrogen dioxide as soon as possible. The Scottish Government was already working with the UK Government and the other devolved administrations to submit these plans before the end of 2015.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-05-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-05-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen McLeod","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302861,"EventID":"S4W-25433","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1866,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-05-01T15:40:36.827","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-01T09:50:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what information it has on the proportion of gadget waste that is recycled.","AnswerText":"Statistics on waste recycling are collected and reported by the Scottish Environment Protection Agency, available at:\r\nhttp://www.sepa.org.uk/environment/waste/waste-data/\r\nThe most recent household waste figures show 31,000 tonnes of ‘Discarded equipment (excluding discarded vehicles, batteries and accumulators wastes)’ reported by local authorities for 2013 – all of which was directed to reuse or recycling.\r\nThe Scottish Government is acting in a number of ways to nurture a more circular economy where we keep products and components in high value use as long as possible, including actions on design, reuse, remanufacturing and collection.","AnswerDate":"2015-05-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-05-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Richard Lochhead","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302862,"EventID":"S4T-01005","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":9,"MSPID":2135,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":92,"ApprovedDate":"2015-05-05T09:36:10.833","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-03T07:24:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it will take to secure lifeline flights from Oban to the islands of Colonsay, Coll and Tiree, which are to be withdrawn by the operator from 16 May. ","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-05-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":"2015-05-05T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302863,"EventID":"S4W-25438","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2108,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":141,"ApprovedDate":"2015-05-05T13:42:34.3","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-05T11:37:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to review childcare regulations in relation to the use of retainer fees.","AnswerText":"The use of retainer fees by private childcare services are a matter for individual businesses. There are no specific childcare regulations on the purchasing of childcare from private and independent providers. The issue of any charging in relation to funded partnership providers will be considered for inclusion in the revised Early Learning and Childcare Statutory Guidance, due for updating by August 2015.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-05-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-05-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fiona McLeod","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302864,"EventID":"S4W-25439","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2108,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":141,"ApprovedDate":"2015-05-05T13:42:35.05","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-05T11:37:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it considers it lawful to charge childcare retainer fees for a service that is unavailable.","AnswerText":"The use of retainer fees in after school care services, private nurseries and sometimes by childminders, is fairly common practice in Scotland, and we are not aware that providers are acting illegally by charging such fees. \r\nThe use of retainer fees by private business, are a matter for individual businesses, and the Scottish Government cannot comment on or intervene in such decisions.","AnswerDate":"2015-05-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-05-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fiona McLeod","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302865,"EventID":"S4W-25440","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2108,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":141,"ApprovedDate":"2015-05-05T13:42:35.783","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-05T11:37:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it will help parents who are subject to unfair childcare retainer fees.","AnswerText":"Most afterschool care services are either small parent committee led voluntary sector services or small private businesses. The use of retainer fees in after school care services, private nurseries and sometimes by childminders, is fairly common practice in Scotland, and we are not aware that providers are acting illegally by charging such fees. \r\nRetainer fees could be used to hold a childcare place over the summer or as a form of insurance for the provider as they need to pay rent and staff wages, no matter what a parents chooses to do (e.g. if a parent cancels a child's place at short notice).\r\nThe use of retainer fees by private business, are a matter for individual businesses, and the Scottish Government cannot comment on or intervene in such decisions.","AnswerDate":"2015-05-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-05-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fiona McLeod","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302866,"EventID":"S4W-25441","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2108,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":141,"ApprovedDate":"2015-05-05T13:42:36.377","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-05T11:37:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on funding less than a quarter of places in a partnership nursery where all children are eligible for free childcare.","AnswerText":"Local authorities have a statutory duty to secure funded early learning and childcare places for all eligible children whose parents wish it, and they can provide this through their own settings or through contracts with private or third sector providers. It is for each local authority to take decisions on contracting with partners, ensuring there is adequate provision in their area.","AnswerDate":"2015-05-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-05-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fiona McLeod","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302867,"EventID":"S4W-25442","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2108,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":141,"ApprovedDate":"2015-05-05T13:42:36.907","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-05T11:37:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what further choice it can make available to parents in the provision of childcare places.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has placed flexibility on a statutory footing for the first time, through the Children and Young People (Scotland) Act 2014. Local authorities now have a duty to consult at least once every two years with representative groups of local parents on patterns of hours which will best meet their needs. This will allow local authorities to plan how they reconfigure services to better meet the needs of working parents; and, introduce a greater level of flexibility and choice in to the system.\r\n\r\nFlexibility means moving away from what has been the default model of provision of 2.5 hours a day to providing models of provision that support a wider range of needs of parents including supporting parents who are employed, training or studying. However, the Scottish Government recognises that this is best achieved through year on year incremental change. The estimated budget up to 2019 increased annually to meet an incremental increase in choice.\r\nLocal authorities are consulting and increasing their flexibility, including offering further models of provision from August 2016","AnswerDate":"2015-05-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-05-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fiona McLeod","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302884,"EventID":"S4W-25444","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":2,"MSPID":3759,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":80,"ApprovedDate":"2015-05-05T15:23:49.377","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-05T15:16:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what information it can provide regarding the most recent visits to the United States and Canada by the Cabinet Secretary for Culture, Europe and External Affairs and the Cabinet Secretary for Infrastructure, Investment and Cities.","AnswerText":"Scotland Week 2015 ran from 4 to 11 April, during which time the Cabinet Secretary for Infrastructure, Investment and Cities and I undertook extensive ministerial engagements in Toronto, Los Angeles and New York City.\r\n\r\nThe overall purpose of this year’s Scotland Week was to encourage further investment in Scotland’s creative industries, including meetings with film studios; business and tourism meetings designed to drive jobs, investment and visits to Scotland; numerous events promoting Scotland’s cultural and food and drink sectors, demonstrating that Scotland is open for business, and promoting strength and competitiveness of Scotland’s key sectors.\r\nMy engagements in New York and Los Angeles focused on strengthening our existing strong relationships and encouraging further investment in Scotland’s creative industries. This included high level meetings with representatives from two studios behind some of the most well-known films ever made, Warner Brothers and Lionsgate Entertainment. I also promoted emerging Scottish film talent at a Royal Conservatoire short film event which showcased original films by Scottish students studying in Los Angeles as part of the BA Digital Film and Television programme in Glasgow.\r\nBusiness engagements during my visit included meetings with Edrington Americas and Dupont Teijin Films in New York and with Majestic Hospitality in Los Angeles. These meetings helped reaffirm government support of expanding investment in Scotland and of further developing relationships between American companies and Scottish businesses.\r\nI also met members of the GlobalScots network in New York and Los Angeles to gain their insights into opportunities for Scotland in the US market and to identify where this influential group can support the government’s economic strategy.\r\nIn New York I provided a welcome address at a VisitScotland media reception, which promoted 2016 as the Year of Innovation, Architecture and Design through the use of food and drink. This resulted in significant media coverage of Scotland’s tourism product.\r\nMy visit included several cultural engagements, including a visit to the Scots Who Built New York exhibition which celebrated the iconic buildings in New York built by Scots. In New York I also hosted the launch of the Gerard Burns Portrait Exhibition, which promoted and raised the profile of Scottish art with the unveiling of 15 portraits of prominent Scots. In Los Angeles I was a guest of honour at an event with the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, which showcased Scottish arts, Scotland’s cultural impact internationally and food and drink. I was also guest of honour at the Los Angeles St Andrew’s Society Tartan Day Celebration – our first engagement with diaspora in Los Angeles. \r\nI conducted a courtesy meeting with New York City’s Commissioner on Cultural Affairs, Tom Finkelpearl, and discussed current links between Scotland and New York City as well as identifying further areas of mutually beneficial collaboration. \r\nIn addition, I provided a keynote address in Los Angeles to students and faculty of the University of Southern California on Scottish politics, Scotland’s role within the UK’s devolution and the importance of public diplomacy. In New York I also engaged with Glasgow University alumni at a reception at Carnegie Hall, where I spoke about the importance of the role of alumni as ambassadors to help spread the message about our modern Scotland.\r\nThe Cabinet Secretary for Infrastructure, Investment and Cities’ programme included engagements which highlighted existing and recently enhanced transatlantic routes which played a key role in the success of the Commonwealth Games and Ryder Cup as well as promoting talks to develop new links, focusing on business and tourism markets.  \r\nIn Toronto, the Cabinet Secretary’s visit began with a speaking role at an event celebrating the bicentenary of the birth in Glasgow of Sir John A. Macdonald, the first Prime Minister of Canada. His speec","AnswerDate":"2015-05-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-05-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fiona Hyslop","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302886,"EventID":"S4O-04304","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":4939,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":78,"ApprovedDate":"2015-05-06T13:21:43.86","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-01T12:08:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what progress it is making in expanding Gaelic medium education outwith Gaelic-speaking areas.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-05-13T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302887,"EventID":"S4O-04305","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":2112,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":102,"ApprovedDate":"2015-05-06T13:21:44.547","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-05T13:55:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the tragic event at Liberton High School in 2014, what additional support and resources have been and will be provided to the school.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-05-13T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302888,"EventID":"S4O-04306","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":4984,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-05-06T13:21:45.11","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-05T09:55:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what it will do to improve literacy in schools following the recent results of the Scottish Survey of Literacy and Numeracy. ","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-05-13T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302889,"EventID":"S4O-04307","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":1892,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":134,"ApprovedDate":"2015-05-06T13:21:45.5","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-06T11:32:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what measures it is taking to improve literacy standards in primary schools.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-05-13T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302890,"EventID":"S4O-04308","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":5074,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":104,"ApprovedDate":"2015-05-06T13:21:45.92","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-01T12:08:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much was spent refurbishing schools in Edinburgh in 2014-15.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-05-13T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302891,"EventID":"S4O-04309","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":4955,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":105,"ApprovedDate":"2015-05-06T13:21:46.327","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-01T12:08:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to promote the study of computer science in schools and other educational establishments.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-05-13T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302892,"EventID":"S4O-04310","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":2675,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":93,"ApprovedDate":"2015-05-06T13:21:46.747","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-01T12:08:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what public agencies are doing to promote outdoor education for both urban and rural pupils and with what success.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-05-13T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302893,"EventID":"S4O-04311","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":2033,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":132,"ApprovedDate":"2015-05-06T13:21:47.247","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-01T12:08:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the reasons for falling literacy and numeracy in schools.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-05-13T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302894,"EventID":"S4O-04312","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":1845,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-05-06T13:21:47.667","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-01T12:08:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what support it provides to disabled college students.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-05-13T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302895,"EventID":"S4O-04313","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":2134,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":82,"ApprovedDate":"2015-05-06T13:21:48.277","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-01T12:08:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what recent improvements it has made to student support.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-05-13T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302896,"EventID":"S4O-04314","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":4965,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-05-06T13:21:48.65","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-01T12:08:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how local authorities are using the funding that was provided to maintain teacher numbers.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-05-13T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302897,"EventID":"S4O-04315","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":5107,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":124,"ApprovedDate":"2015-05-06T13:21:48.977","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-01T12:08:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it will improve the governance of higher education institutions.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-05-13T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302898,"EventID":"S4O-04317","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":5110,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":89,"ApprovedDate":"2015-05-06T13:21:49.4","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-01T13:51:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what recent discussions it has had with Glasgow City Council regarding children with an autistic spectrum disorder being sent to mainstream schools.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-05-13T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302899,"EventID":"S4O-04318","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":5042,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-05-06T13:21:49.743","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-01T12:08:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when the Cabinet Secretary for Education and Lifelong Learning last met Education Scotland and what was discussed.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-05-13T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302900,"EventID":"S4O-04319","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":5080,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-05-06T13:21:50.117","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-06T10:12:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what support it is providing to local authorities to manage pressures on education spending locally.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-05-13T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302901,"EventID":"S4O-04320","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":2394,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-05-06T13:21:50.46","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-05T11:19:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to increase the number of young disabled people in further education.","AnswerText":"The most recent statistics from the Scottish Funding Council (SFC) show that colleges are delivering more for young disabled students. In 2013-14, 22% of all learning hours delivered to students aged 16 to 24 were to students with a disclosed disability or requiring additional learning support; a two percentage point increase on the 2006-07 proportion.\r\nThe SFC has made improving access for disabled people a national priority. To support this, it will invest a record £100 million across the sector in 2015-16 to ensure colleges are resourced to meet the needs of this group.\r\nAdditionally, the SFC is working with the Equality Challenge Unit, Enable Scotland, College Development Network and other partners to continuously improve access and outcomes for these learners.","AnswerDate":"2015-05-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-05-13T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302902,"EventID":"S4O-04321","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":4938,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-05-06T13:21:50.973","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-01T12:08:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has for the Education Maintenance Allowance programme.","AnswerText":"Unlike the UK Government, the Scottish Government committed to maintaining the Education Maintenance Allowance programme and in the financial year 2015-16 invests £29.6 million, providing 34,955 young people aged 16 to 19 from low income households with a weekly payment of £30 to help them stay on at school or go to college. In line with the First Minister’s commitment to help more young people access and stay on in education, we are currently considering how we might extend the scheme. ","AnswerDate":"2015-05-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-05-13T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302903,"EventID":"S4O-04322","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":5047,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-05-06T13:21:51.38","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-01T12:08:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on progress with the college mergers programme.","AnswerText":"As part of our successful college reform programme, all planned college mergers are now complete. As reform is a process, there remains work to be done to realise the full benefits from change and the Scottish Government is working closely with the Scottish Funding Council and colleges to ensure we build on early successes and monitor and evaluate progress.\r\nThe Scottish Government has a strong record on colleges, investing more than Labour ever did, exceeding our commitment to maintain 116,000 full time equivalent places, providing record levels of student support, and investing over £530 million in college estates – £230 million more than under Labour’s time in office.","AnswerDate":"2015-05-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-05-13T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302904,"EventID":"S4O-04323","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":1943,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-05-06T13:21:51.847","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-06T09:44:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it encourages the teaching of Mandarin in schools. ","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government provides annual funding to the Confucius Institute for Scotland’s Schools (CISS) at the University of Strathclyde to encourage young people to learn Mandarin, as well as about Chinese culture and history. CISS also provides language immersion visits for young people and head teachers from Scottish schools to visit China to establish and foster links.\r\nSince 2008 we have launched 14 Confucius Classroom Hubs serving eight local authorities across Scotland, with a further three to follow later in 2015. Each of these classrooms hosts at least one visiting teacher from their partner schools in Tianjin to facilitate the teaching of Chinese language and culture in primary and secondary schools. We have also supported the development and implementation of qualifications in Mandarin and Cantonese.","AnswerDate":"2015-05-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-05-13T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"Alasdair Allan","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302905,"EventID":"S4O-04324","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":3824,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-05-06T13:21:52.237","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-06T10:21:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what progress it is making in setting up the public consultation on fracking.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-05-14T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302906,"EventID":"S4O-04325","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":2673,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":114,"ApprovedDate":"2015-05-06T13:21:52.627","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-01T12:09:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on its position on the recommendations of the Smith Commission.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-05-14T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302907,"EventID":"S4O-04326","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":2110,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":138,"ApprovedDate":"2015-05-06T13:21:53.067","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-01T12:09:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when the next meeting of the Joint Exchequer Committee will take place and what will be discussed.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-05-14T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302908,"EventID":"S4O-04327","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":4948,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-05-06T13:21:53.61","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-01T12:09:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what assistance it is providing to increase affordable housing in rural and remote areas.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-05-14T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302909,"EventID":"S4O-04328","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":1866,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-05-06T13:21:54.033","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-05T14:07:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to support community policing in Edinburgh.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is committed to protecting and supporting frontline services and local community policing across the whole of Scotland – supported by this government’s continued commitment to 1,000 additional officers and our ambitious Building Safer Communities Programme which seeks to reduce the number of victims of crime in Scotland by 250,000 by 2017-18.\r\nWe are working closely with Police Scotland, councils and other national partners to make Scotland safer and stronger. Police Scotland continues to work closely in partnership with the city council and is funding additional police officers and staff to help keep our communities safe – the evidence of which can be seen in a continued reduction in recorded crime, down by more than a quarter since 2007.","AnswerDate":"2015-05-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-05-14T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302910,"EventID":"S4O-04330","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":5060,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-05-06T13:21:54.593","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-04T14:13:24.977","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it last met NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde and what issues were discussed.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-05-14T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302911,"EventID":"S4O-04332","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":2159,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":88,"ApprovedDate":"2015-05-06T13:21:55.063","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-01T12:09:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to ensure that communities are protected from dangerous dogs.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-05-14T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302912,"EventID":"S4O-04333","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":2059,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":91,"ApprovedDate":"2015-05-06T13:21:55.453","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-01T12:09:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it last met officials from NHS Lanarkshire.","AnswerText":"Ministers and government officials regularly meet with representatives of all NHS boards, including NHS Lanarkshire.","AnswerDate":"2015-05-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-05-14T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302913,"EventID":"S4W-25434","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-05-06T13:31:24.093","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-02T18:43:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much it has cost to treat wet macular degeneration with ranibizumabin in each of the last three years, and what information it has regarding how much it would have cost if bevacizumab had been used.","AnswerText":"Bevacizumab is not licensed in the UK for the treatment of wet macular degeneration. Information on how much it has cost to treat wet macular degeneration with ranibizumab in each of the last three years and information on how much it would have cost if bevacizumab had been used is not held centrally. It is the remit of the Scottish Medicines Consortium to provide advice to NHSScotland on licensed medicines. The Scottish Government has noted the literature on the use of bevacizumab, and the position of the UK regulatory authorities, and has no plans to introduce legislation that would be outside the legislative competence of the Scottish Parliament.","AnswerDate":"2015-05-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-05-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302914,"EventID":"S4W-25435","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-05-06T13:31:25.087","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-02T18:43:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on the reported increase in (a) diagnoses of disorders in young people that require both physical and mental health care and (b) the age range of those accessing paediatric services.","AnswerText":"A definition of ‘diagnosis of disorder in young people that requires both physical and mental health care’ is not available nationally.\r\nThe national policy regarding age appropriate hospital care for children and young people was outlined in Better Health, Better Care: Hospital Services for Young People in Scotland, published on 5 May 2009. The report expects NHS boards to have well-structured transition arrangements that accord with best practice and to take advantage of the flexibility offered by the revised age limits to defer formal transfer to adult services until the most appropriate developmental stage for the young person.","AnswerDate":"2015-05-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-05-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302915,"EventID":"S4W-25436","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-05-06T13:31:25.993","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-02T18:43:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on the Cochrane Library review, Systemic (whole body) safety of bevacizumab versus ranibizumab for neovascular age-related macular degeneration, which suggests that bevacizumab is an effective and less expensive alternative to ranibizumabin in the treatment of wet macular degeneration and, in light of this, whether it has asked the Scottish Medicines Consortium to consider authorising its use.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-25434 on 14 May 2015 which is available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at: \r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx","AnswerDate":"2015-05-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-05-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302916,"EventID":"S4W-25437","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-05-06T13:31:27.027","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-02T18:43:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on introducing legislation to ensure that doctors who act on the basis of the evidence in a Cochrane Library review are protected from legal action.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-25434 on 14 May 2015 which is available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at: \r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx","AnswerDate":"2015-05-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-05-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302917,"EventID":"S4W-25443","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-05-06T13:31:27.99","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-05T11:38:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it ensures that paediatric inpatients can access appropriate multidisciplinary mental health care and treatment.","AnswerText":"NHS boards should have in place procedures to ensure that mental health service link in to other services including paediatrics. Some health boards have mental health liaison services which can provide advice and support.\r\nThe Scottish Government committed £32 million over three years to improve priority specialist children’s services, as part of the National Delivery Plan: a three year plan (2009-11) with 55 commitments to enable improvement in priority specialist children’s services. Funding of £32 million was provided by the Scottish Government with recurring investment of £19.5 million from 2011-12 to ensure that services continue to improve, and this included funding from 2009-10 of £1 million recurring to Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services.","AnswerDate":"2015-05-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-05-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302918,"EventID":"S4W-25446","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2015-05-06T13:31:28.977","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-05T19:31:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-25348 by Angela Constance on 5 May 2015, whether it has established a timeframe for the Widening Access Commission to report back with its conclusions.","AnswerText":"The commission has been asked to provide an interim report in the autumn, followed by a final report in spring 2016. ","AnswerDate":"2015-05-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-05-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302919,"EventID":"S4W-25448","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5041,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-05-06T13:31:29.907","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-06T10:24:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, in light of reports that they are facing possible redundancy, what (a) support and (b) employment protection it will provide to the people covered by the tripartite agreements between it, the Wood Group PSN and Angus College who are yet to complete their apprenticeship.","AnswerText":"Any Modern Apprentices made redundant from the oil and gas industry in Scotland will be guaranteed support through Partnership Action for Continuing Employment to move into employment with another business, or to continue with their training.\r\nAs announced in January 2015, employers in the oil and gas industry will be supported to employ any redundant Modern Apprentices with a specific recruitment incentive of £5,000 through the Skills Development Scotland Adopt an Apprentice scheme.","AnswerDate":"2015-05-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-05-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Roseanna Cunningham","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302925,"EventID":"S4W-25413","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-05-06T16:36:54.1","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-04-29T14:59:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government for how long the Scottish Dental Access Initiative provides financial assistance for dentists to deliver a level of NHS services and what obligation dentists have to provide services thereafter.","AnswerText":"Grants are normally paid in two tranches within a 12 month period. The conditions of grant last for seven years following the payment of the first tranche of grant but can be extended in certain circumstances. Once the grant conditions period has expired the grantee has no obligation to continue to provide NHS general dental services.","AnswerDate":"2015-05-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-05-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302926,"EventID":"S4W-25415","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-05-06T16:36:56.593","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-04-29T14:59:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether any general dental practitioner has (a) failed to deliver the required level of NHS dental services and (b) repaid financial assistance to an NHS board.","AnswerText":"Scottish Dental Access Initiative grants have been repaid due to the conditions of grant not being met. For example, for those grants issued by NHS boards since 2007, seven grants have been repaid, in full or in part, to the Scottish Government.\r\nNHS boards may have recovered further grants that have not yet been returned to the Scottish Government.","AnswerDate":"2015-05-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-05-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302927,"EventID":"S4W-25416","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-05-06T16:36:57.81","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-04-29T14:59:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what mechanism is in place to ensure that dentists receiving financial assistance to deliver NHS dental services deliver the required level of NHS provision.","AnswerText":"NHS boards are responsible for monitoring grant-aided projects throughout the grant period, including visiting the practice annually to ensure that the grant conditions are being complied with, preparing an annual report, confirming the number of patient registrations against target numbers and ensuring that an accountant’s certificate verifying the percentage of the practice’s gross income derived from NHS general dental services is received annually.","AnswerDate":"2015-05-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-05-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302928,"EventID":"S4W-25417","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-05-06T16:36:59.09","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-04-29T14:59:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what role NHS boards have in investigating patient complaints relating to general dental practitioners.","AnswerText":"Those who provide NHS general dental services are required under their NHS terms of service to have arrangements in place in accordance with Section 15 of the Patient Rights (Scotland) Act 2011, and any Regulations or Directions made under that Act. The Regulations associated with the Patient Rights (Scotland) Act 2011 include a requirement for health service providers, including general dental practitioners, to appoint a Feedback and Complaints Officer who is responsible for the management and handling of feedback, comments, concerns and complaints operationally. The Feedback and Complaints Officer, or staff authorised to act on their behalf, will normally oversee the investigation of a complaint and provide the main point of contact for the person making the complaint.\r\nThe Scottish Government’s ‘Can I Help You?’ guidance for handling and learning from feedback, comments, concerns and complaints states that, where the person making a complaint is uncomfortable making the complaint directly to the health service provider, the complaint can be made to the appropriate relevant NHS board directly. As a matter of best practice the board and health service provider should agree locally the management of the complaint under these circumstances, and advise the person making the complaint accordingly.","AnswerDate":"2015-05-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-05-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302929,"EventID":"S4W-25418","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-05-06T16:37:03.177","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-04-29T14:59:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether NHS boards are notified when a dental practice is being investigated following a complaint.","AnswerText":"In accordance with the Patient Rights (Feedback, Comments, Concerns and Complaints) (Scotland) Directions 2012, relevant NHS bodies including NHS health boards have a responsibility to gather and review information from their health service providers, including general dental practitioners, on a quarterly basis in relation to complaints, and those providers have a duty to supply this information to their relevant NHS body as soon as is reasonably practicable after the end of the three month period to which it relates. Those who provide NHS general dental services are required under their NHS terms of service to have arrangements in place in accordance with these Directions.\r\nIn the event of a patient complaining directly to the General Dental Council (GDC) about a general dental practitioner delivering NHS care, the GDC would normally contact the relevant NHS board to advise that a complaint had been received about NHS care and ask the board if they knew of any fitness to practise concerns. In the event of a GDC disciplinary hearing finding a dental professional in breach of the GDC’s required standards of conduct, performance and ethics, the result would be a matter of public record.","AnswerDate":"2015-05-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-05-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302930,"EventID":"S4W-25445","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-05-06T16:37:04.317","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-05T17:08:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to review the contract for retained firefighters, and what impact  reducing the commitment of them being on call for up to 120 hours each week would have on the numbers taking up the role.","AnswerText":"Employment issues, such as recruitment, contracts and conditions of service are primarily a matter for the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS), although clearly the Scottish Government recognises the challenge that recruitment and retention of retained duty system (RDS) staff presents, not only in Scotland but also across the United Kingdom. The creation of a single SFRS has provided an opportunity to address this matter in a way that was difficult to do previously and a programme of work has been initiated within SFRS to review and reform RDS provision across the country.\r\n\r\nSFRS has already developed faster recruitment and assessment procedures for RDS -with the entire process from application to appointment being streamlined to around 16 weeks, and will be considering other issues, such as eligibility criteria, and terms and conditions of employment under the wider programme of RDS reform.\r\nSFRS are actively pursuing various employer engagement opportunities in relation to maintaining a suitable workforce in remote and rural areas, and the Scottish Government will work with them on this.\r\nThe Scottish Government regards addressing this issue as being a high priority.","AnswerDate":"2015-05-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-05-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Paul Wheelhouse","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302931,"EventID":"S4W-25458","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2015-05-06T16:37:05.61","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-06T15:52:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-25286 by Angela Constance on 6 May 2015, if there is a change in its position, whether it will inform the Parliament before any action is taken.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has no plans to participate in any future sale of student loan debt. Should the Scottish Government’s position change, the government would follow the appropriate consultation processes and consult with all relevant stakeholders.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-05-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-05-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302932,"EventID":"S4W-25465","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4947,"Party":"Independent","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-05-07T16:35:19.577","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-07T15:10:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many (a) deaths, (b) serious injuries and (c) minor injuries there have been each year since 1999 in incidents that involved (i) whisky road tankers, (ii) HGVs on the A9 between Perth and Inverness and (iii) freight trains on the main line between Perth and Inverness, and what information it has on casualty rate per tonne-mile for (A) HGVs and (B) freight trains.","AnswerText":"The number of accidents involving whisky road tankers is not available as they cannot be identified separately from other HGVs in the information obtained from Police Scotland regarding road accidents via the STATS 19 data collection system.\r\nAccident data involving freight trains on the main line between Perth and Inverness is not held centrally. However, general information about the overall number of railway accidents can be found in tables 7.18 and 7.19 of the publication Scottish Transport Statistics which is available in the Scottish Parliament Information Centre library (Bib. number 56731) and on the Transport Scotland website at: \r\nhttp://www.transportscotland.gov.uk/statistics/j357783-10.htm#tb7_18\r\nInformation about casualty rates per tonne-mile is only available for HGVs. In 2013 there were 0.014 casualties involving HGVs per million tonne-miles across Scotland (source: Road Freight Statistics, Department for Transport and Reported Road Casualties Scotland, Transport Scotland).\r\nThe following table shows the number of casualties involved in accidents which involved at least one heavy goods vehicle on the A9 between Perth and Inverness, by casualty severity.\r\nYear\r\nFatalities\r\nSeriously Injured\r\nSlightly Injured\r\nTotal\r\n1999\r\n1\r\n6\r\n6\r\n13\r\n2000\r\n1\r\n5\r\n6\r\n12\r\n2001\r\n7\r\n6\r\n10\r\n23\r\n2002\r\n1\r\n3\r\n12\r\n16\r\n2003\r\n2\r\n7\r\n14\r\n23\r\n2004\r\n1\r\n5\r\n7\r\n13\r\n2005\r\n0\r\n7\r\n23\r\n30\r\n2006\r\n3\r\n7\r\n7\r\n17\r\n2007\r\n2\r\n4\r\n13\r\n19\r\n2008\r\n1\r\n1\r\n9\r\n11\r\n2009\r\n1\r\n8\r\n18\r\n27\r\n2010\r\n3\r\n9\r\n43\r\n55\r\n2011\r\n2\r\n3\r\n16\r\n21\r\n2012\r\n3\r\n8\r\n9\r\n20\r\n2013\r\n1\r\n2\r\n8\r\n11\r\nTotal\r\n29\r\n81\r\n201\r\n311\r\nSource: Transport Scotland strategic road safety accident database","AnswerDate":"2015-05-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-05-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302933,"EventID":"S4W-25466","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4947,"Party":"Independent","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-05-07T16:35:20.483","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-07T15:10:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the outcome of the trial in 2013 that examined the feasibility of moving bulk spirit and other food products between Elgin and Grangemouth by rail, whether the safety benefits that were identified for the A9, A95, A96 and other roads will be taken account of when appraising proposed public investment or grant aid for a regular so-called whisky train service from the north to central Scotland.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government’s Scottish Transport Appraisal Guidance requires an assessment of safety benefits as part of the overall appraisal process for transport investment. In addition, safety benefits of transferring freight from road to rail are fully taken into account when assessing applications for funding from the government’s Freight Facilities Grant Scheme.\r\nWe are currently refreshing our Rail Freight Strategy, which will include how best to maximise investment in rail freight in Scotland.","AnswerDate":"2015-05-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-05-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302935,"EventID":"S4W-25449","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3806,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-05-08T15:30:03.413","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-06T13:34:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on the report in The Shetland Times on 1 May 2015 that Transport Scotland's bid for the re-tender of the 2012-18 contract for Northern Isles ferry services was returned unopened by David MacBrayne Ltd.","AnswerText":"The then Minister for Transport and Veterans covered these issues during the debate in the Scottish Parliament on 5 September 2012 on ferry services to Orkney.\r\nThe process used for the Northern Isles ferry services is standard practice for procurement exercises such as this. Tender submissions include separate proposals for the quality of the services to be provided and for the cost of providing those services. These proposals are assessed separately using a predetermined formula. The quality proposals are assessed first, and if they achieve the predetermined standard, their price submission is assessed before bringing together the marks for quality and price to identify the most economically advantageous tender.\r\nAs the assessment of the quality proposals in the tender from NorthLink Ferries Ltd. (a subsidiary of David MacBrayne Ltd.) was judged not to meet the quality standard, their financial submission was then returned to them unopened.","AnswerDate":"2015-05-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-05-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302936,"EventID":"S4W-25450","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3806,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-05-08T15:30:04.227","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-06T13:36:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will publish the responses to the pre-qualification questionnaire received from bidders for the 2012-18 contract for Northern Isles ferry services.","AnswerText":"The submitted prequalification documents are commercially sensitive. They invited suitable economic operators to express an interest in bidding for either one of two lots, or both. Six economic operators responded, one for each of the lots and four for both lots. All applicants were successfully prequalified and subsequently invited to tender.","AnswerDate":"2015-05-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-05-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302937,"EventID":"S4W-25452","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3806,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-05-08T15:30:04.967","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-06T13:38:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many bids were received for the 2012-18 Northern Isles ferry services contract, and how many were lower than the winning bid.","AnswerText":"Four bids were received for the Northern Isles ferry services contract in 2012. Three bids were fully evaluated, one was judged not to meet the quality standard, and their financial submission was returned to them unopened, in accordance with the rules of the competition. The winning bid received the highest combined score for quality proposals and cost.","AnswerDate":"2015-05-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-05-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302938,"EventID":"S4W-25453","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3806,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-05-08T15:30:05.593","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-06T13:40:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much public subsidy has been paid to Serco in each year since 2012.","AnswerText":"The undernoted table details the costs incurred by the Scottish Government for each year since 2012 for the provision of the Northern Isles ferry service operated by Serco Northlink Ltd.\r\nContract year\r\n\r\n1 (July 2012 to June 2013)\r\n£39,163,436\r\n2 (July 2013 to June 2014)\r\n£35,548,424\r\n3 (July 2014 to date)\r\n£29,953,628\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-05-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-05-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302939,"EventID":"S4W-25454","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3806,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-05-08T15:30:06.28","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-06T13:41:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much revenue from fares has been raised on Northern Isles ferry services in each year since May 2012.","AnswerText":"The information requested is commercially sensitive.","AnswerDate":"2015-05-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-05-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302940,"EventID":"S4W-25455","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3806,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-05-08T15:30:06.913","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-06T13:42:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the maintenance costs have been for each vessel on the Northern Isles ferry routes in each year since July 2012.","AnswerText":"The annual maintenance costs of the three vessels on the Northern Isles ferry services is commercially sensitive. The two freight vessels the MV Helliar and MV Hildasay are time charted by Serco NorthLink Ferries from SeaTruck and as such, vessel maintenance costs are part of the time charter payment.","AnswerDate":"2015-05-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-05-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302941,"EventID":"S4W-25456","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3806,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-05-08T15:30:07.57","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-06T13:43:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether its discussions with the legal representatives of Serco NorthLink regarding the cost to the (a) public and (b) Serco NorthLink arising from the breakdown of the MV Hamnavoe in April 2013 have concluded and, if so, what the final cost will be.","AnswerText":"Discussions regarding the MV Hamnavoe breakdown have concluded.\r\nThe cost to Transport Scotland for the breakdown of the MV Hamnavoe was £62,973. The costs to Serco NorthLink are commercially sensitive.\r\nI also refer the member to the answer to question S4W-19964 on 13 March 2014. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx","AnswerDate":"2015-05-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-05-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302942,"EventID":"S4W-25457","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3806,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-05-08T15:30:08.23","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-06T13:44:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what payments Serco NorthLink has made to the CalMac pension fund since May 2012.","AnswerText":"None. Serco NorthLink is not a participating employer in the CalMac Pension Fund, nor was the previous operator, NorthLink Ferries Ltd.","AnswerDate":"2015-05-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-05-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302944,"EventID":"S4W-25467","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4947,"Party":"Independent","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-05-11T13:41:34.507","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-07T15:10:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it last met representatives of Caledonian MacBrayne and whether the CalMac pension fund was discussed.","AnswerText":"Transport Scotland officials meet representatives of CalMac Ferries Ltd on a regular basis to discuss a range of contractual, operational, policy and sponsorship issues.\r\nI met the David MacBrayne Ltd board on 22 April 2015. The CalMac pension fund was amongst the matters discussed.","AnswerDate":"2015-05-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-05-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302945,"EventID":"S4W-25468","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4947,"Party":"Independent","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-05-11T13:41:35.013","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-07T15:10:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether its policy is to reform the CalMac pension fund before the start of the next Clyde and Hebrides Ferry Services contract in October 2016.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government’s policy is that public sector pensions should be fair, affordable and sustainable. Reform of pensions should be in response to the financial health of individual schemes. Changes to individual schemes are for the employers and the employees and their representatives to address together.\r\nThe objective of the Scottish Government is to protect CalMac employees by ensuring a fair, affordable and sustainable pension scheme is written into the next Clyde and Hebrides Ferry Services contract which commences 1 October 2016.\r\nThe formal consultation process between the employers and the employees and their representatives on proposed changes to the CalMac pension fund is now underway.","AnswerDate":"2015-05-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-05-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302946,"EventID":"S4W-25469","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4947,"Party":"Independent","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-05-11T13:41:35.4","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-07T15:10:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to ensure that all bidders for the next Clyde and Hebrides Ferry Services contract are bound to the same pension commitments in the invitation to tender document.","AnswerText":"The objective of the Scottish Government is to protect CalMac employees by ensuring provisions for a fair, affordable and sustainable pension scheme are written into the next Clyde and Hebrides Ferry Services contract. These provisions will be described in the initial invitation to tender and confirmed in the final invitation to tender, due December 2015.","AnswerDate":"2015-05-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-05-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302947,"EventID":"S4W-25470","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4947,"Party":"Independent","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-05-11T13:41:35.803","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-07T15:10:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when the next actuarial evaluation of the CalMac pension fund will take place.","AnswerText":"The triennial valuation date for the CalMac pension fund was 6 April 2015. The actuarial valuation report is expected in October 2015.","AnswerDate":"2015-05-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-05-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302948,"EventID":"S4W-25471","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4947,"Party":"Independent","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-05-11T13:41:36.193","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-07T15:10:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what information it has on the number of occasions on which a public sector contract has been tendered while the workforce was being consulted by the existing contractor regarding reforms to their pension scheme.","AnswerText":"This information is not held centrally.","AnswerDate":"2015-05-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-05-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302949,"EventID":"S4W-25472","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4947,"Party":"Independent","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-05-11T13:41:36.597","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-07T15:10:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with Caledonian MacBrayne regarding its proposals for reform of the CalMac pension fund, and whether it will publish the proposals.","AnswerText":"Scottish Government ministers and officials have had a number of discussions with David MacBrayne Ltd (the parent company of CalMac Ferries Ltd) regarding the financial health of the CalMac pension fund in the context of the government’s policy that public sector pensions should be fair, affordable and sustainable.\r\nProposals for changes to the CalMac pension fund are for the employers and the employees and their representatives to address together. It is for those parties to decide whether or not these proposals should be published.","AnswerDate":"2015-05-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-05-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302950,"EventID":"S4W-25473","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4947,"Party":"Independent","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-05-11T13:41:36.983","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-07T15:10:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to ensure that Caledonian MacBrayne’s planned consultation with its employees on the Clyde and Hebrides Ferry Services (CHFS) regarding reform of the CalMac pension fund does not harm its bid for the next CHFS contract.","AnswerText":"David MacBrayne Ltd’s planned consultation with its employees and their representatives on proposed changes to the CalMac pension fund and the preparation by its operating subsidiary, CalMac Ferries Ltd, of a tender submission for the next CHFS contract are matters for the company.\r\nDavid MacBrayne Ltd has informed Transport Scotland that it has structured and resourced itself around two separate teams, one with responsibility for current operational and business matters, the other dedicated to bid preparation. The planned consultation with employees on proposed changes to the CalMac pension fund is an operational and business matter.","AnswerDate":"2015-05-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-05-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302951,"EventID":"S4W-25474","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4947,"Party":"Independent","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-05-11T13:41:37.357","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-07T15:10:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether the result of Caledonian MacBrayne’s planned consultation with employees on the Clyde and Hebrides Ferry Services (CHFS) regarding reform of the CalMac pension fund will be included in the specifications of the invitation to tender for the next CHFS contract.","AnswerText":"The objective of the Scottish Government is to protect CalMac employees by ensuring provisions for a fair, affordable and sustainable pension scheme are written into the next Clyde and Hebrides Ferry Services (CHFS) contract. Pension provisions will be outlined in the initial invitation to tender and confirmed in the invitation to submit final tenders, due to issue in December 2015.\r\nAssurances have been given by the Scottish Government to protect a fair, affordable and sustainable pension scheme in the new CHFS contract.","AnswerDate":"2015-05-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-05-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302952,"EventID":"S4W-25475","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4947,"Party":"Independent","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-05-11T13:41:37.773","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-07T15:10:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its contribution to the CalMac pension fund has been in each year since 2007.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has contributed £3 million in financial years 2013-14 and 2014-15 to the CalMac pension fund. The Scottish Government has committed to maintaining this level of payments to the fund until 2024 as part of the recovery plan put in place by the trustees following the 2012 revaluation.\r\nThese payments are in addition to the regular employer contributions made by the fund’s participants: CMAL, CalMac Ferries Ltd and other companies within the David MacBrayne Group which total around £7 million per year.","AnswerDate":"2015-05-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-05-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302953,"EventID":"S4W-25476","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4947,"Party":"Independent","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-05-11T13:41:38.173","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-07T15:10:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the deficit was at the last valuation of the CalMac pension fund in 2012.","AnswerText":"£32.2 million.","AnswerDate":"2015-05-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-05-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302954,"EventID":"S4W-25477","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4947,"Party":"Independent","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-05-11T13:41:38.623","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-07T15:10:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will delay issuing the invitation to tender for the next Clyde and Hebrides Ferry Services contract until the result of CalMac’s consultation with its employees regarding changes to their pension rights.","AnswerText":"The Clyde and Hebrides ferry services procurement timeline is in place to ensure the continued provision of life line ferry services from 1 October 2016. The initial invitation to tender will thus issue as planned.","AnswerDate":"2015-05-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-05-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302955,"EventID":"S4W-25478","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2117,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-05-11T13:41:39.03","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-11T11:55:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many people in the NHS Grampian area who accepted invitations to participate in the bowel scope screening study are waiting for a flexible sigmoidoscopy.","AnswerText":"Table 1 presents data derived from developmental management information submitted to the Scottish Bowel Screening Centre. These data are provisional and have not been subject to data validation processes for the submission of data for the bowel scope study to Information Services Division.\r\n\r\nTable 1. Number of patients waiting for a flexible sigmoidoscopy in NHS Grampian as at 12 May 2015\r\nPatient Group\r\nNumber of patients\r\nWaiting for a flexible sigmoidoscopy\r\n801\r\nSource: Scottish Bowel Screening Centre Bowel Scope Weekly Update data supplied by NHS Grampian","AnswerDate":"2015-05-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-05-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302956,"EventID":"S4W-25480","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2117,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-05-11T13:41:39.613","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-11T13:10:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the (a) average and (b) longest waiting time has been since June 2014 for people in the NHS Grampian area who have accepted invitations to participate in the bowel scope screening study to be given a flexible sigmoidoscopy.","AnswerText":"Table 1 presents waiting times data derived from developmental management information submitted to the Scottish Bowel Screening Centre. These data are provisional and have not been subject to data validation processes for the submission of data for the bowel scope study to Information Services Division. \r\nTable 1: Average and maximum waiting times for a flexible sigmoidoscopy in NHS Grampian as at 12 May 2015\r\nPatient group\r\nNumber of patients\r\nAverage (days)\r\nMaximum (days)\r\nAll patients\r\n1,473\r\n90\r\n241\r\nFlexible sigmoidoscopy performed\r\n672\r\n112\r\n241\r\nWaiting for a flexible sigmoidoscopy\r\n801\r\n72\r\n203\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-05-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-05-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302960,"EventID":"S4T-01012","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":9,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2015-05-11T12:35:35.657","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-11T10:13:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will make a statement on the resignation of the convener of the Crofting Commission.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-05-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":"2015-05-12T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302961,"EventID":"S4T-01013","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":9,"MSPID":4964,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":119,"ApprovedDate":"2015-05-11T12:35:36.53","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-11T10:53:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the implications for Scotland would be of the abolition of the Human Rights Act by the UK Government.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-05-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":"2015-05-12T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302962,"EventID":"S4F-02785","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":4976,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-05-11T12:35:14.633","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-11T10:03:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister when she will next meet the Secretary of State for Scotland.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-05-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":"2015-05-14T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302963,"EventID":"S4F-02786","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":3812,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-05-11T12:35:15.177","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-11T10:10:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister what engagements she has planned for the rest of the day.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-05-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":"2015-05-14T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302964,"EventID":"S4F-02788","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":4014,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-05-11T12:35:16.677","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-11T10:19:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister what the Scottish Government's response is to the concerns raised by the charity, Clan Childlaw, regarding the data-sharing aspect of the named person legislation.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-05-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":"2015-05-14T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302965,"EventID":"S4F-02792","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":2134,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":82,"ApprovedDate":"2015-05-11T12:35:20.313","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-11T11:31:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister whether the Scottish Government considers that there is a need to protect private tenants from unfair rent rises.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-05-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":"2015-05-14T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302966,"EventID":"S4F-02793","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":2892,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-05-11T12:35:20.9","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-11T11:33:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister whether the Scottish Government has made an assessment of the likely impact on Scotland of a £12 billion reduction in the UK welfare system.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-05-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":"2015-05-14T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302967,"EventID":"S4F-02794","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":4940,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-05-11T12:35:21.867","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-11T11:36:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister how Scotland compares with EU member states on LGBTI equality.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-05-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":"2015-05-14T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302968,"EventID":"S4W-25479","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3759,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":80,"ApprovedDate":"2015-05-11T16:39:12.027","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-11T12:30:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to improve (a) health and care services and (b) other areas  of support for people with neurological conditions.","AnswerText":"The Public Bodies (Joint Working)(Scotland) Act 2014 will put in place arrangements for integrating health and social care in order to improve outcomes for people with a neurological condition, carers, their families and service users. The Act requires health boards and local authorities to work together effectively to deliver quality sustainable care services.\r\nThe Act will ensure a consistent provision of quality, sustainable care services for the increasing numbers of people in Scotland who need joined up, integrated support and care, this includes people with a neurological condition.\r\nWe are working closely with our stakeholders, including the National Neurological Advisory Group, the third sector, clinicians, and specialist nurses to ensure that people in Scotland living with a neurological condition have access to high quality person centred safe and effective healthcare services.","AnswerDate":"2015-05-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-05-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302969,"EventID":"S4W-25481","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4984,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-05-11T16:39:12.773","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-11T15:22:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its short and long-term response is to the recent reported steep rise in housebreakings in Edinburgh.","AnswerText":"Day to day decisions on policing matters are a matter for Police Scotland, with the oversight of the Scottish Police Authority. However, I understand Police Scotland has housebreaking teams in place in Edinburgh and the ongoing Operation RAC deals specifically with housebreakings and related car thefts in Edinburgh. Police Scotland are also delivering local home security conferences and working with partners across the city to tackle the issue of break-ins and pursue offenders.\r\nDeputy Chief Constable Rose Fitzpatrick reiterated Police Scotland’s commitment to target housebreakers on 20 May 2015.\r\nThe formation of the single police service means that all areas across Scotland now have more equal access to specialist support and national capacity. For example, with Operation RAC, Edinburgh Division is receiving support from Police Scotland’s Licensing and Violence Reduction Division and Operations Support Division. A total of 94 officers are currently involved with the operation.\r\nThe Scottish Government is committed to protecting and supporting frontline services and local community policing across the whole of Scotland – supported by this government’s continued commitment to 1,000 additional officers and our ambitious Building Safer Communities Programme which seeks to reduce the number of victims of crime in Scotland by 250,000 by 2017-18.\r\nWe are working closely with Police Scotland, councils and other national partners to make Scotland safer and stronger, the evidence of which can be seen in a continued reduction in recorded crime, down by more than a quarter since 2007.","AnswerDate":"2015-05-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-05-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302970,"EventID":"S4W-25482","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4984,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-05-11T16:39:13.353","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-11T15:32:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it considers that the Scottish Qualifications Authority is restricting competition by not publicising other awarding bodies.","AnswerText":"As an awarding body, the Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) lists on its website only information about its own qualifications and the centres it has approved to deliver them. This is common practice among awarding bodies who do not publicise each other.\r\nHowever, the SQA is also an accrediting body which accredits qualifications by other awarding bodies. Users can search on the SQA website for accredited qualifications and the awarding bodies approved to offer them through a search function. Entering key words into the search function returns qualifications which include the key words and lists all the awarding bodies accredited to offer these qualifications.\r\nIn order to demonstrate a clear separation between its awarding and accreditation functions the SQA recently launched a separate accreditation website. The website address is http://accreditation.sqa.org.uk. The search function has been moved onto the new website.","AnswerDate":"2015-05-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-05-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alasdair Allan","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302985,"EventID":"S4W-25460","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2015-05-12T13:43:44.25","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-06T15:58:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will ask Audit Scotland to investigate the handling of the award of the 2012 contract to provide ferry services to Orkney and Shetland.","AnswerText":"Audit Scotland discussed the Northern Isles ferry services tender with Transport Scotland early in 2014. Audit Scotland decided not to undertake any further work at that time.","AnswerDate":"2015-05-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-05-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302986,"EventID":"S4W-25461","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2015-05-12T13:43:45.263","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-06T15:58:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the minimum requirements were in the invitation to tender for the (a) current and (b) previous contract to provide ferry services to Orkney and Shetland.","AnswerText":"The tender evaluation criteria used to award the current Northern Isles ferry services contract (2012-18) is set out in Section 3 of the Invitation to Submit Final Tender, Instructions to Participants, which is available from Transport Scotland’s website:\r\nhttp://www.transportscotland.gov.uk/system/files/documents/tsc-basic-pages/NIFS%20Vol%203%20ISFT%20ISFT%20Issue%20Version%282%201%29%2015%2002%2012%204%20for%20publication%20-%2018%20sept%202014.pdf\r\nThe tender evaluation criteria used to award the previous Northern Isles ferry services (2006-12) contract is set out in Section 5 of the Invitation to Tender for Northern Isles Ferry Service, which is available from the Scottish Government’s website:\r\nhttp://www.gov.scot/Publications/2005/09/2195702/57039","AnswerDate":"2015-05-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-05-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302987,"EventID":"S4W-25462","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2015-05-12T13:43:46.187","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-06T15:58:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government which of the minimum requirements in the invitation to tender for the contract to provide ferry services to Orkney and Shetland were not met by the tender of NorthLink Ferries Ltd.","AnswerText":"NorthLink Ferries Ltd failed to meet the quality criteria set out in ‘Package A’ of the Invitation to Submit Final Tender, Instructions to Participants guidance document.","AnswerDate":"2015-05-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-05-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302988,"EventID":"S4W-25484","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1932,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":117,"ApprovedDate":"2015-05-12T13:43:47.133","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-11T16:52:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many appeals have been submitted under the High Hedges (Scotland) Act 2013 and how many were successful, broken down by local authority area.","AnswerText":"As at 18 May 2015, the number of appeals received by the Planning and Environmental Appeals Division (DPEA) of the Scottish Government submitted under the High Hedges (Scotland) Act 2013 and the nature of the decision is as set out in the following table. In the Stirling Council area, 20 appeals were submitted concerning one hedge.\r\nPlanning Authority (council)\r\nNumber of appeals submitted\r\nNumber of appeals allowed\r\nNumber of appeals dismissed\r\nNumber of appeals where no jurisdiction to consider\r\nNumber of appeals withdrawn\r\nNumber of appeals still being considered\r\nAngus\r\n2\r\n\r\n\r\n1\r\n\r\n1\r\nArgyll and Bute\r\n1\r\n1\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nEdinburgh\r\n2\r\n1\r\n\r\n1\r\n\r\n\r\nClackmannanshire\r\n1\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n1\r\n\r\nDumfries and Galloway\r\n3\r\n1\r\n2\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nDundee \r\n4\r\n1\r\n1\r\n\r\n\r\n2\r\nEast Ayrshire\r\n1\r\n\r\n1\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nEast Dunbartonshire\r\n1\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n1\r\nEast Lothian\r\n1\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n1\r\nEast Renfrewshire\r\n1\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n1\r\nFalkirk\r\n1\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n1\r\nFife\r\n2\r\n\r\n2\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nGlasgow\r\n1\r\n\r\n\r\n1\r\n\r\n\r\nHighland\r\n1\r\n\r\n1\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nMidlothian\r\n2\r\n\r\n1\r\n1\r\n\r\n\r\nMoray\r\n1\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n1\r\nNorth Ayrshire\r\n3\r\n3\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nNorth Lanarkshire\r\n3\r\n\r\n1\r\n\r\n\r\n2\r\nPerth and Kinross\r\n10\r\n3\r\n1\r\n2\r\n1\r\n3\r\nSouth Lanarkshire\r\n5\r\n2\r\n\r\n2\r\n\r\n1\r\nStirling\r\n26\r\n21\r\n4\r\n\r\n\r\n1\r\nWest Lothian\r\n2\r\n2\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nTotal\r\n74\r\n35\r\n14\r\n8\r\n2\r\n15\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-05-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-05-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil ","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302989,"EventID":"S4W-25485","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2108,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":141,"ApprovedDate":"2015-05-12T13:43:47.933","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-11T22:50:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government on what date it will announce the appointment of the independent adviser on poverty and inequality.","AnswerText":"The First Minister expects to announce the appointment of the independent advisor on poverty and inequality prior to the Scottish Parliament summer recess.","AnswerDate":"2015-05-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-05-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302990,"EventID":"S4W-25486","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2108,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":141,"ApprovedDate":"2015-05-12T13:43:48.707","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-11T22:50:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what process it used to identify candidates for the role of the independent adviser on poverty and inequality, and how many people (a) applied, (b) it approached and (c) were interviewed for the post.","AnswerText":"The appointment of the independent advisor is being made by the First Minister and the appointment process has been in line with the approach used for the appointment of independent advisors by ministers generally.","AnswerDate":"2015-05-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-05-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302991,"EventID":"S4W-25487","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2108,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":141,"ApprovedDate":"2015-05-12T13:43:49.413","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-11T22:50:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the remit will be of the independent adviser on poverty and inequality and what budget has been allocated to the post.","AnswerText":"As set out in the Programme for Government, the independent advisor’s role will include gathering insights into people’s experiences, raising the public awareness of the scale and realities of living in poverty, seeking views on further actions to reduce poverty and inequality in Scotland, and holding public events including with the First Minister.\r\nWe will finalise the budget allocated to the post following the appointment and in discussion with the independent advisor.","AnswerDate":"2015-05-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-05-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302992,"EventID":"S4W-25493","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2108,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":141,"ApprovedDate":"2015-05-12T13:43:50.207","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-11T22:50:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what process it used to consult stakeholders regarding the remit of the independent adviser on poverty and inequality and what stakeholders (a) were approached and (b) responded.","AnswerText":"The government regularly meets stakeholders to discuss issues related to tackling poverty and inequality. These discussions have helped inform the government’s approach to the remit of the independent advisor.\r\nWe would also anticipate the independent advisor holding early discussions with stakeholders about the role and key tasks.","AnswerDate":"2015-05-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-05-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302993,"EventID":"S4W-25495","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4934,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-05-12T13:43:50.97","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-12T10:16:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it has published a policy on supporting micro businesses.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government recognises the valuable contribution that micro businesses make to our economy and is committed to maintaining a supportive environment to help them thrive.\r\nScotland’s Economic Strategy (SES), published in March 2015 (http://www.gov.scot/Publications/2015/03/5984), sets out the government’s approach to achieving sustainable economic growth across Scotland. It sets out an overarching framework for achieving the two mutually supportive goals of increasing competitiveness and tackling inequality in Scotland for all public bodies to deliver. Small and micro businesses are benefiting from a range of policies underpinned by the SES framework to improve business support, strengthen innovation, reduce the burden of taxation and regulation, improve access to finance, help recruitment, and influence entrepreneurial behaviour and attitudes.\r\nThe Scottish Government website (www.gov.scot) includes further information on SES. In addition, the Scottish Business Portal (www.business.scotland.gov.uk) offers a range of information and advice for businesses that builds on the priorities of the SES to address the needs of all businesses.","AnswerDate":"2015-06-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-05-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302994,"EventID":"S4W-25496","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4934,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-05-12T13:43:51.59","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-12T10:18:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it (a) coordinates and (b) offers support for micro businesses across (i) its directorates and (ii) non-departmental public bodies.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government and its non-departmental public bodies (NDPBs) work collaboratively to support micro businesses. Through Scotland’s Economic Strategy (http://www.gov.scot/Publications/2015/03/5984), partners’ activities are aligned to increase competiveness and tackle inequality. The Scottish Government’s Economy Board oversees the implementation of the strategy and brings together NDPBs with local government to monitor performance, explore policy issues and responses. The Local Economic Development Partnership Forum, chaired by the Minister for Business, Energy and Tourism and the COSLA Spokesperson for Development, also brings together key organisations involved in local economic development and providing business support and they have considered support for micro businesses.","AnswerDate":"2015-06-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-05-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302995,"EventID":"S4W-25497","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4934,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-05-12T13:43:52.213","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-12T10:18:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it provides micro businesses with information regarding accessing financial support.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government recognises how crucial it is for viable businesses to be able to access financial products that aid their development, growth and internationalisation. Advisory support is available through Business Gateway, Scottish Enterprise and Highlands and Islands Enterprise to help companies improve their chances of securing funding. Business Gateway has qualified growth advisers experienced in helping all companies, regardless of size, to find the funds they need. The Scottish Business Portal (www.business.scotland.gov.uk) includes advice on sourcing finance and there is also a dedicated finance hub (www.finance.scotland.gov.uk) which provides practical information and support on accessing finance. \r\nWe are also working closely with the UK Government to ensure that UK schemes, including the work of the British Business Bank, delivers benefits for Scottish businesses and complements Scottish initiatives.","AnswerDate":"2015-06-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-05-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302996,"EventID":"S4W-25498","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4934,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-05-12T13:43:52.913","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-12T10:18:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what percentage of the (a) Scottish Enterprise and (b) Highland and Islands Enterprise budget was spent on supporting (i) large, (ii) medium, (iii) small and (iv) micro businesses in each of the last five years.","AnswerText":"Scottish Enterprise and Highlands and Islands Enterprise work to support economic development across Scotland. They offer a range of business support and services to businesses of all sizes across Scotland. Support is not differentiated by business size but by the potential for realising their business growth potential. More information about how the enterprise agencies use their budget can be found in their business plans (http://www.hie.co.uk/about-hie/policies-and-publications/operating-plan.html and http://www.scottish-enterprise.com/about-us/what-we-do/business-plan).","AnswerDate":"2015-06-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-05-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302997,"EventID":"S4W-25499","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4934,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-05-12T13:43:53.92","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-12T10:18:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what information it has on (a) job creation, (b) turnover and (c) growth for (i) large, (ii) medium, (iii) small and (iv) micro businesses in each of the last five years.","AnswerText":"The statistics available – on the number of businesses, employment and turnover by business size – are provided in the following table. The statistics are sourced from the Scottish Government Businesses in Scotland 2014 publication, which provides data for 2010 to 2014. Figures for 2015 will be published in November 2015.\r\nTable: Number of businesses1 in Scotland and their total Scottish employment and turnover2 by business size3, 2010 to 2014\r\n\r\nNumber of businesses in Scotland\r\n\r\n2010\r\n2011\r\n2012\r\n2013\r\n2014\r\nMicro (0-9 employees)\r\n281,265\r\n290,405\r\n320,930\r\n321,685\r\n313,090\r\nSmall (10-49 employees)\r\n14,585\r\n14,255\r\n14,540\r\n15,450\r\n15,855\r\nMedium (50-249 employees)\r\n3,655\r\n3,630\r\n3,635\r\n3,705\r\n3,780\r\nLarge (250+ employees)\r\n2,260\r\n2,230\r\n2,250\r\n2,270\r\n2,295\r\n\r\nTotal Scottish employment\r\n\r\n2010\r\n2011\r\n2012\r\n2013\r\n2014\r\nMicro (0-9 employees)\r\n524,820\r\n531,760\r\n575,790\r\n574,760\r\n575,800\r\nSmall (10-49 employees)\r\n276,470\r\n268,390\r\n270,060\r\n286,710\r\n292,240\r\nMedium (50-249 employees)\r\n256,050\r\n252,950\r\n246,730\r\n252,030\r\n256,260\r\nLarge (250+ employees)\r\n942,000\r\n904,530\r\n912,040\r\n921,110\r\n928,560\r\n\r\nTotal Scottish turnover (in £ millions)\r\n\r\n2010\r\n2011\r\n2012\r\n2013\r\n2014\r\nMicro (0-9 employees)\r\n39,064\r\n37,204\r\n37,843\r\n37,368\r\n39,527\r\nSmall (10-49 employees)\r\n26,909\r\n24,354\r\n25,359\r\n25,706\r\n27,319\r\nMedium (50-249 employees)\r\n32,295\r\n30,153\r\n30,827\r\n35,173\r\n36,494\r\nLarge (250+ employees)\r\n164,322\r\n158,487\r\n155,368\r\n169,232\r\n169,203\r\nSource: Businesses in Scotland 2014\r\nNotes:\r\n1. Excludes central and local government.\r\n2. Turnover data for financial intermediation enterprises are not available. Totals exclude turnover of such enterprises.\r\n3. Business size is based on the total number of UK employees.","AnswerDate":"2015-06-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-05-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302998,"EventID":"S4W-25500","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2033,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":132,"ApprovedDate":"2015-05-12T13:43:54.583","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-12T10:48:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what arrangements are in place in each NHS board to ensure that suitable candidates can access deep brain stimulation surgery for conditions such as Parkinson’s and dystonia.","AnswerText":"West of Scotland NHS boards refer patients requiring deep brain stimulation (DBS) to the regional centre at the Institute of Neurological Sciences at the Southern General Hospital in Glasgow.\r\n\r\nNHS boards in the north and east of Scotland refer patients requiring DBS to centres in England via their out of area referrals teams and NHS National Services Division. Funding for DBS procedures carried out in England is provided by NSD.\r\nThe National Specialist Services Committee is in the process of considering the application to set up a comprehensive national deep brain stimulation service for Scotland at the Institute of Neurological Sciences at the Southern General Hospital in Glasgow. The outcome will be known in due course.","AnswerDate":"2015-05-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-05-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":302999,"EventID":"S4W-25501","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2033,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":132,"ApprovedDate":"2015-05-12T13:43:55.19","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-12T10:48:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what arrangements are in place to ensure that people living in Scotland who have received deep brain stimulation surgery in England receive follow-up support (a) in the first year after the procedure and (b) for the rest of their lives.","AnswerText":"Patients from the north and east of Scotland currently access deep brain stimulation (DBS) surgical services in England. However, the management of a patient’s underlying condition, such as Parkinson’s or Dystonia, is managed by their local neurologist and specialist nurse in Scotland.\r\n\r\nThere are aspects of surgical intervention following a patient’s initial DBS implant that can be provided in NHS Tayside for north and east of Scotland patients including battery replacement and external lead replacement; and neuromodulation is provided by the local specialist nurse.\r\nThe Royal Victoria Infirmary in Newcastle provides a comprehensive DBS service to patients from Scotland who have had surgery in their unit.\r\nIn terms of post-operative DBS follow-up, patients can return to the hospital in England where their DBS surgery was performed if there is a need to do so. \r\nThe National Specialist Services Committee is in the process of considering the application to set up a comprehensive national deep brain stimulation service for all patients in Scotland at the Institute of Neurological Sciences at the Southern General Hospital in Glasgow. The outcome will be known in due course.","AnswerDate":"2015-05-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-05-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303000,"EventID":"S4W-25502","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2033,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":132,"ApprovedDate":"2015-05-12T13:43:55.843","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-12T10:48:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what arrangements are in place to ensure that people who have received deep brain stimulation surgery in (a) Edinburgh and (b) Dundee can access long-term follow-up care, including (i) modulation of their stimulator, (ii) maintenance of their implant and (iii) neuropsychological support.","AnswerText":"Modulation of the stimulator is a nurse-led service available in NHS Tayside. The Royal Victoria Infirmary in Newcastle also provides a service for patients who would previously have been treated in either NHS Lothian or NHS Tayside.\r\n\r\nStimulators are removed in Tayside, but otherwise maintenance of existing stimulators takes place at deep brain stimulation centres in England.\r\nNeuropsychological support is available in Scotland and access for patients who need it is arranged through the patient’s local neurology team. \r\nThe National Specialist Services Committee is in the process of considering the application to set up a comprehensive national deep brain stimulation service for Scotland at the Institute of Neurological Sciences at the Southern General Hospital in Glasgow. The outcome will be known in due course.","AnswerDate":"2015-05-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-05-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303001,"EventID":"S4W-25504","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2033,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":132,"ApprovedDate":"2015-05-12T13:43:56.483","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-12T10:48:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much was spent on nationally commissioned specialist patient services in each year from 2009-10 to 2014-15.","AnswerText":"The information requested is provided in the following table:\r\n\r\nYear\r\nTotal value of nationally commissioned services in NHS Scotland\r\n2009-10\r\n£140,326,000\r\n2010-11\r\n£139,914,000\r\n2011-12\r\n£147,314,000\r\n2012-13\r\n£152,071,000\r\n2013-14\r\n£162,990,000\r\n2014-15\r\n£164,978,000","AnswerDate":"2015-05-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-05-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303002,"EventID":"S4W-25505","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2033,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":132,"ApprovedDate":"2015-05-12T13:43:57.163","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-12T10:48:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the budget is for nationally commissioned specialist patient services in 2015-16.","AnswerText":"The National Specialist and Screening Services Directorate budget for nationally commissioned specialist services in 2015-16 is £180 million.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-05-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-05-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303003,"EventID":"S4W-25506","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5079,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-05-12T13:43:57.797","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-12T13:22:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to increase the number of stem cell donors.","AnswerText":"The Anthony Nolan Trust (ANT) is a UK charity that matches individuals willing to donate their blood stem cells or bone marrow to people with blood cancer and blood disorders who desperately need lifesaving transplants. They work to recruit and retain the best possible donors.\r\nANT is currently in the process of expanding delivery of their ‘Register & Be a Lifesaver’ education programme into Scotland. They have already established a relationship with the Scottish National Blood Transfusion Service (SNBTS) in order to work alongside the SNBTS blood donation education scheme and also with the Scottish Government regarding the organ donation schools pack. The ANT programme helps to teach 16-18 year olds about the importance of donating bone marrow, blood and organs by training volunteers to give inspirational presentations.\r\nSNBTS and ANT work in close collaboration with each other in order to increase recruitment to the stem cell register. SNBTS distributes ‘Give a Spit’ donor information leaflets and ‘Give a Spit’ stickers at blood donation sessions in Scotland to help publicise the ANT register. To encourage young donors to sign up they give support to ANT through their school talk programme by highlighting the vital work of the trust and the need for new donors. SNBTS and ANT continue to work together on specific recruitment drives and have been successfully recruiting new people to the register. There are also currently student ‘Marrow’ groups in five universities in Scotland, who help raise awareness of the stem cell register among young people.\r\nIn the financial year 2014-15 ANT recruited 5,602 new potential stem cell donors in Scotland.","AnswerDate":"2015-05-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-05-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303004,"EventID":"S4W-25459","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2015-05-12T13:44:03.907","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-06T15:58:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what opportunity NorthLink Ferries Ltd was given during the pre-tender negotiation period to revise its tender for the contract to provide services to Orkney and Shetland in order to address concerns that its tender did not meet the minimum requirements set out in the invitation to tender.","AnswerText":"Transport Scotland held three separate meetings with Northlink Ferries Ltd after which they were invited to submit their outline proposals. Where the proposals were considered to be at risk of falling short of the acceptable quality, this was highlighted in writing to them before inviting final tenders. In addition, a follow-up clarification meeting was held with Northlink Ferries Ltd during the tender evaluation period to clarify aspects of their bid.","AnswerDate":"2015-05-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-05-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303005,"EventID":"S4W-25483","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-05-12T16:58:08.477","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-11T15:42:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to address (a) floodwater issues, (b) overgrown vegetation, (c) road alignment, (d) the road camber, (e) the road crossfall and narrow width and (f) opportunities for overtaking on the A82.","AnswerText":"Since 2007, the Scottish Government has invested more than £79.5 million in maintaining and improving the A82, including works at Pulpit Rock and Crianlarich Bypass. In addition, more than £1 million is being spent realigning the A82 at Glen Gloy between Fort William and Fort Augustus. The Strategic Transport Projects Review (STPR) recommended a targeted programme of measures to improve road standards on the A82 between Glasgow and Oban/Fort William. There is currently a study underway between Tarbet and Inverarnan, due to report in summer 2015, to determine a preferred route for a major improvement over this length.\r\nThe STPR also identified the need to investigate carriageway widening at selected locations between Corran Ferry and Fort William.\r\nThe present A82 includes stretches built in the 1930s, when standards were less rigorous than today. However, all improvement schemes are now carried out to modern standards which address the alignment, width, crossfall or camber and drainage issues referred to. Overtaking opportunities are also an important requirement of modern standards.\r\nOur operating company has a contractual obligation to inspect the A82 at seven day intervals, primarily to identify defects that require prompt attention, such as potholes, flooding or overhanging vegetation because they present an immediate hazard to road users. Other defects and general deterioration which do not need such an immediate safety-led response are then considered with findings from our annual testing of the network to determine future programmes of work. These are then assessed against competing priorities across the network.","AnswerDate":"2015-05-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-05-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303006,"EventID":"S4W-25507","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5106,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":118,"ApprovedDate":"2015-05-12T16:58:10.223","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-12T15:10:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many local authorities have expressed concerns about the guidance relating to the overprovision of HMO licences.","AnswerText":"Glasgow City Council and Fife Council have expressed concerns about the guidance relating to the overprovision of HMO licences.","AnswerDate":"2015-05-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-05-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Burgess","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303007,"EventID":"S4W-25508","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5106,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":118,"ApprovedDate":"2015-05-12T16:58:11.287","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-12T15:10:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many local authorities have made substantive representations regarding HMO licence legislation and guidance in each year since the implementation of the Housing (Scotland) Act 2006.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government published statutory guidance in August 2011 and since then Glasgow City Council and Fife Council have made substantive representations regarding HMO licence legislation and guidance.","AnswerDate":"2015-05-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-05-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Burgess","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303008,"EventID":"S4W-25509","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5106,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":118,"ApprovedDate":"2015-05-12T16:58:12.073","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-12T15:10:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many HMO licence holders have had their licences revoked in each local authority area and in each year since the implementation of the Housing (Scotland) Act 2006.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government publishes annual statistics relating to HMOs in Scotland, including information on licences revoked or suspended each year. This can be found on the Scottish Government webpages at:\r\nhttp://www.gov.scot/Topics/Statistics/Browse/Housing-Regeneration/HSfS/HousesMultipleOccupation","AnswerDate":"2015-05-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-05-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Burgess","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303009,"EventID":"S4W-25510","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5106,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":118,"ApprovedDate":"2015-05-12T16:58:12.83","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-12T15:10:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether HMO licence holders are responsible for ensuring that their tenants dispose of waste responsibly.","AnswerText":"It is for local authorities in granting HMO licences to set the standards required in their area in respect of HMOs. Failure by the HMO owner or agent to comply with obligations to owners of neighbouring properties may result in action being taken against them by the local authority under housing, nuisance or building standards legislation.","AnswerDate":"2015-05-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-05-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Burgess","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303010,"EventID":"S4W-25511","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5106,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":118,"ApprovedDate":"2015-05-12T16:58:13.563","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-12T15:10:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to review HMO licence legislation and guidance in the near future.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government published statutory guidance in 2011 on the exercise of a local authority’s functions in relation to HMO licensing and local authorities must have regard to this. It has no plans at present to review guidance or the legislation.","AnswerDate":"2015-05-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-05-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Burgess","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303011,"EventID":"S4W-25512","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-05-12T16:58:14.363","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-12T15:54:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when ministers last met the Mental Welfare Commission for Scotland; who attended; what was discussed, and what future meetings are planned. ","AnswerText":"I met with the Very Reverend Graham Forbes CBE, Chair; and Colin McKay, Chief Executive of the Mental Welfare Commission on 28 January 2015. I was supported at that meeting by Penny Curtis, Acting Head of Mental Health and Protection of Rights Division. Matters discussed were the commission’s role, 2015 priorities, thoughts on scope for future activity, the National Confidential Forum, the Scottish Government’s Mental Health Strategy, the Mental Health Bill and an invite to meet with the commission’s board members.\r\nFuture meetings will be arranged in accordance with the Management Statement and Financial Memorandum Agreed Between the Scottish Government Health Directorate and the Mental Welfare Commission for Scotland April 2011. Copies of this document are available in the Scottish Parliament Information Centre (Bib. 52920) and on the commission’s website at:\r\nhttp://www.mwcscot.org.uk/media/53810/mou_with_scottish_government.pdf\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-05-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-05-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303012,"EventID":"S4W-25513","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5106,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":118,"ApprovedDate":"2015-05-12T16:58:15.107","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-12T16:07:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what impact setting a cap on the Access to Work fund would have on disabled people in Scotland.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has asked the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) for reassurances regarding what the impact on people with disabilities in Scotland will be as a result of capping the support available through the Access to Work scheme.\r\nBased on present delivery DWP assess that the number of individuals likely to be affected in Scotland is small.\r\nThe Scottish Government will continue to work with DWP to better understand the future impact of these changes in Scotland and to press for assurance that those affected receive the support they require. ","AnswerDate":"2015-05-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-05-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Roseanna Cunningham","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303028,"EventID":"S4W-25514","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2678,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-05-13T13:45:15.797","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-12T16:14:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it develops its priorities to improve lives for people living with neurological conditions.","AnswerText":"We are working closely with our stakeholders, including the National Neurological Advisory Group, the third sector, clinicians, and specialist nurses to identify priorities to ensure that people in Scotland living with a neurological condition have access to high quality person centred safe and effective healthcare services.","AnswerDate":"2015-05-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-05-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303029,"EventID":"S4W-25515","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2678,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-05-13T13:45:16.67","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-12T16:14:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it works with voluntary sector organisations that support people living with neurological conditions.","AnswerText":"We work with the voluntary sector in a number of ways, including through their representation on the National Neurological Advisory Group (NNAG), and their role in leading some of the NNAG work groups.\r\nWe also support charities through funding projects that help to ensure people in Scotland living with a neurological condition have access to high quality person centred safe and effective healthcare services.","AnswerDate":"2015-05-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-05-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303030,"EventID":"S4W-25516","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-05-13T13:45:17.31","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-12T16:23:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it will publish the follow-up report to National Mental Health Services Assessment, Towards implementation of the Mental Health (Care and Treatment) (Scotland) Act 2003 Final Report (the Sandra Grant Report) and, in light of Commitment 1 in Mental Health Strategy for Scotland 2012-2015, which said that \"The Scottish Government will commission a 10 year on follow up to the Sandra Grant Report to review the state of mental health services in Scotland in 2013. The review report will be published in 2014\", for what reason this has not been published.","AnswerText":"We commissioned the Mental Health Foundation and Voices of Experience to undertake the 10 year follow up review of the state of mental health services in Scotland. The report is now expected to be published in summer 2015.","AnswerDate":"2015-05-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-05-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303031,"EventID":"S4W-25517","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2015-05-13T13:45:18.09","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-12T16:47:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many students have trained as educational psychologists in each of the last three years.","AnswerText":"The University of Dundee and the University of Strathclyde run, with an intake in alternate years, two year Master of Science (MSc) courses in educational psychology. The number of students starting the course and the number of students successfully completing the course, for each of the past three years, is shown in the following table:\r\nYear\r\nStudents taking up a place on the first year of the MSc\r\nStudents successfully completing the MSc\r\n2014\r\n24\r\n21\r\n2013\r\n17\r\n20\r\n2012\r\n21\r\n21\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-05-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-05-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alasdair Allan","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303032,"EventID":"S4W-25518","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2015-05-13T13:45:19.027","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-12T16:47:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what assessment the National Scottish Steering Group for Educational Psychologists has made of (a) the suitability of the funding support available for students and (b) current and future staffing levels in the sector.","AnswerText":"We are currently funding a position in Education Scotland to work with the National Scottish Steering Group for Educational Psychologists (NSSGEP) to undertake a workforce planning project for educational psychology services in Scotland. As part of this project, a workforce planning survey and work sampling exercise are underway and the data will be analysed and reported on later in 2015. This will help inform the NSSGEP of the suitability of funding support for educational psychology students and of current and likely future staffing levels in the sector.","AnswerDate":"2015-05-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-05-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alasdair Allan","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303033,"EventID":"S4W-25519","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5556,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":111,"ApprovedDate":"2015-05-13T13:45:19.947","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-13T08:37:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government for what reason it has not been able to provide substantive answers to questions S4W-24696, S4W-24697, S4W-24698 and S4W-24699 regarding its position on underground coal gasification, which received holding answers on 13 March and 29 April 2015, and when it expects to provide substantive answers.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is continuing to take a cautious, evidence-based approach to all issues relating to underground coal gasification. Within this context, my officials are currently gathering further information and facts on these issues, and the Scottish Government will provide an update in due course.","AnswerDate":"2015-05-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-05-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303034,"EventID":"S4W-25524","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2015-05-13T13:45:20.6","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-13T11:28:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to ensure that the harmonisation of pay and conditions for Police Scotland staff from across the former police forces is completed without delay.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Police Authority (SPA) and Police Scotland are responsible for taking forward work on the harmonisation of pay and conditions for police staff which is being delivered through the joint SPA/Police Scotland ‘Staff Reward and Modernisation of Policy’ project. The Scottish Government is regularly updated on the project and are satisfied with the progress being made given the complex nature of it.\r\nPolice staff play a significant and important role in keeping Scotland safe. Whether day to day management falls to Police Scotland or the SPA, all police staff are employed by the SPA.","AnswerDate":"2015-05-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-05-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303035,"EventID":"S4W-25525","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2015-05-13T13:45:21.723","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-13T11:28:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when the harmonisation of pay and conditions for Police Scotland staff from across the former police forces will be completed.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Police Authority (SPA) and Police Scotland are responsible for taking forward work on the harmonisation of pay and conditions for police staff which is being delivered through the joint SPA/Police Scotland ‘Staff Reward and Modernisation of Policy’ project. We understand that the SPA and Police Scotland are aiming for implementation from late 2016.\r\nPolice staff play a significant and important role in keeping Scotland safe. Whether day to day management falls to Police Scotland or the SPA, all police staff are employed by the SPA.","AnswerDate":"2015-05-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-05-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303036,"EventID":"S4W-25526","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2015-05-13T13:45:22.707","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-13T11:28:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what representations it has received regarding the timescale for the harmonisation of pay and conditions for Police Scotland staff from across the former police forces.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Police Authority (SPA) and Police Scotland are responsible for taking forward work on the harmonisation of pay and conditions for police staff which is being delivered through the joint SPA/Police Scotland ‘Staff Reward and Modernisation of Policy’ project.\r\nWe recognise that the timescale for completing this project is a key concern of the trade unions. The timescale is challenging given the complex nature of developing a national approach to pay and conditions from the former arrangements. We expect the SPA and Police Scotland to engage with the trade unions appropriately.\r\nPolice staff play a significant and important role in keeping Scotland safe. Whether day to day management falls to Police Scotland or the SPA, all police staff are employed by the SPA.","AnswerDate":"2015-05-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-05-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303037,"EventID":"S4W-25527","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2015-05-13T13:45:23.643","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-13T11:28:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether employees of the former police forces being paid less for the same work than new staff taken on by Police Scotland while working in the same place is consistent with its policy for public service employment.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Police Authority (SPA) and Police Scotland are responsible for taking forward work on the harmonisation of pay and conditions for police staff which is being delivered through the joint SPA/Police Scotland ‘Staff Reward and Modernisation of Policy’ project.\r\nOne of the main drivers behind the project is fairness and equality, and in line with the SPA obligations under public sector equalities legislation, issues such as these will be addressed.\r\nPolice staff play a significant and important role in keeping Scotland safe. Whether day to day management falls to Police Scotland or the SPA, all police staff are employed by the SPA.","AnswerDate":"2015-05-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-05-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303038,"EventID":"S4W-25528","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2015-05-13T13:45:24.593","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-13T11:28:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what assessment has been made of the annual cost of the outcome of the harmonisation of pay and conditions for Police Scotland staff from across the former police forces.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Police Authority (SPA) and Police Scotland are responsible for taking forward work on the harmonisation of pay and conditions for police staff which is being delivered through the joint SPA/Police Scotland ‘Staff Reward and Modernisation of Policy’ project.\r\nIt is too early to assess the annual cost of the outcome of the harmonisation of pay and conditions as the Staff Reward and Modernisation of Policy’ project is ongoing.\r\nPolice staff play a significant and important role in keeping Scotland safe. Whether day to day management falls to Police Scotland or the SPA, all police staff are employed by the SPA.","AnswerDate":"2015-05-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-05-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303039,"EventID":"S4W-25529","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-05-13T13:45:25.61","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-13T12:04:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many nursing shifts have been unfilled in each month since May 2011, broken down by NHS board.","AnswerText":"The information requested on how many nursing shifts have been unfilled since May 2011, broken down by NHS board, is not centrally held or published by National Services Scotland (Information Services Division).\r\nThe Scottish Government expects all NHS boards to have the right person in place at the right time to ensure they can provide safe, effective and high quality care for their patients.\r\nWe have developed a series of ground-breaking Nursing and Midwifery Workload and Workforce Planning Tools that support evidence based decisions in relation to nursing and midwifery establishments. These tools are used to determine the number of nurses or midwives needed for particular clinical areas through measurement of actual workload, as part of a broader approach that incorporates nurses’ professional judgment and quality measures. Application of the tools has been mandatory since April 2013 and NHS boards are using the tools to inform local nursing and workforce planning.","AnswerDate":"2015-05-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-05-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303040,"EventID":"S4W-25530","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-05-13T13:45:26.357","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-13T12:04:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many people are enrolled in (a) applied psychology for children and young people and (b) child psychotherapy courses, broken down by educational provider, and how many clinical trainees for child and adolescent mental health services there are.","AnswerText":"Training for applied psychology for children and young people, child psychotherapy, and clinical trainees for child and adolescent mental health services are provided through partnership arrangements between NHS Education for Scotland (NES), the NHS boards and Universities. \r\nTotal number of MSc applied psychology for children and young people trainees as at 31 March 2015: 15\r\nThe educational provider is the University of Edinburgh working with NES and NHS boards.\r\nTotal number of child psychotherapy trainees as at 31 March 2015: 5\r\nThis training is provided through the University of London, Tavistock and Portsmouth NHS Foundation Trust in partnership with Human Development Scotland, NES and NHS boards.\r\nNumbers of clinical trainees for Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS): 54, derived from CAMHS aligned current doctorates in clinical psychology trainees as at May 2015 and child and adolescent psychiatrist trainees as at 31 March 2015.","AnswerDate":"2015-05-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-05-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303041,"EventID":"S4W-25531","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1845,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-05-13T13:45:27.137","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-13T12:06:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the recommendation by the Expert Working Group on Sexual and Reproductive Health and Community Pharmacy in August 2014, what its position is on including ulipristal acetate on the national patient group direction for emergency hormonal contraception.","AnswerText":"The inclusion of ulipristal acetate (ellaOne) within the national Patient Group Direction for emergency hormonal contraception is still under consideration. The Scottish Government has been undertaking discussions and a consideration of the evidence in relation to ellaOne. In order to provide robust advice to NHS boards, we continue to review the evidence that is available and expect to provide advice to NHS boards over the summer once the assessment process is complete.","AnswerDate":"2015-05-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-05-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303042,"EventID":"S4W-25532","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4014,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-05-13T13:45:27.933","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-13T12:23:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many cases of school vandalism have been reported to the police in each year since 1999.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government does not hold this information centrally.","AnswerDate":"2015-05-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-05-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303043,"EventID":"S4W-25533","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4014,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-05-13T13:45:28.54","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-13T12:23:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the cost of repairs arising from school vandalism has been in each year since 1999.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government does not hold this information centrally. Under the 1980 Education Act, responsibility for provision, management and maintenance of the school estate rests with education authorities.","AnswerDate":"2015-05-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-05-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303044,"EventID":"S4W-25534","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4014,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-05-13T13:45:29.15","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-13T12:23:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it is having with local authorities to take forward flood defence projects.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has regular discussion with local authorities on all aspects of flood risk management. Local authorities are well represented on the Scottish Advisory and Implementation Forum for Flooding which provides the basis for co-ordinated, partnership working between all the organisations involved in the implementation of the Flood Risk Management (Scotland) Act 2009.","AnswerDate":"2015-05-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-05-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen McLeod","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303045,"EventID":"S4W-25535","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4014,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-05-13T13:45:29.773","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-13T12:23:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to improve road safety on the A92.","AnswerText":"Over £24 million has been invested on the A92 since 2007 to ensure it is well maintained and operates safely. Our operating company BEAR Scotland has completed a Route Accident Reduction Plan report covering the A92 between Halbeath and the Tay Road Bridge. The aim of this report was to develop a prioritised list of improvements to the A92 and these will enhance road safety. Many of the safety improvements identified in this report have already been delivered and others are programmed for this financial year.\r\nTransport Scotland continues to engage with Fife Council and Glenrothes Area Futures Group (GAFG) to discuss safety more widely on the A92. The Minister for Transport and Islands will meet with Fife Council and the GAFG on 4 June 2015 to discuss a way forward in ensuring that the A92 is fit for purpose. \r\nOur operating company BEAR Scotland has carried out a pedestrian assessment on the A92 in Freuchie (a similar assessment was previously undertaken in 2010).The finalised assessment will be published by the end of June 2015.\r\nWe continue to assess the safety performance of the A92, alongside other trunk road routes, on an annual basis and look to improve the safety of the route to support anticipated traffic levels.","AnswerDate":"2015-05-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-05-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303046,"EventID":"S4W-25536","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4014,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-05-13T13:45:30.397","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-13T12:23:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what support it is providing to help town centre regeneration in (a) Perthshire and (b) Kinross-shire.","AnswerText":"The Town Centre Action Plan (TCAP) confirms a cross-government responsibility to put in place the conditions necessary to support action at local level, encouraging the wider public, private and community sectors to help address issues faced by our town centres.\r\nWe agreed the Town Centre First Principle with COSLA in July 2014. The principle requests that all sectors put the health of town centres at the heart of proportionate and best value decision making. We continue to engage with COSLA and our wider partners to determine how the principle will work in practice.\r\nOur Town Centre Action Plan – One Year On progress report, published in November 2014, highlights key activity that is underway.\r\nIn April 2015, we launched two new online resources: the Town Centre Toolkit, which is being hosted and actively promoted on the Scotland’s Towns Partnership website, and the Understanding Scotland’s Places data platform which was developed in conjunction with a consortium led by Carnegie UK.\r\nThese new resources form part of a growing package of support being funded during the TCAP demonstration phase, available to councils, business and local communities to allow them to identify and understand the assets in their town, and to help them revitalise their town centres.\r\nhttp://www.scotlandstowns.org/resources-and-toolkits\r\nhttp://www.usp.scot/","AnswerDate":"2015-05-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-05-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303054,"EventID":"S4O-04334","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":3771,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-05-13T13:48:20.057","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-11T12:02:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what representations it will make to the UK Government to oppose the reported additional £12 billion in benefit reductions.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-05-20T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303055,"EventID":"S4O-04335","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":1866,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-05-13T13:48:20.933","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-11T12:02:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with the City of Edinburgh Council regarding its proposed local development plan.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-05-20T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303056,"EventID":"S4O-04336","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":3743,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":123,"ApprovedDate":"2015-05-13T13:48:21.837","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-11T12:02:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the impact will be on young people in Scotland of the UK Government’s proposal to end housing benefit for people under 21.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-05-20T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303057,"EventID":"S4O-04338","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":2678,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-05-13T13:48:22.677","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-11T12:02:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to devolve powers to local communities.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-05-20T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303058,"EventID":"S4O-04339","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":2123,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":103,"ApprovedDate":"2015-05-13T13:48:23.373","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-11T12:02:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what representations it has made to the UK Government concerning the Human Rights Act.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-05-20T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303059,"EventID":"S4O-04340","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2015-05-13T13:48:24.037","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-11T12:02:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the impact on disabled people in Scotland of the Department for Work and Pensions' proposal to cap the Access to Work scheme.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-05-20T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303060,"EventID":"S4O-04341","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":5059,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-05-13T13:48:25.29","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-11T12:02:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to reduce child poverty in West Scotland.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-05-20T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303061,"EventID":"S4O-04342","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":4940,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-05-13T13:48:25.91","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-11T12:02:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what impact a further £12 billion reduction in social security spending across the UK will have on poverty in Scotland.","AnswerText":"As the Cabinet Secretary said in his answer to question S4O-04334, the UK Government has yet to outline where this reduction will fall. \r\nWhat we do know is that The Institute of Fiscal Studies has estimated that by 2020,100,000 additional children in Scotlandcould be living in relative poverty, after housing costs, as a result of already announced UK Government welfare reforms.\r\nThat estimate does not take into account these further £12 billion cuts.\r\nThis Scottish Government will always do what it can to mitigate the worst of these reforms. But there is a limit to our ability to act if cuts of this size are taken forward.","AnswerDate":"2015-05-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-05-20T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Burgess","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303062,"EventID":"S4O-04343","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":3751,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":108,"ApprovedDate":"2015-05-13T13:48:26.537","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-12T14:07:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the work of the Commission on Local Tax Reform.","AnswerText":"The Commission on Local Tax Reform was established in February 2015 and has now met six times. The minutes of those meetings are openly published online at the commission's website. \r\nThe commission is taking evidence from a number of witnesses and has launched a call for written evidence and a short online survey, requesting responses by 22 June 2015. Submissions received so far are also available on the commission's website.\r\nThe commission remains on-course to report in autumn 2015.","AnswerDate":"2015-05-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-05-20T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"Marco Biagi","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303063,"EventID":"S4O-04344","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":4984,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-05-13T13:48:27.287","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-12T09:10:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to increase the number of apprenticeships in woodwork.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-05-20T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303064,"EventID":"S4O-04345","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":1892,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":134,"ApprovedDate":"2015-05-13T13:48:27.863","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-11T12:03:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to address skills shortages in key industries of economic growth.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-05-20T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303065,"EventID":"S4O-04346","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":2633,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-05-13T13:48:28.507","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-12T11:55:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what measures it is taking under the Fair Work, Skills and Training portfolio to support the Fife economy.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-05-20T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303066,"EventID":"S4O-04347","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":2033,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":132,"ApprovedDate":"2015-05-13T13:48:29.237","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-11T12:03:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what support it will provide for East Lothian Council to increase employment opportunities for young people.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-05-20T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303067,"EventID":"S4O-04348","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":5107,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":124,"ApprovedDate":"2015-05-13T13:48:29.867","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-11T12:03:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on the Department for Work and Pensions report, Equality analysis for the future of Access to Work.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-05-20T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303068,"EventID":"S4O-04349","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":5038,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-05-13T13:48:30.503","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-11T12:03:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to identify the skills that will be needed by the future workforce.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-05-20T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303069,"EventID":"S4O-04350","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":2673,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":114,"ApprovedDate":"2015-05-13T13:48:31.033","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-11T12:03:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it can assist former members of the armed services in training for a new career.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-05-20T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303070,"EventID":"S4O-04351","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":5060,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-05-13T13:48:31.623","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-11T12:03:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to meet skills needs in West Scotland.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-05-20T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303071,"EventID":"S4O-04352","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":4955,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":105,"ApprovedDate":"2015-05-13T13:48:32.207","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-11T12:03:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many young people have completed a modern apprenticeship since the scheme was introduced.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-05-20T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303072,"EventID":"S4O-04353","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":2675,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":93,"ApprovedDate":"2015-05-13T13:48:32.79","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-11T12:03:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it is encouraging more women to take up engineering roles in the renewable energy sector.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-05-20T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303073,"EventID":"S4O-04354","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":1882,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":129,"ApprovedDate":"2015-05-13T13:48:33.52","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-11T12:04:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what progress has been made with the restoration of abandoned opencast coal sites in East Ayrshire.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-05-21T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303074,"EventID":"S4O-04355","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":4956,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":106,"ApprovedDate":"2015-05-13T13:48:34.26","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-11T12:04:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what assessment has been made of the recent safety checks on the Forth Road Bridge.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-05-21T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303075,"EventID":"S4O-04356","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":4938,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-05-13T13:48:34.813","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-11T12:04:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to increase the number of doctors in training for general practice.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-05-21T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303076,"EventID":"S4O-04357","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":1741,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-05-13T13:48:35.387","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-11T12:04:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it considers that the alcohol licensing regime for public houses and clubs is operating satisfactorily.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-05-21T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303077,"EventID":"S4O-04358","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":2615,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":143,"ApprovedDate":"2015-05-13T13:48:36.06","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-11T12:04:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether all 16 and 17-year-olds will be eligible to vote at the 2016 Scottish Parliament election.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-05-21T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303078,"EventID":"S4O-04359","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":4016,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":133,"ApprovedDate":"2015-05-13T13:48:36.613","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-11T12:04:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many single application forms for rural payments and services have been fully processed under the new information technology system.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-05-21T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303079,"EventID":"S4O-04360","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":2059,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":91,"ApprovedDate":"2015-05-13T13:48:37.293","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-11T12:04:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to support college students.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-05-21T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303080,"EventID":"S4O-04361","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":2110,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":138,"ApprovedDate":"2015-05-13T13:48:37.887","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-11T12:04:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the current status is of the proposed Dalry bypass. ","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-05-21T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303081,"EventID":"S4O-04362","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-05-13T13:48:38.753","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-11T12:04:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on the statement by ScotNursing that it can only fill 40% of vacancies when it could previously fill 90%.","AnswerText":"The difficulties faced by private agencies in attracting staff to work for them are not a matter for Scottish Ministers. Our focus is on ensuring we have the right numbers of staff in place to ensure high quality care. On that our track record is clear. Under this government, we have increased the number of qualified nurses and midwives working within the NHS by 5.6 per cent to a new record high.\r\nI do, however, agree with ScotNursing’s suggestions that we should encourage more school leavers or former nurses to enter or to re-join nursing. Earlier in 2015, I announced £450,000 further investment over the next three years to attract 75 qualified nurses per year back into practice, and a further three per cent increase in pre-registration student nursing and midwifery intakes – a third successive rise, on top of a six per cent increase in 2014-15. In addition, we have taken forward initiatives to inspire future nurses and attract school leavers into the profession, including a Scottish Government funded pilot for pre-nursing scholarships. More generally, we continue to invest in a range of work to ensure we recruit and retain the right number of staff, and equip them with the skills they need to provide safe, effective and person centred care.","AnswerDate":"2015-05-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-05-21T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303082,"EventID":"S4O-04363","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":2595,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-05-13T13:48:39.447","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-11T12:04:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the Scottish business development bank.","AnswerText":"I will be publishing more information shortly on the business development bank. This will include the evidence of need, vision and remit of the bank and will also set out planned next steps.","AnswerDate":"2015-05-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-05-21T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303091,"EventID":"S4W-25520","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2015-05-14T14:01:10.33","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-13T08:53:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government where the post of chief executive of Wave Energy Scotland was advertised and at what cost.","AnswerText":"Wave Energy Scotland recently appointed a managing director following an open recruitment process, using online media.\r\nThe post was advertised online in the Guardian, LinkedIn, The Scotsman, IMarEST (Institute of Marine Engineering, Science and Technology), S1 Jobs, The Press and Journal/Evening Express, the Highlands and Islands Enterprise website and the Wave Energy Scotland website. News articles about the recruitment process also appeared in online specialist press.\r\nThe total cost of recruitment advertising was £5,581. Wave Energy Scotland took advice from recruitment specialists to ensure that it reached the appropriate target audience whilst keeping advertising costs to a minimum.","AnswerDate":"2015-06-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303092,"EventID":"S4W-25521","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2015-05-14T14:01:11.437","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-13T08:53:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when the funding allocation to implement Developing the Young Workforce: Scotland's Youth Employment Strategy was (a) announced and (b) delivered to local authorities for 2014-15.","AnswerText":"£12 million was made available for early implementation of Developing the Young Workforce: Scotland’s Youth Employment Strategy in 2014-15. In December 2014 I announced that £6.5 million of this funding would be allocated to local authorities to play their part in implementation.\r\nFollowing agreement of a distribution methodology with COSLA, I announced each authorities’ share of that funding on 3 March 2015. The funding allocation was included in each local authority’s weekly Revenue Support Grant payments that month. The breakdown is available on the Scottish Government website at:\r\nhttp://news.scotland.gov.uk/News/Youth-employment-funding-168f.aspx","AnswerDate":"2015-05-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Roseanna Cunningham","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303093,"EventID":"S4W-25522","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2015-05-14T14:01:12.227","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-13T08:53:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it will make allocations to local authorities for the implementation of Developing the Young Workforce: Scotland's Youth Employment Strategy for 2015-16.","AnswerText":"We are working with partners across the Developing the Young Workforce programme to determine the distribution of the £16.6 million budget for implementation in 2015-16. No decisions have been taken yet on funding for local government. We are working closely with our partners COSLA to ensure local authorities can play their part in implementation.\r\nI will keep the member informed when this process has concluded.","AnswerDate":"2015-05-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Roseanna Cunningham","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303094,"EventID":"S4W-25523","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4964,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":119,"ApprovedDate":"2015-05-14T14:01:13.087","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-13T10:43:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many people in each local authority area have received Partnership Action for Continuing Employment support in each month since April 2014.","AnswerText":"The information requested in respect of how many people in each local authority area have received Partnership Action for Continuing Employment support in each month since April 2014 is available from the Scottish Parliament Information Centre (Bib. number 56924).\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-06-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303095,"EventID":"S4W-25538","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2135,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":92,"ApprovedDate":"2015-05-14T14:01:13.847","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-13T15:46:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what representations it has received in the last year regarding how the system of neighbour notification for planning applications operates, and how many of these were classified as complaints.","AnswerText":"Correspondence and complaints concerning the operation in practice of planning procedures are a matter for the relevant planning authority in the first instance. The Scottish Government does not hold information centrally on how many complaints local authorities receive on this issue. \r\nThe Scottish Government’s Planning and Architecture Division has received only a very small number of written representations concerning neighbour notification procedures generally within the past year.\r\nSpecifically on neighbour notification for wind turbine applications, public petition PE1469 was submitted to the Scottish Parliament on 19 March 2013. This sought changes to neighbour notification distances associated with wind turbine planning applications. The petition was considered by the Public Petitions Committee which referred the case to the Local Government and Regeneration Committee on 10 December 2013. To address the concerns raised the Scottish Government agreed to produce good practice guidance rather than seek legislative change. The draft guidance document was subject to public consultation between October and December 2014. In total 46 respondents submitted comments and information within the consultation period. As a consequence of the consultation responses, a number of amendments have been made to the final draft of the good practice guidance in order to address as many concerns as practically possible.","AnswerDate":"2015-05-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303096,"EventID":"S4W-25539","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2135,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":92,"ApprovedDate":"2015-05-14T14:01:14.557","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-13T15:46:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on whether there are deficiencies in how the system of neighbour notification for planning applications operates.","AnswerText":"Following changes made in 2009 and more recently in 2013, we consider the current system of neighbour notification is proportionate and fit for purpose, and strikes the appropriate balance between public engagement and efficient processing. However we are always happy to consider suggestions for further improvements.","AnswerDate":"2015-05-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303097,"EventID":"S4W-25540","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2135,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":92,"ApprovedDate":"2015-05-14T14:01:15.27","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-13T15:46:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on whether neighbour notifications for planning applications being delivered to properties, but not specifically addressed to each owner, ensures that all affected parties in the immediate vicinity of the development are informed.","AnswerText":"The neighbour notification system aims to strike a balance between ensuring public engagement whilst at the same time ensuring efficient processing. Any requirement for planning authorities to undertake a property search, for example, would introduce new obligations and add cost and delay.\r\nNeighbour notification is only one way in which the public can find information about planning applications. All planning authorities are required to publish online a list of all planning applications in their area (a weekly list of applications must also be sent to every community council in the area). Certain types of application may also require notices to be published in newspapers.","AnswerDate":"2015-05-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303098,"EventID":"S4W-25541","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2135,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":92,"ApprovedDate":"2015-05-14T14:01:15.967","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-13T15:46:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will review the system of neighbour notification in the planning system to ensure that people with an interest in a development but who are temporarily absent from their property when the notification is delivered are fully consulted.","AnswerText":"The current system aims to ensure that whoever is living in a property, whether owner, occupier or lessee, has opportunity to comment on proposals which may affect that property. Neighbour notification is only one way in which the public can find information about planning applications, and all planning authorities are required to publish online a list of all planning applications in their area. Certain types of application may also require notices to be published in newspapers.\r\nAny changes requiring authorities to undertake searches to identify individual owners would cause delay and introduce additional burden to the system. We have no current plans for review.","AnswerDate":"2015-05-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303099,"EventID":"S4W-25542","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2135,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":92,"ApprovedDate":"2015-05-14T14:01:16.74","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-13T15:46:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will launch a consultation on revising the planning system and, if so, whether this would provide an opportunity to comment on how the system of neighbour notification for planning applications operates.","AnswerText":"The planning system has undergone significant modernisation in recent years and there are no plans at present to undertake a fundamental review.\r\nWe continue to engage with stakeholders to ensure that planning remains efficient, effective and inclusive and we promote ongoing improvement in the performance of the system. We are looking at where additional non-legislative improvements are required.","AnswerDate":"2015-05-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303100,"EventID":"S4W-25543","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":8,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-05-14T14:01:17.417","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-13T15:22:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body what assessment it has made of the structures and practices of the Parliament and their capacity to cope with the additional responsibilities and workload following the devolution of further powers.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body has been assessing the scrutiny and other parliamentary workload implications of the draft clauses, published in Scotland in the United Kingdom: An Enduring Settlement by the previous UK Government. It will closely monitor the passage of the new Scotland Bill through the UK Parliament, which will include taking a particular interest in tabled amendments and planned implementation dates. Evidence led during the legislative consent process should also be of assistance.","AnswerDate":"2015-05-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Liz Smith","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303101,"EventID":"S4W-25544","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":8,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-05-14T14:01:18.147","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-13T15:22:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body what assessment it has carried out of whether the Parliament's committee system will allow the effective revision and scrutiny of the legislative process following the devolution of further powers.","AnswerText":"The organisation and performance of committees is not a matter for the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body. However, the Presiding Officer’s reform agenda has as its focus the capacity of committees, which includes taking into account the impact of new powers for the Parliament.","AnswerDate":"2015-05-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Liz Smith","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303102,"EventID":"S4W-25545","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":8,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-05-14T14:01:18.83","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-13T15:22:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body whether its current level of funding will be adequate to ensure effective governance and scrutiny following the devolution of further powers.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body (SPCB) has a duty to provide the Parliament with the property, services and staff it requires. The assessments referred to in answer to question S4W-25543 will inform the SPCB’s budget strategy for future years as will the views of the Parliamentary Bureau and Conveners Group.","AnswerDate":"2015-05-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Liz Smith","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303103,"EventID":"S4W-25546","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":8,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-05-14T14:01:19.477","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-13T15:22:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body whether it has assessed whether the current levels of resources provided to members will ensure that they will be able to carry out their work effectively following the devolution of further powers.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body’s assessment of workload implications will include any additional demands on members.","AnswerDate":"2015-05-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Liz Smith","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303104,"EventID":"S4W-25548","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-05-14T14:01:20.28","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-13T15:22:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it has (a) undertaken an assessment, (b) conducted a review or (c) published a report on the potential impact of the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership on Scotland’s public services.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is aware of the potential risks of the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP) for Scotland’s public services and has raised these concerns with the UK Government and the European Commission. However it is not possible to fully assess or review the potential impact of TTIP until the final legal text of any agreement is made available. We have not therefore published a report on these issues.","AnswerDate":"2015-05-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303105,"EventID":"S4W-25549","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-05-14T14:01:20.98","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-13T15:22:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what meetings it has had with the (a) UK Government and (b) EU at which the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership has been discussed.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has discussed the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP) with the UK Government at a range of Joint Ministerial Committee meetings since March 2014. The First Minister discussed TTIP with the Prime Minister when they met on 15 December 2014 and the Minister for Europe and International Development raised TTIP when he met with Lord Livingston, the then Minister of State for Trade and Investment on 19 February 2015. The Minister for Europe and International Development also discussed TTIP with the Deputy Head of Unit, Directorate General for Trade at the European Commission at their meeting which was also on 19 February 2015.\r\nScottish Government officials are in regular contact with their counterparts in the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills.","AnswerDate":"2015-05-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303106,"EventID":"S4W-25550","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-05-14T14:01:21.673","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-13T15:22:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it supports any part of the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership negotiations and what concerns it has in relation to these negotiations.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has previously made clear that it believes that the negotiations must be as transparent as possible. We welcome the steps the commission has taken to publish position papers and negotiating texts and encourage further steps in this direction in line with the recommendations of the EU Ombudsman.  \r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-06-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303107,"EventID":"S4W-25552","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-05-14T14:01:22.423","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-13T15:22:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will introduce the Lobbying Transparency Bill during the current parliamentary session and, if so, when.","AnswerText":"The government has consistently said that the findings of the Standards, Procedures and Public Appointments Committee’s inquiry would be key to determining the best way forward. We have taken the time required to give the committee’s extensive report the careful consideration it deserves, and have also consulted Scottish party leaders on its content.\r\nThe government remains committed to introducing a Lobbying Transparency Bill during the current parliamentary session and is publishing its relevant consultation paper at 10am on 29 May 2015 setting out its policy proposals.","AnswerDate":"2015-05-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Joe FitzPatrick","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303108,"EventID":"S4W-25553","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2394,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-05-14T14:01:23.14","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-13T16:51:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the (a) longest, (b) shortest and (c) average scheduled journey time on ScotRail services between (i) Edinburgh and Perth, (ii) Perth and Edinburgh, (iii) Perth and Inverness, (iv) Inverness and Perth, (v) Edinburgh and Inverness, (vi) Inverness and Edinburgh, (vii) Glasgow and Inverness and (viii) Inverness and Glasgow (A) was in 2007 and (B) is in 2015. ","AnswerText":"Detailed as follows, information from May 2007 and May 2015 timetables, the assessment portrays all the ScotRail services that operate on weekdays and Sundays. Other operator services are not included in the assessment.\r\n(i) and (ii) Edinburgh and Perth\r\nOrigin\r\nDestination\r\nYear\r\n(a) Longest (minutes)\r\n(b) Shortest (minutes)\r\n(c) Average (minutes)\r\nEdinburgh\r\nPerth\r\n(A) 2007\r\n85\r\n77\r\n80\r\nEdinburgh\r\nPerth\r\n(B) 2015\r\n78\r\n71\r\n74\r\nPerth\r\nEdinburgh\r\n(A) 2007\r\n88\r\n77\r\n80\r\nPerth\r\nEdinburgh\r\n(B) 2015\r\n83\r\n73\r\n77\r\n(iii) and (iv) Perth and Inverness\r\nOrigin\r\nDestination\r\nYear\r\n(a) Longest (minutes)\r\n(b) Shortest (minutes)\r\n(c) Average (minutes)\r\nPerth\r\nInverness\r\n(A) 2007\r\n146\r\n122\r\n134\r\nPerth\r\nInverness\r\n(B) 2015\r\n137\r\n119\r\n128\r\nInverness\r\nPerth\r\n(A) 2007\r\n142\r\n118\r\n131\r\nInverness\r\nPerth\r\n(B) 2015\r\n139\r\n118\r\n128\r\n(v) and (vi) Edinburgh and Inverness\r\nOrigin\r\nDestination\r\nYear\r\n(a) Longest (minutes)\r\n(b) Shortest (minutes)\r\n(c) Average (minutes)\r\nEdinburgh\r\nInverness\r\n(A) 2007\r\n224\r\n202\r\n214\r\nEdinburgh\r\nInverness\r\n(B) 2015\r\n215\r\n195\r\n204\r\nInverness\r\nEdinburgh\r\n(A) 2007\r\n222\r\n196\r\n208\r\nInverness\r\nEdinburgh\r\n(B) 2015\r\n223\r\n194\r\n206\r\n(vii) and (viii) Glasgow and Inverness\r\nOrigin\r\nDestination\r\nYear\r\n(a) Longest (minutes)\r\n(b) Shortest (minutes)\r\n(c) Average (minutes)\r\nGlasgow\r\nInverness\r\n(A) 2007\r\n205\r\n190\r\n199\r\nGlasgow\r\nInverness\r\n(B) 2015\r\n198\r\n187\r\n194\r\nInverness\r\nGlasgow\r\n(A) 2007\r\n207\r\n200\r\n204\r\nInverness\r\nGlasgow\r\n(B) 2015\r\n208\r\n193\r\n200\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-05-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303121,"EventID":"S4W-25551","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-05-14T16:51:17.96","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-13T15:22:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many specialist inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) nurses there are, broken down by (a) NHS board and (b) hospital and whether this is in line with the recommended level in the IBD Standards 2013.","AnswerText":"The information requested on how many specialist IBD nurses there are, broken down by NHS board and hospital, is not centrally held or published by National Services Scotland (Information Services Division).\r\nThe Scottish Government has a good working relationship with Crohn’s and Colitis UK. Using funds provided by the Scottish Government, Crohn’s and Colitis UK has established a Scottish IBD Steering Group, with a remit for designing a programme for improving the quality of clinical care and implementing new approaches to the management of IBD. The Scottish Government considers the IBD Standards 2013 to provide a blueprint for good quality IBD care. Results from the latest audit of the organisation and provision of IBD services in Scotland show a higher level of IBD nurse provision than the rest of the UK.","AnswerDate":"2015-05-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303138,"EventID":"S4W-25571","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":2,"MSPID":3771,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-05-15T11:46:22.907","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-15T11:35:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much funding it has allocated to the New Medicines Fund for 2015-16.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has allocated £80 million to the New Medicines Fund in 2015-16.","AnswerDate":"2015-05-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303139,"EventID":"S4W-25563","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1845,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-05-15T16:18:45.02","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-14T16:46:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it will publish a draft of the Scottish microchipping of dogs regulations.","AnswerText":"I intend to lay the regulations in draft before Parliament in November 2015, and aim to have them come into force in January 2016, and take effect in April 2016 in line with similar legislation elsewhere in the UK.","AnswerDate":"2015-06-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Richard Lochhead","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303140,"EventID":"S4W-25564","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1845,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-05-15T16:18:45.953","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-14T16:46:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what steps NHS boards are taking to display the number of nurses on duty at the entrance to hospital wards.","AnswerText":"Application of the nursing and midwifery workload and workforce planning tools has been mandatory since April 2013, and all NHS boards are expected to use the tools to inform local workforce planning.\r\nAs part of the wider mandating process, NHS boards’ Local Delivery Plans should set out the approach that the board is taking to ensure the mandatory application of the nursing and midwifery workload and workforce planning tools, how this process is informing workforce planning and how the board is communicating information to key stakeholders.\r\nAll boards are now using the tools to inform workforce planning processes and decision-making. NHS boards are reviewing processes and developing systems to ensure transparency in terms of reporting nurse staffing numbers and the Scottish Executive Nurse Directors’ Group serves as a forum for sharing best practice. Some boards have introduced a whiteboard area outside wards with details of staff on duty.","AnswerDate":"2015-05-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303141,"EventID":"S4W-25565","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1845,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-05-15T16:18:46.73","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-14T16:46:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many people have had weight loss surgery in each NHS board in each year since 1999, broken down by type of treatment.","AnswerText":"The information requested cannot be provided fully due to the reasons set out below. The following table shows information on the number of patients with a recorded diagnosis of obesity that have had bariatric surgery procedures undertaken, by NHS board of treatment and type of treatment from 1999-00 to 2013-14. Because of changes in the way that procedures are coded it is not possible to provide figures by procedure type for all years. The figures include revision and reversal of bariatric surgery.\r\nSource: Information Services Division (ISD), SMR01\r\nKey:\r\nN-A   Data has not been provided because there were no specific codes available at that time\r\n-     No cases identified\r\n*     Figure has been suppressed in accordance with the ISD Disclosure Protocol\r\nFinancial  Year\r\nHealth Board of Treatment\r\nGastric \r\nBalloon/ Bubble\r\nSleeve Gastrectomy\r\nDuodenal Switch\r\nBypass\r\nBanding/ Stapling/ Partitioning\r\nGastrectomy\r\n1999-00\r\nNHS Borders\r\n-\r\nN-A\r\nN-A\r\n*\r\nN-A\r\n-\r\n1999-00\r\nNHS Grampian\r\n-\r\nN-A\r\nN-A\r\n-\r\nN-A\r\n-\r\n1999-00\r\nNHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde\r\n-\r\nN-A\r\nN-A\r\n-\r\nN-A\r\n-\r\n1999-00\r\nNHS Lothian\r\n-\r\nN-A\r\nN-A\r\n-\r\nN-A\r\n-\r\n1999-00\r\nScotland\r\n-\r\nN-A\r\nN-A\r\n*\r\nN-A\r\n-\r\n2000-01\r\nNHS Grampian\r\n-\r\nN-A\r\nN-A\r\n-\r\nN-A\r\n*\r\n2000-01\r\nNHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde\r\n-\r\nN-A\r\nN-A\r\n*\r\nN-A\r\n-\r\n2000-01\r\nNHS Lothian\r\n-\r\nN-A\r\nN-A\r\n-\r\nN-A\r\n-\r\n2000-01\r\nNHS Tayside\r\n-\r\nN-A\r\nN-A\r\n-\r\nN-A\r\n*\r\n2000-01\r\nScotland\r\n-\r\nN-A\r\nN-A\r\n*\r\nN-A\r\n*\r\n2001-02\r\nNHS Grampian\r\n-\r\nN-A\r\nN-A\r\n-\r\nN-A\r\n*\r\n2001-02\r\nNHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde\r\n-\r\nN-A\r\nN-A\r\n*\r\nN-A\r\n-\r\n2001-02\r\nNHS Lothian\r\n-\r\nN-A\r\nN-A\r\n-\r\nN-A\r\n*\r\n2001-02\r\nNHS Tayside\r\n-\r\nN-A\r\nN-A\r\n-\r\nN-A\r\n-\r\n2001-02\r\nScotland\r\n-\r\nN-A\r\nN-A\r\n*\r\nN-A\r\n*\r\n2002-03\r\nNHS Fife\r\n-\r\nN-A\r\nN-A\r\n-\r\nN-A\r\n*\r\n2002-03\r\nNHS Grampian\r\n-\r\nN-A\r\nN-A\r\n-\r\nN-A\r\n-\r\n2002-03\r\nNHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde\r\n-\r\nN-A\r\nN-A\r\n*\r\nN-A\r\n-\r\n2002-03\r\nNHS Lothian\r\n-\r\nN-A\r\nN-A\r\n-\r\nN-A\r\n-\r\n2002-03\r\nScotland\r\n-\r\nN-A\r\nN-A\r\n*\r\nN-A\r\n*\r\n2003-04\r\nNHS Ayrshire and Arran\r\n-\r\nN-A\r\nN-A\r\n*\r\nN-A\r\n*\r\n2003-04\r\nNHS Fife\r\n-\r\nN-A\r\nN-A\r\n-\r\nN-A\r\n-\r\n2003-04\r\nNHS Grampian\r\n-\r\nN-A\r\nN-A\r\n*\r\nN-A\r\n*\r\n2003-04\r\nNHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde\r\n-\r\nN-A\r\nN-A\r\n*\r\nN-A\r\n-\r\n2003-04\r\nNHS Lothian\r\n-\r\nN-A\r\nN-A\r\n-\r\nN-A\r\n-\r\n2003-04\r\nScotland\r\n-\r\nN-A\r\nN-A\r\n7\r\nN-A\r\n*\r\n2004-05\r\nNHS Grampian\r\n-\r\nN-A\r\nN-A\r\n*\r\nN-A\r\n*\r\n2004-05\r\nNHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde\r\n17\r\nN-A\r\nN-A\r\n8\r\nN-A\r\n-\r\n2004-05\r\nNHS Lanarkshire\r\n-\r\nN-A\r\nN-A\r\n-\r\nN-A\r\n-\r\n2004-05\r\nNHS Lothian\r\n-\r\nN-A\r\nN-A\r\n*\r\nN-A\r\n*\r\n2004-05\r\nScotland\r\n17\r\nN-A\r\nN-A\r\n10\r\nN-A\r\n*\r\n2005-06\r\nNHS Grampian\r\n-\r\nN-A\r\nN-A\r\n-\r\nN-A\r\n*\r\n2005-06\r\nNHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde\r\n*\r\nN-A\r\nN-A\r\n8\r\nN-A\r\n*\r\n2005-06\r\nNHS Lanarkshire\r\n-\r\nN-A\r\nN-A\r\n-\r\nN-A\r\n*\r\n2005-06\r\nNHS Tayside\r\n*\r\nN-A\r\nN-A\r\n-\r\nN-A\r\n*\r\n2005-06\r\nScotland\r\n40\r\nN-A\r\nN-A\r\n8\r\nN-A\r\n7\r\n2006-07\r\nNHS Grampian\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n*\r\n*\r\n-\r\n2006-07\r\nNHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde\r\n*\r\n*\r\n-\r\n*\r\n86\r\n-\r\n2006-07\r\nNHS Highland\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n*\r\n2006-07\r\nNHS Lanarkshire\r\n-\r\n*\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n2006-07\r\nNHS Tayside\r\n*\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n*\r\n-\r\n2006-07\r\nScotland\r\n62\r\n6\r\n-\r\n*\r\n127\r\n*\r\n2007-08\r\nNHS Grampian\r\n7\r\n-\r\n-\r\n9\r\n38\r\n-\r\n2007-08\r\nNHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde\r\n95\r\n*\r\n-\r\n*\r\n64\r\n*\r\n2007-08\r\nNHS Lanarkshire\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n*\r\n-\r\n2007-08\r\nNHS Lothian\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n*\r\n12\r\n-\r\n2007-08\r\nNHS Tayside\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n*\r\n-\r\n2007-08\r\nScotland\r\n102\r\n*\r\n-\r\n16\r\n126\r\n*\r\n2008-09\r\nNHS Ayrshire and Arran\r\n*\r\n-\r\n-\r\n*\r\n23\r\n-\r\n2008-09\r\nNHS Fife\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n*\r\n2008-09\r\nNHS Grampian\r\n15\r\n-\r\n-\r\n25\r\n22\r\n-\r\n2008-09\r\nNHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde\r\n95\r\n-\r\n-\r\n9\r\n63\r\n*\r\n2008-09\r\nNHS Lanarkshire\r\n*\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n6\r\n-\r\n2008-09\r\nNHS Lothian\r\n-\r\n6\r\n-\r\n*\r\n16\r\n*\r\n2008-09\r\nScotland\r\n116\r\n6\r\n-\r\n38\r\n130\r\n*\r\n2009-10\r\nNHS Ayrshire and Arran\r\n-\r\n*\r\n-\r\n-\r\n29\r\n-\r\n2009-10\r\nNHS Fife\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n*\r\n-\r\n2009-10\r\nNHS Grampian\r\n16\r\n7\r\n-\r\n12\r\n*\r\n-\r\n2009-10\r\nNHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde\r\n38\r\n*\r\n-\r\n10\r\n39\r\n-\r\n2009-10\r\nNHS Lanarkshire\r\n*\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n11\r\n-\r\n2009-10\r\nNHS Lothian\r\n*\r\n17\r\n-\r\n5\r\n12\r\n*\r\n2009-10\r\nScotland\r\n60\r\n28\r\n-\r\n27\r\n100\r\n*\r\n2010-11\r\nGolden Jubilee National Hospital\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n10\r\n-\r\n2010-11\r\nNHS Ayrshire and Arran\r\n*\r\n-\r\n-\r\n11\r\n25\r","AnswerDate":"2015-05-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303142,"EventID":"S4W-25566","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1768,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":131,"ApprovedDate":"2015-05-15T16:18:47.547","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-14T16:55:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what consideration it will give to the (a) breeding, (b) advertising and (c) sale of puppies in its review of the trade and importation of exotic animals for the pet trade.","AnswerText":"The review of the importation and trade of exotic animals for the pet trade is part of a wider review of pet welfare, which is a substantial and ongoing piece of work. This will include consideration of the breeding, advertising and sale of puppies.","AnswerDate":"2015-06-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Richard Lochhead","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303143,"EventID":"S4W-25567","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-05-15T16:18:48.417","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-14T17:35:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether the Scottish Medicines Consortium (a) has considered or (b) will consider the use of bevacizumab in the treatment of wet macular degeneration.","AnswerText":"Bevacizumab is not licensed in the UK for the treatment of wet macular degeneration. It is the remit of the Scottish Medicines Consortium to provide advice to NHSScotland on licensed medicines.","AnswerDate":"2015-06-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303144,"EventID":"S4W-25568","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1759,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-05-15T16:18:49.393","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-15T09:24:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what guidance it will provide to local authority enforcers ahead of the Scottish microchipping of dogs regulations coming into force, and when the guidance will be made available.","AnswerText":"The regulations are currently being drafted and guidance will be prepared alongside this for dog owners, microchip implanters, database operators and local authorities. The final guidance will be issued after the regulations have been passed by Parliament, probably in January 2016. However, officials have already had initial discussions with local authorities, and will keep them informed during the development of the legislation.","AnswerDate":"2015-06-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Richard Lochhead","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303145,"EventID":"S4W-25569","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1866,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-05-15T16:18:50.067","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-15T11:11:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what work it is doing to deal with contaminated recyclate.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has taken a number of actions that will improve the quality of recyclate in Scotland by reducing contamination, as follows:\r\nThe Code of Practice on Sampling and Reporting at Material Recovery Facilities, published in March 2015, requires operators to sample the quality of recyclate as it arrives and leaves facilities, record the next and end destinations of each load that leaves the facility, and report results to Scottish Environment Protection Agency. This is intended to improve transparency and drive up demand for clean, consistent, high quality streams of recyclate. Compliance with the code becomes a condition of operating licences from 1 October 2015;\r\nThe Zero Waste Taskforce established by Scottish Ministers and COSLA, which is developing a ‘charter’ or common approach to recycling collection systems. Improving consistency of practice will help to improve recyclate quality; and\r\nThe Waste (Scotland) Regulations 2012, which require separate collections of recyclable material.","AnswerDate":"2015-06-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Richard Lochhead","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303146,"EventID":"S4W-25570","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1866,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-05-15T16:18:51.347","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-15T11:11:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what research it has carried out on developing more effective systems of waste collection to maximise opportunities for recycling and the reuse of materials and what specific advice it has offered local authorities regarding procurement.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has funded Zero Waste Scotland research and guidance on effective systems for waste collection to maximise reuse and recycling. This can be found on the Zero Waste Scotland and WRAP websites and includes:\r\nKerbside Recycling Indicative Costs and Performance (WRAP, 2008)\r\nLocal Authority Kerbside Good Practice Guide (ZWS, 2012)\r\nRe-use of WEEE from Household Waste Recycling Centres (ZWS, 2014)\r\nThe Scottish Government and COSLA’s Zero Waste Taskforce is currently developing a ‘charter’ to improve consistency in recycling collection systems which will help improve recycling rates and quality. On procurement our Scottish Materials Brokerage Service, being developed in partnership with Zero Waste Scotland and local authorities, will develop collaborative contracts which incentivise quality recycling and achieve the scale and duration needed to stimulate investment in reprocessing infrastructure and while providing a better deal for councils. This service is supported by experts in collaborative procurement from across the Scottish public sector.","AnswerDate":"2015-06-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Richard Lochhead","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303147,"EventID":"S4W-25572","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2603,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-05-15T16:18:52.127","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-15T14:25:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what information it has on how many construction companies were registered in (a) Aberdeen and (b) Aberdeenshire in 2014 and are registered in 2015.","AnswerText":"The latest official statistics for enterprises operating in Scotland by local authority are available from the Scottish Government Businesses in Scotland 2014 publication. The publication shows that:\r\nAs at March 2014, there were 595 VAT/PAYE registered enterprises in the construction sector in Aberdeen City and 1,390 in Aberdeenshire. These data are taken from the Inter-Departmental Business Register and are rounded to the nearest five.\r\nEstimates of the number of construction enterprises registered in 2015 will be available in November 2015.\r\nNote that the registered enterprise count includes sole traders and partnerships as well as limited companies.","AnswerDate":"2015-06-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303148,"EventID":"S4W-25573","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2603,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-05-15T16:18:53.07","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-15T14:25:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an updated timescale for the recruitment of a chief executive for NHS Grampian.","AnswerText":"Following a robust, open selection and interview process, NHS Grampian decided not to appoint any of the shortlisted candidates. Further expressions of interest have been sought, and interviews are due to take place on 1 June 2015.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-05-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303149,"EventID":"S4W-25574","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2603,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-05-15T16:18:53.9","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-15T14:25:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on progress with the (a) procurement process for and (b) construction of the Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route.","AnswerText":"The contract for the Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route/Balmedie to Tipperty was awarded on 12 December 2014 to Aberdeen Roads Ltd following the shortest ever procurement process for a project of this size and complexity. Construction is now underway and the project is on schedule for completion in winter 2017, with the Craibstone and Dyce Junctions expected to be finished by autumn 2016, and the Balmedie-Tipperty section expected to be complete by spring 2017.","AnswerDate":"2015-05-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303150,"EventID":"S4W-25575","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2603,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-05-15T16:18:54.743","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-15T14:25:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the average waiting time is for arthritis treatment in NHS Grampian and how this compares with other NHS boards.","AnswerText":"The information requested is not available centrally. ","AnswerDate":"2015-05-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303151,"EventID":"S4W-25576","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2108,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":141,"ApprovedDate":"2015-05-15T16:18:55.59","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-15T14:32:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many children have been recorded as having (a) a language or speech disorder, (b) an autistic spectrum disorder and (c) a social and emotional behavioural difficulty in each year since 2003.","AnswerText":"The number of children, as recorded by the Summary Statistics for Schools in Scotland, as having (a) a language or speech disorder, (b) an autistic spectrum disorder and (c) a social and emotional behavioural difficulty in each year since 2003 was recorded as follows:\r\nMain Difficulty\r\n2003\r\n2004\r\n2005\r\n2006\r\n2007\r\n2008\r\n2009\r\n2010\r\n2011\r\n2012\r\n2013\r\n2014\r\nLanguage and speech disorder*\r\n1,440\r\n1,514\r\n1,679\r\n853\r\n393\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nAutistic spectrum disorder\r\n2,663\r\n3,090\r\n3,484\r\n1,608\r\n631\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nSocial, emotional and behavioural difficulty\r\n3,849\r\n4,131\r\n4,445\r\n2,051\r\n1,290\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nReason for Support\r\n2003\r\n2004\r\n2005\r\n2006\r\n2007\r\n2008\r\n2009\r\n2010\r\n2011\r\n2012\r\n2013\r\n2014\r\nLanguage or speech disorder\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n2,134\r\n3,330\r\n4,415\r\n4,754\r\n7,200\r\n9,782\r\n11,367\r\n12,708\r\n13,697\r\nAutistic spectrum disorder\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n2,443\r\n3,919\r\n4,900\r\n5,254\r\n6,506\r\n7,801\r\n8,650\r\n9,946\r\n10,805\r\nSocial, emotional and behavioural difficulty\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n4,243\r\n5,696\r\n8,138\r\n9,267\r\n14,738\r\n20,430\r\n23,485\r\n26,715\r\n28,354\r\nNotes:\r\n*From 2004-07, this was called ‘significant language and speech disorder’\r\n‘Main Difficulty’ meant each child could only be assigned one difficulty, while children can be assigned any number of reasons for support.\r\n\r\nThe way in which additional support for learning statistics were collected was changed in 2010. Prior to 2010, only pupils with co-ordinated support plans, individualised education programmes or who were attending a special school were recorded as having additional support needs. In 2010, this was extended to include anyone receiving additional support, regardless of whether it was under a formal plan. This accounts for the large increase in the number of pupils recorded with additional support needs since 2010.","AnswerDate":"2015-05-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alasdair Allan","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303170,"EventID":"S4T-01018","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":9,"MSPID":3806,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-05-18T12:46:32.23","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-18T11:05:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the recently published road traffic statistics.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-05-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":"2015-05-19T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303171,"EventID":"S4F-02799","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":5009,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-05-18T12:45:59.203","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-14T14:09:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister what issues will be discussed at the next meeting of the Cabinet. ","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-05-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":"2015-05-21T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303172,"EventID":"S4F-02800","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":4976,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-05-18T12:45:59.787","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-14T16:42:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister when she will next meet the Prime Minister.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-05-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":"2015-05-21T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303173,"EventID":"S4F-02801","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":5106,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":118,"ApprovedDate":"2015-05-18T12:46:00.233","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-18T08:57:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister what action the Scottish Government is taking to allow more disabled people to access modern apprenticeships.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-05-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":"2015-05-21T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303174,"EventID":"S4F-02802","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":2110,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":138,"ApprovedDate":"2015-05-18T12:46:00.68","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-18T09:32:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister what discussions the Scottish Government has had with the UK Government regarding the safety of Trident nuclear submarines.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-05-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":"2015-05-21T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303175,"EventID":"S4F-02803","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":3812,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-05-18T12:46:01.22","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-18T09:47:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister what engagements she has planned for the rest of the day. ","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-05-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":"2015-05-21T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303176,"EventID":"S4F-02804","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-05-18T12:46:01.643","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-18T10:07:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister what progress the Scottish Government is making on increasing the number of companies and organisations paying the living wage.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-05-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":"2015-05-21T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303181,"EventID":"S4W-25556","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5106,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":118,"ApprovedDate":"2015-05-18T14:17:16.853","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-14T22:58:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it takes to ensure that people with hepatitis C have prompt access to treatment.","AnswerText":"Through the Hepatitis C Action Plan the Scottish Government invested significantly in treatment and care services for hepatitis C in Scotland. This has led to a more than doubling of the number of people being treated for hepatitis C each year – from around 400 a year to 1,100 a year in 2014. Anyone diagnosed with hepatitis C should be referred to a specialist hepatitis clinician for monitoring and discussions about treatment options. All NHS boards have Managed Care Networks in place to ensure patients infected with hepatitis C are tested, diagnosed and engaged with specialist services. ","AnswerDate":"2015-05-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303182,"EventID":"S4W-25557","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5106,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":118,"ApprovedDate":"2015-05-18T14:17:17.493","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-14T22:58:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on screening pregnant women for hepatitis C.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government takes its advice on screening policy from the National Screening Committee, the body of independent experts appointed to provide advice on all screening matters to ministers and the NHS in the four UK nations. The National Screening Committee’s current advice is that screening pregnant women for hepatitis C is not currently recommended. Therefore there are currently no plans to screen pregnant women for hepatitis C.","AnswerDate":"2015-05-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303183,"EventID":"S4W-25558","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5106,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":118,"ApprovedDate":"2015-05-18T14:17:18.133","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-14T22:58:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it plans to involve patients in the development of the updated (a) Hepatitis C Action Plan and (b) Sexual Health and Blood Borne Virus Framework.","AnswerText":"In 2011 the Hepatitis C Action Plan was superseded by the Sexual Heath and Blood Borne Virus Framework (2011-15). This framework is currently being updated and the new document will be published in summer 2015. This document will be an update to the existing framework rather than a replacement. In the process of updating the framework we have consulted with, and sought input from, third sector organisations who work directly with patients. The Scottish Government continues to fund and support Hepatitis Scotland as the Scottish national third sector organisation for viral hepatitis. Hepatitis Scotland serves as the voice of people affected by hepatitis and is involved in the work of the framework through a variety of routes, including membership of ministerial and executive groups. The Scottish Government has also received input and feedback from the Hepatitis C Trust, the UK national charity for hepatitis C which is founded and run by people with personal experience of hepatitis C, and from Waverley Care, a Scottish charity delivering services to individuals affected by hepatitis C and HIV.","AnswerDate":"2015-05-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303184,"EventID":"S4W-25559","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5106,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":118,"ApprovedDate":"2015-05-18T14:17:18.74","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-14T22:58:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what information and training is provided to GPs to help identify people with undiagnosed hepatitis C.","AnswerText":"Through the Hepatitis C Action Plan the Scottish Government invested in the training of NHS staff around hepatitis C. In response to action point 3 of the action plan, NHS Education Scotland (NES) developed Hepatitis C Workforce Education Development: An Outline of Requirements in 2010. The purpose of this document was to support NHS boards in building action plans for facilitating, delivering and evaluating workforce education development for staff. NES also published A Route to Enhanced Competence in Hepatitis C in 2010, which provided staff and their supervisor/manager with a structured approach to assessing, demonstrating and developing their ability to carry out their role in delivering hepatitis C services. NES continues to provide a range of educational materials on blood borne viruses.\r\nIn addition the Scottish Intercollegiate Guidance Network has produced clinical guidance on the management of hepatitis C, which was most recently updated in 2013, which also covers primary care.\r\nThroughout the life of the Hepatitis C Action Plan there was a significant increase in testing for hepatitis C within primary care, reflecting an increasing knowledge and awareness of the infection by GP practices.","AnswerDate":"2015-05-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303185,"EventID":"S4W-25560","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5106,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":118,"ApprovedDate":"2015-05-18T14:17:19.35","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-14T22:58:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on each NHS board having a champion to deal with hepatitis C.","AnswerText":"As a result of the Hepatitis C Action Plan every NHS board was provided with funding to establish a number of leadership posts for hepatitis C. These posts still remain and every NHS board currently has a clinical lead, a prevention lead, an executive lead who is responsible for overall funding and delivery, and a Managed Care Network coordinator who is responsible for ensuring the care pathways across each NHS board are in place. All of these roles are supported by national networks which meet regularly, and the Scottish Government is directly involved, through attendance, at these meetings.","AnswerDate":"2015-05-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303186,"EventID":"S4W-25561","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5106,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":118,"ApprovedDate":"2015-05-18T14:17:20.037","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-14T22:58:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on holding an information campaign in disadvantaged and marginalised communities regarding hepatitis C.","AnswerText":"Under the auspices of the Hepatitis C Action Plan the Scottish Government delivered a national hepatitis C awareness raising campaign in 2010. Through the investment in the action plan we have seen a significant increase in testing, diagnosis and treatment of hepatitis C in Scotland, and more than 50% of Scotland’s infected population is now diagnosed. The Sexual Health and Blood Borne Virus Framework is currently being updated and as part of this we will consider whether or not a further awareness raising campaign may be useful in raising awareness of hepatitis C amongst those who may be at risk. The Scottish Government also funds Hepatitis Scotland, which raises awareness of hepatitis C through a number of channels including around World Hepatitis Day, and other national and local charities including the Hepatitis C Trust undertake their own awareness raising campaigns.","AnswerDate":"2015-05-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303187,"EventID":"S4W-25562","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5106,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":118,"ApprovedDate":"2015-05-18T14:17:20.69","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-14T22:58:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what information it has on how changes to the welfare system are affecting people with hepatitis C.","AnswerText":"There has been significant reform to the welfare system by the UK Government since the publication of the first Sexual Health and Blood Borne Virus Framework document. HIV Scotland and Hepatitis Scotland published a joint report in 2014 on the impact of welfare reform on people living with HIV and hepatitis in Scotland. The report concluded: “the welfare reforms being implemented at a UK level are not appropriate in a Scottish context, and not at all suitable for people with blood borne viruses. The reforms are causing significant uncertainty and anxiety, worsening the mental and physical health of people in grave need, and adding to the burden carried by specialist services that are already stretched and oversubscribed.”","AnswerDate":"2015-05-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303188,"EventID":"S4W-25577","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4965,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-05-18T14:17:21.3","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-15T16:13:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with the UK Government regarding the franchise for the proposed referendum on UK membership of the EU and whether (a) 16 and 17-year-olds and (b) EU citizens resident in the country should have the right to participate in it.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government was not consulted on the franchise for the proposed referendum on UK membership of the EU. The Scottish Government does not support the UK Government’s current proposals, which will exclude most EU citizens living in the UK and 16 and 17 year olds from voting.","AnswerDate":"2015-06-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303189,"EventID":"S4W-25580","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5106,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":118,"ApprovedDate":"2015-05-18T14:17:21.813","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-18T00:38:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many disabled people's access panels there are, also broken down by local authority area.","AnswerText":"This information is not held centrally by the Scottish Government. The Scottish Disability Equality Forum, which has been allocated funding of over £305,000 (2015-16) by the Scottish Government, works with and supports access panels across Scotland and publishes a Directory of Access Panels.","AnswerDate":"2015-05-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303190,"EventID":"S4W-25581","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5106,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":118,"ApprovedDate":"2015-05-18T14:17:22.36","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-18T00:42:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what guidance it provides to local authorities regarding consulting and recognising disabled people's access panels.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government does not provide such guidance to local authorities, but has allocated funding of over £305,000 (2015-16) to the Scottish Disability Equality Forum to work with and support access panels across Scotland to strengthen the voice of disabled people at a local level.","AnswerDate":"2015-05-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303191,"EventID":"S4W-25583","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5106,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":118,"ApprovedDate":"2015-05-18T14:17:22.92","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-18T00:42:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many disabled people's access panels are not recognised by the local authority in which they operate.","AnswerText":"This information is not held centrally by the Scottish Government.","AnswerDate":"2015-05-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303192,"EventID":"S4W-25584","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2015-05-18T14:17:23.513","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-15T17:07:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether Employer Recruitment Incentive payments will continue in their current form after 31 May 2015.","AnswerText":"Yes, the Youth Employment Scotland Fund will continue to deliver incentives in their current form after 31 May 2015. We committed in our refreshed youth employment strategy to bring forward a revised approach to recruitment incentives which will focus on those furthest from the labour market and on supporting small businesses to access the Modern Apprentice programme. Scottish Government is working in partnership with local authorities and other stakeholders to ensure that the new programme builds on the experience of delivering Youth Employment Scotland Fund.","AnswerDate":"2015-05-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Roseanna Cunningham","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303193,"EventID":"S4W-25585","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4964,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":119,"ApprovedDate":"2015-05-18T14:17:24.06","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-18T09:55:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much it spends per head of population on enterprise and economic development and how this compares with the UK Government.","AnswerText":"Spending by the Scottish Government, associated bodies and agencies, and Scottish local government on enterprise and economic development in 2013-14 is estimated at £834 million. This is equivalent to approximately £160 per person.\r\nSpending by the UK Government on enterprise and economic development in 2013-14 was £5.3 billion. This is equivalent to approximately £80 per person.\r\nThe spending figures can be found in Table 5.6 and Table 5.8 of Government Expenditure and Revenue Scotland 2013-14.","AnswerDate":"2015-06-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303194,"EventID":"S4W-25588","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2117,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-05-18T14:17:24.543","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-18T12:14:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-25247 by Fergus Ewing on 7 May 2015, how many times and on what dates ministers met representatives of Iberdrola to discuss Longannet power station prior to October 2014.","AnswerText":"During the Scottish National Party government since 2007, Scottish Ministers have engaged regularly with representatives of the Iberdrola Group – the parent company of Scottish Power – and its associated businesses that operate in Scotland, including Scottish Power Generation, Scottish Power Energy Networks and Scottish Power Renewable Energy.\r\nThis engagement has taken place in a variety ways, through for example bilateral meetings, standing advisory groups such the Scottish Energy Advisory Board and under the auspices of industry trade bodies.","AnswerDate":"2015-06-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303195,"EventID":"S4W-25589","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2117,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-05-18T14:17:25.12","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-18T12:16:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-25248 by Fergus Ewing on 1 May 2015, what discussions it had with the UK Government regarding the future of the Longannet power station prior to October 2014.","AnswerText":"Throughout the Scottish National Party administration since 2007, the Scottish Government has engaged with the UK Government to promote the full spectrum of Scotland’s wide-ranging energy interests and support the electricity generation sector in Scotland.\r\nMany of these discussions – for example, on the subject of network transmission charges or Scottish coal production – will have had direct relevance for Longannet.","AnswerDate":"2015-06-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303196,"EventID":"S4W-25591","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2117,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-05-18T14:17:25.697","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-18T12:17:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-25246 by Fergus Ewing on 1 May 2015, what discussions it had with representatives of the workforce at Longannet power station regarding the future of the facility prior to October 2014","AnswerText":"Scottish Power has invested heavily at Longannet over many years, with the intention to maintain generation at the power station until or beyond 2020. On 24 October 2013, Energy Minister Fergus Ewing visited the power station to inspect a recent phase of major refurbishment works designed to improve efficiency and environmental performance.\r\nThe commercial prospects for Longannet have worsened since then. Principally, in October 2014 when the station was excluded from the UK Capacity Market auction – a decision Scottish Power linked explicitly to the UK system of discriminatory transmission charges – and in March 2015 when the station was unsuccessful in a National Grid tender for additional voltage support services.\r\nSince March 2015 the Scottish Government has engaged with all the Longannet unions, Scottish Power, Fife Council and a range of public sector agencies to assess the situation and seek the best possible outcomes for the workforce, suppliers and the local economy.","AnswerDate":"2015-06-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303203,"EventID":"S4W-25586","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-05-19T13:42:39.617","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-18T10:06:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action the working group that is developing the new drug and alcohol information system (DAISy) is taking to ensure that data will be collected on young carers in households in which there is at least one adult known to NHS alcohol and drug partnership services.","AnswerText":"The DAISy dataset subgroup has developed, in broad consultation with Alcohol and Drug Partnerships (ADPs), treatment and support services, service users and people in recovery, a set of data requirements for DAISy which include the following mandatory questions for all clients engaging with drug and alcohol services:\r\nHow many children under 16 does the client have?\r\nHow many children under 16 live in the same household as the client?\r\nHas routine enquiry been carried out for domestic abuse or child abuse?\r\nDAISy will also include a recovery outcomes indicator which will assess and review the overall position on the client’s parenting capacity and child(ren)’s wellbeing.\r\nData gathered from these questions will give an indication of the number of potential young carers in households in which there is at least one known adult to drug and alcohol services.\r\nThe full DAISy dataset was published in December 2014 and can be found via: \r\nhttp://www.isdscotland.org/Health-Topics/Drugs-and-Alcohol-Misuse/Drug-Alcohol-Information-System/Governance/\r\nIt is expected that services will undertake a comprehensive, person-centred assessment with all clients, which should include the impact of their behaviour on children and young people within their care. The Quality Principles: Standard Expectations of Care and Support in Drug and Alcohol Services (http://www.gov.scot/Resource/0045/00458241.pdf), published in August 2014, clearly state that: “services should be family inclusive as part of their practice” and that if the service user has children, “their needs and wellbeing will be a primary concern”.","AnswerDate":"2015-06-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Paul Wheelhouse","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303204,"EventID":"S4W-25609","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5079,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-05-19T13:42:40.923","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-19T09:38:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4O-04265 by Fiona Hyslop on 30 April 2015 (Official Report, c.1), what further action it has taken to resolve the dispute.","AnswerText":"As I said in response to your previous question, it is a matter for National Museums Scotland (NMS), as the employer, and the unions to work together constructively to resolve the dispute. The cost of the full reinstatement of weekend working allowance is £394 thousand per annum. This is unaffordable to the organisation and I would again urge the unions and NMS to discuss a compromise which is both affordable to NMS and delivers an acceptable solution for the staff. ","AnswerDate":"2015-05-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fiona Hyslop","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303205,"EventID":"S4W-25610","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2603,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-05-19T13:42:41.357","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-19T09:47:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many (a) academic and (b) non-academic (i) managerial and (ii) other staff are employed at North East Scotland College.","AnswerText":"Information on number of staff employed in colleges and universities is held by the Scottish Funding Council.\r\nThe latest information available is for 2013-14, however it is not possible to provide the staff breakdown requested. Table 1 contains headcount and full time equivalent information for teaching and non-teaching staff at North East Scotland College in 2013-14.\r\nTable 1: North East Scotland College: headcount and full-time equivalent staff employed by staff group, 2013-14\r\n\r\nStaff Group\r\n2013-14\r\nHeadcount\r\nTeaching\r\n397\r\nHeadcount\r\nNon-Teaching\r\n295\r\nFull-time equivalents\r\nTeaching\r\n319\r\nFull-time equivalents\r\nNon-Teaching\r\n231\r\nSource: Scottish Funding Council ","AnswerDate":"2015-06-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303206,"EventID":"S4W-25611","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2603,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-05-19T13:42:41.853","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-19T09:48:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what information it has on how many construction workers were employed in (a) Aberdeen and (b) Aberdeenshire in (i) 2014 and (ii) 2015.","AnswerText":"The preferred source for employment estimates by industry at local authority level is the Business Register and Employment Survey (BRES). The latest available data are for 2013 with results for 2014 due to be published by the Office for National Statistics in September 2015.\r\nIn 2013, there were 5,800 people working in the construction sector in Aberdeen City and 8,500 in Aberdeenshire.\r\nThese data are rounded to the nearest hundred. Estimates include all employee jobs within VAT/PAYE registered enterprises, and also working owners of VAT/PAYE registered enterprises. However, the employment jobs estimate does not include those that are self-employed in enterprises that are not registered for VAT/PAYE i.e. the smallest sole traders/partnerships.","AnswerDate":"2015-06-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303207,"EventID":"S4W-25612","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2603,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-05-19T13:42:42.393","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-19T09:48:31.347","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many people in the NHS Grampian area were screened for bowel cancer in (a) 2012, (b) 2013 and (c) 2014.","AnswerText":"The number of eligible people in the NHS Grampian area who have taken part in the Scottish Bowel Screening Programme in the latest two calendar years available (up to 31 October 2013) is provided in table 1. Data up to 31 October 2014 will be available when the annual bowel screening key performance indicators report is being published in August 2015.\r\nTable 1: Number of eligible people taking part in the Scottish Bowel Screening Programme 2012-131.\r\nNHS Grampian\r\n2012\r\n20131\r\nMales\r\n24,652\r\n22,951\r\nFemales\r\n27,554\r\n25,573\r\nTotal\r\n52,206\r\n48,524\r\n1. Only includes data up to 31 October 2013.","AnswerDate":"2015-06-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303208,"EventID":"S4W-25613","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2603,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-05-19T13:42:42.97","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-19T09:48:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many new business start-ups there were in (a) Aberdeen and (b) Aberdeenshire in 2014.","AnswerText":"New business start-ups are measured using new business VAT/PAYE registration figures. Estimates of start-ups for 2014 are expected to be published by the Office for National Statistics in November 2015. The latest available figures for new business start-ups were published in November 2014 and are:\r\nIn 2013, there were 1,445 new business start-ups in the Aberdeen City local authority area and 1,395 new business start-ups in the Aberdeenshire local authority area.","AnswerDate":"2015-06-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303209,"EventID":"S4W-25614","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4984,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-05-19T13:42:43.557","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-19T09:55:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether the official statistics for recorded crimes and offences involving firearms for 2013-14 will be published before the stage 3 debate on the Air Weapons and Licensing (Scotland) Bill.","AnswerText":"Yes. Recorded Crimes and Offences Involving Firearms, Scotland 2013-14 will be published on 17 June 2015.","AnswerDate":"2015-06-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303226,"EventID":"S4W-25537","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2135,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":92,"ApprovedDate":"2015-05-19T16:58:10.697","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-13T15:40:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on the evidence given at Oban Sheriff Court in May 2015 suggesting that, at the time of a fatal accident in August 2013, the A85 at Connel was uneven, had a low texture depth and a severe deficiency in skid resistance and that Transport Scotland was aware of such concerns prior to the accident; whether it will investigate the allegations, and, if substantiated, what action it will take.","AnswerText":"Whilst aware of recent press reports, the Scottish Government was not a party to the proceedings at Oban Sheriff Court and is not, therefore, in a position to comment on those. Condition surveys of the A85 at Connel were undertaken in the three year period prior to this accident. Based on the results of those surveys, the road surface at this location was investigated in line with UK-wide road standards and Transport Scotland’s skid resistance policy in May 2011, August 2012 and July 2013. All assessments concluded that no action was required to improve skid resistance. The site was also visited by Transport Scotland representatives and Police Scotland after the accident, when it was noted that the road surface, road markings and road studs were in good condition and concluded that an accident investigation study was not required.\r\n\r\nThe site was investigated again in June 2014 in line with the skid resistance policy. That investigation concluded that maintenance work should be considered to improve the skid resistance and to address other surface defects that had developed since the previous investigation. The road was re-surfaced in July 2014.\r\nTransport Scotland and its operating companies take road safety very seriously and have robust inspection and repair processes in place across the trunk road network.","AnswerDate":"2015-06-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303227,"EventID":"S4W-25592","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5079,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-05-19T16:58:11.207","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-19T05:37:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide a breakdown of what awards under the CashBack for Communities scheme have made in the Glasgow local authority area each year.","AnswerText":"CashBack funding is not allocated on a geographical basis. Rather, the Scottish Government allocates available funds to partner organisations who are responsible for running projects across Scotland, delivering outcomes to give our young people positive, purposeful and constructive opportunities to contribute to Scottish society.\r\nAn overview of CashBack investment by organisation delivering activity in Glasgow is detailed in the following table:\r\n\r\nCommunity Asset\r\nCultural Activities\r\nEarly Years\r\nYouth Work\r\nGlasgow\r\nLinkUp\r\nCreative Scotland\r\nWorking on Wheels\r\nYouthLink Scotland\r\nYouth Scotland\r\n2008-09\r\n\r\n£9,959\r\n\r\n£725,547\r\n\r\n2009-10\r\n\r\n£151,881\r\n\r\n£150,344\r\n£21,493\r\n2010-11\r\n\r\n£14,939\r\n\r\n£238,186\r\n£24,208\r\n2011-12\r\n£44,852\r\n£138,391\r\n£2,164\r\n£240,756\r\n£19,957\r\n2012-13\r\n£95,902\r\n£201,686\r\n£1,648\r\n£64,251\r\n£36,919\r\n2013-14\r\n£164,084\r\n£100,892\r\n£1,463\r\n£73,323\r\n£45,111\r\nPartner total\r\n£304,838\r\n£617,748\r\n£5,274\r\n£1,492,407\r\n£147,687\r\n\r\n\r\nMentoring and Youth Employability\r\nGlasgow\r\nPersonal Development Partnership\r\nPrinces Trust Development Awards\r\nPowerskills – Scottish Power/Glasgow Clyde College\r\n2008-09\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n2009-10\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n2010-11\r\n£116,792\r\n\r\n\r\n2011-12\r\n£321,572\r\n£27,634\r\n£24,851\r\n2012-13\r\n£152,900\r\n£42,091\r\n£39,275\r\n2013-14\r\n\r\n£34,185\r\n£70,306\r\nPartner total\r\n£591,264\r\n£103,910\r\n£134,432\r\n\r\n\r\nSporting Activities and Facilities\r\nGlasgow\r\nAmateur Boxing Scotland\r\nBasketball Scotland\r\nScottish Football Association\r\nScottish Rugby\r\nScottish Sports Futures\r\n2008-09\r\n\r\n£1,313\r\n£20,302\r\n£9,367\r\n£133,272\r\n2009-10\r\n\r\n£2,113\r\n£41,622\r\n£49,635\r\n£222,437\r\n2010-11\r\n\r\n£3,170\r\n£45,717\r\n£40,943\r\n£229,049\r\n2011-12\r\n£50,482\r\n£3,163\r\n£26,675\r\n£41,649\r\n£260,292\r\n2012-13\r\n£42,500\r\n£4,014\r\n£35,515\r\n£47,751\r\n£309,143\r\n2013-14\r\n£8,572\r\n£11,435\r\n£45,513\r\n£75,881\r\n£223,266\r\nPartner total\r\n£101,554\r\n£25,208\r\n£215,344\r\n£265,226\r\n£1,377,458\r\n\r\nGlasgow\r\nYearly total\r\n2008-09\r\n£899,760\r\n2009-10\r\n£639,524\r\n2010-11\r\n£713,004\r\n2011-12\r\n£1,202,438\r\n2012-13\r\n£1,073,594\r\n2013-14\r\n£854,031\r\nTotal\r\n£5,382,350\r\n\r\nInformation on 2014-15 investment by local authority area should be available before the end of the summer.","AnswerDate":"2015-06-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303228,"EventID":"S4W-25593","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5079,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-05-19T16:58:11.707","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-19T05:37:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on each of the demands in the Shelter Scotland campaign, Make Renting Right.","AnswerText":"Shelter Scotland’s Make Renting Right campaign calls for a modern tenancy system which delivers stability and flexibility for those in the sector, predictable rents and a fair system for sorting out problems when they occur. Shelter Scotland has supported the Scottish Government in the development of a new tenancy for the private sector. The Scottish Government believe that the proposals outlined in our recent Second Consultation on a New Tenancy for the Private Sector will achieve what Shelter is calling for.","AnswerDate":"2015-06-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Burgess","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303229,"EventID":"S4W-25594","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5079,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-05-19T16:58:12.167","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-19T05:37:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many rough sleepers have been identified in the Glasgow local authority area in each year since 2007.","AnswerText":"There are two questions in the Scottish Government homelessness (HL1) dataset relating to rough sleeping and these ask:\r\nHas any member of the applicant household slept rough during the three months preceding their application?\r\nDid any member of the applicant household sleep rough on the night immediately preceding the date of application?\r\nFor Glasgow City Council, the number of homeless applications responding ‘yes’ to each of these questions is shown in the following table:\r\n\r\nYear of Application\r\n\r\n2007\r\n2008\r\n2009\r\n2010\r\n2011\r\n2012\r\n2013\r\n2014\r\nHomeless applications where a member of the applicant household slept rough during the three months preceding their application\r\n680\r\n721\r\n623\r\n433\r\n588\r\n625\r\n567\r\n529\r\nHomeless applications where a member of the applicant household slept rough on the night immediately preceding the date of application\r\n601\r\n622\r\n563\r\n372\r\n486\r\n514\r\n452\r\n468\r\nAll homeless applications made to Glasgow City Council\r\n9,727\r\n10,308\r\n10,508\r\n10,562\r\n9,382\r\n8,794\r\n7,066\r\n6,232\r\nHomelessness statistics are available at: http://www.gov.scot/homelessstats\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-06-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Burgess","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303230,"EventID":"S4W-25595","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5079,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-05-19T16:58:12.64","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-19T06:06:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what redress is available to patients when the NHS waiting time guarantee has not been met. ","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-19009 on 15 January 2014. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-06-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303231,"EventID":"S4W-25596","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5079,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-05-19T16:58:13.027","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-19T06:06:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government which procedures (a) are and (b) are not covered by the NHS waiting time guarantee.","AnswerText":"Any patient who has agreed an inpatient or day case treatment procedure will be covered by the legal treatment time guarantee with the exception of the following services assisted reproduction, obstetrics and organ, tissue or cell transplantation whether from a living or deceased donor.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-06-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303232,"EventID":"S4W-25597","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5079,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-05-19T16:58:13.467","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-19T06:06:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government on what occasions each general hospital in the NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde area has been recorded as meeting the NHS waiting time guarantee for all procedures.","AnswerText":"NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde hospitals have effectively delivered the 12 weeks legal treatment time guarantee since it was introduced on 1 October 2012, with over 225,000 patients having benefitted from the guarantee and only 31 patients having exceeded the guarantee. Inverclyde Royal, Stobhill and Vale of Leven hospitals have delivered the 12 weeks guarantee for all patients since 1 October 2012. All the other hospitals have had a small number of breaches of the guarantee during the period 1 October 2012 to 31 March 2015.","AnswerDate":"2015-06-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303233,"EventID":"S4W-25598","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5079,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-05-19T16:58:13.887","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-19T06:06:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what information it has regarding legal guarantees for NHS waiting times in the rest of the UK.","AnswerText":"Scotland is the only country in the UK which has a waiting time guarantee set out in primary legislation.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-06-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303234,"EventID":"S4W-25601","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5079,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-05-19T16:58:14.297","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-19T06:06:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to ensure good governance and effective leadership at Glasgow Clyde College.","AnswerText":"This government has taken steps to require every publicly funded college, including Glasgow Clyde College, to comply with the Code of Good Governance for Scotland’s Colleges. \r\nThe Scottish Funding Council is reviewing aspects of the governance and management of Glasgow Clyde College consistent with its powers under the Further and Higher Education (Scotland) Act 2005. We expect this work to conclude in June 2015. Ministers will thereafter consider the council’s report.","AnswerDate":"2015-06-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303235,"EventID":"S4W-25602","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5079,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-05-19T16:58:14.73","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-19T06:06:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it last met or discussed governance or leadership at Glasgow Clyde College with (a) the Scottish Funding Council, (b) the Glasgow Colleges' Regional Board, (c) the EIS, (d) NUS Scotland and (e) the college's management and what the outcome was.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has regular discussions with the Scottish Funding Council about all colleges including Glasgow Clyde College.\r\nThe Scottish Government has regular discussions with the new interim chair and new interim chief officer of the Glasgow Colleges’ Regional Board about issues including the governance and management of Glasgow Clyde College.\r\nThe Scottish Government meets and discusses a range of matters with EIS. There has been no specific meeting to discuss governance or leadership at Glasgow Clyde College.\r\nThe Scottish Government meets and discusses a range of matters with NUS Scotland on a regular basis. There has to date been no specific meeting to discuss governance or leadership at Glasgow Clyde College.\r\nThe Director of Advanced Learning and Science of the Scottish Government attended a meeting of the board of Glasgow Clyde College on 19 May 2015 at the invitation of the board’s chair in which she outlined the expectations of Scottish Ministers in relation to compliance with the Code of Good Governance for Scotland’s Colleges. She has subsequently written to the college chair seeking assurances from the board about such compliance, amongst other matters.\r\nThe Scottish Funding Council is reviewing aspects of the governance and management of Glasgow Clyde College consistent with its powers under the Further and Higher Education (Scotland) Act 2005. We expect this work to conclude in June 2015. Ministers will thereafter consider the council’s report.","AnswerDate":"2015-06-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303236,"EventID":"S4W-25603","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5079,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-05-19T16:58:15.153","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-19T06:06:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what representations regarding governance or leadership at Glasgow Clyde College it has received from (a) students, (b) staff, (c) members of the public and (d) other interested parties and what action was taken.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has received a number of representations about governance of the college.\r\nThe Scottish Funding Council is reviewing aspects of the governance and management of Glasgow Clyde College consistent with its powers under the Further and Higher Education (Scotland) Act 2005. We expect this work to conclude in June 2015. Ministers will thereafter consider the council’s report.","AnswerDate":"2015-06-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303237,"EventID":"S4W-25604","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5079,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-05-19T16:58:15.553","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-19T06:06:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether South Glasgow University Hospital's helicopter pad and its associated access arrangements are fully operational.","AnswerText":"The helicopter pad at the new South Glasgow University Hospital is fully operational.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-06-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303238,"EventID":"S4W-25616","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1893,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-05-19T16:58:15.983","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-19T14:04:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-25214 by John Swinney on 2 April 2015, whether it has since appointed further special advisers and, if so, at what salaries.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-25214 on 2 April 2015. There have been no changes since that answer issued on 2 April 2015. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at: \r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx","AnswerDate":"2015-06-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303239,"EventID":"S4W-25619","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1893,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-05-19T16:58:16.393","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-19T15:02:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-25214 by John Swinney on 2 April 2015, what plans it has to appoint further special advisers in the next 12 months.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-25214 on 2 April 2015. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at: \r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx","AnswerDate":"2015-06-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303240,"EventID":"S4W-25621","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2015-05-19T16:58:16.79","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-19T15:26:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what discussions ministers have had with the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service regarding Police Scotland’s investigation into the alleged use of airports in Scotland by the CIA for rendition flights.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government strongly opposes so-called rendition flights. Scotland has always been a country that respects the rights and responsibilities of all its citizens and the rule of law. The Scottish Government has not and will not approve a policy of facilitating the transfer of individuals through Scottish territory or air space to places where there are substantial grounds to believe that they would face a real risk of torture.\r\nThere have been no discussions between the Ministers and the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service regarding the Police Scotland investigation into the alleged use of airports in Scotland for the purposes of rendition flights. This is an ongoing criminal investigation and therefore is a matter for independent prosecutors; it would be inappropriate for Scottish Ministers to be involved.","AnswerDate":"2015-06-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303241,"EventID":"S4W-25622","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2015-05-19T16:58:17.343","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-19T15:27:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when ministers (a) last met and (b) will next meet the US authorities to discuss Police Scotland’s investigation into the alleged use of airports in Scotland by the CIA for rendition flights and what other representations it has made to the US on this matter.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government strongly opposes so-called rendition flights. Scotland has always been a country that respects the rights and responsibilities of all its citizens and the rule of law. The Scottish Government has not and will not approve a policy of facilitating the transfer of individuals through Scottish territory or air space to places where there are substantial grounds to believe that they would face a real risk of torture.\r\nScottish Ministers have not met with US officials to discuss the Police Scotland investigation and do not currently plan to do so. This is an ongoing criminal investigation and therefore is a matter for independent prosecutors; it would be inappropriate for Scottish Ministers to be involved.","AnswerDate":"2015-06-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303242,"EventID":"S4W-25623","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2015-05-19T16:58:17.86","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-19T15:27:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what response Police Scotland has received to its request for access to an unredacted version of the report of the US Senate's Select Committee on Intelligence, Committee Study of the Central Intelligence Agency's Detention and Interrogation Program, and what support it is giving to the police with regard to this matter.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government strongly opposes so-called rendition flights. Scotland has always been a country that respects the rights and responsibilities of all its citizens and the rule of law. The Scottish Government has not and will not approve a policy of facilitating the transfer of individuals through Scottish territory or air space to places where there are substantial grounds to believe that they would face a real risk of torture.\r\nThis is an ongoing criminal investigation and therefore is a matter for independent prosecutors. It would be inappropriate for Scottish Ministers to be involved or to comment on the investigation.","AnswerDate":"2015-06-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303243,"EventID":"S4W-25627","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1893,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-05-19T16:58:18.423","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-19T16:01:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what assistance it is offering to businesses seeking to take advantage of the opportunities presented by the (a) 2019 Rugby World Cup and (b) 2020 Olympic Games.","AnswerText":"Building on the experience in preparing for and delivering the events during 2014, Scottish Enterprise will work with partners to raise Scottish business awareness of the 2019 Rugby World Cup and 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games and to support companies to develop their capacity and capabilities to secure contracts at these and other global sporting events.\r\nWorking with the main industry bodies and stakeholders, Scottish Enterprise will promote Scotland’s capability to deliver global sporting events, help to develop Scotland’s supply chain making it easier for companies to access overseas markets, and bring major overseas opportunities to the attention of Scottish companies.\r\nSupport to business will include:\r\nGlobal sports workshops and seminars;\r\nIdentifying and applying for large business opportunities, via the High Value Opportunities programme; and\r\nEngaging with global sports decision makers and potential partners.","AnswerDate":"2015-06-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303265,"EventID":"S4W-25628","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2135,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":92,"ApprovedDate":"2015-05-20T13:56:33.737","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-19T16:05:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, in light of recent scientific evidence that suggests that the method does not cause environmental damage, whether it will consider a pilot licensing system for the catching of razor clams by electro-fishing. ","AnswerText":"Electrofishing is prohibited under EU law and could only be licensed in Scotland were the relevant EU regulations repealed or if a specific derogation was applied for and granted. Accordingly the Scottish Government has no power at present to license commercial fishing with electricity. Scientific studies have been conducted and these suggest that electrofishing could be more environmentally benign than other traditional methods, but this study did not address the broader question of long-term sustainability of razor clam populations under various levels of commercial fishing activity nor the medium to long-term effects of electrofishing. Further study and research will be required on these issues. In the meantime, the Scottish Government is considering whether to seek a derogation from EU law.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-06-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Richard Lochhead","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303266,"EventID":"S4W-25629","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2135,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":92,"ApprovedDate":"2015-05-20T13:56:34.627","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-19T16:05:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, in light of recent scientific evidence that suggests that the method does not cause environmental damage, whether it has discussed with Clyde fishermen reconsidering the ban on the catching of razor clams by electro-fishing.","AnswerText":"Marine Scotland hosted an open workshop in Glasgow on 30 March 2015 to fully discuss the findings of the Marine Scotland Science report Electrofishing for Razor Clams with industry and relevant national and local public bodies. The Clyde Fishermen’s Association and individual fishers actively participated in the event. \r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-06-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Richard Lochhead","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303267,"EventID":"S4W-25633","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1866,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-05-20T13:56:35.143","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-20T10:48:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to address each of the recommendations of the Committee on Climate Change in Reducing emissions in Scotland: 2015 progress report.","AnswerText":"As made clear in the Scottish Government’s response to the Committee on Climate Change 2015 progress report laid before parliament on 15 May 2015 (laying number: SG/2015/59), although we are making substantial progress, the Scottish Government recognises that more can be done in tackling climate change and is looking at a range of measures across ministerial portfolios which could strengthen the package of emissions reductions measures already in place. The committee’s recommendations on strengthening policies for low-carbon heat, energy efficiency, the public sector, transport, and agriculture and land use will be considered as part of this process.","AnswerDate":"2015-05-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen McLeod","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303268,"EventID":"S4W-25634","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5047,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-05-20T13:56:35.737","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-20T11:00:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to address the reported shortage of accommodation for homeless people in Glasgow. ","AnswerText":"It is the statutory responsibility of Glasgow City Council to ensure that homeless people who require it are able to access emergency and temporary accommodation. All those assessed as being unintentionally homeless are entitled to settled accommodation.\r\nThe Scottish Government has made available over £247 million to the council and Glasgow Housing Association from 2012-13 to 2014-15 for affordable housing in the City and a further £87 million is available for 2015-16. This enables Glasgow City Council to take the lead in devising a locally led programme of social and affordable housing developments, based on the priorities within its Local Housing Strategy and Strategic Housing Investment Plan.","AnswerDate":"2015-06-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Burgess","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303269,"EventID":"S4W-25635","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2892,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-05-20T13:56:36.25","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-20T11:16:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the risks to (a) the environment and (b) local communities of any further collapse in the open cast coal industry.","AnswerText":"Through the opencast coal task force, the Scottish Government has fully involved local authorities, communities, Scottish Environment Protection Agency and Scottish Natural Heritage in identifying measures to assess and reduce environmental and community risks from further stresses on the coal industry.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-06-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303270,"EventID":"S4W-25636","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2892,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-05-20T13:56:37","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-20T11:16:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the implications for the environment of linking restoration of open cast coal sites to further extraction of coal at or adjacent to derelict open cast coal mines.","AnswerText":"Part of the solution to the restoration of legacy opencast sites is the continuation of coaling activities which can finance restoration in a cost-effective way and progressively ‘backfill’ sites as overburden is removed and replaced. To exclude the use of new coaling operations as an option would remove one of the key enablers to the restoration of legacy sites.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-06-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303271,"EventID":"S4W-25637","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2892,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-05-20T13:56:37.623","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-20T11:16:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its definition of brownfield sites is in the context of open cast coal and what the reasons are for its position on this matter.","AnswerText":"There is no definition of ‘brownfield land’ specifically within the context of opencast coal in the Scottish Planning Policy.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-06-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303272,"EventID":"S4W-25638","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2892,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-05-20T13:56:38.183","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-20T11:16:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the implications of the proposed carbon price support exemption for restoration-related coal in relation to (a) state aid and (b) competition laws.","AnswerText":"The carbon price support exemption proposal is with the UK Government for consideration and part of that broad consideration process will include assessment of the proposal in regard to competition law and to assess any state aid implications. The Scottish Government would anticipate working closely with the UK Government in its consideration of this proposal.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-06-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303273,"EventID":"S4W-25639","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1769,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":75,"ApprovedDate":"2015-05-20T13:56:38.777","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-20T11:15:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its estimate is of the level of public subsidy required in each year of the 2016-24 contract for Clyde and Hebrides Ferry Services.","AnswerText":"Based on the latest projections for the existing contract, the Scottish Government is currently estimating annual public subsidy payments in the range of £110 million to £120 million (excluding inflation) for each year of the 2016-24 contract. The actual subsidy in each year of the contract will only be known following acceptance of the successful tenderer bid.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-06-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303274,"EventID":"S4W-25640","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1769,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":75,"ApprovedDate":"2015-05-20T13:56:39.307","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-20T11:15:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what level of dividend the operator of the 2016-24 Clyde and Hebrides Ferry Services will be entitled to take in each year of the contract and whether the competitive procedure with negotiation governing this re-tendering includes discussions with bidders over dividend levels.","AnswerText":"The mechanism used to determine the level of dividend for the successful operator will be included in the invitation to tender for the Clyde and Hebrides Ferry Services. It will seek to balance exposure to risk and reward, with appropriate shared-gain provisions to incentivise the operator to run the services as efficiently and effectively as possible. The mechanism and the terms of the contract may form part of the tender negotiations leading up to the issue of the invitation to submit final tenders.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-06-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303275,"EventID":"S4O-04364","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":2394,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-05-20T13:57:05.787","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-18T12:03:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether full fiscal autonomy remains its policy.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-05-27T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303276,"EventID":"S4O-04365","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":1943,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-05-20T13:57:06.693","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-20T08:44:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it last met the Office for Budget Responsibility.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-05-27T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303277,"EventID":"S4O-04366","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":2112,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":102,"ApprovedDate":"2015-05-20T13:57:07.363","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-19T15:58:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to meet the UK Government to discuss proposed constitutional changes.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-05-27T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303278,"EventID":"S4O-04367","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":2110,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":138,"ApprovedDate":"2015-05-20T13:57:08.283","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-18T12:03:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to boost the economy of North Ayrshire.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-05-27T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303279,"EventID":"S4O-04369","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":4948,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-05-20T13:57:09.08","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-18T12:03:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what socioeconomic benefits would arise from providing interconnectors to the islands. ","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-05-27T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303280,"EventID":"S4O-04370","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":2595,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-05-20T13:57:09.797","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-19T17:56:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it plans to publish the next Oil and Gas Analytical Bulletin. ","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-05-27T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303281,"EventID":"S4O-04371","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":2033,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":132,"ApprovedDate":"2015-05-20T13:57:10.483","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-18T12:03:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what it is doing to support East Lothian Council's efforts to promote the area as a tourist destination.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-05-27T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303282,"EventID":"S4O-04372","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":5038,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-05-20T13:57:12.713","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-18T12:03:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what planning and modelling it has carried out regarding the future of the taxation system for local government.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-05-27T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303283,"EventID":"S4O-04373","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":3129,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":83,"ApprovedDate":"2015-05-20T13:57:14.743","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-18T12:03:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on its proposals for a widening of the powers suggested by the Smith Commission.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-05-27T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303284,"EventID":"S4O-04374","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":1741,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-05-20T13:57:15.477","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-18T12:03:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it has a timescale for the procurement of evidence and engagement in civic consultation in relation to the further powers it is seeking in addition to the Smith Commission proposals.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-05-27T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303285,"EventID":"S4O-04375","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":2108,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":141,"ApprovedDate":"2015-05-20T13:57:16.083","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-20T11:37:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the Cabinet Secretary for Finance, Constitution and Economy's position is on reclassifying Scottish Futures Trust debt as public borrowing and how much he expects the total to be.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-05-27T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303286,"EventID":"S4O-04376","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":4956,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":106,"ApprovedDate":"2015-05-20T13:57:16.847","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-19T10:36:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what issues it needs to address in light of the devolution of additional tax-raising powers.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-05-27T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303287,"EventID":"S4O-04377","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":1866,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-05-20T13:57:17.44","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-18T12:03:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with stakeholders regarding boosting the economy of Edinburgh and the south east of Scotland.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-05-27T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303288,"EventID":"S4O-04378","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":3763,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-05-20T13:57:18.33","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-18T12:03:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what it is doing to assist the economy in the west of Scotland.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-05-27T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303289,"EventID":"S4O-04379","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":2633,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-05-20T13:57:19.017","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-19T15:37:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it is supporting the economy of Levenmouth in Fife.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-05-27T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303290,"EventID":"S4O-04380","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":4965,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-05-20T13:57:19.873","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-18T12:03:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what it is doing to ensure that North East Scotland has a diverse economy.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-05-27T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303291,"EventID":"S4O-04381","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2015-05-20T13:57:20.42","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-18T12:03:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with Highlands and Islands Enterprise regarding whether Wave Energy Scotland should be located in Orkney.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-05-27T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303292,"EventID":"S4O-04382","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":1759,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-05-20T13:57:21.247","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-19T11:28:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it will ensure that the low-carbon economic strategy will not marginalise challenged communities, both urban and rural, and low income households.","AnswerText":"The low-carbon economic strategy was published in 2010 as an integral part of the government’s economic strategy.\r\nScotland’s refreshed economic strategy, published in March 2015, sets out a framework for boosting competitiveness and tackling inequality. It emphasises the need to move to a low carbon economy as a key investment priority, and also highlights the important role of community based approaches.","AnswerDate":"2015-05-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-05-27T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303293,"EventID":"S4O-04383","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":2117,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-05-20T13:57:21.823","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-20T11:41:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the National Grid contract with Peterhead Power Station finishing in 2017, what its forecast is for electricity generation from fossil fuel sources by 2020.","AnswerText":"The Peterhead Carbon Capture and Storage project, which I recently visited, could secure the future of unit 1 at Peterhead for 15 years.","AnswerDate":"2015-05-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-05-27T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303294,"EventID":"S4O-04384","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-05-20T13:57:22.59","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-18T12:04:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what additional financial support it has provided to West Lothian Council to recruit additional teachers in line with government policy on class sizes.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-05-28T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303295,"EventID":"S4O-04386","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":4955,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":105,"ApprovedDate":"2015-05-20T13:57:23.337","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-18T12:04:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it last met the European Commission and what was discussed.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-05-28T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303296,"EventID":"S4O-04387","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":1814,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":77,"ApprovedDate":"2015-05-20T13:57:23.913","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-18T12:04:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when the Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice, Communities and Pensioners' Rights last met the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-05-28T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303297,"EventID":"S4O-04388","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":2673,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":114,"ApprovedDate":"2015-05-20T13:57:24.727","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-20T11:18:25.067","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what can be done to improve road safety on the A92 in North East Fife.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-05-28T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303298,"EventID":"S4O-04389","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":2675,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":93,"ApprovedDate":"2015-05-20T13:57:25.49","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-18T12:04:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what impact it expects replacing the ScotRail Club 55 scheme with Club 50 will have on the number of older travellers from the Highlands using services.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-05-28T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303299,"EventID":"S4O-04390","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":1893,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-05-20T13:57:26.3","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-18T12:04:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to assist people who aspire to home ownership.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-05-28T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303300,"EventID":"S4O-04391","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":5060,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-05-20T13:57:26.957","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-20T11:11:28.757","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what recent discussions it has had with NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde regarding the provision of emergency eye care. ","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-05-28T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303301,"EventID":"S4O-04392","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":5042,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-05-20T13:57:27.533","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-18T12:04:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many Deaf people have undertaken a modern apprenticeship in the last five years.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-05-28T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303302,"EventID":"S4O-04393","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":3771,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-05-20T13:57:28.08","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-20T10:21:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what recourse is available to tenants in the social rented sector who believe that their housing association rent cannot be considered an affordable rent.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-05-28T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303304,"EventID":"S4W-25630","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4934,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-05-20T16:49:48.02","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-19T16:41:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it will take to tackle dog fouling in light of the responses received to its consultation on promoting responsible dog ownership in early 2014.","AnswerText":"The consultation on promoting responsible dog ownership invited respondents to suggest ways in which dog fouling might be tackled more effectively. A number of those suggestions are currently under consideration by Scottish Ministers.\r\n\r\nThe Scottish Government is aware that a number of local authorities already have existing schemes in place and many are taking innovative steps to tackle the problem of dog fouling. We are interested to learn more about the different approaches being taken across the country and have written to local authorities to seek examples of best practice. These will be collated and shared, enabling local authorities to see what is being tried and what has been successful in different parts of the country.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-06-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Paul Wheelhouse","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303305,"EventID":"S4W-25642","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3806,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-05-20T16:49:48.52","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-20T12:05:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-24958 by Derek Mackay on 27 March 2015, when it expects CalMac Ferries Ltd to complete the upgrade of (a) ticketing, (b) online booking and (c) communication systems for ships and ports on the Clyde and Hebrides ferry network.","AnswerText":"This is an operational matter for CalMac Ferries Ltd who will make an announcement on the upgrading of their systems in due course.","AnswerDate":"2015-06-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303306,"EventID":"S4W-25643","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3806,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-05-20T16:49:49.097","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-20T12:05:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-24958 by Derek Mackay on 27 March 2015, whether it will provide a breakdown of CalMac Ferries Ltd’s expenditure on (a) vessel maintenance, (b) staff training, (c) onboard passenger services and (d) information technology on (i) Northern Isles and (ii) Clyde and Hebrides routes between 2006-07 and 2014-15.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-24958 on 27 March 2015 in respect of CalMac Ferries Ltd’s expenditure on the Clyde and Hebrides routes between 2006-07 and 2014-15. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx\r\nCalMac Ferries Ltd did not operate the Northern Isles Ferry Services between 2006-07 and 2014-15 and therefore incurred no expenditure.","AnswerDate":"2015-06-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303307,"EventID":"S4W-25647","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-05-20T16:49:49.753","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-20T13:48:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to introduce a statutory code of practice and adjudicator for pub companies.","AnswerText":"At the Members Debate on Tied Pubs (Motion S4M-12348) I indicated that that the Scottish Government will commission a study to look at the various pub models operating in Scotland to see whether the tied ‘wet’ sector are being treated more unfairly than other parts of the industry. The conclusions of that study will help place Scottish Ministers in a better position to consider whether legislation should be introduced and who it should apply to – which may be different to that identified in England and Wales where the make-up of the sector is very different to Scotland.\r\n\r\nThis work is designed to enable us to form an evidenced based view on the issue of the statutory code of practice.","AnswerDate":"2015-06-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303308,"EventID":"S4W-25648","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2603,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-05-20T16:49:50.3","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-20T13:55:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what support it is providing to NHS Grampian, in light of the latest NHSScotland National Cleaning Compliance Report.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is reassured that all NHS boards are reporting cleanliness standards above the 90% agreed national standard as outlined in the latest National Cleaning Compliance Report by Health Facilities Scotland:\r\nhttp://www.nhsnss.org/uploads/publications/2014-15_Cleaning_Monitoring_Report_Quarter_4_v1.0_-_Embargoed.pdf\r\nNHS Grampian’s results have consistently been above 90% compliance against the agreed national standard. \r\nNHS Grampian has, in the last six months, undergone two independent inspections by Healthcare Improvement Scotland. Neither of these inspections highlighted any issues with regard to hospital cleanliness.","AnswerDate":"2015-05-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303309,"EventID":"S4W-25649","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4939,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":78,"ApprovedDate":"2015-05-20T16:49:51.25","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-20T15:07:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many grants have been awarded in the Falkirk Council area under the CashBack for Communities scheme since inception and to which groups.","AnswerText":"CashBack funding is not allocated on a geographical basis. Rather, the Scottish Government allocates available funds to partner organisations who are responsible for running projects across Scotland, delivering outcomes to give our young people positive, purposeful and constructive opportunities to contribute to Scottish society.\r\nAn overview of CashBack investment by organisation delivering activity in the Falkirk Council area is detailed in the following table:\r\n\r\nCultural Activities\r\nEarly Years\r\nMentoring and Youth Employability\r\nYouth Work\r\nFalkirk\r\nCreative Scotland\r\nWorking on Wheels\r\nPrinces Trust Development Awards\r\nYouthLink Scotland\r\nYouth Scotland\r\n2008-09\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n£73,598\r\n\r\n2009-10\r\n£11,260\r\n\r\n\r\n£31,803\r\n£3,430\r\n2010-11\r\n£11,260\r\n\r\n\r\n£52,162\r\n£7,848\r\n2011-12\r\n£24,808\r\n£2,164\r\n£500\r\n£60,837\r\n£16,634\r\n2012-13\r\n\r\n£1,648\r\n£886\r\n£21,249\r\n£4,400\r\n2013-14\r\n£10,950\r\n£1,463\r\n£1,104\r\n£16,844\r\n£17,307\r\nPartner total\r\n£58,278\r\n£5,274\r\n£2,490\r\n£256,493\r\n£49,619\r\n\r\n\r\nSporting Activities and Facilities\r\nFalkirk\r\nAmateur Boxing Scotland\r\nBasketball Scotland\r\nScottish Football Association\r\nScottish Rugby\r\nScottish Sports Futures\r\nsportscotland (sport facilities)\r\n2008-09\r\n\r\n£2,134\r\n£9,990\r\n£1,978\r\n\r\n\r\n2009-10\r\n\r\n£3,433\r\n£26,938\r\n£6,752\r\n\r\n\r\n2010-11\r\n\r\n£5,151\r\n£30,755\r\n£6,076\r\n\r\n\r\n2011-12\r\n£7,333\r\n£5,350\r\n£17,793\r\n£22,264\r\n£17,132\r\n£70,000\r\n2012-13\r\n£20,500\r\n£5,886\r\n£27,015\r\n£23,837\r\n£25,341\r\n\r\n2013-14\r\n\r\n£6,022\r\n£26,977\r\n£24,535\r\n£13,520\r\n£40,000\r\nPartner total\r\n£27,833\r\n£27,977\r\n£139,468\r\n£85,441\r\n£55,993\r\n£110,000\r\n\r\nFalkirk\r\nYearly total\r\n2008-09\r\n£87,700\r\n2009-10\r\n£83,616\r\n2010-11\r\n£113,253\r\n2011-12\r\n£244,814\r\n2012-13\r\n£130,761\r\n2013-14\r\n£158,722\r\nTotal\r\n£818,867\r\n\r\nInformation on 2014-15 investment by local authority area should be available before the end of the summer.","AnswerDate":"2015-06-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303310,"EventID":"S4W-25650","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-05-20T16:49:52.717","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-20T15:14:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has carried out of the impact of tenant farmers not being able to claim common agriculture policy (CAP) support because of the owners of their (a) short-term and (b) grass let land making a claim for CAP funds.","AnswerText":"It is a European requirement that CAP support is now based on land area, rather than on historic payments, and it is the person who declares and has control of the land on 15 May 2015 that is eligible to claim the direct payments on that land.\r\nThe Scottish Government’s position is that everyone claiming the basic payment will need to provide verifiable evidence of appropriate farming activity and claimants will be held accountable for ensuring all cross-compliance, minimum activity and other relevant regulatory obligations are met.\r\nThe Scottish Government has discussed this issue with the industry at both ministerial and official level. It is difficult to accurately assess the impact on tenant farmers before the deadline for submitting single application form claims has passed. However, as part of the Agricultural Holdings Legislation Review Group, the Scottish Government has commissioned initial research to analyse seasonally let land and assess the characteristics of farms renting in seasonal grazing lets in 2013. The Scottish Government will consider options to carry out further work in this area in the future once the new CAP direct payments regime has bedded in.\r\nSeasonal lets play an important role in Scottish agriculture and the Scottish Government urges landowners and tenants to work together to reach agreement on such contractual issues.","AnswerDate":"2015-06-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Richard Lochhead","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303311,"EventID":"S4W-25652","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-05-20T16:49:53.747","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-20T15:14:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on tenant farmers not being able to claim common agriculture policy (CAP) support because of the owners of their (a) short-term and (b) grass let land making a claim for CAP funds.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-25650 on 2 June 2015. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at: \r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx","AnswerDate":"2015-06-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Richard Lochhead","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303312,"EventID":"S4W-25654","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-05-20T16:49:54.26","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-20T15:49:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide a breakdown of the results of the Scottish Survey of Literacy and Numeracy 2014 (Literacy) report at P4, P7, and S2 by local authority area.","AnswerText":"In line with the survey’s key objective, the Scottish Survey of Literacy and Numeracy 2014 (Literacy) results are used to monitor and report achievement in reading, writing, listening and talking at P4, P7 and S2 at a national level. The survey was designed to minimise the assessment burden on teachers and pupils and, whilst the sample size is sufficient to build a national picture of pupil performance in literacy and numeracy across Scotland, too few pupils are assessed to produce reliable local authority results.","AnswerDate":"2015-06-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303313,"EventID":"S4W-25655","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4947,"Party":"Independent","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-05-20T16:49:54.993","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-20T16:00:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what information it has on what dividends have been paid by Serco NorthLink since July 2012.","AnswerText":"The contract for the Northern Isles Ferry Services is between the Scottish Ministers and Serco Ltd. Serco NorthLink is an operating unit, not a subsidiary, of Serco Ltd. Dividends payable by Serco Ltd are available by reference to their published annual reports and accounts.\r\nA copy of Serco Ltd’s annual report and accounts can be found at the attached link: \r\nhttp://www.serco.com/investors/reportsresultsevents/resultsannualreport/index.asp","AnswerDate":"2015-06-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303314,"EventID":"S4W-25656","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4947,"Party":"Independent","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-05-20T16:49:55.477","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-20T16:00:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much Serco NorthLink has spent on (a) vessel maintenance, (b) staff training, (c) onboard passenger services and (d) information technology in each year since July 2012.","AnswerText":"The following table details the expenditure Serco NorthLink Ltd have spent on vessel maintenance, staff training, on-board passenger services and information technology in each year since July 2012 (given in contract year format July to June).\r\n\r\nVessel Maintenance including Dry Dock Phasing (£’000)\r\nStaff Training (£’000)\r\nOn-Board Passenger Services (£’000)\r\nInformation Technology (£’000)\r\n2012-13 (contract year 1)\r\n£1,102\r\n£74\r\n£2,296\r\n£927\r\n2013-14 (contract year 2)\r\n£1,915\r\n£107\r\n£2,631\r\n£985\r\n2014-15 (up to and including April 2015)\r\n£2,297\r\n£53\r\n£2,478\r\n£598\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-06-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303330,"EventID":"S4W-25631","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-05-21T13:47:42.517","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-19T22:31:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how the £40 million of additional funding for general practice that was announced in 2015 has been allocated and which (a) practices and (b) primary care teams have received support.","AnswerText":"Further discussion on how best to invest this funding has taken place, since the announcement, with key stakeholders. Priority will be given to addressing workload issues within general practices to improve patient care. The details are being discussed and agreed with key stakeholders and an announcement will be made shortly.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-06-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303331,"EventID":"S4W-25657","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-05-21T13:47:43.647","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-21T08:32:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, in light of clinicians being part of a region-wide managed care network, for what reason they cannot access the clinical details of patients at the Scottish Care Information Store in cases where electronic records are held in different NHS board areas.","AnswerText":"Each health board has a separate instance of the Scottish Care Information (SCI) Store. It is recognised that in some situations clinicians require access to records in the SCI Store of other health boards. National Services Scotland, who operates SCI Store on behalf of NHSScotland, can facilitate this with board agreement. All NHS boards have established live store to store connections with neighbouring or other boards where there are recognised clinical pathways. There are currently 70 store to store connections. For example NHS Golden Jubilee, which routinely treats patients from across Scotland, has 11 SCI Store connections to access patient details from other regions.","AnswerDate":"2015-06-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303332,"EventID":"S4W-25658","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-05-21T13:47:44.82","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-21T08:32:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S3W-34514 by Nicola Sturgeon on 23 June 2010, what role it had in the procurement of the TrakCare contract for each of the NHS boards. ","AnswerText":"The Personal Medical Services (PMS) contract was negotiated on behalf of a consortium of NHS boards. There were two main governance boards. A consortium management group chaired by the Chief Executive of NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde with membership drawn from senior managers from all of the consortium boards. The boards involved in that consortium were NHS Ayrshire and Arran, NHS Borders, NHS Grampian, NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde and NHS Lanarkshire. A PMS Programme board to oversee the details of the procurement was established. This drew on a wider range of representation including one Scottish Government representative, the Head of eHealth.\r\n\r\nThe eHealth strategy board whose membership is drawn from senior management positions in NHSScotland and the Scottish Government approved the full business case and associated expenditure outlined in S3W-34514.","AnswerDate":"2015-06-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303333,"EventID":"S4W-25659","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-05-21T13:47:45.867","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-21T08:32:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S3W-34514 by Nicola Sturgeon on 23 June 2010, what (a) role it had in the procurement of and (b) guidance it issued regarding the TrakCare contract for NHS (i) Lothian, (ii) Grampian, (iii) Highland, (iv) Orkney and (v) Shetland.","AnswerText":"NHS Lothian had procured the Personal Medical Services (PMS) Trakcare system prior to the announcement of the contract with the consortium boards referenced in S3W-34514. NHS Grampian were one of the five consortium boards in that procurement. NHS Highland and NHS Shetland have procured and implemented the Trakcare PMS system within the last year. Shetland (and the National Waiting Times Centre) have procured Trakcare and will implement in mid June 2015. All of these procurements were dependent upon business cases prepared locally and approved by NHS board senior management. Procurement and implementation is discussed directly between the board and the supplier. A PMS strategic oversight group with membership from all Trakcare boards and those planning for implementation is in place. This includes representation from the PMS Clinical Strategy Group, representing clinical views, as well as Scottish Government representation. This group discusses areas of common interest and is also a forum to meet the supplier on a collective basis and provide a common view on developments.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-06-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303334,"EventID":"S4W-25660","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-05-21T13:47:46.86","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-21T08:32:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government for what reason NHS contracts with TrakCare do not (a) ensure full continuity of access and (b) prevent possible interruption for up to several hours to access to clinically-important services when the contractor is carrying out updates.","AnswerText":"NHS contracts with Trakcare do include penalties for any unscheduled downtime. NHSScotland is working with the Trakcare supplier to reduce downtime during upgrades which are scheduled. NHS boards will discuss updates with suppliers in advance and ensure that arrangements are in place to minimise any disruption. Scheduling of updates would be discussed and planned in advance with clinical teams to ensure that patient treatment or safety is not compromised.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-06-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303335,"EventID":"S4W-25661","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-05-21T13:47:47.9","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-21T08:32:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the closure of the TrakCare system in the NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde area for a 20-hour period in November 2014 for upgrade work, whether it (a) took steps to ensure this could not be repeated and, if so, what, (b) advised the other NHS boards that use the system that the contractor could take such action and (c) has taken action to ensure that contracts for such services specify that such interruptions should not take place.","AnswerText":"The planned downtime that was required in November 2014 was as a result of a major version upgrade. Such upgrades are infrequent and are planned in full consultation with clinical teams. Such planning ensures that appropriate contingencies are in place and that disruption to the continuity and safety of patient services is minimal. NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde have been in ongoing discussions with the system supplier to work to reduce the overhead of future upgrades. During the period when Trakcare was unavailable, full access was available to the clinical portal that contains the full electronic patient record. The Personal Medical Services Strategic Oversight Group with membership drawn from Trakcare boards meets regularly to discuss a range of issues including minimising disruption during upgrades. There are contractual arrangements in place which specify penalties for unplanned interruptions in service.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-06-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303336,"EventID":"S4W-25663","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-05-21T13:47:48.947","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-21T08:32:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide a breakdown of the patient management information systems used by each NHS board.","AnswerText":"NHS Ayrshire and Arran, NHS Borders, NHS Grampian, NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, NHS Highland, NHS Lanarkshire, NHS Lothian, and NHS Shetland use the Trakcare Personal Medical Services (PMS) information systems. NHS Orkney and NHS National Waiting Times Centre will go live with the Trakcare PMS system in mid-June 2015. NHS Tayside currently use the Topas PMS system although they are planning for the implementation of the Trakcare PMS system. NHS Fife currently use the Oasis PMS system and will move to Trakcare PMS as the current contract comes to an end. NHS Dumfries and Galloway, NHS Forth Valley and NHS Western Isles all use the Topas PMS system.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-06-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303337,"EventID":"S4W-25664","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-05-21T13:47:49.973","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-21T08:32:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether clinicians dealing with patients who have been referred by NHS Fife to services in NHS Tayside or Lothian can access the patient's (a) electronic clinical record other than by using the EMC or KIS systems and (b) laboratory results for tests carried out in NHS Fife.","AnswerText":"Clinicians in NHS Lothian share a common clinical portal with NHS Fife and can access the information for NHS Fife patients via the clinical portal. NHS Tayside provide services to patients in NHS Fife in areas such as ear, nose and throat and vascular specialisms. Clinicians in NHS Fife can gain access to the NHS Tayside clinical portal if required. There are currently 196 NHS Fife clinicians who can access the NHS Tayside clinical portal. In addition, when NHS Tayside clinicians are involved in clinics in NHS Fife they can access the NHS Tayside clinical portal.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-06-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303338,"EventID":"S4W-25665","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4947,"Party":"Independent","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-05-21T13:47:51.097","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-21T10:45:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what guidance it provides to its (a) directorates and (b) agencies regarding when it would be appropriate to (i) examine and (ii) comment on views that staff members have expressed online or through other types of media.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has an IT code of conduct which forms part of employees terms and conditions This code provides guidance on the Scottish Government computer network and, in particular, e-mail and the use of the Internet. It also outlines the policy on the personal use of the IT facilities and gives guidelines on what use is not acceptable.\r\n\r\nAlongside the IT code of conduct the Scottish Government has a social media policy which sets out the principles for the use of social media and the general standards which all employees must adhere to, whether acting in a personal or professional capacity. This also fits with the civil service code which covers broader guidance on areas such as integrity and impartially. We do not routinely monitor employee use of social media, however, if a manager has concerns about the use of social media and other web-based services by their team they are advised to contact human resources for specific guidance.\r\nIT and human resources are responsible for monitoring use of IT systems to ensure that security standards are complied with and compliance with the IT code of conduct.","AnswerDate":"2015-06-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303339,"EventID":"S4W-25666","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2117,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-05-21T13:47:51.74","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-21T10:50:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the current National Grid contract with Peterhead Power Station ending in 2017, whether it anticipates that Scotland will have a functioning thermal generating plant with ongoing contracts to supply the grid beyond that date.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-25667 on 15 June 2015. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx\r\nI also refer the member to the answer to question S4O-04383 on 27 May 2015. All answers to oral parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at: \r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-08-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303340,"EventID":"S4W-25667","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2117,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-05-21T13:47:53.127","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-21T10:50:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the current National Grid contract with Peterhead Power Station ending in 2017, whether it anticipates that Scotland will remain a net exporter of power beyond that date.","AnswerText":"The Peterhead Carbon Capture and Storage project, which I recently visited, could secure the future of unit 1 at Peterhead for 15 years.\r\nScotland is an energy rich country that consistently exports a significant proportion of electricity generated to the rest of the UK. In 2013, 28% of electricity generated in Scotland was exported, up from 26% in 2012. With the correct market and regulatory support there is no reason that Scotland cannot continue to be a net exporter of electricity – indeed it is very much in the interests of the rest of the UK, with UK capacity margins at such low levels.\r\nHowever with 13% of generation and 42% of generator transmission charges the future of conventional stations is obviously less certain than were a fair scheme to be applied throughout the UK.","AnswerDate":"2015-06-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303341,"EventID":"S4W-25668","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2117,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-05-21T13:47:54.113","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-21T10:50:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what steps it has taken to investigate the potential capability of solar photovoltaics (PV) as a renewable energy source.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is engaging with the Solar Trade Association, the Scottish Renewables Solar Network and the Scottish Institute for Solar Energy Research as well as other stakeholders to ensure that we are doing what we can to provide an environment where the potential of solar in Scotland can be achieved.\r\nThe commencement of a Scottish arm of the Solar Trade Association in Scotland in March 2015 demonstrates that Scotland is an attractive place for solar development and indeed data for the end of 2014 shows Scotland had 153MW of installed PV, an annual growth of 28.6% compared to the end of 2013. The Scottish Government is doing its bit to encourage and build on this success.","AnswerDate":"2015-06-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303342,"EventID":"S4W-25669","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2117,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-05-21T13:47:54.993","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-21T10:50:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what steps it has taken to assess the potential for deployment of solar panels on the Scottish Government estate.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government published its updated carbon management plan in 2014 and commissioned energy saving audits on all of the buildings on our estate. The result was our carbon management project register. Projects are prioritised based on their carbon savings, cost and payback. To date we have chosen projects which have reduced the Scottish Governments energy consumption including boiler replacements, LED lighting upgrades, Building Management System upgrades and improvements to our computer room air conditioning units. Solar will be considered as part of this process however we will continue to prioritise technology with has the greatest impact on our energy consumption and carbon emissions.\r\n\r\nThe Scottish Government currently has renewable technology in the form of solar heating panels at our offices at Saughton House in Edinburgh and Tweedbank near Galashiels and biomass boilers at our offices in Faskally and Inverurie. We will pursue installing further renewable technology when funding is available and the cost, payback and carbon savings makes it value for money over other energy efficiency projects.","AnswerDate":"2015-06-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303343,"EventID":"S4W-25670","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2117,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-05-21T13:47:55.797","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-21T10:50:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with the UK Government regarding the responsibility of licensing the (a) onshore and (b) offshore aspects of underground coal gasification projects in Scotland.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has had no discussions with the UK Government on this matter.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-06-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303344,"EventID":"S4W-25671","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2117,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-05-21T13:47:56.637","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-21T10:50:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government which government directorate, agency or public body will have responsibility for licensing the (a) onshore and (b) offshore aspects of underground coal gasification projects in Scotland.","AnswerText":"The Coal Authority is responsible for awarding licences to operators for underground coal gasification development in Scotland.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-06-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303345,"EventID":"S4W-25672","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1759,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-05-21T13:47:57.503","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-21T10:58:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how the final version of the Low Emission Strategy will ensure that Scotland complies with the legal requirements laid out in the Supreme Court's judgment on air pollution.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is working closely with Transport Scotland, the Scottish Environment Protection Agency and a wide range of other partner organisations to finalise the Low Emission Strategy. The finalised strategy will set out a series of actions demonstrating how the government proposes to comply with EU and domestic legal requirements relating to air quality in the shortest possible time, whilst also setting out a vision for continuing to deliver further air quality benefits in the longer term. We are also working closely with the other UK administrations to ensure that Scotland’s Low Emission Strategy is fully integrated with the revised UK air quality plans which the Supreme Court order requires to be produced by the end of 2015.","AnswerDate":"2015-06-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen McLeod","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303346,"EventID":"S4W-25673","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1759,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-05-21T13:47:58.087","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-21T10:58:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how its Low Emission Strategy will feed into the preparation of the new UK air quality plans required following the Supreme Court’s mandatory order as part of its judgment of 29 April 2015 on air pollution.","AnswerText":"The Low Emission Strategy is being finalised in the light of a recent stakeholder consultation and is feeding into the work, and ongoing discussions, that the Scottish Government is having with the other UK administrations to revise UK air quality plans by the end of 2015.","AnswerDate":"2015-06-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen McLeod","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303347,"EventID":"S4W-25674","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1759,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-05-21T13:47:58.653","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-21T10:58:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it will ensure that adequate funding is allocated to (a) develop and (b) deploy effective transport measures to tackle air pollution.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is working closely with Transport Scotland, the Scottish Environment Protection Agency and a wide range of other partner organisations to finalise the Low Emission Strategy. The finalised strategy will set out a series of actions demonstrating how the government proposes to comply with EU and domestic legal requirements relating to air quality in the shortest possible time, whilst also setting out a vision for continuing to deliver further air quality benefits in the longer term.\r\nMany initiatives are already in place to develop and deploy effective transport measures to tackle air pollution, and we are continuing to explore with Transport Scotland and others how these can be further developed and built on as the Low Emission Strategy evolves.","AnswerDate":"2015-06-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen McLeod","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303348,"EventID":"S4W-25605","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-05-21T17:01:44.867","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-19T09:29:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what is being done to gather information on pupils with a (a) visual and (b) visual and other impairment.","AnswerText":"The national annual pupil census collection includes information on pupils reported by education authorities as receiving additional support in school. This includes information on pupils whose additional support needs arise from a broad range of reasons, including visual impairment and being deafblind. \r\nThis information is available from:\r\nhttp://www.gov.scot/Topics/Statistics/Browse/School-Education/dspupcensus and is also published each year as part of the annual report to Parliament on the implementation of additional support for learning.","AnswerDate":"2015-06-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alasdair Allan","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303349,"EventID":"S4W-25606","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-05-21T17:01:46.693","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-19T09:30:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government for what reason the guidance for universal newborn health screening that was introduced in 2005 has not been published.","AnswerText":"Health for all children 4: Guidance on Implementation in Scotland, Getting it Right for Scotland's Children, which was published in 2005, set out the universal core programme for child health screening and surveillance in Scotland. This guidance included advice on the core issues which should be covered during the neonate-first 24 hours contact. There were no plans to produce or publish further universal newborn health screening guidance.\r\n\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-06-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fiona McLeod","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303350,"EventID":"S4W-25607","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-05-21T17:01:47.83","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-19T09:31:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it will take forward plans to support the provision of lessons in BSL to parents of newborn deaf children, as set out in the 2011 SNP manifesto.","AnswerText":"We are taking forward plans to support the provision of British Sign Language lessons for parents of new-born deaf children, in line with our 2011 manifesto commitment.\r\n\r\nOver £0.5 million (2011-16) has been provided to the National Deaf Children’s Society from 2011 to March 2016 to develop resources to help parents understand how to communicate with their deaf baby or toddler from birth through to starting school, support families and provide language skills for the child at a critical age, and develop the sign language and communication skills of the rest of the family through the Your Child, Your Choices project.","AnswerDate":"2015-06-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303351,"EventID":"S4W-25608","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-05-21T17:01:49.157","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-19T09:32:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what is being done in nurseries to (a) identify and (b) support children with both a hearing and visual impairment and their families.","AnswerText":"Under the Education (Additional Support for Learning) (Scotland) Act 2004, as amended, education authorities are required to identify, meet and keep under review the additional support needs of all children. This includes their planning and support throughout nursery and in their school education, and to tailor provision according to their individual circumstances, including support in relation to sensory impairments.\r\nIn addition the implementation of ‘Getting it right for every child’ through the named person and better coordination of support across health and education will contribute to improving quality of provision for children with sensory impairment.\r\nA total of £281,979 has been provided to National Deaf Children's Society from May 2013 to March 2016 through the Third Sector Early Intervention Fund for the Your Child, Your Choices project, which supports families with deaf children aged 0 to 8 years.","AnswerDate":"2015-06-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fiona McLeod","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303352,"EventID":"S4W-25679","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4014,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-05-21T17:01:50.343","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-21T11:34:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many public sector (a) jobs and (b) bodies have been relocated to Perth in each year since 1999.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government does not hold, centrally, information on the relocation of public sector jobs or bodies.\r\nThe following information on the number of public sector employees in the Perth and Kinross local authority area is, however, available:\r\n\r\n2009\r\n2010\r\n2011\r\n2012\r\n2013\r\nPerth and Kinross\r\n12,600\r\n13,300\r\n12,400\r\n12,300\r\n12,800\r\nSource: Business Register and Employment Survey (BRES), Office for National Statistics\r\nNotes:\r\n1. Figures rounded to the nearest hundred\r\n2. BRES does not include employment within HM Forces\r\n3. Figures prior to 2009 are not available\r\nThere are a number of public bodies with a presence in the Perth area including the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service, Scottish Government Rural Payments and Inspections Directorate, Scottish Natural Heritage, VisitScotland, the Scottish Prison Service and Scottish Water.","AnswerDate":"2015-06-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303353,"EventID":"S4W-25681","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4014,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-05-21T17:01:51.043","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-21T11:34:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to review the location of public sector bodies.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government will continue to consider opportunities to optimise the benefits of locating public bodies across Scotland, whilst at the same time ensuring best value for the public finances and optimum service delivery.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-06-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303354,"EventID":"S4W-25682","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5057,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-05-21T17:01:51.73","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-21T13:32:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when the (a) chair, (b) panel and (c) remit of the national public inquiry into historical abuse of children in institutional care will be announced and what the reasons are for the further delay.","AnswerText":"As announced in my statement to Parliament on 28 May 2015, I have appointed Susan O’Brien QC to chair the national inquiry into historical child abuse.\r\nIn relation to an inquiry panel, it is my intention that the chair will be supported by a panel with the right balance of skills and expertise. I can confirm there will be an open and transparent nomination and appointment process and further details on how we intend to achieve this will be available no later than end of July 2015.\r\nIn arriving at the terms of reference, the Scottish Government engaged with survivors and other interested parties to seek views on the scope of the inquiry. The full terms of reference are available on the Scottish Government website at: \r\nwww.gov.scot/historicalchildabuse.","AnswerDate":"2015-06-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303355,"EventID":"S4W-25683","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5059,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-05-21T17:01:52.497","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-21T14:13:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much each local authority in the West Scotland region will receive from the Attainment Scotland Fund.","AnswerText":"The initial funding allocations for 2015-16 for the first seven local authorities, including those in the West Scotland region, will be announced soon.\r\nThe first seven local authorities to participate in the Attainment Scotland Fund were identified on the basis of their having the highest proportion of primary school children from the 20% most deprived Scottish Index of Multiple Deprivation areas. We are now working with the seven authorities – including Inverclyde, North Ayrshire and West Dunbartonshire from the West Scotland region, to identify their priorities for action and will agree resources on the basis of their proposals.\r\nWe will also be working with other local authorities to identify and respond to areas where there are pockets of severe deprivation as the programme progresses.","AnswerDate":"2015-06-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303356,"EventID":"S4W-25685","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2015-05-21T17:01:53.54","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-21T15:34:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what steps it (a) has taken and (b) will take to improve mobile phone coverage in rural and island areas.","AnswerText":"Achieving widespread 4G coverage throughout rural Scotland, whilst ensuring that the gap between those who don’t receive 3G or even 2G services doesn’t widen, is a priority for the Scottish Government. A fundamental part of our World Class Digital programme is to assess different models to address 4G coverage gaps, exemplified by our pilot project on Coll which went live in March 2015. This has delivered access to 2G/3G/4G services on the island using a community-owned mast in partnership with Vodafone.\r\n\r\nScottish Futures Trust, in partnership with the Scottish Government, is developing further pilots based on alternative approaches that can be conducted under current powers. These have the potential to set improved conditions to encourage commercial investment in currently unviable areas. Learning outcomes from this work will help us determine what could be scalable in future.","AnswerDate":"2015-06-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303357,"EventID":"S4W-25686","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2015-05-21T17:01:54.43","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-21T15:34:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what consideration it has given to the use of mobile repeaters to help extend mobile phone coverage in rural and island areas and with what conclusions.","AnswerText":"Mobile repeaters are routinely used by mobile operators to extend their network coverage, predominantly in urban areas.\r\nAs part of our Demonstrating Digital programme, together with industry, we are exploring methods to demonstrate more cost effective rural coverage. These could include repeaters if the mobile operators consider their use to be a viable solution.\r\nHowever the use of mobile repeaters independently of a partnership with a mobile operator is not viable as the unlicensed use of these devices is illegal in the United Kingdom.","AnswerDate":"2015-06-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303358,"EventID":"S4W-25687","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2595,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-05-21T17:01:55.35","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-21T15:43:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4O-04363 by John Swinney on 21 May 2015, whether it will provide an update on the Scottish business development bank before the beginning of the summer recess.","AnswerText":"Yes. I intend to provide the Parliament with an update before the summer recess.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-06-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303359,"EventID":"S4W-25688","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2135,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":92,"ApprovedDate":"2015-05-21T17:01:56.067","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-21T15:51:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what redress is available to a councillor who is refused access to papers regarding the local authority's budget and the development of financial plans.","AnswerText":"Reports submitted to meetings of a council, its committees and subcommittees are covered by the provisions of Part IIIA of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973. This requires them to be available for public inspection, unless they are to be considered in private session. Following the meeting, background papers have to be made available in accordance with a statutory scheme. Section 50F provides that a member of an authority is always entitled to inspect material relevant to business to be transacted at a meeting of the authority, unless it would disclose exempt information, as are members of committees, where committee business is involved.\r\n\r\nThese provisions do not cover meetings which are not part of a council’s formal committee structure, in which case the release of reports is a matter for the council itself.\r\nIn the first instance a member of an authority should approach whichever officer or officers the council has designated as its proper officer for such matters for access to material. Ultimately a member of an authority could seek access to documents through the courts, or pursue a complaint of maladministration with the Scottish Public Services Ombudsman.","AnswerDate":"2015-06-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Marco Biagi","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303360,"EventID":"S4W-25689","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2135,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":92,"ApprovedDate":"2015-05-21T17:01:56.787","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-21T15:51:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether the power of general competence available to a local authority allows it to establish committees that (a) take no minutes, (b) do not permit their papers to be distributed to councillors who are not members of the committee, (c) forbid councillors who are not members of the committee to attend and (d) meet in private and exclude the public at all times.","AnswerText":"Local authorities in Scotland do not have a power of general competence, instead they have a power to advance well-being. The Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973 provides the legal framework within which councils have to operate, and it makes provision for the arrangements for formal committees of a council. It is for a council to decide how it conducts its business, providing it complies with the 1973 Act.","AnswerDate":"2015-06-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Marco Biagi","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303361,"EventID":"S4W-25690","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2135,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":92,"ApprovedDate":"2015-05-21T17:01:57.487","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-21T15:51:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it considers that the establishment of a local authority committee that (a) met in private and excluded the public at all times, (b) took no minutes, (c) refused councillors who are not members of the committee access to its papers, (d) refused councillors who are not members of the committee to attend and (e) gave no indication of the means by which its recommendations would be published or issued for final decision by the local authority would be consistent with best practice in local authorities in the development of budgets and financial plans.","AnswerText":"The Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973 provides the legal framework within which councils have to operate, and it makes provision for the arrangements for formal committees or sub-committees of a council. This includes arrangements for admission to meetings and access to agendas and connected reports, including minutes.\r\n\r\nA council may establish other groups to take forward matters as it chooses, however where a working group, or similar, is set up, it cannot exercise the council’s statutory functions and decisions on those would have to be taken by the council itself, or by a committee to which the access arrangements of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973) apply. It is up to a council to ensure that its arrangements comply with relevant statutory requirements and meet the requirements of best value, which include the principles of accountability and transparency. ","AnswerDate":"2015-06-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Marco Biagi","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303372,"EventID":"S4T-01028","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":9,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-05-26T09:55:10.443","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-25T23:25:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it has taken to ensure that the concerns of 56 doctors at the Beatson Cancer Centre regarding patient safety are fully addressed.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-05-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":"2015-05-26T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303373,"EventID":"S4T-01034","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":9,"MSPID":4080,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-05-26T09:55:46.707","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-26T09:28:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to reports that Police Scotland has been using facial recognition technology on images stored on the police national database.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-05-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":"2015-05-26T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303374,"EventID":"S4T-01033","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":9,"MSPID":4948,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-05-26T09:55:45.41","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-26T09:29:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what recent discussions it has had with the UK Government on the subject of HS2.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-05-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":"2015-05-26T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303375,"EventID":"S4F-02814","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":5009,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-05-26T09:54:07.83","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-21T13:02:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister what issues will be discussed at the next meeting of the Cabinet. ","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-05-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":"2015-05-28T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303376,"EventID":"S4F-02815","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":3812,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-05-26T09:54:09.203","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-21T13:31:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister what engagements she has planned for the rest of the day. ","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-05-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":"2015-05-28T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303377,"EventID":"S4F-02817","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":4976,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-05-26T09:54:11.213","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-21T16:17:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister when she will next meet the Secretary of State for Scotland. ","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-05-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":"2015-05-28T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303378,"EventID":"S4F-02821","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2015-05-26T09:54:15.417","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-25T23:22:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister how much revenue has been raised by the Land and Buildings Transaction Tax and the Landfill Tax since April 2015.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-05-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":"2015-05-28T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303379,"EventID":"S4F-02823","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":2110,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":138,"ApprovedDate":"2015-05-26T09:54:17.57","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-26T09:04:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister what the Scottish Government's response is to the Queen's Speech.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-05-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":"2015-05-28T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303380,"EventID":"S4F-02830","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":4014,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-05-26T09:54:38.02","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-26T09:22:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister what the Scottish Government's position is regarding the concerns expressed by parents and pupils about the recent SQA Higher Mathematics paper.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-05-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":"2015-05-28T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303418,"EventID":"S4W-25748","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":2,"MSPID":3129,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":83,"ApprovedDate":"2015-05-26T15:11:40.353","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-26T14:46:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what legislative consent motions it will lodge in connection with the legislative programme of the UK Government to be announced in the Queen’s Speech on 27 May 2015.","AnswerText":"In accordance with the Sewel Convention, the UK Parliament does not legislate with regard to devolved matters in Scotland without the consent of the Scottish Parliament.\r\nThe formal consent of the Scottish Parliament is required in relation to all proposals for Westminster primary legislation on devolved matters, including alterations to devolved competence, in accordance with Chapter 9B of Standing Orders. \r\nAt present there is only one UK bill announced in the Queen’s Speech which we are certain will give rise to a legislative consent motion (LCM) in the Scottish Parliament, that being for the Scotland Bill. Given the range of prospective legislation announced on 27 May 2015 by the UK Government, it seems likely that other LCMs may be required as the session progresses. Other bills will be assessed as they are brought forward and will be drawn to the attention of the Parliament as they arise, in line with the requirements of Standing Orders.\r\nThere may be situations where it is in the interests of Scotland for legislation dealing with devolved matters to be taken forward at Westminster. The Scottish Government will assess such instances on their merits and will work closely and constructively with the UK Government to deliver legislation which best meets Scotland’s needs. The Scottish Government is equally committed to working with the UK Government to pursue opportunities to extend devolved competence.\r\nThe Scottish Government will, in due course, lodge memoranda and motions for relevant bills, once they have been introduced in the UK Parliament. It will then be for the Scottish Parliament to determine whether to give or withhold consent.","AnswerDate":"2015-05-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Joe FitzPatrick","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303441,"EventID":"S4W-25721","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2015-05-26T16:50:43.933","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-25T11:16:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it discharges its responsibility for overseeing the effective functioning of land-use planning with reference to local review bodies.","AnswerText":"Responsibility for the delivery of the planning service in Scotland lies with individual planning authorities. Where a case comes before a local review body for consideration, that review must be undertaken in accordance with The Town and Country Planning (Schemes of Delegation and Local Review Bodies) (Scotland) 2013 and all decisions must be in accordance with the relevant development plan unless material considerations indicate otherwise.","AnswerDate":"2015-06-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303442,"EventID":"S4W-25722","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2015-05-26T16:50:44.667","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-25T11:16:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much its Directorate for Planning and Environmental Appeals has invoiced each planning authority for examinations into (a) strategic and (b) local development plans, broken down by (i) administrative costs, (ii) staff costs and (iii) overheads.","AnswerText":"Planning authorities have been invoiced by the Planning and Environmental Appeals Division of the Scottish Government as follows in respect of local and strategic development plan examinations in the period 1 April 2011 to the current date.\r\n\r\nPlanning Authority\r\nReporter Costs £\r\n\r\nAdministration Costs £\r\nOverheads £\r\nFinal Cost (including VAT) £\r\nLocal Development plans\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nAberdeen\r\n83,200\r\n1,280\r\n1,888.88\r\n103,642.66\r\nAberdeenshire\r\n142,400\r\n2,520\r\n12,161.98\r\n188,498.38\r\n Fife (St Andrews and East Fife)\r\n95,900\r\n1,800\r\n2,116.40\r\n119,779.68\r\nFife (Dunfermline and West Fife)\r\n110,000\r\n2320\r\n1926.47\r\n137,095.76\r\nWestern Isles\r\n11,100\r\n160\r\n714.45\r\n14,369.34\r\nPerth and Kinross\r\n104,600\r\n1248.40\r\n1,154\r\n128,402.86\r\nDundee\r\n17,500\r\n336\r\n295\r\n21,757.68\r\nOrkney Islands\r\n20,600\r\n756\r\n708\r\n26,476.98\r\nNorth Ayrshire\r\n43,400\r\n2,568\r\n506\r\n55,769.10\r\nStirling\r\n83,980\r\n1,008\r\n359\r\n102,416.16\r\nRenfrewshire\r\n59,200\r\n1,425.52\r\n0\r\n72,750.62\r\nSouth Ayrshire\r\n57,000\r\n1,145.60\r\n477.90\r\n70,348.20\r\nDumfries and Galloway\r\n59,500\r\n1,246.80\r\n1,838.36\r\n75,102.19\r\nInverclyde\r\n29,200\r\n432\r\n199.10\r\n35,797.32\r\nShetland Isles\r\n21,400\r\n345.60\r\n1807.61\r\n28,263.85\r\nCairngorms\r\n45,700\r\n756.68\r\n703.63\r\n56,592.37\r\nSouth Lanarkshire\r\n63,700\r\n932.13\r\n322.89\r\n77,946.02\r\nSouth Lanarkshire (Minerals)\r\n\r\n10,800\r\n640\r\n2,534.66\r\n16,769.59\r\nArgyll and Bute\r\n45,500\r\n1,183.40\r\n1,120.70\r\n57,364.92\r\nWest Dunbartonshire\r\n28,840\r\n1,608\r\n176.64\r\n36,749.57\r\nEast Renfrewshire\r\n62,960\r\n2,126.40\r\n243.75\r\n78,396.18\r\nFalkirk\r\n68,800\r\n1,048.87\r\n524.70\r\n84,448.28\r\nClackmannan\r\n19,500\r\n580.80\r\n97.65\r\n24,214.14\r\nClackmannan (Alteration)\r\n8,400\r\n400\r\n71.21\r\n10,645.45\r\nHighland\r\n87,100\r\n2,280\r\n2,262.53\r\n109,971.04\r\nHighland (Inner Moray Firth)\r\n61,000\r\n1,224\r\n365.30\r\n75,107.16\r\nMoray\r\n50,200\r\n259.20\r\n0\r\n60,915.84\r\nScottish Borders\r\n(on-going)\r\n\r\n26,040\r\n543\r\n0\r\n31,899.84\r\nStrategic Development Plan\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nGlasgow and Clyde Valley\r\n11,050\r\n400\r\n0\r\n13,740\r\nTAYplan\r\n13,050\r\n400\r\n173.60\r\n16,348.32\r\nSESplan\r\n19,300\r\n2,046\r\n3147.59\r\n29,392.31\r\nAberdeen City and Shire\r\n14,300\r\n308\r\n701.80\r\n18,371.76","AnswerDate":"2015-06-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303443,"EventID":"S4W-25723","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2015-05-26T16:50:45.517","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-25T11:16:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it has undertaken or commissioned, or plans to undertake or commission, a review of the operation of the planning regime to assess whether the reforms introduced by the Planning etc. (Scotland) Act 2006 and related legislation and guidance have created a planning service that is (a) fit for purpose, (b) more efficient, (c) more inclusive and (d) sustainable.","AnswerText":"Scottish Ministers undertook a review one year after the introduction of the development management regulations which showed that the system was bedding down well but identified some issues. Legislation was subsequently amended to alleviate some of these. We have no plans at present to commission or undertake further general research on the operation of the planning system in Scotland but we will maintain an open dialogue with stakeholders who are involved in the planning process to identify where further improvements could provide the most benefit.","AnswerDate":"2015-06-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303444,"EventID":"S4W-25725","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2015-05-26T16:50:46.29","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-25T22:29:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much it forecasts will be raised by the Landfill Tax in 2015-16, broken down by month.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government forecasts that the Scottish Landfill Tax will generate revenue of £117 million in 2015-16, as set out in Table 2.03 on page 16 of the Scottish Draft Budget. This forecast was endorsed as reasonable by the independent Scottish Fiscal Commission.","AnswerDate":"2015-06-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303445,"EventID":"S4W-25727","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2015-05-26T16:50:47.067","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-25T22:29:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much was or has been raised in Landfill Tax in (a) April and (b) May 2015 and how many transactions this relates to for each month.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the question S4F-02821 answered on 28 May 2015 which is available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/13595.aspx\r\n\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-06-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303446,"EventID":"S4W-25728","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2015-05-26T16:50:47.837","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-25T22:29:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much it forecasts will be raised by the Land and Buildings Transaction Tax in 2015-16, broken down by month.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government forecasts that Land and Buildings Transaction Tax will generate revenue of £381 million in 2015-16, comprising £235 million from residential transactions and £146 million from non-residential transactions. These forecasts were endorsed as reasonable by the independent Scottish Fiscal Commission. They do not include the effects of forestalling, for which the UK Government has agreed to compensate us.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-06-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303447,"EventID":"S4W-25729","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2015-05-26T16:50:49.087","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-25T22:29:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much was or has been raised in Land and Buildings Transaction Tax in (a) April and (b) May 2015 and how many transactions this relates to for each month.","AnswerText":"The information requested for April 2015 was published by Revenue Scotland on 21 May 2015 and is available at: https://www.revenue.scot/who-we-are/publications/statistics\r\n\r\nRevenue Scotland will publish Land and Buildings Transaction Tax monthly statistics for May 2015 in June 2015.","AnswerDate":"2015-06-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303448,"EventID":"S4W-25730","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2015-05-26T16:50:49.93","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-25T22:29:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what contingency arrangements are in place in the event of a shortfall in revenue from the (a) Landfill Tax and (b) Land and Buildings Transaction Tax.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has taken a prudent approach to the preparation of forecasts for the devolved taxes. These forecasts have been endorsed as reasonable by the independent Scottish Fiscal Commission.\r\nThe Scotland Act 2012 sets out provisions for managing the inevitable increase in forecasting risk which comes with tax devolution. In addition, I confirmed to Parliament at Stage 3 of the Budget Bill, on 4 February 2015, that I had decided to hold £15 million in 2015-16 to provide insurance against such risk.","AnswerDate":"2015-06-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303449,"EventID":"S4W-25731","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2015-05-26T16:50:51.167","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-25T22:29:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what progress it has made in relation to the Scottish business development bank.","AnswerText":"I will be publishing more information shortly on the business development bank.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-06-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303450,"EventID":"S4W-25732","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2015-05-26T16:50:51.897","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-25T22:29:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much funding will be available to the proposed Scottish business development bank and when it will be launched.","AnswerText":"I will be publishing more information shortly on the business development bank. I also refer the member to the answer to questions S4W-24736 on 11 March 2015 and S4W-24853 on 20 March 2015. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:\r\n\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.","AnswerDate":"2015-06-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303451,"EventID":"S4W-25733","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2015-05-26T16:50:52.74","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-25T22:29:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it will publish detailed action plans to underpin Scotland's Economic Strategy.","AnswerText":"Scotland’s Economic Strategy sets out an overarching framework for all Scottish Government policy and our delivery partners. It brings focus on increasing competitiveness and tackling inequality as two mutually supporting goals.\r\n\r\nSince its publication, policy frameworks have been launched on Internationalisation and Scotland’s Business Pledge. As outlined in the strategy, Scotland's Trade and Investment Strategy, Scotland's Oil and Gas Strategy, Fair Work Strategy, and Social Justice Strategy, will also be published in due course.\r\nLive updates are available at: http://gov.scot/economicstrategy.","AnswerDate":"2015-06-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303452,"EventID":"S4W-25734","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2015-05-26T16:50:53.59","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-25T22:29:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-25243 by John Swinney on 16 April 2015, on what date it plans to publish the responses to The Scottish Independence Bill: A Consultation on an Interim Constitution for Scotland.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government intends to publish them in the near future.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-06-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303453,"EventID":"S4W-25736","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2015-05-26T16:50:54.353","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-25T22:29:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-25018 by Fergus Ewing on 2 April 2015, when it will complete its analysis and publish a revised oil and gas bulletin.","AnswerText":"We are analysing the fiscal changes that the Chancellor of the Exchequer announced in the Budget, in collaboration with stakeholders in the industry, and assessing the impact that the reforms will have on future investment and production, and in turn tax revenues. When this analysis is complete we will publish an updated oil and gas analytical bulletin, as soon as is feasible.","AnswerDate":"2015-06-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303454,"EventID":"S4W-25742","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5106,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":118,"ApprovedDate":"2015-05-26T16:50:55.097","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-26T14:18:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether (a) Police Scotland and (b) the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service can charge the owners of insecure private properties that have numerous call outs.","AnswerText":"Police Scotland has no power to charge the owners of insecure private properties for the impact caused to the emergency services by numerous call outs. Similarly, the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service also has no power to charge the owners of insecure private properties that have numerous call outs. \r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-06-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Paul Wheelhouse","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303455,"EventID":"S4W-25743","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5106,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":118,"ApprovedDate":"2015-05-26T16:50:55.693","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-26T14:18:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action (a) it and (b) Historic Scotland can take to protect the A-listed buildings at Broadford Works in Aberdeen, which are believed to be under threat from fire-raising incidents.","AnswerText":"Historic Scotland acts on behalf of Scottish Ministers and so represents the Scottish Government.\r\nHistoric Scotland has no formal role concerning fire prevention. These are matters for owners and local authorities to address, and this is also the case concerning Broadford Works, where we understand the owner and Aberdeen City Council are having active discussions on preventing further damage to the site.\r\nHistoric Scotland does provide online advice on fire prevention and they are always pleased to advise local authorities on the matter when asked.","AnswerDate":"2015-06-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fiona Hyslop","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303456,"EventID":"S4W-25745","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5106,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":118,"ApprovedDate":"2015-05-26T16:50:56.22","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-26T14:18:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it has received communication from Aberdeen City Council regarding the A-listed buildings at Broadford Works in Aberdeen, which are believed to be under threat from fire-raising incidents.","AnswerText":"Yes. Historic Scotland, who act on behalf of Scottish Ministers, have received communications from Aberdeen City Council in response to Historic Scotland’s request to be kept informed on the current situation and next steps. The Council is maintaining close contact with Historic Scotland as appropriate.","AnswerDate":"2015-06-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fiona Hyslop","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303457,"EventID":"S4W-25746","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5106,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":118,"ApprovedDate":"2015-05-26T16:50:56.777","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-26T14:18:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what powers local authorities have to protect A-listed buildings that owners have let fall into disrepair.","AnswerText":"The existing legislation enables local authorities to deal with defective or dangerous buildings. This includes A-listed buildings that owners have let fall into disrepair. If a local authority considers a building to be defective or dangerous they are empowered under sections 28-30 of the Building (Scotland) Act 2003 to serve a notice on the owner to carry out work to bring the building into a reasonable state of repair for its age, type and location. The local authority can, if necessary, carry out remedial works and pursue the building owner for the expense incurred.","AnswerDate":"2015-06-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fiona Hyslop","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303458,"EventID":"S4W-25747","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5106,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":118,"ApprovedDate":"2015-05-26T16:50:57.273","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-26T14:18:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much it has cost (a) Police Scotland and (b) the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service to deal with the recent incidents of fire raising and vandalism that have taken place at Broadford Works, Aberdeen.","AnswerText":"This is a matter for Police Scotland and the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service. The information requested is not held centrally.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-06-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Paul Wheelhouse","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303459,"EventID":"S4W-25749","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-05-26T16:50:57.8","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-26T15:52:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much it has spent in each year since 2011 on (a) non-statutory organisations that work with children, (b) the PlayTalkRead campaign and (c) the provision of early learning and childcare for three and four-year-olds.","AnswerText":"(a) The Scottish Government does not gather data centrally on spend for non-statutory organisations that work with children.\r\n(b) The PlayTalkRead campaign has received £3.9 million in funding since 2011.\r\n(c) The Scottish Government provides local government a block revenue grant which includes funding for early learning and childcare. The money is not ring-fenced and local authorities are free to spend it in line with local priorities and agreed national priorities. The Scottish Local Government Financial Statistics published annually set out actual gross revenue spending by local authorities on early learning and childcare. Data is now available up to and including financial year 2013-14. This records the following spending by local government (revenue and capital):\r\nFinancial Year\r\nGross Revenue Spend\r\nCapital Expenditure\r\n2011-12\r\n£318.3 million\r\n£5.7 million\r\n2012-13\r\n£314.4 million\r\n£4.9 million\r\n2013-14\r\n£320.2 million\r\n£3.9 million\r\nNote: Capital spend represents spend in pre-school settings catering for any age pre-school children and not just three and four year olds.\r\nAdditional funding was allocated to local government to fully fund the provisions in the Children and Young People (Scotland) Act 2014 around early learning and childcare. In 2014-15 and 2015-16 the Scottish Government allocated the following funding associated with the provisions of early learning and childcare for three and four year olds:\r\nIn 2014-15 gross revenue of £48.579 million and £30 million capital\r\nIn 2015-16 gross revenue of £70.625 million and £30 million capital","AnswerDate":"2015-06-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fiona McLeod","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303460,"EventID":"S4W-25750","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1845,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-05-26T16:50:58.297","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-26T15:44:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government for what reason it has withdrawn funding for the Neurological Alliance of Scotland.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government remains fully committed to working with all stakeholders to improve outcomes for people with neurological conditions. We will continue to work with third sector colleagues and indeed, we will be refocusing effort in this area. To that end we expect to increase funding for specific projects to improve services and experiences for people with neurological conditions. This year we expect to invest almost three times as much funding as last year – up to £210,000 – to support robust improvement projects. Neurological charities, including the Neurological Alliance of Scotland, working individually or in partnership can bring forward proposals to support improvement in services for people living with a neurological condition.\r\nBetween 2006 and March 2015 the government allocated £197,000 to the Neurological Alliance of Scotland. The end of March 2014 marked the end of a three year funding arrangement with the Neurological Alliance of Scotland. Further funding was allocated to the Neurological Alliance in 2014-15 and they were again advised to explore other funding sources before this additional funding came to an end on 31 March 2015.","AnswerDate":"2015-06-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303461,"EventID":"S4W-25751","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4947,"Party":"Independent","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-05-26T16:50:58.8","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-26T16:02:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many times it has overruled the recommendation of a public inquiry when determining an application for a windfarm development under section 36 of the Electricity Act 1989.","AnswerText":"None.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-06-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303462,"EventID":"S4W-25752","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4947,"Party":"Independent","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-05-26T16:50:59.217","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-26T16:02:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it received the Directorate for Planning and Environmental Appeals' report on the Allt Duine windfarm development and when it will announce its decision.","AnswerText":"The Public Local Inquiry report was received by Scottish Ministers on 24 June 2013.\r\n\r\nA decision will be issued in due course","AnswerDate":"2015-06-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303463,"EventID":"S4W-25753","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2117,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-05-26T16:50:59.627","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-26T16:11:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the estimated cost to the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service has been of responding to emergency calls to reported fires at the Broadford Works in Aberdeen in each of the last four years.","AnswerText":"This is a matter for the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service. The information requested is not held centrally.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-06-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Paul Wheelhouse","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303470,"EventID":"S4W-25675","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3806,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-05-26T15:11:00.13","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-21T11:02:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when work will be completed on the new link road between the A96 and A9 south of Inverness.","AnswerText":"Work is currently underway to identify the optimum route for this new link road. Over the past year, four route options were exhibited to local communities and road users.\r\nFurther work on route selection and any subsequent construction work will be taken forward at the earliest opportunity once funding becomes available.","AnswerDate":"2015-06-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303471,"EventID":"S4W-25676","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3806,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-05-26T15:11:01.003","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-21T11:03:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it will assess the road safety implications of the 50 mph HGV pilot on the A9. ","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has raised the HGV speed limit on single carriageway sections of the route between Perth and Inverness from 40 mph to 50 mph. This was implemented at the same time as we introduced an average speed camera system on these sections. The safety performance of these measures is being monitored and will be assessed by the established practice of comparing accident numbers from three years before the introduction of the measures with accident numbers from three years after.","AnswerDate":"2015-06-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303472,"EventID":"S4W-25677","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3806,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-05-26T15:11:01.72","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-21T11:05:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it has reviewed the impact assessment that the Department for Transport carried out prior to increasing the speed limit in England and Wales for HGVs using single carriageways to 50 mph.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is aware of the Department for Transport’s impact assessment for the HGV speed limit rise on single-carriageway roads in England and Wales, and notes that it states this will result in more people being killed and seriously injured.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-06-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303473,"EventID":"S4W-25678","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3806,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-05-26T15:11:02.45","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-21T11:06:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it accepts each of the recommendations in Transform Scotland's Interchange Audit Report.","AnswerText":"This report was commissioned by Sustrans Scotland to inform its future work. As such it was not a report presented to the Scottish Government. We will of course continue to work in partnership with Sustrans and other transport providers to improve facilities for all transport users.","AnswerDate":"2015-06-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":true},{"UniqueID":303474,"EventID":"S4W-25684","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-05-26T15:11:03.25","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-21T15:04:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-23899 by Jamie Hepburn on 15 January 2015, when the work under commitment 23 of the mental health strategy will be (a) completed and (b) published.","AnswerText":"The work is on-going but nearing completion. A core data set of key performance indicators of crisis and community mental health services has been created and consulted upon through the work of the Scottish Crisis and Acute Inpatient Care Network for Mental Health. Discussions are underway about local health boards testing the data set to establish its validity, usefulness and feasibility. We will thereafter consider any refinement of the published national standards for crisis that may be necessary.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-06-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303475,"EventID":"S4W-25691","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-05-26T15:11:04.363","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-21T16:12:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what scrutiny it carries out of the financial state of companies when considering whether to award regional selective assistance.","AnswerText":"As responsibility for regional selective assistance transferred to Scottish Enterprise (SE) in 2011, this is an operational matter for SE.\r\n\r\nI will ask the Chief Executive of SE to write to you with this information.","AnswerDate":"2015-06-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303476,"EventID":"S4W-25692","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-05-26T15:11:05.24","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-21T16:12:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many (a) part- and (b) full-time students have been enrolled at colleges in each year since 2007-08, also broken down by (i) age and (ii) gender.","AnswerText":"The latest available data on students in colleges in Scotland are Scottish Funding Council data for 2013-14. Tables 1 to 4 show the number of full-time equivalent (FTE) students studying full-time and part-time at colleges in each year since 2007-08, broken down by age and gender.\r\n\r\nTable 1 - Number of FTE students studying full-time at Scotland's colleges by age group, 2007-08 to 2013-14\r\nAcademic Year\r\nUnder 16\r\n16 to 19\r\n20 to 24\r\n25 and over\r\nTotal\r\n2007-08\r\n1,143\r\n42,445\r\n14,546\r\n15,518\r\n73,651\r\n2008-09\r\n1,011\r\n44,563\r\n15,429\r\n15,809\r\n76,813\r\n2009-10\r\n877\r\n46,695\r\n17,814\r\n17,715\r\n83,101\r\n2010-11\r\n796\r\n47,623\r\n19,772\r\n18,822\r\n87,014\r\n2011-12\r\n719\r\n48,770\r\n20,546\r\n18,835\r\n88,869\r\n2012-13\r\n676\r\n46,627\r\n20,108\r\n18,178\r\n85,590\r\n2013-14\r\n603\r\n46,636\r\n20,792\r\n19,859\r\n87,890\r\nSource: Scottish Funding Council\r\n\r\nTable 2 - Number of full-time equivalent (FTE) students studying part-time at Scotland's colleges by age group, 2007-08 to 2013-14 \r\nAcademic Year\r\nUnder 16\r\n16 to 19\r\n20 to 24\r\n25 and over\r\nTotal\r\n2007-08\r\n4,642\r\n15,394\r\n8,097\r\n29,639\r\n57,772\r\n2008-09\r\n5,019\r\n15,487\r\n8,181\r\n27,874\r\n56,561\r\n2009-10\r\n4,789\r\n14,234\r\n7,603\r\n25,191\r\n51,817\r\n2010-11\r\n4,681\r\n13,097\r\n7,261\r\n22,494\r\n47,533\r\n2011-12\r\n3,380\r\n12,451\r\n7,177\r\n21,323\r\n44,330\r\n2012-13\r\n2,592\r\n14,651\r\n7,859\r\n20,730\r\n45,832\r\n2013-14\r\n2,420\r\n13,899\r\n8,269\r\n20,464\r\n45,052\r\nSource: Scottish Funding Council\r\n\r\nTable 3 - Number of full-time equivalent (FTE) students studying full-time at Scotland's colleges by gender, 2007-08 to 2013-14\r\nAcademic Year\r\nMale\r\nFemale\r\nTotal\r\n2007-08\r\n33,024\r\n40,628\r\n73,651\r\n2008-09\r\n34,270\r\n42,543\r\n76,813\r\n2009-10\r\n38,054\r\n45,048\r\n83,101\r\n2010-11\r\n40,471\r\n46,543\r\n87,014\r\n2011-12\r\n41,503\r\n47,366\r\n88,869\r\n2012-13\r\n39,758\r\n45,832\r\n85,590\r\n2013-14\r\n40,693\r\n47,197\r\n87,890\r\nSource: Scottish Funding Council\r\n\r\nTable 4 - Number of full-time equivalent (FTE) students studying part-time at Scotland's colleges by gender, 2007-08 to 2013-14\r\nAcademic Year\r\nMale\r\nFemale\r\nTotal\r\n2007-08\r\n28,919\r\n28,853\r\n57,772\r\n2008-09\r\n28,815\r\n27,745\r\n56,561\r\n2009-10\r\n26,156\r\n25,660\r\n51,817\r\n2010-11\r\n24,467\r\n23,066\r\n47,533\r\n2011-12\r\n23,054\r\n21,276\r\n44,330\r\n2012-13\r\n24,725\r\n21,107\r\n45,832\r\n2013-14\r\n24,607\r\n20,445\r\n45,052\r\nSource: Scottish Funding Council","AnswerDate":"2015-06-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303477,"EventID":"S4W-25693","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-05-26T15:11:06.173","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-21T16:12:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many (a) disabled people and (b) people with learning difficulties have been enrolled in colleges in each year since 2007-08.","AnswerText":"The latest available data on students in colleges in Scotland are Scottish Funding Council data for 2013-14. Table 1 shows the number of full-time equivalent (FTE) students with a recorded disability at Scotland's colleges in each year since 2007-08. It is not possible to identify students with learning difficulties.\r\n\r\nTable 1 - Number of FTE students with a recorded disability at Scotland's colleges, 2007-08 to 2013-14\r\nAcademic Year\r\n2007-08\r\n2008-09\r\n2009-10\r\n2010-11\r\n2011-12\r\n2012-13\r\n2013-14\r\nFull-time equivalent (FTE) students\r\nwith a disability\r\n18,118\r\n19,194\r\n19,512\r\n20,058\r\n20,920\r\n21,477\r\n21,970\r\nSource: Scottish Funding Council","AnswerDate":"2015-06-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303478,"EventID":"S4W-25694","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-05-26T15:11:07.13","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-21T16:12:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many college teachers have been employed on (a) part-time, (b) full-time and (c) temporary contracts in each year since 2007-08, and how many hours of teaching have been recorded.","AnswerText":"The latest available data on teaching staff at colleges in Scotland are Scottish Funding Council data for 2012-13. Table 1 shows the number of full-time equivalent (FTE) staff employed on a permanent and temporary basis, working full-time and part-time at colleges in each year since 2007-08. Data on teaching hours is not held centrally.\r\n\r\nTable 1 - Teaching staff at colleges in Scotland, FTE, 2007-08 to 2012-13\r\n\r\n\r\n2007-08\r\n2008-09\r\n2009-10\r\n2010-11\r\n2011-12\r\n2012-13\r\n\r\n\r\nFTE\r\nFTE\r\nFTE\r\nFTE\r\nFTE\r\nFTE\r\nPermanent\r\nFull-time\r\n4388\r\n4405\r\n4390\r\n4153\r\n3793\r\n3584\r\n\r\nPart-time\r\n1067\r\n1126\r\n1125\r\n1153\r\n1095\r\n1072\r\nTemporary\r\nFull-time\r\n66\r\n89\r\n86\r\n94\r\n65\r\n84\r\n\r\nPart-time\r\n791\r\n844\r\n766\r\n675\r\n379\r\n378\r\nSource: Scottish Funding Council","AnswerDate":"2015-06-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303479,"EventID":"S4W-25696","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-05-26T15:11:08.067","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-21T16:12:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many agency staff have been employed by colleges in each year since 2007-08. ","AnswerText":"Data on how many agency staff have been employed by colleges is not held centrally.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-06-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303480,"EventID":"S4W-25697","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-05-26T15:11:08.98","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-21T16:12:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much funding it has provided to colleges in each year since 2007-08.","AnswerText":"The following table shows funding invested by the Scottish Government in colleges.\r\nYear\r\nResource Funding (£ million)\r\nCapital Funding (£ million)\r\n2007-08\r\n534\r\n122\r\n2008-09\r\n523\r\n92\r\n2009-10\r\n584\r\n107\r\n2010-11\r\n591\r\n109\r\n2011-12\r\n556\r\n50\r\n2012-13\r\n546\r\n28\r\n2013-14\r\n522\r\n28\r\n2014-15\r\n522\r\n27\r\n2015-16\r\n526\r\n25.5\r\n\r\nIn addition, through the Non-Profit Distributing pipeline, we are already supporting investment of over £300 million in three new college campuses (City of Glasgow College, Ayrshire College (Kilmarnock Campus) and Inverness College) and have committed to provide a further £140 million to deliver new campuses at Fife and Forth Valley Colleges.","AnswerDate":"2015-06-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303481,"EventID":"S4W-25698","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-05-26T15:11:09.94","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-21T16:12:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-25060 by Roseanna Cunningham on 21 April 2015, which organisations have received funding from the support offered for non-formal adult learning to the voluntary sector and how much they received.","AnswerText":"Education Scotland manages the Scottish Government funding for non-formal adult learning to the voluntary sector; they have awarded a total of £2,161,100 over the three years 2013 to 2016. This funding is broken down in the following table.\r\nName of grant\r\nOrganisation\r\nFinancial Year 2013-14\r\nFinancial Year 2014-15\r\nFinancial Year 2015-16\r\nTotal\r\nTotal\r\nTotal\r\nStrategic Funding Partnership Funding\r\nDyslexia Scotland\r\n£48,500\r\n£48,500\r\n£48,500\r\nFederation of City Farms and Community Gardens\r\n£10,000\r\n£10,000\r\n£10,000\r\nLead Scotland\r\n£142,500\r\n£142,500\r\n£142,500\r\nLearning Link\r\n£70,000\r\n£70,000\r\n£65,000\r\nScotland’s Learning Partnership\r\n£37,500\r\n£37,500\r\n£37,500\r\nScottish Community Development Centre\r\n£65,000\r\n£65,000\r\n£65,000\r\nScottish Community Development Network\r\n£15,000\r\n£15,000\r\n£15,000\r\nScottish Trades Union Congress\r\n£25,000\r\n£25,000\r\n£25,000\r\nWorkers Educational Association\r\n£290,000\r\n£290,000\r\n£290,000\r\nSub Total\r\n£703,500\r\n£703,500\r\n£698,500\r\nCommunity Learning and Development Innovation and Improvement Fund (Adult Learning only)\r\nNew College Lanarkshire\r\n0\r\n£9,800\r\n0\r\nParents Early Education Partnership\r\n0\r\n£30,000\r\n0\r\nLearning Link and Worker’s Educational Association\r\n0\r\n£15,800\r\n0\r\nSub total\r\n£0\r\n£55,600\r\n£0\r\nTotal funding for adult learning each financial year\r\n£703,500\r\n£759,100\r\n£698,500\r\nTotal funding for adult learning for 2013 to 2016\r\n£2,161,100","AnswerDate":"2015-06-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Roseanna Cunningham","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303482,"EventID":"S4W-25699","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-05-26T15:11:10.867","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-21T16:12:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many companies since 2010 that have been in receipt of regional selective assistance have (a) paid all their employees at least the living wage and (b) set working conditions that are consistent with the Fair Work Agenda.","AnswerText":"As responsibility for regional selective assistance transferred to Scottish Enterprise (SE) in 2011, this is an operational matter for SE.\r\n\r\nI will ask the Chief Executive of SE to write to you with this information.","AnswerDate":"2015-06-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303483,"EventID":"S4W-25700","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-05-26T15:11:11.84","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-21T16:12:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it ensures that companies in receipt of regional selective assistance (a) pay their employees the living wage and (b) employ all staff on permanent full-time contracts.","AnswerText":"As responsibility for Regional Selective Assistance transferred to Scottish Enterprise (SE) in 2011, this is an operational matter for SE.\r\n\r\nI will ask the Chief Executive of SE to write to you with this information.","AnswerDate":"2015-06-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303484,"EventID":"S4W-25701","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-05-26T15:11:12.67","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-21T16:12:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what scrutiny it carries out of companies in receipt of regional selective assistance to ensure that they maintain or develop employment at the levels promised in their application.","AnswerText":"As responsibility for regional selective assistance transferred to Scottish Enterprise (SE) in 2011, this is an operational matter for SE.\r\n\r\nI will ask the Chief Executive of SE to write to you with this information.","AnswerDate":"2015-06-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303485,"EventID":"S4W-25702","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-05-26T15:11:13.52","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-21T16:12:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many companies that have been awarded regional selective assistance in each year since 2010 have entered administration.","AnswerText":"As responsibility for regional selective assistance transferred to Scottish Enterprise (SE) in 2011, this is an operational matter for SE.\r\n\r\nI will ask the Chief Executive of SE to write to you with this information.","AnswerDate":"2015-06-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303486,"EventID":"S4W-25703","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-05-26T15:11:14.38","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-21T16:42:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government which NHS boards have implemented the national standards for monitoring the physical health of people being treated with clozapine.","AnswerText":"We expect all NHS boards across Scotland to adopt the published national standards for monitoring the physical health of people being treated with clozapine and regularly review implementation as a matter of routine.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-06-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303487,"EventID":"S4W-25704","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2603,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-05-26T15:11:15.207","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-22T10:45:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many households were considered to be in fuel poverty in (a) Aberdeen and (b) Aberdeenshire in the last year for which information is available.","AnswerText":"The most recent available figures from the Scottish House Condition Survey show that between 2011 and 2013 there was an average of a) 31,000 households in fuel poverty in Aberdeen, and b) 46,000 households in fuel poverty in Aberdeenshire.","AnswerDate":"2015-06-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303488,"EventID":"S4W-25705","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2603,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-05-26T15:11:16.093","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-22T10:45:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government (a) how and (b) how often it measures fuel poverty.","AnswerText":"Fuel poverty is measured each year using the Scottish House Conditions Survey (SHCS). Results for 2014 will be reported in December 2015.\r\nThe definition of fuel poverty was laid out in the Scottish Executive’s Fuel Poverty Statement 2002:\r\n“A household is in fuel poverty if, in order to maintain a satisfactory heating regime, it would be required to spend more than 10% of its income… on all household fuel use.”\r\nFuel poverty is measured in the SHCS according to this definition based on:\r\nThe energy required to heat each dwelling in the survey to a satisfactory level and meet other essential needs.\r\nThe income of the highest income householder and their spouse net of tax and benefits and before housing costs.\r\nThe fixed and unit prices of domestic fuels.\r\nA satisfactory heating regime is defined as:\r\nFor elderly and infirm occupants, 23°C in the living room (zone 1) and 18°C in other rooms (zone 2) for 16 hours in every 24.\r\nFor other households, this is 21°C in the living room (zone 1) and 18°C in other rooms (zone 2) for nine hours a day during the week and 16 during the weekend.\r\nThe energy required to provide this level of heating is calculated from the characteristics and the heating system of each dwelling using a standard methodology, the BRE Domestic Energy Model (BREDEM) 2012. Further details of the application of this model are provided in the Methodology Notes published alongside the SHCS 2013 Key Findings Report.\r\nThe survey is designed to provide estimates of fuel poverty for Scotland as a whole. Measuring fuel poverty at the level of local authorities requires that three years of survey data are combined to achieve an adequate sample size.","AnswerDate":"2015-06-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303489,"EventID":"S4W-25706","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2603,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-05-26T15:11:16.943","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-22T10:45:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many attendances there were at each accident and emergency department in NHS Grampian in 2014.","AnswerText":"The required information is included within Information Services Division (ISD) monthly publication on the ISD website at: \r\nhttp://www.isdscotland.org/Health-Topics/Emergency-Care/Publications/index.asp","AnswerDate":"2015-06-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303490,"EventID":"S4W-25707","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2603,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-05-26T15:11:17.81","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-22T10:45:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many alcohol-related deaths there have been in NHS Grampian hospitals in each of the last three years and how many of these were of people aged (a) under 18, (b) 18 to 29, (c) 30 to 55 and (d) over 55.","AnswerText":"The information requested is given in the following table. These figures are provided on the same basis as the statistics of alcohol-related deaths published annually by National Records of Scotland. The figures for 2014 are provisional; final statistics for 2014 will be available in August 2015.\r\nTable 1: Alcohol-related deaths in NHS Grampian hospitals, 2012-14\r\nYear of registration of death\r\n17 and under\r\n18 to 29\r\n30 to 55\r\n56 and over\r\nAll ages\r\n2012\r\n-\r\n-\r\n23\r\n33\r\n56\r\n2013 \r\n-\r\n-\r\n16\r\n34\r\n50\r\n2014 (provisional)\r\n-\r\n-\r\n18\r\n32\r\n50\r\nSource: National Records of Scotland - deaths for which underlying cause had one of the following International Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems, 10th Revision (ICD-10) codes: F10, G31.2, G62.1, I42.6, K29.2, K70, K73, K74.0, K74.1, K74.2, K74.6, K86.0, X45, X65, Y15. ","AnswerDate":"2015-06-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303491,"EventID":"S4W-25708","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-05-26T15:11:18.733","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-25T12:27:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government (a) how much and (b) what percentage of the NHS budget has been spent on child and adolescent mental health services in each of the last five years, broken down by (i) NHS board and (ii) local authority area.","AnswerText":"(i) Information on the expenditure and percentage of expenditure that have been spent on children and adolescent mental health services of the overall NHS expenditure for the five financial years 2010 to 2014 by NHS board is shown in Table 1.\r\n(ii)This information is not held centrally.\r\nTable 1: Overall NHS expenditure1 and child and adolescent expenditure2, Scotland 2010-20143\r\nFinancial Year\r\n2009-10\r\n2010-11\r\n2011-12\r\nNHS Board\r\nChild and Adolescent mental health expenditure           (£000)\r\nTotal expenditure (£000)\r\nChild and Adolescent mental health expenditure  (%)\r\nChild and Adolescent mental health expenditure           (£000)\r\nTotal expenditure (£000)\r\nChild and Adolescent mental health expenditure  (%)\r\nChild and Adolescent mental health expenditure           (£000)\r\nTotal expenditure (£000)\r\nChild and Adolescent mental health expenditure (%)\r\nNHS Ayrshire and Arran\r\n£1,774\r\n£644,064\r\n0.28%\r\n£1,924\r\n£650,157\r\n0.30%\r\n£2,578\r\n£657,282\r\n0.39%\r\nNHS Borders\r\n£709\r\n£173,102\r\n0.41%\r\n£619\r\n£173,781\r\n0.36%\r\n£766\r\n£172,920\r\n0.44%\r\nNHS Dumfries and Galloway\r\n£1,467\r\n£262,262\r\n0.56%\r\n£1,521\r\n£264,157\r\n0.58%\r\n£1,535\r\n£270,817\r\n0.57%\r\nNHS Fife\r\n£1,385\r\n£539,997\r\n0.26%\r\n£643\r\n£537,117\r\n0.12%\r\n£504\r\n£560,317\r\n0.09%\r\nNHS Forth Valley\r\n£1,650\r\n£439,073\r\n0.38%\r\n£1,692\r\n£449,092\r\n0.38%\r\n£1,806\r\n£469,443\r\n0.38%\r\nNHS Grampian\r\n£756\r\n£851,809\r\n0.09%\r\n£1,495\r\n£849,421\r\n0.18%\r\n£1,838\r\n£870,827\r\n0.21%\r\nNHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde\r\n£12,828\r\n£2,538,217\r\n0.51%\r\n£13,075\r\n£2,555,776\r\n0.51%\r\n£15,008\r\n£2,623,686\r\n0.57%\r\nNHS Highland\r\n£578\r\n£541,527\r\n0.11%\r\n£136\r\n£544,606\r\n0.02%\r\n£143\r\n£554,255\r\n0.03%\r\nNHS Lanarkshire\r\n£3,795\r\n£860,442\r\n0.44%\r\n£3,522\r\n£883,267\r\n0.40%\r\n£3,586\r\n£905,504\r\n0.40%\r\nNHS Lothian\r\n£6,989\r\n£1,397,171\r\n0.50%\r\n£7,295\r\n£1,395,874\r\n0.52%\r\n£8,293\r\n£1,444,306\r\n0.57%\r\nNHS Orkney\r\n£6\r\n£39,387\r\n0.02%\r\n£5\r\n£39,724\r\n0.01%\r\n£5\r\n£40,685\r\n0.01%\r\nNHS Shetland\r\n£10\r\n£43,064\r\n0.02%\r\n£3\r\n£42,386\r\n0.01%\r\n£199\r\n£43,438\r\n0.46%\r\nNHS Tayside\r\n£2,708\r\n£756,045\r\n0.36%\r\n£3,313\r\n£764,211\r\n0.43%\r\n£3,925\r\n£796,690\r\n0.49%\r\nNHS Western Isles\r\n£13\r\n£65,809\r\n0.02%\r\n£380\r\n£62,431\r\n0.61%\r\n£160\r\n£64,317\r\n0.25%\r\nGolden Jubilee\r\n-\r\n£104,627\r\n-\r\n-\r\n£104,033\r\n-\r\n-\r\n£104,886\r\n-\r\nState Hospital\r\n-\r\n£46,152\r\n-\r\n-\r\n£33,611\r\n-\r\n-\r\n£34,020\r\n-\r\nScotland\r\n£34,670\r\n£9,302,747\r\n0.37%\r\n£35,623\r\n£9,349,645\r\n0.38%\r\n£40,347\r\n£9,613,392\r\n0.42%\r\n\r\nFinancial Year\r\n2012-13\r\n2013-14\r\nNHS Board\r\nChild and Adolescent mental health expenditure  (£000)\r\nTotal expenditure (£000)\r\nChild and Adolescent mental health expenditure (%)\r\nChild and Adolescent mental health expenditure (£000)\r\nTotal expenditure (£000)\r\nChild and Adolescent mental health expenditure (%)\r\nNHS Ayrshire and Arran\r\n£3,276\r\n£664,897\r\n0.49%\r\n£3,349\r\n£679,193\r\n0.49%\r\nNHS Borders\r\n£893\r\n£174,597\r\n0.51%\r\n£804\r\n£184,012\r\n0.44%\r\nNHS Dumfries and Galloway\r\n£974\r\n£269,597\r\n0.36%\r\n£875\r\n£277,939\r\n0.31%\r\nNHS Fife\r\n£577\r\n£568,447\r\n0.10%\r\n£439\r\n£583,832\r\n0.08%\r\nNHS Forth Valley\r\n£2,060\r\n£476,554\r\n0.43%\r\n£1,967\r\n£487,177\r\n0.40%\r\nNHS Grampian\r\n£1,051\r\n£894,390\r\n0.12%\r\n£1,142\r\n£917,948\r\n0.12%\r\nNHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde\r\n£14,590\r\n£2,646,388\r\n0.55%\r\n£15,876\r\n£2,682,038\r\n0.59%\r\nNHS Highland\r\n£178\r\n£564,066\r\n0.03%\r\n£749\r\n£583,833\r\n0.13%\r\nNHS Lanarkshire\r\n£3,946\r\n£914,878\r\n0.43%\r\n£4,237\r\n£939,160\r\n0.45%\r\nNHS Lothian\r\n£9,237\r\n£1,475,199\r\n0.63%\r\n£10,678\r\n£1,516,117\r\n0.70%\r\nNHS Orkney\r\n£43\r\n£39,704\r\n0.11%\r\n£42\r\n£41,511\r\n0.10%\r\nNHS Shetland\r\n£193\r\n£43,808\r\n0.44%\r\n£234\r\n£45,996\r\n0.51%\r\nNHS Tayside\r\n£4,989\r\n£817,854\r\n0.61%\r\n£4,691\r\n£840,994\r\n0.56%\r\nNHS Western Isles\r\n£147\r\n£64,039\r\n0.23%\r\n£154\r\n£63,572\r\n0.24%\r\nGolden Jubilee\r\n-\r\n£106,605\r\n-\r\n-\r\n£111,507\r\n-\r\nState Hospital\r\n-\r\n£35,003\r\n-\r\n-\r\n£35,228\r\n-\r\nScotland\r\n£42,155\r\n£9,756,027\r\n0.43%\r\n£45,236\r\n£9,990,056\r\n0.45%\r\n1. Overall NHS expenditure as recorded in the costs book (Report R300). Figures shown in ‘cash terms’ (not adjusting for inflation).\r\n2. Child and adolescent mental health expenditure as recorded in the costs book (Report R04LSX, SFR 8.3). Data has been restricted to the Hosp","AnswerDate":"2015-06-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303492,"EventID":"S4W-25709","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-05-26T15:11:19.463","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-25T12:27:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the staff costs have been in relation to (a) child psychiatry and (b) all psychiatry services in each of the last five years and whether this represents a real-terms increase or decrease.","AnswerText":"This information is not held centrally.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-06-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303493,"EventID":"S4W-25710","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-05-26T15:11:20.213","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-25T12:27:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many under-18-year olds have been admitted to adult psychological units in each month since 2011.","AnswerText":"Data is not available on monthly admissions.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-06-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303494,"EventID":"S4W-25711","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-05-26T15:11:20.987","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-25T14:02:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government (a) how much and (b) what percentage of the funding for mental health services has been spent on children and adolescent mental health services in each year since 2007.","AnswerText":"Information from NHS boards on the expenditure and percentage of expenditure for mental health services that have been spent on children and adolescent mental health services in the hospital and community sectors in each year since 2007 is shown in Table 1.\r\n\r\nTable 1: Child and Adolescent mental health expenditure1 and Mental Health expenditure2 Scotland 2007-20143\r\nFinancial Year3\r\nChild and Adolescent mental health expenditure1  (£000)\r\nMental health expenditure2  (£000)\r\nChild and Adolescent mental health expenditure1\r\n(%)\r\n2007-08\r\n27,107\r\n727,591\r\n3.73%\r\n2008-09\r\n29,964\r\n769,493\r\n3.89%\r\n2009-10\r\n34,670\r\n805,315\r\n4.31%\r\n2010-11\r\n35,623\r\n780,890\r\n4.56%\r\n2011-12\r\n40,347\r\n792,148\r\n5.09%\r\n2012-13\r\n42,155\r\n813,561\r\n5.18%\r\n2013-14\r\n45,236\r\n813,783\r\n5.56%\r\n1. Child and adolescent mental health expenditure as recorded in the costs book (Report R04LSX and SFR 8.3). Data has been restricted to the hospital sector and community sector only (excluding Resource Transfer). Figures shown in ‘cash terms’ (not adjusting for inflation).\r\n2. Mental health expenditure as recorded in the costs book (Report R340). Data has been restricted to the Hospital Sector and Community Sector to give a more accurate comparison against Child and Adolescent mental health expenditure. Figures shown in ‘cash terms’ (not adjusting for inflation).\r\nFinancial year refers to the period of time beginning in April and ending in March (e.g. Financial Year 2011-12 begins on 1 April 2011 and ends 31 March 2012).                             \r\nRef: IR2015-01023\r\nSource: Scottish Health Service Costs, Report R340, R04LSX and SFR8.3, ISD Scotland","AnswerDate":"2015-06-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303495,"EventID":"S4W-25713","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2108,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":141,"ApprovedDate":"2015-05-26T15:11:21.727","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-22T08:16:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the impact that the closure of day centres can have on the health and wellbeing of (a) service users and (b) carers.","AnswerText":"Although there have been many small scale studies carried out looking at the impact on health and wellbeing there has been no overall assessment of day centre closure specifically relating to the impact on health and wellbeing. In developing The keys to life strategy for learning disability in Scotland an extensive evaluation process took place involving the views of people with learning disabilities and carers. This included evidence on the use of day services and day opportunities which highlighted a shift away from building services to community based activity.\r\n\r\nThe keys to life (2013) acknowledges the progress towards community based care achieved since 2000 and highlights the need for this to continue to give people with learning disabilities more choice and control in day services. A key focus in The keys to life is to address a gap in evidence and data. Understanding the needs and demographic of this population and how those can be embedded in the provision of services is essential to the implementation of evidence informed policy and practice. The establishment of the Scottish Learning Disability Observatory at Glasgow University aims to address this gap.","AnswerDate":"2015-06-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303496,"EventID":"S4W-25714","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2108,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":141,"ApprovedDate":"2015-05-26T15:11:22.543","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-22T08:16:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what research it has carried out on the quality of life of disabled people who (a) have and (b) do not have access to a community-based day centre.","AnswerText":"Given that there is a wide variety of community based day centres across Scotland and that many factors impact on the quality of life for people with learning disabilities, the Scottish Government has not undertaken research into the quality of life of disabled people who a) have and b) do not have access to a community-based day centre.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-06-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303497,"EventID":"S4W-25715","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2108,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":141,"ApprovedDate":"2015-05-26T15:11:23.303","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-22T08:16:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what consideration it gives to the views of (a) service users and (b) carers when determining the resources to be allocated to centres for people with (i) learning difficulties and (ii) other additional support needs.","AnswerText":"The approach being taken across many local authorities is one of personalised and tailored support in line with self-directed support legislation and guidance. The Scottish Government expects local authorities to undertake detailed planning work with individuals and relevant carers where each are supported to describe personal outcomes including meaningful day activities.\r\n\r\nWhilst the Scottish Government provides the funding and sets national policy direction to local authorities and NHS boards, ultimately it is up to local authorities to set their own targets, deliver services and allocate resources according to local pressures and priorities.\r\nThe Scottish Government expects local authorities to consult with service users and carers when determining the resources to be allocated to centres for people with learning disabilities and other additional support needs.","AnswerDate":"2015-06-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303498,"EventID":"S4W-25716","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2108,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":141,"ApprovedDate":"2015-05-26T15:11:24.05","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-22T08:16:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what impact the guidelines published in The keys to life - Improving quality of life for people with learning disabilities have had in the number of day centres.","AnswerText":"The keys to life is a strategy for improving all aspects of quality of life for people with learning disabilities including day opportunities. There is no centrally held information on the number of day centres across Scotland. This is a matter for each local authority.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-06-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303499,"EventID":"S4W-25717","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-05-26T15:11:24.78","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-26T11:25:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it has asked the EU for advice on how to pay the living wage through public procurement and, if so, whether it will publish the advice it received. ","AnswerText":"Scottish Ministers have written to the European Commissioner for Internal Market and Services on two separate occasions (in May 2012 and again in May 2014) to seek clarification on whether public bodies can make payment of a living wage a mandatory requirement for participation in a public procurement process or a mandatory condition of a public contact in a way that is compatible with EU law.\r\nThat correspondence is available from the Scottish Government’s website, see the following link:\r\nhttp://www.gov.scot/Topics/Government/Procurement/freedom-of-information/recentdisclosures/FoI2014/LivingWageEuropeanComm/livingwagecontentsofcomms\r\nAlso, the initial correspondence has been published as part of Scottish Parliament Information Centre (SPICe) briefing SB 15-14 The Living Wage. We also issued advice in the form of a Scottish Public Procurement Notice (4/2012) on 22 August 2012 to disseminate this clarification more widely to the public procurement community in Scotland.\r\nAs well as the European Commission’s stated opinion, the issue has been addressed in a number of rulings by the Court of Justice of the European Union, the case references are set out below:\r\nRüffert v Land Niedersachsen, C-346/06;\r\nLaval un Partneri Ltd v Svenska Byggnadsarbetareförbundet, Svenska Byggnadsarbetareförbundets avdelning 1, Byggettan and Svenska Elektrikerförbundet - C-341/05; and\r\nBundesdruckerie GmbH v Stadt Dortmund, C-549/13\r\nA further Court of Justice ruling on the matter is expected later in 2015 in the following case, RegioPost GmbH & Co. KG v Stadt Landau, Case C-115/14\r\nEarlier in 2015 we published practical advice for public purchasers on how and when a bidder’s overall approach to workforce matters, including payment of the living wage, can be evaluated as part of the procurement process.\r\nOf course, the most effective way of ensuring that workers receive at least the living wage would be for responsibility for the legal minimum wage to be devolved to the Scottish Parliament. That is why, unlike the Labour Party, this government called on The Smith Commission to recommend the devolution of employment law and the national minimum wage to Scotland.","AnswerDate":"2015-06-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303500,"EventID":"S4W-25719","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5047,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-05-26T15:11:25.53","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-26T11:29:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to monitor the availability of harmful psychoactive substances to young people.","AnswerText":"The Minister for Community Safety and Legal Affairs set out a range of actions in a statement to Parliament on 26 February 2015 to tackle the increasing problem of new psychoactive substances (NPS).\r\n\r\nProgress is being made on all fronts. We have convened an NPS Evidence Group, which brought together representatives from health, enforcement, academia and the third sector. This group has identified existing sources of data on NPS use in Scotland, as well as opportunities to improve routine data collection and information sharing. This work is also progressing through early discussions about how we might better detect and identify NPS in Scotland through a forensic centre of excellence. We are also working with the UK Government on the Psychoactive Substances Bill which was published on Friday 29 May 2015. The implementation of new legislation will be a significant step forward in tackling the sale and supply of NPS in Scotland. A NPS Strategic Working Group has also been established to consider interim measures that can be taken by Trading Standards Scotland to address the sale of NPS.\r\nThe Scottish Government is expanding its education campaign through our Know the Score website, which offers reliable, non-judgemental advice on drugs and NPS, and through the Choices for Life programme, which is delivered in partnership with Police Scotland. We are also working with the Scottish Youth Parliament and Young Scot to raise awareness of NPS and the dangers they pose. In addition, we are currently commissioning research into the prevalence, motivations and harms of NPS use amongst vulnerable subgroups of the Scottish population. This will increase our awareness of NPS use among vulnerable young people, helping us to better understand what substances are being used and why these are being used.","AnswerDate":"2015-06-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Paul Wheelhouse","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303501,"EventID":"S4W-25737","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-05-26T15:11:26.193","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-26T12:46:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many posts in each public body covered by its technical guidance on public sector pay policy for staff pay remits for (a) 2014-15 and (b) 2015-16 attract recruitment and retention allowance or other market-based pay supplements, broken down by (i) age, (ii) gender and (iii) geographical area.","AnswerText":"This information is not held centrally.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-06-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303502,"EventID":"S4W-25738","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-05-26T15:11:26.953","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-26T12:46:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much is paid in recruitment and retention allowance or other market-based pay supplements by each employer covered by its technical guidance on public sector pay policy for staff pay remits for (a) 2014-15 and (b) 2015-16.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government does not hold centrally the specific amounts paid as recruitment and retention allowances or other market-based pay supplements. \r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-06-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303503,"EventID":"S4W-25739","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4939,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":78,"ApprovedDate":"2015-05-26T15:11:27.743","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-26T12:48:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it will consult community councils as part of the sewage sludge review.","AnswerText":"A number of meetings have already taken place with stakeholders, including representatives of the Avonbridge and Standburn Community Council, and with Douglas Community Council, to hear their views and concerns. Further meetings with stakeholders will take place in the coming weeks.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-06-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Richard Lochhead","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303504,"EventID":"S4W-25740","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4014,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-05-26T15:11:28.463","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-26T12:32:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the average time has been to process summary criminal cases in each month since May 1999, broken down by court.","AnswerText":"The average time to process summary criminal cases in each month since April 2006, broken down by court is given in table ‘average time to process summary criminal cases 2006-07 to 2014-15.xlsx’ and is taken from the Criminal Justice Board Management Information System. A copy of this table has been placed in the  Scottish Parliament’s Information Centre (Bib no: 56939).\r\n\r\nPlease note: this information was not available for May 1999 to March 2006.","AnswerDate":"2015-06-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303505,"EventID":"S4W-25741","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4014,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-05-26T15:11:29.167","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-26T12:32:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what progress is being made with installing a pedestrian bridge over the A9 at Gleneagles. ","AnswerText":"An assessment of a range of options to improve access for pedestrians and cyclists crossing the A9 at Gleneagles Station has been undertaken by Transport Scotland. This included the option of the installation of a footbridge. The assessment has recommended a £100,000 package of improvement measures including the provision of innovative pedestrian activated signs to warn road users of crossing activity ahead but does not substantiate the need for a footbridge. The package of improvement measures recommended also includes improvements to the layout of the pavement on the north side of the A9 and the closure of the existing crossing point at Auchterarder junction. These measures will be delivered during the financial year 2015-16.\r\nTransport Scotland will continue to monitor road safety on the A9, including at Gleneagles, and through this approach will identify the need for any further road safety investigations or improvements.","AnswerDate":"2015-06-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303506,"EventID":"S4W-25772","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":2,"MSPID":2675,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":93,"ApprovedDate":"2015-05-27T13:07:00.43","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-27T13:00:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what progress has been made toward implementing the objectives, proposals and policies set out in the first Scottish Climate Change Adaptation Programme since it was published in May 2014.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government published its first annual report on progress made towards implementing the comprehensive set of measures included in the Scottish Climate Change Adaptation Programme today. The report shows that we have made good headway in helping Scotland adapt to the effects of climate change. Progress is being made to enable adaptation though policy, strategy and investment planning, partnership working is increasing adaptive capacity, and we are strengthening the evidence base to better understand the effects of climate change on people, homes and communities.\r\nThe programme is a five year plan and the Scottish Government will continue to take forward the adaptation agenda, providing clear leadership and ensuring that existing and new policy will help drive and support adaptation activity in Scotland. \r\nCopies of the report have been placed in the Scottish Parliament Information Centre, laying number SG/2015/58.","AnswerDate":"2015-05-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen McLeod","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303507,"EventID":"S4O-04394","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":4080,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-05-27T13:42:19.193","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-21T16:34:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what factors it considers when designating seal haul-out sites.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-06-03T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303508,"EventID":"S4O-04395","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":4965,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-05-27T13:42:19.63","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-21T16:34:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what it is doing to ensure that more people can buy local and eat Scottish produce.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-06-03T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303509,"EventID":"S4O-04396","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":5110,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":89,"ApprovedDate":"2015-05-27T13:42:20.003","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-26T13:23:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what steps it can take to reduce the use of barbed wire in the vicinity of cattle in order to protect the quality of hides for leather production.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-06-03T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303510,"EventID":"S4O-04397","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":2033,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":132,"ApprovedDate":"2015-05-27T13:42:20.533","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-21T16:34:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what support it plans to provide to farmers’ markets.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-06-03T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303511,"EventID":"S4O-04398","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":5042,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-05-27T13:42:20.907","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-21T16:34:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it expects to report on the outcome of its consultation on the Scottish Agricultural Wages Board.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-06-03T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303512,"EventID":"S4O-04399","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":5075,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":112,"ApprovedDate":"2015-05-27T13:42:21.297","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-26T09:50:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what progress has been made with the Fishing for Litter project.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-06-03T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303513,"EventID":"S4O-04400","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":3806,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-05-27T13:42:21.75","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-25T16:08:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the take-up has been for the Agri-environment Climate Scheme.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-06-03T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303514,"EventID":"S4O-04401","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":2215,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":125,"ApprovedDate":"2015-05-27T13:42:22.217","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-26T15:15:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether the futures programme is on track to receive all single application forms for rural payments and services by 15 June 2015.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-06-03T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303515,"EventID":"S4O-04402","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-05-27T13:42:22.92","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-26T14:45:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what management structures it considers would be the best model for the Crown Estate rural holdings following responsibility being devolved to the Scottish Parliament.","AnswerText":"At present the Scottish Governments focus is to first see the Crown Estate devolved, any decisions taken on the future management structure for the rural estate will form part of a consultation process which would include consulting with tenant farmers.","AnswerDate":"2015-06-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-06-03T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen McLeod","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303516,"EventID":"S4O-04403","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":2394,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-05-27T13:42:23.653","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-26T09:16:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it will take account of agricultural interests before it reaches a decision on the reintroduction of wild beaver.","AnswerText":"I am very aware of the need to take account of agricultural and other land management interests before coming to a decision on the reintroduction of beavers to Scotland. I have recently visited farms on Tayside to see for myself the impact beavers can have in productive farming areas. I have also had discussions with National Farmers Union of Scotland (NFUS) and other land management organisations on the reintroduction of beavers and the NFUS, Scottish Land and Estates and Confederation of Forest Industries have been involved in the Tayside Beaver Study Group. Further consideration of the effects of beaver activities on agriculture will be addressed in the socio-economic reports which Scottish Natural Heritage commissioned, and which will be published shortly.","AnswerDate":"2015-06-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-06-03T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen McLeod","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303517,"EventID":"S4O-04404","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":4939,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":78,"ApprovedDate":"2015-05-27T13:42:24.183","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-27T08:41:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the effectiveness of fiscal work orders.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-06-03T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303518,"EventID":"S4O-04405","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":1768,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":131,"ApprovedDate":"2015-05-27T13:42:24.59","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-26T13:41:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to the recent Audit Scotland report, which estimates that there may be a £42.7 million gap in the funding of the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service in 2019-20.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-06-03T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303519,"EventID":"S4O-04406","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":5119,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":110,"ApprovedDate":"2015-05-27T13:42:25.243","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-26T17:29:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it considers that there is an adequate joined-up approach to tackling antisocial behaviour.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-06-03T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303520,"EventID":"S4O-04407","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":3771,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-05-27T13:42:25.603","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-21T16:35:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how the CashBack for Communities scheme has contributed to supporting sport and physical activity opportunities for young people in the Glasgow region.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-06-03T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303521,"EventID":"S4O-04408","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":2029,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":145,"ApprovedDate":"2015-05-27T13:42:26.04","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-26T16:02:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how Police Scotland is held to account and on what occasions Scottish ministers have intervened in relation to policy issues.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-06-03T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303522,"EventID":"S4O-04409","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":3907,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":135,"ApprovedDate":"2015-05-27T13:42:26.54","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-21T16:35:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how the justice system supports families of victims of fatal accidents.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-06-03T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303523,"EventID":"S4O-04410","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":2853,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":81,"ApprovedDate":"2015-05-27T13:42:26.977","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-27T10:44:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it will review its commitment to maintaining a minimum of 17,234 police officers in Police Scotland.","AnswerText":"We will continue to protect police numbers and ensure delivery of the benefits of reform. This has contributed to an almost 40 year low in recorded crime. There are now 1,000 more police officers in Scotland than there were in 2007 despite Westminster cuts. In contrast, in England and Wales officer numbers are expected to drop by more than 15,000 in total with numbers now at their lowest level in 11 years.","AnswerDate":"2015-06-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-06-03T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303524,"EventID":"S4O-04411","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":2123,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":103,"ApprovedDate":"2015-05-27T13:42:27.523","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-21T16:35:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it will introduce legislation to facilitate multi-party actions in the Court of Session.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government’s consultation on proposals for an Expenses and Funding of Civil Litigation Bill sought views on multi-party actions. The consultation closed on 24 April 2015 and the responses are now being independently analysed. This analysis will help inform our consideration of the best way forward to implement a workable and sustainable system for multi-party actions.","AnswerDate":"2015-06-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-06-03T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"Paul Wheelhouse","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303525,"EventID":"S4O-04412","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":2673,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":114,"ApprovedDate":"2015-05-27T13:42:27.943","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-27T11:45:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what progress it has made with the UK Government regarding the recovery of VAT incurred by Police Scotland and the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service.","AnswerText":"The UK Government has rejected our repeated requests that the police and fire and rescue services in Scotland should be able to recover VAT. Their position creates a glaring disparity of treatment compared to the police and fire services in all other parts of the UK. This unequal and unfair treatment completely contradicts the repeated assurances of fairer treatment for Scotland made by the UK Government. \r\nThe UK Government has shown that where there is a political will the VAT act can be amended to permit new bodies to reclaim VAT, as has been demonstrated by recent changes to incorporate Highways England.\r\nI would again today call on the UK Government to ensure that the people of Scotland are no longer penalised in this way – by ensuring that our police and fire services are eligible to reclaim VAT with immediate effect.","AnswerDate":"2015-06-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-06-03T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303526,"EventID":"S4O-04413","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2015-05-27T13:42:28.317","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-26T09:59:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will encourage Police Scotland to publish responses to the consultation on the merger of K and L Divisions.","AnswerText":"Police Scotland has undertaken an open and transparent consultation which commenced at the earliest stage of its considerations in December 2014. This process has incorporated engagement with local communities, including local scrutiny committees, to ensure all views are reflected and considered thoroughly.\r\nThe Scottish Police Authority has maintained ongoing dialogue with Police Scotland throughout and will have formal oversight ahead of any decision.\r\nIt would be inappropriate to publish consultation responses before this formal decision-making process is complete. Police Scotland has, however, confirmed consultation responses will be published in due course, subject to the standard data protection requirements for consultations.","AnswerDate":"2015-06-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-06-03T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303527,"EventID":"S4O-04414","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":1759,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-05-27T13:42:29.287","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-26T16:53:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what funding it is giving to enable NHS boards to offer the best possible guidance and support to new mothers to encourage breastfeeding.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-06-04T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303528,"EventID":"S4O-04415","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":5556,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":111,"ApprovedDate":"2015-05-27T13:42:30.067","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-27T08:42:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether all treatments approved for use by the Scottish Medicines Consortium are made available by the NHS.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-06-04T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303529,"EventID":"S4O-04416","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":3101,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-05-27T13:42:30.47","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-26T12:11:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what it is doing to support the treatment of people with hepatitis C in Glasgow.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-06-04T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303530,"EventID":"S4O-04417","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":3751,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":108,"ApprovedDate":"2015-05-27T13:42:30.86","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-26T16:55:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on the level of engagement undertaken by Network Rail with local constituents during the building of the Borders Railway.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-06-04T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303531,"EventID":"S4O-04418","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":3129,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":83,"ApprovedDate":"2015-05-27T13:42:31.283","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-21T16:36:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what involvement it had in the BAE Systems announcement that it plans to continue work in both the Scotstoun and Govan yards on the Clyde.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-06-04T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303532,"EventID":"S4O-04419","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":3763,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-05-27T13:42:31.78","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-27T10:59:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to support town centres and develop employment opportunities.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-06-04T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303533,"EventID":"S4O-04420","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":5106,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":118,"ApprovedDate":"2015-05-27T13:42:32.187","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-21T16:36:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what strategy it has in place to ensure that listed buildings are preserved.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-06-04T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303534,"EventID":"S4O-04421","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":4940,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-05-27T13:42:32.607","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-26T19:59:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what impact the measures in the Queen’s Speech will have on its ability to tackle poverty and inequality.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-06-04T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303535,"EventID":"S4O-04422","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":4948,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-05-27T13:42:32.997","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-21T16:36:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what improvements it has made to the A82.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-06-04T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303536,"EventID":"S4O-04423","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":4014,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-05-27T13:42:33.373","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-21T16:36:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will review business rates relief for local newspapers.","AnswerText":"We keep all our business rate reliefs under regular and active review to ensure we maintain the most competitive business tax environment available anywhere in the UK.\r\nThe package of rates relief available to businesses in Scotland, worth an estimated £618 million in 2015-16, includes our Small Business Bonus Scheme which alone removes or reduces the rates for over 96,000 (two in every five) properties and provides much welcomed support to small firms, such as some local newspapers.","AnswerDate":"2015-06-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-06-04T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303545,"EventID":"S4W-25755","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2603,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-05-27T14:10:41.69","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-27T09:38:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what support it provides to NHS Grampian to recruit allied health professionals.","AnswerText":"Recruitment of staff, including allied health professionals, is a matter for each NHSScotland board as an employer. NHSScotland boards are required to have the correct staff in place to meet the needs of the service and ensure high quality patient care. The Scottish Government works closely with boards to support their staff recruitment efforts.","AnswerDate":"2015-06-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303546,"EventID":"S4W-25756","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2603,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-05-27T14:10:42.367","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-27T09:38:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what support it provided to the Scottish Ambulance Service in the NHS Grampian area in (a) 2013-14 and (b) 2014-15 to (i) purchase new ambulances and (ii) update mobile equipment.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government provides an annual budget to the Scottish Ambulance Service, which in 2015-16, at £212 million, is the highest amount the service has received.\r\nSpending decisions are an operational matter for the Scottish Ambulance Service.\r\n(i) The service confirms that £1,237,889 and £1,485,760 was invested in new emergency and patient transport vehicles in the Grampian area during 2013-14 and 2014-15 respectively. These costs include installation of including mobile technology, response bags and other operational equipment.\r\n(ii) As part of its ongoing Ambulance Telehealth Programme, the Scottish Ambulance Service is looking to upgrade and improve its current emergency ambulance technology across the whole of Scotland to provide a better user and patient experience.","AnswerDate":"2015-06-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303547,"EventID":"S4W-25757","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2603,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-05-27T14:10:42.983","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-27T09:38:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the impact of property prices on the effectiveness of the Help to Buy (Scotland) scheme in Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government considers the impact of Help to Buy (Scotland) across all of Scotland. This includes ongoing monitoring of applications and sales levels in all areas, including Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire, including the average value of property purchased.\r\n\r\nData on sales at local authority level are published quarterly, in arrears, at: http://www.gov.scot/Topics/Built-Environment/Housing/BuyingSelling/help-to-buy/MonthlyStats","AnswerDate":"2015-06-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Burgess","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303548,"EventID":"S4W-25758","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2603,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-05-27T14:10:43.523","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-27T09:38:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many applications for support under the Help to Buy (Scotland) Scheme were (a) made and (b) granted in (i) Aberdeen and (ii) Aberdeenshire in 2014-15 and how this compares with the rest of the country.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government publishes information on sales through Help to Buy (Scotland) quarterly, in arrears, at:\r\n\r\nhttp://www.gov.scot/Topics/Built-Environment/Housing/BuyingSelling/help-to-buy/MonthlyStats\r\nThe number of applications under the Help to Buy (Scotland) scheme for Aberdeen City, Aberdeenshire and Scotland in 2014-15 are set out in the following table:\r\n\r\nAberdeen City\r\nAberdeenshire\r\nScotland\r\nApplications\r\n145\r\n285\r\n5017\r\nApproved applications\r\n107\r\n221\r\n4477","AnswerDate":"2015-06-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Burgess","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303549,"EventID":"S4W-25759","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2108,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":141,"ApprovedDate":"2015-05-27T14:10:44.06","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-27T10:34:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to ensure that male victims of abuse have access to support.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government provides funding for Abused Men in Scotland and the Men's Advice Line, operated by Respect. Both organisations provide help, support and advice for men who are experiencing or who have experienced domestic abuse.","AnswerDate":"2015-06-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303550,"EventID":"S4W-25760","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2108,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":141,"ApprovedDate":"2015-05-27T14:10:44.657","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-27T10:34:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many domestic homicides in the last 10 years have had a male victim.","AnswerText":"Information on homicide levels in Scotland is available through the Official Statistics on Homicide (link below for 2013-14 release). Overall, the number of homicides committed in Scotland is at its lowest recorded level.\r\nhttp://www.gov.scot/Publications/2014/12/6792/0\r\nDomestic homicide is not treated as a separate crime in the official statistics on homicide in Scotland. Information is available on the gender of the victim and their relationship to the main accused, and on the number of homicides that took place within a dwelling or household.\r\nBetween 2004-05 and 2013-14 there were 352 homicides within dwellings or households where the victim was male and they were a partner/ex-partner, relative or acquaintance of the main accused.","AnswerDate":"2015-06-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303551,"EventID":"S4W-25762","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1845,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-05-27T14:10:45.143","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-27T10:52:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4T-00686 by Michael Matheson on 6 May 2014 (Official Report, c. 30491), what progress it has made in implementing the recommendations in the report, National Review of Asthma Deaths; what its position is on the report's recommendation that a national audit of asthma should be established, and what analysis it has made of the audit that has been commissioned for England and Wales.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government remains committed to working in partnership with the National Advisory Group for Respiratory Managed Clinical Networks and continues to work with the group to look at the report’s recommendations which includes consideration of the recommendation to establish a national audit of asthma. This is being taken forward as part of a wider programme of work to deliver improvement locally.\r\nGiven that the scope and remit of the recently commissioned England and Wales audit of asthma is not yet clear it is difficult to carry out any analysis at this stage. We have however made appropriate links with the Healthcare Quality Improvement Partnership which is taking forward this work and will continue to review it as it progresses.","AnswerDate":"2015-06-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303552,"EventID":"S4W-25771","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3745,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":122,"ApprovedDate":"2015-05-27T14:10:45.623","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-27T12:57:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it will next meet the Neurological Alliance.","AnswerText":"Arrangements are being made for me to meet with Craig Stockton, Chair of the Neurological Alliance of Scotland in the coming weeks.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-06-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303553,"EventID":"S4W-25764","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1845,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-05-27T14:11:02.07","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-27T10:52:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-19597 by Keith Brown on 20 February 2014, whether it will provide an update on when it expects Kintore railway station to reopen.","AnswerText":"I can confirm that Network Rail have been working with promoters, Nestrans (the north east regional transport partnership) and Aberdeenshire council on the design of Kintore station, which includes car parking and road access. Transport Scotland will be meeting Network Rail and promoters later in 2015. This meeting will include discussion of emerging proposals on third party funding, design and development of the station. Accordingly, the delivery of Kintore station remains on schedule for completion by March 2019.","AnswerDate":"2015-06-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303558,"EventID":"S4W-25765","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3806,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-05-27T16:50:02.357","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-27T12:40:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government on what date David MacBrayne Ltd formed the joint venture with GBA (Holdings) to establish Solent Gateway Ltd and when this was announced to the Parliament.","AnswerText":"Solent Gateway Ltd was incorporated on 31 December 2014. This joint venture was not announced to the Scottish Parliament. However, the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Defence, Mr Philip Dunne, announced on 3 March 2015 to the House of Commons that he had launched the process to grant a concession to manage, and exploit the commercial potential of, the Marchwood Sea Mounting Centre and that Solent Gateway Ltd has been selected as the preferred bidder. This will be a joint venture between David MacBrayne Ltd and GBA (Holdings) Ltd.","AnswerDate":"2015-06-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303559,"EventID":"S4W-25766","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3806,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-05-27T16:50:03.13","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-27T12:40:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government who David MacBrayne Ltd's (DML) nominated directors on Solent Gateway Ltd are; how many (a) part- and (b) full-time DML staff work for Solent Gateway Ltd, and what information it has on whether they are registered for UK tax and national insurance payments.","AnswerText":"There are no David MacBrayne Ltd staff working for Solent Gateway Ltd and the company will be fully registered for tax and national insurance.","AnswerDate":"2015-06-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303560,"EventID":"S4W-25767","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3806,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-05-27T16:50:03.877","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-27T12:40:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what financial commitment David MacBrayne Ltd (DML) has made to Solent Gateway Ltd and what risk assessment has been carried out of how Solent Gateway Ltd failing would impact on (a) DML and (b) taxpayers.","AnswerText":"The financial commitment provided by David MacBrayne Ltd to Solent Gateway Ltd is commercially sensitive.\r\nDavid MacBrayne Ltd performed a full commercial and risk appraisal.","AnswerDate":"2015-06-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303561,"EventID":"S4W-25773","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-05-27T16:50:04.657","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-27T13:07:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to NHS boards missing the HEAT target of 12-week maximum wait for treatment.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has made clear to all NHS boards that we expect this guarantee to be met for all patients during 2015. Scottish Government officials are actively working to support boards in improving their capacity planning and patient flows across Scotland to ensure full compliance.","AnswerDate":"2015-06-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303562,"EventID":"S4W-25774","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-05-27T16:50:05.403","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-27T13:07:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what proactive steps it is taking to support NHS boards to ensure that they are able to meet the HEAT targets for the (a) 12-week to treatment and (b) 2-week maximum wait time for discharge.","AnswerText":"Over 750,000 patients have benefitted from the 12 week treatment time guarantee since it was introduced in October 2012. Earlier in the year we announced £10 million from the performance fund to help boards increase capacity, employ additional consultants and allow for weekend working. I also announced in May 2015 a further £1.5 million to increase orthopaedic and ophthalmology at the Golden Jubilee National Hospital which benefits patients from across Scotland. I expect this investment to be reflected in waiting time performance during 2015.\r\nAddressing delayed discharges is a top priority of this government, and we recognise more needs to be done to address this issue. That is why we are investing an additional £100 million funding in tackling delay, over the next three years. This funding will be used by integration joint boards to develop a range of community services aimed at reducing delays in discharging, and providing alternatives to acute hospital admission.","AnswerDate":"2015-06-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303563,"EventID":"S4W-25775","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-05-27T16:50:06.103","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-27T13:07:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to reconsider HEAT targets.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is absolutely committed to supporting our NHS to deliver world-leading care. Targets and standards for the NHS have been reviewed on an annual basis since Local Delivery Plans (LDP) were introduced in 2005. Following last year’s review of HEAT performance and financial targets, from April 2015, we will use the term LDP Standards to describe NHS performance. The LDP Standards will replace HEAT targets and HEAT standards. The LDP includes the 12 week treatment time guarantee. A core suite of indicators to underpin the integrated health and social care outcomes has been developed and these include indicators on delayed discharge.","AnswerDate":"2015-06-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303564,"EventID":"S4W-25776","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-05-27T16:50:06.823","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-27T13:07:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government for what reasons the performance of NHS boards against HEAT targets is down in the first quarter of 2015 compared with 2014 for the (a) 12-week to treatment and (b) 2-week maximum wait time for discharge.","AnswerText":"We are aware that three boards, Lothian, Grampian and Highland have experienced significant capacity issues. To address this we provided Lothian with £3 million and Highland with nearly £6 million from our performance fund to address capacity by recruiting more consultants and support staff as well as weekend working. In relation to NHS Grampian the Scottish Government has significantly increased the board's budget by 6.3% to £830.1 million, an increase of £49.1 million which is the largest percentage uplift of any other board.\r\nAlthough the current level of delayed discharges is unacceptably high, significant progress has been made under this administration. Since April 2005 the number of delays over two weeks has reduced by over 60%. At the last census in April 2015, 12 local authorities recorded no delays over two weeks, and another 11 were in single figures. However, we need to do more, and we have invested an additional £100 million funding to help address delays, over the next three years. The following table provides the number of delays over two weeks and over three days for April 2005, 2007 and 2015.\r\nCensus\r\nDelays over two weeks\r\nDelays over three days\r\nApril 2005\r\n1,040\r\n1,332\r\nApril 2007\r\n624\r\n755\r\nApril 2015\r\n357\r\n646","AnswerDate":"2015-06-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303565,"EventID":"S4W-25777","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1845,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-05-27T16:50:07.61","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-27T13:59:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on including a commitment to eliminating hepatitis C as a serious public health concern in the revised Sexual Health and Blood Borne Virus Framework.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is committed to eliminating hepatitis C as a public health concern and the updated Sexual Health and Blood Borne Virus Framework will reflect this.","AnswerDate":"2015-06-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303566,"EventID":"S4W-25778","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1845,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-05-27T16:50:08.387","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-27T13:59:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what analysis it has carried out of what steps would be required to eliminate hepatitis C as a serious public health concern.","AnswerText":"Elimination of hepatitis C as a public health concern will require good quality prevention services to minimise the transmission of hepatitis C, an increase in testing and diagnosis of hepatitis C, and ready access to good quality treatment, care and support to enable those who have been infected to clear the virus before serious hepatitis C-related liver disease develops. As a result of the Scottish Government investment in prevention, testing and treatment services through its Hepatitis C Action Plan, Scotland is better placed than most countries to work towards eliminating the virus as a public health concern.","AnswerDate":"2015-06-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303567,"EventID":"S4W-25779","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1845,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-05-27T16:50:09.397","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-27T13:59:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-23624 by Maureen Watt on 18 December 2014, whether a decision on opt-out testing and screening of prisoners on commencement of their custodial sentences has been taken.","AnswerText":"The updated Sexual Health and Blood Borne Virus Framework, to be published later this summer, will set out the Scottish Government’s position on opt-out testing and screening of prisoners for blood borne viruses. Throughout the Hepatitis C Action Plan, and the current Sexual Health and Blood Borne Virus Framework, the Scottish Government has recognised the prison population as an important risk group, and we will continue do so.","AnswerDate":"2015-06-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303568,"EventID":"S4W-25780","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1845,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-05-27T16:50:10.13","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-27T13:59:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what support it offers to NHS boards to assist them in making new hepatitis C treatments widely available.","AnswerText":"Since the launch of the Hepatitis C Action Plan in 2008 the Scottish Government has provided NHS boards with funding specifically to support hepatitis C treatment and care. This has led to a more than doubling of the number of people commencing hepatitis C treatment over that period. Under the Sexual Health and Blood Borne Virus Framework £28 million per year is provided to support various activities, including hepatitis C treatment.\r\nIn recognition of the new, highly effective therapies for hepatitis C which were approved for use by the Scottish Medicines Consortium in 2014, the Scottish Government has provided additional recurring funding to NHS boards from 2015-16 to assist with the costs of new drugs, including hepatitis C therapies.\r\nIn addition to financial support the Scottish Government also supports a range of professional networks, including viral hepatitis clinical leads, which enables the NHS to promote best practice in the use of new therapies and the care of hepatitis C infected patients.","AnswerDate":"2015-06-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303569,"EventID":"S4W-25781","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1845,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-05-27T16:50:10.88","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-27T13:59:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government on what date it will publish the revised Sexual Health and Blood Borne Virus Framework.","AnswerText":"The updated Sexual Health and Blood Borne Virus Framework will be published in late summer 2015. No specific date has been set.","AnswerDate":"2015-06-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303570,"EventID":"S4W-25782","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-05-27T16:50:11.67","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-27T14:19:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it is planning to take follow-up actions if HEAT targets are not met and, if so, what actions.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is already supporting NHS boards, local authorities and the new Integration Joint boards delivery through a range of supportive measures. Specific actions including investing £100 million over three years to deliver improvements on delayed discharge and preventing admissions; investing £10 million from the performance fund to increase NHS board capacity to improve elective waiting times; improving the quality and frequency of performance information; and facilitating access to expert advice.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-06-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303571,"EventID":"S4W-25783","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2015-05-27T16:50:12.347","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-27T15:02:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it will publish and distribute printed copies of the recent joint statement signed by the Scottish Ministers, the Lord Advocate and Police Scotland opposing female genital mutilation as awareness-raising material. ","AnswerText":"This month the Scottish Government will be printing 2000 copies of the joint female genital mutilation statement, some of which will be used for Police Scotland’s ‘Operation Atlas’ commencing 26 June 2015. Others will be distributed to service providers and community-based organisations.\r\nThis statement is also available to download at: www.fgmaware.org, www.onescotland.org and a number of local authority and violence against women partnership websites, as well as Police Scotland and a number of NHS intranets. Police Scotland has also distributed electronic copies to all Scottish airports to download and print off as part of the planned ‘Operation Atlas’.","AnswerDate":"2015-06-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303572,"EventID":"S4W-25784","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4947,"Party":"Independent","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-05-27T16:50:13.727","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-27T15:18:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the comments by a Crown Office spokesperson on 24 May 2015 relating to the reinvestigation of the murder of Emma Caldwell, for what reason it has not provided a substantive answer to question S4W-25295 on this issue, providing a holding answer on 14 May, and when it will do so.","AnswerText":"After consideration of the information relating to the murder of Emma Caldwell the Lord Advocate has ordered Police Scotland to reinvestigate the case. The Lord Advocate has now met the family of Emma Caldwell to explain the process involved. Police Scotland will report the results of their reinvestigation for consideration of Crown Counsel.","AnswerDate":"2015-06-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Frank Mulholland","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303573,"EventID":"S4O-04424","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":3,"MSPID":2892,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-05-28T09:50:33.473","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-26T11:46:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body whether its practices comply with the Open Data Strategy published by the Scottish Government and what action it will take to address the issues that it raises.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-06-04T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303574,"EventID":"S4O-04425","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":3,"MSPID":5110,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":89,"ApprovedDate":"2015-05-28T09:50:34.393","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-26T12:19:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body what improvements can be made to committee rooms so that on-screen presentations can be seen by everyone present.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-06-04T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303575,"EventID":"S4O-04426","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":3,"MSPID":2610,"Party":"Independent","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-05-28T09:50:35.003","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-27T09:36:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body what assessment it has made of the use of business sponsorship for Parliament events.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-06-04T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303576,"EventID":"S4O-04427","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":3,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-05-28T09:50:35.673","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-27T15:12:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body what evaluation has been done on the effectiveness of its training courses.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-06-04T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303577,"EventID":"S4W-25785","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2015-05-28T14:03:17.557","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-27T15:22:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on the House of Commons research paper published on 20 May 2015 that found that Scotland received almost £1,600 per head more in public spending than England in 2014-15 as a result of the Barnett formula.","AnswerText":"The House of Commons research paper demonstrates the strengths of the Scottish economy. Scotland’s employment rate is higher than the other three countries of the UK, and even when North Sea revenue is excluded, Scotland’s output per head is close to the UK average and ranks third of the 12 UK regions behind only London and the South East. Furthermore, Scotland has generated more tax per head than the UK as a whole in each of the last 34 years.\r\n\r\nAll parties have signed up to the continuation of the Barnett formula as part of The Smith Commission agreement. The Scottish Government has no control over the operation or design of the Barnett formula but with the current structure of the formula, Scotland has already seen real terms cuts to its fiscal DEL budget of 9 per cent over the five years to 2015-16 and faces the risk of further cuts being announced in the emergency UK budget next month.","AnswerDate":"2015-06-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303578,"EventID":"S4W-25786","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2015-05-28T14:03:18.93","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-27T15:22:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what meetings it has had with the oil and gas industry to discuss the publication of a new oil and gas bulletin; when those meetings took place, and who attended.","AnswerText":"Scottish Ministers and Scottish Government officials have on-going engagement with the North Sea oil and gas industry to discuss the outlook for the sector and the key challenges and opportunities.\r\n\r\nThe Scottish Energy Minister, Fergus Ewing has also carried out between 150 and 200 meetings in Aberdeen since he became minister, and on June 10 2015 he will be attending a meeting of the government and industry forum PILOT to discuss the outlook for the sector.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-06-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303579,"EventID":"S4W-25787","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2603,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-05-28T14:03:20.303","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-28T09:30:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-23173 by Shona Robison on 28 November 2014, whether it will provide an update on the progress being made with replacing the Lowit Unit at the Royal Aberdeen Children’s Hospital.","AnswerText":"The North of Scotland Tier 4 Network was set up in autumn 2013 with a senior network nurse based in Grampian since then. When NHS Grampian closed the Lowit Unit to inpatients on 12 September 2014, patients continued to be seen by clinicians as out-patients in Aberdeen and some in their own schools and homes. Similar arrangements have been put in place by the board for new patients.\r\nNHS Grampian has been strengthening and developing pathways for children and young people with severe mental health conditions, eating disorders, mental illnesses with serious self-harm risk and complex challenging behaviour problems. There has been early involvement of some patients, families and children and adolescent mental health services staff and this is now entering a wider comprehensive engagement and consultation process. The regional young inpatients unit has been operational since mid-April 2015.","AnswerDate":"2015-06-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303580,"EventID":"S4W-25788","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2603,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-05-28T14:03:21.297","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-28T09:30:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-23173 by Shona Robison on 28 November 2014, in light of the closure of the Lowit Unit at the Royal Aberdeen Children’s Hospital, what provision it has made for peer and adult engagement.","AnswerText":"During this transitional period, clinical services to meet the needs of patients, some of whom may have previously attended the former Lowit Unit, are being delivered in different ways and settings – in outpatient clinics, home visits and schools.\r\nOnce the redesigned services are fully operational, there will be an improvement and increased relevance to peer engagement. This will also offer an opportunity to improve and ensure appropriate and relevant engagement between children and adolescent mental health services (CAMHS) clinical staff and parents/carers.\r\nCAMHS and paediatric services in NHS Grampian continue to work closely to try and improve assessment and treatment for any children admitted to the Royal Aberdeen Children’s Hospital with both physical and mental health needs.","AnswerDate":"2015-06-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303581,"EventID":"S4W-25789","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2603,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-05-28T14:03:22.193","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-28T09:30:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-23173 by Shona Robison on 28 November 2014, what impact the closure of the Lowit Unit at the Royal Aberdeen Children’s Hospital has had on (a) teacher numbers and (b) pupil transition back to mainstream education.","AnswerText":"There has been no reduction in teacher numbers.\r\nNHS Grampian and Aberdeen City Council are working in partnership and are committed to developing an approach that supports timely intervention. This will ensure that children and young people access the support they need at the earliest opportunity. Both organisations have commenced looking at new ways of working in the next school term.","AnswerDate":"2015-06-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303582,"EventID":"S4W-25791","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4984,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-05-28T14:03:23.26","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-28T10:26:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the average time is to put in place a care package for a person needing a carer four times each day.","AnswerText":"This information is not held centrally by the Scottish Government.\r\nFor those who are assessed as being at critical or substantial risk, the national eligibility and waiting times guidance recommends a maximum period of six weeks from confirmation of need to delivery of services. Specialist elements of a care package such as adaptations may take longer to deliver.\r\nIndividuals assessed as being at the greatest risk will be prioritised by local authorities.","AnswerDate":"2015-06-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303583,"EventID":"S4W-25792","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4934,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-05-28T14:03:23.887","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-28T11:22:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-15634 by Paul Wheelhouse on 25 June 2013, what progress Scottish Natural Heritage has made on its bee action plan and whether it has taken action to monitor the effects of the ban on neonicotinoids.","AnswerText":"Since the answer to question S4W-15634 was published, Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) has produced a document called ‘The Insect Pollinator Strategy’ which is currently being considered by the Scottish Government for comment on matters under its responsibility, namely honey bee health, apiculture and pesticide regulations. Once the document has been finalised, it will then be published for consultation.\r\n\r\nSNH will continue to support the monitoring of wild bees and other pollinators, which will indicate changes occurring since the neonicotinoid restrictions came into force in December 2013. At present it has been too short a time since the restrictions came into force to quantify any significant impact on pollinators.","AnswerDate":"2015-06-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen McLeod","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303584,"EventID":"S4W-25793","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-05-28T14:03:24.74","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-28T11:29:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide a breakdown by local authority on the primary school and S2 writing attainment levels set out at chapter 4.2 of the report, Scottish Survey of Literacy and Numeracy 2014 (Literacy).","AnswerText":"In line with the survey’s key objective, the Scottish Survey of Literacy and Numeracy 2014 (Literacy) results are used to monitor and report achievement in reading, writing, listening and talking at P4, P7 and S2 at a national level. The survey was designed to minimise the assessment burden on teachers and pupils and, whilst the sample size is sufficient to build a national picture of pupil performance in writing across Scotland, too few pupils are assessed to produce reliable local authority results.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-06-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alasdair Allan","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303585,"EventID":"S4W-25795","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-05-28T14:03:26.14","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-28T11:34:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many staff each local authority needs to recruit to meet government teacher number targets and how much funding it is providing them with to support this, also broken down by local authority.","AnswerText":"All local authorities have committed to maintain as a minimum the total number of teachers they employ at 2014-15 levels and also the maintenance, as a maximum, of the pupil teacher ratio for schools within their authority at the 2014-15 levels as reported in the pupil and teacher census published in December 2014. Therefore local authorities will not need to recruit any additional teachers to maintain their teacher numbers. The numbers of additional teachers required to maintain the pupil teacher ratio will depend on the pupil numbers in each local authority as recorded in the pupil census taken in September and published in December.\r\nThe following table shows individual councils’ share of the £41 million previously added to the annual local government finance settlements to support the teacher numbers commitments and already included in the 2015-16 funding allocations plus their indicative share of the additional £10 million which they will receive upon satisfactory delivery of the commitments. The £10 million share allocation is based on the numbers of teachers in each local authority as recorded in the teacher census published in December 2014 and will be updated following publication of the 2015 teacher census.\r\nLocal Authority\r\nCouncils allocation of the £41 million already included in the settlement (£ million)\r\nIllustrative share of additional £10 million (£ million)\r\nAberdeen City\r\n1.331\r\n0.337\r\nAberdeenshire\r\n2.177\r\n0.533\r\nAngus\r\n0.958\r\n0.226\r\nArgyll and Bute\r\n0.722\r\n0.173\r\nClackmannanshire\r\n0.397\r\n0.101\r\nDumfries and Galloway\r\n1.274\r\n0.303\r\nDundee City\r\n1.196\r\n0.278\r\nEast Ayrshire\r\n0.967\r\n0.227\r\nEast Dunbartonshire\r\n0.979\r\n0.241\r\nEast Lothian\r\n0.774\r\n0.188\r\nEast Renfrewshire\r\n0.976\r\n0.241\r\nEdinburgh, City of\r\n2.634\r\n0.647\r\nEilean Siar\r\n0.293\r\n0.064\r\nFalkirk\r\n1.243\r\n0.316\r\nFife\r\n2.895\r\n0.696\r\nGlasgow\r\n3.956\r\n0.963\r\nHighland\r\n2.035\r\n0.468\r\nInverclyde\r\n0.634\r\n0.144\r\nMidlothian\r\n0.675\r\n0.174\r\nMoray\r\n0.730\r\n0.175\r\nNorth Ayrshire\r\n1.101\r\n0.269\r\nNorth Lanarkshire\r\n2.919\r\n0.713\r\nOrkney\r\n0.214\r\n0.052\r\nPerth and Kinross\r\n1.101\r\n0.271\r\nRenfrewshire\r\n1.281\r\n0.317\r\nScottish Borders\r\n0.914\r\n0.215\r\nShetland\r\n0.318\r\n0.065\r\nSouth Ayrshire\r\n0.931\r\n0.217\r\nSouth Lanarkshire\r\n2.545\r\n0.636\r\nStirling\r\n0.778\r\n0.186\r\nWest Dunbartonshire\r\n0.758\r\n0.182\r\nWest Lothian\r\n1.604\r\n0.382\r\nScotland\r\n41.310\r\n10.000\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-06-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303600,"EventID":"S4W-25794","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-05-28T16:40:10.63","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-28T11:34:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on establishing a feasibility study to consider whether there is socioeconomic case for extending the Borders Railway service to (a) Hawick and (b) Carlisle. ","AnswerText":"Together with key partners the Scottish Government continues to play an active part in taking forward the Borders Railway Blueprint for the Future. Transport Scotland officials have already met with partners and offered initial advice on a scoping document which will explore the possibility of extending the Borders railway towards Hawick and Carlisle.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-06-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303601,"EventID":"S4W-25798","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2394,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-05-28T16:40:11.52","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-28T14:25:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to amend the neighbour notification system for large scale windfarms. ","AnswerText":"We have no current plans for review or amendment of the neighbour notification for planning applications, including those for large wind farms. Following changes made in 2009 and more recently in 2013, we consider the current system of neighbour notification is proportionate and fit for purpose, and strikes the appropriate balance between public engagement and efficient processing.\r\nWork has recently been undertaken on producing ‘Good practice guidance on public engagement for sub-20MW wind farms’. This is an outcome of public petition PE1469 which requested increases to the current neighbour notification distances for wind turbines. The draft good practice guidance was subject to public consultation between October and December 2014. The final guidance will be published soon.","AnswerDate":"2015-06-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303602,"EventID":"S4W-25799","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5556,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":111,"ApprovedDate":"2015-05-28T16:40:12.363","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-28T13:58:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much it has invested in mental health treatment for under-18s in each year since 2007-08.","AnswerText":"The information is not held centrally. The majority of spend on mental health treatment for under-18s will be made by NHS boards and local authorities from the overall resources they receive from the Scottish Government.\r\nThe Scottish Government has invested £16.3 million since 2009 increasing the number of psychologists working in specialist child and adolescent mental health services by over 70%. We also recently announced an additional £85 million over five years for improving mental health services which will include further investment to improve access to child and adolescent mental health services and bring down waiting times. This is in addition to the £15 million over three years announced in November 2014 for the mental health innovation fund.","AnswerDate":"2015-06-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303603,"EventID":"S4W-25800","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5556,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":111,"ApprovedDate":"2015-05-28T16:40:13.033","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-28T13:58:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it can take in relation to the average waiting times for mental health appointments for under-18s in Lothian, which are reported to be three times longer than in Glasgow.","AnswerText":"On 24 May 2015 I announced £85 million over five years for mental health. This is in addition to the £15 million over three years announced in November 2014 for the Mental Health Innovation Fund, £100 million in total. The funding will further improve Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) and bring down waiting times.\r\n\r\nIn terms of waiting times for CAMHS in NHS Lothian, on the 26 February and 29 May 2015 I discussed the CAMHS waiting times target with the Chief Executive of NHS Lothian. During the discussion on 29 May 2015 I requested an updated delivery plan from NHS Lothian setting out how and when the board will meet the target.\r\nThe Scottish Government also provides support to NHS boards through its Quality and Efficiency Support Team, who have developed a number of resources to support service improvement. This includes a toolkit to help services understand demand, capacity, activity and queue.\r\nWe will continue to monitor NHS Lothian’s progress against the CAMHS HEAT target, through monthly submissions of data to Information Services Division.","AnswerDate":"2015-06-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303604,"EventID":"S4W-25801","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5556,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":111,"ApprovedDate":"2015-05-28T16:40:13.563","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-28T13:58:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what effect delays in treatment for mental health issues for under-18s have had on educational attainment.","AnswerText":"Information on what effect delays in treatment for mental health issues for under 18s have had on educational attainment is not held centrally.\r\nChild and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) is a priority of the Scottish Government and is one of the four key change areas in the mental health strategy. \r\nChildren and young people who are referred to CAMHS are assessed on their clinical needs. At assessment they will be seen by a multidisciplinary team which includes a number of professionals, including psychiatrists, psychologists, nurses and occupational therapists.\r\nWe have made available to NHS boards £16.9 million since 2009 to increase the number of psychologists working in specialist CAMHS, and we have further committed another £3.5 million this year. As a result of this investment we have seen a 41.1% growth in child psychology posts since 2008.\r\nWe also continue to invest £2 million per year in tier 3 and tier 4 (intensive) community CAMHS services. This investment is allowing NHS boards to grow their intensive outreach services, thus reducing the length of time children and young people need to be in hospital. As a result of this investment, we have seen a 28.2% growth in the overall specialist CAMHS workforce.\r\nOn 20 November 2014 an additional investment of £15 million was announced for mental health services. The funding which will be over a three year period is targeted towards two main areas: a mental health innovation fund, and to boost staff numbers to address the mental health needs of children and adolescents and the rising demand for CAMHS.\r\nFurthermore on 24 May 2015 we announced a further £85 million will be invested in improving mental health services over the next five years. The fund will partly be used to further improve CAMHS services, and bring down waiting times.","AnswerDate":"2015-06-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303605,"EventID":"S4W-25802","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5556,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":111,"ApprovedDate":"2015-05-28T16:40:14.093","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-28T13:58:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what proportion of under-18s have been diagnosed with mental health issues.","AnswerText":"Data on the proportion of under-18s who have been diagnosed with a mental health issue is not provided to the Scottish Government as a matter of course.","AnswerDate":"2015-06-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303606,"EventID":"S4W-25803","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5556,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":111,"ApprovedDate":"2015-05-28T16:40:14.64","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-28T13:58:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what provisions are in place in (a) schools and (b) nurseries to identify children who may have undiagnosed mental health issues.","AnswerText":"Within an education setting the named person will in most cases be a health visitor from birth until the age of 5 (or starting school) and then a head, deputy head or guidance teacher until the age of 18.\r\nActing as the central point of contact for any wellbeing concerns, the named person will have a clearer picture of the wellbeing of children and young people, and will be able to identify issues earlier and coordinate the delivery of support needed to help prevent problems becoming more serious.\r\nAll NHS boards have in place a named link worker. Due to the diversity of the role this has been achieved in a variety of ways using a range of models working together to meet the needs of the local population.\r\nChild and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) teams also provide a consultancy to other children’s services which can lead to referral to CAMHS or provide staff with support to meet the child's needs.\r\nWe have seen a 61% increase in the number of children and young people being treated in CAMHS from 2640 in June 2012 to 4269 in March 2015.\r\nCAMHS teams are indicating that part of the increase in referrals is due to better recognition of mental health problems by GPs, primary care, and staff in schools and other children services who refer on to CAMHS for treatment.","AnswerDate":"2015-06-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303607,"EventID":"S4W-25804","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5556,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":111,"ApprovedDate":"2015-05-28T16:40:15.343","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-28T13:58:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to ensure that the NHS boards that did not meet the new 18-week HEAT targets improve their performance.","AnswerText":"Boards have made progress towards meeting the target and it is encouraging to see an increase in the number of people being seen. We are determined that boards continue working towards the 90% target we have set and a range of supports are in place to assist them with this.\r\n\r\nI have spoken with representatives of each of the NHS Lothian boards not meeting the targets in February and May 2015 to emphasise the importance of prioritising meeting this target.\r\nAn additional £85 million over five years for mental health was announced in May 2015. This is in addition to the £15 million over three years announced in November 2014 for the Mental Health Innovation Fund. The funding will further improve child and adolescent mental health services and bring down waiting times. In addition we’ve invested over £16 million over the last five years to increase the number of psychologists working in specialist Child Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS), with a further £3.5 million committed this year.\r\nThe Scottish Government also provides support to NHS boards through its Quality and Efficiency Support Team (QuEST), who have developed a number of resources to support service improvement. This includes a toolkit to help services understand demand, capacity, activity and queue. Further discussions are taking place between QuEST and each individual NHS board to review options for tailored improvement support in meeting the targets.\r\nWe will continue to monitor NHS boards’ progress against the CAMHS HEAT targets, through monthly submissions of data to the Information Services Division. This also gives boards the opportunity to set out any issues they are facing in meeting the target, for example, with data collection or systems.","AnswerDate":"2015-06-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303608,"EventID":"S4W-25805","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5556,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":111,"ApprovedDate":"2015-05-28T16:40:15.903","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-28T13:58:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many schools employ a counsellor to provide mental health support to pupils.","AnswerText":"This information is not held centrally. Under Curriculum for Excellence, all adults who work in schools have a responsibility to support and develop mental, emotional, social and physical wellbeing. It is for the local authority and schools to decide how to develop their own approaches to implement curriculum for excellence, based on local needs and circumstances. Whilst an authority may wish to provide access to school based counselling in their schools, in other areas, schools utilise the skills of their pastoral care or guidance staff and liaise with health services for specialist support when required.\r\n\r\nEvery school has a named contact in specialist Children and Adolescent Mental Health Service services who can be contacted for advice if they have any concerns about a pupil and can provide ongoing support.","AnswerDate":"2015-06-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alasdair Allan","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303609,"EventID":"S4W-25806","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5556,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":111,"ApprovedDate":"2015-05-28T16:40:16.45","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-28T13:58:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what proportion of children referred to children’s panels have been diagnosed with a mental health issue.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Children’s Reporter Administration publishes statistics for all referrals made to the reporter and the number of those children then referred for a children’s hearing to consider compulsory supervision.\r\n\r\nThis national data does not include whether any children going to a children’s hearing have a diagnosed mental health problem. We would expect this to be included in any report sent to the reporter and so will be held on individual children’s case files.","AnswerDate":"2015-06-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fiona McLeod","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303610,"EventID":"S4W-25807","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3806,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-05-28T16:40:17.027","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-28T14:46:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what criteria it set to determine the (a) overall quality and (b) quality in terms of (i) timetabling, (ii) capacity, (iii) additional freight service, (iv) type of vessel and (v) passenger services of bids for NorthLink ferry services; what weighting it gave to each element, and whether details of the criteria were made available to perspective bidders.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-25461 on 21 May 2015. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at: \r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx","AnswerDate":"2015-06-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303611,"EventID":"S4W-25815","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-05-28T16:40:17.823","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-28T16:07:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will adopt the aims of Enable Scotland's #stopthebus campaign.","AnswerText":"Enable Scotland’s campaign aims to make it easier for the people with learning disabilities to access concessionary travel under the national concessionary bus travel scheme.\r\nThe Scottish Government has no plans to extend the scheme to recipients of the lower rate of the mobility component of Disability Living Allowance, as requested by Enable Scotland. People with disabilities, including learning disabilities, may however be eligible for the scheme under other criteria which are not dependent on benefits. My officials are in discussion with Enable Scotland and with local authorities, which handle applications, to see how processes could be clarified for applications based on these criteria.","AnswerDate":"2015-06-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303615,"EventID":"S4W-25810","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5041,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-05-29T14:12:20.647","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-28T16:05:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many people have received support from the expansion of the Employer Recruitment Incentive to include people with additional support needs that it announced on 30 August 2013.","AnswerText":"Statistics on the number of young people supported through the Targeted Employer Recruitment Incentive are published by Skills Development Scotland, as part of their quarterly statistical official reporting mechanism. The full year statistics 2014-15 are due for publication on June 9 2015. Previous published stats can be found at: http://www.skillsdevelopmentscotland.co.uk/statistics/other-skills-initiatives/.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-06-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Annabelle Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303616,"EventID":"S4W-25811","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5041,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-05-29T14:12:21.913","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-28T16:05:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the recommendation by the Commission for Developing Scotland's Young Workforce, whether it will set a target to increase the number (a) disabled people and (b) care leavers undertaking modern apprenticeships.","AnswerText":"We announced in Parliament on 13 May 2015 that Skills Development Scotland would receive additional funding of £500,000 to support the final development and delivery of a modern apprenticeship equalities action plan which will include specific improvement targets to improve participation relating to gender; black and minority ethnic; disabilities and care leavers\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-06-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Annabelle Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303617,"EventID":"S4W-25812","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5041,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-05-29T14:12:22.627","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-28T16:05:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many disabled people are undertaking modern apprenticeships, also broken down by disability.","AnswerText":"This is an operational matter for Skills Development Scotland and we will ask the Chief Executive to write to you.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-06-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Annabelle Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303618,"EventID":"S4W-25813","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5041,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-05-29T14:12:23.233","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-28T16:05:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many care leavers have received support from the Employer Recruitment Incentive.","AnswerText":"Statistics on the number of young people supported through the targeted Employer Recruitment Incentive are published by Skills Development Scotland, as part of their quarterly statistical official reporting mechanism. The full year statistics 2014-15 are due for publication on June 9 2015. Previous published statistics can be found at http://www.skillsdevelopmentscotland.co.uk/statistics/other-skills-initiatives/. The published Quarter 3 breakdown shows that:\r\n\r\nBreakdown of starts to Quarter 3 2014-15*\r\n\r\n16-24\r\n25-29\r\nTotal\r\nDisabled\r\n369\r\n25\r\n394\r\nCare Leaver\r\n40\r\n5\r\n41\r\nYoung Carer\r\n113\r\n0\r\n113\r\nEx Offender\r\n101\r\n0\r\n101\r\n*Please note, some figures have been rounded for the purposes of data protection compliance. ","AnswerDate":"2015-06-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Annabelle Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303619,"EventID":"S4W-25814","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5041,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-05-29T14:12:23.95","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-28T16:05:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what proportion of care leavers is undertaking a modern apprenticeship.","AnswerText":"This is an operational matter for Skills Development Scotland (SDS) and we will ask the Chief Executive to write to you.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-06-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Annabelle Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303620,"EventID":"S4W-25816","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-05-29T14:12:24.557","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-28T17:40:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on its review of the pet vending trade including exotic animals.","AnswerText":"The review of the pet vending trade including exotic animals is part of a wider review of pet welfare, which is a substantial and ongoing piece of work. Some initial meetings with stakeholders have already been held and further meetings are planned later in 2015.","AnswerDate":"2015-06-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Richard Lochhead","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303621,"EventID":"S4W-25817","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2066,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-05-29T14:12:25.293","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-29T08:46:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether the Expert Ferry Group will discuss the service specification for the forthcoming Clyde and Hebrides Ferry Services contract.","AnswerText":"There are currently no plans for the Expert Ferry Group to discuss the service specification for the forthcoming Clyde and Hebrides Ferry Services contract. Items for the agendas are proposed in advance of each meeting by group members.\r\nAgendas and minutes of the Expert Ferry Group meetings are published on the Transport Scotland website.","AnswerDate":"2015-06-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303622,"EventID":"S4W-25818","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2066,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-05-29T14:12:26.14","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-29T08:46:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what consultations Transport Scotland (a) has had and (b) will have with (i) island communities, (ii) representatives and (iii) stakeholders regarding the service specification for the forthcoming Clyde and Hebrides Ferry Services contract.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-24218 on 11 February 2015. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at: \r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx","AnswerDate":"2015-06-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303623,"EventID":"S4W-25819","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2066,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-05-29T14:12:26.87","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-29T08:46:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether Transport Scotland will publish the draft invitation to tender for the forthcoming Clyde and Hebrides Ferry Services contract and seek responses and comments from all stakeholder groups.","AnswerText":"The invitation to tender will reflect the outcome of the extensive consultation which led to the publication of the ferries plan in December 2012. A first round of consultation on the future of ferry services was carried out during the spring and summer of 2009 and was supplemented with an extensive data collection exercise, including a household survey. This was followed by a full public consultation exercise in 2010, including some 40 community events across the Highlands and Islands, a series of public meetings and publication of a formal consultation document and subsequent responses. The consultation process led to the publication of the Scottish Ferries Plan 2013-2022 which sets out the level of services to be provided for the Clyde and Hebrides Ferry Services, and which forms the basis of the tender for the next contract. Consequently, there is no requirement to seek further comments to inform the invitation to tender. Key stakeholder groups will continue to be engaged and informed on the progress of the tender process up to the point that the final invitation to tender is issued.","AnswerDate":"2015-06-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303624,"EventID":"S4W-25821","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2015-05-29T14:12:27.687","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-28T17:20:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4F-02821 by Nicola Sturgeon on 28 May 2015 (Official Report, c. 20), what assessment has been made of the cost of forestalling in relation to the land and buildings transaction tax and the specific sum sought from the UK Government.","AnswerText":"Scottish Government officials continue to work with the UK Government colleagues to estimate the likely impact of forestalling on UK Government revenues from Stamp Duty Land Tax in 2014-15 and on Scottish Government revenues from the Land and Buildings Transaction Tax in 2015-16. The Scottish Government’s estimates will be subject to review by the Scottish Fiscal Commission. This analytical work will form the basis of a negotiation and agreement between Scottish and UK Ministers on the additional funding to be transferred to the Scottish Budget in 2015-16.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-06-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303625,"EventID":"S4W-25822","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-05-29T14:12:28.86","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-29T07:46:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what research has been done on the benefits to (a) physical health and (b) long-term chronic health conditions as a result of good mental health.","AnswerText":"There is a significant body of international scientific and medical literature on the relationships between physical and long-term health conditions and mental health.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-06-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303626,"EventID":"S4W-25823","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-05-29T14:12:29.917","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-29T07:46:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many drivers have been fined for speeding in each month since the speed cameras were installed on the A9 between Perth and Inverness; what the (a) average and (b) highest fine was, and what highest speed was recorded.","AnswerText":"The operation and enforcement of the average speed camera system on the A9 is the responsibility of Police Scotland and the relevant safety camera units. The Scottish Government does not hold any of the requested information. This is a matter for Police Scotland.\r\nSince the system went live on 28 October 2014, through to 20 April 2015, Police Scotland advises that 1,744 vehicles have been detected exceeding the speed limit and warranted further action.","AnswerDate":"2015-06-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303627,"EventID":"S4W-25829","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-05-29T14:12:31.05","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-29T13:27:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what organisations support its move to extend nurses’ powers to detain pending medical examination from two to three hours.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-25830 on 9 June 2015. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at: \r\n\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.","AnswerDate":"2015-06-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303628,"EventID":"S4W-25830","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-05-29T14:12:32.02","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-29T13:27:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government which responses to its consultation on the Mental Health (Scotland) Bill supported its move to extend nurses’ powers to detain pending medical examination from two to three hours.","AnswerText":"A total of 110 responses were received to A Consultation on draft proposals for a Mental Health (Scotland) Bill. This is available at:\r\n\r\nhttp://www.gov.scot/Publications/2013/12/1962 with the full text of consultation responses available at: http://www.gov.scot/Publications/2014/04/7902.\r\nQuestion eight of the consultation requested views on the proposed amendment to section 299 (Nurse's power to detain pending medical examination), as part of a wider set of issues on removal and detention of patients.\r\nAn analysis of the consultation responses may be accessed at:\r\nhttp://www.gov.scot/Publications/2014/07/6128. It states that more comments were made with regard to the proposal to increase a nurse's power to detain pending a medical examination (under section 299 of the 2003 Act) to ‘up to three hours’. Overall a majority of those who responded agreed with this proposal.","AnswerDate":"2015-06-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303641,"EventID":"S4W-25824","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-01T13:53:46.323","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-29T13:01:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many patients with a learning disability faced delayed discharge over (a) four weeks in each of the last four quarters and (b) six weeks in each of the last 16 quarters, not including patients designated as code 9 in the Delayed Discharges Definitions and Data Recording Manual.","AnswerText":"The following table shows the number of standard delayed discharge patients recorded on the Information Services Division (ISD) delayed discharge census in Scotland recorded with a standard reason for delay code within the learning disability specialty. The figures, not including code 9 delayed discharges, are shown for patients with a delay period more than four weeks at each quarterly census from July 2014 to April 2015 and for patients with a delay period more than six weeks at each quarterly census from July 2011 to April 2015.\r\n\r\nNumber of standard delayed discharges in a learning disability specialty\r\nQuarterly census\r\nDelayed over four weeks\r\nDelayed over six weeks\r\nApril 2015\r\n1\r\n1\r\nJanuary 2015\r\n1\r\n-\r\nOctober 2014\r\n3\r\n1\r\nJuly 2014\r\n1\r\n-\r\nApril 2014\r\n\r\n-\r\nJanuary 2014\r\n\r\n-\r\nOctober 2013\r\n\r\n1\r\nJuly 2013\r\n\r\n-\r\nApril 2013\r\n\r\n-\r\nJanuary 2013\r\n\r\n1\r\nOctober 2012\r\n\r\n1\r\nJuly 2012\r\n\r\n-\r\nApril 2012\r\n\r\n-\r\nJanuary 2012\r\n\r\n-\r\nOctober 2011\r\n\r\n-\r\nJuly 2011\r\n\r\n-\r\nSource: ISD Scotland\r\nRef: IR2015_01087","AnswerDate":"2015-06-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303642,"EventID":"S4W-25825","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-01T13:53:47.403","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-29T13:01:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many patients with a learning disability and who have been designated as code 9 in the Delayed Discharges Definitions and Data Recording Manual have faced delayed discharge in each of the last 16 quarters.","AnswerText":"The following table shows the number of delayed discharge patients in Scotland recorded on the Information Services Division (ISD) delayed discharge census as a code 9 within a learning disability specialty at each quarterly census from July 2011 to April 2015.\r\nWe believe the increase in the level of these delays is due, in part, to health boards’ improved data collection on learning disability patients, following recommendation 50 from The keys to life: Improving quality of life for people with learning disabilities (http://keystolife.info/) report.\r\nQuarterly Census\r\nCode 9 Delayed Discharges in Learning Disability Specialty\r\nApril 2015\r\n25\r\nJanuary 2015\r\n24\r\nOctober 2014\r\n19\r\nJuly 2014\r\n22\r\nApril 2014\r\n20\r\nJanuary 2014\r\n20\r\nOctober 2013\r\n8\r\nJuly 2013\r\n8\r\nApril 2013\r\n10\r\nJanuary 2013\r\n8\r\nOctober 2012\r\n6\r\nJuly 2012\r\n3\r\nApril 2012\r\n5\r\nJanuary 2012\r\n8\r\nOctober 2011\r\n7\r\nJuly 2011\r\n2\r\nSource: ISD Scotland\r\nRef: IR2015_01085","AnswerDate":"2015-06-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303643,"EventID":"S4W-25826","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-01T13:53:48.407","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-29T13:01:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when the working group that is examining the requirement for inpatient beds for people with a learning disability will report and when it will publish the findings.","AnswerText":"The Mental Health and Learning Disability Bed Census: One Day Audit was undertaken on 29 October 2014. The Scottish Government plans to publish provisional analysis from the census imminently.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-06-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303644,"EventID":"S4W-25827","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-01T13:53:49.3","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-29T13:01:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it met the target set out in the 2006 report, Delivering for Mental Health, of increasing the number of inpatient child and adolescent mental health beds by 56 by 2010 and, if not, (a) for what reason and (b) when the target will be achieved.","AnswerText":"We are working closely with NHS boards to ensure that the number of specialist beds matches the need and demand of children and adolescents. We are also encouraging NHS boards to develop their community based intensive outreach services in order to enable children and young people to return to their own communities at an earlier stage of their recovery.\r\nA new model of 'hospital at home' type care and treatment has been introduced across many NHS boards. This new approach creates new capacity. In the areas where the new approaches are most advanced this has been demonstrated to have had the effect of significantly reducing the need for unscheduled and temporary admissions of under 18s to adult psychiatric hospital beds.\r\nThe new approach emphasises the child's strengths and uses the expertise within the family and the local community to maximise the support available - the theory being that a small change in a child's familiar environment will be more significant in their recovery than a larger change in a setting alien to them. When provided in conjunction with practices such as proactive discharge (planning discharges from the date of decision to admit) and flexible approaches to in-reach and out-reach work, a number of benefits have been demonstrated. Some admissions are avoided altogether. Many are significantly shortened. Where evaluation and research has been undertaken, good patient outcomes have been demonstrated.\r\nGenerally children accessing Child Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) will be treated in the community however there may be times when it is necessary to admit them to hospital for specialist treatment. Should this be the case they would be admitted to one of the three regional CAMHS inpatient units or for under 12s the Royal Hospital for sick kids.\r\nWe are operating a regional model of service delivery and presently have 48 beds in the 3 regional units with a further 6 beds for under 12s giving a total bed numbers for children and young people in Scotland to 54.","AnswerDate":"2015-06-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303645,"EventID":"S4W-25828","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-01T13:53:50.327","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-29T13:01:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when the Scottish Prison Service will complete the roll-out of the screening tool to identify offenders with learning difficulties.","AnswerText":"I have asked Colin McConnell, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service, to respond. His response is as follows:\r\n“The date for the completion of the roll out of the learning/disabilities (LDD) screening tool is as yet unknown. The Scottish Prison Service has recently initiated the second stage of their pilot screening project at HMYOI Polmont, with HMP and YOI Cornton Vale and HMP Glenochil scheduled to follow over the next two weeks.\r\nAll prisoners entering HMYOI Polmont and all sentenced prisoners at the other two establishments will be routinely invited to participate in the screening. The second stage pilot is being progressed in partnership with Forth Valley NHS and will run until May 2016. The pilot roll out at these three establishments will be completed by the end of June 2015. Subject to evaluation, LDD screening may become a core feature of induction processes with possible expansion across the Scottish prison estate.”","AnswerDate":"2015-06-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303646,"EventID":"S4W-25831","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3806,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-01T13:53:51.43","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-29T13:47:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what external consultants have been contracted by each member of the David MacBrayne Group since 2011; for which projects, and what the value of each contract was or is.","AnswerText":"A number of contractors have been brought in to assist in the procurement of the wide area network service and associated work, and others are involved in the upgrade of CalMac’s ticketing and online booking system, which involves a significant IT input. This is short term expertise which does not exist in house and it is standard business practice to contract this in as required. These are highly complex projects with a good deal of cross team working due to the diverse nature of the work being undertaken. \r\nThe contract values are commercially confidential.","AnswerDate":"2015-06-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303647,"EventID":"S4W-25832","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3806,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-01T13:53:52.153","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-29T13:49:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the cost to David MacBrayne Ltd was of the bid to the UK Government for the contract to manage the Marchwood Sea Mounting Centre.","AnswerText":"This information is commercially sensitive.","AnswerDate":"2015-06-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303648,"EventID":"S4W-25833","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3806,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-01T13:53:52.993","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-29T13:49:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what annual payments David MacBrayne Ltd will receive from the UK Government for its role as joint manager of the Marchwood Sea Mounting Centre.","AnswerText":"This information is commercially sensitive.","AnswerDate":"2015-06-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303649,"EventID":"S4W-25834","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3806,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-01T13:53:54.05","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-29T13:49:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of David MacBrayne Ltd’s joint bid to manage Marchwood Sea Mounting Centre.","AnswerText":"The board of David MacBrayne Ltd (DML) considered that the opportunity at Marchwood allowed DML to grow its business into wider transport logistics in line with the DML Business Plan 2014-16 (approved by the DML board in May 2014). It also reflects Scottish Ministers’ intent that DML should, where it is appropriate to do so, seek contracts elsewhere in the UK and beyond, and with the Programme for Government (2014-15) which sets out a call for a common national endeavour, involving the values of enterprise and innovation, to build Scotland’s place in the world.","AnswerDate":"2015-06-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303650,"EventID":"S4W-25835","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3806,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-01T13:53:55.003","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-29T13:49:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what estimate it has made of the annual income for David MacBrayne Group of its role in managing and exploiting the commercial potential of Marchwood Sea Mounting Centre.","AnswerText":"This information is commercially sensitive.","AnswerDate":"2015-06-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303651,"EventID":"S4W-25836","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3806,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-01T13:53:55.857","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-29T13:49:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many meetings officials and ministers have had with representatives of (a) Solent Gateway Limited, (b) GBA (Holdings) Ltd and (c) David MacBrayne Ltd regarding the UK Government’s invitation to tender for the Marchwood Sea Mounting Centre contract.","AnswerText":"Senior representatives of David MacBrayne Ltd (DML) have informed and discussed their proposals regarding their joint venture with GBA (Holdings) – Solent Gateway Ltd with Transport Scotland officials and with Scottish Ministers. No meetings have been held between Scottish Ministers or officials, and representatives of either Solent Gateway Ltd or GBA (Holdings) Ltd regarding the invitation to tender for the Marchwood Sea Mounting Centre contract.","AnswerDate":"2015-06-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303652,"EventID":"S4W-25837","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3806,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-01T13:53:57.017","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-29T13:49:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many David MacBrayne Ltd employees worked on the joint bid for the Marchwood Sea Mounting Centre contract; when that contract will start, and whether David MacBrayne employees will transfer to Solent Gateway Limited.","AnswerText":"This information is commercially sensitive at this time.","AnswerDate":"2015-06-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303653,"EventID":"S4W-25838","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3806,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-01T13:53:57.927","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-29T13:49:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether David MacBrayne Ltd will be entitled to (a) profit share and (b) dividend payments under the contract with the UK Government to manage and commercially exploit spare port capacity at Marchwood Sea Mounting Centre.","AnswerText":"This information is commercially sensitive.","AnswerDate":"2015-06-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303654,"EventID":"S4W-25839","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3806,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-01T13:53:58.743","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-29T13:49:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what external consultants Transport Scotland has contracted, and at what cost, to work on the invitation to tender for the Clyde and Hebrides Ferry Services contract.","AnswerText":"Transport Scotland has contracted externally through an existing framework to obtain specialist procurement expertise for the Clyde and Hebrides Ferry Services procurement. The contract commenced in August 2014 and the cost recorded at the time of the most recently processed account on 2 May 2015 was £72,276.83.","AnswerDate":"2015-06-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303655,"EventID":"S4W-25845","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4984,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-01T13:53:59.8","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-29T14:34:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4O-03490 by Michael Matheson on 21 August 2014, whether the spring 2015 target for opening the facility has been met and, if not, (a) for what reason and (b) when it will be operational.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-22387 on 12 September 2014. On 19 August 2014, the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Wellbeing announced that the Scottish Government is investing up to £1 million to purchase a robot which complements the fundraising efforts of UCAN, the urological cancer charity in the north of Scotland. It was also confirmed at that time that patients were expected to benefit from this advanced surgical technique within a year. It is expected that robotically assisted surgery for the treatment of prostate cancer will be operational by October 2015.\r\n\r\nAll answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.","AnswerDate":"2015-06-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303656,"EventID":"S4W-25846","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4984,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-01T13:54:00.43","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-29T14:34:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether the facilities for robot-assisted surgery for prostate cancer surgery that are scheduled to be operational in Aberdeen in 2015 will be available to patients in all NHS board areas.","AnswerText":"Pending the planned roll out of robotically assisted surgery to other parts of Scotland, men who require prostate cancer surgery should have access to the most appropriate treatment, wherever that may be delivered, based on their individual clinical circumstances.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-06-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303657,"EventID":"S4W-25847","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4984,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-01T13:54:01.033","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-29T14:34:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to ensure that NHS Scotland patients requiring robot-assisted prostate cancer surgery are able to access facilities elsewhere in the UK.","AnswerText":"Clinically effective surgery for the treatment of prostate cancer is available throughout NHS Scotland.\r\nThe arrangements for access to healthcare in NHS England (or elsewhere in the UK) for residents of Scotland are based on individual clinical decisions. The clinical requirement for any such referral is defined by a relevant specialist working in NHS Scotland in consultation with their patient.","AnswerDate":"2015-06-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303658,"EventID":"S4W-25849","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4984,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-01T13:54:01.58","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-29T14:34:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on whether the NHS should rent facilities to provide robot-assisted surgery for prostate cancer patients until such time as it has its own fully-operational facilities.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-25846 on 11 June 2014.\r\nThere are no plans to rent such facilities. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.","AnswerDate":"2015-06-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303659,"EventID":"S4W-25850","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4984,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-01T13:54:02.12","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-29T14:34:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many NHS Scotland patients have received treatment (a) in the rest of the UK and (b) overseas in each year since 2007, broken down by (i) place of and (ii) reason for treatment.","AnswerText":"Information on the number of residents of Scotland who received medical treatment as an inpatient or day case (elective and emergency admissions) in England, Wales and Northern Ireland is provided by main condition for the financial years 2007-08 to 2014-15. The data across the UK is not directly comparable due to differences in data definitions. The tables are available from the Scottish Parliament Information Centre (Bib. number 56946).\r\nInformation on residents of Scotland who have been treated outwith the UK is not available centrally.","AnswerDate":"2015-06-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303660,"EventID":"S4W-25851","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4984,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-01T13:54:02.72","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-29T14:34:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether the NHS is negotiating on a national basis to secure the best possible deal in its purchasing of facilities for robot-assisted surgery for prostate cancer patients.","AnswerText":"The National Planning Forum's Robot Assisted Surgery Implementation Group is overseeing the introduction of robotically assisted surgery in Scotland and will consider whether there may be opportunities for national procurement.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-06-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303661,"EventID":"S4W-25852","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4984,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-01T13:54:03.34","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-29T14:34:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many radical prostatectomies have been performed by the NHS in each year since 2007, also broken down by type of surgery.","AnswerText":"Figures for the number of radical prostatectomies carried out in Scotland are not available centrally as these are not identified separately in the data provided by NHS boards. The figures in the following table are for the types of prostatectomies performed within NHS Scotland, broken down by procedure type (endoscopic prostatectomy using laparoscope or open prostatectomy).\r\n\r\nTable. Number of prostatectomies for selected types of procedure, Scotland, 2007 to 2014.\r\n\r\nCalendar Year\r\n\r\n2007\r\n2008\r\n2009\r\n2010\r\n2011\r\n2012\r\n2013\r\n2014\r\nEndoscopic prostatectomy using laparoscope\r\n267\r\n222\r\n271\r\n249\r\n203\r\n212\r\n223\r\n259\r\nOpen prostatectomy\r\n83\r\n96\r\n98\r\n139\r\n185\r\n192\r\n207\r\n242\r\nTotal\r\n350\r\n318\r\n369\r\n388\r\n388\r\n404\r\n430\r\n501\r\nSource: SMR01, ISD Scotland","AnswerDate":"2015-06-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303662,"EventID":"S4W-25853","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4984,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-01T13:54:03.897","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-29T14:34:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the average cost is of an overnight stay in an NHS hospital.","AnswerText":"The average cost of an overnight inpatient stay at an NHS Scotland hospital, in 2013-14 was £545. This is based on the hospital costs of the 14 territorial boards and the two special boards, namely the State Hospital and Golden Jubilee National Hospital.\r\n\r\nSource: Scottish Health Service Costs 2013-14, Report R025, ISD Scotland","AnswerDate":"2015-06-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303663,"EventID":"S4W-25867","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2135,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":92,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-01T13:54:04.523","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-01T11:05:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will ensure that Caledonian Maritime Assets Ltd does not proceed to final tender decision for two new ferries for the Clyde and Hebrides Ferry Services without agreement from the communities served by these routes that the specifications are (a) suitable for existing piers and harbours and (b) capable of replication over a number of years.","AnswerText":"Caledonian Maritime Assets Ltd (CMAL) will ensure that prior to any contract award it will ascertain that the new vessels will be suitable for the existing piers and harbours on the routes identified for the initial deployment of these vessels.\r\nIf this proves not to be possible, CMAL will identify what modifications may be required to the piers and harbours (or the vessels’ preliminary designs) to allow the vessels to operate from these ports. There are potentially 15 piers and harbours on the Clyde and Hebrides network that these vessels can serve.\r\nCMAL will be capable of procuring similar vessels in the future.","AnswerDate":"2015-06-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303664,"EventID":"S4W-25868","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2135,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":92,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-01T13:54:05.207","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-01T11:05:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will ask Caledonian Maritime Assets Ltd to reconsider the length specification for two new ferries for the Clyde and Hebrides Ferry Services, as this would restrict their usage on a number routes, including those to Islay and Mull.","AnswerText":"The length of a vessel directly affects its capacity to carry vehicles. Following a detailed demand led analysis, carrying capacity is seen as the primary constraint on a large number of routes, and has thus informed the proposed specification for the new vessels. Shorter vessels would severely restrict the available carrying capacity, particularly for freight traffic.\r\nFor any new vessel procurement exercise, the length of vessels will be fully considered, either in terms of vessel design or for any necessary port modification requirements.","AnswerDate":"2015-06-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303665,"EventID":"S4W-25869","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2135,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":92,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-01T13:54:05.877","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-01T11:05:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will ask Caledonian Maritime Assets Ltd to ensure that the final specification for two new ferries for the Clyde and Hebrides Ferry Services will allow their operation on all routes without modifications to piers or harbours.","AnswerText":"Caledonian Maritime Assets Ltd aim to have two vessels that can operate at a number of identified ports without modifications or with only minimal modifications. There are potentially 15 piers and harbours on the Clyde and Hebrides network that these vessels can serve.","AnswerDate":"2015-06-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303666,"EventID":"S4W-25870","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2135,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":92,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-01T13:54:06.537","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-01T11:05:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will require Caledonian Maritime Assets Ltd to develop a standard specification for the procurement of two new ferries for the Clyde and Hebrides Ferry Services that could permit the building of further ferries for use on all existing services and capable of using all pier and harbour infrastructure without major modification.","AnswerText":"Caledonian Maritime Assets Ltd (CMAL) has developed a ferry design specification that is capable of utilising a number of existing pier and harbour facilities. Restricting the ferry design to fit with all existing pier and harbour facilities would limit the carrying capacities in terms of passengers, cars and freight and would not make best use of emerging technologies and deeper water ports. This would also restrict the changes that could be made to ferry designs that would otherwise reduce fuel consumption, minimise emissions and lower operating costs.\r\nFuture development of pier and harbour facilities to ensure maximum flexibility and fit with vessel design and deployment is a key priority for CMAL moving forward.","AnswerDate":"2015-06-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303667,"EventID":"S4W-25871","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1845,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-01T13:54:07.2","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-01T11:38:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of medical cover for rural communities across Aberdeenshire.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is fully committed to providing the people of Scotland with the NHS Services which meet their needs and maintain high standards of care. It expects all NHS Scotland boards to have the right person in place at the right time to ensure they can provide safe, effective and high quality care for their patients.\r\n\r\nSimilarly it falls to each NHS Scotland board, including NHS Grampian, to ensure sufficient numbers of the right staff are providing high quality services to their communities by applying effective, consistent and enlightened recruitment policies which apply to local circumstances.\r\nWhere there are indications that medical services are likely to be affected by any change in local circumstances, it also falls to each individual NHS board to take such action as is necessary to preserve sustainability of services, within the available budget.","AnswerDate":"2015-06-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303668,"EventID":"S4W-25872","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1845,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-01T13:54:08.147","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-01T11:38:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many calls have been made to NHS24 in the last year.","AnswerText":"NHS 24 has reported that 1,561,540 calls were made to its unscheduled care service during 2014-15.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-06-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303669,"EventID":"S4W-25873","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1845,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-01T13:54:09.007","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-01T11:38:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many ambulances have been dispatched following an NHS24 call in the last year.","AnswerText":"NHS 24 reports that 72,898 patient records included reference to an ambulance response for the reporting year 2014-15.","AnswerDate":"2015-06-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303670,"EventID":"S4W-25874","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1845,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-01T13:54:10.07","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-01T11:38:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many (a) GP and (b) nurse visits have resulted from a call to NHS24 in the last year.","AnswerText":"NHS24 reports 134,553 instances of patient records included reference to a home visit during 2014-15. Details of whether a GP or nurse visit was specified are not recorded.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-06-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303687,"EventID":"S4F-02833","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":3812,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-01T13:08:47.697","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-28T15:35:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister what engagements she has planned for the rest of the day.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":"2015-06-04T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303688,"EventID":"S4F-02837","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":5106,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":118,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-01T13:08:49.07","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-01T01:21:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister what the Scottish Government's response is to Inclusion Scotland's research suggesting that disabled people are experiencing stress, fear and isolation because of welfare reform.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":"2015-06-04T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303689,"EventID":"S4F-02838","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":2123,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":103,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-01T13:08:49.49","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-01T08:16:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister whether the Scottish Government will speak out about human rights abuses in Qatar prior to the Scotland versus Qatar football match on 5 June.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":"2015-06-04T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303690,"EventID":"S4F-02839","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":4976,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-01T13:08:49.913","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-01T08:53:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister when she will next meet the Prime Minister.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":"2015-06-04T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303691,"EventID":"S4F-02841","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-01T13:08:51.033","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-01T09:14:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister what the Scottish Government's position is on reports that teachers are working 11 hours each week on top of their contracted hours.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":"2015-06-04T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303692,"EventID":"S4F-02843","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":3763,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-01T13:08:51.97","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-01T09:30:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister what discussions the Scottish Government has had with the Scottish Retail Consortium regarding the level of food waste in supermarkets.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":"2015-06-04T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303693,"EventID":"S4T-01048","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":9,"MSPID":1865,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":85,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-01T13:09:25.49","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-01T11:55:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with the UK Government about the welfare of people held at the Dungavel detention centre in light of recent protests held there.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":"2015-06-02T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303694,"EventID":"S4T-01049","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":9,"MSPID":2892,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-01T13:09:26.02","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-01T11:56:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it is responding to the “serious risk” of “international disrepute” if it continues to miss annual climate change targets.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":"2015-06-02T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303699,"EventID":"S4W-25875","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2603,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-01T16:50:44.843","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-01T15:15:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-13296 by John Swinney on 5 March 2013, how much Aberdeen City has collected in business rates in each year since 2012-13.","AnswerText":"The information requested, as returned to the Scottish Government by Aberdeen City Council, is set out in the following table. The figures provided represent the final audited amounts for each of the years in question.\r\nNon-domestic rates collected by Aberdeen City Council.\r\nFinancial Year\r\nAmount Collected\r\n£ million\r\n2012-13\r\n170.220\r\n2013-14\r\n178.271","AnswerDate":"2015-06-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303700,"EventID":"S4W-25876","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2603,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-01T16:50:45.45","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-01T15:15:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much was spent on trunk road maintenance by Transport Scotland in (a) Aberdeen and (b) Aberdeenshire in each of the last three years.","AnswerText":"Maintenance spend figures are not recorded on a local authority basis. The trunk roads in Aberdeen City and Aberdeenshire are the A90 and A96. Spend per annum on the full length of the routes is listed in the following table:\r\n\r\n2012-13\r\n2013-14\r\n2014-15\r\nA90 (Perth to Fraserburgh) \r\n£9 million\r\n£10.5 million\r\n£8.5 million \r\nA96 (Inverness to Aberdeen) \r\n£4.7 million\r\n£5.7 million\r\n£5.0 million\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-06-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303701,"EventID":"S4W-25877","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2603,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-01T16:50:46.1","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-01T15:15:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what funding it has allocated to NHS Grampian for the funding of alcohol and drug partnerships in 2014-15.","AnswerText":"A total of £5,770,305 was allocated in 2014-15 to NHS Grampian for the three alcohol and drug partnerships (Aberdeen City, Aberdeenshire and Moray) in NHS Grampian.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-06-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303702,"EventID":"S4W-25878","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2603,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-01T16:50:46.777","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-01T15:15:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many public sector jobs were based in Aberdeen in 2014 and how this compared with other cities.","AnswerText":"The Business Register and Employment Survey provides estimates of employee jobs in the public and private sector at local authority level. Information relating to 2014 from the Business Register and Employment Survey is scheduled to be published in September 2015.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-06-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303703,"EventID":"S4W-25879","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-01T16:50:47.783","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-01T15:30:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on the recent data that shows that, in the 12 months to March 2015, the number of people waiting more than six weeks for a CT scan increased almost tenfold.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-25880 on 11 June 2015. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at:\r\n\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.\r\nOn 31 March 2015, 98% of patients on the waiting list had waited less than six weeks for a CT scan. However we are not complacent and to ensure that NHS Scotland continues to deliver swift treatment for CT scans the Scottish Government invested £300,000 last year to create a new diagnostic hub at Queen Margaret Hospital in Fife to support diagnostic performance in NHS Fife, Lothian and Forth Valley. Also under this government the number of consultant clinical radiologists has increased by 36.2% from 223.5 whole time equivalent (WTE) at September 2006 to 304.5 WTE at March 2015. In the last year alone the number of consultant clinical radiologists has increased by 16.2 WTE an increase of 5.6%.","AnswerDate":"2015-06-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303704,"EventID":"S4W-25880","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-01T16:50:49.133","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-01T15:30:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on the recent data that shows that, in the last year, the number of people waiting more than six weeks for key clinical tests more than doubled.","AnswerText":"We recognise the importance of patients getting swift access to diagnostic tests and all boards have confirmed that patients with a suspicion of cancer receive their diagnostic test within two to three weeks. Whilst the numbers of patients waiting longer than six weeks has increased, the demand for these tests has also increased. This is demonstrated by the number of upper and lower gastrointestinal scopes increasing by around 19,000 from 125,000 in 2006-07 to 144,000 in 2013-14, an increase of 15%. To address some of this increase the Scottish Government has made available around £12.5 million between 2012 to 2016 specifically to support diagnostic waits.","AnswerDate":"2015-06-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303705,"EventID":"S4W-25881","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-01T16:50:49.687","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-01T15:30:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on the recent data that shows that, in the 12 months to March 2015, the number of people waiting more than six weeks for an upper endoscopy test increased more than threefold.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-25880 on 11 June 2015. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at:\r\n\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.\r\nA number of boards have recently recruited or are in the process of recruiting additional consultants as well as nurse endoscopists to help improve waiting times.","AnswerDate":"2015-06-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303707,"EventID":"S4W-25840","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5034,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-02T17:08:06.48","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-29T14:12:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on the report in the Evening Telegraph on 22 May 2015 that “the number of concerns raised by NHS [Tayside] workers over staffing levels is nearly 50 times higher than it was five years ago” and whether it will investigate this issue. ","AnswerText":"Under this government, staffing levels in NHS Tayside have increased by 915.6 whole time equivalent, or 8.3% since September 2006.\r\nThe Scottish Government is clear that it is right for any member of staff in NHS Scotland with concerns about any aspect of delivering healthcare to raise them with their managers, and that managers have a duty to respond to and address those concerns. \r\nThe Evening Telegraph article of 22 May 2015 reported that the number of ‘concerns’ raised by NHS Tayside employees had increased from 27 in 2012-2013 to 399 in 2013-14. This issue was addressed by an NHS Tayside spokeswoman in the same article:-“Prior to September 2012 there was no electronic system to record staffing concerns. NHS Tayside then introduced a new incident management system. Senior charge nurses have been encouraged to escalate concerns regarding staffing, which can include issues caused through sickness and absence or unexpected changes in patient numbers or conditions, through the new incident management system.”\r\n“The introduction of this new way of reporting is directly reflected in the rise in the number of incidents recorded.\r\n“We must be clear that it does not indicate the significant rise in incidents that the numbers suggest.”\r\nhttp://www.eveningtelegraph.co.uk/news/local/dundee/sharp-rise-in-nhs-tayside-staffing-concerns-1.877081","AnswerDate":"2015-06-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303708,"EventID":"S4W-25841","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5034,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-02T17:08:07.177","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-29T14:12:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it has been asked by NHS Tayside to provide additional support to address problems with staffing and recruitment and, if so, what action it has taken.","AnswerText":"Recruitment of staff is a matter for each NHSScotland board as an employer. NHSScotland boards are required to have the correct staff in place to meet the needs of the service and ensure high quality patient care. The Scottish Government works closely with boards to support their staff recruitment efforts.\r\n\r\nUnder this government, staffing levels in NHS Tayside have increased by 915.6 whole time equivalent, or 8.3% since September 2006.","AnswerDate":"2015-06-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303709,"EventID":"S4W-25842","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5034,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-02T17:08:07.647","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-29T14:12:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on staffing levels at NHS Tayside and the possible impact of this on patient safety.","AnswerText":"Patient safety continues to be the highest priority for the Scottish Government and NHS boards. We expect boards to ensure that their staffing levels provide patients with high quality and safe care at all times.\r\nUnder this government, staffing levels in NHS Tayside have increased by 915.6 whole time equivalent (wte), or 8.3% since September 2006 (from 11,064.6 to 11,980.1). In the same period the total number of nurses and midwives have increased by 464.0 wte or 9.4% from 4,912.2 wte to 5,376.2 wte.\r\nPatient safety continues to be the highest priority for the Scottish Government and NHS boards. We expect boards to ensure that their staffing levels provide patients with high quality and safe care at all times.","AnswerDate":"2015-06-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303710,"EventID":"S4W-25843","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5034,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-02T17:08:08.097","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-29T14:12:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on whether NHS Tayside has enough (a) nursing and (b) other staff in place to provide safe patient care.","AnswerText":"Scotland has led the UK in developing ground-breaking evidence based workload and workforce planning tools – covering 98% service areas. These tools help determine the right number of nurses depending on clinical needs of the patients and the particular specialty areas. Application of these tools has been mandatory for all boards since April 2013. The tools were developed in partnership with staff representatives, and are endorsed by Royal College of Nursing Scotland. Evidence demonstrates that NHS Tayside is applying all workload tools as per mandating guidance. \r\nHowever, although the Scottish Government provides the policies, frameworks and resources to support the delivery of health care in Scotland, it is for NHS Tayside to ensure the delivery of high quality person-centred services in a safe and effective way and they are responsible for determining the shape of the workforce within their own areas. This includes ensuring that they have appropriately skilled people, irrespective of gender, available within their workforce to provide person centred, safe and effective care for patients.\r\nIn NHS Tayside, the number of nursing and midwifery staff has increased by 1.5% from 5,297.5 wte as at March 2014 to 5,376.2 wte at March 2015.","AnswerDate":"2015-06-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303711,"EventID":"S4W-25844","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5034,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-02T17:08:08.557","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-29T14:12:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on nurses carrying out portering duties at NHS Tayside and how this might impact on patient care.","AnswerText":"It is for individual health boards to decide how best to deploy available resources to meet the healthcare needs of their local population, and we expect safe, effective and person-centred care to lie at the heart of all such decisions whatever the circumstances.\r\nIt is therefore the responsibility of NHS Tayside to ensure that adequate numbers of staff with the appropriate skills are on duty at all times.\r\nThe Scottish Government is closely monitoring the impact of the industrial action to ensure disruption to patient care is kept to an absolute minimum.","AnswerDate":"2015-06-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303712,"EventID":"S4W-25854","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5034,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-02T17:08:09.013","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-29T21:10:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many (a) serious and (b) other assaults there have been on Scottish Prison Service staff in each year since 2006.","AnswerText":"I have asked Colin McConnell, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service, to respond. His response is as follows:\r\n“The following tables illustrate the total number of prisoner on staff assaults since 2006 broken down by establishment and the nature of injury sustained. The data is correct to March 2015.”\r\nSerious Assaults\r\n\r\n2006-07\r\n2007-08\r\n2008-09\r\n2009-10\r\n2010-11\r\n2011-12\r\n2012-13\r\n2013-14\r\n2014-15\r\nAberdeen\r\n0\r\n0\r\n1\r\n0\r\n1\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\nAddiewell\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n1\r\n1\r\n1\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\nBarlinnie\r\n0\r\n1\r\n0\r\n0\r\n2\r\n0\r\n1\r\n0\r\n0\r\nCornton Vale\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n1\r\n2\r\n1\r\n0\r\n0\r\n1\r\nDumfries\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\nEdinburgh\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n1\r\n1\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n2\r\nGlenochil\r\n0\r\n1\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n3\r\nGrampian\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\nGreenock\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n1\r\n0\r\n0\r\n1\r\nInverness\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\nKilmarnock\r\n0\r\n1\r\n1\r\n0\r\n1\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\nLow Moss\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n1\r\n0\r\nOpen Estate\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\nPerth\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n2\r\nPeterhead\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\nPolmont\r\n0\r\n1\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n2\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\nShotts\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n1\r\n0\r\nTotals\r\n0\r\n4\r\n2\r\n3\r\n8\r\n5\r\n1\r\n2\r\n9\r\n\r\nMinor/No Injury Assaults\r\n\r\n2006-07\r\n2007-08\r\n2008-09\r\n2009-10\r\n2010-11\r\n2011-12\r\n2012-13\r\n2013-14\r\n2014-15\r\nAberdeen\r\n6\r\n2\r\n6\r\n8\r\n7\r\n2\r\n10\r\n7\r\n0\r\nAddiewell\r\n0\r\n0\r\n14\r\n48\r\n22\r\n13\r\n17\r\n12\r\n5\r\nBarlinnie\r\n32\r\n19\r\n28\r\n21\r\n29\r\n22\r\n12\r\n20\r\n27\r\nCornton Vale\r\n23\r\n23\r\n49\r\n41\r\n66\r\n50\r\n43\r\n13\r\n30\r\nDumfries\r\n0\r\n3\r\n3\r\n1\r\n1\r\n3\r\n2\r\n4\r\n1\r\nEdinburgh\r\n15\r\n13\r\n9\r\n14\r\n67\r\n13\r\n28\r\n9\r\n15\r\nGlenochil\r\n4\r\n8\r\n3\r\n3\r\n2\r\n3\r\n4\r\n13\r\n3\r\nGrampian\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n16\r\nGreenock\r\n5\r\n1\r\n0\r\n4\r\n3\r\n3\r\n1\r\n2\r\n2\r\nInverness\r\n3\r\n3\r\n1\r\n0\r\n5\r\n0\r\n1\r\n0\r\n5\r\nKilmarnock\r\n12\r\n19\r\n11\r\n9\r\n11\r\n21\r\n20\r\n13\r\n8\r\nLow Moss\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n15\r\n20\r\n7\r\nOpen Estate\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n1\r\nPerth\r\n9\r\n14\r\n11\r\n15\r\n11\r\n5\r\n20\r\n13\r\n13\r\nPeterhead\r\n4\r\n1\r\n2\r\n0\r\n7\r\n2\r\n2\r\n5\r\n0\r\nPolmont\r\n17\r\n7\r\n7\r\n14\r\n8\r\n19\r\n19\r\n23\r\n22\r\nShotts\r\n8\r\n3\r\n10\r\n6\r\n15\r\n5\r\n9\r\n7\r\n6\r\nTotals\r\n138\r\n116\r\n154\r\n184\r\n254\r\n161\r\n203\r\n161\r\n161\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-06-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303713,"EventID":"S4W-25856","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5034,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-02T17:08:09.447","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-29T21:10:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many inmates there have been in the prison estate in each year since 2006, and how this compares with prison capacity.","AnswerText":"I have asked Colin McConnell, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service (SPS), to respond. His response is as follows:\r\n“The following table shows the average total design capacity across the SPS prison estate, and the average prisoner population, for each year since 2006:”\r\nYear\r\nAverage Total Design Capacity\r\nAverage Prisoner Population\r\n2006\r\n6,405\r\n7,027\r\n2007\r\n6,899\r\n7,258\r\n2008\r\n7,274\r\n7,761\r\n2009\r\n7,470\r\n7,842\r\n2010\r\n7,496\r\n7,806\r\n2011\r\n7,287\r\n7,993\r\n2012\r\n7,742\r\n8,136\r\n2013\r\n7,820\r\n7,841\r\n2014\r\n8,157\r\n7,795\r\n2015*\r\n8,165\r\n7,579\r\n* Denotes year to date","AnswerDate":"2015-06-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303714,"EventID":"S4W-25857","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5034,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-02T17:08:09.863","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-29T21:10:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many inmate suicides there have been in the prison estate in each year since 2006.","AnswerText":"I have asked Colin McConnell, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service (SPS), to respond. His response is as follows:\r\n\r\nBefore a death in custody can be formally recorded as suicide a Fatal Accident Inquiry must be held, in accordance with the Fatal Accidents and Sudden Deaths Inquiry (Scotland) Act 1976 to legally determine the cause of death.\r\nThe information requested regarding how many people in custody have completed suicide in each year since 2006 is provided in the following table:\r\n2006\r\n2007\r\n2008\r\n2009\r\n2010\r\n2011\r\n2012\r\n2013\r\n2014\r\n2015\r\n9\r\n10\r\n5\r\n6\r\n10\r\n6*\r\n6*\r\n4*\r\n0*\r\n0*\r\n*Fatal Accident Inquiries outstanding\r\nInformation relating to death in custody is published on the SPS website.","AnswerDate":"2015-06-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303715,"EventID":"S4W-25858","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5034,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-02T17:08:10.297","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-29T21:10:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many staff have left the Scottish Prison Service in each year since 2006, also broken down by reason for leaving.","AnswerText":"I have asked Colin McConnell, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service (SPS), to respond. His response is as follows:\r\nLeaving Reasons\r\nFinancial Years\r\n2006-07\r\n2007-08\r\n2008-09\r\n2009-10\r\n2010-11\r\nDeath In Service\r\n2\r\n3\r\n7\r\n3\r\n6\r\nDismissal\r\n50\r\n55\r\n33\r\n29\r\n28\r\nEnd of Contract\r\n27\r\n79\r\n24\r\n14\r\n13\r\nResignation\r\n175\r\n168\r\n151\r\n95\r\n69\r\nRetirement\r\n46\r\n40\r\n52\r\n49\r\n41\r\nVoluntary Exit Scheme\r\n0\r\n0\r\n3\r\n16\r\n9\r\nPublic Sector Transfer\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n\r\n300\r\n345\r\n270\r\n206\r\n166\r\nIn years 2006-07 and 2007-08, figures were not held separately for ‘Voluntary Exit Scheme’ and therefore any leavers in this category have been subsumed into the ‘Retirement’ figures.\r\nLeaving Reasons\r\nFinancial Years\r\n2011-12\r\n2012-13\r\n2013-14\r\n2014-15\r\nDeath In Service\r\n5\r\n4\r\n5\r\n5\r\nDismissal\r\n41\r\n35\r\n37\r\n25\r\nEnd of Contract\r\n23\r\n14\r\n19\r\n22\r\nResignation\r\n73\r\n99\r\n98\r\n141\r\nRetirement\r\n54\r\n59\r\n58\r\n59\r\nVoluntary Exit Scheme\r\n0\r\n1\r\n9\r\n0\r\nPublic Sector Transfer\r\n249\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n\r\n445\r\n212\r\n226\r\n252\r\nIn year 2011-12, the 249 leavers attributed to ‘Public Sector Transfer’ were SPS nursing staff who transferred to the employment of the NHS.","AnswerDate":"2015-06-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303716,"EventID":"S4W-25859","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5034,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-02T17:08:10.74","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-05-29T21:10:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much the Scottish Prison Service has spent on training (a) inmates and (b) staff in each year since 2006.","AnswerText":"I have asked Colin McConnell, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service (SPS), to respond. His response is as follows:\r\n(a) Inmates  Training\r\nFinancial Years\r\n2006-07\r\n2007-08\r\n2008-09\r\n2009-10\r\n2010-11\r\nEducation Contract Spend (£)\r\n3,396,416\r\n3,468,934\r\n3,644,071\r\n3,678,991\r\n3,710,458\r\n\r\n(a) Inmates  Training\r\nFinancial Years\r\n2011-12\r\n2012-13\r\n2013-14\r\n2014-15\r\nEducation Contract Spend (£)\r\n3,596,872\r\n3,902,948\r\n3,993,157\r\n4,245,441\r\nAt this time, SPS is unable to identify costs that can be directly related to training inmates.\r\n(b) Staff  Training\r\nFinancial Years\r\n2006-07\r\n2007-08\r\n2008-09\r\n2009-10\r\n2010-11\r\nSPS College Staff Costs, External Training Fees and Expenses (£)\r\n2,460,392\r\n2,450,289\r\n2,523,948\r\n2,436,817\r\n2,356,508\r\n\r\n(b) Staff  Training\r\nFinancial Years\r\n2011-12\r\n2012-13\r\n2013-14\r\n2014-15\r\nSPS College Staff Costs, External Training Fees and Expenses (£)\r\n2,336,240\r\n3,109,141\r\n3,172,099\r\n3,733,777\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-06-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303717,"EventID":"S4W-25860","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-02T17:08:11.177","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-01T09:01:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what recent discussions it has had with (a) the Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry and (b) Community Pharmacy Scotland about supply chain difficulties for prescription medicines.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government and NHSScotland have regular engagement with Community Pharmacy Scotland on issues relating to the supply and provision of drugs for patients in the community.\r\n\r\nAt a UK level, the Human Medicines Regulations 2012 set out the regulatory processes for the manufacture and supply of medicines. In managing supply issues caused by manufacturing difficulties, regulatory problems or supply of raw materials, the Department of Health established a supply chain group in 2009 as a forum for organisations to meet and exchange information, understand the causes of the supply problems, including those due to parallel trade, and seek possible solutions.\r\nScottish Government officials are represented on the supply chain group which also includes trade bodies that represent manufacturers (including the Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry) as well as wholesalers and pharmacists. Other members include those representing dispensing doctors and patient groups.\r\nThrough these and other routes the Scottish Government and NHSScotland receive information about supply issues, which helps to inform the response to the availability of drugs and patient safety.\r\nWhen supply issues relating to individual drugs arise, the information that becomes available is shared by NHSScotland with the relevant networks within the service to help prescribers and dispensers meet patients’ on-going medicinal needs. The NHSScotland prescribing advisers network provides support to prescribers on the use of alternative products, and in circumstances where there is a prolonged period of shortage of a generic drug, dispensers can supply the branded equivalent where this appropriate. In some NHS boards this is further supported with software to inform prescribers when a certain medicine is in short supply and alternatives for prescribing.\r\nThe management of repeat prescriptions is a significant and important function for GPs to ensure optimum patient care. This includes the need to react from time-to-time when any particular shortage occurs. Sourcing drugs for dispensing against NHS prescriptions is an activity devolved to community pharmacy and other dispensing contractors. NHSScotland seeks to support GPs and community pharmacy contractors where supply chain disruption inhibits their ability to carry out these functions efficiently, and will continue to look at how that support may be strengthened.\r\nLegislation in respect of the prescribing of medicines is laid down in the Medicines Act 1968 and the Human Medicines Regulations 2012, amendment of which is reserved to the UK Government and Parliament.","AnswerDate":"2015-06-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303718,"EventID":"S4W-25861","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-02T17:08:11.84","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-01T09:01:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it is aware of supply chain difficulties in prescription medicines and, if so, for how long.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-25860 on 11 June 2015. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:\r\n\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.","AnswerDate":"2015-06-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303719,"EventID":"S4W-25862","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-02T17:08:12.28","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-01T09:01:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether patient safety has been affected by any difficulties experienced by community pharmacists in supplying prescription medicines.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-25860 on 11 June 2015. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:\r\n\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.","AnswerDate":"2015-06-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303720,"EventID":"S4W-25863","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-02T17:08:12.753","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-01T09:01:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of any additional workload for GPs resulting from an inability of community pharmacists to supply prescription medicines.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-25860 on 11 June 2015. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:\r\n\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.","AnswerDate":"2015-06-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303721,"EventID":"S4W-25864","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-02T17:08:13.227","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-01T09:01:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to support GPs who have to reissue prescriptions when community pharmacists are unable to provide medicines because of supply difficulties.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-25860 on 11 June 2015. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:\r\n\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx\r\n.","AnswerDate":"2015-06-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303722,"EventID":"S4W-25865","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-02T17:08:13.713","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-01T09:01:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of any additional workload for community pharmacists when they are unable to supply prescription medicines.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-25860 on 11 June 2015. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:\r\n\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.","AnswerDate":"2015-06-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303723,"EventID":"S4W-25866","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-02T17:08:14.217","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-01T09:01:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will introduce emergency legislation to allow community pharmacists to replace a prescribed medicine with the nearest safe equivalent when facing supply difficulties.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-25860 on 11 June 2015. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:\r\n\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.","AnswerDate":"2015-06-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303724,"EventID":"S4W-25882","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4964,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":119,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-02T17:08:14.693","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-01T18:13:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it considers that there is adequate support provided to mothers who feed their babies by bottle rather than breastfeeding, and what the reasons are for its position on this matter.","AnswerText":"We do consider that there is adequate support provided to all pregnant women to help them decide on the feeding choice that is right for them and their babies. That support is set out in the answer to question S4W-25884 on 11 June 2015. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:\r\n\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-06-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303725,"EventID":"S4W-25883","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4964,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":119,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-02T17:08:15.287","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-01T18:13:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to recent reports suggesting that some mothers who feed their babies by bottle rather than breastfeeding consider that they have been subject to intolerant attitudes.","AnswerText":"We are aware of the recent reports. Our efforts are focused on providing all pregnant women and mothers with information to help them decide on the right feeding choice for them and their babies. Where individuals feel that they have not been supported well in making that choice, they can raise concerns with their individual health board.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-06-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303726,"EventID":"S4W-25884","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4964,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":119,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-02T17:08:15.723","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-01T18:13:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what support it offers to mothers who feed their babies by bottle rather than breastfeeding. ","AnswerText":"The support we offer to mothers who feed their babies by bottle rather than breastfeeding consists of:\r\n\r\nInformation giving and demonstration of the techniques associated with formula feeding through maternity and health visiting services via the Scottish Antenatal Parent Education Programme; Off to a Good Start: All you need to know about breastfeeding which contains information about making decisions about feeding your baby and the differences between breast milk and formula; the 'Ready Steady Baby' publication is provided to all women early on in their pregnancy and contains information on feeding choices; and a bespoke formula feeding leaflet given after the birth to mothers who choose to formula feed.","AnswerDate":"2015-06-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303727,"EventID":"S4W-25885","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5060,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-02T17:08:16.13","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-02T07:44:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the level of food poverty is and what targets it has in place to reduce it.","AnswerText":"There is no comprehensive national level data collection on those accessing emergency food in Scotland. The Trussell Trust reports that 117,689 people picked up a three-day supply of groceries from their Scottish foodbanks in 2014-15 – more than eight times the number helped just two years ago. The report also states that in a survey, foodbanks indicated the most significant factors in driving demand were: low income, delays in paying benefits, benefits sanctions and debt.\r\nWe are investing around £296 million from 2013-14 to 2015-16 to limit the damage caused by the United Kingdom Government’s reforms. This includes providing \r\n£1 million over 2014-15 and 2015-16 to help combat food poverty in Scotland. We want to help food aid providers support even more people and make sure those using foodbanks are able to access appropriate advice and support.","AnswerDate":"2015-06-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303728,"EventID":"S4W-25887","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-02T17:08:16.57","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-02T10:49:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how the £3 million that it announced in 2008 for improved community palliative and end of life care was spent and what improvements have resulted from this.","AnswerText":"The £3 million funding announced in 2008 for palliative care funding was invested in a directed enhanced service to support improvements in generalist palliative care with the balance being invested locally by NHS boards in a range of actions supporting the national action plan, Living and Dying Well (2008).\r\nSubsequent progress reports Living and Dying Well: Building on Progress (2011) and Living and Dying Well: Reflecting on Progress (2012) record the progress and improvement detail.","AnswerDate":"2015-06-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303729,"EventID":"S4W-25888","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-02T17:08:17.057","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-02T11:36:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will make up the shortfall in discretionary housing payments caused by the Department for Work and Pensions' announced 25% reduction in funding for 2015-16.","AnswerText":"There has been a 12% reduction (£1.9 million) in the overall funding from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) for discretionary housing payments (DHPs) in Scotland in 2015-16. The element of funding for the bedroom tax has not been reduced and the Scottish Government has added a further £35 million in DHP funding to cover all bedroom tax losses in 2015-16. There is no commitment to cover the DWP’s reductions in the other elements of DHP funds i.e. core, local housing allowance and benefit cap.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-06-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Burgess","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303730,"EventID":"S4W-25889","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-02T17:08:18.403","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-02T11:36:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what assistance it is giving to private sector tenants affected by the so-called bedroom tax.","AnswerText":"The bedroom tax applies to working age households in the social rented sector. The amount of housing benefit or housing element of universal credit paid to tenants in the private sector is determined by local housing allowance rates. Private sector households experiencing financial hardship may apply to their local authority for a discretionary payment from the Scottish Welfare Fund or for a discretionary housing payment.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-06-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Burgess","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303731,"EventID":"S4W-25891","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4934,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-02T17:08:19.097","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-02T13:34:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many (a) fixed penalty notices and (b) summonses were issued to motorists in 2014 for exceeding a 20-mph limit, broken down by local authority area.","AnswerText":"This information is not held by the Scottish Government. This is a matter for Police Scotland.","AnswerDate":"2015-06-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303732,"EventID":"S4W-25893","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4947,"Party":"Independent","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-02T17:08:19.647","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-02T14:06:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-22018 by John Swinney on 23 July 2014, what assessment it has made of the (a) accuracy and (b) completeness of (i) its entries and (ii) the entries of other bodies in the electronic Property Information and Mapping Service (e-PIMS).","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government updates its own data through a notification system when changes occur to fulfil its responsibility to the Cabinet Office for the accuracy and comprehensiveness of its data.\r\nThe Scottish Government is only one of a number of participating bodies in the e-PIMS, and therefore has only partial access to the detailed records of other public bodies. It is the responsibility of these bodies to assure the Cabinet Office of the accuracy and comprehensiveness of its own data in e-PIMS and e-PIMS Lite.","AnswerDate":"2015-06-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303733,"EventID":"S4W-25894","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4947,"Party":"Independent","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-02T17:08:20.17","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-02T14:06:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-23164 by Richard Lochhead on 27 November 2014, whether it will provide an update on the progress of the land register and whether it expects to meet its target of registering all public land within five years.","AnswerText":"The Keeper of the Registers of Scotland has undertaken a substantial amount of activity to support the completion of the land register by 2024 and to have all public land voluntary registered by 2019 since Scottish Ministers’ announcement in May 2014. This has included undertaking a public consultation on the approach to the task, the report and analysis on which was published in February 2015. The consultation had 24 respondents from the public sector who were broadly supportive of our approach to completion. One of the key requests from public bodies was to reduce the cost of registration, and in direct response we will be reducing our fees by 25% for voluntary registration from 30 June 2015.\r\nThe keeper has appointed a stakeholder engagement manager to work exclusively with the public sector to assist them in understanding the voluntary registration process. All public sector bodies have been contacted to make them aware of this commitment and we are confident that awareness of their responsibilities is high. A number of public bodies who have large land holdings have already submitted voluntary registration applications, for example the Forestry Commission, Transport Scotland, Scottish Water and the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service.\r\nThe keeper has already begun to pilot her new power of keeper-induced registration, with the National Trust for Scotland’s Georgian House in Edinburgh being the first to be registered. The keeper intends to undertake further public consultation on this later in 2015.\r\nWe remain optimistic that we can meet this challenging target.","AnswerDate":"2015-06-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303734,"EventID":"S4W-25895","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2117,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-02T17:08:20.593","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-02T14:15:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-25589 by Fergus Ewing on 2 June 2016, whether ministers have held bilateral meetings with UK ministers to discuss future generation at Longannet, and, if so, which ministers from the respective administrations met and on what dates.","AnswerText":"The answers to the member’s previous questions S4W-25246, S4W-25247, S4W-25248, S4W-25588, S4W-25589 and S4W-25591 include details of the many steps the Scottish Government has taken to pursue the closely related issues of Longannet’s future and the security of our electricity supply. \r\nThe Scottish Government has been extremely active on these matters. Our approach has been to engage with Scottish Power Generation, the Scottish transmission owners, National Grid (the National Electricity Transmission System Operator), Ofgem and independent experts to understand fully the issues and implications. \r\nIt is clear from these discussions that serious, unanswered questions remain about the impacts of the potential premature closure of Longannet, which Scottish Power has linked to the punitive transmission charging regime that acts as a disincentive to new thermal generation in Scotland. Ministers have raised these concerns at the highest levels in the UK Government.\r\nThe UK Government does not appear to share our concerns despite the obvious need to address the situation of narrowing capacity margins, a position which was confirmed by the Prime Minister’s written reply to the First Minister. However, the Scottish Government will continue to press the UK Government on this matter, and to lead discussions with Scottish Power, workforce representatives, Fife Council and local groups to avert or mitigate the impact of premature closure of Longannet.\r\nAll answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.","AnswerDate":"2015-06-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303735,"EventID":"S4W-25896","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2117,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-02T17:08:21.233","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-02T14:15:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-25591 by Fergus Ewing on 2 June 2016, whether ministers have had bilateral meetings with representatives of the workforce at Longannet and, if so, on what dates.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-25895 on 26 June 2015. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-06-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303736,"EventID":"S4W-25897","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2117,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-02T17:08:21.7","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-02T14:15:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-25588 by Fergus Ewing on 2 June 2016, which ministers held bilateral meetings with senior representatives of Iberdrola and on what dates.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-25895 on 26 June 2015. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:\r\n\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx","AnswerDate":"2015-06-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303756,"EventID":"S4W-25923","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":2,"MSPID":2826,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":84,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-03T11:15:37.533","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-03T11:10:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it is the First Minister’s intention to publish a new edition of the Scottish Ministerial Code.","AnswerText":"An updated edition of the Scottish Ministerial Code will be published today (4 June 2015). The code, which was last revised in December 2011, provides a code of conduct and guidance on procedures for members of the Scottish Government and Junior Scottish Ministers. A copy of the 2015 edition of the Scottish Ministerial Code may be found on the Scottish Government’s website at: \r\nwww.gov.scot/Publications/2015/06/2562\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-06-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Joe FitzPatrick","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303757,"EventID":"S4O-04428","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":2674,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":99,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-03T13:04:43.153","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-03T10:38:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what it is doing in the Highlands to ensure that NHS infrastructure is fit for the 21st century.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-06-10T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303758,"EventID":"S4O-04430","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":1893,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-03T13:04:43.887","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-01T12:07:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it is satisfied with the performance of NHS24 in Grampian.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-06-10T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303759,"EventID":"S4O-04431","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":4080,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-03T13:04:44.793","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-03T11:33:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what it is doing to improve access to child and adolescent mental health services in North East Scotland.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-06-10T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303760,"EventID":"S4O-04432","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":2673,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":114,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-03T13:04:45.417","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-03T10:24:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what progress the NHS has made with the delivery of seven-day services.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-06-10T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303761,"EventID":"S4O-04433","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":1768,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":131,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-03T13:04:46.15","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-01T12:07:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what consideration can be given to individual patient treatment requests for further or repeat courses when the initial treatment has had some success.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-06-10T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303762,"EventID":"S4O-04434","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":1892,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":134,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-03T13:04:47.053","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-03T09:20:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will reconsider its decision to discontinue core funding for the Neurological Alliance of Scotland.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-06-10T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303763,"EventID":"S4O-04436","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":2595,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-03T13:04:47.913","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-03T08:53:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it last met NHS Lothian.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-06-10T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303764,"EventID":"S4O-04437","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":5110,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":89,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-03T13:04:48.647","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-02T12:17:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it considers that resources for GP practices should be moved from richer areas to poorer areas.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-06-10T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303765,"EventID":"S4O-04438","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-03T13:04:49.707","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-02T17:52:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the review of provision of NHS services on Skye. ","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-06-10T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303766,"EventID":"S4O-04439","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":4948,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-03T13:04:50.907","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-01T12:07:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of how telehealth could assist in the delivery of healthcare across the Highlands and Islands.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-06-10T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303767,"EventID":"S4O-04440","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":2610,"Party":"Independent","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-03T13:04:51.58","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-02T11:06:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when officials last met the board of NHS Lanarkshire.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-06-10T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303768,"EventID":"S4O-04441","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":2633,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-03T13:04:52.577","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-02T15:35:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it last met NHS Fife and what issues were discussed.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-06-10T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303769,"EventID":"S4O-04442","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":1845,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-03T13:04:53.373","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-01T12:07:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what it is doing to support the estimated 850,000 people in Scotland who are deaf or have a hearing loss.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-06-10T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303770,"EventID":"S4O-04443","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":2010,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":137,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-03T13:04:54.23","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-03T10:46:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with the UK Government regarding the impact of the proposed Scotland Bill on NHS funding.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-06-10T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303771,"EventID":"S4O-04444","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":5119,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":110,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-03T13:04:55.057","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-02T14:01:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many unfilled consultant posts there are in NHS Fife.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-06-10T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303772,"EventID":"S4O-04445","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":2059,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":91,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-03T13:04:55.993","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-01T12:07:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it last met NHS Lanarkshire.","AnswerText":"Ministers and government officials regularly meet with representatives of all health boards, including NHS Lanarkshire.","AnswerDate":"2015-06-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-06-10T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303773,"EventID":"S4O-04446","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":2853,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":81,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-03T13:04:56.743","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-03T09:46:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many GP out-of-hours services are co-located with or in close proximity to A&E departments.","AnswerText":"I announced a national review of primary care out-of-hours services on 30 January 2015. \r\nThe report of the review, which is due in September 2015, will set out information relating to how health boards deliver primary care services when GP surgeries are closed. This will include location details of where, in their local health board area, patients can access these services. Of the information made available to us by health boards at this time, almost all health boards have at least one primary care out-of-hours facility co-located with or in close proximity to a hospital accident and emergency department within their locality. Also, from information currently available to us, there are approximately one third of primary care out-of-hours centres co-located with hospital accident and emergency departments throughout Scotland.","AnswerDate":"2015-06-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-06-10T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303774,"EventID":"S4O-04447","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":1853,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":86,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-03T13:04:57.443","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-01T12:07:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it last met NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde and what issues were discussed.","AnswerText":"Ministers and government officials regularly meet with representatives of all health boards, including NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, to discuss matters of importance to local people.","AnswerDate":"2015-06-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-06-10T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303775,"EventID":"S4O-04448","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":4940,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-03T13:04:58.443","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-01T12:07:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to promote child safety.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-06-11T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303776,"EventID":"S4O-04449","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":2123,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":103,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-03T13:04:59.223","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-01T12:07:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with the UK Government regarding the Scottish Parliament being able to legislate on parking on pavements and related issues.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-06-11T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303777,"EventID":"S4O-04450","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":3907,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":135,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-03T13:05:00.063","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-01T12:07:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it plans to improve rail services to and from Kilmarnock and Irvine Valley.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-06-11T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303778,"EventID":"S4O-04451","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":3771,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-03T13:05:00.73","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-01T12:07:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it works in partnership with Glasgow City Council to tackle homelessness and help sustain tenancies.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-06-11T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303779,"EventID":"S4O-04452","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":1932,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":117,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-03T13:05:01.47","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-01T12:07:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how important the condition of local road networks is to the success of the economy.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-06-11T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303780,"EventID":"S4O-04453","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":2615,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":143,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-03T13:05:02.153","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-01T12:07:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on the recent branch closures announced by the Bank of Scotland and RBS.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-06-11T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303781,"EventID":"S4O-04454","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":5038,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-03T13:05:02.887","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-03T10:20:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on Police Scotland introducing charges for community events in Fife.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-06-11T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303782,"EventID":"S4O-04455","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":1814,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":77,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-03T13:05:03.51","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-01T12:07:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it last met South Lanarkshire Council.","AnswerText":"Ministers and officials regularly meet representatives of all Scottish local authorities, including South Lanarkshire Council, to discuss a wide range of issues as part of our commitment to working in partnership with local government to improve outcomes for people in Scotland.","AnswerDate":"2015-06-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-06-11T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"Marco Biagi","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303783,"EventID":"S4O-04456","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":4947,"Party":"Independent","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-03T13:05:04.573","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-02T14:00:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has for rail freight hubs. ","AnswerText":"Rail hubs are privately owned facilities and it remains the responsibility of operators to determine whether to invest in existing facilities to support growth or to create new ones. The Scottish Government will continue to support this process, for example through investment in the infrastructure where there are network wide benefits or by identifying appropriate opportunities in the National Planning Framework. In addition the Scottish Government is currently developing a rail freight strategy which will consider a broad range of issues and in particular how best to work with the industry to maximise the benefits of any future public investment in rail freight facilities.","AnswerDate":"2015-06-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-06-11T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303784,"EventID":"S4O-04457","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":1943,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-03T13:05:05.32","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-01T12:07:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it last carried out a general survey of the country's mineral and rare earth resources.","AnswerText":"Mineral surveys are primarily a matter for the British Geological Survey (BGS). BGS have an ongoing research programme on a range of topics related to the sustainable development of mineral resources. Mineral resource maps of the central belt were published in 2008 and a fact sheet on rare earth elements was published in November 2011.","AnswerDate":"2015-06-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-06-11T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303793,"EventID":"S4W-25900","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4080,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-03T13:45:24.03","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-02T17:04:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many women have been imprisoned at HMP Edinburgh in each year since 2011-12.","AnswerText":"I have asked Colin McConnell, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service, to respond. His response is as follows:\r\n“The table below shows the average population of women in HMP Edinburgh for each year since 2011-12:”\r\nYear\r\nAverage Women Population\r\n2011\r\n45\r\n2012\r\n108\r\n2013\r\n106\r\n2014\r\n94\r\n2015*\r\n78\r\n* Denotes year to date","AnswerDate":"2015-06-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303794,"EventID":"S4W-25901","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4080,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-03T13:45:24.857","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-02T17:14:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what average number of hours per week convicted prisoners have been engaged in purposeful activity (a) across the prison estate and (b) in each penal establishment, broken down by gender, in each year since 2012-13.","AnswerText":"I have asked Colin McConnell, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service, to respond. His response is as follows:\r\n\r\nThe Prison and Young Offenders Institutions (Scotland) Rules 2011, Rule 84 sets out the definition and range of activities that can be recorded as Purposeful Activity. This definition includes:-\r\nWork; education of any kind, including physical education; counselling and rehabilitative programmes; vocational training and work placements outside the prison.\r\nAll convicted prisoners are required to work, and Prison Rules 82, 83 and 85 details the conditions under which prisoner type is required to work and the maximum number of hours and numbers of days that they must work, therefore based on these definitions, the average number of hours of purposeful activity per week per convicted prisoner broken down by (b) in each penal establishment and (a) in total across the prison estate, in each year since 2012-13 is recorded in the following table.\r\nUnfortunately we do not record this information by gender, as HMP Greenock, HMP Edinburgh, HMP Grampian and HMP Inverness have or may have had female prisoners located in their establishment over the period in question, who contributed to the number of purposeful activity hours for their establishment.\r\nHMP & YOI Cornton Vale is the only all-female establishment, whose purposeful activity hours can be accurately annotated as purposeful activity hours attributable to female prisoners.\r\n\r\n2012-13\r\n2013-14\r\n2014-15\r\nEstablishment\r\naverage PA hours\r\naverage PA hours\r\naverage PA hours\r\nAberdeen (1)\r\n27\r\n27\r\nn/a\r\nBarlinnie\r\n19\r\n17\r\n17\r\nCornton Vale\r\n22\r\n27\r\n25\r\nDumfries\r\n18\r\n19\r\n17\r\nEdinburgh\r\n15\r\n15\r\n17\r\nGlenochil\r\n19\r\n22\r\n23\r\nGrampian (2)\r\nn/a\r\nn/a\r\n32\r\nGreenock\r\n21\r\n21\r\n21\r\nInverness\r\n18\r\n21\r\n23\r\nLow Moss\r\n28\r\n34\r\n32\r\nOpen Estate\r\n23\r\n22\r\n21\r\nPerth\r\n16\r\n18\r\n22\r\nPeterhead (3)\r\n24\r\n26\r\nn/a\r\nPolmont\r\n16\r\n18\r\n20\r\nShotts\r\n16\r\n19\r\n20\r\nAverage for SPS\r\n20\r\n22\r\n22\r\n(1) HMP Aberdeen closed on 6 December 2013\r\n(2) HMP Grampian opened on 3 March 2014\r\n(3) HMP Peterhead closed on 10 January 2014\r\nThe average number of hours per convicted prisoner is calculated by recording the number of hours attended for each establishment and dividing this by the average number of convicted prisoners that has been recorded as being in custody for each week for that establishment. This is then averaged over each calendar month and then averaged over the reporting year as reported.","AnswerDate":"2015-06-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303795,"EventID":"S4W-25902","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4080,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-03T13:45:25.557","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-02T17:14:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to cease imprisoning women at HMP Edinburgh.","AnswerText":"I have asked Colin McConnell, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service, to respond. His response is as follows:\r\n“There are currently no plans to cease the imprisonment of women in HMP Edinburgh. This establishment is currently the only secure facility for women in the east of Scotland and the advantages of closer proximity to the communities from which the women come is important to them – particularly in relation to visits. The prison has close links with local statutory and third sector partners – for example the Willow project and with the Shine mentoring service and these links work well for the women both during their sentence and on release.”","AnswerDate":"2015-06-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303796,"EventID":"S4W-25903","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4080,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-03T13:45:26.26","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-02T17:14:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how HMP Edinburgh has been adapted to accommodate female prisoners.","AnswerText":"I have asked Colin McConnell, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service, to respond. His response is as follows:\r\n“The physical structure of the HMP Edinburgh has not been significantly altered to accommodate female offenders. Establishment processes, procedures and resourcing have been re-configured to enable congruence of regime provision for this offender cohort.”","AnswerDate":"2015-06-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303797,"EventID":"S4W-25904","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4947,"Party":"Independent","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-03T13:45:26.977","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-02T17:48:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what account it took of the extent to which increasing the speed limit of HGVs to 50 mph on the A9 may have provided a competitive advantage for the road haulage industry over the rail freight industry.","AnswerText":"The rationale behind the trial speed limit of 50 mph for HGVs on the A9 is to reduce the speed differential between the slowest moving vehicles and the wider traffic stream, so improving the operational performance of the A9.\r\nThe mode of transport chosen for moving freight is a decision for the freight service provider and the customer and will be driven by a range of operational and commercial factors.","AnswerDate":"2015-06-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303798,"EventID":"S4W-25905","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4947,"Party":"Independent","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-03T13:45:27.837","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-02T17:48:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether the bus grant scheme model can be replicated for the rail freight industry.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is currently refreshing its rail freight strategy. Among a range of issues, it will consider how best to work with industry and business to maximise opportunities for investment to support a growing and sustainable rail freight sector in Scotland. A public consultation on the strategy will be launched later this year.","AnswerDate":"2015-06-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303799,"EventID":"S4W-25906","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4939,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":78,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-03T13:45:28.537","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-02T19:25:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it has considered the procurement of large catamaran-type vessels for future Clyde and Hebrides Ferry Services.","AnswerText":"In 2009, CalMac Ferries Ltd commissioned a study to ascertain whether catamarans would be suitable for operating on the Clyde and Hebrides Ferry network. This study concluded that monohulls were better suited than catamarans given the sea and weather conditions experienced in the area.\r\nIn general, the catamarans are much wider than any of the existing pier and harbour infrastructure on the Clyde and Hebrides Ferry network could accommodate without extensive modifications to the pier and harbour facilities. In addition, and in general, catamarans have a lesser weight carrying capacity than their monohull equivalents.","AnswerDate":"2015-06-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303800,"EventID":"S4W-25919","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-03T13:45:29.207","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-03T10:40:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to increase education and awareness among (a) under-18s and (b) the general population of the health risks of eating disorders.","AnswerText":"We launched a re-founded See Me programme in January 2014, with funding of £1 million, with a further £500,000 from Comic Relief. The programme will build on the previous work to end stigma and discrimination associated with mental health including eating disorders.\r\nRecommendations for the management and treatment of eating disorders in Scotland was published by NHS Quality Improvement Scotland (now known as NHS Health Improvement Scotland) in 2006. The guidance places a duty on health boards to provide information and support to the patient and if appropriate their family or carer. This will include nutrition education and details of self-help groups and support groups.\r\nThe NHS Health Improvement Scotland website hosts the Scottish Mental Health First Aid programme. The programme is aimed at the general population aged 16 and over and raises awareness of a range of mental health issues. There is also a session on self-harm where eating disorders is explored including how to provide initial help.","AnswerDate":"2015-06-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303801,"EventID":"S4W-25920","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-03T13:45:29.94","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-03T10:40:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what provisions there are specifically to treat people with eating disorders.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government sets national direction of policy on mental health and provides funding to agencies, including NHS boards and local authorities, to support implementation of policy. The management of local actions in implementing national policy, and decisions on local service provision and spending priorities are the responsibility of relevant local agencies.\r\n\r\nNHS Scotland and its partners provide a range of person centred, safe and effective interventions to respond to the assessed needs of people living with an eating disorder across community, hospital and specialist settings. NHS Education for Scotland have also published the psychological therapies matrix guide to planning and delivering evidence-based psychological therapies within NHS boards in Scotland. This provides a summary of the information on the current evidence base for various therapeutic approaches, including for eating disorders in children and young people. It also provides a template to aid in the identification of key gaps in service, and advice on important governance issues.","AnswerDate":"2015-06-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303802,"EventID":"S4W-25921","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-03T13:45:30.643","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-03T10:40:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many people under 18 were admitted to hospital for eating disorders and eating disorder-related conditions in each of the last five years, broken down by age. ","AnswerText":"The number of patients discharged in each financial year from Scottish hospitals with a diagnosis of eating disorders (ICD-10 code F50) in the main diagnosis position:\r\nTable 1: The number of patients1 under 18 years old2 discharged from acute (SMR01) and psychiatric (SMR04)3 hospitals in Scotland4 with a main diagnosis5 of eating disorders6, 2009-10 to 2013-14.\r\nAge\r\n2009-10\r\n2010-11\r\n2011-12\r\n2012-13\r\n2013-14\r\n5-13\r\n15\r\n18\r\n16\r\n13\r\n17\r\n14-17\r\n34\r\n26\r\n36\r\n57\r\n47\r\nNotes:\r\n1. Patients are counted once within each year but may appear in more than one year. If a patient appeared in both datasets (SMR01 and SMR04) in the same year they have only been counted once.\r\n2. Age on admission.\r\n3. Acute inpatient and day case activity is recorded in Scottish morbidity record 01 (SMR01); psychiatric inpatient and day case activity is recorded in Scottish morbidity record 04 (SMR04). SMR01 and SMR04 are linked to allow patient based analysis across the two datasets.\r\n4. Includes all patients treated in Scottish hospitals.\r\n5. The SMR01 and SMR04 datasets have space to record a main diagnosis and up to five secondary diagnoses; this analysis looks at the main diagnosis position only.\r\n6. Eating disorders are identified by ICD-10 code F50. For SMR04 records, diagnosis is recorded on admission and discharge. For this analysis, diagnosis on discharge is used as it is more accurate.","AnswerDate":"2015-06-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303803,"EventID":"S4W-25922","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-03T13:45:31.377","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-03T10:40:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to the reported 89% increase between 2011 and 2014 in the number of teenagers admitted to hospitals across the UK for eating disorders.","AnswerText":"Any increase in the incidence of eating disorders is a concern.\r\nWe are committed to delivering change and improvement in child and adolescent mental health services where the majority of young people with an eating disorder will be seen. That is why we are working to deliver the range of commitments within our national mental health strategy that will benefit children and young people, including ensuring faster access to specialist services through delivery of the 18 week access target. We have invested in, and increased the child and adolescent mental health services workforce by 28.2 per cent since 2009. We have also increased the national child and adolescent mental health bed base to 48 following the opening of the new 12 bed inpatient unit at Dudhope House in Dundee. \r\nWe will also be investing further in child and adolescent mental health services from the additional £100 million which will be available over the next five years which the Scottish Government announced in two tranches in November 2014 and May 2015 to further improve mental health services in Scotland.","AnswerDate":"2015-06-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303804,"EventID":"S4W-25924","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-03T13:45:32.123","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-03T12:57:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to the report by Unison that 83% of student nurses and midwives have been in debt in the last year.","AnswerText":"We are currently undertaking a review of the whole funding package available to nursing and midwifery students. As part of this review, we are working closely with key stakeholders including Unison, the Royal College of Nursing, the Royal College of Midwives, the National Union of Students and students across Scotland.\r\nAll eligible nursing and midwifery students are currently guaranteed a minimum income of £6,578 per year, excluding supplementary allowances.\r\nThe core element of nursing and midwifery student support in Scotland remains non-means tested and non-repayable.\r\nIt is the Scottish Government’s aim that support for nursing and midwifery students in Scotland fairly reflects the needs of a large and varied student population.","AnswerDate":"2015-06-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303805,"EventID":"S4W-25925","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-03T13:45:32.857","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-03T12:57:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the bursary for student nurses has been in each year since 2010.","AnswerText":"Since August 2009, all eligible nursing and midwifery students have been guaranteed a minimum income of £6,578 per year.\r\nIn addition, eligible students have had access to a range of supplementary allowances, including:\r\nAn income-assessed dependant’s allowance, where appropriate (up to £2,640 for a spouse, cohabiting partner or first child for whom a student has a legal responsibility for with little or no income from any sources; and up to £557 for each other dependent child);\r\n£60 initial expenses;\r\n£1,303 lone parent allowance;\r\nFormal childcare costs (up to £1,216);\r\nDisabled students allowances (up to £1,725 qualifying cost, up to £20,520 per annum for non-medical help and up to £5,160 for major items of specialist equipment);\r\nTravel expenses for placements; and\r\nPaid maternity leave.","AnswerDate":"2015-06-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303806,"EventID":"S4W-25912","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-03T16:53:56.217","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-02T17:48:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what impact it considers the EU referendum will have on Scotland's (a) business confidence, (b) inward investment and (c) exports.","AnswerText":"Membership of the EU provides the best international framework within which Scotland can make economic and social gains. The EU is the world’s largest economy and trading area, capable of competing with the most advanced economies in the world.\r\nForeign direct investment (FDI) from countries in the European Union is substantial – with 20% of Scotland’s FDI in 2014 from France, Germany, Ireland and the Netherlands. (Ernst and Young Attractiveness Survey 2015). Investors frequently cite access to European markets as a factor in their decision to invest in Scotland and any prospect of this access being removed could affect both business confidence and inward investment.\r\nExports from Scotland to the EU are also significant – in 2013 the Global Connections Survey estimated that just under half of all international exports from Scotland were destined for countries within the European Union (estimated at £12.9 billion, 46%).","AnswerDate":"2015-06-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fiona Hyslop","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303807,"EventID":"S4W-25915","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-03T16:53:58.043","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-02T17:48:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many jobs in Scotland it considers depend on the EU single market.","AnswerText":"Analysis published by the Centre for Economics and Business Research in March 2014 estimated that in 2011 around 336,000 jobs in Scotland were associated with exports to the EU.\r\nForeign direct investment (FDI) to Scotland from other European Union member states is also an important way in which jobs in Scotland are linked to the EU single market. Scotland has been ranked in the top two UK regions outside of London for FDI in each year since 2006 (Source – Ernst and Young Scotland Attractiveness Surveys).","AnswerDate":"2015-06-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fiona Hyslop","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303808,"EventID":"S4W-25916","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-03T16:53:59.213","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-02T17:48:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what impact it considers leaving the EU would have on Scotland's economic performance, and what analysis it plans to publish.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government firmly believes that exiting the EU would have a deeply damaging impact on Scotland’s economy.\r\nMembership provides a range of economic benefits including: access to the world’s largest single market, with over 500 million potential customers; the range of trade deals secured by the EU, and a major source of international investment in Scottish jobs and companies. Europe is a vital market for Scottish businesses, accounting for 46% of Scotland’s international exports, worth £12.9 billion to our economy.\r\nAnalysis published by the Centre for Economics and Business Research in March 2014 estimated that in 2011 around 336,000 jobs in Scotland were associated with exports to the EU.\r\nSuch jobs and economic activity in Scotland would be at risk if the UK left the EU.\r\nThe Scottish Government has published analysis on the economic, social and cultural benefits of EU membership for Scotland (March 2015). The publication can be found via the following link: http://www.gov.scot/Resource/0047/00473833.pdf","AnswerDate":"2015-06-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fiona Hyslop","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303809,"EventID":"S4W-25917","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-03T16:54:00.513","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-02T17:48:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many jobs in Scotland it considers depend on (a) exports and (b) exports to EU member states.","AnswerText":"Analysis published by the Centre for Economics and Business Research in March 2014 estimated that in 2011 around 336,000 jobs in Scotland were associated with exports to the EU. Estimates on the number of jobs in Scotland dependent on exports are not currently available.","AnswerDate":"2015-06-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fiona Hyslop","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303810,"EventID":"S4W-25926","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-03T16:54:01.7","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-03T15:03:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what consideration it has given to replacing the air ambulance helicopter with a fixed-wing aircraft based in Orkney.","AnswerText":"The management and deployment of air ambulance services is an operational matter for the Scottish Ambulance Service which it contracts out to a specialist provider. \r\nThe service recently completed a re-procurement programme of its air ambulance services which involved consulting with a range of stakeholders including the public in remote and rural localities. The contract was awarded to Gama Aviation in partnership with Bond Air Services Ltd and runs from 2013 to 2020 providing both rotary and fixed wing air ambulance services throughout Scotland. The present contractual model includes two fixed wing aircraft, one based in Aberdeen and the other in Glasgow, and two helicopters, one based in Inverness and the other in Glasgow.","AnswerDate":"2015-06-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303811,"EventID":"S4W-25927","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-03T16:54:02.59","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-03T15:06:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to attract and retain young people in the smaller islands within Orkney and other island groups.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is committed to working with its delivery agencies and local authorities to ensure that there are opportunities for young people throughout Scotland’s islands, supporting businesses, social enterprises and community organisations in those areas to grow and create jobs. We are investing in key infrastructure in the islands, such as superfast broadband, to ensure those areas are attractive places to live and work.\r\nWe also fund a number of youth employment initiatives and programmes, including Modern Apprenticeships, Community Jobs Scotland and the Employability Fund, which are being delivered in the Highlands and Islands. Programmes such as Community Jobs Scotland are not only about providing paid training opportunities to young people in their local communities but also ensuring that the opportunity is of benefit to the local community.\r\nIn addition to the support through these programmes, in 2014 Skills Development Scotland developed a Skills Investment Plan for the Highlands and Islands to help meet current and future skills needs. A key strand of this work was around supporting the retention of young people in the area, including the islands. We are supporting a wide range of learning opportunities for young people, including through the University of the Highlands and Islands.\r\nExamples of specific action on the smaller islands in Orkney, include support for: employment creation and retention in businesses on Westray and Flotta; island development trusts, using turbine income to fund youth activities and training, on Westray; and investing in ground-breaking infrastructure developments such as the EMEC hydrogen electrolyser plan on Eday.","AnswerDate":"2015-06-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303812,"EventID":"S4W-25928","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-03T16:54:03.443","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-03T15:08:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it expects superfast broadband to be rolled out to Stronsay and the other outer north isles of Orkney.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government and its public and private sector partners are investing over £410 million in the Digital Scotland Superfast Broadband (DSSB) programme to deliver fibre broadband to 85% premises by 2015-16 and 95% by 2017-18. Significant benefits are being delivered to Orkney where no commercial rollout was planned. Whilst the programme is not currently scheduled to roll out in Stronsay, delivery in Westray is expected later in 2015.\r\nFurthermore, we are currently assessing options around a second phase of broadband funding which has the potential to further extend coverage across Orkney. We expect to announce decisions around this phase later in 2015.\r\nComplementing the DSSB programme, Community Broadband Scotland is actively engaged with a number of community groups in Orkney – including some from the outer north isles – with a view to developing and delivering an aggregated broadband solution to areas ultimately outwith the scope of DSSB.","AnswerDate":"2015-06-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303813,"EventID":"S4W-25929","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-03T16:54:04.127","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-03T15:10:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with Orkney Islands Council about when the islands' internal ferry fleet will be replaced.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has been working closely with Orkney Islands Council and others, to consider Orkney’s internal ferry services. The Scottish Government has recently committed to jointly funding a strategic transport appraisal guidance (STAG2) study to advise on the most appropriate investment plan for current and future transport needs in Orkney.","AnswerDate":"2015-06-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303814,"EventID":"S4W-25930","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-03T16:54:04.787","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-03T15:11:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what plans are in place to enable renewable energy generation in Orkney and the other island groups to be exported to the mainland.","AnswerText":"Since S4W-22028 answered on the 30 July 2014, the Scottish Island Renewables Delivery Forum has met on a further two occasions, in September 2014 and January 2015. As a result of close intergovernmental work the UK Government has recognised calls for additional support to help renewable generators on Orkney, Shetland and the Western Isles to overcome the high level of grid charges they would face. Significant progress has been made, and at the January meeting that I co-chaired with the former Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, Ed Davey:\r\n\r\nDECC announced it intended to publish details of strike prices for islands onshore wind for 2019-2020 and 2020-2021 in July 2015.\r\nDECC informed members that the State Aid pre-notification for remote island wind contracts for difference had been submitted to the European Commission.\r\nThe Secretary of State gave a commitment to take forward proposals to secure EU funding to help the Orkney marine sector overcome barriers to grid access. \r\nI wrote to Ed Davey’s successor, the new Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change Amber Rudd MP on 15 May 2015, and spoke with her on the 8 June 2015. She has agreed to the continuation of the delivery forum and confirmed her intention to attend its next meeting, which will be convened by September 2015. SHE-Transmission and Ofgem have both stated that they expect needs cases for the Western Isles and Shetland to be submitted at the end of 2015.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-07-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303815,"EventID":"S4W-25931","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-03T16:54:05.47","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-03T15:13:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether the Beauly to Denny transmission line is at capacity and, if so, what plans are in place to support any future upgrade.","AnswerText":"The Beauly to Denny transmission line is on track to become fully energised by November 2015. It will not operate at its full capacity initially as other circuits on the east coast will reach their full capacity before Beauly to Denny.\r\nNetwork reinforcement requirements are kept under continual review, based on current future energy scenarios there are no immediate plans to upgrade the Beauly to Denny circuit.","AnswerDate":"2015-06-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303816,"EventID":"S4W-25933","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-03T16:54:06.183","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-03T16:00:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what formula it used to calculate fares for (a) cars and (b) passengers on ferry services between Colintraive and Rhubodach.","AnswerText":"The Road Equivalent Tariff (RET) formulae from 2013 were used to calculate the RET fares for the October 2015 roll out, of RET to the Colintraive-Rhubodach service.\r\nFor cars, this is a fixed element of £5 plus £0.80 per mile and for passengers this is a fixed element of £2 plus £0.13 per mile. The annual Consumer Price Index increases and rounding for 2014 and 2015 were then applied, to ensure that fares on new RET routes are consistent with existing RET routes.\r\nIn cases where RET would be more expensive than the standard multi-journey single equivalent, fares will be initially capped at the lower level. This is the case for the passenger fare on Colintraive to Rhubodach.","AnswerDate":"2015-06-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303817,"EventID":"S4W-25934","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-03T16:54:06.897","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-03T16:01:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what guidance it issues to NHS boards regarding the mileage rates paid to people who travel long-distance by car to attend hospital appointments, and how the rates are calculated. ","AnswerText":"The Patients Travelling Expenses Scheme provides for the reimbursement of travelling expenses for patients on certain qualifying benefits or those residing in the Highlands and Islands who have to travel long distance to attend a hospital appointment.\r\nThose patients who travel to hospital by car and qualify for reimbursement may claim the lesser of the estimated cost of petrol actually used or the equivalent public transport cost. It is for individual NHS boards to calculate the appropriate mileage rates based on local circumstances.","AnswerDate":"2015-06-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303818,"EventID":"S4W-25935","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-03T16:54:07.78","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-03T16:20:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what funding source it plans to use to pay for the disposal of unmarketable fish landed under the discard ban.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is not responsible for funding the costs of the disposal of unmarketable fish landed under the landing obligation. Marine Scotland is facilitating the offshore and onshore sectors to increase selectivity and spatial avoidance to avoid catching unmarketable fish in the first instance. Marine Scotland is also supporting those sectors to identify and develop options for disposing of unmarketable or undersized fish which is landed. Such measures are eligible for support from the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund.","AnswerDate":"2015-06-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Richard Lochhead","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303819,"EventID":"S4W-25936","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-03T16:54:08.487","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-03T16:20:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the estimated cost is of disposing of unmarketable fish landed under the discard ban in (a) 2016, (b) 2017, (c) 2018 and (d) 2019.","AnswerText":"Marine Scotland is working with the fishing industry to minimise the catch of unmarketable fish and to provide support to identify and develop options for disposing of unmarketable fish. The costs of such disposal are difficult to quantify with precision at this stage given that we have no prior experience of a landing obligation affecting demersal fish and Nephrops. However, we have been working strenuously to agree a phased approach to the landing obligation which has been submitted for approval by Member States to the European Commission. This approach envisages a gradual phasing in of the landing obligation affecting only a few species at the outset, meaning that the impact on onshore disposal is not expected to be great in 2016. Member States have also agreed to propose to the commission de minimis exemptions from the landing obligation in 2016 for a proportion of Nephrops catches in order to minimise the costs of onshore disposal of unmarketable Nephrops.","AnswerDate":"2015-06-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Richard Lochhead","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303835,"EventID":"S4W-25932","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3806,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-04T13:42:12.287","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-03T15:44:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-25677 by Derek Mackay on 3 June 2015, whether it considers that the information provided is consistent with the comment in the Department for Transport impact assessment report, Raising the national speed limit for HGVs > 7.5t on single carriageway roads in England and Wales, that \"there is little academic evidence about how a change in the HGV speed limit would affect road casualties. We commissioned a report by TRL [Transport Research Laboratory] (2009) into the potential effect of an increase in the HGV<7.5 speed limit on single carriageway roads. Unfortunately, the final report was unable to reach any firm conclusions about the likely effects\", and what the reason is for its position on this matter.","AnswerText":"The Department for Transport used analytical modelling in its impact assessment for single carriageway roads in England and Wales which forecast that ‘there would be an additional 1.7 to 3.5 fatal and 4.2 to 8.5 serious accidents involving HGVs >7.5t each year as a result of the speed limit increase’. The lack of academic evidence referred to by the Transport Research Laboratory , combined with this modelling work, means that the Scottish Government does not believe there is justification for a blanket change in the HGV speed limit in Scotland at present.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-06-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303836,"EventID":"S4W-25937","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-04T13:42:13.033","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-03T16:39:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government on which ferry routes the MV Isle of Lewis is to be used in (a) 2015, following its replacement by the MV Loch Seaforth and (b) future years.","AnswerText":"During the period Friday 26 June 2015 until Saturday 29 August 2015 the MV Isle of Lewis will operate two extra return journeys, on Fridays and Saturdays, to provide increased capacity on the Ullapool to Stornoway service. No decision has yet been made as to which ferry routes the MV Isle of Lewis is to be used in future years following its replacement by the MV Loch Seaforth.","AnswerDate":"2015-06-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303837,"EventID":"S4W-25938","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-04T13:42:13.9","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-03T16:39:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the (a) original estimated cost, (b) tender cost and (c) estimated final cost was of the harbour improvement works at (i) Stornoway and (ii) Ullapool to allow the introduction of the MV Loch Seaforth on the Ullapool to Stornoway ferry service.","AnswerText":"The following table details the costs requested to allow the introduction of the MV Loch Seaforth on the Ullapool to Stornoway ferry service.\r\n\r\nProject\r\n(a)Original estimate\r\n(b)Tender cost\r\n(\r\n(c) Estimated final outturn figure\r\nStornoway Improvements\r\n£7,000,000*\r\n£9,439,566*\r\n£10,803,740**\r\nUllapool Improvements\r\n£12,000,000\r\n £10,900,000***\r\n£11,900,000****\r\nUllapool Linkspan\r\n£5,200,000***\r\n £6,500,000*****\r\n£6,000,000\r\n* excludes design development, management fees, contingency costs.\r\n** includes design development, management fees, contingency costs plus claims and additional costs.\r\n*** includes consultant fees and supervision.\r\n**** includes additional works that were not included in the tender.\r\n***** includes contingency costs.","AnswerDate":"2015-06-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303838,"EventID":"S4W-25940","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-04T13:42:14.64","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-03T16:39:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the weekly cost was of running the (a) temporary passenger, vehicle and freight ferry service between Stornoway and Uig and (b) passenger-only service between Stornoway and Ullapool during the period when vehicles could not be handled at Ullapool.","AnswerText":"The cost of running the (a) temporary passenger, vehicle and freight ferry service between Stornoway and Uig and (b) passenger-only service between Stornoway and Ullapool during the period when vehicles could not be handled at Ullapool have not yet been finalised These costs will be commercially sensitive.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-06-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303839,"EventID":"S4W-25941","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-04T13:42:15.357","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-04T09:12:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government for how long vehicles travelling from Stornoway could not be handled at Ullapool.","AnswerText":"To accommodate the harbour works being undertaken at Ullapool harbour, vehicles could not be handled during the period Monday 20 April 2015 to Sunday 17 May 2015 inclusive. The service was operational and fully resumed on Monday 18 May 2015. However Ullapool Harbour Trust did accept vehicles on Saturday 16 May 2015, due to weather disruption that affected the Stornoway to Uig sailings.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-06-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303840,"EventID":"S4W-25942","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-04T13:42:16.06","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-04T09:12:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the average weekly cost is of running the passenger, vehicle and freight service between Stornoway and Ullapool.","AnswerText":"Neither CalMac nor Transport Scotland hold cost information on a route by route basis. The information that is held is commercially sensitive.\r\n\r\n\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-06-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303841,"EventID":"S4W-25944","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5041,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-04T13:42:16.74","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-04T10:20:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the decision to proceed with the Scotland v Qatar match on 5 June 2015, what meetings the Minister for Europe and International Development has had with (a) Qatar officials and (b) Scottish Football Association officials to discuss matters relating to Qatar’s human rights record and what the Scottish Government's position is on the decision to proceed.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has taken every opportunity to engage constructively with Qatar on human rights, and to share good practice. Earlier in 2015 I spoke with the Qatar Supreme Committee for Delivery and Legacy to raise Scotland’s concerns around human rights in relation to their World Cup preparations. That followed an earlier offer from Shona Robison MSP, who, as Cabinet Secretary for Commonwealth Games and Sport, met Qatari authorities in May 2014 and then wrote to them offering to share lessons learnt in preparing for Glasgow’s Commonwealth Games, and on how to ensure respect for human rights throughout the preparations and staging of the World Cup. I have raised the issue of migrants’ rights personally a number of times in the last three months.\r\nScottish Ministers have not held any meetings with Qatar officials or the Scottish Football Association (SFA) specifically on the decision of whether or not to proceed with the Scotland versus Qatar football match which took place on Friday 5 June 2015. This decision was a matter for the SFA and we support the statement made by Amnesty International that boycotting the match would not have been a constructive way forward.\r\nScotland has a very strong commitment to securing democracy, the rule of law and fundamental human rights around the world. Therefore, the Scottish Government remains committed to continuing dialogue with the Qatari authorities, and will seek to raise human rights issues where the appropriate opportunity presents itself, as a constructive partner.","AnswerDate":"2015-06-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303842,"EventID":"S4W-25945","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5041,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-04T13:42:17.443","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-04T10:20:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the decision to proceed with the Scotland v Qatar match on 5 June 2015, whether representatives from Creative Scotland have met Qatar officials to discuss matters relating to Qatar’s human rights record and, if so, who attended and when.","AnswerText":"There has been no contact between Creative Scotland and Qatar officials.","AnswerDate":"2015-06-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303843,"EventID":"S4W-25948","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-04T13:42:18.1","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-04T11:25:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to issue bonds under new borrowing powers devolved on 1 April 2015.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government will continue to evaluate each of the options for capital borrowing and will in due course take a decision on which method or methods to use based on the prevailing economic conditions. A revised fiscal framework and enhanced capital borrowing powers are currently subject to negotiation with the UK Government. Once the detail of the revised fiscal framework is known, and changes to Scottish Government borrowing powers are made clearer, a decision on the timing of any potential bond issue will follow.","AnswerDate":"2015-06-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303844,"EventID":"S4W-25949","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-04T13:42:19.483","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-04T11:25:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what evaluation it has made of borrowing through (a) the National Loans Fund, (b) financial institutions and (c) issuing bonds.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government announced in the Draft Budget 2015-16 that it would be seeking to borrow up to £304 million in 2015-16 in some combination of a) the National Loans Fund b) from banks on commercial terms and c) through issuing bonds. We will continue to evaluate these borrowing options and will in due course take a decision on which method or methods to use based on the prevailing economic conditions and once the fiscal framework and changes to the Scottish Government’s borrowing powers arising from the Smith Commission recommendations are agreed with HM Treasury.","AnswerDate":"2015-06-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303845,"EventID":"S4W-25950","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-04T13:42:20.743","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-04T11:25:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to use new borrowing powers in 2015-16.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government’s capital borrowing plans were outlined on 9 October 2014 in the Scottish Draft Budget 2015-16.","AnswerDate":"2015-06-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303846,"EventID":"S4W-25953","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-04T13:42:22.3","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-04T11:33:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-24876 by John Swinney on 23 March 2015, on what date in June 2015 will it report on any underspend arising from the 2014-15 budget.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government will make a statement on the 2014-15 provisional outturn on 18 June 2015.","AnswerDate":"2015-06-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303847,"EventID":"S4W-25956","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5041,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-04T13:42:23.457","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-04T11:38:34.127","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether the Minister for Europe and International Development has discussed Qatar's human rights record with the Scottish Human Rights Commission.","AnswerText":"The Minister for Europe and International Development met with the Scottish Human Rights Commission in March 2015 to discuss various human rights issues in both Qatar and UAE, including the issue of migrant workers’ rights.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-06-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303849,"EventID":"S4W-25958","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-04T13:42:24.733","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-04T12:09:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what safeguards are in place to ensure that funding for health and social care integration plans is sustainable.","AnswerText":"The Public Bodies (Joint Working) (Scotland) Act 2014 places a legal requirement on health boards and local authorities to delegate functions and the associated budgets relating to those functions to integration authorities. \r\nBy bringing together health and social budgets, funding can be used more effectively and efficiently and will allow integration authorities, through their strategic plans, to adopt a more preventative, community focused approach to health and social care services. To assist, the Scottish Government is providing an additional £0.5 billion in direct funding to support integration authorities over the next three years.","AnswerDate":"2015-06-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303850,"EventID":"S4W-25959","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-04T13:42:25.363","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-04T12:09:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many (a) inpatients in mental health hospitals, (b) people in young offender institutions and (c) prisoners have learning difficulties. ","AnswerText":"This information is not held centrally. \r\n(a) We do not hold any information centrally on the number of people with learning difficulties in psychiatric hospitals. However, the table below provides information on the number of inpatients discharged from psychiatric hospitals during 2013-14 with a principal diagnosis of learning disabilities.\r\nTable 1 – Number of patients discharged from psychiatric hospitals with a principal diagnosis of learning disabilities in 2013-14, Scottish hospitals*.\r\nYear\r\nNumber of Patients\r\n2013-14\r\n292\r\n*Notes:\r\n1. Patients are counted once in the financial year ending 31 March 2014.\r\n2. Psychiatric inpatient activity is recorded in Scottish morbidity record 04 (SMR04). Day cases have been excluded.\r\n3. Diagnoses can be listed in six positions, but only the principal position has been analysed here. This will not count how many inpatients have learning disabilities, but show how many were discharged with learning disabilities as a principal diagnosis.\r\n4. Learning disabilities are defined as ICD-10 codes F70 to F79.\r\n5. Year is defined by date of discharge.\r\n6. Those living outside Scotland but treated within Scotland have been included.\r\n(b) We do not hold any information centrally on the number of people with learning difficulties (or learning disabilities) in young offender institutions. \r\n(c) We do not hold any information centrally on the number of people with learning difficulties (or learning disabilities) in prisons.","AnswerDate":"2015-06-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303851,"EventID":"S4W-25963","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-04T13:42:26.027","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-04T13:29:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what safeguards are in place to ensure that funding for health and social care integration plans is not reallocated for other purposes.","AnswerText":"The Public Bodies (Joint Working) (Scotland) Act 2014 (the Act) provides the legislative basis for health boards and local authorities to delegate functions and their associated budgets to integration authorities.\r\nAs a result, integration authorities are required by the Act to prepare a strategic plan which sets out how they intend to deliver those delegated functions within their individual areas. Alongside this integration authorities must also produce an annual financial statement; this provides the mechanism that ensures transparency and accountability for how integration authorities are funding the requirements set out in their strategic plan.","AnswerDate":"2015-06-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303852,"EventID":"S4W-25955","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5041,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-04T13:45:28.987","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-04T11:38:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body, in light of the decision to proceed with the Scotland v Qatar match on 5 June 2015, whether representatives of the Scottish Human Rights Commission have met Qatar officials to discuss matters relating to Qatar's human rights record and, if so, who attended and when.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body has no responsibility for the activities of the Scottish Human Rights Commission, which is an independent public body. I have however passed the Member’s question to the Commission to respond.","AnswerDate":"2015-06-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Liam McArthur ","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303853,"EventID":"S4W-25951","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2134,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":82,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-04T16:50:06.233","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-04T11:25:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government which neurological charities it has had formal meetings with in the last year other than the Neurological Alliance of Scotland and the National Neurological Advisory Group.","AnswerText":"Scottish Government ministers and officials regularly meet with third sector stakeholders who support people living with a neurological condition. Since 1 June 2014, formal meetings have been held with the neurological charities listed below, and in some cases, there has been more than one meeting with some of these charities.\r\nMND Scotland, The MND Association, The MS Society, Action for ME, the William Quarrier Scottish Epilepsy Centre, the Scottish Huntington’s Association, Momentum Scotland, Epilepsy Scotland, Revive MS Support, Bobath Scotland, Parkinson’s UK, The PSP Association, Leuchie House, Addressing the Balance.","AnswerDate":"2015-06-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303854,"EventID":"S4W-25952","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2134,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":82,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-04T16:50:07.217","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-04T11:25:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it ensures that changes in health and care services for people with neurological conditions are developed in cooperation with people living with neurological conditions.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government remains fully committed to working with all stakeholders to improve outcomes for people with neurological conditions. We will continue to work with third sector colleagues and indeed, we will be refocusing effort in this area. To that end, we expect to increase funding for specific projects to improve services and experiences for people with neurological conditions. This year we expect to invest almost three times as much funding as last year – up to £210,000 – to support robust improvement projects.\r\nFollowing our neurology clinical engagement day on 9 June 2015 we will be working closely with our National Neurological Advisory Group (NNAG) to consider how best to take this work forward with all our stakeholders in order to improve outcomes for people living with a neurological condition. Third sector members sit on our NNAG, as do neurological patient representatives.","AnswerDate":"2015-06-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303855,"EventID":"S4W-25957","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-04T13:42:24.09","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-04T12:09:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the average distance is from home for inpatients in mental health hospitals.","AnswerText":"This information is not held centrally.","AnswerDate":"2015-06-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303856,"EventID":"S4W-25960","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-04T16:50:08.747","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-04T12:11:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-25734 by John Swinney on 3 June 2015, whether the \"near future\" means before the summer recess.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has not yet set a date for publication.","AnswerDate":"2015-06-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303857,"EventID":"S4W-25961","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-04T16:50:10.087","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-04T12:11:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what consultations it has undertaken since 2011; how many responses it received for each consultation, and when it published those responses.","AnswerText":"All consultations and published responses can be found on the Scottish Government website via the following link:http://www.gov.scot/Publications/.","AnswerDate":"2015-07-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Joe FitzPatrick","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303858,"EventID":"S4W-25962","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-04T16:50:11.29","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-04T12:21:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-25728 by John Swinney on 3 June 2015 and given that transactions may be seasonal, what the monthly breakdown is for the forecast revenue for the Land and Buildings Transaction Tax.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has set out its annual revenue forecast for residential transactions for 2015-16 with Revenue Scotland producing a detailed monthly report of the Land and Buildings Transaction Tax received.","AnswerDate":"2015-06-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303859,"EventID":"S4W-25964","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1860,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-04T16:50:12.46","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-04T13:53:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what financial support it will provide to Highland Council to help meet the costs of building a safer route to replace the Stromeferry bypass.","AnswerText":"The A890 Stromeferry bypass is a local road and consequently it is the responsibility of the Highland Council to fund any costs associated with maintaining or improving it.\r\n\r\nAs with any bids of this nature, any approach to the Scottish Government to provide financial support will be determined by the robustness of the business case and the availability of resources within future spending reviews.","AnswerDate":"2015-06-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303860,"EventID":"S4W-25965","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2135,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":92,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-04T16:50:13.3","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-04T14:32:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government (a) on which islands and (b) in which rural areas affidavit administration services are not available because of an absence of JPs, and what arrangements it is putting in place to resolve this.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government recognises the difficulties on some islands and remote rural areas if there is not a local Justice of the Peace available to sign affidavits. Affidavits can also be signed by notary publics, although there may be a charge for this.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-06-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303861,"EventID":"S4W-25967","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2135,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":92,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-04T16:50:14.143","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-04T14:32:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it will take to ensure that affidavit administration services are available in all (a) rural areas and (b) islands. ","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-25965 on 17 June 2015 All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:\r\n\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.","AnswerDate":"2015-06-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303871,"EventID":"S4W-25907","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5042,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-05T15:39:40.687","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-02T16:32:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it began to develop its plans to establish numeracy hubs and what discussions it had with (a) Education Scotland, (b) COSLA and (c) teachers' unions prior to these being introduced.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government supported the development of six inter-authority numeracy hubs as a direct outcome from the 'Enhancing Local Numeracy Strategies' national conference held in Stirling in June 2013. The conference was planned and hosted jointly by the Scottish Government, Association of Directors of Education in Scotland, Education Scotland and the Scottish Qualifications Authority, who were all involved from the outset in the hubs' development. Discussions on potential and actual development of the hubs were held with COSLA prior to and post conference respectively. Although the teaching unions were not involved at a strategic level in development of the numeracy hubs, they were kept informed of progress through mechanism such as the Curriculum for Excellence Management board and ministerial addresses at union conferences.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-06-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303872,"EventID":"S4W-25909","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5042,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-05T15:39:41.14","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-02T16:32:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what services the SQA has provided to overseas (a) companies and (b) governments in each year since 2007; how much it charged for each service; when payments were requested; what payments have been received, and how much remains outstanding.","AnswerText":"This is an operational matter for the Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA). I have asked the Chief Executive of SQA to write to you.","AnswerDate":"2015-06-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alasdair Allan","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303873,"EventID":"S4W-25968","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2135,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":92,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-05T15:39:41.53","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-04T17:16:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it takes to ensure that Transport Scotland and Caledonian MacBrayne have arrangements in place to ensure that petrol supplies can be conveyed by scheduled ferry to Lismore. ","AnswerText":"The transportation of petrol by CalMac on the Lismore ferry service is subject to the requirements of the Carriage of Dangerous Goods legislation. Roadtankers carrying up to 12000 litres of petrol are able to travel on the MV Loch Striven which operates the service.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-06-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303874,"EventID":"S4W-25969","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1768,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":131,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-05T15:39:42.153","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-04T16:49:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the maximum permitted class sizes are in secondary schools.","AnswerText":"The class size maxima in all Scottish secondary school stages are set out in the following table:\r\n\r\nSecondary Stage\r\nClass Size Maximum\r\nS1\r\n33\r\nS2\r\n33\r\nS3\r\n30\r\nS4\r\n30\r\nS5\r\n30\r\nS6\r\n30\r\nPractical classes\r\n20","AnswerDate":"2015-06-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303875,"EventID":"S4W-25970","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1845,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-05T15:39:42.887","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-05T11:06:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it takes to implement the enforcement of family financial orders.","AnswerText":"Court actions in areas such as financial provision on divorce or dissolution or financial provision after cohabitation comes to an end are private actions between the parties. It is not for the Scottish Government to enforce orders in these areas.","AnswerDate":"2015-06-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Paul Wheelhouse","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303876,"EventID":"S4W-25971","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1845,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-05T15:39:43.543","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-05T11:06:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what (a) support and (b) information it provides to parents regarding the enforcement of family financial orders.","AnswerText":"Legal aid may be available if a person needs to raise a court action on enforcement. The Society of Messengers-at-Arms and Sheriff Officers provides information on the enforcement of civil orders on its website: http://www.smaso.org/images/Information_leaflet_A5.pdf. The Accountancy in Bankruptcy website also has information on debt enforcement: \r\nhttp://www.aib.gov.uk/debt/owed-money-creditors","AnswerDate":"2015-06-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Paul Wheelhouse","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303877,"EventID":"S4W-25972","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1845,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-05T15:39:43.963","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-05T11:06:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the regulations regarding the enforcement of family financial orders.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is not aware of any particular difficulties regarding the enforcement of orders in Scotland in relation to areas such as financial provision on divorce or dissolution or financial provision after cohabitation comes to an end. If the member wishes to raise any specific concerns, the Scottish Government would be happy to consider the matter further.","AnswerDate":"2015-06-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Paul Wheelhouse","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303878,"EventID":"S4W-25974","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1845,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-05T15:39:44.353","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-05T11:06:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it has made a submission to the Law Commission's consultation regarding the enforcement of family financial orders and, if so, whether it will publish this.","AnswerText":"This consultation is by the Law Commission for England and Wales and relates to the law in England and Wales. As a result, the Scottish Government has not made a submission to the consultation. The Scottish Government will write to the Law Commission for England and Wales asking to be kept in touch on any proposals which might impact on Scotland.","AnswerDate":"2015-06-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Paul Wheelhouse","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303879,"EventID":"S4W-25975","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2603,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-05T15:39:44.82","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-05T12:41:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with Police Scotland regarding the difficulties with recruiting and retaining staff in Aberdeen that were highlighted in the HM Inspectorate of Constabulary in Scotland report, Local Policing+ Inspection Programme - Inspection of Aberdeen City Division.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has regular discussions with Police Scotland on a range of matters. Recruitment, retention and deployment of police officers and police staff are a matter for Police Scotland and the Scottish Police Authority and I expect them to take action on the recommendations and issues highlighted in the HM Inspectorate of Constabulary in Scotland report, Local Policing and Inspection Programme - Inspection of Aberdeen City Division.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-06-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303880,"EventID":"S4W-25976","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2603,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-05T15:39:45.413","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-05T12:41:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with the Scottish Prison Service regarding recruiting and retaining staff at HMP Grampian.","AnswerText":"I have asked Colin McConnell, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service (SPS), to respond. His response is as follows:\r\n“Recruitment and retention within HMP and YOI Grampian is an operational matter for SPS. HMP and YOI Grampian is fully up to staffing complement for the prisoner numbers it is currently dealing with. There are plans in place to recruit additional staff as we increase the prisoner numbers. SPS has kept the Scottish Government appraised of this progress.”","AnswerDate":"2015-06-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303881,"EventID":"S4W-25977","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3759,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":80,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-05T15:39:45.82","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-05T14:17:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what information it has on how many carers in Scotland will lose their entitlement to carers allowance because of the change from disability living allowance to personal independence payments.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government published Financial Impacts of Welfare Reform on Disabled People in Scotland on 8 August 2014. In this we estimated that by 2015 there would be a net reduction in caseload of carers allowance claimants of around 450, each of whom would lose over £3,000 per year, in Scotland as a result of the move from disability living allowance to personal independence payment (PIP). \r\n\r\nHowever, this estimate was based on a Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) impact assessment which was published in 2013, at the start of the PIP implementation. Since then, the rollout has been subject to delays and so we do not have a clear position as to the real impact on carers in Scotland. \r\nWe continue to push DWP for clarity on the matter and are also calling for the UK Government to transfer the full budget for those benefits to be fully devolved, before the cuts take effect. ","AnswerDate":"2015-06-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Burgess","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303882,"EventID":"S4W-25978","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-05T15:39:46.35","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-05T14:37:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the comment by the Minister for Community Safety and Legal Affairs on 30 April 2014 that \"the Government is still committed to scoping out a possible reparation scheme\" for survivors of historical child abuse (Official Report, c.30374), what progress has been made with putting this in place.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government committed to scoping a survivor support service in its response to the Scottish Human Rights InterAction on 27 October 2014. The Cabinet Secretary for Education and Lifelong Learning recently announced funding of £13.5 million over the next five years to develop this service. Survivors continue to be at the centre of our development of this service which we aim to have in place by October 2015.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-06-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fiona McLeod","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303883,"EventID":"S4W-25979","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-05T15:39:47.35","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-05T14:37:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will make interim payments to survivors of historical child abuse, similar to the system introduced in the Republic of Ireland and, if so, whether it will involve survivors in the discussion of how these should operate.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has announced funding of £13.5 million to develop a dedicated support service for survivors of in care abuse. We are working with survivors to determine the detail of how this service will operate.\r\n\r\nIt will be for the Inquiry to decide how to fulfil its terms of reference and what recommendations it will make.","AnswerDate":"2015-06-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303884,"EventID":"S4W-25980","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-05T15:39:48.05","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-05T14:37:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what analysis it has carried out of the practice in other jurisdictions in relation to interim payments to survivors of historical child abuse.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has considered the inquiries in a number of other jurisdictions. While a number of these have awarded compensation only Ireland has awarded interim payments.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-06-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fiona McLeod","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303885,"EventID":"S4W-25981","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-05T15:39:50.11","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-05T14:37:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the comments by the Cabinet Secretary for Education and Lifelong Learning on 28 May 2015 (Official Report, c.46), which local authorities have made payments to survivors of historical child abuse on an ex gratia basis.","AnswerText":"In 2009 Dumfries and Galloway awarded ex gratia payments of £20,000 each to survivors abused at Merkland school. While the Scottish Government is aware of other local authorities who negotiated payments with individual survivors, details of these payments are not available.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-06-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fiona McLeod","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303899,"EventID":"S4T-01054","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":9,"MSPID":2633,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-08T12:45:01.95","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-08T09:55:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on the range of powers of the Police Investigations and Review Commissioner.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":"2015-06-09T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303900,"EventID":"S4F-02857","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":5009,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-08T12:44:28.237","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-04T13:25:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister what issues will be discussed at the next meeting of the Cabinet. ","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":"2015-06-11T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303901,"EventID":"S4F-02860","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":4976,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-08T12:44:30.28","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-08T09:28:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister when she will next meet the Secretary of State for Scotland. ","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":"2015-06-11T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303902,"EventID":"S4F-02861","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":4014,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-08T12:44:30.863","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-08T09:46:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister whether the Scottish Government met its 2011 pledge that there would be no compulsory redundancies in colleges throughout the college merger process.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":"2015-06-11T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303903,"EventID":"S4F-02862","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":3812,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-08T12:44:31.42","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-08T09:52:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister what engagements she has planned for the rest of the day.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":"2015-06-11T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303904,"EventID":"S4F-02865","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":4964,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":119,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-08T12:44:33.263","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-08T10:47:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister what the impact of the Chancellor's in-year budget revisions will be on Scotland.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":"2015-06-11T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303905,"EventID":"S4F-02878","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":2108,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":141,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-08T12:44:41.547","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-08T11:56:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister what action the Scottish Government will take following reports that more than 14,000 people facing bills for personal and social care are in arrears.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":"2015-06-11T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303906,"EventID":"S4W-25983","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2117,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-08T13:59:47.84","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-05T15:50:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what (a) expenses and (b) incentives are offered to participants at the information events regarding the implementation of the Children and Young People (Scotland) Act 2014 and which organisations are paying for these.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has held three regional information events on the Act that were open to the public. No expenses or incentives were offered at these events. A further information event specifically for parents, children and young people was held on Saturday 20 June and parents, children and young people attending that event were offered support for travel costs and childcare. Gift vouchers were made available to those parents and carers attending the event who wished to accept them to thank them for attending. Gift packs were provided to children and young people who attended. The costs were met from the overall total Scottish budget of £100,000 for public information events on the Children and Young People (Scotland) Act 2014.","AnswerDate":"2015-06-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fiona McLeod","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303907,"EventID":"S4W-25984","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2117,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-08T13:59:49.01","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-05T15:50:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much funding it is providing toward the information events regarding the implementation of the Children and Young People (Scotland) Act 2014.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has budgeted £100,000 for public information events on the Children and Young People (Scotland) Act 2014.","AnswerDate":"2015-06-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fiona McLeod","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303908,"EventID":"S4W-25985","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2117,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-08T13:59:49.79","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-05T15:50:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government which organisations are providing funding toward the information events regarding the implementation of the Children and Young People (Scotland) Act 2014, broken down by amount provided.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is providing funding for a number of public information events on the Children and Young People (Scotland) Act 2014. It has budgeted £100,000 for this purpose.","AnswerDate":"2015-06-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fiona McLeod","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303909,"EventID":"S4W-25986","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2117,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-08T13:59:50.553","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-05T15:50:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many people have registered to attend the information events regarding the implementation of the Children and Young People (Scotland) Act 2014, and what information it has regarding how many (a) have applied or (b) are expected to apply for reimbursement of (i) travel and (ii) childcare costs.","AnswerText":"Approximately 600 people registered to attend the three regional information events. A total of 90 people registered to attend the information event held on 20 June 2015. Any parents, children and young people who attended any of these public information events were offered support for travel costs and childcare and any costs incurred were met from within the overall £100,000 budget for public information events.","AnswerDate":"2015-06-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fiona McLeod","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303910,"EventID":"S4W-25987","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2117,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-08T13:59:51.32","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-05T15:50:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many places will be available at each information event regarding the implementation of the Children and Young People (Scotland) Act 2014.","AnswerText":"A total of 500 places were available at regional information events held by the Scottish Government. A total of 90 places were available at the information event for parents, carers, children and young people held on 20 June 2015.","AnswerDate":"2015-06-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fiona McLeod","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303911,"EventID":"S4W-25988","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5079,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-08T13:59:52.147","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-05T17:11:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-25592 by Michael Matheson on 4 June 2015, whether it will provide a breakdown of how much has been raised for the CashBack for Communities scheme in the Glasgow City Council area in each year.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government, the Police and the Crown Office do not currently hold Proceeds of Crime data at the level of detail requested.\r\n\r\nOrganised crime knows no boundaries. Our priority is disrupting and dismantling criminal enterprises, and I welcome the excellent work undertaken by the police and prosecutors to recover the ill-gotten gains from organised criminals across Scotland. Around £90 million has been recovered through the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 since 2003.","AnswerDate":"2015-06-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303912,"EventID":"S4W-25989","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-08T13:59:52.88","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-05T21:29:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much it has spent in each year since 2010 on supporting adults with learning difficulties who are inpatients in mental health hospitals, broken down by programme.","AnswerText":"The information requested is not centrally held.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-06-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303913,"EventID":"S4W-25990","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-08T13:59:53.55","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-05T21:30:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many inpatients there have been in each year since 2010 in (a) low- (b) medium- and (c) high-secure mental health hospitals, and how many have been clinically assessed as posing a security risk to themselves and others.","AnswerText":"Information about numbers of inpatients is not held centrally in the format requested. The Mental Welfare Commission holds information on persons subject to detention orders in mental health hospitals. The following table includes information about the numbers of new detention orders granted in each year. The recording of detention orders by low and medium secure mental health hospitals is improving. The following historic data needs to be treated with caution because data may be recorded at hospital rather than specific ward level in some cases (where ward data, and therefore the low/medium secure level, is unclear).\r\nSecurity\r\n2010-11\r\n2011-12\r\n2012-13\r\n2013-14\r\nLow\r\n4,037\r\n4,075\r\n4,130\r\n4,258\r\nMedium\r\n22\r\n29\r\n46\r\n26\r\nHigh\r\n25\r\n23\r\n27\r\n40\r\nA criteria for detention under the Mental Health (Care and Treatment) (Scotland) Act 2003 is risk.","AnswerDate":"2015-06-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303914,"EventID":"S4W-25991","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1853,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":86,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-08T13:59:54.22","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-05T17:04:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-09440 by Kenny MacAskill on 11 September 2012, whether it has reviewed or is planning to review its policies to ensure that those communities most blighted by crime receive an appropriate share of funds seized under the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002.","AnswerText":"Projected funding up to end March 2017 has been committed to Phase 3 of CashBack for Communities. Phase 4 commences on 1 April 2017 and decisions on that tranche will be taken nearer the time. Our consideration of the future focus of CashBack will include the extent to which funding should be directed at areas which suffer from significant levels of deprivation and crime.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-06-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303915,"EventID":"S4W-25992","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2108,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":141,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-08T13:59:55","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-06T20:11:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what maximum (a) bursary and (b) loan was available for Scottish-domiciled students studying in London in 2012-13 on incomes (i) under £20,000, (ii) from £20,000 in £1,000 increments up to £64,000 and (iii) over £64,000.","AnswerText":"The following table shows the bursary and loan rates payable to Scottish domiciled students studying in London in academic year 2012-2013.\r\n2012-13 Scottish domiciled students studying in London - bursary and living-cost loan rates \r\nParental\r\nBursary\r\nLoan\r\nTotal*\r\n<18300\r\n2150\r\n5350\r\n7500\r\n18300\r\n2150\r\n5350\r\n7500\r\n19000\r\n2150\r\n5224\r\n7374\r\n20000\r\n2050\r\n5143\r\n7193\r\n21000\r\n1906\r\n5107\r\n7013\r\n22000\r\n1761\r\n5071\r\n6832\r\n23000\r\n1617\r\n5073\r\n6690\r\n24000\r\n1473\r\n5217\r\n6690\r\n25000\r\n1328\r\n5236\r\n6564\r\n26000\r\n1184\r\n5269\r\n6453\r\n27000\r\n1039\r\n5303\r\n6342\r\n28000\r\n895\r\n5336\r\n6231\r\n29000\r\n750\r\n5370\r\n6120\r\n30000\r\n606\r\n5403\r\n6009\r\n31000\r\n461\r\n5437\r\n5898\r\n32000\r\n317\r\n5470\r\n5787\r\n33000\r\n173\r\n5503\r\n5676\r\n34000\r\n50\r\n5514\r\n5564\r\n35000\r\n0\r\n5453\r\n5453\r\n36000\r\n0\r\n5342\r\n5342\r\n37000\r\n0\r\n5231\r\n5231\r\n38000\r\n0\r\n5120\r\n5120\r\n39000\r\n0\r\n5009\r\n5009\r\n40000\r\n0\r\n4898\r\n4898\r\n41000\r\n0\r\n4787\r\n4787\r\n42000\r\n0\r\n4676\r\n4676\r\n43000\r\n0\r\n4564\r\n4564\r\n44000\r\n0\r\n4453\r\n4453\r\n45000\r\n0\r\n4342\r\n4342\r\n46000\r\n0\r\n4231\r\n4231\r\n47000\r\n0\r\n4120\r\n4120\r\n48000\r\n0\r\n4009\r\n4009\r\n49000\r\n0\r\n3898\r\n3898\r\n50000\r\n0\r\n3787\r\n3787\r\n51000\r\n0\r\n3674\r\n3674\r\n52000\r\n0\r\n3520\r\n3520\r\n53000\r\n0\r\n3366\r\n3366\r\n54000\r\n0\r\n3213\r\n3213\r\n55000\r\n0\r\n3059\r\n3059\r\n56000\r\n0\r\n2905\r\n2905\r\n57000\r\n0\r\n2751\r\n2751\r\n58000\r\n0\r\n2597\r\n2597\r\n59000\r\n0\r\n2443\r\n2443\r\n60000\r\n0\r\n2290\r\n2290\r\n61000\r\n0\r\n2136\r\n2136\r\n62000\r\n0\r\n1982\r\n1982\r\n63000\r\n0\r\n1828\r\n1828\r\n64000\r\n0\r\n1674\r\n1674\r\n65000\r\n0\r\n1520\r\n1520\r\n66000\r\n0\r\n1366\r\n1366\r\n67000\r\n0\r\n1213\r\n1213\r\n68000\r\n0\r\n1059\r\n1059\r\n68800\r\n0\r\n940\r\n940\r\n>68800\r\n0\r\n940\r\n940\r\nSource - Student Awards Agency for Scotland \r\n*Rates for a standard 30 week course. For courses over 30 weeks an additional payment of £109 per week was payable (up to a maximum of 45 weeks).","AnswerDate":"2015-06-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303916,"EventID":"S4W-25993","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1768,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":131,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-08T13:59:55.75","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-08T09:14:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what organisations or agencies are permitted to prepare a Scottish Transport Appraisal Guidance (STAG) report for consideration by Transport Scotland.","AnswerText":"Any organisation or agency, including local authorities, regional partnerships, private sector consultancies and developers, can prepare a Transport Appraisal report for consideration by Transport Scotland. The STAG guidance, which is published on Transport Scotland’s website and accessible via: http://www.transportscotland.gov.uk/stag, is widely used across Scotland.","AnswerDate":"2015-06-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303917,"EventID":"S4W-25994","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4947,"Party":"Independent","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-08T13:59:56.543","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-08T11:43:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-25752 by Fergus Ewing on 5 June 2015, by what date the decision will be announced and, in light of the report being received in June 2013, what the reason is for the delay in making this.","AnswerText":"The consideration that officials and ministers have been required to give to the Allt Duine proposal, the associated environmental impact assessment and the public inquiry report has been complex and meant that we were not able to facilitate a decision before the change to Scottish Planning Poilcy in June 2014, at which point we had to consult further.\r\n\r\nNow that further consultation is complete Scottish Ministers will be in a position to make a decision shortly.","AnswerDate":"2015-06-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303918,"EventID":"S4W-25996","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":8,"MSPID":4947,"Party":"Independent","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-08T13:59:57.37","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-08T11:54:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body whether it will follow the example of Falkirk Council and invest some of the Scottish Parliamentary Pension Scheme funds in Hearthstone Investments’ Housing Fund for Scotland.","AnswerText":"Under the Scottish Parliamentary Pensions Act 2009 the Fund Trustees are responsible for the day to day management and administration of the Scottish Parliamentary Pension Scheme, including investment policy. I have therefore passed the Member’s question to the Fund Trustees to respond.","AnswerDate":"2015-06-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Pentland","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303919,"EventID":"S4W-25997","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2678,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-08T13:59:58.073","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-08T12:09:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to address the reported concerns raised by patients and staff regarding the recently-opened South Glasgow University Hospital.","AnswerText":"Over the last month NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde has undertaken one of the largest service redesigns in the UK with the new £842 million Southern General Hospitals project. This is one of the largest hospitals in Europe – it replaces out of date facilities across Scotland and will transform the care provided for patients. Whilst the transition of services is now complete, it will inevitably take time for these changes to completely bed in, with staff getting used to the new working environment.\r\nWe should not lose sight of the scale of this transition. The board is confident that the new hospital has the physical capacity and staffing levels to treat quickly and efficiently the anticipated 106,000 unscheduled patients every year. The entire South Glasgow campus has approximately 1,630 adult acute beds – slightly more than the three hospitals it replaces – with 1,109 of these in the new hospital itself. There is a new, state of the art children’s hospital with 256 beds, and approximately 10,500 staff work on the campus.\r\nI know the board are fully committed to working constructively with all stakeholders to effectively address the issues that have been raised. I have been, and continue to be, in close contact with senior management at NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde over the transfer. I visited the A&E at South Glasgow University Hospital on 3 June 2015 to hear from staff about how the new teams are working together. During my visit the hospital was functioning well. Staff from the three previous sites have come together quickly and are working hard to improve performance and drive down waits. Planned and scheduled services are operating very well and, in some places, are outperforming the rest of the country. Similarly, long A&E waits have reduced significantly on 2014. This represents considerable progress already. Nonetheless, performance against the four hour A&E target has dipped and is some way off the national average, so there is more to do and I have been clear that the health board must drive further improvement over the coming months.\r\nTo this end, I confirmed on 16 June 2015 that the Scottish Government will be offering the South Glasgow University Hospital additional expert support to help improve A&E waiting times, following a request from NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde. The Scottish Government is happy to offer the considerable expertise in unscheduled care at our disposal which will help the health board establish and embed improved management systems to ensure the smooth transfer of patients through the A&E department at the hospital. In turn, this should assist with the necessary steady improvement in local performance against the four hour A&E target, whilst sustaining the reduction in longer waits we have already seen.\r\nMembers can be assured that the government will keep progress under close review.","AnswerDate":"2015-06-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303928,"EventID":"S4W-25998","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-08T16:49:40.18","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-08T12:51:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to (a) review the impact of and (b) update the Mental Health Strategy for Scotland 2012-2015.","AnswerText":"We will assess the status of each commitment within the current mental health strategy towards the end of 2015.\r\nConsideration of the next mental health strategy is at a very early stage. We will be developing work for post the 2012-15 mental health strategy during the latter half of 2015 and into 2016. I intend that to be an open and participative process to ensure stakeholders can express their views on the renewal of the strategy.","AnswerDate":"2015-06-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303929,"EventID":"S4W-25999","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-08T16:49:40.817","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-08T12:51:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, in light of reports that at least 5,044 primary-aged children have been referred for mental health treatment since 2012, whether it will review the number of inpatient mental health care facilities.","AnswerText":"The adolescent inpatient estate is managed on a regional basis. NHS boards are responsible for ensuring that there is adequate inpatient care for their local population. NHS Directors of Planning monitor the situation on an on-going basis. NHS boards are also developing models of intensive treatment in the community that can avoid the need to admit a child or young person to hospital, or shorten the length of stay if an admission is necessary. We continue to monitor the need for further development with NHS boards.\r\n\r\nNHS National Services Scotland carried out a review of the national child inpatient psychiatry service (for children under the age of 12) in November 2014 (http://www.nsd.scot.nhs.uk/services/specserv/inpsych.html) and found that since 2009 the bed occupancy (excluding day patient beds) ranged from 47% in both 2009-10 and 2010-11 to 28% at its lowest in 2012-13.","AnswerDate":"2015-06-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303930,"EventID":"S4W-26000","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-08T16:49:41.247","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-08T12:51:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide further details of how the £85 million to improve mental health services that it announced on 24 May 2015 will be allocated and how much of it will be spent on child and adolescent mental health services.","AnswerText":"Decisions on how the additional £85 million will be allocated over the next five years are still being finalised but we will be working with NHS Scotland and its partners to ensure that we get maximum benefit from the investment. However, broad areas for investment will include:\r\nFurther improvement to child and adolescent mental health services to bring down waiting times;\r\nImproved access to services and in particular psychological therapies; and\r\nBetter responses to mental health in community and primary care settings, including promoting wellbeing through physical activity and improved patient rights.","AnswerDate":"2015-06-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303931,"EventID":"S4W-26001","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-08T16:49:41.77","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-08T14:25:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many people assessed under the pre-April 2015 guidelines receive fully-funded continuing health care, broken down by NHS board area.","AnswerText":"This information is available from the Information Services Division Scotland website via the annual continuing care census: http://www.isdscotland.org/Health-Topics/Health-and-Social-Community-Care/NHS-Continuing-Care/Publications/. This census was taken on 31 March 2014 and published on 24 June 2014. The next annual continuing healthcare census will be published on 23 June 2015.","AnswerDate":"2015-06-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303954,"EventID":"S4W-26002","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-09T13:54:31.37","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-08T16:42:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what support and guidance it provides to unpaid carers to ensure that they are informed of their rights.","AnswerText":"The redesigned Care Information Scotland service, launched on 5 June 2015 by NHS24 and funded by the Scottish Government, includes information and advice on carers' rights.\r\n\r\nThe NHS Board Carer Information Strategy funding of nearly £34 million from 2008 to 2016 is, amongst other things, funding carers centres and other projects to help inform carers about their rights.\r\nWe intend to produce a carers rights charter for publication and dissemination in 2016.\r\nProvisions in The Carers (Scotland) Bill will ensure that local authorities establish and maintain information and advice services for their areas. This includes information and advice about the rights of carers.","AnswerDate":"2015-06-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303955,"EventID":"S4W-26003","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-09T13:54:32.69","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-08T16:42:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it ensures that the rights of unpaid carers are protected and promoted.","AnswerText":"The national carers strategy 2010-15 acknowledges the immense contribution that carers and young carers make to society. However we want to accelerate the pace of change to strengthen support to, and further the rights of carers and young carers. That is why we introduced the Carers (Scotland) Bill to Parliament on 9 March 2015.\r\nThe government has provided funding of nearly £34 million from 2008-16 to NHS boards. This resource is contributing, amongst other things, to funding of carers centres and other projects across Scotland, which provide a range of services including information and advice, and advocacy which helps to promote carers’ rights.\r\nThe Carers (Scotland) Bill will protect and extend carers’ rights. As part of the Bill’s provisions, the information and advice service to be established by local authorities will provide information and advice on the rights of carers.","AnswerDate":"2015-06-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303956,"EventID":"S4W-26004","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-09T13:54:33.303","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-08T16:42:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to improve the working conditions of (a) paid and (b) unpaid carers. ","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-26008 on 19 June 2015 regarding the pay of the social care workforce.\r\n\r\nThe Scottish Government is committed to working with COSLA, Scottish Care and other partners to consider how to improve pay and working conditions in the care at home sector.\r\nWith regard to unpaid carers, one of the national health and wellbeing outcomes is to ensure that they are supported to look after their own health and wellbeing, including to reduce any negative impact of their caring role on their own health and well-being.\r\nThe Carers (Scotland) Bill will ensure better and more consistent support for carers and young carers so that they can continue to care, if they so wish, in better health and to have a life alongside caring.\r\nAll answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.","AnswerDate":"2015-06-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303957,"EventID":"S4W-26005","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-09T13:54:33.97","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-08T16:42:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what support it provides to local authorities to encourage people to work as carers. ","AnswerText":"The delivery of social services is carried out by providers in the public, voluntary and private sectors.\r\n\r\nThe Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC), a non-departmental body established by the government to regulate the social services workforce in Scotland and their education and training, has produced a number of different resources to support those looking to recruit staff and for those looking at a career in the care sector. The resources are also of use for others such as career advisers and Jobcentre Plus.\r\nA key resource is the SSSC's Ambassadors for Careers in Care scheme. This is staff that currently working in the sector at all levels and in different types service delivery who attend events, visit schools and careers fairs to promote careers in the sector.","AnswerDate":"2015-06-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303958,"EventID":"S4W-26006","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-09T13:54:34.687","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-08T16:42:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what support it provides to local authorities to ensure that (a) social care and (b) healthcare support workers are given sufficient training to obtain the necessary vocational qualifications. ","AnswerText":"It is the responsibility of employers of social service workers, whether public, voluntary or private, to support and assist workers to achieve the qualifications required for the role they undertake and for their continuing professional development – in line with the Code of Practice for Employers issued by the Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC).\r\nThe SSSC, which is a Scottish Government non-departmental public body, provides guidance and tools for social services employers to help them understand the training required for their employees and also to support employees in their training. The SSSC also provides information on potential sources of funding to assist workers with the cost of undertaking qualifications.\r\nNHS boards are the principal employers of the majority of healthcare support workers (HCSW) in Scotland, and they are responsible for ensuring their staff have the appropriate training necessary to carry out their roles safely and effectively. Since December 2010, HCSW joining NHSScotland boards must achieve Mandatory Induction Standards and comply with a Code of Conduct set by the Scottish Government. The joint Scottish Government and NHS Education for Scotland (NES) publication, A Guide to Healthcare Support Worker Education and Role Development, sets out the nationally agreed educational expectations and core skills for HCSW in clinical roles at levels two, three and four of the NHSScotland Career Framework. NES has established a £20,000 supporting learning fund for HCSW and individuals responsible for the development of HCSW within NHSScotland.","AnswerDate":"2015-06-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303959,"EventID":"S4W-26007","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-09T13:54:35.353","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-08T16:42:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much it estimates unpaid carers save health and social care services each year.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government does not have its own estimate on the estimated costs of all the hours of care being provided by unpaid carers.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-06-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303960,"EventID":"S4W-26008","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-09T13:54:35.97","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-09T09:19:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to improve the pay of carers. ","AnswerText":"We are committed to improving the quality of care in Scotland and to promoting social justice, including through working with COSLA, Scottish Care and other partners to consider how to improve pay and working conditions in the care sector.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-06-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303961,"EventID":"S4W-26009","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3806,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-09T13:54:36.687","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-09T09:36:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government by what date the invitation to tender for the 2016 Clyde and Hebrides Ferry Services contract must be published. ","AnswerText":"CalMac Ferries Limited and Serco Caledonian Ferries Limited were given access to copies of the draft invitation to tender on 10 June 2015. It is planned to issue the formal invitation to tender to these companies on the 10 July 2015.","AnswerDate":"2015-06-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303962,"EventID":"S4W-26010","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3806,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-09T13:54:37.32","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-09T10:24:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will publish (a) the minute of and (b) details of any policy proposals that arose at the meeting of 9 April 2015 between officials from Caledonian Maritime Assets Ltd and Transport Scotland lawyers regarding the retender of the Clyde and Hebrides Ferry Services contract.","AnswerText":"Transport Scotland and Caledonian Maritime Assets Ltd met on 9 April 2015 as part of routine coordination meetings to manage the joint tendering of the Clyde and Hebrides Ferry Services and the Harbour Operating Services. Transport Scotland does not intend on publishing minutes of these meetings.","AnswerDate":"2015-06-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303963,"EventID":"S4W-26011","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3806,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-09T13:54:38.033","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-09T10:24:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government on what date the minute of the board meeting of Caledonian Maritime Assets Ltd (CMAL) of 31 March 2015 was posted on the CMAL website and when it will post the minute of the 29 April 2015 meeting.","AnswerText":"Caledonian Maritime Assets Ltd posted the minutes of their board meetings of 31 March 2015 and 29 April 2015 on their website on 21 May 2015 and 11 June 2015 respectively.","AnswerDate":"2015-06-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303964,"EventID":"S4W-26012","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3806,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-09T13:54:38.77","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-09T10:24:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what impact its public sector pension policy is having on employment in Caledonian Maritime Assets Ltd and what the future impact might be.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government’s position is that public sector pension schemes must be fair, sustainable and affordable. Pension benefits are one part of the overall package of terms and conditions of employment with Caledonian Maritime Assets Ltd. The current CalMac pension scheme is relatively generous and the changes proposed by the employer would retain an attractive, defined benefit scheme. Benefits accrued under the existing pension scheme would not be affected.","AnswerDate":"2015-06-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303965,"EventID":"S4W-26013","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3806,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-09T13:54:41.307","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-09T10:24:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government on what date Caledonian Maritime Assets Ltd will publish the updated inspection results for all (a) port infrastructure and (b) vessels and ships on the (i) Clyde and Hebrides and (ii) Northern Isles ferry networks.","AnswerText":"Caledonian Maritime Assets Ltd (CMAL) do not routinely publish their inspection reports. CMAL are not responsible for the ports and vessels used by the Northern Isles ferry service.","AnswerDate":"2015-06-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303966,"EventID":"S4W-26014","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3806,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-09T13:54:45.687","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-09T10:24:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much it is paying KPMG for its work on the CalMac pension fund.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is not paying KPMG for their work on the CalMac pension fund.","AnswerDate":"2015-06-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303967,"EventID":"S4W-26015","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3806,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-09T13:54:46.393","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-09T10:24:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how the proposed changes to the CalMac pension fund will impact on (a) Caledonian MacBrayne, (b) Caledonian Maritime Assets Ltd and (c) David MacBrayne Ltd staff.","AnswerText":"The proposed changes to the CalMac pension fund would affect employees of all participating employers in the scheme, which include CalMac Ferries Ltd, Caledonian Maritime Assets Ltd, Argyll Ferries Ltd and David MacBrayne Ltd, in terms of their future service. Benefits accrued under the existing final salary pension scheme would not be affected by the proposals.","AnswerDate":"2015-06-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303968,"EventID":"S4W-26016","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3806,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-09T13:54:47.113","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-09T10:24:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what consideration it took of the UK Government’s public sector pension scheme reforms since 2010 when drawing up the proposed changes to the CalMac pension fund.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government did not draw up the proposed changes to the CalMac pension fund; this was done by the employers in accordance with their responsibilities.\r\nThis government’s view is that public sector pension schemes must be fair, sustainable and affordable. In that way, pension schemes can continue to offer a fair deal to active and retired members, to employees, and to the public purse which directly or indirectly provides much of the current and future funding.","AnswerDate":"2015-06-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-07-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303969,"EventID":"S4W-26017","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3806,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-09T13:54:47.833","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-09T10:24:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what impact the retendering of contracts for ferry services has on (a) employment, (b) the economy, (c) ferry services and (d) passengers on remote island communities; how many invitations to tender for such services it has issued in each year since 1999, and what information it has regarding how many were issued from 1990 to 1998.","AnswerText":"Retendering ensures that these lifeline ferry services can continue to support sustainable economic growth and cultural development of our island communities.\r\nIn compliance with European regulations, ferry services tendered since 1999 are: Northern Isles Ferry Services (2002, 2006, 2012); Clyde and Hebrides Ferry Services (2006); Gourock to Dunoon (2006, 2011); and Campbeltown to Ballycastle (2002, 2005).\r\nIn compliance with European regulations, ferry services tendered between 1990 and 1998 are: Northern Isles Ferry Services (1997).","AnswerDate":"2015-06-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303984,"EventID":"S4W-26018","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5047,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-09T17:04:29.18","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-09T11:55:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what progress has been made in establishing a national film school. ","AnswerText":"Screen Academy Scotland is a Creative Skillset Film Academy recognised as a centre of excellence in film practice education. Creative Scotland has awarded £110,000 to Screen Academy Scotland since 2011-12. We are continuing our work to aim to secure enhanced studio infrastructure for Scotland and have made a commitment to set up a film industry expert panel that will help us better understand and respond to the needs of the industry in Scotland, including any additional education facilities.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-06-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fiona Hyslop","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303985,"EventID":"S4W-26019","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3806,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-09T17:04:29.887","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-09T12:24:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will announce the successful bidder for the Clyde and Hebrides Ferry Services contract before the Scottish Parliament election on 5 May 2016.","AnswerText":"To meet the requirements of a complex procurement exercise and ensure the continued provision of the Clyde and Hebrides lifeline ferry services from 1 October 2016, the procurement timeline currently anticipates the award of contract to be announced at the end of May 2016.","AnswerDate":"2015-06-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303986,"EventID":"S4W-26020","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2610,"Party":"Independent","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-09T17:04:30.393","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-09T12:31:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide support to the reported increasing number of people on (a) low incomes and (b) zero-hours contracts who are unable to afford funeral costs.","AnswerText":"Powers over funeral payments will be devolved to Scottish Ministers through the recently introduced Scotland Bill. We know that there are serious problems for users and will seek to improve on what the Department of Work and Pensions has done. We will be engaging with stakeholders to develop the successor arrangements to funeral payments, including eligibility criteria.","AnswerDate":"2015-06-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil ","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303987,"EventID":"S4W-26021","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2610,"Party":"Independent","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-09T17:04:30.857","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-09T12:31:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on the findings by Quaker Social Action, which suggest that the average cost of a funeral has risen by 80% in the last decade and that 47% of applications to the social funeral fund are rejected.","AnswerText":"Powers over funeral payments will be devolved to Scottish Ministers through the recently introduced Scotland Bill. We know that there are serious problems for users and will seek to improve on what the Department of Work and Pensions has done. We will be engaging with stakeholders to develop the successor arrangements to funeral payments, including eligibility criteria.","AnswerDate":"2015-06-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil ","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303988,"EventID":"S4W-26022","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2135,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":92,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-09T17:04:31.31","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-09T12:46:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, in light of complaints and objections from the local community and forest operators, including Forestry Commission Scotland, regarding the designation of Core Path C223 in the Cowal area, what its response is to the statement by the chief executive of Argyll and Bute Council in a letter to a complainant that \"The Council has been directed by the Scottish Government to include C223 in the list of Core Paths and there is no process to reverse this.\"","AnswerText":"All objections to the Argyll and Bute Council Core Paths Plan were considered by reporters from the Directorate for Planning and Environmental Appeals, who investigated the circumstances surrounding the objections and made recommendations to Scottish Ministers.\r\nThe recommendation in respect of Core Path C223 was accepted by Scottish Ministers who, under the powers in the Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2003 section 18(7), have directed Argyll and Bute Council to adopt their core paths plan. The Core Path C223 is also an agreed timber haulage route and, in recognition of this, the direction letter asks the council to ensure that there is information and signage both for vehicle drivers and path users, and that the situation is monitored.","AnswerDate":"2015-06-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen McLeod","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303989,"EventID":"S4W-26023","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1860,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-09T17:04:31.773","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-09T13:55:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the timescale is for the independent academic research that it has commissioned on the impact of the criminalisation of the purchase of sex; how the research will be conducted, and whether it will be carried out (a) in conjunction with a consultation and (b) from a gender analysis perspective.","AnswerText":"It is planned that research findings will be submitted to the Scottish Government and Scottish Parliament in early 2016.\r\nThe research will review the evidence on the impacts of a policy of criminalisation of the purchase of sex. It will also include an assessment of the impact on wider Scottish Government policy to address violence against women and gather evidence on the sex work industry in Scotland. The most appropriate research methodology will be established as part of the development process to ensure that relevant issues are included.\r\nAny decisions on consulting on this issue will be taken after the research has been published.","AnswerDate":"2015-06-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303990,"EventID":"S4W-26024","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5080,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-09T17:04:32.303","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-09T13:55:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what (a) warnings and (b) advice it has received regarding patient safety in out-of-hours primary care services.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government commissioned a national review of primary care out-of-hours services in January 2015. The review programme includes a quality and safety task group which is examining how the safety of out-of-hours services can best be measured and improved. \r\nThe national review will submit its report to me in September 2015 which may include recommendations around patient safety.","AnswerDate":"2015-06-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303991,"EventID":"S4W-26025","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5080,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-09T17:04:32.717","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-09T13:55:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of any risks to patient safety in Lanarkshire due to a lack of GP availability in out-of-hours primary care services.","AnswerText":"The design, implementation and management of primary care out-of-hours service is the responsibility of NHS Scotland health boards based on local needs and priorities, and as informed by national policies and frameworks. Patient safety is of paramount importance which has driven the interim service solution. The board’s final proposals for primary care out-of-hours services must be consistent with recommendations arising out of the national review of primary care out-of-hours services and will be subject to ministerial approval.","AnswerDate":"2015-06-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303992,"EventID":"S4W-26027","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5080,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-09T17:04:33.123","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-09T13:55:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when the national review group on out-of-hours primary care is expected to report; how the Scottish Government will communicate its findings to NHS boards, and how it will ensure that boards implement them.","AnswerText":"The chair of the national review of primary care out-of-hours services will report his findings and recommendations to me in autumn 2015. All NHS Scotland health boards will be provided with a copy of the review report upon completion.\r\nThe Scottish Government will respond to the findings and recommendations of the review in due course.","AnswerDate":"2015-06-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303993,"EventID":"S4W-26029","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5080,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-09T17:04:33.567","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-09T13:55:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it supports the interim two-centre model of out-of-hours primary care in NHS Lanarkshire and whether it supports it becoming permanent.","AnswerText":"The design, implementation and management of primary care out-of-hours services is the responsibility of NHS Scotland health boards. The Scottish Government is aware of the interim model in place for primary care out-of-hours in NHS Lanarkshire. All boards will be expected to align their out-of-hours services with recommendations arising out of the national review of primary care out-of-hours services.","AnswerDate":"2015-06-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303994,"EventID":"S4W-26034","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5080,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-09T17:04:34.003","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-09T13:55:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it is recruiting new doctors into general practice.","AnswerText":"Recruitment of staff, including doctors, is a matter for each NHSScotland board as an employer. NHSScotland boards are required to have the correct staff in place to meet the needs of the service and ensure high quality patient care. The Scottish Government works closely with boards to support their staff recruitment efforts and our investment in primary care has seen the number of GPs across the country increase by seven per cent under this government.\r\nWe are continuing to work with health boards and the medical profession to develop short-term recruitment initiatives as we look to develop more attractive medical career pathways. The British Medical Association is a key partner in this work.\r\nIn addition, we are continuously examining steps to boost recruitment and increase retention – including a returners’ package run by NHS National Education Scotland, and by providing additional funding to practices for population growth every year.","AnswerDate":"2015-06-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303995,"EventID":"S4W-26035","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5080,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-09T17:04:34.407","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-09T13:55:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it is promoting employment opportunities in out-of-hours primary care services to doctors.","AnswerText":"NHS Scotland health boards are responsible for resourcing out-of-hours services to meet the needs of their populations. The national review of primary care out-of-hours services, commissioned by the Scottish Government in January 2015, is examining the out-of-hours workforce as part of the workforce and training task group which includes doctors. The review is due to report its findings and recommendations in September 2015.\r\nThe Scottish Government is currently funding the Scotland General Practitioners (GPs) Returner Programme, which provides an opportunity for GPs who have previously worked in NHS general practice to safely return to general practice following a career break of at least two years or time spent working abroad. It is envisaged that this scheme will facilitate the increase in take-up of GPs working during the out-of-hours period. The programme offers incentives for participants to contribute to the out-of-hours service.","AnswerDate":"2015-06-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303996,"EventID":"S4W-26036","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5080,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-09T17:04:34.797","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-09T13:55:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what support it provides to NHS Lanarkshire to address the risks marked in red in NHS Lanarkshire’s corporate risk register.","AnswerText":"In addition to setting national policies and providing resources (NHS Lanarkshire’s resource budget has increased by £41.8 million or 4.1% in 2015-16 to a record high of £1,055.6 million), the government keeps in close contact with health boards on the key risks they face, providing additional support where this is necessary and appropriate. \r\nFor instance, the two ‘red’ risks identified in the last corporate risk register presented to the board of NHS Lanarkshire in May 2015 referred to the sustainability of local primary care out of hours services and unscheduled care performance. \r\nOn the former, the board of NHS Lanarkshire agreed an interim model in late May 2015 to maintain patient safety in the short term while developing a long term solution around a broader range of out-of-hours proposals. These long term proposals, which will ultimately be subject to ministerial approval, must be developed in consultation with staff and the general public and be fully consistent with the conclusions of the national review of out-of-hours services, due in autumn 2015.\r\nOn the latter, NHS Lanarkshire has previously received £2.03 million from the government through the £50 million National Unscheduled Care Action Plan over two years (£0.89 million in 2013-14 and £1.14 million in 2014-15). For 2015-16, the health board will receive unscheduled care action plan funding of £811,762.","AnswerDate":"2015-06-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303997,"EventID":"S4W-26037","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5080,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-09T17:04:35.22","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-09T13:55:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how the transition to a seven-day health service will affect out-of-hours primary care services.","AnswerText":"Patients in Scotland currently have access to primary medical care 24 hours a day and seven days a week. Health boards and NHS 24 work together to ensure that anyone who requires to see a GP out-of-hours can do so.\r\nThe Scottish Government is, however, taking forward work to build on this and improve the care our patients receive at evenings and weekends, within the wider context of supporting a sustainable NHS for the future. This work is being taken forward under the auspices of the Sustainability and Seven Day Services Taskforce. The taskforce published an interim report in March 2015 which set out a number of steps for the next phase of work.\r\nThe work of the taskforce is fully linked into the range of national activity supporting the development of sustainable seven day services including contributing to the national review of primary care out of hours services being led by Professor Sir Lewis Ritchie. The review is expected to submit its report in September 2015.","AnswerDate":"2015-06-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303998,"EventID":"S4W-26039","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-09T17:04:35.617","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-09T14:55:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether its commitment to grow the annual number of new starts to modern apprenticeships from 25,000 to 30,000 by 2020 includes pupils participating in foundation apprenticeships.","AnswerText":"Our commitment to grow the annual number of modern apprenticeship starts will not include pupils participating in foundation apprenticeships while at school.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-06-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Annabelle Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":303999,"EventID":"S4W-26043","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2610,"Party":"Independent","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-09T17:04:36.083","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-09T15:01:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it is tackling the reported increase in funeral poverty.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government recently consulted on proposals for new legislation governing burial and cremation. Funeral poverty was considered as part of this and a range of responses were received. We are currently looking at ways in which funeral-related costs might be tackled through legislation, as well as various other policy routes. For example, we are exploring the development of a leaflet for pensioners on arranging funerals, to help them take control.","AnswerDate":"2015-06-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil ","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304000,"EventID":"S4W-26044","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5060,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-09T17:04:36.533","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-09T15:11:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many (a) medical and (b) non-medical staff have been employed at the Royal Alexandra Hospital in each year since 2007. ","AnswerText":"Information on how many medical and non-medical staff have been employed at the Royal Alexandra Hospital each year since 2007 is not centrally held. However, under this government, staffing levels in NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde have increased by 924.9 whole time equivalent (WTE), or 2.8% since September 2006 (from 33,162.4 WTE in September 2006 to 34,087.2 WTE in March 2015).\r\nIn the same period, staffing levels in NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde are at a record high within the following specialties: \r\nEmergency medicine consultants up 167.7% or 43.6 WTE (from 26.0 WTE to 69.6 WTE).\r\nQualified nurses and midwives (including interns) up 3.1% or 330.2 WTE (from 10,790.0 WTE to 11,120.2 WTE).\r\nConsultants up 25.3% or 286.0 WTE (from 1,131.3 WTE to 1,417.3 WTE).\r\nIt is for each NHS board to decide how to plan and deliver their services to meet the needs of their population. This includes how best to utilise funding and staff, taking account of national and local priorities to meet local health needs.","AnswerDate":"2015-06-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304001,"EventID":"S4W-26045","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5060,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-09T17:04:37.04","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-09T15:11:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many staff were assigned to the support team that was introduced to help reduce accident and emergency waiting times at the Royal Alexandra Hospital; whether it is still in place and, if so, for how long it will remain operational.","AnswerText":"There were four members within the intensive support team who worked in partnership with local staff in the Royal Alexandra Hospital (RAH) to identify key actions/opportunities that would support short/medium term improvements over a two week intensive period from 16 February 2015 and 27 February 2015.\r\nThe support team continues to work closely with NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, and with colleagues in RAH, on a regular basis to monitor and support ongoing improved performance. The support team are currently supporting the staff at the South Glasgow University Hospital and will remain on site until the end of June 2015 in the first instance.","AnswerDate":"2015-06-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304002,"EventID":"S4W-26047","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5060,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-09T17:04:37.473","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-09T15:11:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it has received a report from the support team that was introduced to help reduce accident and emergency waiting times at the Royal Alexandra Hospital and, if so, whether it will publish this.","AnswerText":"The Improvement Support team findings and recommendations was reported to the Scottish Government in March 2015. The support team made a number of recommendations to encourage improved performance, including:\r\nDedicated director with lead responsibility for all services and targets within the hospital\r\nEnhanced hospital planning and patient safety meetings to enable whole hospital focus on action and faster decision making\r\nEnhanced use of discharge lounge and criteria led discharge\r\nEstablish discharge hub \r\nThe hospital has actively progressed a number of actions, including:\r\nHospital planning and safety meetings have been introduced, including weekends\r\nDischarge plans have been reviewed, re-energised and rolled out\r\nPatient flow hub now in place and supported by a multi-disciplinary team \r\nDischarge lounge is promoted as part of the hospital planning and safety meetings, usage continues to increase\r\nThe local team continue to implement actions and the new six essential actions approach to improving unscheduled care, which was launched in May 2015, will compliment this work and will support sustainable improvements.\r\nThe most recent published data for the week ending 5 July 2015 shows that the Royal Alexandria hospital seen, treated and discharged or admitted 94.1% of all its patients within four hours. This is an improvement of over 19 percentage points since weekly reporting began in February 2015 - long waits over eight hours have also significantly reduced by over 94%. This reflects the hard work of all staff in the hospital, who should be congratulated for their efforts.\r\nA full report will be published shortly.","AnswerDate":"2015-07-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304003,"EventID":"S4W-26048","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5060,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-09T17:04:37.93","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-09T15:11:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the waiting time target is for accident and emergency services at the Royal Alexandra Hospital. ","AnswerText":"The A&E waiting time target for the Royal Alexandra Hospital is 95%. Unscheduled care is a key priority for Scottish Government and we want all acute sites across Scotland, including the Royal Alexandra Hospital, to sustainably achieve 95% of all patients attending A&E to been seen, treated and discharged or admitted with four hours.","AnswerDate":"2015-06-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304004,"EventID":"S4W-26049","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5060,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-09T17:04:38.393","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-09T15:11:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many beds there are at the Royal Alexandra Hospital; whether it considers this sufficient, and what the reasons are for its position on this matter.","AnswerText":"The following table shows the latest published data available on the number of average available staffed beds in the Royal Alexandra Hospital per month for all specialties.\r\nMonth\r\nJan-14\r\nFeb-14\r\nMar-14\r\nApr-14\r\nMay-14\r\nJun-14\r\nJul-14\r\nAug-14\r\nSep-14\r\nOct-14\r\nNov-14\r\nDec-14\r\n760\r\n763\r\n761\r\n759\r\n759\r\n757\r\n755\r\n767\r\n760\r\n765\r\n766\r\n768\r\nSource: Information Services Division (ISD) (S)1, ISD Scotland\r\nIt is for health boards to plan and provide healthcare services for their area, based on local needs and priorities, and as informed by national policies and frameworks. The government is engaging widely on the development of the bed planning toolkit, which includes key principles for bed planning, case studies, links to relevant planning guidance and data sources to support bed planning across Scotland.","AnswerDate":"2015-06-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304005,"EventID":"S4O-04458","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":2135,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":92,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-10T13:17:57.317","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-08T19:06:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with the National Museum of Scotland regarding the request to repatriate to Canada the remains of the last two members of the Beothuk tribe.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-06-17T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304006,"EventID":"S4O-04459","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-10T13:17:57.923","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-08T12:02:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government which ministers have met representatives of the Government of Qatar since it was awarded the 2022 World Cup.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-06-17T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304007,"EventID":"S4O-04460","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":1860,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-10T13:17:58.343","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-08T12:43:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what it is doing to promote and support Gaelic culture.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-06-17T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304008,"EventID":"S4O-04461","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":4965,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-10T13:17:58.813","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-08T12:02:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it has been invited by the UK Government to discuss its negotiation proposals regarding EU reform.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-06-17T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304009,"EventID":"S4O-04462","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":5080,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-10T13:17:59.187","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-08T12:02:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what representation it has made to the UK Government regarding the Mediterranean refugee crisis.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-06-17T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304010,"EventID":"S4O-04463","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":2066,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-10T13:17:59.53","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-08T12:02:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it supports voluntary sector organisations working in developing countries.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-06-17T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304011,"EventID":"S4O-04464","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":3129,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":83,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-10T13:17:59.92","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-08T12:02:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on the proposal that 16 and 17-year-olds and European nationals living in the UK will not be able to vote in the EU referendum.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-06-17T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304012,"EventID":"S4O-04465","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":5057,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-10T13:18:00.353","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-10T11:31:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what progress it has made in establishing cultural links between Scotland and China.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-06-17T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304013,"EventID":"S4O-04466","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":2059,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":91,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-10T13:18:00.76","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-08T12:02:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to promote fair trade.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is committed to ensuring that producers in the developing world achieve a fair price for their goods. Key to this commitment is our core funding support for the Scottish Fair Trade Forum, who have received nearly £800,000 since 2007 to take forward Scotland's campaign for Fair Trade Nation Status, an accolade we successfully achieved in 2013. A further £440,000 over the period 2014-17 has been awarded to the forum to build on this achievement by strengthening support for fair trade across all sections of Scottish society.\r\nAt the start of this year's Fairtrade Fortnight, I wrote to major high street retailers calling on them to stock more fair trade school uniforms. Giving parents more choice to buy fair trade school clothes and encouraging small changes to the way they shop can make a real difference to the lives of some of the world's poorest people.","AnswerDate":"2015-06-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-06-17T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304014,"EventID":"S4O-04467","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":3061,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-10T13:18:01.133","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-10T11:44:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to promote local culture and identity.","AnswerText":"Public Bodies Creative Scotland, Event Scotland and Historic Scotland all promote local culture and identity in different ways. Creative Scotland’s Creative Place Awards celebrate all that is best about our communities in Scotland and recognise the hard work and imagination driving the cultural life of communities all over the country. There are exceptional creative programmes taking place in towns, villages and communities across the country and these awards demonstrate an ongoing commitment to supporting and promoting local culture. The 2015 Creative Place Awards took place at Falkirk Town Hall on 10 June 2015 with Moniaive/Glencairn Parish winning the £50,000 award, Forres £100,000 and Stornoway and Islands of Lewis and Harris winning the £125,000.","AnswerDate":"2015-06-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-06-17T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"Fiona Hyslop","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304015,"EventID":"S4O-04468","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":3824,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-10T13:18:01.57","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-10T11:22:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what recent discussions it has had with the UK Government regarding securing the future of Glasgow Prestwick Airport.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-06-17T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304016,"EventID":"S4O-04469","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":2123,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":103,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-10T13:18:01.99","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-08T12:03:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it has had discussions with the UK Government regarding a City Deal for Edinburgh and surrounding areas.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-06-17T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304017,"EventID":"S4O-04470","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":1866,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-10T13:18:02.38","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-10T10:36:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it will publish an updated infrastructure investment plan.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-06-17T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304018,"EventID":"S4O-04472","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":3806,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-10T13:18:02.8","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-09T12:13:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what representations it has received regarding the cost of flights to and from Orkney, Shetland and the Western Isles.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-06-17T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304019,"EventID":"S4O-04473","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":2215,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":125,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-10T13:18:03.173","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-10T10:31:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what matters the Islands Transport Forum will discuss at its first meeting.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-06-17T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304020,"EventID":"S4O-04474","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":5079,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-10T13:18:03.61","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-08T12:03:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when ministers last met the management of ScotRail.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-06-17T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304021,"EventID":"S4O-04475","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":3745,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":122,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-10T13:18:04.017","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-08T12:03:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what progress it is making toward meeting the commitments in Scotland’s Road Safety Framework to 2020.","AnswerText":"Scotland’s Road Safety Framework commits us to an ultimate vision of zero fatalities on Scotland’s roads. Statistics published this morning (Key Reported Road Casualties Scotland 2014) show an increase in the number of fatalities and serious injuries in 2014 but an overall reduction of 31% and 35% respectively since the framework was published in 2009. \r\nFor 2014, this still represents 200 people killed on our roads. That is clearly not good enough. On 4 June 2015, I therefore met the Road Safety Framework Partnership board to launch a collaborative mid-term review of the framework. Over the next few months, we will work together to examine our performance, review our options and decide our priorities for the next five years.\r\nWe will redouble our efforts to attain and exceed our 2020 targets and bring our long-term vision of zero fatalities within reach.","AnswerDate":"2015-06-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-06-17T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304022,"EventID":"S4O-04476","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":2117,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-10T13:18:04.42","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-10T11:58:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether Scottish Water will continue to provide water supply to schools and hospitals.","AnswerText":"Yes – Scottish Water will continue to provide wholesale water and sewerage services to all schools and hospitals, and indeed all customers, who are connected to the public network.","AnswerDate":"2015-06-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-06-17T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304023,"EventID":"S4O-04477","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-10T13:18:04.857","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-08T12:03:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many projects are now considered to be on balance sheet as a result of changes to the Eurostat designation.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-06-17T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304024,"EventID":"S4O-04478","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":2673,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":114,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-10T13:18:05.51","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-10T11:56:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to the Fostering Network Scotland’s survey that found children to be moving too many times while in care.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-06-18T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304025,"EventID":"S4O-04479","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":2394,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-10T13:18:05.9","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-09T14:19:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to improve care services for adults with cerebral palsy. ","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-06-18T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304026,"EventID":"S4O-04480","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":2826,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":84,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-10T13:18:06.32","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-10T10:59:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the number of people who are homeless in Glasgow.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-06-18T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304027,"EventID":"S4O-04481","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":2110,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":138,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-10T13:18:06.697","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-08T12:03:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the impact will be on jobs, investment and services of the additional £107 million reduction in the Scottish Budget recently announced by the Chancellor.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-06-18T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304028,"EventID":"S4O-04482","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":2033,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":132,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-10T13:18:07.083","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-08T12:03:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on compulsory redundancies in the further education sector.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-06-18T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304029,"EventID":"S4O-04483","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":4955,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":105,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-10T13:18:07.443","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-08T12:03:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when the Commission on Local Tax Reform last met and what matters were discussed.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-06-18T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304030,"EventID":"S4O-04484","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":2675,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":93,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-10T13:18:07.817","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-08T12:03:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much land and forest has been bought and sold by Forestry Commission Scotland since 2010 and at what cost.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-06-18T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304031,"EventID":"S4O-04485","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":3907,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":135,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-10T13:18:08.237","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-08T12:03:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what steps it will take to prevent taxi drivers with a series of complaints against them in one local authority area from obtaining a taxi driver's licence in another area.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-06-18T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304032,"EventID":"S4O-04486","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":1814,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":77,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-10T13:18:08.58","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-08T12:03:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what initiatives it has introduced to increase the supply of social housing.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-06-18T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304033,"EventID":"S4O-04487","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":2603,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-10T13:18:09.017","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-09T14:24:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to ensure that there is a comprehensive strategy for GP recruitment in the NHS Grampian area.","AnswerText":"Under this government, the number of GPs employed in Scotland has risen by seven per cent to nearly 5,000 – the highest ever on record. We have also increased funding by 10 per cent and there are more GPs per head of population in Scotland than in England.\r\nOn 29 May 2015, the Cabinet Secretary for Health, Wellbeing and Sport visited Aberdeen to meet with GPs, local MSPs and NHS Grampian to hear directly from those involved about how best to support GPs to find new ways of working that address workload and staffing difficulties.\r\nThe health board has already begun work to address existing issues and we will be expecting them to engage closely with GPs and the local community as they begin to develop sustainable, ‘future-proofed’ primary care services.","AnswerDate":"2015-06-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-06-18T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304043,"EventID":"S4W-26050","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3806,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-10T17:03:58.753","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-10T09:44:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will consider the construction of a length of re-doubled track at Lentran, north of Inverness, to allow for the passing of trains in order to reduce congestion and improve the rail service north of Inverness.","AnswerText":"This is an interesting proposal, which we will of course be mindful of, as we seek to improve our rail network in the north of the country. However, future consideration of any new rail enhancements on the Far North Line will be within the context of our investment hierarchy of maintaining and safely operating the network, then making best use of our existing network and finally targeted infrastructure improvements subject to funds becoming available.","AnswerDate":"2015-06-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304044,"EventID":"S4W-26058","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2892,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-10T17:03:59.237","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-10T11:58:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it will publish an analysis of the responses to the consultation on the proposed amendments to the National Health Service Central Register (Scotland) Regulations 2006, and whether it plans to implement the proposed amendments.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is currently considering the points raised in the consultation responses and will publish an analysis of these responses shortly.","AnswerDate":"2015-06-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304045,"EventID":"S4W-26059","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-10T17:03:59.673","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-10T13:03:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the impact that social media can have on young people at risk of eating disorders. ","AnswerText":"Online safety in Scotland is monitored by the Scottish Government led Stakeholder Group on Child Internet Safety; and through its membership of the executive board of the UK Council for Child Internet Safety. The Scottish Government recognises the need for these bodies to work in partnership with industry, service providers and other interests to ensure safe and responsible use of the internet and social media as part of a wider focus on healthy relationships and behaviours.","AnswerDate":"2015-06-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304046,"EventID":"S4W-26060","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2394,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-10T17:04:00.24","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-10T14:55:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what support it offers to NHS wheelchair users who experience malfunctioning equipment during weekend hours.","AnswerText":"The role of the Scottish Government is to provide policies and frameworks to support NHS boards in the provision of healthcare services. It is for NHS boards to develop and deliver services based on the needs of their resident populations. This includes the delivery of wheelchair services in Scotland which is co-ordinated by five centres. These centres carry out specialist assessment and provision of wheelchairs in their designated areas. In addition wheelchair centres provide on going maintenance, servicing and repairs as part of a weekday service.\r\n\r\nThe Wheelchair & Seating Services Quality Improvement Framework suggests that 75% of urgent repairs should be completed within one day and 90% of routine repairs completed within five days. We expect that all urgent repairs are carried out as quickly as possible. In addition all users of powered wheelchairs are provided with a backup manual wheelchair in the event of a breakdown or malfunction.","AnswerDate":"2015-06-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304047,"EventID":"S4W-26063","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2633,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-10T17:04:00.743","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-10T15:27:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on its plans for a consultation on unconventional gas and fracking.","AnswerText":"Ministers have been meeting with representatives from community, environmental and industry groups to discuss the consultation and our pre-consultation preparations.\r\nFurther details of the consultation and accompanying work will be announced in due course.","AnswerDate":"2015-06-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304048,"EventID":"S4W-26064","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-10T17:04:01.173","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-10T15:33:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many people have been (a) prosecuted, (b) fined and (c) imprisoned for acts of (i) wildlife and (ii) environmental crime in each of the last 10 years.","AnswerText":"The available information is given in the following tables.\r\n\r\nWildlife crime as defined by The Partnership for Action Against Wildlife Crime in Scotland (PAW Scotland): is any unlawful act or omission, which affects any wild creature, plant or habitat in Scotland.\r\nEnvironmental crime as defined by the Environmental Crime Taskforce: an act or omission which directly or indirectly damages the environment (or has the potential to damage the environment) and which constitutes a breach of criminal law.\r\nPeople proceeded against in Scottish Courts for wildlife offences, where main charge:\r\nCrime Group\r\n2004-05\r\n2005-06\r\n2006-07\r\n2007-08\r\n2008-09\r\n2009-10\r\n2010-11\r\n2011-12\r\n2012-13\r\n2013-14\r\nTotal prosecutions\r\n63\r\n65\r\n69\r\n92\r\n77\r\n32\r\n57\r\n71\r\n77\r\n81\r\nBirds, offences involving\r\n11\r\n8\r\n15\r\n14\r\n10\r\n7\r\n6\r\n15\r\n19\r\n10\r\nCruelty to wild animals\r\n1\r\n1\r\n1\r\n10\r\n9\r\n4\r\n2\r\n4\r\n9\r\n4\r\nDeer offences\r\n-\r\n1\r\n-\r\n2\r\n-\r\n-\r\n3\r\n8\r\n3\r\n5\r\nHunting with dogs\r\n3\r\n24\r\n17\r\n15\r\n8\r\n10\r\n9\r\n5\r\n11\r\n9\r\nOffences involving badgers\r\n-\r\n-\r\n7\r\n11\r\n1\r\n2\r\n3\r\n2\r\n-\r\n-\r\nPoaching and game laws\r\n5\r\n5\r\n3\r\n6\r\n3\r\n4\r\n8\r\n8\r\n1\r\n-\r\nPossession of salmon or trout as result of offence\r\n7\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\nPossession of salmon or trout unlawfully obtained\r\n1\r\n3\r\n-\r\n3\r\n3\r\n-\r\n1\r\n2\r\n2\r\n1\r\nSalmon and freshwater fisheries offences\r\n29\r\n18\r\n21\r\n25\r\n32\r\n3\r\n21\r\n16\r\n21\r\n42\r\nOther wildlife offences\r\n6\r\n5\r\n5\r\n6\r\n11\r\n2\r\n4\r\n11\r\n11\r\n10\r\n\r\n\r\nPeople receiving fines or custodial sentences for wildlife offences, where main charge\r\nMain Result of Proceedings by crime group\r\n2004-05\r\n2005-06\r\n2006-07\r\n2007-08\r\n2008-09\r\n2009-10\r\n2010-11\r\n2011-12\r\n2012-13\r\n2013-14\r\nCustody total:\r\n1\r\n1\r\n-\r\n-\r\n1\r\n-\r\n-\r\n1\r\n1\r\n1\r\nBirds, offences involving\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n1\r\n1\r\n-\r\nCruelty to wild animals\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n1\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\nHunting with dogs\r\n-\r\n1\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n1\r\nOther wildlife offences\r\n1\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\nFines total:\r\n38\r\n40\r\n36\r\n50\r\n39\r\n18\r\n36\r\n37\r\n33\r\n44\r\nBirds, offences involving\r\n6\r\n5\r\n9\r\n4\r\n5\r\n3\r\n3\r\n10\r\n9\r\n4\r\nCruelty to wild animals\r\n1\r\n1\r\n-\r\n4\r\n6\r\n1\r\n2\r\n3\r\n4\r\n1\r\nDeer offences\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n2\r\n-\r\n-\r\n3\r\n2\r\n1\r\n3\r\nHunting with dogs\r\n2\r\n9\r\n7\r\n5\r\n-\r\n6\r\n3\r\n-\r\n2\r\n4\r\nOffences involving badgers\r\n-\r\n-\r\n2\r\n4\r\n-\r\n2\r\n3\r\n1\r\n-\r\n-\r\nPoaching and game laws\r\n5\r\n2\r\n1\r\n6\r\n2\r\n3\r\n3\r\n3\r\n-\r\n-\r\nPossession of salmon or trout as result of offence\r\n6\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\nPossession of salmon or trout unlawfully obtained\r\n1\r\n2\r\n-\r\n1\r\n3\r\n-\r\n1\r\n1\r\n2\r\n-\r\nSalmon and freshwater fisheries offences\r\n16\r\n18\r\n13\r\n19\r\n17\r\n2\r\n15\r\n11\r\n10\r\n27\r\nOther wildlife offences\r\n1\r\n3\r\n4\r\n5\r\n6\r\n1\r\n3\r\n6\r\n5\r\n5\r\n\r\nPeople proceeded against in Scottish Courts for environmental offences, where main charge\r\nCrime group\r\n2004-05\r\n2005-06\r\n2006-07\r\n2007-08\r\n2008-09\r\n2009-10\r\n2010-11\r\n2011-12\r\n2012-13\r\n2013-14\r\nTotal\r\n362\r\n343\r\n315\r\n280\r\n187\r\n181\r\n199\r\n171\r\n128\r\n173\r\nAgricultural offences\r\n1\r\n1\r\n2\r\n-\r\n3\r\n2\r\n-\r\n-\r\n1\r\n-\r\nClean air Acts\r\n1\r\n5\r\n4\r\n7\r\n2\r\n1\r\n5\r\n4\r\n1\r\n1\r\nContravention of sec 6(1) by continuing to operate proscribed process\r\n1\r\n-\r\n1\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\nControl of pollution\r\n235\r\n255\r\n208\r\n154\r\n105\r\n102\r\n80\r\n62\r\n72\r\n58\r\nDog fouling\r\n9\r\n11\r\n11\r\n8\r\n14\r\n32\r\n65\r\n52\r\n28\r\n86\r\nFraud\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n1\r\n-\r\n-\r\n1\r\n-\r\n-\r\nLitter Offences\r\n43\r\n39\r\n56\r\n93\r\n47\r\n25\r\n27\r\n21\r\n13\r\n17\r\nOil pollution in navigable waters\r\n17\r\n5\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n1\r\nRefuse Disposal (Amenity) Act 1978\r\n23\r\n10\r\n13\r\n5\r\n2\r\n5\r\n-\r\n2\r\n-\r\n1\r\nSea fisheries offences\r\n29\r\n17\r\n17\r\n7\r\n8\r\n5\r\n7\r\n11\r\n5\r\n1\r\nSmoking in public places\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n1\r\n-\r\n1\r\n9\r\n3\r\n4\r\n4\r\nWater Acts\r\n-\r\n-\r\n3\r\n4\r\n3\r\n5\r\n4\r\n11\r\n3\r\n2\r\nOther Environmental Protection Act Offences 1990\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n1\r\n2\r\n2\r\n3\r\n1\r\n2\r\nOther conservation offences\r\n3\r\n-\r\n-\r\n1\r\n1\r\n1\r\n-\r\n1\r\n-\r\n-\r\n\r\nPeople receiving fines or custodial sentences for environmental offences, where main charge\r\nMain Result of Proceedings by crime group\r\n2004-05\r\n2005-06\r\n2006-07\r\n2007-08\r\n2008-09\r\n2009-10\r\n2010-11\r\n2011-12\r\n2012-13\r\n2013-14\r\nCustody total:\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n2\r\n-\r\n3\r\n-\r\n-\r\n1\r\n2\r\nControl of pollution\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n2\r\n-\r\n3\r\n-\r\n-\r\n1\r\n2\r\nFines total:\r\n277\r\n271\r\n235","AnswerDate":"2015-06-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304049,"EventID":"S4W-26065","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-10T17:04:01.793","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-10T15:33:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what is being done to ensure that all local authorities have a sufficient number of planning officers and staff to ensure monitoring and enforcement to protect environment and wildlife from the impacts of development on rivers.","AnswerText":"As ‘responsible authorities’ under the Water Environment and Water Services Act 2003, local authorities, through the planning system, are expected to play a key role in protecting the water environment, by influencing the location and design of new development.\r\nScottish Planning Policy (published 2014) sets out ministers’ expectations for planning. It sets out core values for the planning service, which include upholding the law and enforcing the terms of decisions. Managing the resourcing of the planning service is the responsibility of local authorities.\r\nThe government recognises that the resourcing of the planning system is an important matter which is why we implemented a fee increase of 20% in 2013 and a further 5% in 2014. We intend to consider resources for planning as part of a national discussion about further planning reform over the coming months.","AnswerDate":"2015-06-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304050,"EventID":"S4W-26066","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-10T17:04:02.493","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-10T15:33:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many freshwater pearl mussel sites have been found to be criminally damaged in each year since 2011.","AnswerText":"Since 2011, there have been 19 suspected criminal incidents against freshwater pearl mussels:\r\nYear\r\nNumber of suspected criminal incidents\r\n2011\r\n4\r\n2012\r\n2\r\n2013\r\n8\r\n2014\r\n5\r\nThe increase in 2013 can in part be attributed to the work of the Pearls in Peril appointed riverwatcher or as a result of the national survey of freshwater pearl mussels, which discovered around three quarters of incidents in that year.\r\nIn 2014, there were five incidents of suspected criminality all of which were discovered either by the Pearls in Peril project riverwatcher or the national survey.","AnswerDate":"2015-06-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen McLeod","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304051,"EventID":"S4W-26067","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-10T17:04:03.09","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-10T15:56:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government for what reason compressors, used to maintain breathing apparatus, are being removed from 63 of 85 Scottish Fire and Rescue Service stations reviewed in the Highlands and Islands.","AnswerText":"The information requested is not held centrally. The management choice and management of operational equipment, including compressors for breathing apparatus is a matter for the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) and questions regarding apparatus should be directed to SFRS. The SFRS is under a statutory duty to ensure adequate arrangements for fire and rescue services in all 32 of Scotland’s local authority areas.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-06-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Paul Wheelhouse","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304052,"EventID":"S4W-26068","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-10T17:04:03.857","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-10T15:56:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many people have applied for retained firefighter duties and been (a) recruited and (b) rejected in each of the last five years.","AnswerText":"The information requested is not held centrally. The recruitment of firefighters is a matter for the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS). The SFRS is under a statutory duty to ensure adequate arrangements for fire and rescue services in all 32 of Scotland’s local authority areas.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-06-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Paul Wheelhouse","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304053,"EventID":"S4W-26069","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-10T17:04:04.567","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-10T16:08:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it has taken in light of reports that two in five fostered teenagers are living with their third foster family since going into care.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government recognises the need for all children and young people, including those who are in care, to live in a safe, secure, permanent, nurturing home. Regrettably, we know that too many children and young people in care experience drift and delay leading to multiple placements.\r\nThe Scottish Government is working with the Centre for Excellence for Looked After Children in Scotland to deliver our Permanence and Care Excellence (PACE) programme, which brings together partners including local authorities, children’s hearings, health, education and the courts to look at how they can improve systems and practice to deliver permanence more quickly for looked after children and young people. PACE uses improvement methodology to identify and test changes to get rid of drift and delay in the system. It is currently working in Aberdeen City, Renfrewshire and Aberdeenshire and aims to expand to a further four areas in 2015-16.","AnswerDate":"2015-06-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fiona McLeod","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304054,"EventID":"S4W-26070","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-10T17:04:05.137","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-10T16:09:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what progress has been made with the development of a national learning and development framework for foster care.","AnswerText":"In July 2014 the Scottish Government commissioned Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC) to develop a learning and development framework for foster carers in Scotland. A large scoping exercise was undertaken to capture existing qualifications and learning and development opportunities already available to foster carers and to seek foster carer and foster care agency views about what the content of a learning and development framework for foster carers in Scotland should include.\r\nThe findings of the scoping study have been used by SSSC to develop a draft technical standard which will form the basis for further discussion with its strategic group. The next stage of work will be to develop a comprehensive communications strategy and engage fully with the sector through a series of events. In the meantime a more detailed update can be found at: http://www.gov.scot/Topics/People/Young-People/protecting/lac/foster-care-review","AnswerDate":"2015-06-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fiona McLeod","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304055,"EventID":"S4W-26071","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-10T17:04:05.55","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-10T16:09:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what conclusions it has reached from its research into foster care allowances; whether it plans to introduce changes to such allowances, and, if so, by when.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government undertook research on foster care allowances which compared methodologies used across the UK on how levels of fostering allowances were reached. It recommended that further research into minimum income standards be undertaken to examine what additional costs there are in caring for children living in foster care in Scotland. We plan to take forward this work in the wider context of both foster and kinship care.\r\nA recent legal challenge to Scottish local authorities by the Equality and Human Rights Commission about the need for parity to be reached between children living in kinship and foster care has meant that we need to plan a course of action. We will soon be inviting representation from across the sector on to a steering group to represent the needs of children and young people in those care settings.","AnswerDate":"2015-06-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fiona McLeod","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304056,"EventID":"S4W-26072","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-10T17:04:05.983","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-10T16:10:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to support the retention of experienced foster carers.","AnswerText":"In response to a recommendation of the national review of foster care the Scottish Government agreed to develop a learning and development strategy that will provide the opportunity for foster carers to work towards a more structured framework of training that also recognises the skills and experience gained by foster carers.\r\nThe Scottish Government funded a recruitment seminar held in Glasgow during Foster Care Fortnight in 2013 which was run in partnership with Glasgow City Council and The Fostering Network (TFN). In response to requests from attendees, a quarterly national recruitment and retention forum, hosted by TFN, was established to share good practice and experiences in recruitment and retention.","AnswerDate":"2015-06-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fiona McLeod","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304057,"EventID":"S4W-26073","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-10T17:04:06.453","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-10T16:10:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what consideration it has given to the provision of carers’ respite and support.","AnswerText":"The provision of short breaks (respite care) is important for carers.\r\n\r\nThe latest official statistics publication on respite care in Scotland was published on 28 October 2014. This shows that the Scottish Government has achieved its manifesto commitment of maintaining an extra 10,000 respite weeks, relative to 2007-08.\r\nSince 2011, the Voluntary Sector Short Breaks Fund, administered by Shared Care Scotland and the Family Fund has distributed more than £10 million to third sector organisations, with the aim of increasing the availability and choice of short breaks to support carers and those they care for.\r\nThe NHS Board Carer Information Strategy funding of nearly £34 million from 2008 to 2016 is, amongst other things, funding the third sector to provide short breaks. This is helping to build and sustain more creative community-based approaches to delivering short breaks provision to meet the needs of carers and service users.\r\nThe Carers (Scotland) Bill will place a duty on local authorities to provide support to carers who must consider, in particular, whether the support should include a break from caring. The Bill will also place a duty on local authorities to prepare and publish short breaks services statements. This will help ensure that carers have more information about short breaks services that are available in their area.","AnswerDate":"2015-06-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304076,"EventID":"S4W-26082","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":2,"MSPID":4964,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":119,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-11T09:22:53.147","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-11T09:13:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has for further extension of the coverage of the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002.","AnswerText":"In line with the government’s commitment to openness and transparency I have launched today (12 June 2015) a public consultation on further extension of coverage of the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002 to organisations which the Scottish Government considers undertake key public functions. The proposals cover contractors who run privately managed prisons, providers of secure accommodation for children, grant-aided schools and independent special schools. The consultation paper is available on the Scottish Government website. \r\nThis consultation follows Scotland’s first order extending coverage of the Act which came into effect in 2014, bringing a range of local authority arm’s length organisations within the scope of the legislation. The Scottish Government will keep the coverage of the legislation under review and expects to carry out further consultations in future on extending coverage to other bodies delivering public services on behalf of public bodies.","AnswerDate":"2015-06-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-25T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Joe FitzPatrick","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304077,"EventID":"S4W-26038","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-11T14:09:37.97","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-09T14:55:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to make women fitted with Boston Scientific Advantage Fit and Pinnacle implants aware that they have been fitted with these products.","AnswerText":"Any woman who is worried, or is experiencing complications, should contact their surgeon or GP for advice.","AnswerDate":"2015-06-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-25T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304078,"EventID":"S4W-26040","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-11T14:09:38.733","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-09T14:55:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the impact on the NHS in Scotland of the US court case in which Boston Scientific was ordered to pay $100 million to a woman who had been fitted with a vaginal mesh implant manufactured by the company.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is aware of this court case in the USA.\r\nThe former Cabinet Secretary asked that an independent review of transvaginal mesh implants carries out an assessment of the evidence. The report is due in summer 2015 and thereafter the Scottish Government will decide on appropriate steps following an assessment of the independent review’s findings.","AnswerDate":"2015-06-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-25T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304079,"EventID":"S4W-26041","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-11T14:09:39.42","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-09T14:55:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many women in Scotland have been fitted with Boston Scientific Advantage Fit and Pinnacle implants.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government does not hold this information centrally.","AnswerDate":"2015-06-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-25T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304080,"EventID":"S4W-26042","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-11T14:09:40.227","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-09T14:55:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it has estimated the potential compensation bill for women in Scotland injured by mesh implants.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is aware of the number of legal claims being lodged with the courts and the sums being sought in relation to mesh implants.","AnswerDate":"2015-06-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-25T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304081,"EventID":"S4W-26052","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-11T14:09:40.95","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-10T11:26:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it will publish in full the recommendations of the Sexual and Reproductive Health Pharmacy Expert Working Group.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-25531 on 26 May 2015. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at: \r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx\r\nThe Scottish Government is currently considering further work on sexual and reproductive health and community pharmacy, and will produce details on next steps in due course.","AnswerDate":"2015-06-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-25T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304082,"EventID":"S4W-26054","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-11T14:09:41.813","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-10T11:31:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what progress it has made in implementing recommendation 40 of The keys to life - Improving Quality of Life for People with Learning Disabilities, and what impact the reduction in the number of part-time college places has had on this.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is committed to improving the quality of lives for people with learning disabilities in Scotland. At the heart of our ambition is the principle that everyone in Scotland has the right to access high quality learning to meet their needs and aspirations.\r\nIn implementing recommendation 40 of The keys to life, The Scottish Consortium for Learning Disabilities carried out a review of the current further education provision for students with learning disabilities. This report is to be published imminently.\r\nPartnership Matters describes the roles and responsibilities of agencies supporting students with additional support needs at, or as they prepare to, go from school into college or university, or from college or university into employment. Partnership Matters will be updated and re-launched in 2015:\r\nhttp://www.gov.scot/Publications/2009/05/08155445/0\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-06-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-25T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304083,"EventID":"S4W-26056","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-11T14:09:42.57","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-10T11:31:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what progress it has made in implementing recommendation 9 of The keys to life - Improving Quality of Life for People with Learning Disabilities.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is committed to improving the quality of lives for people with learning disabilities. Our ambition is to ensure that people with learning disabilities are visible in Scottish data systems. Since we published The keys to life much has been done to establish a process whereby people with learning disabilities using health services can be identified.\r\nDuring 2014-15, NHS local delivery plan guidance was developed and issued as part of the 20:20 Vision Routemap. All NHS territorial and special boards were requested to name a Public Health Lead, reporting through the Director of Public Health, who would be responsible for addressing the stark inequalities faced by their local population of people with learning disabilities. The Scottish Public Health Network has been commissioned by the Directors of Public Health to develop a programme of work which supports the local delivery plan requirements.\r\nIn addition to this a number of significant other pieces of data work in relation to people with learning disabilities are being taken forward including:\r\nDeveloping an agreed list of clinical codes for use in primary care by Scottish Clinical Information Management in Practice.\r\nInvestment in the Scottish learning disabilities Observatory.\r\nLearning Disability Statistics Scotland moving to the ScotXed collection framework to support data requirements of local strategic commissioning plans and partnership working with Scottish learning disabilities Observatory, Scottish Consortium for Learning Disabilities, NHS National Services Scotland and Scottish Government Analytical Services Division in a data linking project.","AnswerDate":"2015-06-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-25T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304084,"EventID":"S4W-26057","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-11T14:09:43.337","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-10T11:31:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many people with learning difficulties have enrolled in college courses in each of the last four years.","AnswerText":"Data on the number of college students with learning difficulties is not held centrally.","AnswerDate":"2015-06-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-25T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304085,"EventID":"S4W-26074","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2610,"Party":"Independent","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-11T14:09:44.083","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-10T16:13:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, in light of recent reports regarding waiting times management at NHS Tayside, how it will ensure greater scrutiny of NHS waiting times.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government will ensure greater scrutiny of unscheduled care waiting times targets through the National Unscheduled Care Programme. This programme, which I launched in May 2015, focuses on six essential actions to improve unscheduled care nationally and will support joined up work across health boards to address wider issues of patient flow through hospitals and will ensure the whole NHS system works together effectively.\r\nThis approach is being supported centrally and locally with staff dedicated to improving patient care and flow. The national team will work closely with the local team in NHS Tayside to ensure any issues are addressed, including any concerns around waiting times, and ensure best practice is installed throughout the hospital system.\r\nAdditionally, the Chief Medical Officer visited Ninewells hospital at NHS Tayside earlier in June 2015 and met with a number of teams to examine the reassurances provided by the board that the models in place for these areas were effective, safe, and stood up to scrutiny. A full report of the visit, which was published in full on the Scottish Government website, found that the current emergency department model of care is safe and clinically appropriate and that the principles that underpin NHS Tayside’s emergency department model are patient safety and outcome focused and not target driven.","AnswerDate":"2015-06-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-25T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304086,"EventID":"S4W-26075","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2610,"Party":"Independent","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-11T14:09:44.78","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-10T16:13:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it will address reported longer waiting times at NHS Lanarkshire than anywhere else and ensure that people in Lanarkshire receive treatment times on a par with the rest of the country.","AnswerText":"NHS Lanarkshire has consistently exceeded the waiting time standard that 90% of patients are seen and treated within 18 weeks from initial referral since it came into effect on 31 December 2011. The latest published figures by Information Services Division on 26 May 2015 showed Lanarkshire delivery at 92.3% for the month of March 2015 – the best mainland territorial board performance. ","AnswerDate":"2015-06-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-25T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304087,"EventID":"S4W-26076","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2610,"Party":"Independent","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-11T14:09:45.503","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-10T16:13:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it will ensure that NHS Lanarkshire increases the percentage of patients seen within four hours from its current average of 88% to the target of 95%.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is supporting NHS Lanarkshire to improve its performance against the four hour target through the national unscheduled care programme.\r\nThis new focused approach will be progressed by dedicated national and local teams. NHS Lanarkshire is currently in the process of appointing its team and implementing some of the early actions of the new approach, which have already seen significant improvement in Monklands – in fact performance in the week ending 7 June 2015 performance at Monklands was 96.5%. NHS Lanarkshire has received over £800,000 for 2015-16 to support improvements in unscheduled care.\r\nIn May 2015 I launched the roll out of a new six essential actions approach to improving unscheduled care nationally. This new approach, which has been welcomed by clinicians, the academy of Royal Colleges and the Royal College of Nursing, aims to minimise long waits in A&E and assessment units by improving patient flow throughout all areas of the hospital and in the community. This approach has already underpinned improvements in other NHS boards across Scotland, ensuring best practice is installed throughout the hospital system.","AnswerDate":"2015-06-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-25T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304088,"EventID":"S4W-26077","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2610,"Party":"Independent","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-11T14:09:46.187","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-10T16:13:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it will redress the reported imbalance between NHS boards in wealthier areas having consistently shorter waiting times than those in less wealthy areas. ","AnswerText":"Firstly, all A&E departments across the country strive to achieve the four hour A&E target to ensure the safe and effective treatment of the patient – this is in no way linked to whether the NHS board is located within a wealthy area or otherwise.\r\nTo support sustainable performance across Scotland I launched the roll out of a new approach to improving unscheduled care in May 2015. This new approach, which has been welcomed by clinicians, the Academy of Royal Colleges and the Royal College of Nursing, aims to minimise long waits in A&E and assessment units, by improving patient flow throughout all areas of the hospital and in the community. This approach has already underpinned improvements in a number of NHS boards across Scotland, ensuring best practice is installed throughout the hospital system.\r\nThis new approach will be progressed by dedicated national and local teams and will ensure that each health board across Scotland will achieve performance at 95%, striving towards 98%.\r\nIn addition, the NHS Scotland Resource Allocation Committee formula, which is used in the allocation of around 70% of the total NHS budget between the 14 territorial NHS boards in Scotland and provides funding to NHS boards for the provision of Hospital and Community Health Services and GP prescribing, is based on a weighted capitation approach that starts with the number of people resident in each NHS board area. The formula then makes adjustments for the age/sex profile of the NHS board population, their additional needs based on morbidity and life circumstances (including deprivation) and the excess costs of providing services in different geographical areas.","AnswerDate":"2015-06-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-25T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304089,"EventID":"S4W-26078","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2673,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":114,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-11T14:09:46.903","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-10T17:27:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to meet the European Commissioner for Trade in the near future.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is making arrangements for the Deputy First Minister to meet with the European Commissioner for Trade later in 2015.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-06-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-25T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304090,"EventID":"S4W-26079","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2673,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":114,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-11T14:09:47.553","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-10T17:27:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will raise the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership at the next meeting of the Joint Ministerial Committee (Europe).","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has previously raised concerns about the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership at the Joint Ministerial Committee (Europe) and currently does not intend to raise this at the next meeting. \r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-06-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-25T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304091,"EventID":"S4W-26080","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2108,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":141,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-11T14:09:48.2","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-10T22:35:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on how Museums Galleries Scotland's reaccreditation process impacts on the voluntary museum sector; whether it plans to review the process to make it more appropriate to the sector, and, if so, what its principal features will be and (a) how and (b) when this will be carried out.","AnswerText":"The accreditation scheme has been adopted by the museums sector across the UK and administered by Museums Galleries Scotland (MGS). MGS advises that being an accredited museum means receiving support and guidance to develop services and gives accredited collections access to public and other funding streams.\r\nThe scheme sets a baseline standard which was last revised in 2011 when the concept of scalability was introduced; this sets a different level of expectation of what smaller collections are asked to provide to achieve accreditation. Part of the support now offered to smaller collections is access to a Museum Mentor who can assist them throughout the accreditation and re-accreditation process. Accreditation has been developed with the sector and it has always been informed by them. The revised standard, published in October 2011 and the supporting guidance, which is reviewed annually, have been developed through consultation with the sector. Accreditation partners continue to welcome feedback from those working or volunteering in museums participating in the scheme.","AnswerDate":"2015-06-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-25T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fiona Hyslop","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304092,"EventID":"S4W-26083","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5047,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-11T14:09:48.89","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-11T10:10:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what role teachers have in (a) developing and (b) leading early-years education.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government values the important role played by teachers in early learning and childcare, as part of the wider team of professionals working in those settings.\r\nAnnual national statistics collected by the Scottish Government show that the vast majority (85%) of children receiving the funded early learning and childcare entitlement have access to a teacher. This access can be full-time or part-time, where teachers may work across a number of settings, but what is important is that teachers are deployed in ways which make the best use of their skills and experience.\r\nThe Scottish Government recently published the report of Professor Siraj's independent review of the early learning and out of school care workforce: \r\nhttp://www.gov.scot/Topics/People/Young-People/early-years/WorkforceReview\r\nThe report highlights the important contribution teachers can make to leading young children’s learning where they have expertise in early childhood learning. A Scottish Government response will be published in autumn 2015.","AnswerDate":"2015-06-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-25T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fiona McLeod","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304093,"EventID":"S4W-26084","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-11T14:09:49.593","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-11T13:02:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many people under the age of 18 have been admitted to adult psychological units in each year since 2010.","AnswerText":"The number of children admitted to non-specialist facilities since 2010 was:\r\n\r\n2010-11\r\n128\r\n2011-12\r\n115\r\n2012-13\r\n148\r\n2013-14\r\n179\r\nSource:- The Mental Welfare Commission Young Person monitoring report 2013-2014","AnswerDate":"2015-06-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-25T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304114,"EventID":"S4W-26093","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":2,"MSPID":2673,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":114,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-11T15:42:16.497","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-11T15:27:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when the Scottish Ministers will meet their statutory requirement to lay a report on the operation of the offences under section (1) and section (6) of the Offensive Behaviour at Football and Threatening Communications (Scotland) Act 2012 in Parliament.","AnswerText":"I am pleased to confirm that the Scottish Government has met its statutory requirement by laying a report on the operation of the Offensive Behaviour at Football and Threatening Communications (Scotland) Act 2012 in Parliament today (12 June 2015). Copies have been placed with the Scottish Parliament Information Centre and can also be found on the Scottish Government website at: http://www.gov.scot/Publications/Recent\r\nI am also pleased to confirm that I will be providing £66,883 of funding in 2015-16 to Sacro (Safeguarding Communities – Reducing Offending) to allow them to make a Scotland-wide diversion from prosecution programme available to those charged with offences under the Act. This will be particularly helpful for keeping young people out of the criminal justice system.","AnswerDate":"2015-06-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-25T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Paul Wheelhouse","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304115,"EventID":"S4W-26085","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2029,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":145,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-11T16:45:26.247","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-11T13:54:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, in light of such facilities not being available in Scotland, what steps the NHS takes to ensure that men requiring robot-assisted prostate cancer surgery can access overseas facilities.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-25847 on 11 June 2015. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at: \r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx","AnswerDate":"2015-06-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-25T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304116,"EventID":"S4W-26086","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2029,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":145,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-11T16:45:26.827","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-11T13:54:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much needs to be raised to complete the facility to allow robot-assisted surgery for prostate cancer in Scotland; when this service will be operational, and whether it will confirm that it will still be made available to men in all NHS board areas.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-25T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304117,"EventID":"S4W-26087","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2029,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":145,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-11T16:45:27.263","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-11T13:54:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many men from Scotland have been referred to NHS facilities in England for robot-assisted prostate cancer surgery in each year since 2007. ","AnswerText":"This information is not held centrally. The arrangements for access to healthcare in NHS England, or elsewhere in the UK, for residents of Scotland are based on individual clinical decisions. The clinical requirement for any such referral is defined by a relevant specialist working in NHS Scotland in consultation with their patient.","AnswerDate":"2015-06-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-25T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304118,"EventID":"S4W-26088","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-11T16:45:27.713","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-11T14:19:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the findings of the recent Midlothian and Borders Tourism Destination Audit, when it last met (a) local authorities, (b) businesses, (c) economic development agencies and (d) tourism agencies to discuss the economic opportunities from the reinstatement of the Waverley railway line for businesses in Midlothian and the Borders.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-26091 on 26 June 2015. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-06-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-25T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304119,"EventID":"S4W-26089","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-11T16:45:28.213","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-11T14:19:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the findings of the recent Midlothian and Borders Tourism Destination Audit, what support and guidance it will offer to (a) local authorities, (b) economic development agencies and (c) tourism agencies to maximise the economic potential of the reinstatement of the Waverley railway line for local businesses in Midlothian and the Borders.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-26091 on 26 June 2015. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:\r\n\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.","AnswerDate":"2015-06-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-25T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304120,"EventID":"S4W-26090","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-11T16:45:28.713","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-11T14:19:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the findings of the recent Midlothian and Borders Tourism Destination Audit, whether it will hold a meeting of local authorities, businesses, economic development agencies and tourism agencies with the aim of maximising the economic potential for businesses in Midlothian and the Borders of the reinstatement of the Waverley railway line.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-26091 on 26 June 2015. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:\r\n\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx","AnswerDate":"2015-06-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-25T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304121,"EventID":"S4W-26091","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-11T16:45:29.15","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-11T14:19:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the findings of the recent Midlothian and Borders Tourism Destination Audit, what work it is undertaking with (a) local authorities, (b) businesses, (c) economic development agencies and (d) tourism agencies to produce an economic strategy for the reinstatement of the Waverley railway line.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government, Transport Scotland, VisitScotland, Scottish Enterprise and the relevant local authorities of City of Edinburgh Council, Scottish Borders Council and Midlothian Council have already been working together to fully realise the tourism benefits of the new Waverley line. As part of that partnership working, there have been regular meetings and events. \r\nIn addition, on 17 November 2014, the then First Minister announced the establishment of the Borders Railway, Maximising the Impact: A Blueprint for the Future. Led by Scottish Enterprise in partnership with VisitScotland, Scottish Borders Council and Transport Scotland, the Blueprint established three workstreams to look at how the Borders Railway would transform the tourism potential of the region. These workstreams are:\r\n1. Great Places for Investing and Working\r\n2. Great Communities for Living and Learning\r\n3. Great Destinations to Visit.\r\nA copy of the blueprint is available using the url:http://www.visitscotland.org/pdf/Borders-Railway-Blueprint.pdf\r\nThe last meeting of the leadership group, who meet monthly to review progress on agreed action plans was on 29 May 2015.\r\nThe Midlothian and Scottish Borders – Tourism Destination Audit 2015, which was commissioned by both Midlothian Council and Scottish Borders Council and published on 9 June 2015, helpfully provides a wide range of information and suggestions for partnership working. In particular it highlights that ‘Collaboration and coordination will be essential to ensure business development opportunities arising from the Borders Railway are realised. Collaboration will be needed between different sectors of the tourism industry, different communities and private sectors.’\r\nIn addition to their ongoing partnership working with relevant public bodies and key industry stakeholders, and regular updates to the industry, VisitScotland has already launched a Borders Railway industry toolkit on 28 May 2015. \r\nThis toolkit includes free-to-use marketing tools for businesses, such as promotional wording, banners, images, and the Borders Railway logo, as well as providing information to businesses about other resources and support to help promote themselves to potential new domestic and international visitors. A copy of the toolkit is available using the url:\r\nhttp://www.visitscotland.org/business_support/advice_materials/toolkits/borders_railway_toolkit.aspx\r\nThe Borders Railway opens on Sunday 6 September 2015 and plans for a large scale two day event to mark this are being developed by Transport Scotland. Partners including VisitScotland and local authorities are contributing to these ideas with the intention to maximise the opportunity to showcase the region.\r\nScottish Enterprise is funding and managing the Borders Railway Blueprint Leaders Group, a consultancy commission which is assessing the potential market for a Borders Railway Tourism Train Experience (TTE), based upon experiences of existing TTEs elsewhere, and the scale and nature of the Edinburgh tourism market. A Borders steam train taster service will be piloted for six weeks from the opening of the Borders Railway in September 2015, and an evaluation of this service will also inform future decision-making around TTEs. ","AnswerDate":"2015-06-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-25T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304122,"EventID":"S4W-26092","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5047,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-11T16:45:29.587","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-11T14:31:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many people in each year since 2010 have died while waiting for an organ transplant.","AnswerText":"The information requested is contained in the following table:\r\nDeaths on the Transplant Waiting List* By Financial Year\r\n\r\nNumber of Deaths in Scotland*\r\n2010-11\r\n45\r\n2011-12\r\n62\r\n2012-13\r\n44\r\n2013-14\r\n39\r\n2014-15\r\n37\r\nSource: NHS Blood and Transplant\r\n*Includes cases where patient was removed from transplant list due to deterioration and then died within one year (subject to change as more deaths notified).","AnswerDate":"2015-06-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-25T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304123,"EventID":"S4W-26094","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-11T16:45:30.023","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-11T16:17:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much of the £146 million superfast broadband budget it has spent on upgrading broadband in Shetland.","AnswerText":"The Highlands and Islands Digital Scotland Superfast Broadband contract is geared towards maximising coverage across the region, rather than having specific amounts allocated to each local authority area. There is therefore no budget allocation for Shetland and the budget is not broken down by local authority area.\r\nBy the end of June 2015 BT will have claimed, and Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) will have paid, £56 million of the project’s total £146 million costs. Much of this relates to the major subsea and land-based fibre optic cable installation which was required to provide fibre broadband to the west coast and islands of the region. This backhaul upgrade is now complete.\r\nThe project will reach at least 84% of premises in the HIE region by the end of 2016. This includes at least 76% of premises in Shetland.","AnswerDate":"2015-06-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-25T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304124,"EventID":"S4W-26095","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-11T16:45:30.523","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-11T16:17:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many of the 47 clusters in Scotland listed in 2008 as not able to receive better than 0.517 Mbps broadband will be able to access superfast broadband by the end of the current programme.","AnswerText":"The Digital Scotland Superfast Broadband (DSSB) programme is a £410 million investment of public and private funding designed to extend access to superfast broadband. In tandem with commercial deployment, DSSB will provide 95% of premises in Scotland with superfast broadband by 2017-18.\r\nThe DSSB programme is being achieved through two regional projects – one in the Highlands and Islands (led by Highlands and Islands Enterprise) and the other in the rest of Scotland (led by the Scottish Government).\r\nRollout plans for both projects are built around postcodes and exchange areas. These do not correlate with the ‘47 clusters’ list cited. Consequently it is only possible to provide deployment information on the associated exchange. This is summarised in the following table:\r\nCluster location\r\nBT exchange\r\nDSSB deployment\r\nStrathrusdale\r\nAlness\r\nDeployment commenced in exchange area.\r\nGlen Creran\r\nAppin\r\nDeployment commenced in exchange area.\r\nAssynt\r\nAssynt\r\nNo deployment currently scheduled.\r\nSecond Coast\r\nAultbea\r\nDeployment planned in exchange area. Due 2016.\r\nRowerdennan\r\nBalmaha\r\nDeployment planned in exchange area. Due January to June 2016.\r\nThrosk\r\nBannockburn\r\nExchange area already upgraded.\r\nAigas\r\nBeauly\r\nDeployment commenced in exchange area.\r\nCraik\r\nBorthwickbrae\r\nDeployment planned in exchange area. Due July to December 2016.\r\nForgandenny\r\nBridge of Earn\r\nDeployment commenced in exchange area.\r\nDrumfearn\r\nBroadford\r\nDeployment planned in exchange area. Due 2016.\r\nLuib\r\nBroadford\r\nDeployment planned in exchange area. Due\r\n2016.\r\nStrathbrora\r\nBrora\r\nDeployment planned in exchange area. Due September 2015.\r\nCortachy, Glen Prosen\r\nCortachy\r\nDeployment planned in exchange area. Due July to December 2015.\r\nCraigmarloch\r\nCumbernauld\r\nDeployment planned in exchange area. Due July to December 2015.\r\nCarron Valley\r\nDenny\r\nDeployment planned in exchange area. Due July to December 2016.\r\nKilcoy\r\nDingwall\r\nDeployment commenced in exchange area.\r\nKinkell\r\nDingwall\r\nDeployment commenced in exchange area.\r\nMulbuie\r\nDingwall\r\nDeployment commenced in exchange area.\r\nScoraig, Badcaul\r\nDundonnell\r\nDeployment planned in exchange area. Due 2016.\r\nDunans\r\nGlendaruel\r\nNo deployment currently scheduled.\r\nArnisdale\r\nGlenelg\r\nDeployment planned in exchange area. Due 2016.\r\nInverfaraig\r\nGorthleck\r\nDeployment planned in exchange area. Due 2015.\r\nWhitebridge\r\nGorthleck\r\nDeployment planned in exchange area. Due 2015.\r\nStromfirth\r\nGott\r\nDeployment planned in exchange area. Due September 2015.\r\nNairnside\r\nInverness Culloden\r\nDeployment commenced in exchange area.\r\nJura\r\nJura\r\nDeployment planned in exchange area. Due 2016. Parts of Jura are within the Community Broadband Scotland-funded GigaPlus Argyll project.\r\nArdeonaig\r\nKillin\r\nDeployment planned in exchange area. Due end of June 2015.\r\nDalqueich\r\nKinross\r\nExchange area already upgraded.\r\nKinggoldrum\r\nKirriemuir\r\nExchange area already upgraded.\r\nEwes\r\nLangholm\r\nDeployment planned in exchange area. Due July to December 2015.\r\nGlenuig\r\nLochailort\r\nNo deployment currently scheduled.\r\nDunadd\r\nLochgilphead\r\nDeployment planned in exchange area. Due July 2015.\r\nKnoydart\r\nMallaig\r\nDeployment planned in exchange area. Due 2016.\r\nEigg\r\nMallaig\r\nDeployment planned in exchange area. Due 2016.\r\nCanna\r\nMallaig\r\nDeployment planned in exchange area. Due 2016.\r\nHarperrig\r\nMid Calder\r\nDeployment planned in exchange area. Due July to December 2015.\r\nDrimnin\r\nMorvern\r\nDeployment planned in exchange area. Due 2016.\r\nGlenbuck\r\nMuirkirk\r\nExchange area already upgraded.\r\nCove, Inverasdale\r\nPoolewe\r\nDeployment planned in exchange area. Due 2016.\r\nBridgend\r\nPort Charlotte\r\nDeployment planned in exchange area. Due 2016.\r\nBoyndie\r\nPortsoy\r\nExchange area already upgraded.\r\nRousay\r\nRousay\r\nExchange area currently not in programme.\r\nNorth Sanday\r\nSanday\r\nExchange area currently not in programme.\r\nKylesku, Kylestrom\r\nScourie\r\nDeployment planned in exchange area. Due 2016.\r\nInvergloy, Clunes\r\nSpean Bridge\r\nDeployment commenced in ","AnswerDate":"2015-06-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-07-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304134,"EventID":"S4W-26096","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1845,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-12T14:12:17.97","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-11T16:26:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to improve cervical screening rates among women with learning difficulties.","AnswerText":"Responsibility for uptake within the Scottish Cervical Screening Programme rests with individual health boards. However, the Scottish Government encourages all boards to utilise the information materials available to them in discussing cervical screening with women who have learning difficulties. In particular, the two easy read leaflets in NHS Health Scotland’s ‘Keep Yourself Healthy’ series which deal with cervical screening.\r\nWe have also highlighted to board screening co-ordinators the excellent new resources produced by Jo’s Cervical Trust to assist women with learning disabilities in making an informed decision on taking up their invitation to screening.","AnswerDate":"2015-06-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304135,"EventID":"S4W-26097","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1845,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-12T14:12:18.887","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-11T16:26:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what analysis it has made of the effectiveness of self-sampling for human papilloma virus (HPV) testing as an alternative to the screening for people over 50.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is currently working with colleagues in NHS Dumfries and Galloway on their exciting, world leading research in to self-sampling for the HPV virus. That research will be published soon and will form part of our analysis of introducing HPV testing as a first line test in the cervical screening programme.","AnswerDate":"2015-06-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304136,"EventID":"S4W-26098","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1845,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-12T14:12:19.54","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-11T17:00:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it will take in light of reports that women with learning difficulties are 45% less likely to be screened for cervical cancer.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-26096 on 23 June 2015. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at: \r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx","AnswerDate":"2015-06-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304137,"EventID":"S4W-26104","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2108,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":141,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-12T14:12:20.187","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-12T11:47:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will take action to address reported variations in the use of contractual care routes in general and route 3 in particular.","AnswerText":"The charging for residential accommodation working group will be meeting in July 2015. This will be one of the matters that the group will be discussing.","AnswerDate":"2015-06-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304138,"EventID":"S4W-26105","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2108,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":141,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-12T14:12:20.893","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-12T11:47:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to review the guidance, Free Personal and Nursing Care in Scotland.","AnswerText":"We review the guidance periodically and update when required.","AnswerDate":"2015-06-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304139,"EventID":"S4W-26107","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3806,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-12T14:12:21.557","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-12T13:29:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the timescale is for its consultation on the possible closure of the Scottish Agricultural College Consulting Veterinary Services offices in Inverness and who will be consulted.","AnswerText":"It is the Scottish Rural University College, not the Scottish Government, that is conducting a consultation on their proposed changes to the Disease Surveillance Centre Network.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-06-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Richard Lochhead","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304152,"EventID":"S4W-26099","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4080,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-12T15:44:59.787","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-11T17:57:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to the supplementary to question S4O-03981 by Annabelle Ewing on 4 February 2015 (Official Report, c. 10) how much it has invested in tackling the underrepresentation of disabled young people across its employability programmes in each year since 2011-12, also broken down by programme.","AnswerText":"A number of our employability programmes support disabled young people. Specific support includes:\r\nCommunity Jobs Scotland, which since 2013-14 has included 100 opportunities targeted for young people with disabilities or long-term health problems;\r\nTargeted Employer Recruitment Incentive, which since 2012 has supported young people, including those with a disability with the transition into sustainable employment;\r\nA £100,000 discretionary Additional Support Needs Access Fund was introduced as part of the Employability Fund in 2015.\r\nIn addition to existing programme provision the Cabinet Secretary for Fair Work, Skills and Training recently announced the allocation of £500,000 to Skills Development Scotland (SDS) specifically to support the final development and early delivery of an equalities action plan. This work will establish a more accurate picture of disabled participation in the Modern Apprenticeship programme and allow SDS to work with key partners to ensure that our processes are fully inclusive.","AnswerDate":"2015-06-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Annabelle Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304153,"EventID":"S4W-26100","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4080,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-12T15:45:00.63","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-11T17:57:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government on how many occasions people being questioned by the police have waived their right to speak to a solicitor in each of the last three years; what percentage of all cases this represents, and what reasons were provided.","AnswerText":"Police Scotland does not currently hold this information centrally. However, the introduction of i6 across Police Scotland in 2016 will, amongst other things, capture the electronic recording of the solicitor access request form process and will enable Police Scotland to produce management information for all responses made by suspects. \r\nThe Scottish Government considers it important that this information should be recorded and section 24(6) of the Criminal Justice (Scotland) Bill, if passed, will provide that any reason given for waiving the right to have a solicitor present during an interview must be recorded.\r\nAlthough the information requested is not held centrally, Police Scotland did however complete a custody data study in June 2013 which captured the solicitor access waiver percentage for a one month period. They were then able to extrapolate for a 12 month period, which concluded that 75% of all persons brought into police custody who had the right of access to a solicitor waived their rights. The final report of Lord Bonomy’s Post-corroboration Safeguards Review also refers to analysis of 1,000 interviews by Police Scotland in October and November 2014 which showed 71% of those in custody did not seek a consultation with a solicitor.","AnswerDate":"2015-06-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304154,"EventID":"S4W-26101","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4080,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-12T15:45:01.083","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-11T17:57:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much it expects to save through reform of the Scottish Safety Camera Programme and whether this will be reinvested into frontline enforcement activity.","AnswerText":"The primary objective of the Scottish Safety Camera Programme review was to maximise the programme’s capability in contributing to casualty reductions, ensuring delivery of the most effective and efficient outcomes and that best use is being made of existing resources.\r\nThe grant funding available for the delivery of the programme will be maintained at current levels, and any efficiencies delivered through the review’s proposals, including structural savings through reductions in management costs, will be reinvested into frontline enforcement activity.","AnswerDate":"2015-06-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304155,"EventID":"S4W-26102","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4080,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-12T15:45:01.533","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-11T17:57:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the implementation of those recommendations of the Infant Cremation Commission for which it is responsible.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has established the National Committee on Infant Cremation to ensure, through a combination of oversight and direct tasks, that the 64 recommendations from the Infant Cremation Commission are fully implemented in Scotland.\r\n\r\nRecommendation 60 of the Infant Cremation Commission is that 'The National Committee should report to Scottish Ministers annually on progress against the recommendations made by this commission. That annual report should be published on the Scottish Government website.' The first such annual collated report will be submitted to Scottish Ministers and published on the website in the autumn of 2015. Additionally, however, regular updates on the committee's progress, including approved meeting minutes, an updated work plan and key outputs from its working groups are published on its dedicated webpages within the Scottish Government website, available here:\r\nhttp://www.gov.scot/Topics/Health/Policy/BurialsCremation/NCIC\r\nThe committee last met in 15 June 2015 where, amongst other matters, members welcomed the publication of a high level code of practice for all organisations involved in infant cremation and also the appointment of Robert Swanson QPM as the first holder of the statutory role of Inspector of Crematoria for Scotland.\r\nIn addition to implementing the 64 Commission recommendations, the Scottish Government also established Dame Elish Angiolini's National Cremation Investigation, which is working independently of Scottish Government to provide answers to bereaved parents outwith those already investigated as part of her Mortonhall Investigation. Information on the National Investigation is available here: http://www.gov.scot/About/Review/national-cremation-investigation.","AnswerDate":"2015-06-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304156,"EventID":"S4W-26106","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3806,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-12T15:45:02.017","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-12T12:24:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-25932 by Derek Mackay on 11 June 2015, what its position is on the comments at section 7.3.6 of the Transport Research Laboratory publication, HGV speed limit increase evaluation: final report, which suggest that all of the data required to fully assess the potential safety risk from raising the speed limit for HGVs was not available, and, in light of this, whether it will carry out its own risk analysis on a road by road basis.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government notes that research commissioned by the Department for Transport concludes there are significant challenges in assessing the likely implications of a rise in HGV speed limits. What is clear is that the department forecasts the increase in HGV speed limits south of the border will lead to an increase in deaths and serious injuries.\r\nWith this in mind, the Scottish Government feels it is more appropriate to understand the outcomes of the trial currently underway on the A9, where the rise has been implemented in conjunction with an average speed camera system, than engage in further research which may be equally limited by the practical challenges of assessing such a change. We will also ensure that evidence emerging from the change in England and Wales is taken into account in future considerations of HGV speed limits.","AnswerDate":"2015-06-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304157,"EventID":"S4W-26109","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3806,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-12T15:45:02.47","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-12T13:33:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what criteria will be used to decide which of the Scottish Agricultural College Consulting Veterinary Services offices will close.","AnswerText":"Scotland’s Rural College is currently conducting a consultation on their proposed changes to the Disease Surveillance Centre Network, and are seeking to determine the most appropriate number and location of centres to ensure it meets their obligations related to the Veterinary Surveillance Programme.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-06-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Richard Lochhead","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304158,"EventID":"S4W-26110","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3806,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-12T15:45:02.907","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-12T14:35:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it has considered the application of the Teckal exemption to the provision of ferry services on (a) Clyde and Hebrides and (b) Northern Isles routes.","AnswerText":"The Teckal exemption requires a challenging series of conditions to be met to avoid European procurement regulations. Notwithstanding the applicability, or otherwise, of the Teckal exemption, the European Commission’s Maritime Cabotage Regulations still require the tendering of the Clyde and Hebrides and Northern Isles ferry services, given the provision of state aid to support these services. Consequently, the Scottish Government has not discussed the Teckal exemption with the European Commission.","AnswerDate":"2015-06-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304159,"EventID":"S4W-26111","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3806,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-12T15:45:03.343","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-12T14:36:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government on what dates it has discussed with the European Commission the applicability of the Teckal exemption to the provision of ferry services on (a) Clyde and Hebrides and (b) Northern Isles routes from public procurement legislation.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-26110 on 22 June 2015. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx","AnswerDate":"2015-06-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304160,"EventID":"S4W-26112","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3806,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-12T15:45:03.813","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-12T14:36:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what (a) legal and (b) other advice it has received regarding the application of the Teckal exemption to the provision of ferry services on (i) Clyde and Hebrides and (ii) Northern Isles routes.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government draws on oral and written legal advice as appropriate from its lawyers, from Counsel, from external solicitors and from Law Officers. However, other than in exceptional circumstances, the Scottish Government does not comment on the source of such advice, and the content of any legal advice remains confidential.","AnswerDate":"2015-06-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304163,"EventID":"S4W-26113","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2117,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-15T13:47:15.617","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-12T15:44:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government on what dates the Cabinet Secretary for Health, Wellbeing and Sport has met GPs from the NHS Grampian area since February 2015 and what the status was of those meetings.","AnswerText":"On 29 May 2015 I visited Aberdeen to meet with GPs, elected representatives and NHS Grampian to hear directly from those involved about the difficulties facing general practice in Aberdeen/Grampian and discuss how best to support GPs to find new ways of working that address workload and staffing difficulties.","AnswerDate":"2015-06-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-07-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304164,"EventID":"S4W-26114","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2033,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":132,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-15T13:47:16.477","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-12T16:02:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to encourage more black and minority ethnic people to become teachers.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is committed to equality. We want to see a diverse education workforce which broadly reflects Scottish society. I am committed to establishing a new Strategic Board for teacher education and quality which will include universities, local authorities and professional associations. These partners have an essential role to play in addressing the diversity of the teaching workforce. I will task this Board to investigate the barriers to wider representation and to come forward with suggestions to support diversity in order to ensure that the teaching workforce within schools reflects the communities that they serve. \r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-07-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-07-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304165,"EventID":"S4W-26115","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2033,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":132,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-15T13:47:17.367","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-12T16:02:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to increase the number of black and minority ethnic teachers in schools.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is committed to equality. We want to see a diverse education workforce which broadly reflects Scottish society. I am committed to establishing a new Strategic Board for teacher education and quality which will include universities, local authorities and professional associations. These partners have an essential role to play in addressing the diversity of the teaching workforce. I will task this Board to investigate the barriers to wider representation and to come forward with suggestions to support diversity in order to ensure that the teaching workforce within schools reflects the communities that they serve.","AnswerDate":"2015-07-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-07-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304166,"EventID":"S4W-26116","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2033,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":132,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-15T13:47:18.067","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-12T16:02:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to address the challenges faced by black and minority ethnic teachers seeking progression into senior roles.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is committed to equality. We want to see a diverse education workforce which includes more black and minority ethnic teachers in senior roles. The establishment of the Scottish College for Educational Leadership alongside a new Qualification for Headship will help create a clear promotion pathway guiding all teachers to the most senior posts in schools. I am committed to establishing a new Strategic Board for teacher education and quality which will include universities, local authorities and professional associations. These partners have an essential role to play in addressing the diversity of the teaching workforce. I will task this board to investigate the barriers to wider representation and to come forward with suggestions to support diversity in order to ensure that the teaching workforce within schools reflects the communities that they serve.","AnswerDate":"2015-07-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-07-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304167,"EventID":"S4W-26117","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1860,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-15T13:47:18.753","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-15T10:05:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-24607 by Derek Mackay on 6 March 2015, from which ScotRail services the Borders Railway rolling stock will be drawn, and how many of the class 158 trains that are based in Inverness will be included.","AnswerText":"It is an operational matter for Abellio ScotRail to decide which trains from within its diesel fleet it allocates for Borders services. Those planned to be used on Borders services also work across other routes in central Scotland, including, predominantly, Fife to maximise the available capacity in and out of Edinburgh. \r\n\r\nBorders services will be operated by class 158s and this fleet will begin a significant refurbishment programme in July 2015. When these upgraded units start to roll out they will operate on Borders services from September 2015.","AnswerDate":"2015-06-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-07-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304168,"EventID":"S4W-26118","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1860,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-15T13:47:19.643","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-15T10:05:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when the Borders Railway will have its own rolling stock, and what class of train will be used.","AnswerText":"The Borders Railway will be operated by diesel trains from within the Abellio fleet and these run on various routes and are not dedicated to specific lines.","AnswerDate":"2015-06-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-07-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304169,"EventID":"S4W-26120","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1860,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-15T13:47:20.61","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-15T10:05:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to reduce the number of class 158 trains on Inverness services.","AnswerText":"It is for Abellio ScotRail (ASR) to allocate sufficient rolling stock capacity for its services from within its fleet and it has no plans to reduce seats on routes in and out of Inverness. ASR has obligations to allocate suitable capacity to match passenger loadings which Transport Scotland will continue to monitor through the franchise agreement.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-06-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-07-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304170,"EventID":"S4W-26122","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1860,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-15T13:47:21.5","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-15T10:05:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to update the rolling stock serving the (a) Far North Line and (b) Highland Mainline.","AnswerText":"The Far North line will be served by a refurbished class 158 fleet which Abellio ScotRail is obliged to deliver through the franchise agreement. These trains will be used on great scenic rail journeys routes (The Borders, West Highlands and North Highlands) offering an improved passenger experience, enhanced on board-facilities and a range of services aimed at attracting more visitors onto Scotland rural services.\r\n\r\nThis work will see improvements delivered such as new carpets, table-top maps, seating aligned with windows, power/USB sockets, wheelchair spaces, luggage storage, tourist information and external re-livery. The first unit is due to be released in September 2015 with all of the retained fleet of 40 c158s completed by December 2018.\r\nHighland Mainline services will continue to be served by class 170 trains for now, with Abellio ScotRail due to introduce 27 High Speed Trains HSTs from mid-2018 onwards. This freshly-enhanced fleet will deliver significant improvements in passenger facilities such as more seating capacity, Wi-Fi, on train catering, new seating, lighting, wheelchair access and compliant toilets.","AnswerDate":"2015-06-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-07-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304171,"EventID":"S4W-26123","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1860,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-15T13:47:22.327","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-15T11:37:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether local government staff earning under £21,000 receive the £250 flat rate public sector increase.","AnswerText":"The current minimum award for staff under the public sector pay policy earning under £21,000 is £300 and has been since 2013-14.\r\nThe public sector pay policy directly applies to the Scottish Government, executive agencies and some non-departmental bodies. However, Scotland’s councils are independent corporate bodies with their own powers and responsibilities and are entirely separate from the Scottish Government. As such they are not directly subject to the public sector pay policy.\r\nThe Scottish Government therefore does not hold any information about whether individual councils do or do not pay a minimum award for workers earning under £21,000. It is for councils to decide whether to pay a flat rate award for workers earning under £21,000 as part of the pay settlement for their staff.","AnswerDate":"2015-06-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-07-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Marco Biagi","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304172,"EventID":"S4W-26124","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1860,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-15T13:47:23.293","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-15T11:37:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will continue to instruct local authorities, government agencies and the Scottish civil service to deduct union dues at payroll.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has no intention of changing these arrangements and will continue to provide this option to trade union members employed in the Scottish Government. However, it is for local authorities as separate employers to operate their payroll systems in a way which most appropriately reflects their business needs.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-07-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-07-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304183,"EventID":"S4T-01060","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":9,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-15T12:41:37.157","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-15T09:13:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to figures suggesting that there are no head or deputy headteachers from black or minority ethnic backgrounds.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":"2015-06-16T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304184,"EventID":"S4T-01065","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":9,"MSPID":3806,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-15T12:41:40.28","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-15T10:56:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it is responding to the concerns of the CalMac workforce, who have recently been balloted for strike action.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":"2015-06-16T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304185,"EventID":"S4F-02881","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":5009,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-15T12:41:12.737","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-11T16:19:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister what issues will be discussed at the next meeting of the Cabinet. ","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":"2015-06-18T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304186,"EventID":"S4F-02883","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":1756,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":136,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-15T12:41:14.213","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-15T09:32:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister whether the Scottish Government will introduce cervical screening for women over 60.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":"2015-06-18T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304187,"EventID":"S4F-02885","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":2033,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":132,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-15T12:41:15.517","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-15T09:46:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister what engagements she has planned for the rest of the day","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":"2015-06-18T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304188,"EventID":"S4F-02886","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":4976,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-15T12:41:16.157","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-15T09:51:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister when she will next meet the Prime Minister.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":"2015-06-18T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304189,"EventID":"S4F-02888","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-15T12:41:17.357","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-15T11:18:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister what services the Scottish Government considers should be protected in the context of the reported local government funding crisis.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":"2015-06-18T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304190,"EventID":"S4F-02890","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":2673,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":114,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-15T12:41:19.157","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-15T11:40:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister what the Scottish Government’s response is to Diabetes Scotland’s finding that diabetes levels are “at an all-time high”.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":"2015-06-18T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304191,"EventID":"S4W-26125","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2117,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-15T16:39:37.287","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-15T12:08:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the potential for solar photovoltaics (PV) on (a) public buildings, (b) domestic properties, (c) business premises and (d) brownfield sites.","AnswerText":"The document Solar Energy - A Viable Contributor to Renewables in Scotland, was published by the Scottish Institute for Solar Energy Research and others in 2014 and estimated that an installed capacity of around 7 GW of domestic and non-domestic rooftop solar photovoltaics (PV) is technically feasible in Scotland although the amount of solar PV that can commercially be installed will be significantly lower than this.\r\nSolar energy opportunities on the government estate have been considered as part of The Scottish Government’s 2014 Carbon Management Plan. The plan does, however, focus on a ‘fabric first’ energy efficiency led measures which tend to have the best economic case and any measures installed will be closely tied to the Scottish Futures Trust estates strategy for the Scottish Government which is in development.\r\nIn addition Edinburgh Community Solar Co-operative has recently been approved for a £133k loan by the Scottish Government funded CARES panel to develop solar PV on Edinburgh Council buildings and we are aware that other public sector bodies are investigating the potential for solar on their properties.\r\nWe are engaging with the Solar Trade Association, Scottish Renewables and the Scottish Institute for Solar Energy Research as well as other stakeholders to ensure that we are doing what we can to provide an environment where the potential of solar in Scotland can be achieved.","AnswerDate":"2015-07-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-07-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304192,"EventID":"S4W-26126","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2117,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-15T16:39:38.493","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-15T12:08:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government which aspects of the Electricity Generation Policy Statement - 2013 it considers to have been rendered out of date by recent developments affecting the industry.","AnswerText":"The Electricity Generation Policy Statement (EGPS) was published most recently in 2013. It is a statement of high-level Scottish Government electricity policy, and it remains an accurate reflection of our policy at present. However, as I stated to the Economy, Energy and Tourism Committee on 17 June 2015 as part of its inquiry into security of supply, there have been significant developments in the policy and regulatory provisions affecting the electricity sector since the EGPS was last published, and it will therefore be necessary to update it in due course.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-07-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-07-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304193,"EventID":"S4W-26127","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2117,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-15T16:39:39.307","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-15T12:08:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it still considers that thermal generation will play \"an important role though a minimum of 2.5 GW of thermal generation\" as stated in the Electricity Generation Policy Statement -  2013.","AnswerText":"The Electricity Generation Policy Statement - 2013(EGPS) sets out the Scottish Government’s policy to support a shift from fossil fuel generation to a portfolio comprising renewable and cleaner thermal generation. This remains our policy. The analysis that was undertaken to inform the EGPS looked at a requirement for thermal generation to continue to play an important role, through a minimum of 2.5GW of thermal generation progressively fitted with carbon capture and storage (CCS).\r\n\r\nWe are pleased that the Peterhead CCS project is making great progress towards the commercialisation of this important technology. Scotland has a huge amount to gain from the success of the CCS sector, and can make a significant contribution towards global climate action in the progress.\r\nHowever, UK Government policy continues to impact negatively on the existing thermal generating capability in Scotland, and in particular on the potential for new power stations being built. The current transmission charging regime for Great Britain was introduced by the UK Government through the implementation of the British Electricity Trading and Transmission Arrangements in 2005. Since then, successive UK Governments have failed to address the significant disincentive to any new thermal generation in Scotland which these charges present. The following table published by National Grid illustrates how the charges for generators in Scotland are significantly higher than those in England and Wales.\r\n2015-16 Wider Generation Tariffs\r\nZone\r\nZone Name\r\n£/kilowatt\r\n1\r\nNorth Scotland\r\n25.546023\r\n2\r\nEast Aberdeenshire\r\n21.084720\r\n3\r\nWestern Highlands\r\n23.455451\r\n4\r\nSkye and Lochalsh\r\n28.869531\r\n5\r\nEaster Grampian and Tayside\r\n22.214915\r\n6\r\nCentral Grampian\r\n21.644276\r\n7\r\nArgyll\r\n22.890024\r\n8\r\nThe Trossachs\r\n18.031264\r\n9\r\nStirlingshire and Fife\r\n17.153323\r\n10\r\nSouth West Scotland\r\n15.825072\r\n11\r\nLothian and Borders\r\n13.372687\r\n12\r\nSolway and Cheviot\r\n11.621553\r\n13\r\nNorth East England\r\n8.600036\r\n14\r\nNorth Lancs and The Lakes\r\n7.730613\r\n15\r\nSouth Lancs, Yorks and Humber\r\n6.258567\r\n16\r\nNorth Midlands and North Wales\r\n4.890027\r\n17\r\nSouth Lincs and North Norfolk\r\n2.974367\r\n18\r\nMid Wales and The Midlands\r\n2.089218\r\n19\r\nAnglesey and Snowdon\r\n7.684625\r\n20\r\nPembrokeshire\r\n5.933831\r\n21\r\nSouth Wales\r\n3.308849\r\n22\r\nCotswold\r\n0.207391\r\n23\r\nCentral London\r\n-5.212171\r\n24\r\nEssex and Kent\r\n-0.745812\r\n25\r\nOxfordshire, Surrey and Sussex\r\n-2.553608\r\n26\r\nSomerset and Wessex\r\n-3.944445\r\n27\r\nWest Devon and Cornwall\r\n-5.804749\r\nWe will continue to do everything that we can to address the barriers to our stated policy of supporting a balanced energy mix.","AnswerDate":"2015-07-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-07-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304194,"EventID":"S4W-26128","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2117,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-15T16:39:40.373","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-15T12:08:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it has assessed the potential impact on proposed wind power developments in Scotland that are awaiting approval of potential UK Government changes to the Renewables Obligations scheme in England and Wales and, if so, what steps it will take to mitigate any such impact.","AnswerText":"Scotland has a potential 4.3GW of onshore wind installed capacity in planning which will be impacted by the changes to the Renewables Obligation scheme which will be applicable in Scotland not in just England and Wales. We cannot be certain about the impacts which may be felt in other sectors such as manufacturers, consultancies and community groups, but in order to understand this better the minister held a summit for the industry on 9 July 2015 to listen to concerns and take a collective view.\r\n\r\nWe are in regular discussions with the Department of Energy Climate Change and the minister has regularly spoken with the Secretary of State about this issue. We will bring the outcomes of the summit and discussions with stakeholders such as Scottish Renewables to our ongoing discussions with the UK Government.\r\nThe Scottish Government believes the UK Government decision if implemented as they have stated will have very serious consequences for the on-shore renewables sector, but also on other sectors who fear further action to limit support. We are arguing that this policy should be rethought if we are to avoid significant job losses and collateral damage to civil engineering, communities and education as well as negative impact on ability to achieve carbon emission reduction targets in UK and Scotland forward.","AnswerDate":"2015-07-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-07-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304195,"EventID":"S4W-26129","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2117,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-15T16:39:41.33","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-15T12:08:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to update the Electricity Generation Policy Statement - 2013 and, if so, when it will be published.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-26126 on 13 July 2015. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:\r\n\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx","AnswerDate":"2015-07-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-07-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304196,"EventID":"S4W-26131","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4080,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-15T16:39:42.11","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-15T16:21:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-25353 by John Swinney on 7 May 2015, whether it is now in a position to confirm on what date it will publish its response to the consultation on proposed amendments to the NHS Central Register (Scotland) Regulations 2006.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government continues to give serious consideration to points raised in consultation responses. As confirmed in S4W-25353, we will publish an analysis of responses and set out how we and National Records of Scotland intend to proceed.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-07-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-07-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304206,"EventID":"S4W-26146","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4934,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-16T13:43:49.893","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-16T10:55:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-25792 by Aileen McLeod on 9 June 2015, whether wild pollinators will be covered by its insect pollinator strategy and what resources it has committed to support the monitoring of wild pollinators.","AnswerText":"The Insect Pollinator Strategy covers both wild and managed pollinators.\r\n\r\nThe main resource input to monitoring pollinators is currently through the National Pollinator and Pollination Monitoring scheme. The aims of this project are to design and test a scheme that will provide the evidence for possible changes in UK pollinator populations (abundance, diversity, species composition and distribution) and consequences for pollination services to crops.\r\nThis project will help us to understand the status of insect pollinator populations in UK and Scotland, and how these communities are changing over time in agricultural landscapes and the wider environment. It will also help us to understand if and how pollination services are changing over time. The project started in March 2014 and will run to March 2016. Progress reports will be produced at six month intervals and the final report will be submitted to peer review and the results published on the internet.\r\nThis is a significant initiative to which the Scottish Government has contributed £25,000, while Scottish Natural Heritage provides representation on the steering group.","AnswerDate":"2015-07-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-07-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen McLeod","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304207,"EventID":"S4W-26147","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2029,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":145,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-16T13:43:51.077","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-16T11:40:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much remains to be raised to purchase the facilities that will allow robot-assisted surgery for prostate cancer treatment to be carried out at sites in the (a) east and (b) west, and when these services will be operational.","AnswerText":"As I announced on 15 March 2015, the Scottish Government is committing a further £2 million to provide state-of-the-art robotic surgery which will improve the quality of life of patients.\r\nThe funding, which complements the fundraising efforts of Prostate Scotland, will be offered to NHS boards to help purchase two robots which will allow the introduction of robot assisted prostate cancer surgery in the east and west of Scotland within the next two years.\r\nThis new equipment will allow surgeons to perform minimally invasive surgery and will be used for prostate cancer patients. The funding follows on from the Scottish Government’s earlier commitment to invest up to £1 million to support NHS Grampian to purchase a robot to be located in Aberdeen by October 2015.","AnswerDate":"2015-06-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-07-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304223,"EventID":"S4W-26149","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1756,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":136,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-16T16:18:20.53","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-16T15:06:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-20420 by Kenny MacAskill on 10 June 2014, what the most recent information is that it has on how many dog wardens there are, also broken down by local authority.","AnswerText":"The most recent figures provided by local authorities are contained in the following table:\r\nLocal Authority\r\nNumber of Dog Wardens\r\nAberdeen City\r\n2\r\nAberdeenshire\r\n3\r\nAngus\r\n1\r\nArgyll and Bute\r\n8\r\nClackmannanshire\r\n2\r\nComhairle nan Eilean Siar\r\n0\r\nDumfries and Galloway\r\n3\r\nDundee City\r\n2\r\nEast Ayrshire\r\n1\r\nEast Dunbartonshire\r\n2\r\nEast Lothian\r\n2\r\nEast Renfrewshire\r\n18 Full Time\r\n2 Part Time\r\nCity of Edinburgh\r\n1\r\nFalkirk\r\n2\r\nFife\r\n3\r\nGlasgow City\r\n2 \r\nHighland\r\n7\r\nInverclyde\r\n1\r\nMidlothian\r\n2\r\nMoray\r\n2\r\nNorth Ayrshire\r\n1\r\nNorth Lanarkshire\r\n3\r\nOrkney\r\nn/a \r\nPerth and Kinross\r\n3\r\nRenfrewshire\r\n2\r\nScottish Borders\r\n0\r\nShetland Islands\r\n2\r\nSouth Ayrshire\r\n1\r\nSouth Lanarkshire\r\n1\r\nStirling\r\n2\r\nWest Dunbartonshire\r\n1\r\nWest Lothian\r\n2\r\n*Orkney Council have not provided up-to-date figures.\r\nIt should be noted that not all of the figures provided by local authorities are for dedicated dog wardens. In some local authorities, dog warden duties are carried out by officers together with a range of other duties such as pest control and fly tipping enforcement in their capacity as community wardens or animal welfare and pest control officers. It is also the case that some authorised officers in terms of the Control of Dogs (Scotland) Act 2010 carry out general dog warden duties within their role of authorised officer.","AnswerDate":"2015-07-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-07-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Paul Wheelhouse","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304229,"EventID":"S4W-26170","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":2,"MSPID":2673,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":114,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-17T10:55:23.327","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-17T10:51:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what it plans to do about serious organised crime.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-07-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304238,"EventID":"S4O-04488","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":1893,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-17T13:44:18.83","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-15T12:03:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what analysis it has undertaken of its proposed changes to registering teaching staff.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-06-24T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304239,"EventID":"S4O-04489","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":2159,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":88,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-17T13:44:19.45","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-15T12:03:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it last met the Scottish Funding Council and what was discussed.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-06-24T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304240,"EventID":"S4O-04490","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":5042,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-17T13:44:20.053","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-15T12:03:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how the college student headcount in 2014-15 compares with 2008-09.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-06-24T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304241,"EventID":"S4O-04491","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":3763,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-17T13:44:20.663","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-15T14:24:10.033","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with local authorities regarding the provision of free school meals.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-06-24T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304242,"EventID":"S4O-04492","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":4947,"Party":"Independent","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-17T13:44:21.32","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-16T14:52:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the educational impact of schools built under PFI and PPP.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-06-24T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304243,"EventID":"S4O-04493","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":2673,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":114,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-17T13:44:21.96","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-17T09:58:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what recent discussions it has had with the UK Government regarding the post-study work visa.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-06-24T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304244,"EventID":"S4O-04494","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":2675,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":93,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-17T13:44:22.523","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-15T12:03:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what impact the use of video conferencing and other remote learning facilities can have in helping smaller secondary schools broaden the range of subjects offered at all levels.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-06-24T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304245,"EventID":"S4O-04495","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":1860,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-17T13:44:23.323","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-17T09:28:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what it is doing to ensure that secondary school pupils in the Highlands and Islands can study the subjects that they need to meet their career ambitions.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-06-24T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304246,"EventID":"S4O-04496","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":4938,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-17T13:44:23.993","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-17T11:25:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what proportion of young people who left school in 2013-14 went on to positive destinations and what those destinations were.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-06-24T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304247,"EventID":"S4O-04497","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":4955,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":105,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-17T13:44:24.593","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-15T12:03:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its most recent estimate is of the PFI service charges payable by the City of Edinburgh Council for school infrastructure projects.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-06-24T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304248,"EventID":"S4O-04498","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":4956,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":106,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-17T13:44:25.193","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-16T12:45:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it ensures that school leavers are given the best opportunity to go on to a positive destination.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-06-24T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304249,"EventID":"S4O-04499","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":5107,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":124,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-17T13:44:25.803","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-15T12:03:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what importance it places on the role of college principals.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-06-24T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304250,"EventID":"S4O-04500","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":5047,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-17T13:44:26.57","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-15T12:03:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it last met the management of Glasgow Clyde College and what was discussed.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-06-24T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304251,"EventID":"S4O-04501","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":3751,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":108,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-17T13:44:27.137","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-16T15:45:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what actions it is taking to support and develop the use of Doric and Lallans Scots.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-06-24T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304252,"EventID":"S4O-04502","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":5556,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":111,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-17T13:44:27.677","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-15T12:03:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what recent discussions it has had with Fife College regarding the future of lifelong learning.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-06-24T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304253,"EventID":"S4O-04503","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":1932,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":117,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-17T13:44:28.23","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-15T12:03:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the impact has been of its policy of introducing free school meals to all children in primary 1 to 3.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-06-24T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304254,"EventID":"S4O-04504","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":4939,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":78,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-17T13:44:28.867","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-15T12:03:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it ensures that universities and colleges work together with local and regional schools and communities to close the attainment gap for students from the poorest backgrounds.","AnswerText":"Mr MacDonald rightly highlights the need for the education system to work together to close the attainment gap. A good example is the Schools for Higher Education Programme which supports regional collaboration between schools, colleges and universities to raise awareness of, and aspiration to, higher education.\r\nAlready, focus on this issue seems to be making a difference, as indicated by the UCAS figures I referenced earlier showing a 50% increase since 2006 in the application rate to universities from 18 year-olds from our most deprived communities.\r\nBut there is more to do, and the Commission on Widening Access will advise ministers on meeting our full ambitions for widening access.","AnswerDate":"2015-06-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-06-24T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304255,"EventID":"S4O-04505","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":1845,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-17T13:44:29.493","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-15T12:03:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the Scotland's Schools for the Future programme.","AnswerText":"The government ensures regular assessments are made by Scottish Futures Trust across all aspects of the Schools for the Future programme to ensure it is delivering high quality, well designed, sustainable schools that deliver value of money for the people of Scotland. By the time the programme is complete in March 2020, approximately 60,000 children and young people will have benefitted from being taught in an improved learning environment. ","AnswerDate":"2015-06-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-06-24T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"Alasdair Allan","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304256,"EventID":"S4O-04506","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":2110,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":138,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-17T13:44:30.147","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-15T12:03:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it has agreed the details of the Scottish Attainment Challenge, including funding, with each of the local authorities that were initially selected to participate.","AnswerText":"As Mr Gibson will be aware, the Scottish Attainment Challenge will focus resources on closing the gap in attainment between children in the most and least deprived communities in seven local authority areas initially. It is designed to apply a relentless focus to existing activity, which last weeks’ statistics show is contributing to a record proportion of young people across Scotland being in a positive follow up destination. Each of the seven areas are currently developing their improvement plans and funding allocations will be announced in due course.","AnswerDate":"2015-06-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-06-24T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304257,"EventID":"S4O-04507","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":5034,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-17T13:44:30.8","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-15T12:03:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its policy is on schools operating below their teaching complement.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government believes that having the right numbers of teachers, with the right skills, in all of Scotland's schools is crucial to meeting our priority of raising attainment for all and closing the equity gap. That is why we have provided £51 million and secured a commitment from every local authority that they will maintain teacher numbers.","AnswerDate":"2015-06-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-06-24T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"Alasdair Allan","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304258,"EventID":"S4O-04508","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":3907,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":135,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-17T13:44:31.423","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-15T12:04:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it last met East Ayrshire Council and what matters were discussed.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-06-25T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304259,"EventID":"S4O-04509","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":2123,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":103,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-17T13:44:31.97","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-15T12:04:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the outcome was of the recent ministerial meeting with member organisations of the Neurological Alliance of Scotland.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-06-25T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304260,"EventID":"S4O-04510","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":4984,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-17T13:44:32.66","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-17T11:12:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it last discussed Police Scotland’s professional standards with the chief constable.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-06-25T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304261,"EventID":"S4O-04511","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":2633,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-17T13:44:33.207","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-17T11:30:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to address food poverty in Mid Scotland and Fife.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-06-25T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304262,"EventID":"S4O-04512","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":3743,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":123,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-17T13:44:33.84","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-16T13:38:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to establish a national network of halting and permanent sites for the Gypsy/Traveller community.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-06-25T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304263,"EventID":"S4O-04513","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":5038,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-17T13:44:34.457","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-17T11:36:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action Police Scotland is taking in light of reported increases of vandalism in Fife.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-06-25T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304264,"EventID":"S4O-04514","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":2826,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":84,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-17T13:44:35.043","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-17T10:12:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what impact the council tax reduction scheme has had in helping people in Glasgow on low incomes.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-06-25T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304265,"EventID":"S4O-04515","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":2603,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-17T13:44:35.643","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-17T11:20:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what support it is providing to NHS Grampian for children and adolescents who need to access mental health services.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-06-25T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304266,"EventID":"S4O-04516","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":1943,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-17T13:44:36.297","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-17T11:20:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the exploration for potential oil reserves in the Clyde, off the west coast and in the Atlantic basin. ","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-06-25T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304267,"EventID":"S4O-04517","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":2615,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":143,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-17T13:44:36.883","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-15T12:04:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it will next meet the NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde board and what matters will be discussed.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-06-25T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304268,"EventID":"S4W-26132","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-17T13:47:51.817","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-15T19:59:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it takes to ensure that the rivers and lochs in the north west provide a healthy environment for wild salmon and trout.","AnswerText":"The River basin management plans (RBMP) introduced in response to the EU Water Framework Directive, identifying water bodies that are at risk of failing to meet good ecological status or good ecological potential and prioritises them for improvement. Assessment of local fish assemblages including Atlantic salmon contributes to the overall ecological status of water bodies. Consequently, where local salmon populations are impacted by anthropogenic activity, this should trigger a downgrade of the waterbody status and subsequent management action through the RBMP process.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-07-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-07-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen McLeod","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304269,"EventID":"S4W-26133","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-17T13:47:52.49","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-15T19:59:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many fish farms have been (a) prosecuted and (b) convicted in each of the last 10 years for not adhering to the guidelines and regulations governing their operation.","AnswerText":"The following information has been provided by Marine Scotland Science, The Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) and Food Standards Scotland (FSS) regarding the regulation of fish farms over the last 10 years:\r\nMarine Scotland Science - (a) 0 prosecutions (b) 0 convictions\r\nFood Standards Scotland - (a) 0 prosecutions (b) 0 convictions\r\nSEPA - (a) 6 prosecutions (b) 6 convictions. \r\nThere are also a further two cases from 2014 in the court system at the moment.","AnswerDate":"2015-07-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-07-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen McLeod","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304270,"EventID":"S4W-26134","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-17T13:47:53.283","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-15T19:59:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many cases of chronic lice infestation on fish farms have been reported in each of the last 10 years.","AnswerText":"Marine Scotland’s fish health inspectorate, monitor sea lice on fish farms through a programme of sea lice inspections and enhanced sea lice inspections. A basic sea lice inspection is conducted whenever aquaculture facilities in seawater are visited, an enhanced inspection is completed in cases where elevated lice numbers have been observed, reported or the site is considered to be at greater risk of elevated sea lice numbers. The number of inspections carried out is noted in the following table:\r\n\r\n\r\n2008\r\n2009\r\n2010\r\n2011\r\n2012\r\n2013\r\n2014\r\n2015 (to date)\r\nBasic Inspection\r\n24\r\n250\r\n188\r\n122\r\n90\r\n106\r\n86\r\n52\r\nEnhanced Inspection\r\n2\r\n22\r\n7\r\n10\r\n27\r\n14\r\n29\r\n14\r\nPrior to the enactment of the Aquaculture and Fisheries (Scotland) Act 2007, there were no inspections carried out solely for the purposes of monitoring sea lice populations, hence the absence of data prior to the latter part of 2008. Beyond this there is no requirement to report chronic sea lice infestations to the Scottish Government.","AnswerDate":"2015-07-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-07-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen McLeod","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304271,"EventID":"S4W-26135","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-17T13:47:53.987","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-15T19:59:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it ensures that fish farms adhere to the required withdrawal period between treatment of sea lice infestation and products entering the food chain, and what enforcement action has been taken when producers have not done so.","AnswerText":"The Veterinary Medicines Directorate (VMD) is the competent authority in the UK responsible for the testing of food producing animals for residues of authorised veterinary medicines products and prohibited substances. Sampling officers from Marine Scotland take around 1,500 samples from fish farms per annum which are analysed by the VMD in accordance with EU standards. If a sample contains an authorised substance above its Maximum Residue Limit (MRL) (which may mean the withdrawal period has been breached), then a Marine Scotland fish health inspector carries out a follow up investigation at the farm of origin to determine the cause of the residue. The appropriate follow up action is decided, in discussion with VMD where necessary. This activity is in accordance with Council Directive 96/23/EC and implementing legislation The Animals and Animal Products (Examination for Residues and Maximum Residue Limits)(England and Scotland) Regulations 2015: http://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2015/787/regulation/32/made\r\n\r\nNo samples were found to contain residues of authorised medicines in fish in 2013, 2014 and 2015 to date. Full details of results can be found by searching for ‘residues surveillance’ at: www.gov.uk","AnswerDate":"2015-07-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-07-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen McLeod","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304272,"EventID":"S4W-26136","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-17T13:47:54.767","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-15T19:59:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it ensures that the use of prophylactic antibiotics in aquaculture does not impact on (a) human health, (b) the environment and (c) wild salmon and trout.","AnswerText":"The risk that any veterinary medicine might pose to human health or the environment is considered by the Veterinary Medicines Directorate during the authorisation process for new medicines. A product will not gain a marketing authorisation under veterinary medicines legislation unless it is considered safe, efficacious and of high quality. A significant component of the safety assessment includes the potential for a medicine to impact upon human health and the environment including non-target animals such as wild salmon and trout. If there is a risk that cannot be mitigated or controlled then a medicine will not be authorised.\r\n\r\nIn addition to this assessment, The Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) includes conditions relating to antibiotic use in the site specific licences and associated documentation issued to fish farm operators under the Water Environment (Controlled Activities) (Scotland) Regulations 2011. It should be noted however that over the last decade, since the advent of vaccination of most farmed salmon, antibiotic use in fish farming has been generally at a low level. A mean of 9 marine cage fish farm sites report using antibiotic products to SEPA in any given year since records began to be compiled in 2002. In any given year there are typically approximately 250 active marine cage fish farm sites in use in Scotland, thus on average perhaps 3.6% of marine cage fish farms have reported antibiotic use in any given year.","AnswerDate":"2015-07-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-07-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen McLeod","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304273,"EventID":"S4W-26137","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-17T13:47:55.483","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-15T19:59:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether (a) emamectin benzoate and (b) hydrogen peroxide is used in fish farms and, if so, how it ensures that its use does not impact on (i) human health, (ii) the environment and (iii) wild salmon and trout.","AnswerText":"Both emamectin benzoate and hydrogen peroxide are used on fish farms. The risk that any veterinary medicine might pose to human health or the environment is considered by the Veterinary Medicines Directorate during the authorisation process for new medicines. A product will not gain a marketing authorisation under veterinary medicines legislation unless it is considered safe, efficacious and of high quality. A significant component of the safety assessment includes the potential for a medicine to impact upon human health and the environment including non-target animals including wild salmon and trout. If there is a risk that cannot be mitigated or controlled then a medicine will not be authorised.\r\n\r\nIn addition to this assessment, The Scottish Environmental Protection Agency (SEPA) includes conditions relating to the use of emamectin benzoate in the site specific licences and associated documentation issued to fish farm operators under the Water Environment (Controlled Activities) (Scotland) Regulations 2011. It is recognised that unrestricted use of emamectin benzoate may pose a risk to marine life and in particular crustaceans in the vicinity of fish farms. SEPA has therefore developed a sophisticated licensing system based on a predictive computer model to set site specific limiting conditions in marine cage fish farm authorisations. These conditions restrict the scale of the use and subsequent re-use of emamectin benzoate to ensure environmental protection. The controls put in place are designed to protect the most vulnerable aquatic animals for which emamectin benzoate is most toxic. The substance displays much lower toxicity to fish and thus in protecting more sensitive animals, the protection of salmon and trout and any other species in the water environment is assured.\r\nHydrogen peroxide poses a substantially lower environmental risk because the substance rapidly dissociates to water and oxygen, in particular in contact with organic matter. SEPA considers that the substance poses no significant risk to the environment out with the immediate vicinity of the fish farm cages.","AnswerDate":"2015-07-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-07-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen McLeod","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304274,"EventID":"S4W-26139","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-17T13:47:56.233","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-15T19:59:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it protects wild salmon and trout from lice.","AnswerText":"Sea lice are marine parasites that occur naturally on many different species of wild fish including wild Atlantic salmon and sea trout. Marine Scotland’s Fish Health Inspectorate monitors sea lice on fish farms through a programme of sea lice inspections and enhanced sea lice inspections. A basic sea lice inspection is conducted whenever aquaculture facilities in seawater are visited, and an enhanced inspection is completed in cases where elevated lice numbers have been observed, reported or the site is considered to be at greater risk of elevated sea lice numbers.","AnswerDate":"2015-07-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-07-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen McLeod","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304275,"EventID":"S4W-26140","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-17T13:47:56.98","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-15T19:59:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it ensures that the paths of migrating salmon and sea trout smolts are kept free from fish farm pollutants.","AnswerText":"Little is known about the paths of migrating salmon and sea trout smolts in Scottish waters. A major difference is that sea trout will spend extended periods of time in coastal waters while salmon simply move through such areas on the way to offshore feeding grounds. The Scottish Government is currently funding a research project aimed at examining the migratory routes of salmon smolts on the west coast of Scotland.\r\n\r\nFish farming businesses are authorised by Marine Scotland under the Aquatic Animal Health (Scotland) Regulations 2009. They are also required to apply to The Scottish Environmental Protection Agency (SEPA) for a Controlled Activities Regulation consent. SEPA then conduct a programme of monitoring and evaluation of the use of medicines at each farm, ensuring consent conditions are not breached.","AnswerDate":"2015-07-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-07-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen McLeod","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304276,"EventID":"S4W-26141","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-17T13:47:57.713","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-15T19:59:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what account it takes of the paths of migrating salmon and sea trout smolts (a) prior to and (b) following the granting of planning permission for the siting of fish farm cages.","AnswerText":"Marine and freshwater fish farms (both shellfish and fin fish) are authorised by local authorities under the Town and Country Planning Act 1997.\r\n\r\nPrior to determining an application the local authority conduct a detailed assessment of the potential impacts of the development, which will be likely to include migrating salmon and sea trout smolts. As part of this assessment they will seek advice from their statutory consultees (including The Scottish Environmental Protection Agency (SEPA), Scottish Natural Heritage, the local district salmon fishery board and Marine Scotland), as well as taking account of representations from others.\r\nAs a consultee, Marine Scotland provides advice on: environmental consequences; effects on wild salmonids and fish health issues associated with the proposed development.\r\nOnce in operation, fish farming businesses are authorised by Marine Scotland under the Aquatic Animal Health (Scotland) Regulations 2009, and inspected regularly for disease control, containment measures and sea lice management. They also require consent from SEPA who conduct a programme of monitoring and evaluation of the use of medicines at each fish farm.","AnswerDate":"2015-07-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-07-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen McLeod","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304277,"EventID":"S4W-26142","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-17T13:47:58.447","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-15T19:59:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether an environmental impact assessment is carried out when considering applications for new fish farms and, if so,  what account it  takes of the impact of the proposed farm on wild migratory salmonids.","AnswerText":"Marine and freshwater fish farms (both shellfish and fin fish) are authorised by local authorities under the Town and Country Planning Act 1997.\r\n\r\nDevelopment of a type listed in Schedule 2 to the Town and Country Planning Environmental Impact Assessment) (Scotland) Regulations 2011 will require an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA)if it is likely to have a significant effect on the environment, by virtue of factors such as its size, nature or location. In practice this relates to nearly all new applications for fin fish farm development.\r\nWhere an EIA is required, the local authority will require all relevant issues to be considered and addressed. This will be likely to include the impacts of the development on wild salmonids and they will seek advice from statutory consultees (including The Scottish Environmental Protection Agency, Scottish Natural Heritage, the local district salmon fishery board and Marine Scotland) as appropriate.\r\nShellfish farms are not covered by these regulations but, if required, the planning authority will seek additional environmental information to inform their decision.","AnswerDate":"2015-07-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-07-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen McLeod","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304278,"EventID":"S4W-26143","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-17T13:47:59.197","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-15T19:59:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on the (a) establishment and (b) operation of fish farms in river systems that contain wild salmonids.","AnswerText":"As laid out in the National Marine Plan (NMP), with due regard to the marine environment, the Scottish Government supports the aquaculture industry’s targets for sustainable growth of aquaculture. Alongside existing regulatory controls including an Environmental Impact Assessment, the NMP provides a framework which aims to minimise and mitigate the environmental impacts of developments through, among other things, appropriate siting of farms in relation to protected species and wider biodiversity interests. The NMP also maintains the continuing presumption against further marine finfish farm developments on the north and east coasts to help safeguard migratory fish species.\r\n\r\nMarine and freshwater fish farms (both shellfish and fin fish) are authorised by local authorities who will give regard to the NMP when considering applications. Prior to determining an application, the local authority will conduct a detailed assessment of the potential impacts of the proposal on the environment, including wild salmonids, and will seek advice from statutory consultees (including The Scottish Environmental Protection Agency (SEPA), Scottish Natural Heritage, the local district salmon fishery board and Marine Scotland).\r\nOnce in operation, fish farming businesses are authorised by Marine Scotland under the Aquatic Animal Health (Scotland) Regulations 2009, and inspected regularly for disease control, containment measures and sea lice management. They also require consent from SEPA who conduct a programme of monitoring and evaluation of the use of medicines at each fish farm, ensuring that consent conditions are not breached.","AnswerDate":"2015-07-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-07-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen McLeod","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304279,"EventID":"S4W-26144","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-17T13:47:59.913","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-15T19:59:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it takes to ensure that fish farms have measures in place to prevent  salmon escaping into the wild.","AnswerText":"All authorised fish farm businesses in Scotland are inspected under the Aquaculture & Fisheries (Scotland) Act 2007 by Marine Scotland for satisfactory measures in place to contain fish and prevent escapes with a range of sanctions available where non-compliance is identified.\r\nThe Aquaculture & Fisheries (Scotland) Act 2013 includes specific powers to prescribe statutory technical requirements to ensure the installation and deployment of fish farming equipment that is well maintained and appropriate for site conditions. It also imposes a duty for training to use prescribed equipment and requirements on operators to keep records.\r\nOn 11 June 2015, The Scottish Government published a Technical Standard for Scottish Finfish Aquaculture, available at: www.gov.scot/Publications/2015/06/5747\r\nAlongside statutory training, the standard will ensure all finfish farms in Scotland have the appropriate equipment and operational procedures to help prevent escapes.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-07-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-07-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen McLeod","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304280,"EventID":"S4W-26145","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-17T13:48:00.663","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-15T19:59:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many fish farms have exceeded their sea lice infestation limit in each of the last 10 years, and what action it took.","AnswerText":"There is no statutory limit for a maximum number of sea lice allowable on any aquaculture site or on any individual aquaculture animal. There are sea lice treatment threshold limits within The Scottish Salmon Producers Organisation (SSPO) Code of Good Practice for Scottish Finfish Farming – National Treatment Strategy. The SSPO also publishes quarterly fish health management reports which include sea lice counts for 30 areas across Scotland http://scottishsalmon.co.uk/category/science-behind-fish-farming/fish-health/.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-07-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-07-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen McLeod","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304281,"EventID":"S4W-26156","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2633,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-17T13:48:01.38","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-16T17:46:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what discussions the (a) First Minister, (b) Cabinet Secretary for Culture, Europe and External Affairs and (c) Cabinet Secretary for Infrastructure, Investment and Cities had regarding the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership during her/his recent trip to the United States.","AnswerText":"During recent visits to the United States, ministers had a number of discussions on a range of subjects including the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnerships.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-07-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-07-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304282,"EventID":"S4W-26157","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2678,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-17T13:48:01.957","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-17T01:30:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when the business and regulatory impact assessment and regulations relating to the Health (Tobacco, Nicotine etc. and Care) (Scotland) Bill will be published.","AnswerText":"The business and regulatory impact assessment for the Health (Tobacco, Nicotine etc. and Care) (Scotland) Bill will be published by 31 July 2015. The Scottish Parliament’s consideration of the Bill will determine what regulations are made under it. It is therefore not appropriate to comment on the publication of regulations at this stage.","AnswerDate":"2015-06-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-07-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304283,"EventID":"S4W-26169","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-17T13:48:02.473","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-16T21:26:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide a breakdown by (a) NHS board and (b) type of service of the £85 million for mental health services announced in May 2015 and whether this amount is for the current financial year or future years.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government recently announced an additional £100 million over five years for improving mental health across Scotland. This comprised £85 million announced in May 2015, which followed the extra £15 million announced for mental health in November 2014. Decisions on how the funding announced in May 2015 is to be used are still being finalised but we will be working with NHS Scotland, local government and the third sector to ensure that we get maximum benefit from the investment, including ensuring that people get timely access to services. However, broad areas for investment will include:\r\nFurther improvement to child and adolescent mental health services to bring down waiting times;\r\nImproved access to services and in particular psychological therapies; and\r\nBetter responses to mental health in community and primary care settings, including promoting wellbeing through physical activity and improved patient rights. \r\nThe profile of the funding is set out in the following table:\r\nYear 1 2015-16\r\n£12 million\r\nYear 2 2016-17\r\n£24 million\r\nYear 3 2017-18\r\n£24 million\r\nYear 4 2018-19\r\n£20 million\r\nYear 5 2019-20\r\n£20 million\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-06-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-07-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304284,"EventID":"S4W-26171","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2678,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-17T16:46:58.753","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-17T12:22:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to create an independent regulatory body to ensure compliance with the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 for all public bodies.","AnswerText":"The regulation of workplace health and safety in Scotland is reserved to the UK Government under the Scotland Act 1998. The regulation and inspection of health and safety in workplaces is undertaken by the Health and Safety Executive and Scottish local authorities as co-regulators.","AnswerDate":"2015-06-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-07-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304285,"EventID":"S4W-26172","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2678,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-17T16:46:59.58","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-17T12:22:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many deaths that would be considered reasonably preventable for the purposes of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 there have been in public healthcare organisations in Scotland in each of the last five years.","AnswerText":"The NHS in Scotland fully implements the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974. All NHS boards are expected to report all incidents in accordance with the guidance issued by the Health and Safety Executive. This guidance is available at http://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/hsis1.pdf.\r\n\r\nThe regulation of workplace health and safety is reserved to the UK Government under the Scotland Act 1998. The Scottish Government does not routinely collect workplace accident and injury data centrally.","AnswerDate":"2015-06-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-07-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304286,"EventID":"S4W-26173","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2678,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-17T16:47:00.327","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-17T12:22:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it considers it a priority that all public health and social care providers are compliant with the provisions of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 and, if so, how it ensures that compliance is maintained.","AnswerText":"Workplace health and safety is reserved to the UK Government under the Scotland Act 1998. All employers have a statutory duty to comply with the provisions of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974. Compliance is regulated by the Health and Safety Executive and local authorities.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-06-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-07-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304287,"EventID":"S4W-26174","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2678,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-17T16:47:01.077","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-17T12:22:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government who is the legally required compliance officer to ensure that all public healthcare bodies act within the scope of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974, and what their (a) qualifications and (b) experience are.","AnswerText":"Workplace health and safety regulation is reserved to the UK Government under the Scotland Act 1998. Employers have statutory duties to comply with the legislation and supporting regulations. The Scottish Government does not have a role in ascertaining compliance by other duty holders.","AnswerDate":"2015-06-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-07-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304288,"EventID":"S4W-26175","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3101,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-17T16:47:01.84","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-17T13:18:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-22555 by Alex Neil on 23 September 2014, what steps it has taken to consult Prostate Cancer UK on its plans and whether it will invite the organisation to join the National Planning Forum's Robot Assisted Surgery Implementation Group.","AnswerText":"As I announced in March 2015, in addition to the robot in Aberdeen which will go live later in 2015, we are committed to introducing two further robots in the central belt over the next three years. The Robot Assisted Surgery Implementation Group is currently developing its plans and, as noted in the answer to S4W-22555, is willing to share them with Prostate Cancer UK once they are finalised.","AnswerDate":"2015-06-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-07-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304289,"EventID":"S4W-26177","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5041,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-17T16:47:02.48","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-17T14:55:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the timescale is for a rehabilitation support worker to be allocated to a service user in order that their physical, emotional, spiritual, intellectual, cultural and social care needs can be met, and whether the timescale has increased over the last five years.","AnswerText":"There is no national guidance stating a timescale for a rehabilitation support worker to be allocated to a service user in order that their physical, emotional, spiritual, intellectual, cultural and social care needs can be met. The timescale is dependent on the needs of the service user. There is no data collected on the timescale for allocation of a rehabilitation support worker.","AnswerDate":"2015-06-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-07-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304290,"EventID":"S4W-26178","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5041,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-17T16:47:03.23","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-17T14:55:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it is addressing the reported shortage of rehabilitation support workers.","AnswerText":"Recruitment of staff, including rehabilitation support staff, is a matter for each NHSScotland board as an employer. NHSScotland boards are required to have the correct staff in place to meet the needs of the service and ensure high quality patient care. The Scottish Government works closely with boards to support their staff recruitment efforts.","AnswerDate":"2015-06-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-07-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304291,"EventID":"S4W-26179","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5041,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-17T16:47:03.87","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-17T14:55:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many rehabilitation support workers there have been in each of the last five years, broken down by NHS board area.","AnswerText":"Information on how many rehabilitation support workers there have been in each of the last five years, broken down by NHS board area, is not centrally held.\r\nWhile the Scottish Government provides the policies, frameworks and resources for high quality healthcare in Scotland, it is for each NHS board to decide best how to utilise funding, facilities and staff while taking account of national and local priorities to meet local health needs. We expect NHS boards to plan their facilities and workforce to deliver these services and to have robust processes in place to ensure the provision of safe, effective and high quality patient care, which is delivered by the right professional at the right time.","AnswerDate":"2015-06-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-07-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304292,"EventID":"S4W-26180","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2135,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":92,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-17T16:47:04.57","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-17T15:45:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-25965 by Michael Matheson on 17 June 2015, on which islands and in which remote rural areas (a) it considers that there is a problem of availability of JPs to undertake affidavit administration and (b) there is a resident notary public.","AnswerText":"A current list of the JP Courts can be found at:\r\nhttps://www.scotcourts.gov.uk/the-courts/jp-court/about-jp-courts.\r\nMembers of the public are asked to make an appointment through the administration office for a JP court where signing can be arranged.\r\nIt is for a solicitor (who may be a notary public) to decide where to set up in private practice. The majority of solicitors are notary publics. I attach a note provided by the Law Society of Scotland showing the number of notary publics by area throughout Scotland. The Law Society’s website provides a link to the EU find-a-notary website http://www.lawscot.org.uk/members/notaries/.","AnswerDate":"2015-07-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-07-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304293,"EventID":"S4W-26181","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2135,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":92,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-17T16:47:05.257","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-17T15:53:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body whether it will commission portraits of Presiding Officers Alex Fergusson and Tricia Marwick by the photographer, Harry Benson, to add to his portraits of Sir David Steel and Sir George Reid, which are already in the Parliament's collection, or whether it will consider commissioning alternative artists.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body has already commissioned photographic portraits of Presiding Officers Alex Fergusson and Tricia Marwick by Harry Benson, for the Scottish Parliament Art Collection. The portraits will go on display when the Members have stood down.","AnswerDate":"2015-07-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-07-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Linda Fabiani","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304294,"EventID":"S4W-26182","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2135,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":92,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-17T16:47:05.913","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-17T16:13:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-25965 by Michael Matheson on 17 June 2015, for each (a) island and (b) remote rural area without a resident notary public, what the distance is to the nearest notary public; what the type, frequency and availability is of public transport; what the estimated journey time is, and what practical and affordable proposals it has to address the issue of access.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government does not hold the information requested. I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-26180 on 15 July 2015.\r\nAll answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.","AnswerDate":"2015-07-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-07-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304312,"EventID":"S4W-26184","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-18T13:37:00.557","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-17T18:23:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what measures it is taking to ensure that candidates in Scotland for an acceptable English language qualification under the UK Visas and Immigration requirements can take a course and sit the requisite exams in their local area.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government believes that those undertaking English language qualifications under UK Visas and Immigration requirements should be able to do so in their local area. After 5 November 2015, UK Visas and Immigration will only accept applications for settlement and citizenship by applicants who have an English language qualification awarded by only one of two approved providers. Each provider has only one testing centre in Scotland: one in Edinburgh and one in Glasgow. The First Minister has made the Scottish Government concerns about these proposed changes clear to the UK Immigration Minister and has called on the UK Government to continue to recognise SQA English for Speakers of Other Languages qualifications as evidence of English language for UK Visas and Immigration requirements.","AnswerDate":"2015-07-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-07-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304313,"EventID":"S4W-26185","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-18T13:37:01.04","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-17T18:23:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what representations it has made to UK Visas and Immigration regarding the availability of English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) qualifications through the SQA being available to applicants throughout Scotland in their locality.","AnswerText":"In March 2015 the Scottish Government was informed by the UK Minister for Immigration that in November 2015, the UK Government will no longer recognise Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) ESOL qualifications for UK settlement and citizenship applications. The First Minister has made Scottish Government concerns about these proposed changes clear to the UK Immigration Minister and has called on the UK Government to continue to recognise SQA ESOL qualifications as evidence of English language for UK Visas and Immigration requirements. ","AnswerDate":"2015-07-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-07-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304314,"EventID":"S4W-26186","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-18T13:37:01.507","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-17T18:25:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to respond to the statement by the NHS Pay Review Body in its report, Scotland Report 2015, that it would like future evidence to \"include more robust and systematic data to inform our consideration on recruitment and retention issues\".","AnswerText":"As we always do, we will work with the NHS Pay Review Body according to an agreed timetable governing the submission of evidence, to ensure it has the data it requires in order to carry out its functions on behalf of the Scottish Government.","AnswerDate":"2015-06-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-07-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304315,"EventID":"S4W-26187","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-18T13:37:01.977","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-17T18:25:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking regarding concern expressed by the NHS Pay Review Body in its report, Scotland Report 2015, regarding low rates of appraisals and to respond to its observation that \"There is a pressing need for the NHS in Scotland to manage and apply the agreed pay progression arrangements properly through the application of a simplified Knowledge and Skills Framework in order to ensure that pay progression is linked to competency development and performance, as was intended within Agenda for Change.\"","AnswerText":"The focus in Scotland is on ensuring that staff have a meaningful conversation about their performance, their development and career aspirations. The implementation of Agenda for Change, including the Knowledge and Skills Framework, has been taken forward in full partnership in Scotland and we will continue to adopt a partnership approach in discussing staff development matters.","AnswerDate":"2015-06-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-07-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304316,"EventID":"S4W-26150","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1932,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":117,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-18T16:47:56.023","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-16T16:25:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many (a) singleton and (b) multiple pregnancies each (i) hospital and (ii) NHS board has dealt with in each of the last 10 years.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government does not hold this data, however, NHS National Services Scotland has provided this data in the following tables:\r\nMaternities1 that resulted in singleton births in the last 10 years, by health board of residence2 and hospital of birth3\r\nFinancial year ending 31 March\r\ni) Hospital of birth by financial year\r\n2004\r\n2005\r\n2006\r\n2007\r\n2008\r\n2009\r\n2010\r\n2011\r\n2012\r\n2013\r\nAberdeen Maternity Hospital\r\n3951\r\n4070\r\n4064\r\n4417\r\n4577\r\n4705\r\n4877\r\n4783\r\n4931\r\n4984\r\nAboyne Hospital\r\n35\r\n60\r\n62\r\n81\r\n64\r\n60\r\n77\r\n59\r\n2\r\n0\r\nArbroath Infirmary\r\n81\r\n83\r\n98\r\n180\r\n168\r\n157\r\n115\r\n115\r\n108\r\n88\r\nAyrshire Central and Maternity Hospital\r\n3406\r\n3471\r\n3461\r\n1755\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\nBalfour Hospital\r\n96\r\n127\r\n136\r\n140\r\n133\r\n144\r\n128\r\n126\r\n139\r\n143\r\nBelford Hospital\r\n47\r\n35\r\n52\r\n44\r\n35\r\n39\r\n36\r\n32\r\n37\r\n43\r\nBorders General Hospital\r\n986\r\n993\r\n966\r\n1079\r\n1119\r\n1178\r\n1186\r\n1164\r\n1107\r\n1148\r\nCaithness General Hospital\r\n224\r\n205\r\n223\r\n212\r\n254\r\n250\r\n148\r\n160\r\n182\r\n188\r\nCampbeltown Hospital\r\n2\r\n8\r\n17\r\n16\r\n13\r\n14\r\n20\r\n18\r\n25\r\n16\r\nChalmers Hospital\r\n38\r\n53\r\n45\r\n76\r\n10\r\n9\r\n3\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\nCrosshouse Hospital\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n1881\r\n3698\r\n3723\r\n3635\r\n3734\r\n3689\r\n3497\r\nDalrymple Hospital\r\n75\r\n36\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\nDr. Gray's Hospital\r\n848\r\n954\r\n942\r\n998\r\n1103\r\n1143\r\n1147\r\n1031\r\n1038\r\n1048\r\nDumfries and Galloway Royal Infirmary\r\n1223\r\n1270\r\n1287\r\n1328\r\n1324\r\n1285\r\n1329\r\n1289\r\n1262\r\n1247\r\nDunoon and District General Hospital\r\n31\r\n33\r\n37\r\n27\r\n35\r\n30\r\n38\r\n33\r\n32\r\n19\r\nFalkirk and District Royal Infirmary\r\n446\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\nForth Park Maternity Hospital\r\n3063\r\n3243\r\n3266\r\n3443\r\n3619\r\n3726\r\n3682\r\n3667\r\n3689\r\n3429\r\nForth Valley Royal\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n2293\r\n3101\r\nFraserburgh Hospital\r\n74\r\n59\r\n64\r\n76\r\n69\r\n28\r\n6\r\n45\r\n21\r\n28\r\nFinancial year ending 31 March\r\n\r\n2004\r\n2005\r\n2006\r\n2007\r\n2008\r\n2009\r\n2010\r\n2011\r\n2012\r\n2013\r\nGalloway Community Hospital\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n2\r\n84\r\n93\r\n84\r\n80\r\n83\r\n60\r\nGarrick Hospital\r\n0\r\n39\r\n73\r\n70\r\n7\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\nGilbert Bain Memorial Hospital\r\n157\r\n154\r\n128\r\n163\r\n131\r\n143\r\n157\r\n147\r\n141\r\n179\r\nInverclyde Royal Hospital\r\n536\r\n89\r\n101\r\n86\r\n97\r\n94\r\n110\r\n67\r\n64\r\n44\r\nIslay Hospital, Bowmore\r\n1\r\n2\r\n0\r\n0\r\n2\r\n1\r\n2\r\n2\r\n1\r\n1\r\nIsle of Arran War Memorial Hospital\r\n6\r\n7\r\n8\r\n5\r\n1\r\n6\r\n2\r\n3\r\n5\r\n1\r\nJubilee Hospital, Huntly\r\n26\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\nKincardine O'Neil War Memorial Hospital\r\n7\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\nLorne and Islands District General Hospital, Oban\r\n53\r\n33\r\n21\r\n10\r\n15\r\n24\r\n28\r\n38\r\n39\r\n15\r\nMackinnon Memorial Hospital\r\n7\r\n17\r\n20\r\n13\r\n23\r\n18\r\n27\r\n20\r\n18\r\n19\r\nMid Argyll Hospital\r\n15\r\n20\r\n13\r\n2\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\nMid-Argyll Community Hospital\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n6\r\n17\r\n17\r\n18\r\n15\r\n11\r\n14\r\nMontrose Royal Infirmary\r\n111\r\n124\r\n158\r\n181\r\n202\r\n216\r\n204\r\n172\r\n198\r\n183\r\nNew Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh\r\n5763\r\n5609\r\n5821\r\n5953\r\n6478\r\n6595\r\n6292\r\n6546\r\n6706\r\n6437\r\nNinewells Hospital\r\n2957\r\n3415\r\n3515\r\n3157\r\n3896\r\n3903\r\n3848\r\n3826\r\n3968\r\n3752\r\nPerth Royal Infirmary\r\n1106\r\n398\r\n189\r\n343\r\n303\r\n256\r\n330\r\n367\r\n308\r\n290\r\nPeterhead Cottage Hospital\r\n96\r\n110\r\n117\r\n141\r\n171\r\n173\r\n190\r\n151\r\n148\r\n154\r\nPortree Hospital\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n1\r\n0\r\n1\r\nPrincess Royal Maternity Hospital\r\n5071\r\n5278\r\n4893\r\n5232\r\n5508\r\n5667\r\n5902\r\n6113\r\n6238\r\n5999\r\nRaigmore Hospital\r\n1754\r\n1845\r\n1841\r\n1869\r\n1960\r\n2120\r\n2066\r\n2122\r\n2086\r\n2028\r\nRoyal Alexandra Hospital\r\n2278\r\n3152\r\n3029\r\n3187\r\n3326\r\n3447\r\n3465\r\n3481\r\n3558\r\n3567\r\nSouthern General Hospital\r\n2787\r\n2930\r\n2975\r\n3036\r\n3306\r\n3281\r\n3775\r\n5598\r\n5632\r\n5479\r\nSt. John's at Howden, Livingston\r\n2628\r\n2707\r\n2635\r\n2738\r\n2922\r\n2880\r\n2905\r\n2849\r\n2717\r\n2605\r\nStirling Royal Infirmary\r\n2435\r\n3061\r\n3080\r\n3144\r\n3246\r\n3167\r\n3228\r\n3133\r\n842\r\n0\r\nThe Ayr Hospital\r\n1\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\nThe Queen Mother's Hospital\r\n3799\r\n3332\r\n3437\r\n3284\r\n3378\r\n3171\r\n2362\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\nFinancial year ending 31 March\r\n\r\n2004\r\n2005\r\n2006\r\n2007\r\n2008\r\n2009\r\n2010\r\n2011\r\n2012\r\n2013\r\nUist and Barra\r\n2\r\n1\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\nVale of Leven District General Hospital\r\n45\r\n54\r\n65\r\n73\r\n89\r\n97\r\n113\r\n83\r\n104\r\n95\r\nVictoria Hospital, Rothesay\r\n12\r\n17\r\n16\r\n12","AnswerDate":"2015-07-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-07-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304317,"EventID":"S4W-26151","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1932,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":117,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-18T16:47:56.88","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-16T16:25:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many claims there have been in relation to a (a) still birth, (b) neonatal death, (c) disabled birth, (d) disabled mother or (e) maternal death in each (i) hospital and (ii) NHS board, and what the total cost has been of settling such claims, in each of the last 10 years.","AnswerText":"The information requested is not held centrally. However, the number of claims made against NHS Boards in respect of Obstetrics and Gynaecology cases in each of the last 10 years is shown in the following table:\r\n\r\n2005-06\r\n2006-07\r\n2007-08\r\n2008-09\r\n2009-10\r\n2010-11\r\n2011-12\r\n2012-13\r\n2013-14\r\n2014-15\r\nArgyll and Clyde\r\n<5\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\nAyrshire and Arran\r\n-\r\n-\r\n<5\r\n<5\r\n<5\r\n<5\r\n6\r\n5\r\n<5\r\n<5\r\nBorders\r\n-\r\n-\r\n<5\r\n-\r\n-\r\n<5\r\n-\r\n-\r\n<5\r\n<5\r\nDumfries and Galloway\r\n-\r\n-\r\n<5\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\nFife\r\n-\r\n<5\r\n<5\r\n<5\r\n-\r\n<5\r\n<5\r\n<5\r\n<5\r\n8\r\nForth Valley\r\n5\r\n9\r\n5\r\n<5\r\n<5\r\n<5\r\n<5\r\n<5\r\n<5\r\n<5\r\nGrampian\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n<5\r\n<5\r\n<5\r\n<5\r\n<5\r\n<5\r\n<5\r\nGreater Glasgow & Clyde\r\n<5\r\n<5\r\n8\r\n14\r\n8\r\n14\r\n11\r\n8\r\n5\r\n13\r\nHighland\r\n<5\r\n<5\r\n<5\r\n-\r\n-\r\n<5\r\n<5\r\n<5\r\n<5\r\n<5\r\nLanarkshire\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n<5\r\n<5\r\n<5\r\n5\r\n8\r\n<5\r\n7\r\nLothian\r\n5\r\n<5\r\n10\r\n10\r\n9\r\n8\r\n10\r\n6\r\n13\r\n12\r\nOrkney\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n<5\r\nShetland\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\nTayside\r\n-\r\n<5\r\n<5\r\n-\r\n<5\r\n<5\r\n<5\r\n<5\r\n<5\r\n6\r\nWestern Isles\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n<5\r\nSource: NHS National Services Scotland Central Legal Office \r\nNote: To preserve anonymity, where the actual number of cases is less than 5, it has been shown in this way.\r\nThe value of claims made against NHS Boards in respect of Obstetrics and Gynaecology cases in each of the last 10 years is shown in the following table:\r\n\r\n2005-06\r\n£(m)\r\n2006-07\r\n£(m)\r\n2007-08\r\n£(m)\r\n2008-09\r\n£(m)\r\n2009-10\r\n£(m)\r\n2010-11\r\n£(m)\r\n2011-12\r\n£(m)\r\n2012-13\r\n£(m)\r\n2013-14\r\n£(m)\r\n2014-15\r\n£(m)\r\nArgyll and Clyde\r\n0.2\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\nAyrshire and Arran\r\n-\r\n-\r\n0.2\r\n0.2\r\n0.1\r\n5.8\r\n1.1\r\n4.2\r\n0.7\r\n1.1\r\nBorders\r\n-\r\n-\r\n1.5\r\n-\r\n-\r\n0.1\r\n-\r\n-\r\n0.2\r\n0.1\r\nDumfries and Galloway\r\n-\r\n-\r\n0.0\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\nFife\r\n-\r\n1.6\r\n0.0\r\n4.2\r\n-\r\n1.6\r\n3.1\r\n0.5\r\n2.2\r\n0.5\r\nForth Valley\r\n0.1\r\n1.6\r\n3.8\r\n0.7\r\n2.6\r\n2.1\r\n0.4\r\n1.1\r\n0.3\r\n0.4\r\nGrampian\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n5.0\r\n0.2\r\n0.2\r\n0.1\r\n0.1\r\n0.0\r\n0.8\r\nGreater Glasgow & Clyde\r\n2.0\r\n4.8\r\n2.3\r\n10.6\r\n2.2\r\n16.0\r\n6.5\r\n7.9\r\n4.1\r\n2.9\r\nHighland\r\n0.8\r\n0.8\r\n3.3\r\n-\r\n-\r\n5.0\r\n0.2\r\n0.7\r\n0.0\r\n0.3\r\nLanarkshire\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n2.3\r\n10.1\r\n6.8\r\n2.0\r\n3.5\r\n0.0\r\n4.1\r\nLothian\r\n0.0\r\n0.0\r\n6.1\r\n1.0\r\n9.3\r\n4.1\r\n3.3\r\n0.8\r\n10.4\r\n4.5\r\nOrkney\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n0.0\r\nShetland\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\nTayside\r\n-\r\n0.5\r\n1.1\r\n-\r\n0.4\r\n0.1\r\n0.2\r\n0.1\r\n1.6\r\n3.0\r\nWestern Isles\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n0.0\r\nTotal\r\n3.0\r\n9.3\r\n18.2\r\n23.9\r\n25.0\r\n41.8\r\n16.9\r\n18.7\r\n19.4\r\n17.6\r\nSource: NHS National Services Scotland Central Legal Office ","AnswerDate":"2015-07-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-07-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304318,"EventID":"S4W-26152","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1932,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":117,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-18T16:47:57.38","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-16T16:25:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many complaints regarding maternity care involving (a) a singleton or (b) multiple pregnancy in Scotland (i) Healthcare Improvement Scotland, (ii) the General Medical Council, (iii) the Nursing and Midwifery Council and (iv) each hospital has received in each of the last 10 years.","AnswerText":"Healthcare Improvement Scotland has received one complaint regarding maternity care in the last 10 years. It was regarding a singleton pregnancy in 2014. The Scottish Government does not hold the information to answer parts (ii) and (iii). The Scottish Government cannot supply the number of complaints broken down by singleton or multiple pregnancy or by hospital, however NHS National Services Scotland has provided information on the number of complaints by NHS boards for the last 10 years.\r\nNumber of complaints1 received for Hospital and Community Health Services2 by NHS Board and\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nMaternity Service Area: 2004/05 to 2013/14\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nNHS Board Area\r\nNumber of complaints by Maternity Service Area\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n2004-05\r\n2005-06\r\n2006-07\r\n2007-08\r\n2008-09\r\n2009-10\r\n2010-11\r\n2011-12\r\n2012-13\r\n2013-14\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nScotland\r\n128\r\n148\r\n195\r\n177\r\n217\r\n209\r\n241\r\n219\r\n199\r\n199\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nArgyll and Clyde3\r\n6\r\n2\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nAyrshire and Arran\r\n11\r\n6\r\n6\r\n7\r\n2\r\n21\r\n16\r\n13\r\n14\r\n14\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nBorders\r\n2\r\n5\r\n3\r\n4\r\n1\r\n1\r\n-\r\n2\r\n2\r\n1\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nDumfries and Galloway\r\n5\r\n10\r\n8\r\n12\r\n4\r\n7\r\n4\r\n5\r\n5\r\n10\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nFife\r\n0\r\n1\r\n4\r\n10\r\n14\r\n10\r\n17\r\n7\r\n7\r\n1\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nForth Valley\r\n7\r\n11\r\n5\r\n2\r\n18\r\n19\r\n10\r\n4\r\n7\r\n16\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nGrampian\r\n28\r\n34\r\n38\r\n28\r\n26\r\n32\r\n40\r\n60\r\n68\r\n71\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nGreater Glasgow3\r\n19\r\n13\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nGreater Glasgow and Clyde3\r\n\r\n\r\n20\r\n22\r\n49\r\n47\r\n70\r\n68\r\n33\r\n18\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nHighland3\r\n16\r\n11\r\n3\r\n4\r\n10\r\n5\r\n10\r\n15\r\n11\r\n15\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nLanarkshire\r\n11\r\n6\r\n26\r\n6\r\n15\r\n2\r\n-\r\n-\r\n3\r\n1\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nLothian\r\n21\r\n39\r\n69\r\n56\r\n50\r\n46\r\n54\r\n41\r\n32\r\n31\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nOrkney\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n-\r\n1\r\n1\r\n1\r\n1\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nShetland\r\n0\r\n1\r\n0\r\n1\r\n0\r\n1\r\n1\r\n-\r\n3\r\n-\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nTayside\r\n1\r\n8\r\n12\r\n24\r\n27\r\n17\r\n16\r\n1\r\n11\r\n19\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nWestern Isles\r\n1\r\n1\r\n1\r\n1\r\n1\r\n1\r\n2\r\n2\r\n2\r\n1\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nSource: Information Services Division (ISD Scotland) NHSScotland complaints: Data provided from NHS boards and compiled by ISD Scotland. \r\nData as at July 2014 and may be subject to change in future reporting.\t\r\n1 In the NHS complaints procedure, a complaint is defined as 'an expression of dissatisfaction requiring a response'. Citizen's Charter Complaints Task Force. The number of complaints includes complaints still open i.e. complaints which have not yet been completed within the reporting period but excludes complaints withdrawn i.e. not taken forward, consent not received, and complaints which have been transferred to another NHS board, division, service or national support organisation.\t\r\n2 Hospital and Community Health Services only (excludes complaints relating to family health services, special NHS boards and national and support organisations).\r\n3 Argyll and Clyde: Following the dissolution of Argyll and Clyde health board in April 2006, the number of complaints for Argyll and for Clyde regions are now shown under Highland and Greater Glasgow and Clyde respectively.\t\r\n‘-‘ denotes zero i.e. nil data/records.\t\t\t","AnswerDate":"2015-07-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-07-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304319,"EventID":"S4W-26153","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1932,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":117,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-18T16:47:57.927","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-16T16:25:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many multiple pregnancy-related patient safety incidents have been reported in each (a) hospital and (b) NHS board in each of the last 10 years and what the cause was in each case.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government does not hold information on multiple pregnancy related patient safety incidents at hospital or NHS board level.\r\nWe expect that all NHS health boards in Scotland have in place effective systems to support review of and learning from patient safety incidents locally to ensure women and babies have safe and effective care. \r\nThe Maternity and Children’s Quality Improvement Collaborative established by the Scottish Government in 2013 aims to reduce avoidable harm in maternity, neonatal and paediatric care by 30% by 2015, as defined by reference to specific criteria. It is already making significant progress in improving services and keeping safety at the top of the agenda.\r\nThe Scottish Perinatal Infant Mortality and Morbidity Report 2012 outlines on page 12 the outcomes for registered twin pregnancies:\r\nhttp://www.healthcareimprovementscotland.org/our_work/reproductive,_maternal__child/reproductive_health/spimmr_2012.aspx\r\nThe Maternal, Newborn and Infant Clinical Outcome Review Programme published the first of a series of reports aimed at learning lessons to inform maternity care in December 2014, and its perinatal audit in June 2015. The Scottish Government has established an expert group to consider these reports and make recommendations for actions for Scotland.","AnswerDate":"2015-07-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-07-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304320,"EventID":"S4W-26154","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1932,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":117,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-18T16:47:58.47","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-16T16:25:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to support (a) research into (i) still births and (ii) neonatal deaths and (b) the dissemination of clinical best practice in relation to multiple pregnancies.","AnswerText":"(a) Research:\r\nThe Chief Scientist Office (CSO) of the Scottish Government Health and Social Care Directorate supports and promotes high quality research aimed at improving the quality and cost-effectiveness of services offered by NHSScotland and securing lasting improvements to the health of the people of Scotland.\r\nCSO invests directly in research projects through its response mode funding system, which relies on high quality research applications being made by the research community with proposals funded on the basis of scientific excellence. This system covers research across a very broad range of areas of health and would include consideration of research proposals into stillbirth and neonatal death. Proposals to CSO funded fellowship schemes could also include research in these areas.\r\nIn addition, CSO contributes financially to National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) research programmes in order that researchers based in Scotland can lead applications to these health research programmes, and again applications to these programmes could include research proposals in these areas. \r\nCSO Response Mode Grant Funding:\r\nThe CSO grant funding initiatives financial support for 31 research projects has been provided since June 2009 in areas of maternal, fetal and/or neonatal health. Funding of £2.9 million has so far been provided in relation to these projects.\r\nThe CSO has funded stillbirth research being led by the University of Edinburgh; AFFIRM (Can Promoting Awareness Fetal movements and Focussing Interventions Reduce Fetal Mortality), which is a stepped wedge cluster randomised trial. Sands, Tommy’s and SiMBA have also contributed to the study which is aimed at reducing stillbirth rates.\r\nThe Scottish Government has also given Sands £25,000 to be allocated to their UK-wide Research Fund for 2015/16. \r\nNational Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Research Programme Funding\r\nThe estimated 2015-2016 contribution to the NIHR Research programmes is £10.1 million.\r\nThere are currently eight projects led by Scottish institutions with a current total cost of £10.5 million.\r\nReproductive Health & Childbirth Specialty Group\r\nThe funding provided in 2015-2016 is £22,000.\r\n(b) Clinical best practice in relation to multiple pregnancies\r\nEvidence based advice on the care of women with multiple pregnancies is set out in the following: -\r\nThe National Institute for Health and Care Excellence clinical guidelines Multiple Pregnancies – The management of twin and triplet pregnancies in the antenatal period. In line with these guidelines, we would expect clinical care for women with twin and triplet pregnancies to be provided by a nominated multidisciplinary team consisting of a core team, including named specialist obstetricians, who have experience and knowledge of managing twin and triplet pregnancies; and\r\nThe Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, Royal College of Midwives, Royal College of Anaesthetists and Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health report on Childbirth: Minimum Standards for the Organisation and Delivery of Care in Labour (2007). This report sets out the essential minimum staffing standards required to support women in labour and provide safe care for them and their babies.","AnswerDate":"2015-07-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-07-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304321,"EventID":"S4W-26155","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1932,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":117,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-18T16:47:58.987","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-16T16:25:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether its review of delivering best quality care for mothers and babies will look at the care received by families who have a (a) high risk and (b) multiple pregnancy.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government’s review of maternity and neonatal care aims to examine choice, quality and safety of maternity and neonatal services in light of current evidence and practice, in consultation with the workforce, NHS boards and service users and make recommendations for a Scottish model of care that contributes to the government's aims of patient centred care which provides the right care for every woman and baby every time and giving all children the best start in life.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-07-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-07-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304322,"EventID":"S4W-26183","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-18T16:47:59.487","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-17T18:23:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how often inspections are carried out (a) on levels of sea lice, (b) on levels of pollutants surrounding fish farms, (c) of fish entering the food chain and (d) of the effect of fish farming on wild salmon.","AnswerText":"(a) Marine Scotland’s fish health inspectorate monitors sea lice on fish farms through a programme of sea lice inspections and enhanced sea lice inspections. A basic sea lice inspection is conducted whenever aquaculture facilities in seawater are visited, an enhanced inspection is completed in cases where elevated lice numbers have been observed, reported or the site is considered to be at greater risk of elevated sea lice numbers. The number of inspections carried out is noted in the following table:\r\n\r\n\r\n2008\r\n2009\r\n2010\r\n2011\r\n2012\r\n2013\r\n2014\r\n2015 (to date)\r\nBasic Inspection\r\n24\r\n250\r\n188\r\n122\r\n90\r\n106\r\n86\r\n52\r\nEnhanced Inspection\r\n2\r\n22\r\n7\r\n10\r\n27\r\n14\r\n29\r\n14\r\n(b) The Scottish Environmental Protection Agency (SEPA) is responsible for the regulation and monitoring of pollution in the environment arising from fish farming and other sectors. Marine cage fish farms are subject to a system of inspections to determine compliance with conditions in licences issued under the Water Environment (Controlled Activities) (Scotland) Regulations 2011. These conditions are imposed in order to ensure the protection of the environment. Such inspections are ordinarily undertaken on two occasions per year in connection with each authorised marine cage fish farm site and will typically involve an inspection of the cage site and/or potentially any associated shore base plus an inspection of records held at the operating company offices.\r\nIn addition to these inspections, marine cage fish farm sites are subject to formal monitoring requirements with operators being required to undertake monitoring of the seabed to show the seabed conditions at each farm being during each growth cycle. A salmon growth cycle lasts around 20 to 22 months and the monitoring must be undertaken when the level of stock in the site is at or close to the maximum permitted – normally in the second year of the growth cycle. The monitoring work is typically undertaken by consultants employed by the fish farm operating company with the results being reported to SEPA. SEPA assesses each survey and classifies the quality of seabed conditions based on compliance with published standards. \r\nIn addition to these self-monitoring surveys commissioned by farm operators, SEPA carries out audit work related to seabed monitoring on a small number of sites, perhaps 5 to15 sites annually. Some of these surveys involve SEPA taking samples and analysing these or using other techniques such as accompanying the fish farmer and their consultants to assess the veracity of their survey and sampling methodology. \r\n(c) Inspections of farms producing fish for human consumption are carried out by local authorities according to the Food Law Code of Practice (Scotland) under the food establishment rating scheme which determines inspection frequency based on risk.\r\n(d) There are no inspections made of the effect of fish farming on wild salmon in Scotland. Marine and freshwater fish farms are authorised by local authorities under the Town and Country Planning Act 1997. Prior to determining an application, the local authority conduct a detailed assessment of the potential impacts of the proposal on the environment, including wild salmonids, and will seek advice from statutory consultees (including SEPA, Scottish Natural Heritage and the local district salmon fishery board). The Scottish Government is also working with Scotland’s salmon farming industry and representatives of the wild salmon sector on a strategic programme of further research that includes a study to explore any impacts of sea lice from fish farming in Scotland.","AnswerDate":"2015-07-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-07-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen McLeod","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304323,"EventID":"S4W-26188","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2135,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":92,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-18T16:48:00.093","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-18T10:27:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-25968 by Derek MacKay on 11 June 2015, whether it is aware (a) that the population of Lismore is below 200, (b) of the number of vehicles on the island and that the majority of those vehicles run on diesel, (c) that there is a lack of secure storage for 12,000 litres of petrol on the island and (d) how long it would take to use up 12,000 litres of petrol on the island.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is aware of the unique challenges facing those who live, work and do business in Scotland’s remote and island communities. That is why we continue to support and improve ferry services to those communities. Transport Scotland meets regularly with CalMac to discuss a range of issues under the terms of the Public Service Contract between Scottish Ministers and CalMac. CalMac has been in discussion with the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) for a number of months with regards to the fitting of a suitable secure petrol can stowage facility onboard the MV Loch Striven. This design was approved by the MCA on 19 June 2015 and fitted on 22 June 2015. This will allow Lismore residents to transport petrol safely on the MV Loch Striven in line with the previous practice on the MV Eigg as soon as the final installation is approved by the MCA which is anticipated shortly.","AnswerDate":"2015-07-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-07-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304324,"EventID":"S4W-26189","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2135,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":92,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-18T16:48:00.687","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-18T10:27:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-25968 by Derek MacKay on 11 June 2015, when it was made aware that the Loch Striven would be fitted with a cage to allow the safe carriage of petrol cans to Lismore and for what reason that information was not included in the answer.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-26188 on 6 July 2015. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at: \r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx","AnswerDate":"2015-07-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-07-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304325,"EventID":"S4W-26190","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2135,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":92,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-18T16:48:01.14","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-18T10:41:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-25968 by Derek MacKay on 11 June 2015, what communications it has had with (a) Caledonian MacBrayne and (b) the Lismore community about the issue of small-scale petrol supplies to the island and when.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-26188 on 6 July 2015. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at: \r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx","AnswerDate":"2015-07-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-07-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304326,"EventID":"S4W-26197","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5057,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-18T16:48:01.577","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-18T15:22:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it will launch its consultation on how the dispensation on the time-bar on civil cases involving historic child sex abuse is used.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government consultation which proposes the removal of the three year limitation period from civil actions for damages raised by survivors of historical child abuse was published on 25 June 2015. The consultation runs until 18 September 2015 and can be viewed at: http://www.gov.scot/Publications/2015/06/5970","AnswerDate":"2015-07-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-07-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Paul Wheelhouse","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304333,"EventID":"S4W-26209","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":2,"MSPID":4939,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":78,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-19T09:40:20.74","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-19T08:58:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has for the future of forestry.","AnswerText":"The forestry sector is important to Scotland because of its contribution to our economy and the wider social and environmental benefits that our forests provide. Forestry is already a devolved matter and forestry policy in Scotland is determined by Scottish Ministers, but the management of our national forest estate and other forestry functions are still provided by the cross-border Forestry Commission, with the powers and duties in relation to those functions resting with the Forestry Commissioners. I believe that now is a good time to complete the devolution of the arrangements for the management of forestry in Scotland by agreeing a transfer of Forestry Commissioners’ powers and duties, as they relate to Scotland, to Scottish Ministers. We have agreed with the UK Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs that officials will work jointly to consider options for taking this forward and I will announce further details of this work in due course.","AnswerDate":"2015-06-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-07-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen McLeod","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304334,"EventID":"S4W-26210","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":2,"MSPID":3759,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":80,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-19T09:40:21.58","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-19T09:09:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what decisions it has taken following the announcement that it would not proceed with the planned prison for women at HMP Inverclyde.","AnswerText":"When I announced in January 2015 my decision not to proceed with HMP Inverclyde as a large national prison for women, I said that it did not fit with my vision of how a modern and progressive country should be addressing female offending and that we needed a bolder, more radical and ambitious approach in Scotland. \r\nFollowing a period of dialogue with national and international experts and local engagement, the Scottish Government has decided that there will be a new small national prison for women on the current site of HMP Cornton Vale, accommodating around 80 women, and five small community-based custodial units across Scotland which will each provide around 20 places. The new units will provide accommodation and support appropriate to the needs of women offenders and help them maintain links with their communities.\r\nThis will deliver 180 new high quality gender specific places for women in addition to the 50 we already have at the recently opened HMP Grampian. Alongside this, elements of the existing female estate will be adapted or decommissioned over time. These proposals offer greater flexibility in seeking to shift from custodial to community-based solutions and are closer to the spirit of the recommendations of the Angiolini Commission on Women Offenders (2012). \r\nWhilst providing these new gender specific custodial facilities for women, I am also determined to reduce the use of custody in line with the principles set out in the report of the Scottish Prisons Commission (2008) that we should “target the use of prison where it can be most effective – in punishing serious crime and protecting the public”.\r\nWe will work with partners to increase the use of community disposals such as electronic monitoring with enhanced support provided in the community. We will increase investment in community based services both for those diverted from prosecution and serving community sentences – this includes the £1.5 million investment in services for women announced earlier in 2015. \r\nWe will consult on proposals to further strengthen the presumption against ineffective short-term prison sentences.\r\nThe Scottish Government is determined to reduce the number of receptions into custody each year for men and women. Using improvement methodology and working with a small number of pathfinder sites, we will work closely with local partners to test the most effective ways of reducing the use of remand and short-term sentences.\r\nThis ambitious vision offers the best potential to turn around the growth over the past decade in the female prison population, to offer effective alternatives to custody and to further reduce rates of reoffending.","AnswerDate":"2015-06-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-07-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304343,"EventID":"S4W-26158","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-19T14:27:04.937","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-16T16:49:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what funding it provides to the Scottish Environment Protection Agency to carry out site inspections following onshore energy developments.","AnswerText":"Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) activities are funded through a combination of grant-in-aid support and charging to recover economic costs of its regulatory actions. These support SEPA’s delivery of its statutory obligations with regard to the delivery of the relevant regulatory requirements.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-07-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-07-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen McLeod","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304344,"EventID":"S4W-26159","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-19T14:27:06.06","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-16T16:49:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government who is responsible for silt mitigation in relation to freshwater pearl mussel beds during the development of energy projects and how the process is funded.","AnswerText":"Managing the potential environmental impacts of energy or other projects is the responsibility of the individual developer who will be required to ensure that appropriate mitigation measures are undertaken.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-07-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-07-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen McLeod","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304345,"EventID":"S4W-26160","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-19T14:27:07.12","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-16T16:49:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government who is responsible for (a) monitoring and (b) enforcing planning conditions relating to onshore windfarm developments and hydro schemes and whether ring-fenced funding is provided for this purpose.","AnswerText":"Planning authorities are responsible for (a) monitoring and (b) enforcing planning conditions relating to onshore windfarms and hydro schemes. It is for the landowner, unless otherwise specified, to ensure that the conditions of consent for development on their land are accorded with.\r\nFunding is not ring-fenced for these purposes but comes from the general local government settlement.","AnswerDate":"2015-06-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-07-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304346,"EventID":"S4W-26161","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-19T14:27:08.197","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-16T16:49:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it can ensure that all habitat management plans for energy developments include all protected (a) species and (b) sites.","AnswerText":"Scottish Ministers have responsibility under the Electricity Act 1989 for electricity generation stations that are greater than 50MW, including wind farms of that scale, and those applications that are less than 50MW are determined by planning authorities.\r\nThere is a range of statutory powers, consenting controls, management tools, procedures and guidance that are used to ensure that wind farm developments have no adverse effects on protected species or sites.\r\nHabitat management plans (HMPs) are one such management tool and Scottish Natural Heritage has published guidance on what to consider and include. Not all HMPs have to refer to protected species and sites, unless there is a specific reason to do so. In general, effects on protected species and sites will be picked up in the planning process and dealt with through mitigation. HMPs are then used to address any remaining issues, or to secure habitat enhancement, and it is not always necessary for them to cover all species/protected sites.","AnswerDate":"2015-07-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-07-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304347,"EventID":"S4W-26162","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-19T14:27:09.197","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-16T16:49:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what is being done to broaden the evidence base for psychological therapies in terms of early diagnosis and access to support to prevent mild and moderate depression becoming severe and chronic.","AnswerText":"NHS Education for Scotland (NES) is supporting NHS boards to increase access to psychological intervention at an early stage in the patient journey by training a range of staff to deliver evidence-based low intensity psychological interventions. These are now widely available, and include cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT)-based guided self-help and behavioural activation.\r\nNES support training in CBT, which has been shown to reduce relapse rates in depression when compared to medication alone. NES also support training in mindfulness-based cognitive therapy, which also reduces relapse rates in depression. These two high intensity interventions can, therefore, help prevent a chronic illness from developing.","AnswerDate":"2015-07-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-07-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304348,"EventID":"S4W-26163","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-19T14:27:10.24","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-16T16:49:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what is being done to promote training for postgraduate qualifications relating to visual impairments, including in Braille.","AnswerText":"In Scotland, the responsibility for ensuring that teachers are appropriately trained under the Requirements for Teachers (Scotland) Regulations 2005, rests with education authorities.\r\nTo support this, the Scottish Government funds the Scottish Sensory Centre to provide high-quality continuous professional learning and development. The Scottish Government provide the Scottish Sensory Centre with a grant (£150,000 for 2014-15, 2015-16 and 2016-17) to support teachers of deaf, visually impaired and deaf-blind pupils.\r\nThe University of Edinburgh delivers a postgraduate programme in 'Additional Support for Learning (Visual Impairment)' aimed at the professional development of teachers working with children and young people who have a visual impairment.","AnswerDate":"2015-07-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-07-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304349,"EventID":"S4W-26164","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-19T14:27:11.3","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-16T17:46:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what development checks are carried out on children up to the age of five.","AnswerText":"A development review is carried out at 27 to 30 months. There are opportunities to discuss development at the six to eight week health review and at the two months, three months, four months, 12 to 13 months and three to five years immunisation contacts. Vision screening takes place in the pre-school year, with the exception of one health board where it takes place in Primary One.","AnswerDate":"2015-07-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-07-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304350,"EventID":"S4W-26165","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-19T14:27:12.533","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-16T17:46:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how often children under five are screened for development in (a) verbal, (b) motor, (c) social and (d) other skills expected in this age range.","AnswerText":"Health reviews are carried out within the first 24 hours and within the first 10 days of life. Motor, social and other skills development are reviewed at six to eight weeks; verbal, motor, social and other skills are reviewed at 27 to 30 months, and there are opportunities to discuss development in these skills at the immunisation contacts at two months, three months, four months, 12 to 13 months and three to five years. Vision screening takes place in the pre-school year, with the exception of one health board where it takes place in Primary One.","AnswerDate":"2015-07-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-07-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304351,"EventID":"S4W-26166","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-19T14:27:13.673","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-16T17:46:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when national pay bargaining will be in place for lecturers in further education.","AnswerText":"In recent discussions with stakeholders, Ministers have again made clear their commitment to national bargaining. Employers and staff representatives have made good progress in putting in place the necessary structures and processes for national bargaining. I understand that these arrangements will be up and running soon.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-07-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-07-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304352,"EventID":"S4W-26167","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-19T14:27:14.763","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-16T17:46:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether all further education lecturers will be paid an equal salary for equal responsibilities, regardless of where they work.","AnswerText":"Ministers remain firmly committed to the introduction of national bargaining. I am encouraged by progress towards harmonisation at a regional level, following the recent programme of mergers. Additionally, employers and staff representatives are putting in place the necessary structures and processes for national bargaining. I understand that these arrangements will be up and running soon.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-07-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-07-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304353,"EventID":"S4W-26168","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-19T14:27:16.293","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-16T17:46:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the pension deficit or surplus is for each public sector organisation.","AnswerText":"Full actuarial valuations of the Scottish NHS, teachers’, police and firefighters’ pension schemes, based on pension scheme data as at 31 March 2012 have recently concluded. Reports of those valuations by the Government Actuary’s Department (GAD), together with supporting papers (such as on data, methodology and assumptions) are published on the Scottish Public Pensions Agency’s (SPPA’s) website: sppa.gov.uk and have been lodged with SPICe.\r\n\r\nRequired under the UK Government’s Public Service Pensions Act 2013 these actuarial valuations measure the cost of benefits being provided in these ‘unfunded’ pension schemes under a methodology set out by HM Treasury via The Public Service Pensions (Valuations and Employer Cost Cap) Directions 2014. As required by those directions, the valuation reports set out GAD’s assessment of notional scheme assets against accrued scheme liabilities and therefore the notional pension scheme deficit/surplus under that methodology. The treasury directions also require employer contribution rates payable to each scheme from April 2015 to be adjusted to take account of the notional deficit/surplus.\r\nFunding valuations of each of the eleven pension funds which comprise the Local Government Pension Scheme in Scotland have also recently concluded. Reports of each of these valuations are available from each of the administering authorities for those funds, whose website addresses are:\r\nStrathclyde Pension Fund: http://www.spfo.org.uk\r\nLothian Pension Fund: http://www.lpf.org.uk\r\nNorth East Scotland Pension Fund: http://www.nespf.org.uk\r\nTayside Superannuation Fund: http://www.dundeecity.gov.uk/pensions\r\nScottish Borders Pension Fund: http://www.scotborders.gov.uk/pensions\r\nDumfries and Galloway Pension Fund: http://www.dumgal.gov.uk/\r\nFalkirk Council Pension Fund: http://www.falkirkpensionfund.org\r\nFife Council Pension Fund: fifedirect.org.uk\r\nHighland Council Pension Fund: http://www.highlandpensionfund.org/\r\nOrkney Islands Pension Fund: http://www.orkney.gov.uk\r\nShetland Islands Pension Fund: http://www.shetland.gov.uk","AnswerDate":"2015-07-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-07-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304354,"EventID":"S4W-26192","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3759,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":80,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-19T14:27:17.65","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-18T11:47:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what guidance it issues about the benefits of taking out travel insurance when travelling abroad.","AnswerText":"The need for independent travel insurance is set out on the website of NHS inform, the national information arm of NHS 24, at: \r\nhttp://www.nhsinform.co.uk/health-library/articles/t/travel-health/facts/","AnswerDate":"2015-07-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-07-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304355,"EventID":"S4W-26193","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3759,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":80,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-19T14:27:18.43","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-18T11:47:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what guidance it issues about the benefits of holding a European Health Insurance Card when travelling within the European Economic Area.","AnswerText":"The benefits of holding the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) are set out on the website of NHS inform, the national information arm of NHS 24, at: \r\nhttp://www.nhsinform.co.uk/health-library/articles/t/travel-health/facts/\r\nThe EHIC, which is free, can be used throughout the European Economic Area and Switzerland to obtain state medical treatment without charge, or at a reduced cost, if it becomes necessary due to illness or accident during a short-term visit, preventing the need to curtail the trip. The EHIC, however, is not a substitute for travel insurance.\r\nAccess to the EHIC is just one of the positive outcomes resulting from Scotland’s EU membership. The Scottish Government is committed to making the positive case for the EU and highlighted many of these positive results, including the EHIC, in the leaflet The Benefits of Scotland’s EU Membership which can be accessed here: \r\nwww.gov.scot/Europe","AnswerDate":"2015-07-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-07-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304356,"EventID":"S4W-26194","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-19T14:27:19.243","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-18T13:23:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what research it has undertaken on the cost effectiveness of prescriptions issued in hospital for patients on discharge.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has not undertaken specific research on the cost-effectiveness of prescriptions issued in hospital for patients on discharge.\r\nAll NHS Boards in Scotland use local joint formularies which recommend use of the same medicines for both primary and secondary care. The choice for inclusion of a medicine in these local formularies is based on its safety, clinical effectiveness and cost-effectiveness. Prescribing compliance with NHS Board local joint formularies is encouraged for all clinicians, whether in primary or secondary care. The principle of a shared list of recommended medicines helps to ensure that patients receive continuation of essential treatment at all interfaces of care, including hospital admission and discharge.","AnswerDate":"2015-07-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-07-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304357,"EventID":"S4W-26195","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-19T14:27:19.973","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-18T13:23:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what percentage of medicines prescribed by hospital doctors for use after discharge is generic.","AnswerText":"The information requested is not available centrally.\r\nThe Scottish Government supports the appropriate use of approved name (generic) prescribing, an approach which is promoted by NHS Board Area Drug and Therapeutics Committees. NHS Board local joint formularies are built on this principle, which applies to both primary and secondary care medicines. The use of approved name prescribing helps ensure the supply of essential medicines for patients and is central to deriving value for money for the NHS on the cost of medicines.","AnswerDate":"2015-07-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-07-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304358,"EventID":"S4W-26204","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2135,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":92,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-19T14:27:21.287","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-18T17:20:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what work (a) Transport Scotland or (b) Caledonian Maritime Assets Ltd has undertaken to balance carrying capacity with length in plans for new vessels for the CalMac routes in order to avoid substantial new expenditure on modifications to piers and harbours as a result of the introduction of very long vessels.","AnswerText":"The targeted carrying capacity of the proposed vessels was outlined by CalMac Ferries Limited on the basis of an analysis of forecast demand. Caledonian Maritime Assets Ltd’s invitation to tender requires a vessel design that can accommodate these capacities within the length, breadth and draft restrictions on a number of routes.\r\nThe various shipyard designs submitted in response are being evaluated.\r\nThe vessels specified cannot be described as “very long” when compared to existing CalMac vessels.","AnswerDate":"2015-07-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-07-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304359,"EventID":"S4W-26205","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2135,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":92,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-19T14:27:22.02","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-18T17:20:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-25869 by Derek MacKay on 10 June 2015, whether it will list the 15 piers and harbours that the planned new vessels can serve without, or with only minimal, modification.","AnswerText":"The 15 ports under consideration are as follows:\r\nArdrossan\r\nBrodick*\r\nCastlebay\r\nColl\r\nCraignure\r\nGourock\r\nLochboisdale\r\nLochmaddy\r\nOban Number 1 berth*\r\nOban Number 2 berth\r\nStornoway\r\nTarbert\r\nTiree\r\nUig\r\nUllapool\r\n*After planned works","AnswerDate":"2015-07-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-07-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304360,"EventID":"S4W-26206","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2135,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":92,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-19T14:27:22.72","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-18T17:20:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-25867 by Derek MacKay on 10 June 2015, whether, prior to the procurement of these vessels, it will publish an estimate of the cost of the work required to upgrade existing piers and harbours to allow the vessels to serve the (a) 15 piers and harbours requiring no or only minor modification and (b) other piers and harbours on the CalMac route that can accommodate only vessels of a length of (i) 90m, (ii) 80m and (iii) 70m.","AnswerText":"The objective of the specification for the new vessels was to meet forecast carrying capacities for passengers, vehicles and freight without the need for major harbour works. It was therefore anticipated that shoreside costs linked directly to the introduction of new vessels would be minimised and covered by existing budget allocations.\r\nPrior to any contract award, Caledonian Maritime Assets Ltd will ascertain that the new vessels will be suitable for the existing piers and harbours on the routes identified for their initial deployment. Minor modifications may be needed but it will not be possible to specify those, or their costs, until a vessel design has been finalised with the successful shipyard.\r\nThe cost of upgrading piers and harbours that cannot currently accommodate a vessel of 100m in length will be looked at in a forthcoming phase of the vessel replacement plan.","AnswerDate":"2015-07-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-07-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304361,"EventID":"S4W-26207","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2135,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":92,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-19T14:27:23.47","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-18T17:20:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-25870 by Derek MacKay on 10 June 2015, what deeper water ports the proposed new vessels being procured by Caledonian Maritime Assets Ltd will serve; what emerging technologies will feature on those vessels, and what steps are being taken to ensure that they will (a) reduce fuel consumption, (b) minimise emissions and (c) drive down operating costs.","AnswerText":"CalMac Ferries Ltd has requested that the new vessels operate initially on Uig Triangle (Uig to Tarbert to Lochmaddy) and to Arran (Ardrossan to Brodick).\r\nTenderers were required in preparing their bids to consider the reliability required of a lifeline vessel in terms of sea keeping, manoeuvring, mechanical redundancy and machinery availability and also the environmental benefits these vessels are aiming to achieve through careful design, maximising efficiencies, new technologies and innovations. Caledonian Maritime Assets Ltd is scrutinising, clarifying and evaluating the bids submitted to ensure that the optimum design specification including new technologies and innovations are incorporated to maximise the vessel effectiveness and efficiency.\r\nEmissions are directly related to fuel consumption for the same type of fuel. For example, a 20% reduction in fuel consumption will result in a 20% reduction of CO2, SOx, NOx and particulate matter. An important element to drive down direct operating costs relates to the fuel consumption. Consequently, a key aspect of the vessel design is reducing fuel consumption and emission levels through use of new technologies and innovations.","AnswerDate":"2015-07-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-07-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304362,"EventID":"S4W-26208","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-19T14:27:24.157","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-18T18:04:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will implement single-dose perioperative intrabeam radiotherapy to replace 15-session postoperative radiotherapy in the treatment of breast cancer in women as is routine in the US, France, Germany and Australia.","AnswerText":"The UK National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE) is currently reviewing the evidence on the use of single-dose perioperative intrabeam radiotherapy in the treatment of breast cancer. We understand that the appraisal committee will meet on 26 August 2015 to consider the evidence further with a view to publication later this year.\r\n\r\nNHS Healthcare Improvement Scotland (NHS HIS) have responsibility for alerting NHSScotland of the publication of NICE guidance and for advising on its applicability in Scotland.\r\nUntil this NICE guidance is published and HIS has advised on its applicability here, we expect clinicians to follow existing guidelines on the treatment of breast cancer.","AnswerDate":"2015-06-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-07-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304363,"EventID":"S4W-26211","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-19T14:27:24.873","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-19T09:59:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-25981 by Fiona McLeod on 19 June 2015, which other local authorities have negotiated payments.","AnswerText":"Sixty six claims were intimated, including court actions raised, in respect of former residents of Kerelaw Residential School. Glasgow City Council paid out settlement in 30 of the cases which amounted to £223,826.95 including court expenses.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-07-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-07-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fiona McLeod","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304366,"EventID":"S4W-26212","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2394,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-19T15:34:21.847","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-19T13:01:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what modelling it has done of the combined economic impact of measures outlined in its document, Further Devolution beyond the Smith Commission.","AnswerText":"The purpose of devolving powers is to allow future Scottish Governments and parliaments to pursue their own policies aimed at Scottish circumstances and priorities at the time. The Scottish Government has set out proposals for a set of powers that would provide future Scottish Governments and Parliaments with the opportunity to design and deliver coherent approaches to issues such as promoting economic growth, supporting people into employment and addressing inequality. Specific policy proposals will depend on the powers that are devolved to the Scottish Parliament and the choices of future Scottish Governments. Appropriate economic, revenue and impact assessments will be undertaken in developing those policy specifics.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-07-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-07-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304367,"EventID":"S4W-26213","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2394,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-19T15:34:22.687","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-19T13:01:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what economic assessment it has made of the impact of targeted reductions in corporation tax in Scotland.","AnswerText":"As set out in Further Devolution beyond the Smith Commission, the Scottish Government considers that full responsibility for corporation tax would allow the Scottish Government to tailor the tax system to reflect the specific competitive strengths and challenges in the Scottish economy. Specific policy proposals will depend on the powers that are devolved to the Scottish Parliament and the choices of future Scottish Governments. Appropriate economic, revenue and impact assessments will be undertaken in developing those policy specifics.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-07-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-07-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304368,"EventID":"S4W-26214","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2394,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-19T15:34:23.39","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-19T13:01:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the impact on tax revenue of targeted reductions in corporation tax in Scotland.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-26213 on 7 July 2015. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at:\r\n\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx","AnswerDate":"2015-07-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-07-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304369,"EventID":"S4W-26215","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2394,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-19T15:34:24.153","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-19T13:01:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the impact of targeted corporation tax reductions in Scotland on tackling (a) austerity and (b) inequality.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-26213 on 7 July 2015. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at: \r\n\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx","AnswerDate":"2015-07-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-07-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304370,"EventID":"S4W-26216","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2394,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-19T15:34:24.81","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-19T13:01:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what economic assessment it has made of proposals to increase the national minimum wage in Scotland.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government believes that with responsibility for the minimum wage the Scottish Parliament could address low pay and in-work poverty and give employers and workers incentives to invest in skills, increasing productivity.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-07-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-07-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304371,"EventID":"S4W-26217","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2394,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-19T15:34:25.417","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-19T13:01:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the impact of separating proposals to increase the national minimum wage in Scotland from the recommendations of the Low Pay Commission.","AnswerText":"The Low Pay Commission makes recommendations on a UK basis. Its recommendations to the UK Government are not specifically tailored to the needs of Scotland. Any national minimum wage introduced in Scotland would take account of Scottish circumstances, and would be informed by the commitment this government places on supporting inclusive growth and tackling inequality.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-07-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-07-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304372,"EventID":"S4W-26218","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2394,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-19T15:34:26.027","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-19T13:01:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the impact on public spending of an annual growth in the national minimum wage in Scotland of 5.5%. ","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has repeatedly called on the UK Government to raise the minimum wage and is committed to increasing the pay of those on the lowest wages in the public sector. This commitment has included supporting the living wage in our public sector pay policy since 2011 - a decisive long term commitment to those on the lowest incomes. \r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-07-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-07-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304373,"EventID":"S4W-26219","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2394,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-19T15:34:26.65","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-19T13:01:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what additional cost would be incurred by public bodies in Scotland if the national minimum wage were set at £8.70.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-26218 on 7 July 2015. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:\r\n\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.","AnswerDate":"2015-07-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-07-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304374,"EventID":"S4W-26220","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2394,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-19T15:34:27.303","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-19T13:01:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what economic assessment it has made of the impact of reductions in employer national insurance contributions.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government would like to see a reduction in the burden of employer national insurance contributions particularly for small businesses. One way of introducing this is to make the employer’s allowance more generous or linked to companies paying the living wage. Any changes in employer national insurance contributions would be part of a cohesive package of measures to boost sustainable economic growth in Scotland. Appropriate economic assessment will be undertaken once the policy specifics can be set out following the devolution of these powers.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-07-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-07-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304375,"EventID":"S4W-26221","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2394,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-19T15:34:27.96","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-19T13:01:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the impact of reductions in employer national insurance contributions on tax revenue.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-26220 on 7 July 2015. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at:\r\n\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.","AnswerDate":"2015-07-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-07-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304376,"EventID":"S4W-26222","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2394,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-19T15:34:28.71","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-19T13:01:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the cost of removing the seven day waiting period for benefits claims in Scotland.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-26212 on 7 July 2015. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:\r\n\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.","AnswerDate":"2015-07-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-07-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Burgess","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304377,"EventID":"S4W-26223","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2394,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-19T15:34:29.427","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-19T13:01:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the impact on tax revenue of increasing the lower earning rate for national insurance contributions.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-26220 on 7 July 2015. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at:\r\n\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.","AnswerDate":"2015-07-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-07-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304378,"EventID":"S4W-26224","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2394,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-19T15:34:30.16","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-19T13:01:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what reduction in tax revenue would result from matching the lower earning rate for national insurance contributions to the (a) existing and (b) planned personal allowance rates for income tax.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-26220 on 7 July 2015. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at:\r\n\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.","AnswerDate":"2015-07-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-07-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304379,"EventID":"S4W-26225","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2394,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-19T15:34:30.86","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-19T13:01:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the effect on tax revenues of increasing the employment allowance for national insurance contributions.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-26220 on 7 July 2015. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at:\r\n\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.","AnswerDate":"2015-07-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-07-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304380,"EventID":"S4W-26227","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2394,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-19T15:34:31.61","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-19T13:01:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the impact on (a) productivity and (b) employers of increasing rights to flexible working in Scotland.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government fully recognises the importance of fair work and understands that for both employees and employers, flexible working is an important part of this.\r\n\r\nIn line with this we have established the independent Fair Work Convention which will promote key fair work principals – including flexible and innovative working practices.\r\nThe Fair Work Convention will provide independent advice to the Scottish Government on matters including progressive workforce policies which improve productivity and innovation, greater workplace democracy, employee voice and commitment and an increased focus on workplace equality issues across the private, public and third sectors.","AnswerDate":"2015-07-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-07-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Roseanna Cunningham","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304381,"EventID":"S4W-26228","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2394,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-19T15:34:32.42","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-19T13:01:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the impact on tax revenue of targeted reductions in capital gains tax in Scotland.","AnswerText":"As set out in Further devolution beyond the Smith Commission, the Scottish Government believes that full responsibility for capital gains tax could be used to create targeted tax incentives to boost entrepreneurship to redress Scotland’s lower rates of entrepreneurship and business start-up. Specific policy proposals will depend on the powers that are devolved to the Scottish Parliament and the choices of future Scottish Governments. Appropriate economic, revenue and impact assessments will be undertaken in developing those policy specifics.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-07-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-07-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304382,"EventID":"S4W-26229","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2394,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-19T15:34:33.233","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-19T13:01:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the impact of targeted reductions in capital gains tax in Scotland on tackling (a) austerity and (b) inequality.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to the question S4W-26228 on 7 July 2015. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at:\r\n\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.","AnswerDate":"2015-07-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-07-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304383,"EventID":"S4W-26230","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4938,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-19T15:34:33.887","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-19T15:08:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the average cost is of delivering one hour of childcare in a (a) state and (b) private nursery.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Local Government Financial Statistics published each February set out final outturn gross revenue expenditure by Scottish local authorities on preschool education. The latest publication covers gross revenue expenditure for the financial year 2013-14 and is available at the following link: http://www.gov.scot/Publications/2015/02/3131.\r\n\r\nThis expenditure includes spend on the statutory free preschool entitlement, along with some non-statutory provision of early learning and childcare and spend on free and subsidised school meals in preschool settings. The breakdowns in this publication do not distinguish spend on local authority provision from spend on partner provider provision.","AnswerDate":"2015-07-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-07-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fiona McLeod","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304385,"EventID":"S4W-26198","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2112,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":102,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-22T13:46:51.147","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-18T16:14:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether its objection to prisoner franchise is on the basis of lack of powers or principle and, if principle, whether it is compatible with the decisions of the European Court of Human Rights.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Parliament does not currently have the legislative competence to change the position on prisoner voting. Once the Scotland Bill delivers the Smith recommendation to transfer all powers to the Scottish Parliament in relation to elections to the Scottish Parliament and local government elections in Scotland it will be for this Parliament to consider all of the relevant franchise issues. The Scottish Government has no current proposals to amend the rules on prisoner voting. The Scottish Government has noted relevant decisions of the European Court of Human Rights and becomes aware of such decisions when they are published.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-07-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-07-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304386,"EventID":"S4W-26199","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2112,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":102,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-22T13:46:52.003","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-18T16:14:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether its (a) support for and (b) commitment to the Human Rights Act 1998 is conditional and, if so, on what.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to motion S4M-11484, of 11 November 2014, moved by Roseanna Cunningham on behalf of the Scottish Government and agreed to by members of four out of five of the political parties represented in this Parliament.\r\nThe motion makes clear that the Human Rights Act 1998 provides a successful and effective implementation in domestic law of rights enumerated in the European Convention on Human Rights. As such, it should enjoy the unequivocal backing of all who are committed to upholding human rights, democracy and the rule of law.\r\nThat remains the position of the Scottish Government.","AnswerDate":"2015-07-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-07-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304387,"EventID":"S4W-26200","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2112,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":102,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-22T13:46:52.77","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-18T16:14:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it (a) accepts and (b) considers itself bound in (i) law and (ii) spirit by the decisions of the European Court of Human Rights.","AnswerText":"As a High Contracting Party to the European Convention on Human Rights, the United Kingdom has undertaken to abide by the final judgment of the court in any case to which it is a party. That obligation is binding in international law.\r\nWithin the United Kingdom, the devolved administrations have lead responsibility for observing and implementing relevant treaty obligations, where these relate to devolved matters.\r\nAs a matter of domestic law, the Scottish Government, in common with other public authorities, must not act in a manner that is incompatible with the Convention Rights identified in the Human Rights Act 1998. In determining whether any particular action is incompatible, the Scottish Courts are required to take account of the judgments and other decisions of the European Court of Human Rights.","AnswerDate":"2015-07-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-07-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304388,"EventID":"S4W-26201","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2112,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":102,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-22T13:46:53.517","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-18T16:14:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it became aware of the decisions of the European Court on Human Rights on prisoner franchise. ","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-26198 on 7 July 2015 which is available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-07-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-07-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304389,"EventID":"S4W-26202","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2112,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":102,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-22T13:46:54.267","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-18T16:14:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether its objection to prisoner franchise is compatible with the decisions of the European Court on Human Rights and, if so, on what basis.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-26198 on 7 July 2015 which is available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-07-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-07-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304390,"EventID":"S4W-26203","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2112,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":102,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-22T13:46:55.11","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-18T16:19:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, if it had powers over the franchise under the Representation of the People Act 1983, whether it would comply with the decisions of the European Court of Human Rights on prisoner franchise and what the reasons are for its position on this matter.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-26198 on 7 July 2015 which is available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-07-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-07-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304391,"EventID":"S4W-26231","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2117,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-22T13:46:55.89","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-19T15:44:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government which (a) government directorate, (b) agency or (c) public body will have responsibility for planning decisions and appeals for the onshore aspects of underground coal gasification projects in Scotland.","AnswerText":"A planning application would be determined by the relevant planning authority. An appeal would be considered by the Directorate for Planning and Environmental Appeals. The Scottish Ministers have powers available to them to call-in any planning application for their own determination.","AnswerDate":"2015-07-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-07-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304392,"EventID":"S4W-26232","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-22T13:46:56.623","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-22T09:48:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its plans are for allocating the £40 million announced in November 2014 for the improvement and support of GP and primary care services.","AnswerText":"Over the next three years, £50 million will be invested to address immediate workload and recruitment issues, as well as putting in place long-term, sustainable change within primary care. In addition, £10 million of the already announced mental health fund will be invested in primary care mental health services to encourage innovative ways of encouraging better identification and management of patients with mental health needs in the community.\r\nThis investment is our first step in ensuring our GP services are on a firm footing for the future. We will work with BMA Scotland and the Royal College of General Practitioners in Scotland and with professionals across the health service, as well as patients and the public, to redesign our primary care services. This £60 million fund has been expanded from the £40 million previously announced, expanding this to a three-year fund, rather than a one-off investment.\r\nWe will work constructively with the GP workforce to ensure services are fit for the future and meet the needs of the people of Scotland.","AnswerDate":"2015-07-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-07-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304393,"EventID":"S4W-26233","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-22T13:46:57.277","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-22T11:32:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4F-02890 by Nicola Sturgeon on 18 June 2015 (Official Report, c.20), what action it is taking to raise awareness of the dangers of diabetes among (a) the general public and (b) people at increased risk of developing the condition. ","AnswerText":"We want to ensure that people with diabetes are diagnosed as soon as possible and supported to manage their condition to minimise the risk of complications.\r\nThis is reflected in our Diabetes Improvement Plan, published in November 2014, which includes the prevention and early detection of diabetes as one of its main priorities.\r\nThe plan contains a specific action to develop and implement an appropriate framework for assessing the risk of diabetes for people currently undiagnosed to support early identification, diagnosis and treatment of diabetes. This framework will facilitate targeted lifestyle advice for those at highest risk and will be developed in line with the current evidence base including Scottish Intercollegiate Guideline Network guidelines 115 and 116.\r\nThis work will complement our wider health strategy to address the underlying risk factors associated with diabetes by reducing obesity, encouraging healthy eating and promote healthier living across Scotland.","AnswerDate":"2015-07-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-07-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304394,"EventID":"S4W-26234","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-22T13:46:57.933","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-22T12:37:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government for what reason the number of inpatient beds for children and adolescent mental health services at the South Glasgow University Hospital has been reduced from nine to six, following the transfer of the child inpatient psychiatric service from the Royal Hospital for Sick Children, Yorkhill.","AnswerText":"NHS National Services Scotland carried out a review of the national child inpatient psychiatry service (for children under the age of 12) in November 2014 (http://www.nsd.scot.nhs.uk/services/specserv/inpsych.html) and found that since 2009 the bed occupancy (excluding day patient beds) ranged from 47% in both 2009-10 and 2010-11 to 28% at its lowest in 2012-13. \r\nThe expert panel concluded that there was still a need for the facility but the number of beds should reduce from nine to six.","AnswerDate":"2015-07-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-07-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304395,"EventID":"S4W-26235","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-22T13:46:58.587","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-22T12:37:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what plans each NHS board has to increase the number of inpatient beds for children and adolescent mental health services.","AnswerText":"It is the responsibility of health boards to provide services appropriate to the needs of their local population. For adolescent inpatient beds, the boards collaborate in three regions and the bed base is as follows:\r\nUnit\r\n\r\nNumber of beds\r\nArea served\r\n\r\nRoyal Edinburgh Hospital\r\n12\r\nSouth East of Scotland (Lothian, Fife and Borders)\r\nSkye House, Stobhill, Glasgow\r\n24\r\nWest of Scotland (Greater Glasgow and Clyde, Forth Valley, Lanarkshire, Dumfries and Galloway and Ayrshire and Arran)\r\nDudhope House, Dundee\r\n12\r\n\r\nNorth of Scotland (Tayside, Grampian, Highland, Shetland, Orkney and Western Isles)\r\nChildren and young people referred to child and adolescent mental health services (CAMHS) will be generally treated in the community. There may however be times when it is necessary to admit them to hospital for specialist treatment. Should this be the case they would be admitted to one of the three regional CAMHS inpatient units.\r\nThere is a further six place unit for five to 12 years olds in the Royal Hospital for Sick Children in Glasgow. There are no current plans to increase the bed base of this service following a review of this service in November 2014 which found that since 2009 the bed occupancy (excluding day patient beds) ranged from 47% in both 2009-10 and 2010-11 to 28% at its lowest.","AnswerDate":"2015-07-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-07-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304396,"EventID":"S4T-01079","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":9,"MSPID":4080,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-22T12:34:03.727","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-22T11:21:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether the new women’s prison will comply with the recommendations of the Commission on Women Offenders.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":"2015-06-23T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304397,"EventID":"S4T-01081","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":9,"MSPID":2610,"Party":"Independent","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-22T12:34:05.567","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-22T11:38:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with Scottish Water regarding the pollution issues reported across North Lanarkshire.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":"2015-06-23T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304398,"EventID":"S4F-02894","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":2033,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":132,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-22T12:33:59.297","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-18T14:51:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister what engagements she has planned for the rest of the day.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-25T00:00:00","MeetingDate":"2015-06-25T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304399,"EventID":"S4F-02895","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":3763,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-22T12:34:00.56","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-22T09:39:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister what analysis the Scottish Government will make of the impact on foodbank usage as a result of Scotland’s share of the further £12 billion in welfare reductions announced by the UK Government.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-25T00:00:00","MeetingDate":"2015-06-25T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304400,"EventID":"S4F-02896","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":4976,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-22T12:34:01.387","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-22T09:52:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister when she will next meet the Secretary of State for Scotland.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-25T00:00:00","MeetingDate":"2015-06-25T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304401,"EventID":"S4F-02897","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":4080,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-22T12:34:02.12","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-22T10:25:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister what the Scottish Government’s response is to the finding by the Scottish Centre for Crime and Justice Research that in 2014-15 Police Scotland's use of stop and search remained \"unduly high\".","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-25T00:00:00","MeetingDate":"2015-06-25T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304402,"EventID":"S4F-02900","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":4984,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-22T12:34:04.817","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-22T11:33:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister whether the Scottish Government’s approach to regulation and licensing of the taxi market is focused on what is in the best interests of consumers.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-25T00:00:00","MeetingDate":"2015-06-25T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304403,"EventID":"S4F-02902","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-22T12:34:06.363","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-22T11:52:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister what the Scottish Government's position is on the concerns expressed by trade unions and others regarding the budget reductions that local authorities are facing.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-06-25T00:00:00","MeetingDate":"2015-06-25T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304418,"EventID":"S4W-26237","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1756,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":136,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-22T16:47:22.22","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-22T14:27:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on expanding the use of the “Solitaire” stent in people who have had an ischaemic stroke.","AnswerText":"New treatments which may increase positive outcomes for people who have suffered an ischaemic stroke are to be welcomed. Trials in clot retrieval are important in order to build a strong evidence base to ascertain whether this treatment is safe and effective.\r\n\r\nWe remain committed to exploring the options for this treatment, starting with looking at the trial evidence and the outcome of the assessment which we recently funded.","AnswerDate":"2015-07-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-07-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304419,"EventID":"S4W-26255","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2159,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":88,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-22T16:47:23.11","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-22T15:05:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on whether the Independent Press Standards Organisation should regulate the media in Scotland.","AnswerText":"We have established a Royal Charter on self-regulation of the press, which puts in place a recognition mechanism for a new press regulator that meets the Leveson criteria. It is now a matter for the press to establish a new regulator and to seek recognition. Our understanding is that the Independent Press Standards Organisation does not intend to seek recognition at this time.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-07-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-07-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fiona Hyslop","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304420,"EventID":"S4W-26256","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2159,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":88,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-22T16:47:23.92","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-22T15:05:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with the Independent Press Standards Organisation regarding the defamation of murder victims.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has had no discussion with the Independent Press Standards Organisation regarding the defamation of murder victims. \r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-07-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-07-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fiona Hyslop","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304421,"EventID":"S4W-26257","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5079,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-22T16:47:24.573","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-22T15:10:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will introduce measures that will enable local authorities, social workers and the police to apply to courts to ensure that any person whom they suspect of trying to take someone abroad for female genital mutilation purposes will be required to surrender their passport and other travel documents with immediate effect, in line with UK Government proposals.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government takes female genital mutilation (FGM) very seriously it is an unacceptable and illegal practice, a form of child abuse and violence against women, and a violation of the human rights of women and girls. The Scottish Government is firmly committed to working together with its partners across public and third sectors to do everything possible to effectively tackle and eventually eradicate it.\r\nIn deciding whether or not to introduce new legislative measures, the Scottish Government wants to ensure that:\r\nAny measures will meet the needs of potentially affected communities protection is as robust as it can be there is no duplication with existing legislation that can already be used to protect those at risk and there are no unintended consequences\r\nTherefore, to ensure that any new legislative proposals are right for Scotland, the Scottish Government is funding community based information gathering with a cross-section of potentially affected communities to ascertain their views on these provisions.\r\nThis work will produce a final research summary report by the end of this year and Scottish Ministers will take a decision on any prospective provisions based on its findings.","AnswerDate":"2015-07-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-07-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304422,"EventID":"S4W-26258","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2159,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":88,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-22T16:47:25.247","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-22T15:05:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on introducing a (a) register of restricted dog breeds and (b) dog licensing scheme.","AnswerText":"There is existing legislation that places severe restrictions on the owners of certain breeds/types of dog. The Dangerous Dogs Act 1991 (‘the 1991 Act’) provides for strict controls on types of dogs which were specifically bred for fighting i.e. the Pit Bull terrier, the Japanese Tosa, the Dogo Argentino and the Fila Braziliero. It requires the owners of such dogs to obtain a certificate from a court to enable them to retain the dogs. \r\nWe have no current plans to bring forward legislative changes to the list of prescribed dogs found in the 1991 Act. The Scottish Government’s overall approach is focused on the ‘deed not breed’ approach and we consider the owners of all dogs should take responsibility for the actions of their dogs rather than just owners of certain types of dogs.\r\nLast year’s consultation Promoting responsible dog ownership in Scotland: microchipping and other measures sought views on a range of possible measures to help promote responsible dog ownership, including whether to introduce a system of licensing. The consultation sought views on the principle of whether the introduction of a dog licensing system should be considered. The views of respondents were mixed with around one third (32%) of non-campaign respondents in favour of licensing and nearly half (46%) not in favour. The views offered in the consultation help inform the Scottish Government’s consideration of this issue, and if at any future stage the Scottish Government decided to introduce licensing, there would be a requirement to look at the practicalities in greater detail which would likely require a further consultation exercise to be undertaken.","AnswerDate":"2015-07-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-07-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Paul Wheelhouse","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304423,"EventID":"S4W-26260","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2159,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":88,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-22T16:47:25.873","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-22T15:05:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many registered sex offenders have been released from prison in each year since 2004, also broken down by (a) local authority area and (b) parliamentary (i) region and (ii) constituency.","AnswerText":"I have asked officials from across the justice sector to provide a response as no single area holds all the information that you have requested.\r\nThe Scottish Prison Service (SPS) management information system (PR2) includes details on whether someone is on the sex offenders’ register at the point of liberation. However, the information held by SPS may not reflect the true number of registered sex offenders liberated in each calendar year as some individuals subject to registration will be registered after they are released. This information forms part of an individual’s case management but details of this cannot be extracted without manually searching the individual cases.\r\nSPS cannot provide a breakdown of where sex offenders are released to in terms of local authorities and parliamentary area as the information held by SPS is not in this form.\r\nSince 2007 the responsible authorities in all areas of Scotland have a statutory duty to jointly establish arrangements for the assessment and management of the risks posed by registered sex offenders. These arrangements are known as the Multi Agency Public Protection Arrangements (MAPPA) and are supported by national guidance. The MAPPA areas are aligned with the eight community justice areas and all performance data relates to these geographical areas and the 14 police divisions. MAPPA data exists only from 2007 and registered sex offender release numbers is not one of the national performance management statistics.\r\nRegistered sex offenders are legally required to provide up to date details of where they are staying and this is recorded by the local authorities. Planning for the release of a registered sex offender begins at least 12 weeks in advance of the release date, and involves the SPS working in conjunction with community based partners to ensure that the offender is properly risk assessed and managed in the community at a level commensurate with the risk posed. The agencies can use a range of measures to monitor and manage a registered sex offender including surveillance, electronic tagging, curfews, and sex offender protection orders which now include positive obligations as well as prohibitions on where they can go, who they contact and what they must do.","AnswerDate":"2015-07-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-07-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304424,"EventID":"S4W-26261","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2159,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":88,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-22T16:47:26.543","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-22T15:05:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many registered sex offenders have been given tenancies by registered social landlords each year under the national accommodation strategy for sex offenders and how many went on to reoffend, also broken down by (a) local authority area and (b) parliamentary (i) region and (ii) constituency.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government does not hold this information.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-07-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-07-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Burgess","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304425,"EventID":"S4W-26266","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":2,"MSPID":5074,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":104,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-23T11:21:39.107","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-23T11:18:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what progress it is making in developing the revised approach to recruitment incentives as set out in Developing the Young Workforce – Scotland’s Youth Employment Strategy.","AnswerText":"Recent monthly labour market stats show a sustained improvement in the number young people in Scotland in employment, but this government remains focused on our ambitions to reduce youth unemployment by 40% by 2021.\r\nScotland’s Employer Recruitment Incentive, which will open to applications from 1 July 2015, will offer employers around £4,000 over the course of the first 12 months of employment to offset the additional costs of recruiting and employing a young person. In addition employers will be encouraged to pay the living wage and will receive an additional £500 payment if they agree to do so. The new programme, which will support around 2,200 young people into work, replaces the Youth Employment Scotland Fund which, since it was launched in June 2013, created up to 10,000 job opportunities across 32 local authorities.\r\nThe programme will deliver our commitment to key Developing Scotland’s Young Workforce recommendations by simplifying the recruitment incentive offer, focussing on those young people who face barriers to employment and also on supporting small employers to recruit to the successful Modern Apprenticeship programme.","AnswerDate":"2015-06-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-07-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Roseanna Cunningham","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304436,"EventID":"S4W-26238","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2394,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-23T13:45:51.627","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-22T14:59:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to encourage the UK Government to maintain its announced timeline to announce the carbon capture and storage (CCS) commercialisation competition so that a CCS hub at Peterhead can be delivered alongside the upgrading of existing pipelines to carry CO2 from other parts of Scotland.","AnswerText":"I visited the Peterhead power station on 23 April 2015 to meet the carbon capture and storage (CCS) project team and tour the facility.\r\nTracking the development of CCS and the progress of the UK's CCS commercialisation competition is managed through the Thermal Generation and CCS Industry Leadership Group (ILG).\r\nThe ILG is co-chaired by myself and DECC UK are members of this group. The ILG last met on 23 June 2015 where an update on the Peterhead CCS project was given by Shell and SSE (promoters of the project). A significant milestone was reached on the Peterhead CCS project when planning permission was granted by Aberdeenshire Council on 18 June 2015.\r\nThe Scottish Government took the opportunity at the ILG to express our continued support for this exciting project and to highlight the need for the UK Government to ensure that the competition timeline be maintained.\r\nThe Scottish Government believes that it is crucial that the UK Government also press ahead with contract for difference negotiations for follow-on (Phase 2) CCS projects such as the Summit Power project proposed for Grangemouth. On 27 March 2015 the Scottish and UK Governments announced joint funding of £4.2 million for the Summit Power project.","AnswerDate":"2015-07-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-07-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304437,"EventID":"S4W-26239","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2394,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-23T13:45:52.72","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-22T14:59:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it last met the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change to discuss the carbon capture and storage commercialisation competition.","AnswerText":"Tracking the development of carbon capture storage (CCS) and the progress of the UK’s CCS Commercialisation Competition is managed through the Thermal Generation and CCS Industry Leadership Group (ILG) which I co-chair. The Department of Energy and Climate Change are members of this group.\r\nThe ILG last met on 23 June 2015 in Edinburgh where an update on the Peterhead CCS project was given by Shell and SSE (promoters of the project). A significant milestone was reached on the Peterhead CCS Project when planning permission was granted by Aberdeenshire Council on 18 June 2015.","AnswerDate":"2015-08-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-07-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304438,"EventID":"S4W-26240","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2394,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-23T13:45:53.233","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-22T15:01:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what recent discussions it has had with the UK Government on deep offshore underground coal gasification (DOCG) and devolving DOCG access rights in light of the Smith Commission recommendation to devolve shale gas mineral access rights.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has had no discussions with the UK Government on these matters.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-07-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-07-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304439,"EventID":"S4W-26241","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2394,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-23T13:45:55.387","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-22T15:01:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with the UK Government to advance the recommendations in the DTI study, Creating the Coalmine of the 21st Century: The feasibility of UCG under the Firth of Forth (DTI/Pub URN 06/885), regarding developing underground coal gasification (UCG) projects in the Firth of Forth to strengthen Scottish energy security.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has had no discussions with the UK Government on this matter.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-07-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-07-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304440,"EventID":"S4W-26243","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2394,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-23T13:45:57.197","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-22T15:02:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what analysis it has carried out of the potential economic impact on Scotland’s petrochemicals sector of developing underground coal gasification.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government recognises the importance of the petrochemical sector to the Scottish economy. No analysis of the economic impact of underground coal gasification on this industry has been undertaken. \r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-07-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-07-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304441,"EventID":"S4W-26244","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2394,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-23T13:45:57.667","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-22T15:02:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether underground coal gasification will be included in the proposed studies announced in relation to the moratorium on fracking.","AnswerText":"There are no plans to include underground coal gasification within the scope of the further work announced by myself on 28 January 2015 in relation to unconventional oil and gas.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-07-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-07-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304442,"EventID":"S4W-26245","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2394,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-23T13:45:58.163","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-22T15:02:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with and what representations it has made to the Department of Energy and Climate Change working group on underground coal gasification.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has had no discussions with the Department of Energy and Climate Change working group on underground coal gasification and has made no representations to it.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-07-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-07-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304443,"EventID":"S4W-26246","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2394,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-23T13:45:58.727","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-22T15:02:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what steps it has taken to ensure that the Scottish Environment Protection Agency is adequately resourced and equipped to determine permit applications and oversee underground coal gasification projects.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) is funded by a combination of grant in aid received from the Scottish Government and charging income recovered from regulated activities. The Scottish Government regularly monitors SEPA’s performance against its corporate plan targets and assesses resource needs to implement environmental legislation and other objectives as part of this dialogue.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-07-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-07-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen McLeod","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304444,"EventID":"S4W-26247","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2394,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-23T13:45:59.193","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-22T15:03:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to simplify any regulations under its responsibility relating to underground coal gasification projects and what representations it has made to the UK Government regarding simplification of UK-level regulations.","AnswerText":"Environmental protection is of paramount importance to the Scottish Government. We are clear that energy technologies, including underground coal gasification, must be subject to the most rigorous and robust regulatory frameworks to ensure that the environment and local communities receive the highest levels of protection. No representations have been made to the UK Government on this matter.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-07-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-07-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304445,"EventID":"S4W-26248","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2394,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-23T13:45:59.71","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-22T15:03:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will (a) calculate and (b) issue updated estimates of the coal resource that could be suitable for deep underground coal gasification development in Scottish locations as identified by the Coal Authority.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has no plans to calculate or issue updated estimates of coal resource suitable for underground coal gasification.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-07-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-07-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304446,"EventID":"S4W-26249","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2394,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-23T13:46:00.207","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-22T15:03:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when ministers last met the Coal Authority to discuss the potential for Scotland to develop a deep underground coal gasification sector.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has not met with the Coal Authority to discuss the potential for Scotland to develop an underground coal gasification sector.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-07-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-07-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304447,"EventID":"S4W-26250","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2394,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-23T13:46:00.753","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-22T15:03:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what (a) discussions it has had with HM Treasury and (b) estimate it has made regarding potential tax revenues from the (i) development and (ii) operation of deep offshore underground coal gasification projects from licences issued in Scotland by the Coal Authority.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has had no discussions with HM Treasury on these matters.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-07-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-07-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304448,"EventID":"S4W-26251","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2394,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-23T13:46:01.223","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-22T15:03:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it last met officials from the Department of Energy and Climate Change to discuss the proposed closure of Longannet power plant and its potential replacement with a combined cycle gas turbine plant.","AnswerText":"I have sought a meeting with Amber Rudd to discuss a number of energy matters since her appointment. An agreement was eventually made to meet her on 12 October 2015.\r\nThe Scottish Government has had extensive engagement with a range of parties over Longannet. I have set out the full range of this engagement in a series of related parliamentary questions. I refer the member to the answers to questions S4W-25246 and S4W-25247 on 7 May 2015, S4W-25248 on 1 May 2015, S4W-25588, S4W-25589, S4W-25591 and S4W-25895 on 2 June 2015, S4W-25896 and S4W-25897 on 26 June 2015 and S4W-26515 on 4 August 2015.\r\nIn terms of new thermal generation in Scotland, I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-26252 on 4 August 2015. I already consented a combined cycle gas turbine (CCGT) station at Cockenzie in 2011, which Scottish Power confirmed on 18 August 2015 will not now be built, because a combination of high carbon taxes and high transmission charging means that running a thermal plant in Scotland is uneconomic.\r\nIn written evidence to the Public Petitions Committee on 16 January 2015 Hugh Finlay, Scottish Power’s Generation Director said:\r\n“There continues to be a number of obstacles in the way of the construction of the CCGT development, undoubtedly the biggest being the continuation of the transmission charging regime that discriminates against new generation in the north.” \r\nAll answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at \r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.","AnswerDate":"2015-09-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-07-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304449,"EventID":"S4W-26252","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2394,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-23T13:46:01.737","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-22T15:04:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it last met officials from the Department of Energy and Climate Change to discuss the Cockenzie power plant and its potential replacement with a combined-cycle gas turbine plant.","AnswerText":"The coal-fired power station at Cockenzie closed in March 2013 and is currently being decommissioned. The Scottish Government granted consent for a new combined-cycle gas turbine plant at Cockenzie on 5 October 2011. In terms of new thermal generation in Scotland, the Scottish Government sees an important role for clean thermal generation progressively fitted with carbon capture and storage.\r\nIn a recent letter to the Scottish Parliament’s Public Petitions Committee in January 2015 Hugh Finlay, Scottish Power’s Generation Director, made it clear that “There continues to be a number of obstacles in the way of the construction of the Combined Cycle Gas Turbines (CCGT) development, undoubtedly the biggest being the continuation of the Transmission Charging regime that discriminates against new generation in the north.”\r\nWe recognise the concerns expressed by companies including Scottish Power and numerous respondents to the Economy Energy and Tourism inquiry into security of supply that the current transmission charging regime acts as a disincentive to new thermal generation in Scotland. While specific investment plans for new generation at a particular site are primarily a matter for the companies concerned, Scottish Ministers have raised these regulatory barriers at the highest levels in the UK Government.","AnswerDate":"2015-08-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-07-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304450,"EventID":"S4W-26253","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2394,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-23T13:46:02.283","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-22T15:04:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what representations it has received regarding replacing the Longannet coal-fired plant with a new combined-cycle gas turbine plant.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has received representations from members of the public regarding replacing the Longannet coal-fired plant with a new combined-cycle gas turbine plant on the site.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-07-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-07-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304451,"EventID":"S4W-26254","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2394,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-23T13:46:02.767","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-22T15:04:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what synergies it considers exist for the development of offshore underground coal gasification alongside surface gasification projects to boost jobs and Scottish industry.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government believes that these are ultimately very different types of infrastructure projects, neither of which have been deployed in Scotland.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-07-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-07-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304452,"EventID":"S4W-26263","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-23T13:46:03.267","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-23T08:38:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when the payment terms and conditions for Shetland Islands Council for the construction of Anderson High School by the Scottish Futures Trust will be publicly available.","AnswerText":"This information is available on the Scottish Government website at the following address: www.gov.scot/Topics/Government/Finance/18232/12308.","AnswerDate":"2015-09-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-07-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304453,"EventID":"S4W-26264","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-23T13:46:03.827","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-23T09:26:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what bodies and organisations Marine Scotland is funding in 2015-16 and for what purpose.","AnswerText":"Marine Scotland has the following grant funding arrangements in place for 2015-16:\r\nThe Scottish Association of Marine Science - towards a programme to enhance harmful algal and bio toxin risk assessment bulletins for Scottish shellfish aquaculture (£25,000).\r\nRivers and Fisheries Trusts Scotland - towards a programme of sea trout post smolt sweep netting (£80,000).\r\nNorth Atlantic Fisheries College Marine Centre Shetland - Inshore Scottish Fisheries Research: a three year funded project for the development of a scallop biomass survey, a fisheries management tool to include biological data and a review of spatial management measures in inshore fisheries (£50,000).\r\nNorth Atlantic Fisheries College Marine Centre Shetland - third year of a four year programme, which includes data collation/input/storage and analysis of landings and effort monitoring to 5nm grid, to aid inshore fisheries management (£27,000).\r\nFisheries Innovation Scotland - an initial three year commitment towards a non-profit-distributing organisation with the remit of bringing together the Scottish fisheries sector (capture, processing and retail) with government and scientists, to spearhead an on-going programme of research, knowledge exchange and education (£150,000).\r\nSt Andrews University - Marine Mammals scientific research programme to aim to improve our understanding of marine mammals distributions, behaviours and sensitivities to assist with improved management of human impacts across Scotland (£400,000)\r\nClyde Forum - Support Clyde 2020 initiative which is dedicated to the recovery of the Clyde marine ecosystem.(£20,000)\r\nLocal coastal partnerships- Local integrated coastal zone management and marine planning initiatives. Includes particular support to Shetland to develop a Marine Planning Partnership and a statutory marine plan for their water out to 12 nautical miles. (£364,000)\r\nBritish Oceanographic Data Centre - UK OSPAR monitoring database (MERMAN) funded by DEFRA and Marine Scotland (£6,000)\r\nMarine Climate Change Impacts Partnership - UK wide climate change impacts partnership translating climate change science into advice for policy makers (£20,000)\r\nMarine Environment Data and Information Network - UK wide marine data initiative to improve management and archiving of marine data (£100,000)\r\nData Archive Centre for Species and Habitats (DASSH) -Joint funding to DASSH to archive marine species and habitats data (£24,000)\r\nMarine Science Co-ordination Committee (MSCC) -UK wide high level policy group overseeing UK marine science (£40,000)\r\nFisheries Legacy Trust Company Services Ltd & Seafish - Contribution to Kingfisher Charts - Yellow Card & Fortnightly Bulletin production (£17,500)\r\nScottish Association for Marine Science (SAMS) - Contribution to marine climate change project, jointly funded by Scottish Natural Heritage. (£10,000)\r\nOffshore Renewables Joint Industry Programme - Joint industry project involving the Carbon Trust, Department of Energy and Climate Change, Marine Scotland, Crown Estate and offshore wind developers for the purpose of reducing the consenting risk for offshore wind farm developments on the UK (£100,000).\r\nScottish Enterprise/Highland and Islands Enterprise - Funding to allow staff to work closely with offshore wind developers to allow better understanding of supply chain issues (£75,000).\r\nOffshore Renewables Joint Industry Programme - Ocean Energy - Project with Crown Estate, Welsh Government and Marine Scotland to reduce consenting risks in a strategic and coordinated manner within the wave and tidal energy sectors (£20,000).\r\nUniversity of Aberdeen - Funding to gain a better understanding of potential impacts of offshore wind developments on marine mammal populations (£100,000).\r\nUniversities of Aberdeen/Edinburgh/Glasgow/Sheffield/St Andrews/Stirling /Strathclyde/Scottish Association for Marine Science - Funding for studentships to provide assistance to develop young scientists. (Total of £260,000).\r\nScottish Aq","AnswerDate":"2015-07-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-07-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Richard Lochhead","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304454,"EventID":"S4W-26267","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-23T13:46:04.373","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-23T11:14:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government which managerial position in Highlands and Islands Airports Ltd is the line manager of the Sumburgh Airport Development Manager.","AnswerText":"The Director of Operations.","AnswerDate":"2015-06-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-07-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304455,"EventID":"S4W-26271","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-23T13:46:04.857","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-23T12:28:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many young women per 10,000 HPV vaccinations have required referral for specialist assessment following vaccination.","AnswerText":"The information requested is not held centrally. However, as with all vaccines and medicines the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) monitors and provides advice on the safety of the HPV vaccine in the UK. Since the introduction of the HPV vaccine in 2008 it has been used in millions of girls across the UK and around the world, and the MHRA continue to advise that the vaccine has a very good safety profile. The MHRA keeps the HPV vaccine under close and continual review and would take regulatory action if new evidence emerged which called into question the safety of the HPV vaccine or any other vaccine currently in use. \r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-07-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-07-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304456,"EventID":"S4W-26273","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":2,"MSPID":3759,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":80,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-23T15:36:21.297","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-23T15:27:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will report on the outcome of the recent summit meeting of the British-Irish Council.","AnswerText":"On 19 June 2015, the twenty fourth meeting of the British-Irish Council was held in Dublin, Ireland. The Summit was attended by Ministers from all eight Member Administrations. The Scottish Government was represented by the First Minister and the Minister for Public Health. \r\nThe Scottish Government recognises the importance of the British Irish Council as a forum for Members to develop relationships and to learn from shared experience.\r\nThe meeting began with a significant discussion on the economy where the First Minister informed the Council that Scotland’s economy has seen the fastest economic growth since 2006. There has also been further progress in youth employment, and Scotland has the highest female employment rate in these islands. The First Minister also stressed that while progress has been made, we continue to face challenges in our intertwined economies. Many Scottish jobs depend upon our membership of the EU and the uncertainty of a possible EU exit is causing widespread concern. The First Minister also expressed deep disquiet about the UK Government’s decision to end public financial support for onshore wind projects.\r\nThe Council also had a discussion on the misuse of alcohol, during which all Members agreed the importance of supporting those negatively impacted by alcohol misuse. Ms Watt informed the Council about Scotland’s Framework for Action, which includes a comprehensive package of measures to help reduce the negative impact of alcohol. These include the passing of minimum unit pricing legislation and the introduction of the lower drink-drive limit.\r\nThe Communiqué that was issued by the British-Irish Council, after the meeting, can be found on the website at http://www.britishirishcouncil.org/. I am also arranging for a copy the document to be placed in SPICe (BIB number 57014).","AnswerDate":"2015-06-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-07-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fiona Hyslop","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304457,"EventID":"S4W-26268","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5079,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-23T16:42:46.78","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-23T12:04:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S3W-05666 by Jim Mather on 6 November 2007, whether it will provide an update on how many deaths by drowning and submersion there have been in each year since 2007, broken down by World Health Organization code.","AnswerText":"The information requested is provided in the following table, which includes the three character codes for the relevant categories of the World Health Organization’s International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems (10th Revision), known as ICD-10. The table includes all the ICD-10 'drowning and submersion' categories which were the underlying causes of deaths registered in Scotland in the specified years.\r\n\r\nDeaths, registered in Scotland, for which the underlying cause was drowning or submersion: 2007 to 2013\r\n\r\n\r\nRegistration Year\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nUnderlying cause of death\r\n2007\r\n2008\r\n2009\r\n2010\r\n2011\r\n2012\r\n2013\r\nAccidents\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nW65 Drowning and submersion while in bath-tub\r\n1\r\n2\r\n4\r\n5\r\n2\r\n4\r\n3\r\n\r\nW66 Drowning and submersion following fall into bath-tub\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n1\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n\r\nW67 Drowning and submersion while in swimming-pool\r\n1\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n1\r\n0\r\n0\r\n\r\nW68 Drowning and submersion following fall into swimming-pool\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n1\r\n0\r\n\r\nW69 Drowning and submersion while in natural water\r\n5\r\n2\r\n14\r\n23\r\n10\r\n12\r\n7\r\n\r\nW70 Drowning and submersion following fall into natural water\r\n4\r\n0\r\n5\r\n1\r\n6\r\n3\r\n4\r\n\r\nW73 Other specified drowning and submersion\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n2\r\n0\r\n0\r\n1\r\n\r\nW74 Unspecified drowning and submersion\r\n6\r\n3\r\n17\r\n2\r\n7\r\n14\r\n19\r\nIntentional self-harm\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nX71 Intentional self-harm by drowning and submersion\r\n25\r\n16\r\n26\r\n29\r\n20\r\n39\r\n33\r\nAssault\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nX92 Assault by drowning and submersion\r\n0\r\n2\r\n0\r\n1\r\n1\r\n0\r\n0\r\nUndetermined intent\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nY21 Drowning and submersion, undetermined intent\r\n61\r\n37\r\n19\r\n22\r\n35\r\n20\r\n15\r\nAll\r\n\r\n103\r\n62\r\n85\r\n86\r\n82\r\n93\r\n82\r\nSource: National Records of Scotland","AnswerDate":"2015-07-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-07-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Paul Wheelhouse","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304458,"EventID":"S4W-26269","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5079,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-23T16:42:47.357","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-23T12:04:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what information it has regarding the number of primary school leavers who are unable to swim.","AnswerText":"This information is not held centrally but may be collected by local education authorities.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-07-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-07-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304459,"EventID":"S4W-26270","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5079,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-23T16:42:47.793","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-23T12:04:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government for what reason it has stopped funding Scottish Swimming's Top Up programme, and what evaluation of the programme it carried out before reaching this decision.","AnswerText":"The Swimming Top Up programme was a time limited fund to enhance the work done by Scottish Swimming and local authorities to provide swimming lessons for primary school children across Scotland. Over the four years since the programme began in 2011, the Scottish Government has invested a total of £1.72 million. The final annual payment of £200,000 covered the period to June 2015.\r\nAlthough the top up funding has ended, the latest funding round from sportscotland has allocated to Scottish Swimming over £5 million for the four years 2015-19. This is the largest funding settlement of all the Commonwealth Games sports and will support grassroots swimming.","AnswerDate":"2015-07-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-07-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304460,"EventID":"S4W-26272","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2633,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-23T16:42:48.263","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-23T15:03:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-26063 by Fergus Ewing on 22 June 2015, what representatives from what community, environmental and industry groups ministers have been meeting. ","AnswerText":"Ministers have held the following meetings with representatives from community, environmental and industry groups to discuss the consultation and pre-consultation preparations:\r\n\r\n24 March 2015 - Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice, Communities and Pensioners’ Rights and Minister for Environment, Climate Change and Land Reform met with Broad Alliance.\r\n25 March 2015 - Minister for Business, Energy and Tourism and Minister for Environment, Climate Change and Land Reform met with the UK Onshore Operators Group.\r\n25 March 2015 - Minister for Business, Energy and Tourism and Minister for Environment, Climate Change and Land Reform met with Friends of the Earth Scotland.\r\n10 June 2015 - Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice, Communities and Pensioners’ Rights met with COSLA.\r\n24 June 2015 – Minister for Environment, Climate Change and Land Reform met with The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds.","AnswerDate":"2015-07-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-07-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304467,"EventID":"S4W-26274","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-24T13:37:11.31","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-24T09:12:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether umbrella companies are involved in recruiting and employing workers engaged on the Forth Replacement Crossing project and, if so, how many.","AnswerText":"The contractor, Forth Crossing Bridge Constructors, has confirmed that it does not use umbrella companies in the recruitment or employment of workers on the Forth Replacement Crossing project.\r\n\r\nNo umbrella companies are employed by Transport Scotland or their representatives on site.","AnswerDate":"2015-07-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-07-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304468,"EventID":"S4W-26276","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-24T13:37:13.58","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-24T09:12:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether and, if so, how it monitors the employment practices of (a) contractors, (b) agencies and (c) sub-contractors engaged on the Forth Replacement Crossing project.","AnswerText":"Transport Scotland monitors all aspects of the delivery of the Forth Replacement Crossing project on behalf of Scottish Ministers. The contractor (Forth Crossing Bridge Constructors) is obliged to comply with relevant Scottish law. This includes those laws in relation to its personnel, wages and conditions of labour.\r\n\r\nThe contractor is also required to ensure that all site-based employment opportunities (including those with subcontractors and suppliers) are notified to job centres (including local job centres) at the time they become available.","AnswerDate":"2015-07-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-07-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304469,"EventID":"S4W-26277","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2108,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":141,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-24T13:37:14.23","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-23T17:25:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many stop and searches were conducted in East Renfrewshire in 2013-14, broken down by people aged (a) under 12, (b) 12 to 15, (c) 16 to 25 and (d) over 25.","AnswerText":"The information requested is a matter for Police Scotland. I have alerted the chief constable to your question and I have asked him to write to you.","AnswerDate":"2015-07-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-07-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304470,"EventID":"S4W-26278","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2108,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":141,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-24T13:37:14.97","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-23T17:25:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many people who were subject to a stop and search in East Renfrewshire in 2013-14 were stopped more than once, and what information it has on how many times each person was stopped.","AnswerText":"The information requested is a matter for Police Scotland. I have alerted the chief constable to your question and I have asked him to write to you.","AnswerDate":"2015-07-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-07-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304471,"EventID":"S4W-26279","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2108,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":141,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-24T13:37:15.71","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-23T17:25:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it considers that all stop and searches in East Renfrewshire are intelligence-led, and what the reasons are for its position on this matter.","AnswerText":"Where and when to conduct searches is an operational matter for Police Scotland. I have alerted the chief constable to your question and I have asked him to write to you.","AnswerDate":"2015-07-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-07-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304472,"EventID":"S4W-26280","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2108,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":141,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-24T13:37:16.47","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-23T17:25:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many of the stop and searches in East Renfrewshire in 2013-14 resulted in a positive finding.","AnswerText":"The information requested is a matter for Police Scotland. I have alerted the chief constable to your question and I have asked him to write to you.","AnswerDate":"2015-07-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-07-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304473,"EventID":"S4W-26281","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2108,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":141,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-24T13:37:17.2","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-23T17:25:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many of the stop and searches in East Renfrewshire in 2013-14 resulted in a (a) prosecution and (b) conviction.","AnswerText":"The information requested is a matter for Police Scotland. I have alerted the chief constable to your question and I have asked him to write to you.","AnswerDate":"2015-07-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-07-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304474,"EventID":"S4W-26282","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2108,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":141,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-24T13:37:17.92","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-23T17:25:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it considers that the number of people stopped and searched in East Renfrewshire in 2013-14 was too high, and what the reasons are for its position on this matter.","AnswerText":"Where and when to conduct searches is an operational matter for Police Scotland.","AnswerDate":"2015-07-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-07-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304475,"EventID":"S4W-26283","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2108,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":141,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-24T13:37:18.62","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-23T17:25:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action is being taken to reduce the number of stop and searches in East Renfrewshire.","AnswerText":"Where and when to conduct searches is an operational matter for Police Scotland. I have alerted the chief constable to your question and I have asked him to write to you.","AnswerDate":"2015-07-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-07-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304476,"EventID":"S4W-26284","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-24T13:37:19.29","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-24T09:42:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government on what date the additional £125 bursary payment for students with household incomes of between £0 and £23,999 will be paid and for what reason this will be a one-off payment.","AnswerText":"The additional £125 bursary payment is not a one off award. From academic year 2016-2017, the additional bursary payment of £125 will be embedded into the total available bursary and spread across eligible students’ monthly instalments.\r\nFor academic year 2015-2016 Student Awards Agency Scotland (SAAS) will be treating the additional £125 separate to the normal monthly payment process. The £125 will be issued to eligible students as a one-off payment. SAAS are working on the detail of the exact timings of the payment date.","AnswerDate":"2015-07-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-07-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304477,"EventID":"S4W-26285","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-24T13:37:19.99","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-24T09:42:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether the additional bursary payment of £125 in 2015-16 for students with household incomes of between £0 and £23,999 will continue as a standard payment in future.","AnswerText":"Yes. From academic year 2016-2017 the additional bursary payment of £125 will be embedded into the total available bursary and spread across eligible students’ monthly instalments.","AnswerDate":"2015-07-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-07-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304478,"EventID":"S4W-26286","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-24T13:37:20.71","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-24T09:42:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will pay bursaries of £1,875 or more for some students in 2016-17.","AnswerText":" Yes. From academic year 2016-17 eligible ‘Young Students’ living in a household with an income below £19,000 will be entitled to the maximum bursary of £1,875.","AnswerDate":"2015-07-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-07-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304479,"EventID":"S4W-26287","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4947,"Party":"Independent","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-24T13:37:21.42","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-24T10:54:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it expects to start the procurement exercise for the 2018-24 Northern Isles ferry services contract, and whether it will take steps to ensure that the services are returned to the public sector.","AnswerText":"The current Northern Isles contract is due to come to an end in April 2018. In line with commitments given in the Empowering Scotland’s Island Communities prospectus in June 2014, we have already begun to engage with key partners to scope out the way forward for the next contract. We will continue to engage with these partners in reaching conclusions about the details of the next contract.","AnswerDate":"2015-07-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-07-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304480,"EventID":"S4W-26288","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4947,"Party":"Independent","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-24T13:37:22.12","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-24T10:54:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many sailings on (a) Clyde and Hebrides and (b) Northern Isles ferry routes have been cancelled since 17 February 2014.","AnswerText":"Since 17 February 2014 until 24 June 2015 there were 6078 cancelled sailings on the Clyde and Hebrides Ferry Service routes, out of 183,369 scheduled sailings and 9 on the Northern Isles Ferry Service routes, out of 1001 scheduled sailings. The vast majority of the cancelled sailings on the Clyde and Hebrides Ferry Service routes, and all of the cancelled sailings on the Northern Isles Ferry Service routes, were weather related.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-07-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-07-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304481,"EventID":"S4W-26289","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-24T13:37:22.78","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-24T11:15:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how the mileage rate used to determine road equivalent tariff fares is calculated, broken down by (a) fuel costs, (b) vehicle wear and tear, (c) vehicle depreciation, (d) vehicle insurance, (e) vehicle taxation and (f) each other cost.","AnswerText":"The method of calculating the mileage rate is based on the cost of running an average car in Scotland, as set out in the report Road Equivalent Tariff Study, Halcrow (2008): http://www.gov.scot/resource/doc/935/0061364.pdf\r\nThe mileage rate for cars was updated in 2013, following analysis by Transport Scotland, from £0.60 to £0.80 per mile, to reflect the higher costs of motoring and also to take account of the range of engine sizes and fuel types. In 2014 and 2015, road equivalent tariff fares were uprated by the Consumer Price Index, in line with the provisions in the Clyde and Hebrides ferry services contract.","AnswerDate":"2015-07-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-07-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304482,"EventID":"S4W-26290","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-24T13:37:23.51","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-24T11:15:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-25934 by Shona Robison on 11 June 2015, in light of road equivalent tariff fares being based on a higher mileage rate, including other costs associated with running a car, for what reason people travelling to hospital by car are reimbursed for petrol costs only.","AnswerText":"The mileage rate paid under the Highlands and Islands Patient Travel Scheme is intended to contribute towards the cost of fuel, but does not cover other running costs, for example insurance or depreciation. The intention is to ensure equality of treatment between those using public transport and those using their own car.","AnswerDate":"2015-07-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-07-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304483,"EventID":"S4W-26291","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5079,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-24T13:37:24.32","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-24T11:28:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many compulsory redundancies there have been in each further education college since 2011.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government does not hold this information centrally. Ministers have made clear their expectation that colleges should do everything possible to avoid compulsory redundancies. I have asked the Chief Executive for the Scottish Funding Council to write to the member with further information.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-07-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-07-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304484,"EventID":"S4W-26292","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5079,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-24T13:37:24.93","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-24T11:28:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what minimum distance between home and school entitles a pupil to access a local authority school transport service and whether it plans to review this.","AnswerText":"Local authorities have a duty under the Education (Scotland) Act 1980 to make such arrangements as they consider necessary for the transport between home and school of pupils residing and attending schools in their area. In considering these arrangements, authorities are required to have regard to the safety of the pupil.\r\nIn practice, although the statutory provision relating to school transport does not prescribe a distance beyond which a local authority should provide school transport, all authorities currently provide free transport for pupils living more than the statutory walking distance from the school the authority has identified as the nearest suitable school. The statutory walking distance is defined as two miles for children aged under eight and three miles for those aged eight and older.\r\nThere are no plans to change the current arrangements.","AnswerDate":"2015-07-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-07-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alasdair Allan","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304504,"EventID":"S4W-26293","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3806,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-24T16:41:43.49","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-24T12:49:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government who is responsible for awarding the contract to operate Clyde and Hebrides Ferry Services and whether they are required to declare any interests in, or links to, the companies that submit bids.","AnswerText":"Scottish Ministers are responsible for awarding the Clyde and Hebrides Ferry Services contract and Caledonian Maritime Assets Ltd. (CMAL) the related harbour operating agreements. Since the current operator of the services (CalMac Ferries Ltd) and CMAL are wholly owned by Scottish Ministers, there are robust arrangements in place to ensure the Clyde and Hebrides Ferry Services procurement is conducted in a fair and transparent manner.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-07-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-07-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304505,"EventID":"S4W-26294","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3806,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-24T16:41:44.077","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-24T12:49:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether the contract to operate Clyde and Hebrides Ferry Services includes an operator of last resort and, if not, in what circumstances the operator would receive additional financial support.","AnswerText":"Scottish Ministers have the responsibility to deliver the Clyde and Hebrides Ferry Services in the event of operator failure.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-07-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-07-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304506,"EventID":"S4W-26295","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3806,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-24T16:41:44.613","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-24T12:49:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, in the event that the contract to operate Clyde and Hebrides Ferry Services includes an operator of last resort that is a private company, whether there would be a limit on the dividend paid to shareholders or a clawback of future profits.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-26294 on 16 July 2015. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:\r\n\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.","AnswerDate":"2015-07-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-07-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304507,"EventID":"S4W-26296","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3806,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-24T16:41:45.2","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-24T12:49:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, in the event that a private company is awarded the contract to operate Clyde and Hebrides Ferry Services, whether it will be required to repay any of the subsidies it receives if it exceeds a “reasonable profit”.","AnswerText":"As of now, a clawback mechanism will be included in the Clyde and Hebrides Ferry Services contract. The clawback mechanism will limit the public subsidy paid to the operator in the event that they make a level of profit beyond that which is considered a reasonable return.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-07-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-07-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304508,"EventID":"S4W-26297","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3806,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-24T16:41:45.767","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-24T12:49:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, in the event that the contract to operate Clyde and Hebrides Ferry Services is awarded to a private company, whether it will be required to consult local communities or councils.","AnswerText":"As of now, the next Clyde and Hebrides Ferry Services contract will require the successful operator to engage and consult with a range of stakeholders, including local communities and councils, throughout the term of the contract.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-07-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-07-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304509,"EventID":"S4W-26298","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3806,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-24T16:41:46.297","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-24T12:49:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government who is responsible for selecting the management and the executive of CalMac Ferries Ltd.","AnswerText":"Executive Director appointments to the CalMac Ferries Ltd (CFL) Board are made by the David MacBrayne Ltd Board. Other senior management appointments to CFL are made by the CFL Managing Director and his senior team in accordance with the company's recruitment and employment practices.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-07-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-07-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304510,"EventID":"S4W-26299","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3806,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-24T16:41:46.8","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-24T12:49:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether the successful bidder to operate Clyde and Hebrides Ferry Services will be required to have representatives from local communities and the workforce on its management team.","AnswerText":"It is a matter for bidders as to who will form their management team. The strength of the bidders’ management team will be considered and discussed as part of their tender.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-07-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-07-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304511,"EventID":"S4W-26300","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3806,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-24T16:41:47.337","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-24T12:49:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government who will be responsible for meeting the section 75 debt for the Merchant Navy Officers Pension Fund and any company pension commitments if the operator of Clyde and Hebrides Ferry Services  is a private company.","AnswerText":"A Section 75 debt payment falls to an employer if it ceases to employ active members of the Merchant Navy Officers Pension Fund or the CalMac Pension Fund.\r\nIf CalMac Ferries Ltd was not the operator of the next Clyde and Hebrides Ferry Service contract, and CalMac Ferries Ltd ceased to employ any active member of these schemes, then CalMac Ferries Ltd would face a section 75 debt payment.","AnswerDate":"2015-07-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-07-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304512,"EventID":"S4W-26301","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3806,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-24T16:41:47.823","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-24T12:49:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what requirements there are in the tender for the operation of Clyde and Hebrides Ferry Services to ensure that green credentials are being maintained by (a) minimising staff travel, (b) supporting the fragile communities that are served, (c) providing a future for young people in local communities and (d) employing local people where possible.","AnswerText":"The invitation to tender for the Clyde and Hebrides Ferry Services, due to be published on 10 July 2015, will require the bidders to set out how they will support, promote and deliver these lifeline services to local communities, businesses and visitors. \r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-07-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-07-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304513,"EventID":"S4W-26302","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2108,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":141,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-24T16:41:48.277","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-24T13:27:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when the South Glasgow University Hospital will meet the waiting times target for A&E.","AnswerText":"Unscheduled care is a key priority for the Scottish Government and we want all acute sites across Scotland, including the South Glasgow University Hospital (SGUH), to sustainably achieve 95% of all patients attending A&E to been seen, treated and discharged or admitted with four hours.\r\nThe transfer of services across to the new SGUH has been one of the largest and most complex ever undertaken anywhere in the UK, and while planned and scheduled services have continued to operate well throughout the migration period it was agreed between NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde and the Scottish Government that national additional support would be provided. The Scottish Government support team started on site on 15 June 2015 and have worked closely with local teams during the two week period to 26 June 2015 embedding and developing working practices for the new site quickly and effectively, supporting improvements -performance in the week ending 21 June 2015 was 89.6%, an improvement of over 11 percentage points since week ending 14 June 2015.\r\nNHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde has also appointed a local unscheduled care team to progress the unscheduled care six essential actions, which I launched in May 2015. The national team will work with the local team to help accelerate implementation of the new six essential actions approach to sustainably improving unscheduled care and ensuring best practice is installed throughout the hospital system. These actions, which aim to minimise long waits in A&E and assessment units, by improving patient flow throughout all areas of the hospital and in the community, have already underpinned improvements in other sites, for example the Royal Alexandria Hospital, which saw performance reach 94.7% in the week ending 21 June 2015.","AnswerDate":"2015-07-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-07-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304514,"EventID":"S4W-26303","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2108,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":141,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-24T16:41:48.707","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-24T13:27:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government for how long it will maintain the expert support group at the South Glasgow University Hospital.","AnswerText":"The expert support group started on site at the new South Glasgow University Hospital on 15 June 2015 for two weeks. The formal support ended on 26 June 2015, the team will however maintain a high level surveillance approach over the next few weeks.\r\nThe support team has worked in mutual partnership with local staff in the South Glasgow University Hospital over the last two weeks embedding and developing working practices for the new site quickly and effectively, supporting improvements. The local management team have driven forward changes and worked in collaboration with the support team, promoting ownership and sustainability at a clinical level. Performance against the four hour target has improved by 11 percentage points since week ending 14 June 2015 to 89.6% in the week ending 21 June 2015.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-07-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-07-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304515,"EventID":"S4W-26304","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2108,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":141,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-24T16:41:49.16","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-24T13:27:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it will keep MSPs informed of its progress in tackling A&E waiting times at the South Glasgow University Hospital during the Parliament's summer recess.","AnswerText":"There is no planned formal reporting during Parliaments summer recess however, Emergency Department Weekly Activity and Waiting Times in Scotland, which will include performance at the new South Glasgow University Hospital, will continue to be published on Information Services Division’s NHS Performs website http://www.isdscotland.scot.nhs.uk/Products-and-Services/NHS-Performs/\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-07-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-07-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304516,"EventID":"S4W-26305","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-24T16:41:51.453","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-24T13:40:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-15099 by Humza Yousaf on 4 June 2013, whether the issue of the detention of Shaker Aamer at Guantanamo Bay was discussed at the First Minister's recent meeting with the US Deputy Secretary of State.","AnswerText":"The First Minister and the US Deputy Secretary of State discussed a range of issues relating to matters affecting Scotland and the US. The Scottish Government remains concerned at the continued detention of Shaker Aamer and fully supports the effort of the UK Government in securing his release and the closure of Guantanamo Bay.","AnswerDate":"2015-07-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-07-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304517,"EventID":"S4W-26306","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2135,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":92,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-24T16:41:52.29","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-24T15:05:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-25688 by Marco Biagi on 5 June 2015, what its position is on the Scottish Public Services Ombudsman's response to Cllr Michael Breslin of Argyll and Bute Council regarding the withholding of budget information that \"the SPSO would not be able to consider your complaint\".","AnswerText":"The Scottish Public Services Ombudsman was established by the Scottish Parliament to provide an independent and impartial service for handling complaints about public services in Scotland. It would therefore not be appropriate for the Scottish Government to express a view about any decision taken by the Ombudsman. The Ombudsman is, however, accountable to the Scottish Parliament and must lay an annual report and any investigation reports before the Parliament, as well as any other reports the Ombudsman sees fit.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-07-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-07-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Marco Biagi","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304526,"EventID":"S4W-26307","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1759,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-25T13:39:45.08","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-24T16:51:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what volume of peat has been excavated to make way for the development of windfarms and how much carbon it estimates was in that peat.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government does not hold the information centrally. For larger scale wind farm applications determined under S36 of the Electricity Act 1989, where an environmental impact assessment of the development is conducted and detects peat on site, a carbon calculation will be required and will be a material consideration for consent. The carbon calculator tool is currently being upgraded by the Scottish Environmental Protection Agency (SEPA) and will be held on the SEPA website. The new version will be able to collect and store data and provide aggregated pay-back totals.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-07-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-07-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304527,"EventID":"S4W-26309","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1759,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-25T13:39:46.017","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-24T16:51:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what volume of peat is due to be excavated to make way for windfarms that have received planning permission but have not been built and how much carbon it estimates that it contains.","AnswerText":"We do not hold this information.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-07-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-07-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304528,"EventID":"S4W-26311","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1759,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-25T13:39:46.72","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-24T16:52:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what (a) university and (b) college courses relate to renewable wind energy.","AnswerText":"The information requested is not held centrally.\r\nThe Energy Skills Scotland Gateway at: www.energyskillsscotland.co.uk provides a one stop shop for both employers and individuals seeking support on all aspects of energy skills, including details of the many further education courses in Scotland relating to renewable energy.","AnswerDate":"2015-07-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-07-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304529,"EventID":"S4W-26312","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1759,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-25T13:39:47.513","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-24T16:52:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what 11 communities that “will lose out on the opportunity to invest in co-operative investment schemes” the Minister for Business, Energy and Tourism was referring to in his statement on onshore wind energy on 23 June 2015 (Official Report, c.11).","AnswerText":"The communities referred to in the statement as being potentially affected by the UK government's early closure of the renewables obligation for onshore wind relate to the following three Falck renewables wind Ltd projects: Auchrobert in South Lanarkshire, Mochram Fell in Dumfries and Galloway, and Spaldington Airfield in Yorkshire.However, other communities will potentially be impacted. A statement issued by community energy Scotland on 15 July 2015 outlines clearly the direct impact on communities of the UK government's recent announcements on support for renewable energy. The statement is available on the Community Energy website at the following link:\r\nhttp://www.communityenergyscotland.org.uk/news/15-jul-2015-uk-government-energy-policies-hit-community-groups-hard.asp","AnswerDate":"2015-08-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-07-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304530,"EventID":"S4W-26313","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1759,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-25T13:39:48.42","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-24T16:52:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what support (a) it and (b) Skills Development Scotland will make available to support the skills transition to renewable wind energy.","AnswerText":"The refreshed Energy Skills Investment Plan (SIP), published by Skills Development Scotland (SDS) in March 2015, outlined the priorities for collaborative action between industry and the public sector to meet skills needs across the energy sector. \r\n\r\nEnergy Skills Scotland will play a key role in driving forward the implementation of the SIP priorities and action plan, which include improving the promotion of science, technology and engineering subjects, addressing the gender imbalance within the energy sector, and increasing work experience and placement opportunities.\r\nKey successes to date in supporting the skills transition to wind energy and renewables more broadly include support from the Energy Skills Partnership (ESP) for the development of wind turbine technicians training at a number of hubs across Scotland. ESP provided support in 2014-15 for more than 80 students in renewable energy work readiness activities such as ‘Working at Heights’, and support from SDS in 2014-15 for 278 modern apprentices to undertake specific units in emergent and renewable technologies.","AnswerDate":"2015-07-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-07-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304531,"EventID":"S4W-26314","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2117,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-25T13:39:49.013","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-24T16:58:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the evidence given to the Economy, Energy and Tourism Committee on 3 June 2015 by representatives of National Grid and Ofgem (Official Report, c.23), what work it has carried out to assess the impact of fully-socialised electricity transmission charges on the (a) overall cost of transmission to consumers and (b) average additional cost to individual consumers.","AnswerText":"Since 2007, the Scottish Government has done everything possible to address the punitive transmission Great Britain (GB) charging regime. This has led to a significant review of the regime by the regulator Ofgem, but unfortunately the framework has endured. The Scottish Government has been at pains to highlight the disparity between Scottish generators and generators in the rest of GB, which this year will see generators in Scotland pay 42% of the charges, with only 13% of generation connected. We continue to call for action to bring forward a fairer framework that will deliver our policy aims, and high-level objectives such as new thermal generation in Scotland, for which there is considerable cross-party support. The Scottish Government will continue to press for a timely, effective and equitable resolution for Scottish consumers.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-07-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-07-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304532,"EventID":"S4W-26315","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-25T13:39:49.667","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-24T16:56:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-25348 by Angela Constance on 5 May 2015, what subsequent changes there have been to the (a) membership and (b) remit of the Commission on Widening Access; whether it has informed the Parliament, and, if so, when.","AnswerText":"Consistent with the plans outlined in the answer to question S4W-25348, that there would be one further member to bring a UK perspective, Conor Ryan from the Sutton Trust has been appointed as the final member of the Commission on Widening Access.\r\n\r\nThe commission’s published remit is consistent with the broad themes outlined in the answer to question S4W-25348.\r\nBoth the remit and final membership were made publically available on the commission’s website on 23 June 2015. ","AnswerDate":"2015-07-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-07-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304533,"EventID":"S4W-26316","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-25T13:39:50.37","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-24T16:56:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether the final remit has been set for the Commission on Widening Access.","AnswerText":"The remit was finalised at the commission’s meeting on 3 June 2015 and is published in full on the commission’s website:\r\n\r\nhttp://www.commissiononwideningaccess.co.uk/#!remit/c7ox","AnswerDate":"2015-07-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-07-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304534,"EventID":"S4W-26317","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-25T13:39:51.023","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-24T16:56:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it has informed MSPs of the work of the Commission on Widening Access.","AnswerText":"The intention to create a Commission on Widening Access was published in the Programme for Government and formally announced to the Parliament by the First Minister on 26 November 2014. \r\n\r\nIn addition, the commission’s work has featured regularly in answers to parliamentary questions and in official press releases. The commission has also set up its own website and twitter account to keep interested parties informed of its work.","AnswerDate":"2015-07-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-07-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304535,"EventID":"S4W-26318","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1768,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":131,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-25T13:39:51.71","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-24T17:56:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has for the use of HMP Dumfries over the next 10 years.","AnswerText":"I have asked Colin McConnell, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service (SPS), to respond. His response is as follows:\r\n“HMP Dumfries continues to be an integral part of the SPS estate for adult male offenders. It is expected that this position will be maintained for the foreseeable future.”","AnswerDate":"2015-07-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-07-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304536,"EventID":"S4W-26319","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5106,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":118,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-25T13:39:52.443","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-24T18:34:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many NHS (a) nursing and (b) other staff are non-EU citizens and how many earn under £35,000 per year.","AnswerText":"Information on how many NHS (a) nursing and (b) other staff are non EU citizens, and how many earn under £35,000 per year is not held centrally.\r\nEach individual NHS board may hold this level of information.","AnswerDate":"2015-07-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-07-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304537,"EventID":"S4W-26321","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5106,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":118,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-25T13:39:53.147","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-24T18:34:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many local authority (a) teaching and (b) other staff are non-EU citizens and how many earn under £35,000 per year.","AnswerText":"This information is not held centrally.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-07-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-07-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304538,"EventID":"S4W-26323","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5106,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":118,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-25T13:39:54.16","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-24T18:34:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many of (a) its and (b) its agencies' staff are non-EU citizens and how many earn under £35,000 per year.","AnswerText":"Under the Civil Service Nationality Rules, only nationals from the following countries are eligible to be employed by the Scottish Government: \r\nUK\r\nRepublic of Ireland\r\nCommonwealth and Dependent Territories\r\nEuropean Economic Area\r\nSwitzerland\r\nTurkey - only eligible if they have been lawfully employed in the UK for four years in any job, or three years in a job within the same occupation as they post which they wish to take up within the civil service.\r\nPre-employment checks confirm compliance with these rules. Historically this information has not been routinely transferred to our electronic HR system. This is being addressed and at present we have the following noted on our system:\r\nAt 31 May 2015 there were 14 directly employed staff in core Scottish Government directorates with a recorded nationality of non-EU. Of those, 13 have an annual full time equivalent basic salary of under £35,000.\r\nAt 31 May 2015 there were 10 directly employed staff in Scottish Government agencies with a recorded nationality of non-EU. Of those, nine have an annual full time equivalent basic salary of under £35,000.","AnswerDate":"2015-07-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-07-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304539,"EventID":"S4W-26324","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1756,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":136,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-25T13:39:54.973","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-25T10:55:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to review the Protection of Wild Mammals (Scotland) Act 2002.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has no plans at present to review the Protection of Wild Mammals (Scotland) Act 2002.","AnswerDate":"2015-07-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-07-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen McLeod","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304540,"EventID":"S4W-26326","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2117,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-25T13:39:56.407","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-25T12:19:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-26113 by Shona Robison on 25 June 2015, whether the cabinet secretary invited elected representatives to attend this meeting and, if so, on what basis they were invited.","AnswerText":"This meeting was not organised by the Cabinet Secretary for Health, Wellbeing and Sport.","AnswerDate":"2015-07-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-07-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304541,"EventID":"S4W-26325","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2610,"Party":"Independent","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-25T16:42:40.587","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-25T11:52:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it will provide substantive answers to questions S4W-25126, S4W-25128 and S4W-25129 regarding fracking, which received holding answers on 24 April 2015.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is continuing to take a cautious, evidence-based approach to all issues relating to unconventional oil and gas. Within this context, my officials are currently gathering further information and facts on these issues, and the Scottish Government will provide an update in due course.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-07-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-07-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304542,"EventID":"S4W-26337","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3745,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":122,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-25T16:42:41.383","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-25T16:17:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on its position on tail docking.","AnswerText":"I have been carefully considering the strongly held views on both sides of the argument about the possibility of allowing tail docking of working dogs in Scotland. I have recently been asked by the Rural Affairs, Climate Change and Environment Committee to provide an update on the Scottish Government’s position on this subject and will reply to them shortly.","AnswerDate":"2015-07-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-07-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Richard Lochhead","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304552,"EventID":"S4W-26345","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3759,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":80,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-26T13:51:48.32","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-26T12:26:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what information it can provide regarding the First Minister’s recent visit to the United States.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-07-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304553,"EventID":"S4W-26349","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":2,"MSPID":3759,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":80,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-26T13:57:06.263","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-26T13:53:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what information it can provide regarding the First Minister’s recent visit to the United States.","AnswerText":"The First Minister visited the USA between 8 and 11 June 2015 to undertake a series of engagements to promote Scotland as a place to do business, to study and to visit. She also met with key stakeholders across a range of sectors. \r\nNew figures show that Scotland is the most popular place for inward investment in the UK outside London and that US investment is at a record high after our global profile in 2014. Indeed the US is now more important to Scottish foreign direct investment performance than to the UK as a whole with 46% of its investment coming from US investors. 2014 saw 37 investments secured from the US – the most successful year in the attraction of US investment in the last decade. During her visit the First Minister announced the creation of a further 212 new jobs and the safeguarding of 147 existing jobs in Livingston by US manufacturing company Jabil, and also the creation of 50 new jobs in Glasgow by Spire, a satellite technology company. \r\n30 companies attended a business breakfast hosted by the First Minister and Scottish Enterprise, including 12 existing investors, three Scottish companies operating in North America and key target companies in the New York area. A number of investors joined a broader audience at the Glasgow Caledonian University campus in New York where the First Minister set out Scotland’s approach to business and society, including our support for social enterprise and the newly launched Scottish Business Pledge.\r\nAt a roundtable discussion with senior women executives from the financial services, business services, technology and creative industries, the First Minister led a discussion on how to get better gender diversity in the workplace and get more women into senior positions. The First Minister also launched Scottish SME The Wee Tea Company’s export drive in the USA providing an opportunity to promote Scottish food and drink to a key market.\r\nThe First Minister continued her focus on the economy with discussions at the headquarters of the World Bank in Washington DC where she spoke on Scotland’s work on tackling inequality and growing the economy and at the International Monetary Fund where she met with managing director Christine Lagarde to discuss economic issues and Scotland’s economic strategy. \r\nThe First Minister undertook a number of policy related visits to learn lessons from different approaches taken in the USA on issues of health and education and to share Scotland’s experiences. The First Minister met with Chancellor Carmen Fariña of New York City’s Department of Education who is responsible for the education of over 1.1 million children and 1,800 public schools in the New York area and with the Deputy Secretary for Education, John King, to discuss programmes to improve educational outcomes.\r\nThe First Minister also met the newly appointed Deputy Under Secretary for Food, Nutrition and Consumer Services, Dr Katie Wilson, to share experiences on school meals and school nutritional standards.\r\nThe First Minister cemented the links between Yorkhill Children’s Hospital in Glasgow and the New York Presbyterian Hospital through her visit and welcomed the philanthropic support for both hospitals from the St Andrew’s Society of New York State.\r\nThe First Minister’s programme had a strong cultural element. She was awarded Honorary Membership of the St Andrew’s Society of New York State, hosted a reception at the New York Library for the Performing Arts on behalf of the Glasgow School of Art to launch their restoration funding programme in the USA, paid her respects at the September 11th memorial museum in New York and took part in a ceremony at the US Holocaust Memorial Museum in Washington DC to hand over unique images of WWII concentration camps which are in the Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Scotland collection. She also met with a number of holocaust survivors and lit a candle in the Hall of Remembrance.\r\nEngaging with senior contacts in the US A","AnswerDate":"2015-06-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-07-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fiona Hyslop","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304554,"EventID":"S4W-26327","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1768,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":131,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-26T15:52:51.357","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-25T15:04:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what consideration it has given to raising the audit threshold for charities in Scotland so that it is in line with the equivalent in England and Wales and, if it has decided not to introduce such an increase, when this decision was made and by whom.","AnswerText":"The legislative framework for charities operating in Scotland is different from charities operating in other parts of the United Kingdom.\r\nThe legislative framework, including the income threshold for charities, is reviewed regularly as part of the Scottish Government’s formal and informal engagement with the Office of the Scottish Charity Regulator (OSCR) and with the charity sector in Scotland. Scottish Ministers receive updates from officials regularly on any matters that require further consideration and decision.\r\nOSCR officials have recommended against raising the audit threshold in Scotland at this time on the basis that there is currently no robust evidence to support the raising of the threshold.\r\nThere has been little informal or formal representation from the charity sector in Scotland in favour of raising the audit threshold.\r\nScottish Ministers have considered the evidence available to date and have decided that the audit threshold should remain unchanged at this time.\r\nWe will continue to work with OSCR and charity stakeholders to ensure that the legislative framework for charities in Scotland remains fair, robust and fit for purpose.","AnswerDate":"2015-07-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-07-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304555,"EventID":"S4W-26329","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1768,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":131,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-26T15:52:52.327","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-25T15:04:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on the audit threshold for charities in Scotland differing from that in England and Wales.","AnswerText":" I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-26327 on 21 July 2015. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.","AnswerDate":"2015-07-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-07-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304556,"EventID":"S4W-26330","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-26T15:52:53.06","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-25T15:58:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many people have been admitted as inpatients to non-specialised hospital wards in each year since 2010, broken down by NHS board.","AnswerText":"The information requested is not held centrally.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-07-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-07-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304557,"EventID":"S4W-26331","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-26T15:52:53.777","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-25T15:58:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many patients have been (a) accommodated in a hospital in their own NHS board area and (b) sent to hospitals outwith their NHS board area in each year since 2010.","AnswerText":"The information requested on the number of patients admitted within their own health board and admitted to hospital outwith their own health board area at any stage during each calendar year since 2010 is provided in the following table:\r\n\r\nYear\r\nPatients admitted within local health board area\r\nPatients admitted outwith local health board area*\r\n2011\r\n626,900\r\n92,538*\r\n2011\r\n630,709\r\n91,231*\r\n2012\r\n642,447\r\n94,934*\r\n2013\r\n640,450\r\n95,462*\r\n2014\r\n642,200\r\n99,771*\r\nSource ISD Scotland SMR01\r\n*These figures include patients treated at the Golden Jubilee National Hospital and the independent healthcare sector.","AnswerDate":"2015-07-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-07-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304558,"EventID":"S4W-26332","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-26T15:52:54.477","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-25T15:58:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many (a) clinical and (b) surgical readmissions there have been in each NHS board since 2010, broken down by month.","AnswerText":"I have arranged for the information requested to be placed with the Scottish Parliament Information Centre (Bib number 57066).\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-07-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-07-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304559,"EventID":"S4W-26333","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-26T15:52:55.197","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-25T15:58:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many student nurses have (a) begun, (b) completed, (c) interrupted and (d) dropped out of their nursing training in each of the last five years.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government manages the supply of registered nurses and midwives into NHSScotland through the commissioning of student numbers on nursing and midwifery programmes at Scottish Higher Education Institutions. This process is informed by workforce planning that considers employers’ predictions of the number of nurses and midwives required and available future supply of qualified staff and includes input from Higher Education Institutions and partnership bodies, including the Royal College of Nursing.\r\nTo support analysis of nursing and midwifery student commencement, progression and completion, NES capture data whenever any student starts, stops or completes their course. The figures, as set out in the following table, reflect that the duration of nursing and midwifery pre-registration programmes varies depending on the programme type from 18 months (for conversion programmes) to four years (for honours programmes) and that due to breaks in training, students may take longer than the normal programme length to complete. Therefore, recent cohort years in the table will show smaller numbers of completions.\r\nTable 1: Nursing fields of practice only.\r\nCohort\r\nCommencement\r\nDiscontinuation\r\nCompletion\r\n2010\r\n3,259\r\n613\r\n2,394\r\n2011\r\n2,936\r\n434\r\n1,862\r\n2012\r\n2,597\r\n317\r\n150\r\n2013\r\n2,737\r\n205\r\n24\r\n2014\r\n3,017\r\n68\r\n0\r\nTable 1 Notes: Number of commencements on the cohorted course only, i.e. excluding commencements on any subsequent courses they may have taken\r\nNumber of discontinuations on the cohorted course only, i.e. excluding discontinuations from any subsequent courses they may have taken\r\nNumber of completions on cohorted or any subsequent pre-registration course up until first registration (excluding midwifery courses)\t\t","AnswerDate":"2015-07-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-07-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304560,"EventID":"S4W-26334","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-26T15:52:55.883","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-25T15:58:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many referrals GPs have made for eating disorders in each year since 2012, broken down by (a) age and (b) gender.","AnswerText":"GP referrals for eating disorders to acute inpatient, day case or outpatient services is not collected centrally. It is possible for Information Services Division Scotland to identify the number of GP referrals to psychiatric inpatient hospitals for eating disorder but data is not published here due to the small numbers involved and the potential to identify individuals.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-07-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-07-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304561,"EventID":"S4W-26335","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-26T15:52:56.63","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-25T15:58:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with the (a) Scottish Council for Internet Safety and (b) Scottish Stakeholder Group on Internet Safety regarding the development of an integrated e-safety strategy and action plan that includes pro-eating disorder sites in discussions on harmful web-content.","AnswerText":"There have been no specific discussions. As the regulation of the internet is a reserved matter, the Scottish Government is represented on the Executive Board of the UK Council for Child Internet Safety. Members represent organisations who are actively involved in helping young people to stay safe online, including avoiding sites that will encourage them to harm themselves in whatever way. The Scottish Stakeholder Group on Child Internet Safety also meets regularly as part of the Scottish Government’s aim to inspire safe and responsible use and given the ever-changing nature of the internet constantly brings new challenges. The group is a means of identifying emerging new concerns and is a way of highlighting and taking forward any necessary national action to address those concerns. We are working hard to limit children and young people’s exposure to inappropriate and harmful content through awareness, raising initiatives and placing emphasis on responsible and safe use of technologies.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-07-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-07-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fiona McLeod","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304562,"EventID":"S4W-26336","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-26T15:52:57.347","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-25T16:08:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it ensures that schools educate people under 18 about eating disorders.","AnswerText":"The Schools (Health Promotion and Nutrition) Act (Scotland) 2007 places a number of duties on local education authorities including ensuring that schools are health promoting. This includes promoting physical, social, mental and emotional wellbeing by supporting pupils to make positive lifestyle choices in relation to their health and wellbeing. \r\nIt is for each local authority and school to decide how to develop their own approaches to implement health and wellbeing within curriculum for excellence, based on local needs and circumstances.\r\nThe Education Scotland website is a primary source of information for teachers and provides links to relevant organisations and websites such as B-EAT (Beat Eating Disorders) which provides books, resources and training for teachers.","AnswerDate":"2015-07-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-07-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alasdair Allan","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304563,"EventID":"S4W-26340","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5057,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-26T15:52:57.987","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-26T12:00:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action is being taken to reduce the number of stop and searches in South Scotland.","AnswerText":"Where and when to conduct searches is an operational matter for Police Scotland. I have alerted the chief constable to your question and I have asked him to write to you.","AnswerDate":"2015-07-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-07-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304564,"EventID":"S4W-26341","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5057,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-26T15:52:58.707","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-26T12:00:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many of the stop and searches in the (a) Ayr, (b) Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley, (c) Clydesdale, (d) East Lothian, (e) Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire, (f) Galloway and West Dumfries, (g) Kilmarnock and Irvine Valley and (h) Midlothian South, Tweeddale and Lauderdale constituency in 2013-14 resulted in a (i) prosecution and (ii) conviction. ","AnswerText":"The information requested is a matter for Police Scotland. I have alerted the chief constable to your question and I have asked him to write to you.","AnswerDate":"2015-07-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-07-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304565,"EventID":"S4W-26342","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5057,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-26T15:52:59.47","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-26T12:00:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many of the stop and searches in the (a) Ayr, (b) Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley, (c) Clydesdale, (d) East Lothian, (e) Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire, (f) Galloway and West Dumfries, (g) Kilmarnock and Irvine Valley and (h) Midlothian South, Tweeddale and Lauderdale constituency in 2013-14 resulted in a positive finding. ","AnswerText":"The information requested is a matter for Police Scotland. I have alerted the chief constable to your question and I have asked him write to you.","AnswerDate":"2015-07-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-07-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304566,"EventID":"S4W-26343","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5057,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-26T15:53:00.203","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-26T12:00:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many people who were subject to a stop and search in the (a) Ayr, (b) Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley, (c) Clydesdale, (d) East Lothian, (e) Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire, (f) Galloway and West Dumfries, (g) Kilmarnock and Irvine Valley and (h) Midlothian South, Tweeddale and Lauderdale constituency in 2013-14 were stopped more than once, and what information it has on how many times each person was stopped. ","AnswerText":"The information requested is a matter for Police Scotland. I have alerted the chief constable to your question and I have asked him to write to you.","AnswerDate":"2015-07-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-07-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304567,"EventID":"S4W-26344","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5057,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-26T15:53:00.857","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-26T12:00:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many stop and searches were conducted in the (a) Ayr, (b) Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley, (c) Clydesdale, (d) East Lothian, (e) Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire, (f) Galloway and West Dumfries, (g) Kilmarnock and Irvine Valley and (h) Midlothian South, Tweeddale and Lauderdale constituency in 2013-14, broken down by people aged (i) under 12, (ii) 12 to 15, (iii) 16 to 25 and (iv) over 25.","AnswerText":"The information requested is a matter for Police Scotland. I have alerted the chief constable to your question and I have asked him to write to you.","AnswerDate":"2015-07-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-07-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304568,"EventID":"S4W-26346","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5009,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-26T15:53:01.53","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-26T13:14:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government which of its (a) directorates and (b) agencies maintain databases that hold private information about people; (i) how many and (ii) which ones are maintained by external service providers; what the (A) name and (B) purpose of each is, and how many (aa) of its officials and (bb) external staff have access to them.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has a governance framework for managing information (which may be held on paper, in a structured or an unstructured document store, or in a database). Responsibility for managing information assets is devolved to information asset owners across the organisation.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-07-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-07-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304569,"EventID":"S4W-26350","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2066,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-26T15:53:02.153","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-26T14:44:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to the concerns of crofters and small producers that, due to the way payment rewards are calculated, many of them will receive very low or no payments under the farm payment rebate scheme. ","AnswerText":"The recent rebates were made as part of the common agricultural policy’s financial discipline mechanism. This works by deducting money from direct payments to farmers and crofters to create a fund to deal with, amongst other things, any unexpected crisis affecting farmers across Europe, and by repaying any unspent funds in the following year.\r\nThe calculation of an individual’s contribution is through a percentage applied to the combined total of payments above a 2,000 threshold under the single farm payment and Scottish beef schemes and any reimbursement is proportionate to the individual’s share, based on payments received, of the total amount to be refunded. Those below the 2,000 threshold do not contribute to the financial discipline mechanism so neither are they entitled to any reimbursement. Consequently, irrespective of the size of an individual’s support payments the financial discipline mechanism, if it applies to a farmer or crofter at all, operates in a manner that is proportionate to their receipt of subsidy.\r\nLooking at the scale of the reimbursements to farm businesses located in the crofting areas, around 4,400 businesses shared some £2.1 million or an average reimbursement of £477. In the same areas, some 3,100 farm businesses received less than 2,000 in the relevant period so did not contribute to the financial discipline mechanism so neither were they entitled to any reimbursement.","AnswerDate":"2015-07-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-07-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Richard Lochhead","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304570,"EventID":"S4W-26351","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2066,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-26T15:53:02.853","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-26T14:44:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what support it provides to crofters for whom severe weather has impacted on their livestock grazing.","AnswerText":"In and following the period of winter 2014 (December, January and February) and spring 2015 (March, April and May), the Scottish Government made the following income support payments to those farming in the crofting areas:\r\nSubsidy Scheme\r\nAmount Paid\r\nAverage Date of Payment\r\nSingle Farm Payment Scheme\r\n£75.5 million\r\n1 December 2015 \r\nScottish Beef Scheme\r\n£6.0 million\r\n20 April 2015\r\nFinancial Discipline Reimbursement\r\n£2.1 million\r\n16 June 2015 \r\nTotal\r\n£83.6 million\r\n\r\nThe Scottish Government appreciates that it has been a wet and difficult spring for many farmers and crofters and is in discussions with the National Farmers Union Scotland and the Scottish Crofting Federation on this topic. The funding in the table above is already available under the common agricultural policy to support the viability of farming and crofting businesses, which we hope will help increase their ability to deal with difficult external impacts such as this. As the Met Office has noted, there is variability in weather patterns and occasional extreme events at a local level and Scottish Ministers are, in conjunction with the industry, seeking to establish an evidence-based assessment of the scale of any impacts.","AnswerDate":"2015-07-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-07-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Richard Lochhead","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304571,"EventID":"S4W-26352","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1768,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":131,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-26T15:53:03.527","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-26T15:12:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when the provisions of the Housing (Scotland) Act 2014 regarding the licensing of park home sites will come into effect.","AnswerText":"We plan to bring the provisions into effect in spring 2017.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-07-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-07-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Burgess","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304580,"EventID":"S4W-26353","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2603,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-29T13:43:07.187","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-29T09:52:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the vacancy rate is for staff and associate specialist grades, including specialty doctors, broken down by NHS board.","AnswerText":"We currently have the highest medical staffing levels ever, with all NHSScotland medical doctors up 23.6% under this government and record numbers of consultants.\r\n\r\nThe information requested is not held centrally. Information Services Division (ISD) Scotland collects current vacancy data on consultants, nurses and midwives and allied health professionals. The latest vacancy information for these specialties as at 31 March 2015 is published on the ISD website:\r\nhttps://www.isdscotland.org/Health-Topics/Workforce/Publications/2015-06-02/Consultant_Vacancies_M2015.xls\r\nhttps://www.isdscotland.org/Health-Topics/Workforce/Publications/2015-06-02/Nursing_and_Midwifery_Vacancies_M2015.xls\r\nhttps://www.isdscotland.org/Health-Topics/Workforce/publications/2015-06-02/AHP_vacancies_M2015.xls","AnswerDate":"2015-07-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-08-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304581,"EventID":"S4W-26354","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2603,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-29T13:43:08.357","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-29T09:52:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to gather data on staff and associate specialist doctor vacancy rates to better inform its long-term workforce planning strategy.","AnswerText":"We currently have the highest medical staffing levels ever, with all NHSScotland medical doctors up 23.6% in this government and record numbers of consultants.\r\nAs part of a series of planned improvements to NHSScotland workforce planning arrangements, the Scottish Government is working closely with NHS boards and Information Services Division Scotland to review how vacancies are currently recorded and reported nationally for consultants, nurses and midwives, and allied health professionals.\r\nNHS Board HR Directors will discuss and agree the next steps later in 2015 and share further information with interested parties in due course. ","AnswerDate":"2015-07-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-08-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304582,"EventID":"S4W-26355","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1769,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":75,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-29T13:43:09.167","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-26T16:33:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking in response to the Audit Scotland report on Coatbridge College, which stated that senior staff received payments “that exceeded the terms of the college’s severance scheme\".","AnswerText":"The events outlined by the Audit Scotland report on Coatbridge College took place at a time when primary responsibility for severance lay with college boards. Since then, colleges have become subject to the Scottish Public Finance Manual and must comply with the process outlined around settlement and severance arrangements. \r\nAs a result, colleges are now required to seek prior approval from the Scottish Funding Council for both settlement and severance arrangements.","AnswerDate":"2015-07-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-07-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304583,"EventID":"S4W-26356","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1769,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":75,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-29T13:43:09.917","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-26T16:33:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the terms are of Coatbridge College’s severance scheme and how many times these have been exceeded.","AnswerText":"This is a matter for the Scottish Funding Council. I have asked the Chief Executive of the Council to respond directly.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-07-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-07-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304584,"EventID":"S4W-26357","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1769,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":75,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-29T13:43:10.617","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-26T16:33:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much the reorganisation of colleges has cost to date.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Funding Council advises that the cost of college mergers is around £55 million, most of which was associated with voluntary severance programmes. Final details of costs will be captured by the Scottish Funding Council’s forthcoming evaluations of each merger.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-07-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-07-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304585,"EventID":"S4W-26358","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2134,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":82,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-29T13:43:11.35","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-26T17:13:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government (a) how many and (b) which of its directorates require external callers to use premium rate telephone numbers.","AnswerText":"There is one directorate; Agriculture, Fisheries and Rural Communities, which currently utilises three non-revenue sharing 0845 numbers.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-07-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-07-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304586,"EventID":"S4W-26359","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1814,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":77,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-29T13:43:12.1","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-27T18:21:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on the roll-out of smart meters to households.","AnswerText":"This inconsistency in meter installation may well mean that customers with older meters find it more difficult to switch supplier in future. There is also a real possibility that those who do not have smart meters installed, whether for technical reasons or because they refuse to do so, may face higher bills. This may cause a particular risk that pensioners pay more which would be wholly unacceptable.\r\nThe Scottish Government is of the view that the most vulnerable are the most in need of a smart energy solution, so particular caution must be exercised to ensure that the rollout is designed for their needs.\r\nI raised these issues in a phone call to the UK Energy Minister, Lord Bourne, on 22 July 2015 and I will continue to press the UK Government to ensure that the programme is delivered at the lowest possible cost to the greatest number of Scottish consumers whilst enhancing the benefits to the most vulnerable in our society and those at risk of fuel poverty.","AnswerDate":"2015-08-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-07-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304587,"EventID":"S4W-26360","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1814,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":77,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-29T13:43:12.973","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-27T18:21:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with the UK Government on its decision to mandate the roll-out of smart meters.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-26359 on 4 August 2015. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx","AnswerDate":"2015-08-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-07-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304588,"EventID":"S4W-26361","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1814,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":77,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-29T13:43:13.723","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-27T18:21:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with the UK Government on its decision to create a single data collection company for smart meter data.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-26359 on 4 August 2015. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx","AnswerDate":"2015-08-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-07-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304589,"EventID":"S4W-26362","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1814,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":77,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-29T13:43:14.487","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-27T18:21:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with the UK Government on the potential for new smart meter technology to reduce consumer costs associated with pre-payment energy meters.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-26359 on 4 August 2015. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx","AnswerDate":"2015-08-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-07-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304590,"EventID":"S4W-26363","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1814,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":77,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-29T13:43:15.267","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-27T18:21:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what consideration it has given to the potential for increasing the number of modern apprenticeships in the energy sector through training people to install smart meters.","AnswerText":"A properly conceived scheme, that enables the most up to date technology to be used and takes steps to address the considerable criticisms that have been made, could provide a significant number of employment and training opportunities in Scotland.\r\nThe relevant trade association, British Electrotechnical and Allied Manufacturers’ Association, expects that the number of jobs currently involved in the assembly of meters will double, creating an additional 750 to 1,000 jobs including highly skilled jobs in assembly, testing, research, logistics and product development and the Department of Energy and Climate Change has stated that up to 10,000 jobs could be supported during peak installation1.\r\nThis potential to create jobs is at risk and the criticisms of the programme raised by the Scottish Government and others must be taken seriously and properly addressed to ensure that these considerable benefits are realised.\r\n1. delivering energy investment report","AnswerDate":"2015-08-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-07-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304591,"EventID":"S4W-26364","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1814,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":77,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-29T13:43:16.077","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-27T18:21:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what it is doing to encourage innovation in the design of smart meters.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government does not have a direct role to play in the design of smart meters. We are committed to supporting innovation in Scotland however. We do this through the Scottish Funding Council, the network of Innovation Centres, through our enterprise agencies and through the new ministerial-led Scotland CAN DO Innovation Forum which held its first meeting on 20 May 2015.\r\nWe are pressing the UK Government to encourage the installation of the most up to date technology in smart meters to avoid issues that could be faced by consumers who have had older meters installed.","AnswerDate":"2015-08-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-07-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304592,"EventID":"S4W-26365","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1814,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":77,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-29T13:43:16.827","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-27T18:21:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the potential for smart meters to help reduce energy overgeneration.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has not made an assessment of the potential for smart meters to help reduce energy generation. However we recognise that the introduction of smart meters could mean energy networks will have better information upon which to manage and plan activities (e.g. during power cuts) and investment. Smart meters could also assist the move towards smart grids which support sustainable energy supply and help reduce the total energy needed in the system.\r\nCriticisms raised by us, by the Energy and Climate Change Committee and in the National Audit Office report of June 2014 must be addressed to ensure that these benefits are realised.","AnswerDate":"2015-08-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-07-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304593,"EventID":"S4W-26366","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1814,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":77,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-29T13:43:17.67","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-27T18:21:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the cost would be of the roll-out of smart meters to every household.","AnswerText":"According to the Department for Energy and Climate Change’s latest impact assessment of the smart meter roll out from 2014, the roll-out is expected to result in a small bill increase in the short term, peaking at an average increase of around £6 per household in 2015, and will be followed by bill reductions from 2017. The Department for Energy and Climate Change estimates average bills savings of approximately £43 per household by 2030.\r\nThe assessment claims total net benefit across domestic and non-domestic sectors is expected to amount to £6.2 billion with estimates for worst to best case scenarios ranging from £1.3 billion to £11.4 billion.\r\nThe very wide range in these estimates make them hard to confidently rely on, but further to this the costs and expected benefits are likely to have changed significantly since the impact assessment was undertaken. The Scottish Government does not believe that these figures accurately reflect the costs of the smart meter programme and we are concerned that costs could potentially be much higher.","AnswerDate":"2015-08-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-07-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304594,"EventID":"S4W-26367","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1814,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":77,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-29T13:43:18.497","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-27T18:21:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with (a) Smart Energy GB and (b) consumer organisations regarding the forthcoming advertising campaign to raise awareness of smart meters.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has met officials from Smart Energy GB, Ofgem, the energy companies, energy savings trust and Citizens’ Advice Scotland on several occasions to discuss the impact of the smart meter roll out on consumers, and in particular low-income and vulnerable consumers, including those at risk of being in fuel poverty.\r\nThe Scottish Government have been clear with all parties in these discussions that we see areas for improvement in the smart meter roll out process.\r\nDuring our discussions it has been cited as a real possibility that those who cannot install, or refuse to install smart meters may face higher bills. There is a particular risk that a number of senior citizens will fall in this category and may therefore end up paying more. This would be wholly unacceptable.","AnswerDate":"2015-08-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-07-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304595,"EventID":"S4W-26368","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1814,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":77,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-29T13:43:19.29","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-27T18:21:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on Smart Energy GB’s emphasis on raising awareness of smart meters with households vulnerable to fuel poverty.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-26367 on 4 August 2015. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-08-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-07-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304596,"EventID":"S4W-26369","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1814,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":77,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-29T13:43:20.103","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-27T18:21:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with (a) Smart Energy GB and (b) other relevant stakeholders regarding the use of smart meters in tackling fuel poverty.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-26367 on 4 August 2015. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.","AnswerDate":"2015-08-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-07-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304597,"EventID":"S4W-26370","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-29T13:43:20.93","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-29T10:20:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what it is doing to address the shortage of available kidneys for transplant purposes.","AnswerText":"In 2013, the Scottish Government published A Donation and Transplantation Plan for Scotland 2013-2020. This plan sets out the ways in which Government and the NHS plans to improve donation and transplantation in Scotland. The plan builds on the very good progress made over the preceding five year period.\r\nA key development is that as of the start of April 2015 kidney transplantation in Scotland was designated as a national service. Previously kidney transplantation in Scotland had operated on a regional basis. This will ensure that all Scottish patients have equal access to a high standard of kidney transplant services.\r\nWe have invested in the organ donation infrastructure in our hospitals by appointing additional specialist nurses and clinical leads for organ donation in every Intensive Care Unit across the country. Organ Donation Committees have been established in all mainland NHS boards with links established to the Island boards and they are responsible for overseeing donation activity in their hospitals. We have strengthened the Scottish Organ Retrieval Team which maximises the number of transplants by ensuring timely and high quality retrieval of organs from hospitals around the country. We also run high profile organ donation campaigns raising awareness of organ donation and encouraging people to join the NHS Organ Donor Register and to make their families aware of their wishes. Because of this, 41% of the Scottish population is on the NHS Organ Donor Register – the highest percentage of any of the UK countries.\r\nSince the Scottish Government started a programme of improvement in organ donation and transplantation in 2008 the number of patients on the active waiting list for a kidney transplant in Scotland has fallen from 620 to 407 - a decrease of 34.4%*.  \r\n* Source: NHS Blood and Transplant for period 31-3-08 to 31-5-15","AnswerDate":"2015-07-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-07-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304598,"EventID":"S4W-26371","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-29T13:43:21.677","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-29T10:20:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when the (a) Cabinet Secretary for Health, Wellbeing and Sport, (b) Minister for Public Health and (c) Minister for Health Improvement and Mental Health has visited a renal unit since taking office.","AnswerText":"Since taking office, the Cabinet Secretary for Health, Wellbeing and Sport; the Minister for Public Health and the Minister for Health Improvement and Mental Health have not yet visited a renal unit.\r\n\r\nThe Minister for Public Health is to visit the renal unit at the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh in autumn 2015.","AnswerDate":"2015-07-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-07-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304599,"EventID":"S4W-26372","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-29T13:43:22.457","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-29T10:20:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it is encouraging people from a black, Asian and ethnic minority background to register on the NHS Organ Donation Register.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is very aware of the need to raise awareness of organ donation with the black, Asian and minority ethnic (BAME) communities in Scotland and recommendation 1b in A Donation and Transplantation Plan for Scotland 2013-2020 states that ‘The Scottish Government should ensure that proportionate targeted awareness-raising and education work continues with BAME and other relevant communities in Scotland, linking up to similar work across the UK as appropriate’. We facilitated a series of working groups with key members of the BAME communities and embarked on a programme of awareness raising activities at cultural events such as Melas, religious festivals, BAME awards ceremonies etc and at places of worship such as mosques, gurdwaras and mandirs.\r\n\r\nIn 2014, we funded Kidney Research UK to undertake a two year sustained programme of organ donation awareness raising with the South Asian communities in the NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde area. It has been very successful and on 15th June 2015, a Scottish Government news release announced that funding for the project would be extended for a further year:\r\nhttp://news.scotland.gov.uk/News/Scottish-Government-extends-funding-for-organ-donor-project-19fb.aspx","AnswerDate":"2015-07-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-07-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304600,"EventID":"S4W-26373","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-29T13:43:23.223","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-29T10:20:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it is encouraging research to improve the efficacy and life cycle of kidney transplants.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government recognises the importance of research in developing effective treatment strategies for kidney disease, including improving the efficacy and life cycle of kidney transplants.\r\nIn August 2014, after an open recruitment process, Dr Patrick Marks from the University of Glasgow was appointed as the NHS Research Scotland (NRS) clinical lead for renal disease. This role involves:\r\nEnsuring the effective delivery of research projects in renal disease\r\nIncreasing the number of patients enrolled into trials in the renal disease portfolio.\r\nWorking with established groups, individual clinicians, NRS research and development directors and lay representatives, to promote research activity in renal disease.\r\nEncouraging clinicians to participate in renal disease clinical research.\r\nWithin the Scottish Government, the Chief Scientist Office (CSO) is responsible for the funding of high quality research relevant to the health and well-being of the people of Scotland. CSO has funded a number of projects on renal disease. Specifically in relation to kidney transplantation, CSO has awarded £240,000 in funding to a team led by Dr David Kluth from the University of Edinburgh. Their project, entitled ‘Recovery from ischaemia-reperfusion injury after renal transplantation’ is studying the role of immune cells in delayed graft function (DGF) with the aim of optimising treatment to minimise DGF and improve the efficacy of transplants. The project is due to produce a final report towards the end of 2015.","AnswerDate":"2015-07-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-07-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304601,"EventID":"S4W-26374","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-29T13:43:24.017","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-29T11:03:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many people are on the waiting list for a bone density scan in each NHS board.","AnswerText":"The information requested is not collected centrally.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-07-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-07-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304602,"EventID":"S4W-26375","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-29T13:43:24.813","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-29T11:03:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the HEAT target is for bone density scans.","AnswerText":"Delivery must be made within our overarching waiting time standard that 90% of patients are seen and treated within 18 weeks from initial referral to start of treatment, as it is important that every part of the patient pathway is as swift as possible including any tests required. \r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-07-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-07-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304603,"EventID":"S4W-26376","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-29T13:43:25.563","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-29T11:03:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it ensures that follow-up tests after an initial bone density scan are conducted regularly and within the HEAT target waiting times.","AnswerText":"There is no waiting time target for follow-up scans. The timing of any follow-up scans will be based on a clinical decision for each individual patient. We have made it clear to boards that they must ensure that any follow-up scans, including bone density scans, are carried out at the most clinically appropriate time for each individual patient.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-07-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-07-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304604,"EventID":"S4W-26377","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-29T13:43:26.263","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-29T11:03:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government which hospitals conduct bone density scans.","AnswerText":"The information requested is provided in the following table.\r\n\r\nNHS Board\r\nHospital with a bone density scanner\r\nAyrshire and Arran\r\n\r\nAyrshire Central Hospital, Irvine\r\nBorders\r\n\r\nBorders General Hospital, Melrose\r\nDumfries and Galloway\r\n\r\nDumfries and Galloway Royal Infirmary, Dumfries\r\nFife\r\n\r\nVictoria Hospital, Kirkcaldy\r\nForth Valley\r\n\r\nForth Valley Royal Hospital, Larbert\r\nGrampian\r\nAberdeen Royal Infirmary, Aberdeen\r\nDr Gray’s Hospital, Elgin\r\nMobile Scanner\r\n\r\nGreater Glasgow and Clyde\r\nGlasgow Royal Infirmary, Glasgow\r\nThe Queen Elizabeth University Hospital (new South), Glasgow\r\nStobhill Hospital, Glasgow\r\nVictoria Infirmary, Glasgow\r\nRoyal Alexandria Hospital, Paisley\r\nInverclyde Royal Hospital, Greenock\r\n\r\nHighland\r\nRoss Memorial Hospital, Dingwall\r\n\r\nLanarkshire\r\nWishaw General Hospital, Wishaw\r\n\r\nLothian\r\nWestern General Hospital, Edinburgh (2 scanners on site)\r\n\r\nOrkney\r\nNone – patients sent to Grampian\r\n\r\nShetland\r\nNone – service provided by Grampian (Grampian’s mobile scanner is periodically stationed in Shetland)\r\n\r\nTayside\r\n\r\nNinewells Hospital, Dundee\r\nPerth Royal Infirmary, Perth\r\nWestern Isles\r\nWestern Isles Hospital, Stornoway\r\n\r\nNational Waiting Times Centre\r\nGolden Jubilee National Hospital, Clydebank","AnswerDate":"2015-07-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-07-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304615,"EventID":"S4W-26378","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-29T15:13:03.34","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-29T12:01:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many GPs have been recruited through the Scotland GP Returner Programme.","AnswerText":"It is NHS Education for Scotland (NES) which has operational responsibility for the GP Returner Programme. The programme provides a tailored induction and educational placement of between three to six months for those GPs who have previously worked in NHS general practice but have been out of clinical general practice for more than two years and wish to return to work in NHS general practice in Scotland. This might include GPs who are returning from a career break or those returning from working outside the UK.\r\nThe number of GPs recruited into this programme has always been low; on average between five and six per annum. NES report there were four returners in 2013, seven in 2014 and so far in 2015 three have completed the programme, with another three due to start later this year. NES also report they hold a list of nine others who are intending to return to Scotland and who are eligible for the programme.\r\nWith £100,000 of additional resources provided by the Scottish Government, NES has worked with NHS boards, The Royal College of General Practitioners, The British Medical Association Scotland and others to relaunch the programme this year. The main objectives are to improve the visibility and accessibility of relevant information for those seeking to return, and improved use of digital media platforms to target practitioners in rest of UK, Australia, New Zealand and Canada. NES has upgraded its website pages to allow GP’s from all over the world to more easily find information via online searches, is conducting an audit of GP forums and media across the world to inform future marketing approaches, and plans at least one dedicated GP Returners event to take place in Scotland in 2015.","AnswerDate":"2015-07-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-07-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304616,"EventID":"S4W-26379","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-29T15:13:04.09","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-29T12:01:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of GP provision for new settlements across the country.","AnswerText":"Under Scottish planning legislation, health boards are 'key agencies' in the preparation of development plans, and should be actively engaged with planning authorities in the process of planning for new development and the growth of communities.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-07-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-07-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304617,"EventID":"S4W-26380","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-29T15:13:04.9","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-29T12:01:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many GPs NHS Scotland has recruited from the (a) UK, (b) EU, (c) European Economic Area and (d) rest of the world in each year since 2010.","AnswerText":"The breakdown requested is not held centrally as statutory responsibility for ensuring primary medical services rests locally with health boards and not Scottish Ministers.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-07-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-07-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304634,"EventID":"S4W-26381","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1741,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-30T15:22:39.61","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-29T14:50:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much funding for nursery place provision it (a) allocated to each local authority in (i) 2013-14 and (ii) 2014-15 and (b) has projected for 2015-16, and what formula it has used to calculate this.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government provides local authorities with a block revenue grant which includes funding for early learning and childcare. This money is not ring-fenced and local authorities are free to spend it in line with local priorities and agreed national priorities. \r\nThe Scottish Government has, however, allocated additional revenue and capital funding to local government to fully fund the expansion of early learning and childcare introduced by the Children and Young People (Scotland) Act 2014. These allocations, for 2014-15 and 2015-16, are set out in the tables which have been placed in the Scottish Parliament Information Centre (Bib. number 57386) and show the total amounts agreed, the allocation formulae and the resultant settlements for each local authority. These sums were developed drawing on published local financial return data, and on survey information collected by COSLA identifying the estimated costs to each local authority of the proposed expansion. These funds are not ring-fenced for spend on early learning and childcare.","AnswerDate":"2015-07-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-07-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fiona McLeod","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304635,"EventID":"S4W-26384","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1741,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-30T15:22:40.303","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-29T14:50:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much (a) was spent in each local authority area per eligible child for nursery place provision in (i) 2013-14 and (ii) 2014-15 and (b) is projected to be spent in 2015-16.","AnswerText":"Final outturn figures identifying gross revenue and capital expenditure on early learning and childcare (ELC) in each Scottish local authority are published annually as part of the Scottish local government financial statistics. The latest publication of 24 February 2015 identifies expenditure covering financial year 2013-14 and is available at the following link:\r\n\r\nhttp://www.gov.scot/Publications/2015/02/3131.\r\nFinal outturn figures identifying gross revenue and capital expenditure on ELC for financial year 2014-15 will be published in February 2016.\r\nAdditionally, the Scottish Government publishes Provisional Outturn and Budget Estimates (POBE) of net revenue expenditure on ELC for each local authority annually as part of the POBE publication. The latest publication of 27 May 2015 identifies provisional outturn expenditure for the financial year 2014-15 and budget estimates for financial year 2015-16. These figures are available at the following link; http://www.gov.scot/Publications/2015/05/6806\r\nThe number of registrations and estimated number of children eligible for the early learning and childcare free entitlement in each local authority are published annually as part of the Summary Statistics for Schools publication. These figures can be found in the additional early learning and childcare tables at the following link: http://www.gov.scot/Topics/Statistics/Browse/Children/Pubs-Pre-SchoolEducation.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-07-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-07-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fiona McLeod","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304636,"EventID":"S4W-26386","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1741,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-30T15:22:40.94","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-29T14:50:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many children who were eligible to receive nursery education it funded in each local authority area in (a) 2013-14 and (b) 2014-15 and it will fund in 2015-16.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government provides local authorities funding for the free entitlement for all eligible children. The number of funded registrations and estimated number of children eligible for the early learning and childcare free entitlement in each local authority are published annually as part of the summary statistics for schools publication. These figures can be found in the additional early learning and childcare tables at the following link:\r\n\r\nhttp://www.gov.scot/Topics/Statistics/Browse/Children/Pubs-Pre-SchoolEducation","AnswerDate":"2015-07-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-07-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fiona McLeod","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304637,"EventID":"S4W-26388","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1741,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-30T15:22:41.603","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-29T14:50:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what audit measures it uses to ensure that the funding it provides to pay for the nursery education of eligible children reaches the providers.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government audits overall spend on early learning and childcare through the annual local government finance returns; and the SOLACE/COSLA improvement service carry out an annual national benchmarking overview report including spend and costs on services including ‘pre-school provision’.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-07-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-07-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fiona McLeod","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304638,"EventID":"S4W-26393","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2066,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-30T15:22:42.26","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-30T10:37:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with (a) retailers, (b) third sector organisations, (c) bars and restaurants and (d) food and drink companies about the proposed deposit return system.","AnswerText":"I commissioned a study from Zero Waste Scotland to explore the feasibility of introducing a national deposit return system in Scotland. Following publication of this study, a call for evidence sought further information. At this stage, no particular model or system has been proposed by the Scottish Government, and we will consider further any issues raised during the call for evidence.\r\n\r\nWe are having ongoing discussions with the Packaging Recycling Group Scotland and third sector organisations including Scottish Environment LINK, Community Resource Network Scotland and Keep Scotland Beautiful. A stakeholder event was held on 26 May 2015 involving a wide range of representatives from across sectors to discuss the conclusions of the feasibility study, and we will continue to engage with all relevant interests.","AnswerDate":"2015-07-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-07-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Richard Lochhead","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304639,"EventID":"S4W-26394","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2066,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-30T15:22:43.083","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-30T10:40:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it has modelled how much local authorities will lose from scrap costs following the implementation of the proposed deposit return system.","AnswerText":"I commissioned a study from Zero Waste Scotland to explore the feasibility of introducing a national deposit return system in Scotland. Following publication of this study, a call for evidence sought further information. At this stage, no particular model or system has been proposed by the Scottish Government, and we will consider further any issues raised during the call for evidence.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-07-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-07-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Richard Lochhead","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304640,"EventID":"S4W-26395","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2066,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-30T15:22:43.927","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-30T10:40:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what discussion it has had with AG Barr about its existing deposit return system.","AnswerText":"AG Barr is a member of the Packaging Recycling Group Scotland (PRGS) and a number of meetings have taken place with PRGS and AG Barr in recent months on deposit return systems and related issues.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-07-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-07-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Richard Lochhead","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304641,"EventID":"S4W-26396","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2066,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-30T15:22:44.81","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-30T10:40:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what recent discussion it has had with food and drink companies regarding (a) recycling and (b) tackling litter.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government provides ongoing support to the food and drink sector on recycling through the Resource Efficient Scotland programme, providing a ‘one stop shop’ to discuss material, energy and water efficiency. The support includes assistance for individual companies, working with trade associations on sector-wide issues and supporting UK-wide voluntary agreements such as the Courtauld Commitment and Hospitality and Food Service Agreement. The Scottish Government also has ongoing discussions with the Packaging Recycling Group Scotland on measures to improve recycling and tackle litter, including in relation to the proposed household recycling charter.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-07-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-07-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Richard Lochhead","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304642,"EventID":"S4W-26397","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2066,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-30T15:22:45.603","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-30T10:40:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government who will pay for the installation of reverse vending machines following the implementation of its proposed deposit return system.","AnswerText":"I commissioned a study from Zero Waste Scotland to explore the feasibility of introducing a national deposit return system in Scotland. Following publication of this study, a call for evidence sought further information. At this stage, no particular model or system has been proposed by the Scottish Government, and we will consider further any issues raised during the call for evidence.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-07-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-07-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Richard Lochhead","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304643,"EventID":"S4W-26398","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2066,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-30T15:22:46.503","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-30T10:40:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether, in considering its proposed deposit return system, it has mapped the capacity of small retailers to store empty containers.","AnswerText":"I commissioned a study from Zero Waste Scotland to explore the feasibility of introducing a national deposit return system in Scotland. Following publication of this study, a call for evidence sought further information. At this stage, no particular model or system has been proposed by the Scottish Government, and we will consider further any issues raised during the call for evidence.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-07-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-07-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Richard Lochhead","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304644,"EventID":"S4W-26399","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-30T15:22:47.383","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-30T10:53:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the impact of withdrawing funding for Scottish Swimming’s Top Up programme on the number of children and young people swimming on a regular basis.","AnswerText":"The Swimming Top Up programme was designed as a time limited fund to enhance the work already being done by Scottish Swimming and local authorities to provide swimming lessons for primary school children across Scotland. Over the four years since the programme began in 2011, the Scottish Government has invested a total of £1.72 million. The final annual payment of £200,000 covered the period to June 2015.\r\n\r\nAlthough the top up funding has ended, the latest funding round from sportscotland has allocated to Scottish Swimming over £5 million for the four years 2015-19. This is the largest funding settlement of all the Commonwealth Games sports and will support grassroots swimming.\r\nThe Scottish Government will continue to explore with all relevant partners, including local authorities, sustainable options for helping children learn to swim.","AnswerDate":"2015-07-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-07-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304645,"EventID":"S4W-26400","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-30T15:22:48.387","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-30T10:53:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government which stakeholders were consulted before the decision was taken to withdraw funding from Scottish Swimming’s Top Up programme.","AnswerText":"Discussions took place with sportscotland and with Scottish Swimming.","AnswerDate":"2015-07-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-07-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304646,"EventID":"S4W-26401","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-30T15:22:49.47","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-30T10:53:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what consideration it has given to making swimming part of the secondary school curriculum during physical education lessons.","AnswerText":"Curriculum for excellence aims to provide a flexible approach to learning. Learning in physical education (PE) is designed to ensure that children and young people develop the physical skills and concepts for taking part in a wide range of sport and physical activity; and schools can choose to deliver swimming as part of the experiences and outcomes in PE.\r\n\r\nStatistics published in June 2015 showed that our investment in physical education is delivering results, with 99% of primary schools now providing two hours of PE per week. This demonstrates remarkable progress since 2004-05 when less than 10% of schools were meeting this target; and is testament to the Scottish Government's £11.6 million investment in PE over 2012-13 to 2015-16, through a programme jointly managed by sportscotland and Education Scotland.","AnswerDate":"2015-07-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-07-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alasdair Allan","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304647,"EventID":"S4W-26402","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-30T15:22:50.323","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-30T10:53:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to encourage children and young people to take up swimming outside of school.","AnswerText":"The latest funding round from sportscotland has allocated to Scottish Swimming over £5 million for the four years 2015-19. This is the largest funding settlement of all the Commonwealth Games sports and will support grassroots swimming.\r\n\r\nThe Scottish Government will continue to explore with all relevant partners, including local authorities, sustainable options for helping children learn to swim.","AnswerDate":"2015-07-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-07-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304648,"EventID":"S4W-26403","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-30T15:22:51.517","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-30T10:53:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the impact of withdrawing funding for Scottish Swimming’s Top Up programme on the number of people using public swimming pools.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-26399 on 13 July 2015. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:\r\n\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx","AnswerDate":"2015-07-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-07-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304649,"EventID":"S4W-26410","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2633,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-30T15:22:52.603","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-30T13:09:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much each of its directorates has spent on consultancy fees in each of the last three years.","AnswerText":"The total expenditure incurred by core Scottish Government on external consultancy for each of the last three financial years is as follows:\r\n1 April 2012 to 31 March 2013 £4,392,297.59\r\n1 April 2013 to 31 March 2014 £5,754,700.26\r\n1 April 2014 to 31 March 2015 £4,650,293.41\r\nThe financial audit of the Scottish Government for 2014-15 is not yet complete, and the total for 1 April 2014 to 31 March 2015 may be subject to adjustment before being finalised.\r\nTotal expenditure incurred by core Scottish Government on external consultancy is among information published under the terms of the Public Services Reform (Scotland) Act 2010.\r\nExpenditure for 2012-13:\r\nhttp://www.gov.scot/About/Information/expenditure/PSRA2010/expenditure-over-25-thousand\r\nThe Scottish Government's finance system allows expenditure to be analysed by directorate, but only on the basis of the current directorate structure. Analysis of expenditure over this three year period by the current directorate structure would not accurately reflect actual expenditure incurred by directorates that have changed structure during this period, and would therefore not be comparable.","AnswerDate":"2015-07-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-07-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304650,"EventID":"S4W-26411","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2633,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-30T15:22:53.503","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-30T13:09:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to update its international development plan and, if so, when, and whether it will consult on the update. ","AnswerText":"November 2015 sees the 10th anniversary of the establishment of the Scottish Government's international development plan. This provides an optimum opportunity to update it in order to ensure that it continues to provide funding to address some of the most pressing needs in developing countries. We are currently considering the best way to consult on this in order to capture as broad a range of views as possible. \r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-07-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-07-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304651,"EventID":"S4W-26412","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2633,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-30T15:22:54.347","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-30T13:09:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to update its international strategy and, if so, when, and whether it will consult on the update.","AnswerText":"Following the launch of Scotland’s Economic Strategy, which included internationalisation as one of its key priorities, Scotland’s International Framework was published on 25 March 2015.\r\nThe framework is accompanied, for the first time, by a ministerial International Policy Statement and supported by a digital platform of related material. The policy statement will be updated as our priorities and the environment in which we operate evolve, whilst the framework is intended to provide a longer term direction for our internationalisation activity.\r\nThe framework and policy statement were developed in close collaboration across the Scottish Government, its agencies, the wider public sector as well as stakeholders in Scottish society and adopt a partnership approach to delivery.\r\nScotland’s International Framework and the International Policy Statement are available online at: http://www.gov.scot/Topics/International/strategy","AnswerDate":"2015-07-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-07-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fiona Hyslop","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304652,"EventID":"S4W-26433","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4940,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-30T15:22:55.187","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-30T13:36:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what estimate it has made of the number of households in Scotland that will be affected by the proposal to freeze working age benefits for two years from April 2016 and what the (a) total cost to households and (b) average loss per household will be.","AnswerText":"The UK Government’s Summer Budget 2015 contained a number of reforms to the tax and benefit system, including a four year freeze to working age benefits. The Scottish Government published its initial analysis of these announcements on 11 July 2015 in the paper Initial Assessment of Budget Tax and Benefit Reforms which can be found at:\r\nhttp://www.gov.scot/Topics/Economy/Publications/BudgetReforms.","AnswerDate":"2015-07-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-07-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304653,"EventID":"S4W-26434","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4940,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-30T15:22:55.703","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-30T13:36:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what estimate it has made of the expected overall impact on families in Scotland of changes to child benefit and tax credit rates between 2010-11 and 2017-18. ","AnswerText":" I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-26433 on 28 July 2015. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.","AnswerDate":"2015-07-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-07-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304654,"EventID":"S4W-26435","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-06-30T15:22:56.257","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-30T13:55:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-26059 by Jamie Hepburn on 18 June 2015, where the recorded minutes and agenda for meetings of the Stakeholder Group on Child Internet Safety can be found and whether the impact of social media on people at risk of eating disorders has been discussed with stakeholders.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Stakeholder Group on Child Internet Safety provides expert advice to the government so agenda’s and minutes are stored centrally. Although there have been no specific discussions around the impact of social media on people at risk of eating disorders, it is vital that we educate our children and young people about responsible use of social networking sites and that they do not stay quiet if someone or something makes them feel uncomfortable online. The Scottish Government is working with partners, mainly through schools, to raise awareness of online safety around social networking sites.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-07-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-07-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fiona McLeod","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304655,"EventID":"S4W-26408","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4984,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-07-01T15:18:45.547","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-30T12:36:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether NHS Lothian provides neurorehabilitation to children with a congenital disorder.","AnswerText":"NHS Lothian provides a wide range of neurorehabilitation services. There would be no distinction between children with a congenital disorder and an acquired disorder in terms of rehabilitation services offered. Individual treatments and other therapies are agreed on a case by case basis between relevant clinicians and patients/parents or guardians. It is a matter for NHS boards to plan and provide the healthcare services required to meet the assessed needs of their resident population.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-07-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-07-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304656,"EventID":"S4W-26409","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4984,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-07-01T15:18:46.547","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-30T12:37:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether funding has been provided for NHS Lothian to provide neurorehabilitation to children with a congenital disorder.","AnswerText":"In 2015-16, NHS Lothian’s resource budget is £1,230.0 million, an increase of 3.5% from 2014-15. It is the responsibility of NHS Lothian to use this funding to resource services in its area.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-07-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-07-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304657,"EventID":"S4W-26413","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4080,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-07-01T15:18:47.137","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-30T13:36:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what information is given to education authorities regarding the (a) instigation and (b) outcome of each children’s hearing.","AnswerText":"No information is routinely passed to education authorities regarding the instigation or outcome of hearings.","AnswerDate":"2015-07-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-07-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fiona McLeod","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304658,"EventID":"S4W-26414","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4080,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-07-01T15:18:48.027","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-30T13:36:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what (a) criminal offences, (b) circumstances and (c) descriptions of offender can cause a victim surcharge to be imposed.","AnswerText":"The victim surcharge is not yet operational, nor have the relevant provisions in the Victims and Witnesses (Scotland) Act 2014 been brought into force. Therefore, no surcharges have been imposed or payments made.\r\nThe victim surcharge is due to be introduced later in 2015, ensuring that offenders contribute towards a fund specifically to support victims of crime. Preparatory work for the establishment and administration of the fund is ongoing, and it is the Scottish Government’s intention that the surcharge will initially be imposed on offenders given a court fine. However, further details of how it will operate, including the circumstances in which a surcharge is to be imposed, will be set out in subordinate legislation and will be subject to parliamentary approval in due course.","AnswerDate":"2015-07-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-07-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304659,"EventID":"S4W-26415","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4080,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-07-01T15:18:48.917","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-30T13:36:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government on what date the first victim surcharge was imposed; how much has been imposed in total, and how much of this money has been collected.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-26414 on 23 July 2015.\r\nAll answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at: \r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx","AnswerDate":"2015-07-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-07-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304660,"EventID":"S4W-26416","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4080,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-07-01T15:18:49.633","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-30T13:36:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government on what date the first payment to a victim from the Victim Surcharge Fund was made, how many payments have been made to date, and what the total value has been.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question SW4-26414 on 23 July 2015.\r\nAll answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx","AnswerDate":"2015-07-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-07-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304661,"EventID":"S4W-26417","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4080,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-07-01T15:18:50.413","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-30T13:36:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to the recommendation of the Independent Reviewer of Terrorism Legislation that the Interception of Communications Commissioner’s Office, the Office of Surveillance Commissioners and the Intelligence Services Commissioner should be replaced by a new independent surveillance intelligence commission, and what the implications of this would be in Scotland.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government welcomes the contribution that David Anderson's review makes to the investigatory powers debate. The recommendation to amalgamate three existing commissions into a single independent body is worth considering and we will be interested to see how the UK Government responds to David Anderson's proposal.\r\n\r\nScottish issues are dealt with currently by the commissions mentioned. Any new commission will require to take these issues into account and to ensure that it has sufficient knowledge and experience of Scots law within its judicial membership.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-07-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-07-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304662,"EventID":"S4W-26418","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4080,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-07-01T15:18:51.257","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-30T13:36:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on the implementation in full of the recommendations of the report of the Investigatory Powers Review by the Independent Reviewer of Terrorism Legislation.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government welcomes the contribution that David Anderson's review makes to the investigatory powers debate. We recognise the need for law enforcement and security services to have access to the information they require, but appropriate safeguards must be in place to balance the need to keep our communities safe while at the same time protecting our civil liberties.\r\n\r\nWe will watch closely and with great interest to see how these recommendations translate into firm legislative proposals and will engage constructively with the UK Government to ensure that those principles are reflected in the draft legislation.","AnswerDate":"2015-07-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-07-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304663,"EventID":"S4W-26419","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4080,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-07-01T15:18:52.113","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-30T13:36:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on whether interception warrants should be subject to judicial or political authorisation.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government supports the principles that underpin the recommendation that warrants be signed by senior judges. \r\n\r\nWe will watch closely and with great interest to see how this recommendation translates into firm legislative proposals and will engage constructively with the UK Government to ensure that those principles are reflected in the draft legislation.","AnswerDate":"2015-07-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-07-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304664,"EventID":"S4W-26420","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4080,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-07-01T15:18:52.94","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-30T13:36:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government on how many occasions it has (a) approved and (b) declined warrants and modifications for the interception of communications in serious crime cases in each year since 2006-07.","AnswerText":"The Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000 prevents figures from being published. The Interception of Communications Commissioner may do so, and does, but only after receiving the agreement of the Prime Minister. Figures are contained in the Interception of Communication Commissioner's annual reports and can be viewed at: http://www.iocco-uk.info/.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-07-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-07-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304665,"EventID":"S4W-26421","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4080,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-07-01T15:18:53.72","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-30T13:36:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it considers the investigation of (a) noise complaints, (b) dog fouling and (c) underage sunbed use to be an appropriate use of the Regulation of Investigatory Powers (Scotland) Act 2000.","AnswerText":"It is a matter for each relevant public authority to ensure it complies with the legislation. This includes having regard to the codes of practice which require that consideration be given to whether the activity is an appropriate use of the legislation and a reasonable way, having considered all reasonable alternatives, of obtaining the necessary result.\r\n\r\nUse of the Regulation of Investigatory Powers (Scotland) Act 2000 is overseen by the independent Office of Surveillance Commissioners.","AnswerDate":"2015-07-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-07-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304666,"EventID":"S4W-26422","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4080,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-07-01T15:18:54.533","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-30T13:36:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to make any changes to the Regulation of Investigatory Powers (Scotland) Act 2000.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has no current plans to make changes to the Regulation of Investigatory Powers (Scotland) Act 2000.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-07-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-07-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304667,"EventID":"S4W-26423","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4080,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-07-01T15:18:55.327","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-30T13:36:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it has considered establishing a surveillance camera code of practice for the (a) public and (b) private sector.","AnswerText":"The National Strategy for Public Space CCTV in Scotland was published by the Scottish Government in March 2011. It provides guidance and a common set of principles to operators of public space CCTV across Scotland. The government has no plans at present to publish a further code of practice governing the use of surveillance cameras.\r\nUse of CCTV in the private sector is regulated by the UK Government under the provisions of the Data Protection Act 1998. In addition, the Information Commissioner has published a code of practice for surveillance cameras and personal information which sets out guidance on data protection issues and the use of images for those involved in operating CCTV and other surveillance systems.","AnswerDate":"2015-07-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-07-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304668,"EventID":"S4W-26424","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4080,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-07-01T15:18:56.187","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-30T13:36:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what information it has on how many private sector CCTV cameras are in use in Scotland.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government does not hold information on private sector CCTV cameras.","AnswerDate":"2015-07-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-07-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304669,"EventID":"S4W-26425","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4080,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-07-01T15:18:56.967","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-30T13:36:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how the use of CCTV cameras by the private sector is regulated in Scotland.","AnswerText":"Use of CCTV in the private sector is regulated by the UK Government under the provisions of the Data Protection Act 1998. In addition, the Information Commissioner has published a code of practice for surveillance cameras and personal information which sets out guidance on data protection issues and the use of images for those involved in operating CCTV and other surveillance systems.","AnswerDate":"2015-07-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-07-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304670,"EventID":"S4W-26426","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4080,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-07-01T15:18:57.713","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-30T13:36:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what regulations cover the use of facial recognition technology by private sector companies.","AnswerText":"This is not a matter for the Scottish Government. The use of images of individuals is regulated by the UK Government under the Data Protection Act 1998. Private sector companies who use facial recognition technology must comply with the 1998 Act.","AnswerDate":"2015-07-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-07-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304671,"EventID":"S4W-26427","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4080,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-07-01T15:18:58.433","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-30T13:36:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether a national CCTV practitioners' users group has been established and, if so, on how many occasions it has met since March 2011; when it last met, and what the membership is.","AnswerText":"Following publication of the National Strategy for Public Space CCTV in Scotland in March 2011, the Scottish Community Safety Network (SCSN) facilitated a Scottish National CCTV Practitioners’ Group, along with practitioners’ groups for the north, east and west of Scotland. Arrangements for the meetings, including dates and membership, are a matter for the SCSN. The Scottish Government does not hold this information centrally. I understand that the groups no longer meet.","AnswerDate":"2015-07-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-07-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304672,"EventID":"S4W-26428","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4080,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-07-01T15:18:59.353","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-30T13:36:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it is promoting the (a) legislative requirements and (b) code of practice issued by the Information Commissioner's Office to CCTV system owners and users.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government published the National Strategy for Public Space CCTV in Scotland in March 2011. It was created to provide guidance and a common set of principles to operators of public space CCTV across Scotland. The strategy does not impose requirements on CCTV operators – predominantly local authorities – but seeks to provide advice and clarity to local partners for decisions on the development of their CCTV systems.\r\nIt is for individual operators, and operators in the private sector, to ensure compliance with current legislation and to take note of the good practice set out in the Information Commissioner’s code of practice.","AnswerDate":"2015-07-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-07-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304673,"EventID":"S4W-26429","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4080,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-07-01T15:19:00.053","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-30T13:36:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether all public space CCTV providers publish annual reports on performance in a publicly accessible format.","AnswerText":"The National Strategy for Public Space CCTV in Scotland published in March 2011 recommends that each local authority and other public space CCTV provider should publish an annual report detailing performance in a publicly accessible format. Publication is a matter for individual providers.","AnswerDate":"2015-07-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-07-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304674,"EventID":"S4W-26430","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4080,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-07-01T15:19:00.757","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-30T13:36:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of whether public space CCTV owners and operators are complying with the standards and regulatory framework for CCTV in Scotland.","AnswerText":"Compliance with the relevant legislative requirements and standards for the provision and operation of public space CCTV is a matter for individual local authorities and other operators.","AnswerDate":"2015-07-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-07-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304675,"EventID":"S4W-26431","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4080,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-07-01T15:19:01.66","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-30T13:36:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what information it has on whether a copy of the national CCTV standards, the code of practice issued by the Information Commissioner's Office and the operational manual is available in all CCTV control centres and whether a whistleblowing procedure has been established.","AnswerText":"Recommended arrangements and procedures for the operation of CCTV control centres are set out in the National Strategy for Public Space CCTV in Scotland which was published by the Scottish Government in March 2011. Compliance with these recommendations is a matter for individual CCTV providers.","AnswerDate":"2015-07-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-07-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304676,"EventID":"S4W-26432","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4080,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-07-01T15:19:02.427","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-30T13:36:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether all operators of public space CCTV systems are registered with the Scottish Information Commissioner.","AnswerText":"This information is not held centrally.","AnswerDate":"2015-07-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-07-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304677,"EventID":"S4W-26472","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1768,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":131,"ApprovedDate":"2015-07-01T15:19:03.313","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-07-01T10:24:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to commemorate VJ Day.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government’s support for our armed forces personnel and veterans is absolute. Scottish Ministers will attend events in both London and in Edinburgh to mark the 70th anniversary of VJ Day on 15 August 2015.","AnswerDate":"2015-08-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-07-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304678,"EventID":"S4W-26473","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5079,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-07-01T15:19:04.313","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-07-01T10:56:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many employees are covered by the living wage accreditation scheme.","AnswerText":"Research carried out by KPMG in October 2014 indicated that Scotland has a higher proportion of employees paid the living wage compared to both the UK as a whole and each devolved UK nation. The report estimated that approximately 81% of earners in Scotland were paid at least the living wage.\r\nData provided by the Poverty Alliance shows that the number of directly employed staff across the UK employed by Scots-based living wage accredited employers was 127,867 as at 7 July 2015. This information is based on the number of employees at the time of accreditation.","AnswerDate":"2015-07-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-07-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Roseanna Cunningham","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304679,"EventID":"S4W-26474","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5009,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-07-01T15:19:05.14","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-07-01T11:06:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it includes consideration of ethical working practices in tendering processes for which it has responsibility.","AnswerText":"Ethical working practices are considered by the Scottish Government in tendering processes. Those bidding for contracts are expected to maintain high standards of business and professional conduct and, as part of standard pre-qualification procedures, are required to disclose any offences committed in the course of their business. Also, the Scottish Government’s standard terms and conditions of contract include clauses on corruption, equality, blacklisting, payment of subcontractors and protection of the environment. We have also published guidance for the wider Scottish public sector on how to address fair and ethical trading for relevant goods and services.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-07-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-07-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304680,"EventID":"S4W-26475","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5009,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-07-01T15:19:05.81","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-07-01T11:06:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many of its contracts are outsourced to (a) privately and (b) publicly owned companies operating outside of the UK, broken down by country of registration.","AnswerText":"In the last financial year (2014-15) the Scottish Government has awarded 12 contracts to companies who are registered outside of the UK.\r\n\r\nThe companies concerned are registered in the following countries: Australia, Canada (3), Denmark, Germany (2), Holland (2), Italy, Republic of Ireland and the USA.\r\nWe do not hold information centrally on whether these companies are privately or publicly owned.","AnswerDate":"2015-07-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-07-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304681,"EventID":"S4W-26476","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5009,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-07-01T15:19:06.497","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-07-01T11:06:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what steps it takes to ensure that companies contracted to undertake work on its behalf comply with ethical working practices, particularly where the company operates outside the UK.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government and our suppliers have an obligation to comply with all relevant laws and international conventions. Including:\r\n\r\nThe Equality Act 2010 and The Equality Act 2010 (Specific Duties) (Scotland) Regulations 2012; Human Rights Act 1998.\r\nThe International Labour Organisation Fundamental Conventions regarding worker’s rights and labour standards which as reserved matters have been ratified by the UK.\r\nFor the most part we do not include factors that are included in other legislation in our terms and conditions, but have included clauses on corruption, equality, blacklisting, payment of subcontractors and protection of the environment.","AnswerDate":"2015-07-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-07-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304682,"EventID":"S4W-26477","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4940,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-07-01T15:19:07.2","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-07-01T11:28:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what estimate it has made of the impact on families in Scotland of reducing the child element of child tax credit to its 2003-04 level. ","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-26433 on 28 July 2015. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx. ","AnswerDate":"2015-07-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-07-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304683,"EventID":"S4W-26478","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2610,"Party":"Independent","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-07-01T15:19:07.887","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-07-01T12:27:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what it is doing to ensure that farmers receive their common agricultural policy payments on time and whether it can guarantee that the payments will be in farmers' bank accounts on time.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is required to make Basic Payment Scheme payments by the end of June 2016. We are working hard to be able to start making payments before the end of 2015 but at this stage we cannot guarantee the timing of payments. The new common agricultural policy (CAP) that we are having to implement is more complex than the previous CAP and has been a significant challenge for administrations and farmers alike – right across Europe. Scotland, like 15 other member states, extended the single application form deadline in order to deal with the complexities of the new system, but this is likely to have downstream implications for processing. In addition to delivering the new IT system, there are also additional tasks to be completed this year such as greening inspections, regionalisation of land parcels, calculating and issuing entitlements. We will look at all the flexibilities available to us, such as paying in instalments or splitting up Basic and Greening payments, so as to get payments out to farmers as early as possible, and will keep the industry informed in the coming months.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-07-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-07-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Richard Lochhead","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304684,"EventID":"S4W-26483","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5079,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-07-01T15:19:08.573","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-07-01T12:55:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-00024 by John Swinney on 20 May 2011, how many (a) full-time equivalent, (b) part-time, (c) casual and (d) other employees it employed in Glasgow on 5 May 2015.","AnswerText":"The following table details staff working within the core directorates of the Scottish Government in Glasgow as at 30 April 2015.\r\n\r\n\r\n2015\r\nFull-time equivalent employees\r\n602\r\nPart-time employees\r\n97\r\nAgency temps, Contractors etc.\r\n61\r\nEmployees on a fixed-term contract\r\n15\r\nInward Secondees\r\n24\r\nNotes:\r\n1. Part-time employees are a subset of the number of full-time equivalent employees\r\n2. Staff data is recorded on the last day of each month, hence 30 April 2015 is the closest point in time to the date for which figures were requested. ","AnswerDate":"2015-07-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-07-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304685,"EventID":"S4W-26484","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5079,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-07-01T15:19:09.353","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-07-01T12:55:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-00025 by John Swinney on 20 May 2011, how many (a) full-time equivalent, (b) part-time, (c) casual and (d) other employees its agencies employed in Glasgow on 5 May 2015.","AnswerText":"The following table details staff working within Scottish Government agencies in Glasgow as at 30 April 2015.\r\n\r\n\r\n2015\r\nFull-time equivalent employees\r\n704\r\nPart-time employees\r\n118\r\nAgency temps, Contractors etc.\r\n135\r\nEmployees on a fixed-term contract\r\n104\r\nInward Secondees\r\n35\r\nNotes:\r\n1. Part-time employees are a subset of the number of full-time equivalent employees\r\n2. Staff data is recorded on the last day of each month, hence 30 April 2015 is the closest point in time to the date for which figures were requested.\r\n3. The Scottish Government only holds this information for those agencies to which we provide an HR function. Agencies with a presence in Glasgow which are included in this table are Accountant in Bankruptcy (Glasgow office only), Disclosure Scotland, Education Scotland, Scottish Housing Regulator and Transport Scotland.","AnswerDate":"2015-07-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-07-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304686,"EventID":"S4W-26485","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5079,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-07-01T15:19:10.18","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-07-01T12:55:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-00026 by Nicola Sturgeon on 20 June 2011, how many (a) full-time equivalent, (b) part-time, (c) casual and (d) other employees were employed by (i) NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde and (ii) other NHS bodies in Glasgow on 5 May 2015.","AnswerText":"In terms of staff levels, we are better equipped to deliver services than ever before. The latest information for whole time equivalent (WTE) and part-time employees in NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde is available as at 31 March 2015 and is published by Information Services Division Scotland (ISD):\r\n\r\nWTE staff: 34,087.2 WTE - a 2.8% increase since 2006.\r\nPart–time staff: 9,579.2 WTE - an 11.4 % increase since 2006.\r\nInformation for casual and other employees employed by NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde and other NHS bodies in Glasgow is not held by ISD.","AnswerDate":"2015-07-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-07-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304687,"EventID":"S4W-26486","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5079,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-07-01T15:19:10.99","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-07-01T12:55:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-00027 by John Swinney on 20 May 2011, how many (a) full-time equivalent, (b) part-time, (c) casual and (d) other public sector employees were employed in Glasgow on 5 May 2015.","AnswerText":"This information is not held centrally.\r\n\r\nHowever it is estimated from the latest Annual Population Survey (April 2014 to March 2015) that 116,000 people are employed in the public sector in Glasgow City local authority area. 27,000 are part-time and 7,000 are employed in temporary positions.\r\nThe above estimates are for the number of people in employment whose work place is located in Glasgow City local authority area. Estimates are based on the survey respondents self-reporting of working in the public sector. It is not possible to provide estimates of full-time equivalent employment from this source.","AnswerDate":"2015-07-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-07-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Roseanna Cunningham","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304688,"EventID":"S4W-26487","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5079,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-07-01T15:19:11.863","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-07-01T12:55:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-00028 by John Swinney on 20 May 2011, what proportion of workers in Glasgow is employed by the public sector, also broken down by (a) local government, (b) NHS, (c) central government, (d) central government agencies and (e) other bodies.","AnswerText":"This information is not held centrally.\r\n\r\nHowever it is estimated from the latest Annual Population Survey (April 2014 to March 2015) that 116,000 (27%) of the 427,000 people employed in Glasgow City local authority area are employed in the public sector.\r\nPublic sector employment in Glasgow City area can be broken down as follows:\r\nPublic sector employment in Glasgow City area\r\n\r\nNumber (thousands)\r\n%\r\nTotal\r\n116,000\r\n100\r\nLocal government or council1\r\n48\r\n41\r\nHealth Authority or NHS trust\r\n37\r\n32\r\nCentral Government, Civil Service (including central government  agencies)2\r\n14\r\n12\r\nOther3\r\n17\r\n15\r\nNote:\r\nIncludes police, fire services and local authority controlled schools or colleges\r\nIt is not possible to provide an estimate for central government agencies separately\r\n3. This category includes: ‘Nationalised industry or state corporation’, ‘University or other grant funded educational establishment’, ‘Charity, voluntary organisation or trust’, ‘armed forces’ and ‘Other kind of organisation’.\r\n\r\nThe above estimates are for number of people in employment whose work place is located in Glasgow City local authority area. Estimates are based on the survey respondents self-reporting of working in the public sector.","AnswerDate":"2015-07-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-07-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Roseanna Cunningham","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304689,"EventID":"S4W-26488","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5079,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-07-01T15:19:12.66","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-07-01T12:55:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-01572 by Michael Matheson on 4 August 2011, how many pitches there are on each (a) local authority-managed and (b) privately run site for Gypsy/Travellers, broken down by local authority area.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government does not routinely collect information on the number of Gypsy/Traveller sites and pitches in Scotland. In 2014 we collected data on the number of sites, and total number of pitches, for each local authority area to support the work of the Gypsy/Traveller Site Working Group. This information is set out in the following table:\r\nLocal Authority\r\nNumber of Local Authority /\r\nRegistered Social\r\nLandlord Sites\r\nNumber of known\r\nprivate sites\r\nTotal number of pitches\r\nAberdeen\r\n1\r\n1\r\n29\r\nAberdeenshire\r\n1\r\n0\r\n20\r\nAngus\r\n1\r\n0\r\n18\r\nArgyll and Bute\r\n3\r\n0\r\n31\r\nClackmannanshire\r\n1\r\n0\r\n17\r\nDumfries and Galloway\r\n2\r\n0\r\nNot known\r\nDundee\r\n1\r\n0\r\n20\r\nEast Ayrshire\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\nEast Dunbartonshire\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\nEast /Mid Lothian\r\n1\r\n0\r\n16\r\nEast Renfrewshire\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\nEdinburgh\r\n1\r\n0\r\n20\r\nEilean Siar\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\nFalkirk\r\n1\r\n5\r\n39\r\nFife\r\n3\r\n11\r\n195\r\nGlasgow\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\nHighland\r\n4\r\n0\r\n47\r\nInverclyde\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\nMoray\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\nNorth Ayrshire\r\n1\r\n0\r\n16\r\nNorth Lanarkshire\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\nOrkney\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\nPerth and Kinross\r\n2\r\n3\r\n23\r\nRenfrewshire\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\nScottish Borders\r\n0\r\n1\r\n10\r\nShetland\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\nSouth Ayrshire\r\n1\r\n0\r\n8\r\nSouth Lanarkshire\r\n2\r\nNot known\r\n216\r\nStirling\r\n1\r\n0\r\n18\r\nWest Dunbartonshire\r\n1\r\n0\r\n20\r\nWest Lothian\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\nTotal\r\n28\r\n21\r\n763\r\nNotes:\r\n(i) This data is based on returns from local authorities, and has not been assured to the same standard and quality as official statistics.\r\n(ii) East and Midlothian Councils jointly operate a site.\r\n(iii) Scottish Borders Council does not manage a site itself, but has an arrangement with a private site owner to provide pitches for Gypsy/Travellers in the council area.\r\n(iv) We do not know the number of private Gypsy/Traveller sites in South Lanarkshire, but are aware there are several sites.\r\n(v) The table above reflects the number of private Gypsy/Traveller sites that local authorities are aware of in their area. The data collected only provides a total number of pitches, and does not allow us to identify the number of pitches which were on private sites and the number on local authority / registered social landlord sites.","AnswerDate":"2015-07-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-07-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304690,"EventID":"S4W-26489","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5079,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-07-01T15:19:13.487","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-07-01T12:55:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-05317 by Michael Russell on 8 February 2012, how many (a) full-time, (b) part-time and (c) other (i) teaching, (ii) support, (iii) management and (iv) other staff were employed by further education institutions in the Glasgow parliamentary region on 1 July (A) 2013, (B) 2014 and (C) 2015.","AnswerText":"Information on the number of staff employed in colleges is held by the Scottish Funding Council.\r\n\r\nInformation is available for academic years 2012-13 and 2013-14, however data for years later than this is not yet available. It is not possible to provide the exact staff breakdown requested.\r\nTable 1 contains Headcount information for Teaching and Non-teaching (support), Senior Management and Other staff at Glasgow Colleges – Clyde, City and Kelvin for 2012-13 and 2013-14.\r\nTable 2 contains Full Time Equivalent information at full-time and part-time level for Teaching and Non-Teaching (support) staff at Glasgow Colleges for 2012-13 and 2013-14.\r\nTable 1: Glasgow Colleges: Headcount of staff employed by staff group, 2012-13 to 2013-14\r\n\r\n2012-13\r\n2013-14\r\nTeaching\r\nTotal\r\n\r\n1567\r\n\r\n1538\r\nNon-teaching (support)\r\nSenior Management\r\nOther\r\nTotal\r\n\r\n56\r\n1237\r\n1293\r\n\r\n30\r\n1189\r\n1219\r\nTotal Headcount (all staff)\r\n2860\r\n2757\r\nSource: Scottish Funding Council \r\n\r\nTable 2: Glasgow Colleges: Full Time Equivalent (FTE) staff employed by staff group, 2012-13 to 2013-14\r\n\r\n2012-13\r\n2013-14\r\nTeaching\r\nFull-time\r\nPart-time\r\nTotal\r\n\r\n844.7\r\n276.6\r\n1121.3\r\n\r\n786.7\r\n295.9\r\n1082.6\r\nNon-teaching (support)\r\nFull-time\r\nPart-time\r\nTotal\r\n\r\n781.5\r\n194.7\r\n976.2\r\n\r\n710.2\r\n205.7\r\n915.9\r\nTotal FTE (all staff)\r\n2097.5\r\n1998.5\r\nSource: Scottish Funding Council","AnswerDate":"2015-07-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-07-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304691,"EventID":"S4W-26490","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4080,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-07-01T15:19:14.313","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-07-01T14:22:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what assessment has been made of the degree of compliance that private water supplies have with water quality standards for (a) lead and (b) E coli.","AnswerText":"The Drinking Water Quality Regulator collates and reviews data on water quality compliance on behalf of Scottish Ministers. The following table shows compliance for the relevant parameters in private water supplies as reported by local authorities to the Drinking Water Quality Regulator for the year 2013. \r\nParameter\r\nPrivate Water Supply Class\r\nCompliance (%)\r\nE.coli\r\nA\r\n86.42\r\nE.coli\r\nB\r\n79.78\r\nLead\r\nA\r\n95.82\r\nLead\r\nB\r\n96.31\r\nPrivate water supplies are divided into two classes – type A supplies are larger, or those supplying a commercial undertaking; type B supplies are smaller, domestic supplies.","AnswerDate":"2015-08-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-07-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen McLeod","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304692,"EventID":"S4W-26491","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4080,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-07-01T15:19:15.78","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-07-01T14:22:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many quality of drinking water standards have been broken since 1 December 2013 by each local authority and (a) public and (b) private water supplier.","AnswerText":"Local authority name\r\nPublic supplies: tests taken\r\nPublic supplies: tests failed\r\nAberdeen City Council\r\n10,802\r\n7\r\nAberdeenshire Council\r\n19,616\r\n16\r\nAngus Council\r\n8,260\r\n8\r\nArgyll and Bute Council\r\n11,829\r\n14\r\nClackmannanshire Council\r\n5,854\r\n6\r\nComhairle nan Eilean Siar\r\n4,477\r\n3\r\nDumfries and Galloway Council\r\n11,242\r\n8\r\nDundee City Council\r\n4,938\r\n4\r\nEast Ayrshire Council\r\n14,217\r\n13\r\nEast Dunbartonshire Council\r\n17,712\r\n13\r\nEast Lothian Council\r\n7,832\r\n6\r\nEast Renfrewshire Council\r\n12,191\r\n10\r\nFalkirk Council\r\n14,017\r\n14\r\nFife Council\r\n13,409\r\n14\r\nGlasgow City Council\r\n32,054\r\n26\r\nHighland Council\r\n22,683\r\n23\r\nInverclyde Council\r\n5,289\r\n7\r\nMidlothian Council\r\n10,643\r\n9\r\nMoray Council\r\n7,794\r\n9\r\nNorth Ayrshire Council\r\n7,965\r\n10\r\nNorth Lanarkshire Council\r\n26,946\r\n26\r\nOrkney Islands Council\r\n2,894\r\n1\r\nPerth and Kinross Council\r\n17,895\r\n12\r\nRenfrewshire Council\r\n15,008\r\n16\r\nScottish Borders Council\r\n10,304\r\n5\r\nShetland Islands Council\r\n2,652\r\n2\r\nSouth Ayrshire Council\r\n7,533\r\n6\r\nSouth Lanarkshire Council\r\n22,089\r\n16\r\nStirling Council\r\n12,037\r\n9\r\nThe City of Edinburgh Council\r\n22,212\r\n14\r\nWest Dunbartonshire Council\r\n12,402\r\n11\r\nWest Lothian Council\r\n18,792\r\n16\r\nThe table shows the number of tests undertaken by Scottish Water that failed a drinking water standard in each local authority area for the period 1 December 2013 – 31 December 2013. The public water supply data relates to samples taken at consumer’s taps – the main point at which compliance is assessed. Scottish Water public water supply zones do not align with local authority boundaries, therefore some supply zones fall into a number of authority areas. In such cases a failing result has been recorded against each local authority covered by that zone, therefore some failures are counted more than once in the table.\r\nThere is no private water supply data available for the period of interest, as the Drinking Water Quality Regulator (DWQR) is not able to release this data prior to the publication of the private water supply section of the DWQR annual report. This is due to the dataset being classified as an official statistic. The data will be available after the report’s publication date later in August 2015.","AnswerDate":"2015-08-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-07-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen McLeod","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304693,"EventID":"S4W-26492","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4080,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-07-01T15:19:16.527","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-07-01T14:22:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what recent assessment it has made of the level of (a) lead and (b) E coli in public and private water supplies.","AnswerText":"The Drinking Water Quality Regulator collates and reviews data on water quality compliance on behalf of Scottish Ministers.\r\nThe Scottish Government is not able to release the 2014 data until the publication of the private water supply annual report in August 2015. This is due to the private water supply datasets we hold being classified as an official statistic.\r\nPrivate Water Supplies\r\nThe following table shows compliance for the relevant parameters in private water supplies as reported by local authorities to the Drinking Water Quality Regulator for the year 2013:\r\nParameter\r\nPrivate Water Supplies Class\r\nCompliance (%)\r\nE.coli\r\nA\r\n86.42\r\nE.coli\r\nB\r\n79.78\r\nLead\r\nA\r\n95.82\r\nLead\r\nB\r\n96.31\r\nPrivate water supplies are divided into two classes – type A supplies are larger, or those supplying a commercial undertaking; type B supplies are smaller, domestic supplies.\r\nThe mean concentration of lead in the 1,957 private water supply samples collected during 2013 was 6.61 microgrammes per litre. The majority of samples recorded lead concentrations below the analytical limit of detection.\r\nPublic Water Supplies\r\nThe following table below shows compliance for the relevant parameters in the public water supply for the relevant parameters in 2014:\r\nParameter\r\nCompliance (%)\r\nE.coli\r\n99.99\r\nLead\r\n99.20\r\nThe mean concentration of lead in the 1,500 public water supply samples collected during 2014 was 1.11 microgrammes per litre. The majority of samples recorded lead concentrations below the analytical limit of detection.","AnswerDate":"2015-08-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-07-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen McLeod","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304694,"EventID":"S4W-26493","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4080,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-07-01T15:19:17.417","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-07-01T14:22:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what technical guidance has been issued to local authorities since autumn 2013 to help them when considering private water supply issues.","AnswerText":"The Drinking Water Quality Regulator (DWQR) has a role to supervise local authorities’ regulation of private water supplies, including the provision of technical guidance.\r\nSince autumn 2013 DWQR has redesigned its website to improve the accessibility of technical and regulatory guidance. In this time, 15 technical guidance notes on specific parameters have been published as well as two guidance notes on treatment processes.\r\nOne information letter dealing with technical issues has been sent – PWS Information Letter 2014-1: Method Requirements for Analysis of Private Water Supplies.\r\n\r\nAdditionally, in October 2013 DWQR held a one day workshop to disseminate information on private water supplies to local authorities.\r\nDWQR provides advice and guidance on an ongoing basis to local authorities via meetings, site visits and ad-hoc telephone enquiries.","AnswerDate":"2015-08-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-07-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen McLeod","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304695,"EventID":"S4W-26494","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4080,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-07-01T15:19:18.323","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-07-01T14:22:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what progress has been made in delivering the actions set out in the VTEC/E. coli 0157 - Action Plan for Scotland 2013-2017.","AnswerText":"A multi-disciplinary group comprising experts from a wide range of organisations continues to implement and monitor progress in delivering the recommendations from the VTEC/E.coli 0157 - Action Plan for Scotland 2013-2017. 18 out of the 86 recommendations have been completed.\r\nFor example, Food Standards Scotland (FSS), the new food body for Scotland, and its predecessor the Food Standards Agency in Scotland, have taken forward a wide range of initiatives to promote good hygiene practice and minimise the risks of VTEC throughout the food chain. This includes guidance for food producers, caterers and enforcement authorities on the control of cross contamination, promoting safe food preparation to consumers at events and through an educational DVD. FSS also provides funding for secondary schools to deliver the Royal Environmental Health Institute of Scotland elementary food hygiene courses to pupils. Scottish Water, another key member of the group, has developed a catchment management policy which sets the frequency of inspections and processes for feeding information from inspections into water safety plans.","AnswerDate":"2015-07-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-07-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304696,"EventID":"S4W-26495","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2673,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":114,"ApprovedDate":"2015-07-01T15:19:19.21","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-07-01T14:39:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many crimes of (a) assault, (b) vandalism and (c) handling an offensive weapon have been recorded by the police in each year since 2006-07.","AnswerText":"The information requested is shown in the following table.\r\nThe term ‘assault’ appears in more than one type of police recorded crime. The figures shown below for ‘assault’ include serious assault, robbery and assault with intent to rob, common assault and common assault of an emergency worker. Figures for serious assault only are shown separately and include both serious assault and causing serious injury etc. by culpable and reckless conduct.\r\nSeparate statistics on vandalism recorded by the police were collected from 2009-10 onwards. Prior to this, cases of vandalism were included in a wider group along with reckless damage and malicious mischief. The table shows figures for both this wider group (from 2006-07) and just vandalism (from 2009-10).\r\nCrime category\r\nAssault\r\n- of which serious assault\r\nVandalism, reckless damage and malicious mischief\r\n- of which vandalism\r\nHandling offensive weapons\r\n2006-07\r\n88,270\r\n6,525\r\n121,676\r\n-\r\n10,110\r\n2007-08\r\n82,587\r\n6,000\r\n109,855\r\n-\r\n8,989\r\n2008-09\r\n82,855\r\n5,762\r\n100,880\r\n-\r\n8,980\r\n2009-10\r\n79,769\r\n5,061\r\n85,576\r\n76,639\r\n7,042\r\n2010-11\r\n78,263\r\n4,920\r\n74,420\r\n70,931\r\n6,283\r\n2011-12\r\n75,687\r\n4,190\r\n67,984\r\n67,432\r\n5,631\r\n2012-13\r\n66,076\r\n3,289\r\n53,699\r\n53,319\r\n4,015\r\n2013-14\r\n64,807\r\n2,951\r\n49,456\r\n49,126\r\n3,795\r\nNotes:\r\n1. Source: Recorded Crime in Scotland, 2013-14\r\n2. A serious assault is defined as an assault or attack in which the victim sustains injury resulting in detention in hospital as an inpatient for the treatment of that injury, or any fractures, internal injuries, severe concussion, lacerations or other injuries that may lead to impairment or disfigurement.\r\n3. Figures shown for handling offensive weapons include possession of an offensive weapon, restriction of offensive weapon, having in a public place an article with a blade or point, having in a prison an article with a blade or point, possession of a firearm in a prison and possession of an offensive weapon (not elsewhere specified) in a prison.","AnswerDate":"2015-07-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-07-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Paul Wheelhouse","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304711,"EventID":"S4W-26436","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5034,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-07-02T15:34:08.27","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-07-01T08:01:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what steps the NHS is taking to ensure that melanoma patients have access to tailored information about the reported growing number of treatment options available.","AnswerText":"We expect clinicians to be aware of new treatment options for people with melanoma and tailor the advice provided.\r\nOur National Health Information Service, NHS Inform, contains a 'cancer zone' which has up to date information on all aspects of the melanoma pathway including treatment options. Since its launch in 2010 this service has developed and improved to ensure that the treatment information is as up to date and helpful as possible.\r\nWe are also working to build on the information already available through the cancer zone to develop a tool that offers information to people with cancer that can be tailored to an individual's specific needs. Earlier this year, Macmillan Cancer Support and NHS 24 started to develop a new 'Info for Me' tool. This tool will help people with cancer by providing customisable; person centred high quality information for each stage of the cancer journey which can be accessed directly by people via the internet.","AnswerDate":"2015-07-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-07-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304712,"EventID":"S4W-26437","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5034,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-07-02T15:34:09.067","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-07-01T08:01:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what tools are available for melanoma patients to gain access to relevant information about the disease.","AnswerText":"It is essential that all people with cancer, including melanoma, have access to timely and relevant information to support them at every stage of their cancer journey.\r\n\r\nOur National Health Information Service, NHS Inform, contains a 'cancer zone' which provides a co-ordinated and a single source of quality assured health information for people with cancer, including melanoma. The cancer zone also acts as a signposting tool providing links to relevant clinical guidelines, third sector organisations and support services.\r\nWe have also supported Melanoma UK in the development of their Melanoma Dashboard. The dashboard contains a wealth of information about melanoma statistics, risk factors and local support services to ensure that people with melanoma and their families have access to the information and support they need. ","AnswerDate":"2015-07-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-07-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304713,"EventID":"S4W-26438","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5034,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-07-02T15:34:09.66","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-07-01T08:01:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what is being done to promote the prevention of melanoma.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has worked with a number of partners and charities to prevent melanoma by raising public awareness and educating people about the risk and harms of sun exposure and sunbed use.\r\nEarlier in 2015 we provided funding to MASScot, one of our stakeholders in delivering sun safety messages at the Commonwealth Games, to develop a programme of work designed to help change attitudes to sun safety in schools and school age children. This programme will be delivered in schools or other youth group settings through an interactive lesson which is designed to be fun and educational for all involved. We are also working with other cancer charities including the Teenage Cancer Trust to identify other opportunities for embedding sun safe messages in schools and youth settings.\r\nIn addition, in 2015 we have published a series of articles on NHS Inform which contain advice for people on how to have a safe summer. These articles focussed not only on how to stay healthy during the summer months but also made people aware of the dangers of overexposure to the sun and provided facts and statistics on melanoma.","AnswerDate":"2015-07-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-07-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304714,"EventID":"S4W-26439","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5034,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-07-02T15:34:10.237","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-07-01T08:01:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, given the increased incidence of melanoma, how it will prioritise accurate messaging regarding prevention.","AnswerText":"We recognise that the incidence of melanoma in Scotland is increasing.\r\n\r\nEarlier this year we provided funding to MASScot, our partners in delivering sun safety messages at the Commonwealth Games, to develop a programme of work designed to help change attitudes to sun safety in schools and school age children. This programme will be delivered in schools or other youth group settings through an interactive lesson which is designed to be fun and educational for all involved. We are also working with other cancer charities including the Teenage Cancer Trust to identify other opportunities for embedding sun safe messages in schools and youth settings.\r\nHowever, it is also important to send a clear message to young people that unsafe tanning, particularly through sunbed use, is a major risk factor associated with melanoma. That is why we have introduced legislation for sun bed use to help reduce the risk of melanoma. The Public Health etc. (Scotland) Act 2008 (Sunbed) Regulations 2009 bans operators from allowing the use of sunbeds by under 18s and requires operators to provide customers with health information on the health risks associated with sunbed use.","AnswerDate":"2015-07-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-07-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304715,"EventID":"S4W-26480","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-07-02T15:34:10.843","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-07-01T12:42:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what it is doing to make basic infant mental health training more widely available to professionals in the children’s services workforce.","AnswerText":"We are working with NHS Health Education Scotland to roll out training in the Solihull Approach, Child and Adolescent Psychotherapy, MSc in Applied Psychology for Children and Young People and Essential Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services.","AnswerDate":"2015-07-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-07-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304716,"EventID":"S4W-26481","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-07-02T15:34:11.75","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-07-01T12:42:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what learning disability service models it has identified for delivery in children and adolescent mental health services.","AnswerText":"We are funding Glasgow University, in collaboration with the Learning Disabilities Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (LD CAMHS) Scotland Network to carry out the ‘LD CAMHS Models and Outcomes Study’ in order to deliver on this commitment. The study is in progress and it is anticipated that it will complete in April 2016.\r\nSo far the study has collected information systematically on the structure and staffing profile of services in all health board areas in Scotland. The study is now building on these findings by focusing on Intensive Treatment Service (ITS) models. ITS services across the UK have agreed to provide information on service specifications, multi-agency partnership working and service outcomes. These models are being systematically examined to inform prototype services for children and young people with learning disabilities. This part of the work will be completed by December 2015 and the information used to set out different prototypes for ITS services which will be shared with health boards and LD CAMHS services in Scotland.","AnswerDate":"2015-07-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-07-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304717,"EventID":"S4W-26482","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-07-02T15:34:12.543","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-07-01T12:42:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what specific types of training on infant mental health it has introduced and how many people have been trained in each year since 2012.","AnswerText":"A number of programmes of training with regard to infant mental health have been undertaken since 2012. The following information gives details of those that have trained or are training in infant mental health.\r\nSolihull Approach training\r\nThe following table summarises the spread across health boards of the Solihull Approach training completed, the number of new trainers available to deliver foundation level training and the number of cascade trainings completed in the year to March 2015:\r\nNHS Board\r\nFoundation places (Jan-March 2014)\r\nTrain the Trainer\r\n(April 2014-March 2015)\r\nCascade training\r\n(no practitioners trained by March 2015)\r\nAntenatal Foundation (April 2015-Aug 2015 including waiting list)\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nNHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde\r\n12\r\n12 (2)(2)\r\n125\r\n4 (18)\r\nNHS Lothian\r\n17\r\n4 (8)\r\n42\r\n2(4)\r\nNHS Borders\r\n0\r\n4 (3)\r\n15\r\n4\r\nNHS Lanarkshire\r\n14\r\n4 (9)\r\n205\r\n(1)\r\nNHS Tayside\r\n0\r\n7 (2)\r\n68\r\n4 (1)\r\nNHS Forth Valley\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n1\r\nNHS Highland\r\n0\r\n1\r\n0\r\n0\r\nNHS Ayrshire and Arran\r\n0\r\n1\r\n0\r\n3\r\nNHS Dumfries and Galloway\r\n0\r\n(2)\r\n0\r\n0\r\nNHS Grampian\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n9(4)\r\nNHS Fife\r\n6\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\nNHS Orkney\r\n\r\n1 (1)\r\n48\r\n0\r\nNHS Shetland\r\n11\r\n2\r\n13\r\n0\r\nNHS Western Isles\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\nTotal\r\n60\r\n52\r\n516\r\n55\r\n\r\nMSc in Applied Psychology for Children and Young People (One Year Programme)\r\n2012 - 17 trainees\r\n2013 - 15 trainees\r\n2014 - 16 trainees\r\n2015 - 15 trainees\r\nEssential Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services \r\nBetween 2013 and 2015 there were 470 clinicians trained in Essential Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service.\r\nChild and Adolescent Psychotherapy\r\nThe programme commenced in 2012 and is expected to complete in 2016. It should be noted however that this training covers a number of areas including infant mental health. \r\nNeonatal Healthcare\r\nA pilot programme was introduced in March 2015 and has 12 attendees.\r\nPsychosocial Interventions\r\nMultidisciplinary Paediatric staff\r\nYear 11-12\r\n90\r\nYear 12-13\r\n102\r\nYear 13-14\r\n84\r\nYear 14-15\r\n63\r\n\r\nProfessional Training:\r\nData on numbers of postgraduate medical trainees in those specialties where infant mental health is part of the curriculum:\r\nPaediatrics\r\n232\r\nCore Psychiatry\r\n139\r\nChild and Adolescent Psychiatry\r\n32\r\n\r\nLearning Disability Psychiatry\r\n18\r\nGeneral Practice\r\n1091\r\n\r\nPsychology:\r\nData by programme and by health board for each of the courses below. (Second year is when infant mental health training and experience is gained).\r\n\r\nEdinburgh Programme\r\nIn 2012 there were - 24 trainees in second year (2011 intake)\r\nIn 2013 there were - 22 trainees in second year (2012 intake)\r\nIn 2014 there were - 28 trainees in second year (2013 intake)\r\n\r\nGlasgow Programme\r\nIn 2012 there were - 22 trainees in second year (2011 intake)\r\nIn 2013 there were - 23 trainees in second year (2012 intake)\r\nIn 2014 there were - 23 trainees in second year (2013 intake) ","AnswerDate":"2015-07-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-07-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304718,"EventID":"S4W-26496","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1866,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-07-02T15:34:13.357","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-07-01T14:41:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the Minister for Environment, Climate Change and Land Reform’s statement on 9 June 2015 (Official Report c. 58), how it plans to “work together with energy experts, businesses and communities to develop a more holistic approach to these issues over the next year.”","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has a strong track record of working with energy experts, businesses and communities to develop energy efficiency programmes to help meet Scottish needs. We will work closely with relevant stakeholders over the coming months on how we can best involve interests from across Scotland to shape Scotland’s energy efficiency programme and to begin to pilot initial approaches.","AnswerDate":"2015-07-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-07-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil ","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304719,"EventID":"S4W-26497","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1866,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-07-02T15:34:14.247","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-07-01T14:41:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how its announcement on 9 June 2015 that energy efficiency will be designated as a national infrastructure project (Official Report, c. 60) will change its approach to delivering improvements to energy efficiency.","AnswerText":"We will set out further details of the national infrastructure priority designation later this year when we publish our refreshed infrastructure investment plan.\r\nWe will use the powers recommended by The Smith Commission to build on our successful Home Energy Efficiency Programmes for Scotland: Area Based Schemes and existing programmes for business and the public sector to help design and develop fuel poverty and energy efficiency schemes that better suit Scotland’s unique characteristics in the domestic and non-domestic sectors. The programme will also for the first time provide multi-year funding for local authority partners to give them the certainty to develop more ambitious projects on the ground.","AnswerDate":"2015-07-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-07-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil ","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304720,"EventID":"S4W-26498","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1866,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-07-02T15:34:15.073","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-07-01T14:41:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to its announcement on 9 June 2015 that energy efficiency would be designated as a national infrastructure project (Official Report, c. 60), whether the new scheme under the Energy Efficiency Programmes for Scotland will set specific targets for improving the energy efficiency of domestic properties.","AnswerText":"The detail and design of Scotland’s energy efficiency programme which will lie at the heart of the national infrastructure priority will be developed in close co-operation with stakeholders across Scotland. We need an approach that can take account of the diversity of the housing stock and households across Scotland, therefore before we set out further detail we will work with stakeholders to undertake further modelling and analysis to understand what is possible before setting out specific targets for the programme.\r\nIn the shorter term we plan to consult on proposed minimum standards for energy efficiency in private homes later this year. These standards, like our existing standards for social housing, will help to make Scotland’s least energy efficient homes more affordable to run, more comfortable to live in, and help reduce their emissions.","AnswerDate":"2015-07-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-07-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304721,"EventID":"S4W-26499","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1866,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-07-02T15:34:15.977","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-07-01T14:41:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when planning decisions will be taken on the Allt Duine, Sallachy and Glencassley proposals for renewable development.","AnswerText":"A decision has been taken on Allt Duine. The planning application was refused by Scottish Ministers on 30 July 2015.\r\n\r\nIn respect of Glencassley and Sallachy, the consideration that officials and ministers have been required to give to these proposals, including the associated environmental impact assessments, has been complex and time consuming. This meant we were unable to facilitate decisions before the change to Scottish Planning Policy in June 2014, at which point we had to consult further.\r\nNow that the further consultation is complete Scottish Ministers should be in a position to make decisions shortly.","AnswerDate":"2015-07-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-07-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304722,"EventID":"S4W-26500","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1866,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-07-02T15:34:16.93","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-07-01T14:41:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how the implementation of the pelagic discard ban has affected the pelagic fleet and what evaluation it has undertaken of the success of the ban.","AnswerText":"The pelagic landing obligation came into force on 1 January 2015. Those fisheries affected by its introduction are traditionally ‘clean’ fisheries, meaning that historic levels of discarding are recorded as negligible. Although no formal evaluation of the pelagic discard ban has yet taken place, Scottish Government officials engage regularly with the pelagic fishing industry and the impact on the fleet is considered low.\r\n\r\nThe Scottish Government will continue to work with the fishing industry and the regional groups of member states to understand the impact of the pelagic discard ban and to learn lessons which can be applied ahead of the introduction of the demersal landing obligation, starting on 1 January 2016.","AnswerDate":"2015-07-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-07-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Richard Lochhead","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304723,"EventID":"S4W-26501","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1866,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-07-02T15:34:17.91","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-07-01T14:41:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what monitoring and enforcement tools it has put in place to ensure that fishing vessels comply with the pelagic discard ban; how many warnings have been issued to fishing vessels in Scotland for infringing the ban; how many infringements have been recorded; whether there have been prosecutions in Scotland for infringement of the ban, and, if so, how many.","AnswerText":"Marine Scotland deploys three ocean-going marine protection vessels and two specialist maritime surveillance aircraft to monitor compliance with the pelagic discard ban and all other fisheries legislation in the Scottish zone.\r\n\r\nIn addition Marine Scotland operates a satellite based vessel monitoring system (VMS) which allows it to track the movements of all fishing vessels over 12 metres in Scottish waters.\r\nNo infringements have been detected in Scottish waters since the pelagic discard ban came into effect on 1 January 2015 and consequently no warnings or prosecutions have been initiated.","AnswerDate":"2015-07-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-07-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Richard Lochhead","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304724,"EventID":"S4W-26515","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2117,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-07-02T15:34:18.723","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-07-02T09:16:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-25895 by Fergus Ewing on 25 June 2015, whether it will confirm that there have been no meetings between Scottish and UK ministers regarding the future of Longannet.","AnswerText":"As stated in answers to previous answers to parliamentary questions (S4W-25246 on 1 May 2015, S4W-25247 on 1 May 2015, S4W-25248 on 1 May 2015, S4W-25588 on 2 June 2015, S4W-25589 on 2 June 2015, S4W-25591 on 2 June 2015, S4W-25895 on 26 June 2015, S4W-25896 on 26 June 2015, S4W-25897 on 26 June 2015), I and other Scottish Ministers maintain regular dialogue with UK ministers, National Grid (Great Britain system operator) and Ofgem on a range of matters relating to electricity supply and generating stations located in Scotland. \r\nRegarding Longannet in particular I have discussed the station’s future with the former Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, Ed Davey, on various occasions including most recently in a telephone call on 25 February 2015. Dialogue with ministers in the new Conservative government has continued.\r\nI wrote to the Secretary of State for Energy Amber Rudd about Longannet on 19 May 2015 (the content of the letter is copied below) and to the Exchequer Secretary to the Treasury Damian Hinds on 18 May 2015 to highlight proposals that could improve the economics of open cast sites in Scotland and by extension reduce the input costs of Longannet (also copied below).\r\nAll answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at: \r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx\r\nLetter to Amber Rudd (Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change) 19 May 2015:\r\nDear Amber\r\nI am writing regarding Longannet coal fired power station which is situated in Fife. Longannet plays a significant role in delivering affordable electricity and system operability, as well as making a significant contribution to Scotland’s economy. In March 2015, Scottish Power announced that in all likelihood it will be forced to close Longannet power station prematurely in 2016. Scottish Power has linked its decision to the location-based transmission charging methodology which penalises Scottish generators.\r\nThis news is very concerning for the Scottish Government, not least because of the impact early closure will have on the 270 direct employees at Longannet and those affected within the related supply chain, but also given Longannet’s huge strategic importance to Scotland.\r\nI have previously discussed this issue with Ed Davey and National Grid and would like to continue that engagement by discussing with you possible options for averting the premature closure of the site.\r\nYou may be aware that the Scottish Parliament’s Economy, Energy and Tourism Committee are currently holding an inquiry into ‘security of supply in Scotland’. They begin their formal evidence sessions tomorrow and I would anticipate they will be keen to hear evidence from your department.\r\nI hope you will agree that this could be covered in the first of the quarterly meetings between us that I proposed in my letter of 15 May.\r\nYours sincerely\r\nFergus Ewing \r\nLetter to Damian Hinds Exchequer Secretary to the Treasury 18 May 2015:\r\n18th May 2015\r\nDear Damian,\r\nWarmest congratulations on your appointment as Exchequer Secretary to the Treasury.\r\nI am writing to ask for your help in progressing work on Coalfield Restoration which previously Priti Patel was overseeing for Treasury, and an issue which I am hopeful that given the commercial pressures in the coal sector and the ongoing challenge of unrestored sites for local communities, we can now move quickly to address.\r\nI am hopeful that we can build on the history of strong cross-party support on this matter. I am particularly grateful for example to David Mundell, who sits on the Scottish Coal Taskforce, for his help previously in raising these issues with his colleagues in Treasury and in The Department of Energy & Climate Change (DECC). Hence, during the March Budget statement, the Chancellor made a commitment that the UK Government would work closely with the Scottish Coal Task Force to explore options for addressi","AnswerDate":"2015-08-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-07-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304725,"EventID":"S4W-26526","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4965,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-07-02T15:34:19.533","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-07-02T10:26:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the lowest recorded annual number of house fires is and how many there have been in each year from 2006-07.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government publishes long term trends of key fire statistics in Scotland since 1990 at: http://www.gov.scot/Topics/Statistics/Browse/Crime-Justice/Datasets/DatasetsFire/scottishfirestats. The lowest annual number of dwelling fires since 1990 was in 2013-14 with 5,330 fires.\r\nThe published information for 2004-05 to 2013-14 (the latest statistics) for dwelling fires can be found in Table 1 of the Fire and Rescue Statistics, Scotland, 2013-14 – tables and charts datasets at:\r\nhttp://www.gov.scot/Publications/2014/12/2384/downloads","AnswerDate":"2015-07-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-07-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Paul Wheelhouse","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304726,"EventID":"S4W-26527","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4965,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-07-02T15:34:20.11","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-07-02T10:27:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the lowest recorded annual number of fire fatalities is and how many there have been in each year from 2006-07.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government publishes long term trends of key fire statistics in Scotland since 1990 at: http://www.gov.scot/Topics/Statistics/Browse/Crime-Justice/Datasets/DatasetsFire/scottishfirestats. The lowest annual number of dwelling fires since 1990 was in 2013-14 with 33 fire fatalities.\r\nThe published information for 2004-05 to 2013-14 (the latest statistics) for fire fatalities can be found in Table 2 of the Fire and Rescue Statistics, Scotland, 2013-14 – tables and charts datasets at: \r\nhttp://www.gov.scot/Publications/2014/12/2384/downloads","AnswerDate":"2015-07-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-07-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Paul Wheelhouse","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304727,"EventID":"S4W-26528","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4964,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":119,"ApprovedDate":"2015-07-02T15:34:20.673","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-07-02T14:13:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many women have registered as self-employed in each year since 2008, broken down by local authority area.","AnswerText":"The statistics available are provided in the following table. The statistics are sourced from the Annual Population Survey. \r\nFemale Self-Employment Level by Local Authority Area, aged 16+, Scotland, 2008 to 2014\r\nLocal Authority Area\r\n(Residence Based)\r\n2008\r\n2009\r\n2010\r\n2011\r\n2012\r\n2013\r\n2014\r\nAberdeen City\r\n2,700\r\n1,700\r\n2,500\r\n2,500\r\n3,500\r\n2,400\r\n2,700\r\nAberdeenshire\r\n5,400\r\n5,500\r\n6,200\r\n6,200\r\n4,800\r\n3,900\r\n6,100\r\nAngus\r\n2,300\r\n2,400\r\n2,500\r\n2,500\r\n2,200\r\n2,300\r\n2,700\r\nArgyll and Bute\r\n1,900\r\n2,000\r\n1,900\r\n2,000\r\n2,100\r\n2,400\r\n2,700\r\nClackmannanshire\r\n700\r\n700\r\n700\r\n600\r\n1,100\r\n800\r\n1,000\r\nDumfries and Galloway\r\n3,400\r\n2,400\r\n2,500\r\n2,700\r\n3,600\r\n3,900\r\n3,800\r\nDundee City\r\n1,800\r\n1,800\r\n1,400\r\n1,400\r\n1,900\r\n1,200\r\n1,100\r\nEast Ayrshire\r\n2,100\r\n1,600\r\n1,700\r\n1,500\r\n1,500\r\n1,700\r\n2,000\r\nEast Dunbartonshire\r\n1,600\r\n2,400\r\n1,700\r\n1,900\r\n2,000\r\n2,700\r\n2,300\r\nEast Lothian\r\n2,000\r\n1,800\r\n2,000\r\n2,400\r\n2,300\r\n2,800\r\n3,100\r\nEast Renfrewshire\r\n1,400\r\n1,400\r\n1,100\r\n1,800\r\n1,500\r\n2,000\r\n2,200\r\nEdinburgh, City of\r\n8,600\r\n9,700\r\n11,000\r\n9,200\r\n10,700\r\n11,200\r\n10,600\r\nEilean Siar \r\n600\r\n*\r\n800\r\n500\r\n700\r\n700\r\n600\r\nFalkirk\r\n1,400\r\n1,900\r\n2,100\r\n1,600\r\n1,800\r\n2,600\r\n2,700\r\nFife\r\n4,700\r\n5,300\r\n4,500\r\n5,000\r\n4,800\r\n5,100\r\n9,000\r\nGlasgow City\r\n7,200\r\n8,600\r\n4,500\r\n5,600\r\n9,200\r\n7,200\r\n8,700\r\nHighland\r\n5,300\r\n4,900\r\n5,700\r\n5,900\r\n6,500\r\n7,100\r\n6,500\r\nInverclyde\r\n500\r\n800\r\n1,000\r\n1,000\r\n1,100\r\n800\r\n800\r\nMidlothian\r\n1,200\r\n1,600\r\n1,300\r\n1,100\r\n1,400\r\n1,700\r\n2,200\r\nMoray\r\n2,500\r\n2,300\r\n2,200\r\n1,700\r\n2,100\r\n2,200\r\n2,100\r\nNorth Ayrshire\r\n1,100\r\n1,300\r\n1,800\r\n2,000\r\n2,000\r\n2,500\r\n2,400\r\nNorth Lanarkshire\r\n5,100\r\n3,200\r\n3,200\r\n3,100\r\n4,000\r\n5,000\r\n3,900\r\nOrkney Islands\r\n*\r\n*\r\n600\r\n*\r\n*\r\n*\r\n*\r\nPerth and Kinross\r\n2,800\r\n3,300\r\n2,700\r\n3,400\r\n3,300\r\n3,800\r\n3,900\r\nRenfrewshire\r\n900\r\n1,600\r\n2,500\r\n1,900\r\n1,900\r\n2,200\r\n1,900\r\nScottish Borders\r\n2,900\r\n2,900\r\n3,100\r\n3,800\r\n3,200\r\n3,500\r\n3,400\r\nShetland Islands\r\n*\r\n*\r\n700\r\n*\r\n*\r\n*\r\n*\r\nSouth Ayrshire\r\n1,800\r\n1,900\r\n2,000\r\n2,200\r\n2,300\r\n2,400\r\n2,300\r\nSouth Lanarkshire\r\n4,100\r\n3,700\r\n4,100\r\n4,500\r\n5,500\r\n3,800\r\n4,700\r\nStirling\r\n1,000\r\n1,300\r\n2,000\r\n2,100\r\n2,100\r\n2,200\r\n1,800\r\nWest Dunbartonshire\r\n800\r\n900\r\n1,000\r\n800\r\n700\r\n800\r\n1,100\r\nWest Lothian\r\n1,700\r\n2,600\r\n3,000\r\n2,000\r\n3,100\r\n2,100\r\n2,200\r\nScotland\r\n80,800\r\n82,700\r\n84,000\r\n84,200\r\n94,100\r\n94,200\r\n101,600\r\nSource: Annual Population Survey, January to December, Office for National Statistics\r\nNotes:\r\n1. Self-employment levels are rounded to the nearest hundred.\r\n2. *estimate has been suppressed as it is below reliability threshold.","AnswerDate":"2015-10-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-07-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304728,"EventID":"S4W-26529","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4964,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":119,"ApprovedDate":"2015-07-02T15:34:21.42","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-07-02T14:13:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what impact the small business bonus scheme has had on employment.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government recognises the importance of Scotland’s small businesses as employers, and accordingly business rates relief is targeted under the small business bonus scheme to offer them significant support.\r\n\r\nThe small business bonus scheme is estimated to have removed or reduced rates bills for over 96,000 (two in every five) rateable properties in 2014-15. This is why The Federation of Small Businesses recently observed that the scheme “continues to give most Scottish small firms a competitive advantage over counterparts in other parts of the UK”.","AnswerDate":"2015-07-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-07-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304729,"EventID":"S4W-26530","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2033,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":132,"ApprovedDate":"2015-07-02T15:34:22.123","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-07-02T14:39:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how the annual budget for nationally commissioned specialist patient services is determined.","AnswerText":"The process for determining the annual budget for nationally commissioned specialist patient services involves consideration of an annual business plan by the National Specialist Services Committee (NSSC).\r\n\r\nNSSC makes recommendations to the NHS Board Chief Executives’ Group and the Scottish Government on the funding to be allocated for designated national specialist clinical services and networks in the next financial year.","AnswerDate":"2015-07-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-07-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304730,"EventID":"S4W-26531","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2033,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":132,"ApprovedDate":"2015-07-02T15:34:22.717","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-07-02T14:39:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the average waiting time is for referrals to see a neuropsychologist from adult neurology in each NHS board.","AnswerText":"The information requested is not available centrally. Waiting time information for a first outpatient appointment is only collected at specialty level – neuropsychologist is not a specialty. A referral to a neuropsychology will have been made as part of a patients treatment plan following an assessment or any treatment by a neurologist or neurosurgeon.","AnswerDate":"2015-08-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-07-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304731,"EventID":"S4W-26532","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2033,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":132,"ApprovedDate":"2015-07-02T15:34:23.357","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-07-02T14:39:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-25501 by Jamie Hepburn on 20 May 2015, what arrangements are in place to ensure that the neurosurgical team at NHS Tayside has the capacity to provide timely battery replacement and external lead replacement for people who have previously received deep brain stimulation surgery.","AnswerText":"Deep brain stimulation (DBS) patients are and always have been part of the neurosurgical workload of NHS Tayside. \r\n\r\nBattery changes are predicted either from a clinical database, or from software used to run the DBS device.\r\nThere is one neurosurgical consultant in NHS Tayside who has a related subspecialty interest in neurostimulation for pain. They liaise with the DBS specialist nurse on a weekly basis to prioritise patients for whom battery replacement will soon be required or extracranial lead replacement following a lead breakage.","AnswerDate":"2015-07-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-07-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304732,"EventID":"S4W-26440","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2015-07-03T14:49:50.153","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-07-01T09:42:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will list all capital projects that the Scottish Futures Trust (a) is currently delivering and (b) has in the pipeline.","AnswerText":"Information on the infrastructure investment projects which Scottish Futures Trust is supporting is available on its website: www.scottishfuturestrust.org.uk/","AnswerDate":"2015-07-31T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-07-31T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304733,"EventID":"S4W-26441","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2015-07-03T14:49:51.51","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-07-01T09:42:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government which capital projects have been affected by the changes to the Eurostat designation of capital projects.","AnswerText":"The Office for National Statistics has reviewed the classification of the Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route and the wider implications of that review are being considered by the Scottish Government and the Scottish Futures Trust.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-07-31T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-07-31T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304734,"EventID":"S4W-26442","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2015-07-03T14:49:52.663","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-07-01T09:42:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government which capital projects have been delayed as a result of the changes to the Eurostat designation of capital projects and what the (a) length of delay and (b) additional cost is in each case.","AnswerText":"The eight hub design-build-finance-maintain (DBFM) projects that had been due to reach financial close by the end of 2014-15 had not reached financial close by 31 March 2015. For project specific reasons, the Forfar Academy and Anderson High School Shetland have been allowed to progress to financial close. Elgin High School, Baldragon Academy Dundee, Newbattle High School, Kelso High School, NHS Lothian Health Centre Bundle, and Inverclyde Care Home have been affected by a combination of Eurostat and other project specific programme issues. Other hub DBFM projects due to reach financial close in the early part of the current financial year, Our Lady and St Patricks High School and Barrhead High School, have faced project specific issues and are now also affected by the need for further consideration of the implications of the review by the Office of National Statistics of the classification of the Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route. The length and cost of any delay will only be known when contracts are signed. ","AnswerDate":"2015-07-31T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-07-31T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304735,"EventID":"S4W-26443","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2015-07-03T14:49:54.147","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-07-01T09:42:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government for what reason the construction of (a) Our Lady and St Patrick’s High School, (b) the North West Edinburgh Partnership Centre, (c) the Royal Hospital for Sick Children in Edinburgh, (d) the Dumfries and Galloway Infirmary and (e) the Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route has been delayed and what the (i) length and (ii) cost of the delay is.","AnswerText":"Our Lady and St Patricks High School and the North West Edinburgh Partnership Centre projects have each had project specific issues to resolve as well as further consideration of the implications of the review by the Office of National Statistics of the classification of the Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route. Until these projects reach financial close it is too early to confirm what any cost impact would be.\r\n\r\nThe Royal Hospital for Sick Children in Edinburgh, Dumfries and Galloway Royal Infirmary and Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route projects have not incurred any delay as a result of Eurostat issues and are all contracted to be completed within earlier cost estimates.","AnswerDate":"2015-07-31T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-07-31T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304736,"EventID":"S4W-26449","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2015-07-03T14:49:55.317","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-07-01T09:42:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will meet the cost of delays to capital projects resulting from changes to the Eurostat designation of capital projects.","AnswerText":"Any cost to projects of delay associated with changes to Eurostat guidance has yet to be agreed. To date the Scottish Government has allocated a total of £4.5 million of capital funding through the Scottish Futures Trust to the six local authorities with the most imminent projects to enable them to continue to progress their projects.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-07-31T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-07-31T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304737,"EventID":"S4W-26450","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2015-07-03T14:49:56.657","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-07-01T09:42:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what costs have been incurred as a result of the changes to the Eurostat designation of capital projects for additional (a) advice and consultancy, (b) civil service time, (c) Scottish Futures Trust staff time and (d) project/inflation costs.","AnswerText":"Work by Scottish Government and Scottish Futures Trust staff in response to changes in relevant EU guidance has been undertaken within existing resources. The project cost and inflation impact of changes to Eurostat guidance is not yet apparent.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-07-31T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-07-31T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304738,"EventID":"S4W-26451","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2015-07-03T14:49:57.873","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-07-01T09:42:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government for what reason it did not list more than eight projects as being delayed by the changes to the Eurostat designation of capital projects.","AnswerText":"The eight projects listed on 2 February 2015 (S4W-24246) were those projects due to reach financial close in the financial year 2014-15. \r\nAll answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.","AnswerDate":"2015-07-31T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-07-31T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304739,"EventID":"S4W-26452","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2015-07-03T14:49:59.577","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-07-01T09:42:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government which capital projects that were expected to have a financial close in (a) March, (b) April, (c) May, (d) June and (e) July 2015 now have a revised close date due to the changes to the Eurostat designation of capital projects and what the revised dates are.","AnswerText":"At the start of the year, it was anticipated that the following projects would reach financial close as set out in the following table:\r\n\r\nMonth\r\nProject\r\nJanuary\r\nForfar Academy\r\nFebruary\r\nInverclyde Health Centre, Baldragon Academy\r\nMarch\r\nNHS Lothian Bundle, Newbattle High School, Anderson High School, Kelso High School, Elgin High School\r\nApril\r\n-\r\nMay\r\n-\r\nJune\r\nBarrhead High School, Our Lady and St Patricks High School\r\nForfar Academy reached financial close in June 2015 following completion of an early construction works package and the Anderson High School is due to reach financial close shortly. Other projects have been delayed by a combination of changes to Eurostat guidance and project specific issues. It is too early to provide revised dates for reaching financial close.","AnswerDate":"2015-07-31T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-07-31T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304740,"EventID":"S4W-26453","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2015-07-03T14:50:00.98","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-07-01T09:42:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the (a) construction costs and (b) repayment terms are for each capital project, broken down by (i) time period, (ii) annual revenue repayments and (iii) total revenue repayment over the project lifetime.","AnswerText":"Information relating to those projects which are operational or in construction and which form part of the Scottish Government’s current revenue funded non-profit distribution/hub investment programme is available on the Scottish Government’s website: www.gov.scot/Topics/Government/Finance/18232/12308\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-07-31T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-07-31T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304741,"EventID":"S4W-26454","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2015-07-03T14:50:02.18","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-07-01T09:42:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on the Office for National Statistics classification that the non-profit distributing model is a public-private partnership.","AnswerText":"The non-profit distributing model is a form of public-private partnership that has been designed to deliver better value for money to the public sector and the taxpayer than previous public-private partnership/private finance initiative deals. This has always been the case.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-07-31T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-07-31T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304742,"EventID":"S4W-26455","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2015-07-03T14:50:03.71","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-07-01T09:42:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it considers that the consequence of the changes to the Eurostat designation of capital projects is that a greater percentage of each capital project has to be seen as private sector for it to be deemed off balance sheet.","AnswerText":"Scottish Ministers have authorised the Scottish Futures Trust to take forward changes to the structure of the hub programme of infrastructure projects which reduce the public sector shareholding in the entities set up to deliver individual projects, having considered the implications of the latest changes to Eurostat guidance on the factors that influence classification outcomes. An update was provided to the Finance Committee on 1 June and again on 19 June 2015.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-07-31T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-07-31T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304743,"EventID":"S4W-26456","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2015-07-03T14:50:05.16","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-07-01T09:42:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether the Scottish Futures Trust's revised structure for design-build-finance-maintain projects gives a more direct and greater share of each project to the private sector and, if so, for what reason.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-26455 on 31 July 2015. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:\r\n\r\nwww.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.","AnswerDate":"2015-07-31T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-07-31T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304744,"EventID":"S4W-26457","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2015-07-03T14:50:06.377","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-07-01T09:42:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether the Scottish Futures Trust's revised structure for design-build-finance-maintain projects halves the public sector share of the project from 40% to 20% and, if so, for what reason.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-26455 on 31 July 2015. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:\r\n\r\nwww.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-07-31T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-07-31T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304745,"EventID":"S4W-26458","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2015-07-03T14:50:07.61","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-07-01T09:42:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it has (a) sought and (b) received advice from the Office of the Scottish Charity Regulator (OSCR) on the proposed new private sector charity that will be part of future design-build-finance-maintain capital projects and what the dates are of all its (i) meetings and (ii) communications with OSCR.","AnswerText":"Scottish Futures Trust is leading work on the creation of a new charity that will form part of the structure of future hub infrastructure projects, seeking advice when required including ongoing engagement with the Office of the Scottish Charity Regulator with which it met on 16 July 2015.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-07-31T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-07-31T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304746,"EventID":"S4W-26459","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2015-07-03T14:50:08.857","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-07-01T09:42:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government from whom it has sought advice on the proposed new private sector charity that will be part of future design-build-finance-maintain capital projects and at what cost.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-26458 on 31 July 2015. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at: www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx\r\n\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-07-31T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-07-31T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304747,"EventID":"S4W-26460","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2015-07-03T14:50:10.153","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-07-01T09:42:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether the board of the Scottish Futures Trust's revised design-build-finance-maintain structure will be under private sector control.","AnswerText":"The board of the hub design-build-finance-maintain project companies has always been privately controlled with strong public sector representation. The revised structure seeks to reinforce that position under the new Eurostat guidance.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-07-31T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-07-31T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304748,"EventID":"S4W-26461","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2015-07-03T14:50:11.43","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-07-01T09:42:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether, under the Scottish Futures Trust's revised design-build-finance-maintain structure, revenue contributions from the public sector will be greater for capital projects for which all of the capital comes from the private sector, and what assessment it has made of the additional cost.","AnswerText":"No changes are anticipated to the level of unitary charge payable by procuring bodies for the majority of non-profit distributing or hub funded developments. For those projects where capital contributions are no longer being made by the public sector, unitary charge payments will increase commensurately though it is anticipated this will have a relatively small effect across the programme.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-07-31T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-07-31T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304749,"EventID":"S4W-26462","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2015-07-03T14:50:12.85","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-07-01T09:42:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether the Scottish Futures Trust's proposed model for design-build-finance-maintain projects will have an impact on so-called soft services.","AnswerText":"Soft services, such as cleaning, catering etc, have always been excluded from all non-profit distributing and hub design-build-finance-maintain projects to increase flexibility and learn lessons from the past. There will be no change in any revised structure.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-07-31T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-07-31T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304750,"EventID":"S4W-26463","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2015-07-03T14:50:14.24","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-07-01T09:42:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it has agreed its proposed changes to the model for design-build-finance-maintain projects with (a) the Office for National Statistics and (b) Eurostat.","AnswerText":"The Office for National Statistics takes decisions independently about projects or programmes that it wishes to review. The proposed design-build-finance-maintain-model is not currently under review. Engagement with Eurostat, on any issues of classification, would be a matter for the Office for National Statistics or the UK Government, as the relevant EU member state.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-07-31T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-07-31T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304751,"EventID":"S4W-26464","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2015-07-03T14:50:15.69","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-07-01T09:42:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the level of public sector indebtedness is for all capital projects for each year from 2007 to 2050.","AnswerText":"Information relating to the estimated annual unitary payment charges paid by public sector bodies in Scotland to private sector consortiums for services agreed over the length of non-profit distributing, hub and public-private partnership/private finance initiative contracts is available by way of the Scottish Government website: www.gov.scot/Topics/Government/Finance/18232/12308\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-07-31T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-07-31T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304752,"EventID":"S4W-26465","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2015-07-03T14:50:17.36","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-07-01T09:42:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government who will own the assets financed by the revised model for design-build-finance-maintain projects at the end of the revenue repayment period.","AnswerText":"The procuring authority will own the assets.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-07-31T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-07-31T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304753,"EventID":"S4W-26466","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2015-07-03T14:50:18.81","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-07-01T09:42:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it has had voluntary ex-ante transparency notices published in the Official Journal of the European Union regarding its intention to change the hub delivery structure.","AnswerText":"These were published by Scottish Futures Trust and the participating public authorities in the Official Journal of the European Union on 17 June 2015.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-07-31T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-07-31T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304754,"EventID":"S4W-26467","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2015-07-03T14:50:20.183","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-07-01T09:42:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether immediate hub design-build-finance-maintain projects will be signed under the existing structure and transferred to the new structure at a later date, and what the implications are of doing this.","AnswerText":"The intention is that any projects that sign under the existing structure including Forfar Academy and Anderson High would transfer to the new structure at a later date.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-07-31T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-07-31T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304755,"EventID":"S4W-26468","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2015-07-03T14:50:21.54","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-07-01T09:42:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will publish the advice that it has received from Pinsent Masons about the new design-build-finance-maintain capital projects model.","AnswerText":"Legal advice was provided by Pinsent Masons to the Scottish Futures Trust and the hub programme public bodies on a confidential basis.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-07-31T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-07-31T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304756,"EventID":"S4W-26469","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2015-07-03T14:50:22.82","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-07-01T09:42:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether the subordinated debt investment will align with the shareholding in the revised structure for design-build-finance-maintain projects, namely that the Scottish Futures Trust will hold 10%, the procuring public sector body will hold 10%, the private sector will hold 60% and the private sector charity will hold 20%.","AnswerText":"Shareholders will have the right to invest subordinated debt in the same ratio as their shareholding.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-07-31T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-07-31T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304757,"EventID":"S4W-26470","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2015-07-03T14:50:24.02","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-07-01T09:42:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether, under the revised model for design-build-finance-maintain projects, the private sector can hold more than a 60% ownership if the private sector charity does not take the full 20% of the subordinated debt investment to which it is entitled.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-26469 on 31 July 2015. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:\r\n\r\nwww.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.","AnswerDate":"2015-07-31T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-07-31T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304758,"EventID":"S4W-26471","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2015-07-03T14:50:25.19","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-07-01T09:42:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it will finance the new Clydebank Health Centre; when the project will (a) start and (b) be completed, and how much public sector capital will be involved.","AnswerText":"The timing of the Clydebank Health Centre has yet to be agreed. The project, with a capital cost of £19 million, is expected to be financed via the hub design-build-finance-maintain programme.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-07-31T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-07-31T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304759,"EventID":"S4W-26502","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4080,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-07-03T14:50:26.423","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-07-01T14:47:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether all NHS screening checks are available to prisoners and what the take-up rate for screening services is, broken down by (a) institution and (b) gender.","AnswerText":"All NHS screening services are available to prisoners with a sentence greater than six months. Information on take-up of screening services within the prison population is not held centrally.","AnswerDate":"2015-07-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-07-31T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304760,"EventID":"S4W-26503","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4080,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-07-03T14:50:27.17","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-07-01T14:47:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what steps it has taken to address the health needs of people in the criminal justice system since publication of the Annual Report of the Chief Medical Officer 2013.","AnswerText":"Since publication of the Chief Medical Officer’s report in December 2014, the Scottish Government has continued to work with key partners to improve healthcare outcomes for those in the criminal justice system.\r\nThe National Prisoner Healthcare Network is undertaking a range of activities in order to improve health outcomes for individuals in the custody of the Scottish Prison Service. This includes workstreams on female offenders, substance misuse, throughcare, alcohol and drugs and mental health, many of which will report shortly.\r\nThe Ministerial Group on Offender Reintegration, established by the Scottish Government in 2013, has endorsed a series of health-related recommendations for improvement, which will be published in autumn 2015 as part of its final report.\r\nAmong a range of practical measures that have been introduced is the installation of a single IT system in all custody suites in Scotland to support the accurate recording of the healthcare needs of those in police care; the provision of access to NHS records by clinicians working in a custody setting; the upgrading of examining rooms in line with NHS standards, and the development and delivery of a bespoke training programme.\r\nNational consistency in the quality of service delivery has been supported by the establishment of a memorandum of understanding and information sharing protocol between health boards and Police Scotland, and joint Police Scotland/NHS Scotland national guidance for the delivery of healthcare and forensic medical services to people in police custody.","AnswerDate":"2015-07-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-07-31T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304761,"EventID":"S4W-26504","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4080,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-07-03T14:50:27.937","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-07-01T14:47:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many prisoners are currently assessed as having (a) type 1 and (b) type 2 diabetes.","AnswerText":"This information is not centrally held.","AnswerDate":"2015-07-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-07-31T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304762,"EventID":"S4W-26505","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4080,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-07-03T14:50:28.857","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-07-01T14:47:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what recent steps it has taken to address the needs of diabetic prisoners.","AnswerText":"We want all people with diabetes to have access to the best possible care.\r\nHowever, it is for NHS boards to improve and develop services to meet the needs of their local population. This includes long standing health care arrangements in NHS boards with Scottish Prison Service establishments in their areas or responsibility.\r\nIn terms of the national picture, our Diabetes Improvement Plan, which was published in November 2014, sets out a range of actions to help improve the care of all people with diabetes. Our Diabetes Improvement Plan can be viewed at: \r\nhttp://diabetesinscotland.org.uk/Publications/Diabetes_Improvement_Plan_2014.PDF","AnswerDate":"2015-07-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-07-31T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304763,"EventID":"S4W-26506","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4080,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-07-03T14:50:29.73","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-07-01T14:47:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many prisoners have had diabetic retinopathy checks in the last (a) six months, (b) year and (c) two years.","AnswerText":"Figures for the number of prisoners who have been recorded on the diabetic retinopathy screening (DRS) system as having had a diabetic retinopathy check in the time period requested are set out in the following table.\r\nIt is important to recognise that the DRS programme normally screens patients at either a six or 12 monthly interval depending on previous results. Therefore, some of the people included in the figures below may have been screened on more than one occasion in the 12 month or two yearly periods requested.\r\nTotal number of people screened in last six months\r\n48\r\nTotal number of people screened in the last 12 months\r\n97*\r\nTotal number of people screened in the last 24 months\r\n169**\r\n*Some of these individuals may have been screened twice as part of the DRS six months surveillance cycle.\r\n**Some of these individuals may have been screened several times as part of the DRS six or 12 month screening cycle. This also includes individuals who have been screened just prior to being incarcerated.","AnswerDate":"2015-07-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-07-31T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304764,"EventID":"S4W-26507","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4080,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-07-03T14:50:30.573","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-07-01T14:47:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how frequently routine dental checks are offered to prisoners.","AnswerText":"Prisoners are entitled to receive the same frequency of dental heath checks as any NHS patient. It is recommended that dental checks should be provided at least once every two years.","AnswerDate":"2015-07-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-07-31T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304765,"EventID":"S4W-26508","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4080,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-07-03T14:50:31.587","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-07-01T14:47:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the take-up of routine dental checks in prisons over the last (a) six months, (b) year and (c) two years.","AnswerText":"This information is not held centrally.\r\nResponsibility for prison healthcare services, including dental services, transferred to NHS boards on 1 November 2011.\r\nThe Scottish Government has recently published guidance to NHS boards on Oral Health Improvement and Dental Services in Scottish Prisons. This can be found at:\r\nhttp://www.gov.scot/Publications/2015/07/2508","AnswerDate":"2015-07-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-07-31T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304766,"EventID":"S4W-26509","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4080,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-07-03T14:50:32.443","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-07-01T14:47:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the average waiting time for prisoners who require (a) emergency dental treatment and (b) dental treatment following a routine dental check in the last (i) six months, (ii) year and (iii) two years.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-26508 on 24 July 2015. Parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at: \r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx","AnswerDate":"2015-07-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-07-31T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304767,"EventID":"S4W-26510","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4080,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-07-03T14:50:33.24","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-07-01T14:47:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what smoking cessation services are available to prisoners.","AnswerText":"Since 2013-14, funding for the provision of smoking cessation services in prisons is contained within the smoking cessation allocations to the relevant NHS boards listed below. It is for individual NHS boards, in partnership with the Scottish Prison Service, to determine the delivery of cessation services for their local prison population. To support this, NHS Health Scotland published a national prison smoking cessation service specification on 30 June 2015. This specification sets out performance measures and service requirements to provide a consistent and high quality prison smoking cessation service. This will also provide a foundation for the Scottish Government requirement for the Scottish Prison Service to agree plans by the end of 2015 which set out the process for making Scottish prisons smoke-free. The national prison smoking cessation service specification is available at: http://www.healthscotland.com/documents/25618.aspx\r\nNHS board\r\nPrisons\r\nGrampian\r\nHMP – YOI Grampian\r\nLothian\r\nAddiewell\r\nEdinburgh\r\nGreater Glasgow and Clyde\r\nBarlinnie\r\nGreenock\r\nLow Moss\r\nForth Valley\r\nCornton Vale\r\nGlenochil\r\nPolmont\r\nDumfries and Galloway\r\nDumfries\r\nHighland\r\nInverness\r\nAyrshire and Arran\r\nKilmarnock\r\nTayside\r\nCastle Huntly\r\nPerth\r\nLanarkshire\r\nShotts\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-07-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-07-31T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304768,"EventID":"S4W-26511","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4080,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-07-03T14:50:34.253","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-07-01T14:47:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what access female prisoners have to breast and cervical screening services and what the take-up rate is.","AnswerText":"All female prisoners in Scotland with a custodial sentence of greater than six months have full access to breast and cervical screening services. Information on take-up rates within the prison population is not held centrally.","AnswerDate":"2015-07-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-07-31T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304769,"EventID":"S4W-26512","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4080,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-07-03T14:50:35.08","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-07-01T14:55:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many breath tests the police have conducted on motorists in each year since 2006-07 and what percentage identified illegal levels of alcohol.","AnswerText":"Police Scotland only records the number of roadside breath tests carried out during drink-drive campaigns. However, the police do record the number of offences relating to drink and drug driving in each year. The following table shows the number of offences recorded in each year since 2006-07:\r\nCrime\r\n2006-07\r\n2007-08\r\n2008-09\r\n2009-10\r\n2010-11\r\n2011-12\r\n2012-13\r\n2013-14\r\nDriving under the influence\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nDriving motor vehicle while unfit through drink or drugs\r\n761\r\n651\r\n547 \r\n488 \r\n502 \r\n584\r\n459 \r\n490 \r\nDriving motor vehicle with blood alcohol content above prescribed limit\r\n7,652\r\n7,177 \r\n6,744\r\n5,840\r\n4,979 \r\n4,889 \r\n4,223 \r\n3,819 \r\nFailure to provide breath specimen at roadside\r\n1,041\r\n931\r\n779 \r\n643 \r\n633 \r\n577 \r\n495 \r\n517 \r\nFailure to provide breath, blood or urine specimen at police station\r\n1,385\r\n1,191\r\n1,046 \r\n984 \r\n906 \r\n899 \r\n759 \r\n742 \r\nIn charge of motor vehicle while blood alcohol content above limit\r\n754\r\n640\r\n566 \r\n471 \r\n484 \r\n433 \r\n445 \r\n419 \r\nIn charge of motor vehicle while unfit through drink/drugs\r\n111\r\n107\r\n88 \r\n78 \r\n59 \r\n63 \r\n52 \r\n92 \r\nTotal driving under the influence\r\n11,704\r\n10,697\r\n9,800 \r\n8,504 \r\n7,563 \r\n7,445 \r\n6,433 \r\n6,079 \r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-07-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-07-31T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304770,"EventID":"S4W-26513","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4080,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-07-03T14:50:35.893","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-07-01T14:55:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many (a) endorsable and (b) non-endorsable fixed penalty notices have been issued for motoring offences in each year since 2006-07, broken down by offence.","AnswerText":"Information concerning endorsements and police fixed penalty notices is not held centrally. The available information concerning fiscal fixed penalties is given in the following table. Please notice there is no data available for before 2008-09. \r\n\r\nThe increase shown for the number of fiscal fixed penalties in the year to 2013-14 can be attributed, in part, to Police Scotland focussing their attentions on road traffic and motor vehicle offences. Police Scotland's annual plan for the period identifies road safety and road crime as one of its priorities. Following consultation this showed to be a top concern for the general public.\r\nFiscal fixed penalties issued for motoring offences 2008-09 to 2013-14.\r\n\r\n2008-09\r\n2009-10\r\n2010-11\r\n2011-12\r\n2012-13\r\n2013-14\r\nTotal\r\n18,074\r\n18,580\r\n20,337\r\n21,051\r\n21,613\r\n23,467\r\nTop 30\r\nSEJD Crime Code\r\nMotor vehicle offences:sub-total\r\nSerious Driving Offences\r\nSpeeding Offences\r\nSignal and Direction Offences\r\nLighting, Construction & Use Offences\r\nDocumentation Offences\r\nOther MV Offences\r\n1\r\n-\r\n6,150\r\n5,860\r\n2,133\r\n2,432\r\n1,069\r\n1,182\r\n3,836\r\n3,768\r\n4,885\r\n5,338\r\n-\r\n1\r\n1\r\n28\r\n6,502\r\n7,888\r\n7,458\r\n7,949\r\n2,860\r\n2,631\r\n2,656\r\n2,871\r\n1,240\r\n1,137\r\n1,326\r\n1,239\r\n3,689\r\n3,690\r\n3,760\r\n4,075\r\n6,046\r\n5,704\r\n6,412\r\n7,305\r\nSource: Scottish Government Criminal Proceedings Database.","AnswerDate":"2015-07-31T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-07-31T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Paul Wheelhouse","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304771,"EventID":"S4W-26514","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4080,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-07-03T14:50:36.563","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-07-01T14:55:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many licensed premises there are in Scotland.","AnswerText":"There are a variety of licensing regimes within Scotland. Some premises are licensed under the Civic Government (Scotland) Act 1982 for example, but figures are not routinely kept.\r\n\r\nThe information for 2013-14 and earlier years on the number of premises licenses for the sale of liquor is available from page:\r\nhttp://www.gov.scot/Topics/Statistics/Browse/Crime-Justice/PubLiquor.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-07-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-07-31T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Paul Wheelhouse","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304772,"EventID":"S4W-26533","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-07-03T14:50:37.187","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-07-02T16:19:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services Implementation Monitoring and Support Group has held meetings; what was discussed, and whether it will provide the minutes from those meetings.","AnswerText":"Details including the remit and copies of previous minutes for the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services Implementation Monitoring and Support Group can be found at the following link:\r\n\r\nhttp://www.gov.scot/Topics/Health/Services/Mental-Health/Strategy/Child-Adolescent-Services","AnswerDate":"2015-07-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-07-31T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304773,"EventID":"S4W-26534","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-07-03T14:50:37.89","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-07-02T16:19:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many hospital readmissions there have been with an eating disorder as the primary reason in each year since 2012, broken down by (a) age and (b) gender.","AnswerText":"The number of hospital readmissions for eating disorders in 2012-13 and 2013-14 is presented by age group in the following table. Presenting a breakdown by gender is not possible due to small numbers and to minimise the potential to identify individuals.\r\nTable: The number of patients readmitted1,2 to acute (SMR01) or psychiatric (SMR04)3 hospitals in Scotland4 with a main diagnosis of eating disorders5,6, 2012-13 and 2013-14 by age group7.\r\nAge group\r\n2012-13\r\n2013-14\r\nunder 16\r\n21\r\n20\r\n16 to 24\r\n21\r\n37\r\n25 to 44\r\n43\r\n32\r\n45+\r\n11\r\n12\r\nTotal\r\n96\r\n101\r\nNotes\r\nThere is no standard definition of readmissions for eating disorders. For the purposes of this analysis, a readmission has been defined as a discharge from an acute or psychiatric hospital in the specified year, following a similar discharge for eating disorders in any of the preceding 10 years (2003-04 to 2012-13 for readmissions in 2012-13; 2004-05 to 2013-14 for readmissions in 2013-14). The readmission figure for 2012-13 is calculated separately to the readmission figure for 2013-14, and as a result a patient counted in 2012-13 may also be counted in 2013-14. If a patient had more than one readmission in the specified year then they are only counted once in that year. 2013-14 is the most recent year available. Source: ISD Scotland.\r\nThe analysis is based on continuous inpatient stays (CISs) rather than episodes. Any one CIS can comprise multiple episodes and so if the analysis were based on episodes, the number of readmissions would appear artificially high. A patient has to have had more than one CIS for the second to be counted as a readmission.\r\nAcute inpatient and day case activity is recorded in Scottish morbidity record 01 (SMR01); psychiatric inpatient and day case activity is recorded in Scottish morbidity record 04 (SMR04). SMR01 and SMR04 are linked to allow patient based analysis across the two datasets. If a patient has one episode in SMR01 and one in SMR04 then the second will be counted as a readmission. If a patient has a CIS that crosses from SMR01 into SMR04 then these have been counted as 2 separate CISs.\r\nIncludes all patients treated in Scottish hospitals.\r\nThe SMR01 and SMR04 datasets have space to record a main discharge diagnosis and up to 5 secondary discharge diagnoses. This analysis looks at the main diagnosis position only.\r\nEating disorders are identified by ICD-10 code F50. For SMR04 records, diagnoses can be recorded on both admission and discharge. For this analysis, only diagnosis on discharge has been used.\r\nAge is the age on admission for the latest episode in the specified year (2012-13 or 2013-14).","AnswerDate":"2015-07-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-07-31T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304774,"EventID":"S4W-26535","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-07-03T14:50:38.637","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-07-02T17:08:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government which organisations it met/has met to discuss issues relating to eating disorders in (a) 2014 and (b) 2015 and what was discussed.","AnswerText":"The following table shows Scottish Ministers engagements across a range of activity related to eating disorders over the last two years.\r\nDate\r\n\r\nActivity\r\n\r\nWho/What\r\n\r\nPurpose\r\n\r\nIssues discussed\r\n\r\n8 July 2015\r\nMinisterial Visit\r\nMinister for Sport, Health Improvement and Mental Health visited NHS Grampian young people’s eating disorder service.\r\nTour the services  provided and meet patients, families and staff.\r\nA range of local and regional eating disorder service provision issues involving the experiences of people who live with eating disorder.\r\n8 July 2015\r\nMinisterial Visit\r\nMinister for Sport, Health Improvement and Mental Health visited NHS Grampian Adult Inpatient Unit for Eating Disorders.\r\nTo meet patients and staff using the service.\r\nA range of local and regional eating disorder service provision issues involving the experiences of people who live with eating disorder.\r\n1 April 2015\r\nMinisterial Meeting\r\nMinister for Sport, Health Improvement and Mental Health met Dennis Robertson MSP.\r\n\r\nTo discuss a range of eating disorder issues.\r\nIssues included staff training; child and adolescent mental health services; transitions; family based therapy and data collection.\r\n\r\n24 February 2015\r\nParliamentary Reception\r\nMinister for Sport, Health Improvement and Mental Health attended Parliamentary Reception on Eating Disorders.\r\n\r\nTo mark eating disorder awareness week 2015. Met a range of representatives from statutory and voluntary organisations.\r\nReception theme was the link between eating disorders, diabulimia,  diabetes and co-morbid anorexia and bulimia.\r\n\r\n24 February 2015\r\nParliamentary Debate\r\nMinister for Sport, Health Improvement and Mental Health responded to a Parliamentary Business Members Debate.\r\n\r\nTo mark eating disorder awareness week 2015.\r\nA range of issues as set out in the official report.\r\n1 September 2014\r\nMinisterial Meeting\r\nMinister for Public Health and officials met Professor James Lock, Stanford University  School of Medicine.\r\n\r\nMeeting at the invitation of Dennis Robertson MSP.\r\nTo discuss Family-Based Therapy approaches.\r\n3 June 2014\r\nMinisterial Meeting\r\nMinister for Public Health met Dennis Robertson MSP.\r\n\r\nTo discuss a range of eating disorder issues following eating disorder awareness week 2014.\r\n\r\nIssues around eating disorders treatment and support including child and adolescent mental health services; networks and training.\r\n\r\n28 February 2014\r\nConference\r\nMinister for Public Health spoke at a Scottish  Parliament Conference on eating disorders.\r\n\r\nTo mark eating disorder awareness week 2014.\r\nSet out mental health policy and initiatives relating to eating disorders.\r\n26 February 2014\r\nFM Reception\r\nFirst Minister and Minister for Public Health met representatives of statutory and voluntary organisations including families and service users.\r\n\r\nTo mark eating disorder awareness week 2014.\r\nA range of issues relevant to Scottish Government mental health policy and eating disorder care in Scotland.\r\n26 February 2014\r\nParliamentary Debate\r\nMinister for Public Health responded to a Parliamentary Business Members Debate.\r\n\r\nTo mark eating disorder awareness week 2014.\r\nA range of issues as set out in the official report.","AnswerDate":"2015-07-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-07-31T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304775,"EventID":"S4W-26536","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-07-03T14:50:39.557","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-07-02T17:11:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many deaths have occurred in 2015 as a result of eating disorders, broken down by (a) age and (b) gender.","AnswerText":"Information for 2015 is not available. Data is complex, and relatively few deaths are currently recorded as primarily from eating disorders, with the primary cause of death more likely to be recorded as organ failure and in some cases may be suicide.\r\n\r\nFrom 13 May 2015 national legislation introduced a new independent system of scrutiny of Medical Certificates of Cause of Death (MCCDs), delivered by independent medical reviewers within Healthcare Improvement Scotland.\r\nMedical reviewers will review a random sample of MCCDs provided by National Records of Scotland, for accuracy, and work collaboratively with the medical profession to improve standards in the completion of the MCCD in line with guidance provided by the Chief Medical Officer. It is likely that these new arrangements will lead to the more accurate recording of deaths from eating disorders in future.","AnswerDate":"2015-07-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-07-31T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304776,"EventID":"S4W-26537","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-07-03T14:50:40.23","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-07-02T17:29:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it is promoting the Scotland GP Returner Programme.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-26378 on 27 July 2015. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:\r\n\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.","AnswerDate":"2015-07-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-07-31T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304777,"EventID":"S4W-26543","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2015-07-03T14:50:41.133","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-07-03T09:03:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it has changed the structure of the (a) Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route, (b) Dumfries and Galloway Infirmary and (c) Royal Hospital for Sick Children in Edinburgh capital project and, if so, what changes it has made and for what reason.","AnswerText":"No changes have been made following financial close. Some limited contractual adjustments were made prior to financial close to address Scottish Government and Scottish Futures Trust’s understanding of the revised guidance in Eurostat’s recently updated Manual of Government Deficit and Debt.","AnswerDate":"2015-07-31T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-07-31T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304778,"EventID":"S4W-26544","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5106,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":118,"ApprovedDate":"2015-07-03T14:50:42.32","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-07-02T16:04:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what data it holds on the control of urban gull populations across Scotland.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government does not hold any data on the control of urban gull populations across Scotland. \r\nThe Urban Gull Task Force in Dumfries, managed by Dumfries and Galloway Council, does submit an annual report to the Scottish Government which contains information on their nest and egg removal scheme in Dumfries.","AnswerDate":"2015-08-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-07-31T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen McLeod","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304779,"EventID":"S4W-26545","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5106,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":118,"ApprovedDate":"2015-07-03T14:50:43.1","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-07-02T16:04:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether any local authorities use management rules under the Civic Government (Scotland) Act 1982 to discourage the feeding of gulls on public land.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government does not hold this information.","AnswerDate":"2015-08-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-07-31T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen McLeod","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304780,"EventID":"S4W-26546","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5106,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":118,"ApprovedDate":"2015-07-03T14:50:44.037","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-07-02T16:04:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government which local authorities issue planning guidance on gullproofing, and whether the effectiveness is monitored.","AnswerText":"The information requested is not held centrally.","AnswerDate":"2015-07-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-07-31T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304781,"EventID":"S4W-26547","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2135,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":92,"ApprovedDate":"2015-07-03T14:50:45.003","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-07-02T20:19:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the pupil-teacher ratio is in (a) Gaelic medium education and (b) each Gaelic medium unit.","AnswerText":"It is not possible to calculate a pupil teacher ratio for Gaelic medium education or Gaelic medium units with the information the Scottish Government holds.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-07-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-07-31T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alasdair Allan","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304782,"EventID":"S4W-26549","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2135,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":92,"ApprovedDate":"2015-07-03T14:50:45.767","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-07-02T20:19:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it expects the pupil-teacher ratio in Gaelic medium units to be higher or lower than in mainstream English language primary education and what the reason is for its position on this matter.","AnswerText":"Pupil teacher ratios are not stipulated either in legislation or in teachers' terms and conditions of service. Class size limits for P1 to P3 are set in statute and all other class size limits are set in teachers' terms and conditions of service. Neither the legislation nor the terms and conditions of service differentiate between the class size limits that apply in Gaelic medium units and those that apply in mainstream English language primary schools. \r\nThe issue of lower class size limits for Gaelic medium was explored in the 2010 consultation on class size limits. Based on the outcome of that consultation ministers concluded that differential class size limits for Gaelic medium units should not be introduced.\r\nIt is the responsibility of local authorities and individual head teachers to determine the size of individual classes within the limits set by legislation or terms and conditions of service. ","AnswerDate":"2015-08-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-07-31T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alasdair Allan","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304783,"EventID":"S4W-26550","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4014,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-07-03T14:50:46.5","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-07-03T10:22:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it will ensure that the implementation of the named persons provisions of the Children and Young People (Scotland) Act 2014 will not contravene the Data Protection Act 1998.","AnswerText":"The named person provisions in the Children and Young People (Scotland) Act 2014 do not contravene the Data Protection Act 1998 (DPA). The draft statutory guidance makes clear that information sharing via these provisions should always be appropriate and proportionate, and must adhere to the provisions of the DPA, as well as any other applicable legal requirements such as the European Convention on Human Rights. In addition to the draft statutory guidance, practice support material is being developed in partnership with health, local authority and third sector organisations to support the implementation of the information sharing provisions of the Act\r\n\r\nThe Scottish Government has liaised with the Information Commissioner’s Office, who clarified their position on information sharing in relation to wellbeing concerns in a letter to stakeholders on 28 March 2013. The letter can be viewed here: http://www.gov.scot/Resource/0041/00418080.pdf","AnswerDate":"2015-07-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-07-31T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fiona McLeod","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304784,"EventID":"S4W-26551","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4014,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-07-03T14:50:47.263","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-07-03T10:22:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what discussions, other than the public consultation on draft statutory guidance for section 96 of the Children and Young People (Scotland) 2014, it has had with parents' groups about the implementation of the named persons policy.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government engaged extensively with parents’ groups during the committee stages of the Children and Young People Bill and since its passage. When the Scottish Government consulted on the Bill, 72 per cent of the respondents agreed with the proposal to provide a named person for every child and young person in Scotland. The Scottish Government also held a co-production event for parents, children and young people which gave them the opportunity to contribute to the design of materials that will inform people about the implementation of the Getting it Right for Every Child (GIRFEC) provisions of the Act to ensure materials best meet their needs. The National Parent Forum Scotland is a member of the GIRFEC National Implementation Support Group which meets on a bi-monthly basis to support implementation of the GIRFEC provisions of the Act, including the named person.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-07-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-07-31T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fiona McLeod","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304785,"EventID":"S4W-26552","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4014,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-07-03T14:50:47.857","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-07-03T10:22:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what discussions, other than the public consultation on draft statutory guidance for section 96 of the Children and Young People (Scotland) 2014, it has had with those who will act as named persons as under the Children and Young People (Scotland) Act 2014.","AnswerText":"Getting it Right for Every Child (GIRFEC) is already being implemented in many areas across Scotland, with many practitioners already fulfilling the role of the named person. The Children and Young People (Scotland) Act 2014 (the Act) will help to ensure consistency and sustainability in the delivery of these services for children and families.\r\n\r\nThe Scottish Government has engaged extensively with partners in health and local authorities on the implementation of the named person provisions of the Act and regularly provides input and support at conferences, local events and planning groups involving head teachers and other local authority officers who will have responsibility for implementing the named person service. These sessions provide an opportunity to engage directly with managers and practitioners to exchange information, answer questions and identify implementation issues. This is a crucial aspect of our approach to developing the guidance and practice support materials, which has been well received by stakeholders.\r\nThe Scottish Government has established a Getting it Right for Every Child (GIRFEC) Local Authorities Lead Officer Group, comprised of one representative from each local authority which meets on a bi-monthly basis to discuss implementation of the GIRFEC duties of the Act.\r\nThere has also been extensive direct engagement with front line health visitors and family nurses by Scottish Government officials attending local and national meetings to discuss the Bill and now the implementation of the Act. Local engagement has taken place in a number of health boards across Scotland: Ayrshire and Arran; Dumfries and Galloway; Fife; Greater Glasgow and Clyde; Highland; Lothian; Tayside; and Western Isles. Officials have also supported local professional representatives and managers to engage with health visitors and family nurses by providing materials to support engagement. Feedback to Scottish Government has been through the Health GIRFEC Managers group.\r\nOther organisations that the Scottish Government has discussed the implementation of the named person service with include The Royal College of Nursing and Midwifery, NHS Education for Scotland, The Educational Institute of Scotland, The Scottish Secondary Teachers Association, Education Scotland, The Association of Directors of Education in Scotland.","AnswerDate":"2015-07-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-07-31T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fiona McLeod","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304786,"EventID":"S4W-26553","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4014,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-07-03T14:50:48.42","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-07-03T10:22:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had, other than the public consultation on draft statutory guidance for section 96 of the Children and Young People (Scotland) Act 2014, with Police Scotland about the implementation of the named persons policy.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government continues to engage with Police Scotland, particularly through the senior police officer who has been seconded to the Scottish Government. Police Scotland are also represented on the Getting it Right for Every Child (GIRFEC) National Implementation Support Group which meet on a bi-monthly basis to discuss the implementation of the GIRFEC provisions of the Children and Young People (Scotland) Act.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-07-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-07-31T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fiona McLeod","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304787,"EventID":"S4W-26555","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4014,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-07-03T14:50:48.95","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-07-03T10:22:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much funding it provided to the Scottish Qualifications Authority in (a) 2010-11, (b) 2011-12, (c) 2012-13, (d) 2013-14 and (e) 2014-15.","AnswerText":"The following table shows the funding provided by the Scottish Government to the Scottish Qualifications Authority for the years requested. Figures have been rounded to the nearest thousand pounds:\r\n\r\n£000\r\n2010-11\r\n17,378\r\n2011-12\r\n20,084\r\n2012-13\r\n17,408\r\n2013-14\r\n22,043\r\n2014-15\r\n19,687","AnswerDate":"2015-08-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-07-31T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304788,"EventID":"S4W-26556","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4014,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-07-03T14:50:49.527","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-07-03T10:22:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much schools paid in fees to the Scottish Qualifications Agency in (a) 2010-11, (b) 2011-12, (c) 2012-13, (d) 2013-14 and (e) 2014-15.","AnswerText":"This is an operational matter for the Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA). I have asked the Chief Executive of SQA to write to you.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-07-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-07-31T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304789,"EventID":"S4W-26557","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4014,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-07-03T14:50:50.073","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-07-03T10:22:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many Scottish Qualifications Agency examination presentations from secondary schools there were in (a) 2010-11, (b) 2011-12, (c) 2012-13, (d) 2013-14 and (e) 2014-15.","AnswerText":"This is an operational matter for the Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA). I have asked the Chief Executive of SQA to write to you.","AnswerDate":"2015-07-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-07-31T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304790,"EventID":"S4W-26558","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2108,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":141,"ApprovedDate":"2015-07-03T14:50:50.617","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-07-03T12:27:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what funding it will make available to NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde to allow it to purchase robot assisted surgery equipment for the treatment of prostate cancer, and when this will be put in place.","AnswerText":"As I announced in March 2015, the Scottish Government is committing a further £2 million to complement the fundraising efforts of Prostate Scotland. This will be offered to NHS boards to help purchase two further robots, which will facilitate the introduction of robot assisted prostate cancer surgery in the east and west of Scotland within the next two years.\r\n\r\nThis significant investment will be offered to NHS boards from April 2016, to complement the funds being raised by Prostate Scotland through their Blue Horizon appeal. We continue to work in partnership with NHS boards and Prostate Scotland to develop our plans.\r\nThis funding commitment follows on from the Scottish Government’s contribution of £1 million to support UCAN, the urological cancer charity in the north east, to help NHS Grampian purchase a robot to be located in Aberdeen. This robot is expected to be operational by October 2015.","AnswerDate":"2015-07-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-07-31T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304799,"EventID":"S4W-26516","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-07-06T15:01:23.267","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-07-02T10:05:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many people have signed up to the Chronic Medicine Prescribing Scheme and how many of these are active.","AnswerText":"The Chronic Medication Service (CMS) allows patients with long term conditions to register with a community pharmacy of their choice to receive the service. The CMS consists of three stages:\r\n\r\n1. Assessment of pharmaceutical care issues;\r\n2. Pharmaceutical care planning for patients with problems identified though the assessment; and\r\n3. Serial prescribing and dispensing at pre-determined intervals for a 24-week, 48-week or 56-week period.\r\nAs at 6 July 2015 467,297 patients were registered for CMS. All of these registrations are active.\r\nThe ePharmacy programme has provided the necessary infrastructure to connect community pharmacies and GP practices electronically. Almost all community pharmacies and general practices are enabled for services including CMS serial prescribing and dispensing, but early adopters are making much more use of this linkage than those connected more recently. Work is ongoing within the ePharmacy programme to maximise use of these links in order to optimise patient care and GP and pharmacist intervention in the serial prescribing process, including that for CMS.","AnswerDate":"2015-07-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-08-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304800,"EventID":"S4W-26517","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-07-06T15:01:24.577","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-07-02T10:05:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what funds were provided by each NHS board to the Scottish Enhanced Services Programme in (a) 2011-12, (b)  2012-13 and (c) 2013-14, broken down by (i) general practice and (ii) other primary care.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government allocates £13 million annually for health boards to spend on local enhanced services, these services are not restricted to general medical practice but should be delivered within primary care. It is within each board's discretion whether or not to reallocate extra funds towards these services from their existing primary care budget.\r\n\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-07-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-08-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304801,"EventID":"S4W-26518","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-07-06T15:01:25.527","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-07-02T10:05:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what progress the ePharmacy Programme has made in linking community pharmacists and GPs, and how many GP practices have an electronic link to community pharmacies.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-26516 on 30 July 2015. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-07-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-08-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304802,"EventID":"S4W-26519","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-07-06T15:01:26.683","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-07-02T10:05:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what (a) research it has undertaken into and (b) evidence it has on whether quality and productivity indicators for 2012-13 to reduce avoidable A&E attendances have had any effect.","AnswerText":"The quality and productivity indicators for 2012-13 to reduce avoidable A&E attendances were part of the programme to support NHS boards in shifting the balance of unscheduled care so that patients receive emergency care at the most appropriate level of the care system, as quickly and conveniently as possible. The programme included supporting NHS boards to develop locally agreed targets and trajectories for the reduction of attendances at A&E.\r\n\r\nThe programme functioned by facilitating the development and sharing of innovative and evidence-based approaches across the emergency care system. There was a focus on shifting activity, clinical leadership, social marketing, mental health, people with mental complex care, and children. The programme reviewed its focus on an annual basis.\r\nThe official statistics show that across Scotland, the rate of attendances at Emergency Departments reduced by 4% over the period covered by the target - 2009-10 and 2013-14. The programme also saw the development of the ‘Know Who To Turn To’ mobile platform and unscheduled care data mart.\r\nThis work is now being taken forward through the new national unscheduled care programme.","AnswerDate":"2015-07-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-08-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304803,"EventID":"S4W-26520","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-07-06T15:01:27.68","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-07-02T10:05:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many people enrolled in the minor ailment service in (a) 2012-13, (b) 2013-14 and (c) 2014-15.","AnswerText":"Data on the number of patients registered for the minor ailment service (MAS) for a) 2012-13, b) 2013-14 and c) 2014-15 is published by the Information Services Division of NHS National Services Scotland and is available at:\r\nhttp://www.isdscotland.org/Health-Topics/Prescribing-and-Medicines/Community-Dispensing/Minor-Ailment-Service/\r\nData on the specific eligibility status of individuals registered for MAS is not held centrally.\r\nClasses of patients eligible to register for MAS remain the same as when the service was established in 2006. MAS was designed to, and continues to, allow eligible individuals to register with and use a community pharmacy as the first port of call for the treatment of common illnesses on the NHS in order to address health inequalities and social justice inequities. The Scottish Government has no plans to introduce changes to eligibility for the service.","AnswerDate":"2015-08-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-08-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304804,"EventID":"S4W-26521","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-07-06T15:01:28.663","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-07-02T10:05:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many people were newly enrolled in the minor ailment service in (a) 2012-13, (b) 2013-14 and (c) 2014-15 whose application was on the grounds of the disease exemptions required under the previous freedom from prescription charge system.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-26520 on 3 August 2015. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-08-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-08-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304805,"EventID":"S4W-26522","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-07-06T15:01:29.707","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-07-02T10:05:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government for what reason people over the age of 16, or 19, if in full-time education, and people under 60 who have dementia, a neurological disorder, a mental health disorder or cancer and who have an income of more than £16,700 or are not on benefits, are not eligible for assistance from the minor ailment service in managing minor ailments, therefore go to their GP for a free prescription.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-26520 on 3 August 2015. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx","AnswerDate":"2015-08-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-08-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304806,"EventID":"S4W-26523","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-07-06T15:01:31.423","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-07-02T10:05:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many patients have a key information summary.","AnswerText":"As at the end of June 2015, 150,211 patients have a key information summary.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-07-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-08-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304807,"EventID":"S4W-26524","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-07-06T15:01:32.407","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-07-02T10:05:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government on how many occasions key information summary records have been accessed by (a) clinicians or health professionals, (b) an out-of-hours doctor and (c) NHS 24 in (i) 2013-14 and (ii) 2014-15 and also from 1 April 2015 to date.","AnswerText":"The number of accesses to the key information summary are as follows:\r\n\r\na. Clinicians or health professionals (including NHS24 and out-of-hours users)\r\n01 April 2013 to 31 March 2014: 91,905\r\n01 April 2014 to 31 March 2015: 403,574\r\n01 April 2015 to 10 July 2015: 169,584\r\n\r\nb. Out-of-hours key information summary accesses (excluding NHS24 out-of-hours users)\r\n01 April 2013 to 31 March 2014: 43,722\r\n01 April 2014 to 31 March 2015: 124,663\r\n01 April 2015 to 10 July 2015: 43,293\r\n\r\nc. NHS24 key information summary accesses\r\n01 April 2013 to 31 March 2014: 23,154\r\n01 April 2014 to 31 March 2015: 101,554\r\n01 April 2015 to 10 July 2015: 34,530","AnswerDate":"2015-07-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-08-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304808,"EventID":"S4W-26525","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-07-06T15:01:33.483","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-07-02T10:05:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many patients have a key information summary that (a) has or (b) flags the existence of an anticipatory care plan for terminal care.","AnswerText":"There are 110,662 key information summary (KIS) patients with anticipatory care plans. It is not currently possible to identify which KIS records have an anticipatory care plan for terminal care without detailed analysis.","AnswerDate":"2015-07-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-08-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304809,"EventID":"S4W-26559","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-07-06T15:01:34.483","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-07-04T12:00:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the recent apology issued by NHS Information Services Division following problems with NHS.net, for (a) how long and (b) what reason the system was down and what action is being taken to prevent a recurrence of these problems.","AnswerText":"The system was down on 29 June 2015 from 1030 until 1730. The UK wide NHSmail (NHS.net) service was affected by an issue affecting the BTN3 network. This affected all NHSmail users throughout the UK. The N3 service continued to be accessible over the Internet and this remained largely unaffected. Remote dial in and mobile phone access were not affected. The service was restored later in the day when BTN3 completed a hardware replacement allowing network traffic back through the NHSmail platform. Some messaging would have been slowed or delayed following this work while the backlog of messages cleared. Root cause investigations will be completed in due course although the current understanding is that this was a hardware failure issue with BTN3 which blocked access to and from the Vodafone managed mail service. NHS National Services Scotland will work with both suppliers involved her to establish the root cause and investigate why resilience measures were less effective than should have been the case. There were no reports of any adverse impact on services to patients or any reports that data or messages were not received or sent.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-07-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-08-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304810,"EventID":"S4W-26560","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-07-06T15:01:35.73","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-07-04T12:00:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the recommendations made by the report into the failure of NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde's IT system in 2013, whether each NHS board has a business continuity plan in place and whether it will (a) publish these or (b) provide details of where they can be found online.","AnswerText":"Each NHSScotland board has business continuity plans in place, which are regularly reviewed. Business continuity plans are not published since publication would compromise the effective operation of the plans and the security of other measures detailed within them.","AnswerDate":"2015-08-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-08-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304811,"EventID":"S4W-26561","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5079,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-07-06T15:01:36.79","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-07-05T12:39:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what strategy is in place to preserve post-war architectural heritage.","AnswerText":"Scottish Ministers are committed to the protection and promotion of the historic environment, the ambition which sits at the heart of the Historic Environment Strategy, Our Place in Time. That includes recognising the value of many examples of post-war architecture through listing and other means.\r\nHistoric Scotland, acting on behalf of Scottish Ministers, regularly provides advice to owners and managers on the care and maintenance of their properties and encourages where possible the repair and reuse of post-war listed buildings.\r\nHistoric Scotland can provide grant support towards the repair and redevelopment of significant properties of the post-war period to deliver a viable and sustainable future use for any eligible building. From 1 October 2015 these roles will be undertaken by Historic Environment Scotland, a new non-departmental public body.","AnswerDate":"2015-08-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-08-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fiona Hyslop","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304812,"EventID":"S4W-26562","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5079,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-07-06T15:01:37.65","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-07-06T11:23:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-26270 by Jamie Hepburn on 6 July 2015, whether it will provide a breakdown of the funding provided by sportscotland to Scottish Swimming for the purpose of teaching children to swim.","AnswerText":"The sportscotland investment to Scottish Swimming supports the range of activity needed to both develop performance sport and support participation in swimming. This investment is broken down as follows:\r\nPerformance - £573,500\r\nDevelopment - £427,000\r\nEffective Organisation - £200,000\r\nThe investment into swimming includes an allocation that is designed to support the development of training material and qualifications for swimming teachers and coaches as well as encouraging clubs, community programmes and schools undertake swimming training.","AnswerDate":"2015-07-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-08-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304813,"EventID":"S4W-26563","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2678,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-07-06T15:01:38.397","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-07-06T11:56:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it was made aware of East Renfrewshire Council's decision on 24 June 2015 to disband its existing community councils and what its position is on whether the local authority has complied with the provisions in the Local Government etc (Scotland) Act 1994 regarding consulting with the public on whether to make such a decision.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government was made aware of East Renfrewshire Council’s revised community council scheme of establishment on 29 June 2015. Local authorities have statutory oversight of community councils under the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973. This includes the duty to review their area’s community council scheme of establishment and if they consider it should be amended, to consult with the community councils concerned and the local community. Local authorities are accountable to their community for how they fulfil their functions including their statutory responsibility for community councils. The Scottish Government has no statutory role for monitoring how they fulfil these functions.","AnswerDate":"2015-08-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-08-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Marco Biagi","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304814,"EventID":"S4W-26564","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2678,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-07-06T15:01:39.037","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-07-06T11:57:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it considers that local authorities meet all of their obligations in relation to any restructuring of community councils and what processes it uses to monitor this.","AnswerText":"Scotland’s local authorities have statutory oversight of community councils under the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973. Local authorities are accountable to their community for how they fulfil their functions including their statutory responsibility for community councils. The Scottish Government has no additional statutory role for actively monitoring how they fulfil these functions.","AnswerDate":"2015-08-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-08-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Marco Biagi","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304815,"EventID":"S4W-26566","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1768,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":131,"ApprovedDate":"2015-07-06T15:01:39.74","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-07-06T11:59:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether attendance at a driving course can be used as an alternative to prosecution for drivers who have committed minor driving offences and what the reasons are for its position on this matter. ","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government supports the concept of offering driver education as an alternative to prosecution where appropriate and one day ‘Driver Alertness’ and ‘RIDE’ courses, tailored to car drivers and motorcyclists respectively, are currently available to the prosecuting authorities where the level of offence would normally attract a fixed penalty notice.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-07-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-08-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304841,"EventID":"S4W-26569","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2066,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-07-07T15:26:30.32","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-07-06T14:43:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it has received scientific advice suggesting that the voluntary depth restrictions on scallop dredging in the Summer Isles area is insufficient and should not continue and, if so, whether it will publish this.","AnswerText":"Scottish natural heritage (SNH) provided scientific advice relating to the impacts of activities on the protected marine features at each site. Advice specific to the summer isles was published in 2014 and can be seen from p25 onwards in the following document: \r\nhttp://www.snh.org.uk/pdfs/publications/commissioned_reports/764.pdf\r\nThis topic was also discussed at the North West stakeholder workshop in October 2014 where it was stated by SNH representatives that it was likely that a depth restriction of at least 30m would be required, which is in excess of the voluntary arrangement. The note of that workshop can be found at:\r\nhttp://www.gov.scot/Resource/0047/00475618.docx","AnswerDate":"2015-08-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-08-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Richard Lochhead","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304842,"EventID":"S4W-26570","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2066,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-07-07T15:26:31.397","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-07-06T14:43:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government for what reason a zoning approach for prawn fishing vessels was not adopted as a proposal for the Mingulay Reefs area. ","AnswerText":"East Mingulay SAC was designated as a special area of conservation (SAC) in 2011 to protect both stony and biogenic reef habitats. This includes 100% of the only known lophelia pertusa reefs in UK inshore waters.\r\nThe avoidance of physical disturbance and abrasion by fishing gear of the reef habitats and associated species is the primary consideration. Biogenic reefs are very fragile and even accidental impact can lead to irreversible degradation. A further consideration has been the potential risk that the reef habitats are subject to smothering by sediments stirred up by adjacent trawling activity. The proposed measures are considered to be the best approach to minimise the risk of direct or indirect impacts from trawling on any of the reef habitats, and to minimise risks posed to the biogenic habitats by static gear.","AnswerDate":"2015-08-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-08-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Richard Lochhead","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304843,"EventID":"S4W-26571","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2066,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-07-07T15:26:32.487","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-07-06T14:43:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to the reported concerns among fishermen and processors that the economic impact of the proposed marine protected areas that were announced on 11 June 2015 has been significantly underestimated.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government provided estimates of economic impact in a set of business and regulatory impact assessments (BRIAs) and an updated set were published on 11 June 2015, taking account of the proposed management measures in the draft marine conservation orders. These follow established best-practice, drawing from the report ‘Planning Scotland’s Seas: The Scottish Marine Protected Area Project – Developing the Evidence Base for Impact Assessments and the Sustainability Appraisal: Final Report’. The overall methodology was informed by the input from a project advisory group which included national representatives of potentially affected marine industries and other national and strategic stakeholders. The Scottish Government has requested representations on the draft marine conservation orders, including on the estimates of economic impact, by 9 August 2015.","AnswerDate":"2015-08-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-08-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Richard Lochhead","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304844,"EventID":"S4W-26572","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2066,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-07-07T15:26:33.423","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-07-06T14:43:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on whether the marine features that it is seeking to protect through the proposed marine protected areas that were announced on 11 June 2015 will be able to co-exist with current sustainable fishing activities.","AnswerText":"The proposed measures have been designed to allow fishing activities to continue as much as possible within the marine protected areas. The scale of the measures varies depending on the potential level of impact that an activity could have on the protected habitats and species.","AnswerDate":"2015-08-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-08-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Richard Lochhead","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304845,"EventID":"S4W-26573","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2066,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-07-07T15:26:34.39","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-07-06T14:43:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government for what reason the agreed voluntary measures with Marine Scotland for a depth zoning approach to fisheries in the Summer Isles was not recognised in Marine Scotland's consultation paper ahead of the publication of details of the proposed Summer Isles' marine protected area.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-26569 on 20 August 2015. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at; http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.","AnswerDate":"2015-08-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-08-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Richard Lochhead","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304846,"EventID":"S4W-26574","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2066,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-07-07T15:26:35.467","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-07-06T14:43:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of whether the prohibition on mobile fishing gear in Broad Bay in the Western Isles since 1984 has led to an increase in (a) scallops and (b) other fish species in the area. ","AnswerText":"The closure of broad bay was not to manage scallop fishing or protect scallop habitats. Broad bay was an important spawning and nursery ground for flatfish species, in particular the European plaice (pleuronectes platessa). The prohibition of mobile gear was implemented in an attempt to protect these grounds and increase plaice abundance. Marine Scotland have not carried out a dedicated survey to study scallop or fish population abundances and distribution within the bay. Following requests from stakeholders, six tows with broad bay were added onto the 2007 west coast scallop dredge survey. The results of these isolated observations indicated low scallop abundance. However assumptions regarding the population dynamics of scallops, or any other fish species, in broad bay cannot be drawn from these results.","AnswerDate":"2015-08-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-08-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Richard Lochhead","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304847,"EventID":"S4W-26575","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2066,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-07-07T15:26:36.42","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-07-06T15:28:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on whether the plans for proposed marine protected areas that were announced on 11 June 2015 are consistent with statements in Scotland's National Marine Plan: A Single Framework for Managing Our Seas, that \"all efforts should be made to agree the Strategy with [fisheries] interests\" and that \"disruption to existing fishing opportunities/activity should be minimised as far as possible\".","AnswerText":"The proposals are consistent with the national marine plan. The marine protected areas with the most significant mobile fishing gear activity all have a zonal management arrangement proposed to minimise disruption as far as possible. There has been considerable discussion about how these areas are used with the fishing industry over the last 2 years in particular.","AnswerDate":"2015-08-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-08-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Richard Lochhead","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304848,"EventID":"S4W-26576","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-07-07T15:26:37.213","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-07-06T16:05:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the bed occupancy rate in the child inpatient psychiatric service at (a) the Royal Edinburgh Hospital (b) Skye House, Glasgow and (c) Dudhope House, Dundee has been in each year since 2012.","AnswerText":"The following table shows the percentage occupancy for Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) in Dudhope House, Royal Edinburgh Hospital and Stobhill Hospital (Skye House) in calendar years 2012, 2013, 2014.\r\n\r\nTable: Percentage bed occupancy in CAMHS.\r\n\r\n2012\r\n2013\r\n2014\r\nDudhope House (Young Persons Unit)\r\n72.9\r\n80.5\r\n81.9\r\nRoyal Edinburgh Hospital\r\n76.8\r\n85.9\r\n88.3\r\nStobhill Hospital - Skye House\r\n98.2\r\n99.1\r\n99.4\r\nSource: ISD(S)1, ISD Scotland","AnswerDate":"2015-07-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-08-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304849,"EventID":"S4W-26577","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-07-07T15:26:37.993","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-07-06T16:05:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much money has been ringfenced for child and adolescent inpatient mental health services in each year since 2010, broken down by NHS board.","AnswerText":"Funding for mental health will be drawn from the overall resources available this year for healthcare and local government with NHS boards and councils responsible for local decision making and delivery, funding is not ring-fenced.\r\nDetails on child and adolescent psychiatry expenditure by NHS board is available from the Scottish Health Service Costs Report and supporting data tables published by Information Services Division Scotland. Published annually the latest report for financial year ending March 31, 2014, (published 2 December 2014), is available online at: http://www.isdscotland.org/Publications/index.asp [ref data table R04 LSX].To support the delivery of Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) the Scottish Government has invested over £16 million over last six years to increase the number of psychologists working in specialist CAMHS by over 70%, with a further £3.5 million committed this year. In addition £85 million funding for mental health was announced on 24 May 2015. This follows the £15 million over three years announced in November 2014 for the Mental Health Innovation Fund providing £100 million in total. This funding will be invested in improving mental health services and will partly be used to further improvements to child and adolescent mental health services and bring down waiting times.","AnswerDate":"2015-08-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-08-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304850,"EventID":"S4W-26578","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3806,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-07-07T15:26:38.76","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-07-06T18:41:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether any technical work has been carried out regarding the possible use of tunnels where there are existing ferry routes.","AnswerText":"No technical work has been carried out by the Scottish Government regarding the possible use of tunnels where there are existing ferry routes.\r\n\r\nThe recommendations of the Strategic Transport Projects Review were announced in Parliament on 10 December 2008 and set out investment priorities over the period to 2032 which will be delivered subject to the transport allocation within future spending reviews and affordability. They do not include the provision of any road tunnels between the Scottish mainland and our island communities.","AnswerDate":"2015-07-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-08-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304851,"EventID":"S4W-26579","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3806,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-07-07T15:26:39.633","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-07-06T18:41:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to allow tenant farmers the right to buy.","AnswerText":"Groups of tenant farmers can already buy their farms through the powers in the Land Reform (Scotland) Act if they meet the requirements of the Act, including forming a compliant company limited by guarantee that is community based and community led. Under the legislation a community is defined by a geographical area.\r\nThe Community Empowerment (Scotland) Bill, which passed Stage 3 in the Scottish Parliament in June 2015, extends the range of organisations that may apply to include Scottish Charitable Incorporated Organisations and Community Benefit Companies.\r\nThe Land Reform (Scotland) Bill, introduced to the Scottish Parliament in June 2015, contains provisions to support tenant farmers with secure 1991 Act agricultural tenancies. Currently, tenant farmers with secure 1991 Act agricultural tenancies already have the pre-emptive right to buy their tenancy if they register their interest on the Register of Community Interests in Land with Registers of Scotland. Section 80 of the Land Reform (Scotland) Bill proposes to remove the requirement to register making it easier for tenant farmers to exercise their right to buy.\r\nSection 81 of the Bill also inserts a new Part 2A into the Agricultural Holding (Scotland) Act 2003 to enable a tenant with a secure 1991 Act agricultural tenancy to apply to the Land Court for an order for sale of the holding where their landlord is in breach of their legal tenancy obligations and this is affecting the tenant’s ability to farm in accordance with the rules of good husbandry.","AnswerDate":"2015-08-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-08-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen McLeod","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304852,"EventID":"S4W-26580","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3806,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-07-07T15:26:40.473","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-07-06T18:41:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many crofts have been re-let (a) in the South Uist area and (b) elsewhere since April 2012 because of an absentee landlord or they were not actively farmed.","AnswerText":"That information is not held centrally. The Crofting Commission administers the regulation of crofting on behalf of the Scottish Ministers and I have asked the Chief Executive of that organisation to supply the information requested.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-07-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-08-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen McLeod","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304853,"EventID":"S4W-26582","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3806,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-07-07T15:26:41.35","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-07-06T18:41:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what percentage of time each vessel in the CalMac fleet was (a) at sea, (b) in port and (c) not in service in each month since January 2015.","AnswerText":"This is a matter for CalMac Ferries Ltd. The information requested is not held by the Scottish Government.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-07-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-08-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304854,"EventID":"S4W-26583","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3751,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":108,"ApprovedDate":"2015-07-07T15:26:42.207","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-07-07T09:19:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what resources are deployed toward the use of (a) woodlands and (b) other green spaces to improve the (i) wellbeing, (ii) educational and (iii) employment prospects of (A) young people experiencing difficulties and (B) adults with mental illness. ","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government and public bodies support a wide range of programmes that use woodlands and/or other green spaces to improve wellbeing, educational and employment prospects of young people experiencing difficulties and adults with mental illness.\r\nPublic sector supported initiatives that involve greenspace more widely will also bring benefits. For example, the Central Scotland Green Network is a national development in the National Planning Framework 3 and will bring a range of wellbeing, educational and employment benefits to residents across central Scotland including young people experiencing difficulties and adults with mental illness. \r\nIn addition, the Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park operates programmes aimed at young people such as the rural skills programme which helps tackle rural unemployment in their area and can include skills learned in woodlands and green spaces. \r\nLocal authorities, land-managing organisations and other non-governmental organisations also engage in a range of relevant programmes and projects.\r\nProjects supported by the Scottish Government and public bodies include:\r\nProgramme Name\r\nDescription\r\nTarget Audience\r\nLead Organisation\r\nGreen Space Type\r\nResources (2015-16)\r\nYouth Employment and Skills Training\r\nProgramme to equip unemployed young people in central Scotland with skills training and work experience\r\nYoung people from disadvantaged areas\r\nForestry Commission Scotland\r\nWoodlands\r\n£300,000\r\nWoods for Health\r\nProgramme promoting links between physical and mental health including engagement with younger audiences and a focus on wellbeing\r\nDisadvantaged communities\r\nForestry Commission Scotland\r\nWoodlands\r\n£60,000\r\nImbewu\r\nPilot project to engage disadvantaged young people in the outdoor and rural skills\r\nDisadvantaged young people\r\nWilderness Foundation\r\nRural Estates\r\n£135,160 over two years (£50,780 from Scottish Natural Heritage)\r\nChange Cycle\r\nPilot project to engage young people involved in the criminal justice system in the outdoors using mountain bikes\r\nYoung people in the justice system\r\nVenture Trust\r\nCairngorms National Park\r\n£264,000 (£48,800 contribution from Scottish Natural Heritage)\r\nOutward Bound Courses\r\nResidential outward bound courses\r\nPupils from disadvantaged backgrounds\r\nThe Outward Bound Trust\r\nLoch Eil\r\n£168,000 over two years (£27,598 contribution from Scottish Natural Heritage)\r\nBranching Out\r\nProgramme to improve health-related quality of life of adults experiencing severe and enduring mental health problems\r\nAdults experiencing mental health issues\r\nForestry Commission Scotland\r\nWoodlands\r\n£80,000\r\nOutdoor Bound\r\nOutdoor activities including multi-day trips\r\nHigh need adults recovering from mental illness\r\nPerth and Kinross Association of Voluntary Services\r\nGreenspaces\r\n£83,180 over two years (£25,155 contribution from Scottish Natural Heritage)\r\nMINE (Mental Health, Innovative, Natural environment, Enterprise)\r\nNature-based rehabilitation\r\nAdults with mild to moderate mental health issues and long term unemployed\r\nHighlife Highland\r\nGreenspaces\r\n£79,200 over two years (£25,000 contribution from Scottish Natural Heritage)\r\nEnergise Programme\r\nPersonal development programme using the countryside to provide confidence and cores skills to help towards social inclusion\r\nAdults with mental health problems\r\nMomentum Scotland\r\nGreenspaces\r\n£294,600 over three years (£100,616 contribution from Scottish Natural Heritage)\r\nCHANGES\r\nWellbeing walks\r\nPeople with physical and mental health issues, specifically depression and anxiety\r\nPaths For All with East Lothian Community Health\r\nGreenspaces\r\n£29,850 over three years\r\nWalk with FEAT\r\nWeekly outdoor walks aimed at improving physical and mental health\r\nPeople with complex, severe and enduring mental health conditions\r\nPaths For All with Fife Employment Access Trust\r\nGreenspaces\r\n£5,000 over two years\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-08-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-08-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen McLeod","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304855,"EventID":"S4W-26584","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3751,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":108,"ApprovedDate":"2015-07-07T15:26:42.94","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-07-07T09:19:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what support it can provide toward establishing pilot programmes to assess the efficacy of green space therapy.","AnswerText":"The physical and mental health benefits of greenspace are well established and evidence is outlined on the NHS Health Scotland website: http://www.healthscotland.com/topics/settings/nhsgreenspace/evidence.aspx\r\nThe Scottish Government is supportive of projects that apply these principles and many projects are already ongoing. For example, in 2007 NHS Health Scotland, Forestry Commission Scotland and Scottish Natural Heritage established the Green Exercise Partnership (GEP) to promote better health and quality of life for people in Scotland through greater use of the outdoors for physical activity and contact with nature.\r\nScottish Government Health and Social Care Directorates (SGHSCD), NHS boards, the GEP and other key partners are clear about the need to lift the outdoor estate quality and improve access to greenspace. Since 2010, the GEP has worked with Health Facilities Scotland, an operating division of NHS National Services Scotland, to support NHS boards unlocking their estate as an important ‘Health Promoting Health Service’ resource and to disseminate good practice. Recently, the SGHSCD has provided £1 million matched funding for ‘Greening the NHS Estate’ pilot projects. The money, with GEP and board contributions, is used to promote better health and quality of life by increased use of NHS grounds for physical activity and contact with nature.\r\nThe Scottish Government has also committed to introducing the greenspace principle within the review of the Scottish Capital Investment Manual, and is looking to embed support for the provision of greenspace within NHS board property and asset management strategies. \r\nFurther relevant programmes are outlined in the answer to question S4W-26583 on 4 August 2015.\r\nAll answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at: \r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx","AnswerDate":"2015-08-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-08-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen McLeod","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304856,"EventID":"S4W-26585","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4948,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-07-07T15:26:43.657","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-07-07T10:35:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many social sector homes have been completed in each year 2000.","AnswerText":"The following table shows the number of social sector homes completed in each year since 2000 as part of the Affordable Housing Supply Programme:\r\n\r\nFinancial year\r\nNumber of completed\r\nsocial sector homes\r\n2000-01\r\n4201\r\n2001-02\r\n4531\r\n2002-03\r\n3983\r\n2003-04\r\n3596\r\n2004-05\r\n4342\r\n2005-06\r\n5017\r\n2006-07\r\n3318\r\n2007-08\r\n4226\r\n2008-09\r\n4662\r\n2009-10\r\n5465\r\n2010-11\r\n5836\r\n2011-12\r\n5652\r\n2012-13\r\n4274\r\n2013-14\r\n4368\r\n2014-15\r\n4376\r\nTotal\r\n67,847","AnswerDate":"2015-08-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-08-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Burgess","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304857,"EventID":"S4W-26588","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-07-07T15:26:44.373","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-07-07T13:37:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-26038 by Shona Robison on 23 June 2015, whether (a) it and (b) NHS boards are legally bound to notify women who have been fitted with models of mesh devices that have been found to be defective. ","AnswerText":"The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) is responsible for ensuring that all medical devices placed on the UK market are compliant with the relevant legislation and has a duty to enforce this legislation. When a quality or safety concern with a device is identified MHRA may issue a medical device alert to healthcare professionals outlining the problem and appropriate action(s) to take, including identifying and contacting all patients who have been implanted with the product.\r\nIt is a requirement of the Medical Devices Regulations that manufacturers have to inform MHRA of any Field Safety Corrective Action taken in the UK for their devices; this includes any device recalls from the market. MHRA has reported that Boston Scientific has not informed them that they have taken any kind of Field Safety Correction Action for these devices including any removal of devices from the market for safety reasons or non-conformity with the Regulations. MHRA has stated that it has not had a robust body of evidence indicating that any vaginal mesh implants are unsafe requiring MHRA to initiate any enforcement action against any manufacturers in the UK under the European Medical Device Directive and, to the best of their knowledge, neither has any other EU country.\r\nThe Scottish Government advises any woman who is worried, or is experiencing complications, to contact their surgeon or GP for advice. The surgeon will have access to her records and should be able to confirm what device has been implanted and discuss any concerns that she may have. This is the quickest and most effective route for any woman who is experiencing complications.","AnswerDate":"2015-08-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-08-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304859,"EventID":"S4W-26603","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":2,"MSPID":3771,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-07-08T13:26:42.927","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-07-08T13:23:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it will publish the Scottish Cosmetic Interventions Expert Group’s report and recommendations on the future regulation of independent healthcare provision.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Cosmetic Interventions Expert Group submitted its report and recommendations to the Chief Medical Officer (CMO) in June 2015. Following consideration, the CMO agreed with the proposals and this report will be published on the Scottish Government’s website on 9 July 2015.","AnswerDate":"2015-07-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-08-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304860,"EventID":"S4W-26567","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-07-08T15:49:04.177","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-07-06T14:04:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, in the light of public concern regarding possible deaths where application of the benefits system has been a contributory factor, what its position is on issuing a Chief Medical Officer (CMO) letter to all doctors reminding them to consider adding this factor where they deem it appropriate.","AnswerText":"In the circumstances where a certifying doctor is able to confirm on the Medical Certificate of Cause of Death (MCCD) that the application of the benefits system contributed to the death, it can be coded accordingly and reported by National Records of Scotland (NRS), under a code from Z55 to Z65, depending on circumstances, which relate to persons with potential health hazards related to socioeconomic and psychosocial circumstances.\r\nHowever, certifying doctors may not have the required information to ascertain and state, to the best of their knowledge and belief in a legal document, whether the benefits system was a contributory factor to the death of an individual. Other professionals are more likely to have better information of the financial circumstances of individuals, such as social workers. \r\nThe MCCD was updated via the implementation of the Certification of Death (Scotland) Act 2011 and came into force on 6 August 2014, supported by training of all certifying doctors by NHS Education for Scotland and joint guidance from NRS and the CMO.","AnswerDate":"2015-07-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-08-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304861,"EventID":"S4W-26589","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1759,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-07-08T15:49:05.587","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-07-07T14:03:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much in Barnett consequentials has arisen in each year since 2007 because of increased UK Government expenditure on rail services, and how much of this it has allocated to rail services in Scotland.","AnswerText":"The following table shows the Barnett consequentials received by the Scottish Government flowing from increased spending on rail services in England since 2007:\r\n\r\nEvent\r\nConsequentials (£millions)\r\n\r\n2012-13\r\n2013-14\r\n2014-15\r\n2015-16\r\nTotal\r\nAutumn Statement 2011\r\n1.2\r\n1.2\r\n4.9\r\n\r\n7.3\r\nAutumn Statement 2013\r\n\r\n1.0\r\n3.0\r\n3.0\r\n7.0\r\nAutumn Statement 2014\r\n\r\n\r\n2.2\r\n7.7\r\n9.9\r\nTotal\r\n1.2\r\n2.2\r\n10.1\r\n10.7\r\n24.2\r\nBarnett consequentials accruing to the Scottish Government are added to the total funding available to Scottish Ministers. It is then for Scottish Ministers to decide how the totality of the resources available to them should be allocated across all devolved spending programmes.\r\nDuring the period April 2007 to March 2015, the Scottish Government has invested over £6 billion in rail services in Scotland. This has supported an increase of 14% in passenger journeys (33% in the last decade) to over 86 million through new and better ScotRail services, new tracks, six new stations and the electrification of the Airdrie-Bathgate, Paisley Canal, Cumbernauld and Whifflet routes.\r\nA further £5 billion programme has been committed to 2019, which includes the re-opening of the Borders railway line, delivery of new electrified routes between Glasgow and Edinburgh via Falkirk High and Shotts and to Stirling, Alloa and Dunblane, as well as substantial improvements between Aberdeen and Inverness and between Inverness and the central belt.","AnswerDate":"2015-07-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-08-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304862,"EventID":"S4W-26590","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2015-07-08T15:49:06.377","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-07-07T14:55:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-26058 by John Swinney on 23 June 2015, by what date it will publish its response to the consultation.","AnswerText":"As set out in the answer to question S4W-27521 on 29 September 2015, we continue to consider consultation responses. We will provide an analysis of responses and our proposals to Parliament in due course.\r\nAll answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.","AnswerDate":"2015-11-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-08-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304863,"EventID":"S4W-26591","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2066,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-07-08T15:49:07.237","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-07-07T16:06:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to the reported concerns of fishermen that material changes, which have not been the subject of consultations, have been made to the proposed marine protected areas that were announced on 11 June 2015.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has made changes to management proposals in response to views expressed through the public consultation. The sites with the greatest change are Loch Sunart to Sound of Jura MPA, Small Isles MPA, South Arran MPA, and Wester Ross MPA. draft marine conservation orders for these 4 MPAs were published on 11 June 2015. Representations on these draft orders were invited by no later than 9 August 2015. This period provided an additional consultative period for stakeholder views on the revised proposals to be submitted. These will be taken into account before the new orders are laid in the Scottish Parliament.","AnswerDate":"2015-08-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-08-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Richard Lochhead","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304864,"EventID":"S4W-26592","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2066,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-07-08T15:49:07.737","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-07-07T16:06:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to the reported concerns that the proposed marine protected areas that were announced on 11 June 2015 will be used as a means to regulate fishing rather than a protection of limited marine features. ","AnswerText":"The proposed measures will regulate fishing activities to protect the marine environment. They will ensure that the conservation objectives of each marine protected area are furthered.","AnswerDate":"2015-08-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-08-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Richard Lochhead","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304865,"EventID":"S4W-26593","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2066,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-07-08T15:49:08.147","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-07-07T16:06:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many scallop fishermen who dredge over hard gravel or rock and do not pull up mass marine vegetation might be affected by the proposed marine protected areas that were announced on 11 June 2015; what support it can provide, and what discussions it has had with their representatives.","AnswerText":"All scallop dredge operations have a negative impact on the seabed to some extent. The estimated total impact on the annual revenue of the 103 boats potentially affected by the measures is approximately £300,000. This equates to 1.6% of the estimated annual gross revenue of around £18.6 million. However some boats may be disproportionally affected. Where this is the case support is available for vessel diversification through the European maritime and fisheries fund. Marine Scotland will provide advice on this as requested. Since 11 June 2015 there have been two meetings with the Scottish fishermen’s federation to discuss the proposals on 17 June and 6 July.","AnswerDate":"2015-08-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-08-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Richard Lochhead","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304866,"EventID":"S4W-26594","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2066,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-07-08T15:49:08.657","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-07-07T16:06:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to the reported concerns that the proposed marine protected areas that were announced on 11 June 2015 go beyond Scottish Natural Heritage recommendations and protected features.","AnswerText":"The advice from Scottish natural heritage (SNH) with regards to the protected features at each site was either to remove, avoid or reduce limit pressure from various fishing activities. SNH did not specify how the advice should be met. The measures proposed are designed to further the conservation objectives by minimising risk to the most sensitive habitats and species, and reducing risk to others. Where there are features with a recover conservation objective or they are the only example in the MPA network a more precautionary approach has been adopted.","AnswerDate":"2015-08-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-08-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Richard Lochhead","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304867,"EventID":"S4W-26595","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2066,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-07-08T15:49:09.097","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-07-07T16:06:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to the reported concerns that its predicted economic impact assessments of the proposed marine protected areas that were announced on 11 June 2015 do not factor in the impact on processing and other associated economic activity and employment. ","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-26571 on 20 August 2015. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx","AnswerDate":"2015-08-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-08-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Richard Lochhead","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304868,"EventID":"S4W-26596","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2066,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-07-08T15:49:09.557","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-07-07T16:06:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will allow fishing organisations a time extension to the current consultation period on the proposed marine protected areas that were announced on 11 June 2015 to allow them to have adequate time to prepare socioeconomic reports on what they consider will be the impact of the proposals. ","AnswerText":"Following requests from a number of stakeholders, Scottish Ministers extended the period for representations to 9 August 2015. Implementation of the new orders is now scheduled for 1 November 2015.","AnswerDate":"2015-08-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-08-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Richard Lochhead","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304869,"EventID":"S4W-26597","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2066,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-07-08T15:49:09.987","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-07-07T16:06:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of whether the proposed marine protected areas that were announced on 11 June 2015 will lead to a major displacement and increased effort of scallop fishing in other areas.","AnswerText":"The environmental report considered the implications of the various management approaches that were consulted on. This also considered the implication of 100% displacement of scallop dredging from each marine protected area. This report can be found at: http://www.gov.scot/Resource/0046/00464215.pdf\r\nThe amount of displacement that would occur is considered necessary to ensure that the conservation objectives of each marine protected area are furthered. It is inevitable that a reduction in the footprint of an activity within a marine protected area will result in an increase of effort in other areas unaffected by the management measures. The environmental report assumed that most effort would be displaced onto existing fishing grounds already modified by the activity. Discussion with the fishing industry in early 2014 indicated that there are few, if any, unexploited fishing grounds in Scottish inshore waters. The conclusion was that this displacement is not likely to have a significant adverse effect on the environment outwith the marine protected areas.","AnswerDate":"2015-08-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-08-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Richard Lochhead","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304870,"EventID":"S4W-26598","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2066,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-07-08T15:49:10.487","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-07-07T16:06:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to reported concerns that fish processors were not adequately consulted before the proposed marine protected areas were published on 11 June 2015. ","AnswerText":"Since April 2013 Marine Scotland has offered a range of opportunities for engagement at events to fishermen, Industry representatives, and any other stakeholders at locations throughout Scotland. This included 14 drop-in events at key locations during the 2014 consultation on these management measures to allow stakeholders to share their views with marine Scotland and Scottish natural heritage representatives.","AnswerDate":"2015-08-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-08-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Richard Lochhead","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304871,"EventID":"S4W-26599","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2826,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":84,"ApprovedDate":"2015-07-08T15:49:11.057","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-07-08T10:57:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the implementation of integrated travel ticketing.","AnswerText":"Transport Scotland’s smart and integrated ticketing strategy was launched in 2012 and its long term vision statement is ‘That all journeys on Scotland’s bus, rail, ferry, subway and tram networks can be accessed using some form of smart ticketing or payment.’\r\nOne project, the Scottish fulfilment service will complement the vision for smart ticketing by establishing a new entity providing transport information, ticketing and account based services to passengers, and management information and resettlement services to operators. This project also contributes positively to all five of the Scottish Government objectives - wealthier and fairer, smarter, healthier, safer and stronger and greener.\r\nWe have also set out smart ticketing targets in the new ScotRail franchise which commenced on 1 April 2015. These include clear contractual targets for delivery of smart ticketing on Scotland's rail network. Abellio ScotRail has committed to achieving 60% uptake for the majority of ticket types and a 65% uptake for all ticket types, by 2019 and 2021 respectively.\r\nSmart ticketing will also feature in the new Clyde and Hebrides Ferry Services contract tenders (October 2016) and the Northern Isles Ferry Services contract tenders (April 2018) and will be passenger focussed.\r\nThere is also strong engagement with the bus industry and Transport Scotland is both supporting large operators like First and Stagecoach in delivering their commercial objectives and directly assisting smaller bus operators in developing and delivering smart and integrated ticketing.\r\nFinally, we are ensuring that the infrastructure platform necessary to deliver smart ticketing is fit for purpose, and are investing wherever necessary in this aspect of delivery, particularly on buses where 40% of journeys are already smart by virtue of the government's concessionary travel scheme.\r\nAll of the above aims to further enhance the quality of service being delivered to passengers throughout Scotland, and we expect to see progressively more smart ticketing being delivered in the months ahead.","AnswerDate":"2015-07-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-08-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304872,"EventID":"S4W-26600","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2059,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":91,"ApprovedDate":"2015-07-08T15:49:11.357","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-07-08T11:35:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many people with advanced Parkinson’s have been given Duodopa in each of the last three years.","AnswerText":"This information is not held centrally.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-08-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-08-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304873,"EventID":"S4W-26601","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2059,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":91,"ApprovedDate":"2015-07-08T15:49:11.717","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-07-08T11:35:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will take steps to make to make Duodopa routinely available for people with advanced Parkinson's, in light of the recent decision to do so in England.","AnswerText":"In Scotland, the Scottish Medicines Consortium (SMC) provides advice on medicines. The Scottish Government’s position is that pharmaceutical companies should put forward a good quality submission to SMC with a fair offering on price. SMC has recently received a submission from the pharmaceutical company holding the marketing authorisation for co-careldopa (Duodopa) intestinal gel for the treatment of advanced levodopa-responsive Parkinson’s disease with severe motor fluctuations and hyper/dyskinesia.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-08-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-08-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304874,"EventID":"S4W-26604","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-07-08T15:49:12.017","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-07-08T13:55:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many (a) talking and (b) drug therapies have been prescribed by GPs for mental health patients in each year since 2012. ","AnswerText":"The number of (a) talking therapies and (b) drug therapies prescribed by GPs for mental health patients is held by individual GP practices and is not provided to the Scottish Government as a matter of course.\r\nThe latest published data on the dispensing of mental health drugs by NHSScotland is available from the Information Services Division (ISD) report Medicines for Mental Health, published 30 September 2014. \r\nThe ISD report on Medicines for Mental Health is available online at: \r\nhttp://www.isdscotland.org/Health-Topics/Prescribing-and-Medicines/Publications/2014-09-30/2014-09-30-PrescribingMentalHealth-Report.pdf\r\nThis report covers the period 2004-05 to 2013-14 and five main categories of medicines for the treatment of mental health problems are covered within this publication: hypnotics and anxiolytics, antipsychotics and related drugs, antidepressants, drugs used for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and drugs for dementia.","AnswerDate":"2015-08-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-08-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304875,"EventID":"S4W-26605","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-07-08T15:49:12.417","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-07-08T13:55:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what it is doing to raise awareness of mental health issues in the workplace. ","AnswerText":"See Me is Scotland’s national campaign to end mental health stigma and discrimination. The Scottish Government provides £1 million per year in addition to £0.5 million from Comic Relief to support the See Me programme. See Me workplace is part of the See Me anti stigma work to support the reduction of stigma and raise awareness in the workplace for people entering and retaining work in Scotland. See Me has recently launched a work programme which takes organisations through four specific steps from commitment and awareness through to practice transformation and becoming a See Me work partner: https://www.seemescotland.org/workplace/see-me-in-work/\r\nFit for Work Scotland is a service recently established on a phased basis from December 2014, funded through the Department for Work and Pensions and delivered in Scotland by the Scottish Government. The service provides support for people in work to remain at work, or return to work following periods of long term sickness absence. It provides assessment and advice for employers and employees around interventions and actions which could facilitate a return to work. This service is not specifically for mental health and wellbeing, but incorporates it:\r\nhttp://www.FitforWorkScotland.scot\r\nThe Scottish Government provides funding to NHS Health Scotland to deliver Healthy Working Lives Scotland service. This is a comprehensive service offering advice and support to employers and their employees around health, safety and wellbeing. This is facilitated through advice lines and award schemes. The award schemes are from bronze to gold and the silver award specifically states the need to “Provide managers and supervisors with training to increase their knowledge and understanding of mental health, wellbeing and stress in the workplace. Ensure managers are aware of their responsibilities in relation to employee support.” (http://www.healthyworkinglives.com/)","AnswerDate":"2015-08-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-08-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304876,"EventID":"S4W-26606","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-07-08T15:49:12.807","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-07-08T13:55:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it supports employers to encourage employees to seek specialist help for mental health issues. ","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-26605 on 3 August 2015. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx","AnswerDate":"2015-08-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-08-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304890,"EventID":"S4W-26607","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-07-09T15:40:12.08","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-07-09T09:56:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answers to questions S4W-25737 and S4W-25738 by John Swinney on 3 June 2015, for what reason the information requested is not held centrally.","AnswerText":"It is the responsibility of each public body to determine their own terms and conditions, ensuring that these are appropriate both for their staff and for their business needs. \r\n\r\nUnder the Public Sector Pay Policy, Scottish Government approval is only required where an organisation proposes to make changes to an existing allowance or introduce a new one.","AnswerDate":"2015-07-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-08-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304891,"EventID":"S4W-26608","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-07-09T15:40:13.497","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-07-09T09:56:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much it pays in recruitment and retention allowances or similar market-based pay supplements. ","AnswerText":"In the financial year 2014-15 the Scottish Government paid £3,040,000 in recruitment, retention or similar market based pay supplements for jobs where it is challenging to recruit and retain staff. This figure excludes associated employer on-costs.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-07-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-08-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304892,"EventID":"S4W-26609","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-07-09T15:40:14.287","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-07-09T09:56:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many of its posts offer recruitment and retention allowances or similar market-based pay supplements, also broken down by the (a) geographical area of the post and (b) (i) age and (ii) gender of the postholders.","AnswerText":"In the 2014-15 financial year 1,009 employees received payment for a recruitment, retention or similar market based pay supplement. The breakdowns requested are provided in the following tables:\r\n\r\n(a) Geographical area (broken down by local authority area) \r\nAberdeen City\r\n53\r\nCity of Edinburgh\r\n692\r\nDundee City\r\n15\r\nGlasgow City\r\n200\r\nHighland\r\n7\r\nScottish Borders\r\n10\r\nWest Lothian\r\n23\r\nOther*\r\n9\r\nTotal\r\n1,009\r\nNote: As the number of staff in receipt of payment in some areas is below five per area, they have been grouped together for data protection reasons to protect the identity of individuals. Other areas include Fife, North Ayrshire, Perth and Kinross and South Lanarkshire.\r\n\r\n(b) Age breakdown\r\n20-29\r\n45\r\n30-39\r\n274\r\n40-49\r\n317\r\n50-54\r\n167\r\n55-59\r\n126\r\n60-65\r\n59\r\n65+\r\n21\r\nTotal\r\n1,009\r\n\r\n(c) Gender breakdown\r\nFemale\r\n311\r\nMale\r\n698\r\nTotal\r\n1,009\r\nNote: The Scottish Government systems record people rather than posts. Therefore the number of employees receiving a payment at any point during the 2014-15 financial year has been given. The number of employees could be higher than the number of posts. For example, where an employee has left and another taken their place this would represent two employees in one post.","AnswerDate":"2015-07-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-08-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304893,"EventID":"S4W-26610","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4964,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":119,"ApprovedDate":"2015-07-09T15:40:15.243","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-07-09T12:40:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the average saving has been for band D homes since the introduction of the council tax freeze, also broken down by local authority area.","AnswerText":"The cumulative savings for an average Band D household across Scotland as a result of the council tax freeze over the period 2008-16 has been around £1,200. The impact for each local authority area is set out in the following table. This is based on the additional £70 million which has been provided by the Scottish Government to local authorities to fully fund the freeze in each of the eight years of the freeze.\r\n\r\n\r\nSavings for average Band D household since the introduction of the council tax freeze\r\nAberdeen City Council\r\n£1,263\r\nAberdeenshire Council\r\n£1,175\r\nAngus Council\r\n£1,127\r\nArgyll and Bute Council\r\n£1,297\r\nClackmannanshire Council\r\n£1,209\r\nDumfries and Galloway Council\r\n£1,102\r\nDundee City Council\r\n£1,392\r\nEast Ayrshire Council\r\n£1,229\r\nEast Dunbartonshire Council\r\n£1,219\r\nEast Lothian Council\r\n£1,154\r\nEast Renfrewshire Council\r\n£1,211\r\nCity of Edinburgh Council\r\n£1,183\r\nComhairle nan Eilean Siar\r\n£1,038\r\nFalkirk Council\r\n£1,128\r\nFife Council\r\n£1,211\r\nGlasgow City Council\r\n£1,277\r\nHighland Council\r\n£1,207\r\nInverclyde Council\r\n£1,290\r\nMidlothian Council\r\n£1,204\r\nMoray Council\r\n£1,226\r\nNorth Ayrshire Council\r\n£1,219\r\nNorth Lanarkshire Council\r\n£1,135\r\nOrkney Islands Council\r\n£1,051\r\nPerth and Kinross Council\r\n£1,223\r\nRenfrewshire Council\r\n£1,226\r\nScottish Borders Council\r\n£1,151\r\nShetland Islands Council\r\n£1,071\r\nSouth Ayrshire Council\r\n£1,229\r\nSouth Lanarkshire Council\r\n£1,148\r\nStirling Council\r\n£1,293\r\nWest Dunbartonshire Council\r\n£1,238\r\nWest Lothian Council\r\n£1,192","AnswerDate":"2015-07-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-08-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304905,"EventID":"S4T-00902","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":9,"MSPID":1893,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-01-19T14:12:39.31","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-01-19T11:10:42","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what limits it will place on its contribution to the V&A project in Dundee.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-01-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":"2015-01-20T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304906,"EventID":"S4W-26611","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-07-10T14:35:41.93","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-07-09T15:46:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many people sectioned under the Mental Health (Scotland) Act 2003 were homeless at the time of assessment in each year since 2010.","AnswerText":"Details are as follows:\r\nTable 1 - The number of patients formally1 admitted to psychiatric hospitals in Scotland2,3,4 who were recorded as having no fixed abode, 2010-11 – 2013-14\r\n\r\nNumber of patients6\r\n2010-11\r\n72\r\n2011-12\r\n64\r\n2012-13\r\n57\r\n2013-14\r\n61\r\nInformation on psychiatric inpatients and day cases is recorded in Scottish morbidity record 04 (SMR04). Data on SMR04 is routinely published by financial year and 2013-14 is the latest year for which information is available.\r\nSMR04 does not explicitly record whether or not a patient is homeless. Information is provided here on patients who are recorded as ‘no fixed abode’ in the NHS board of residence field.\r\nFormal admissions are identified by using the admission status variable. This variable indicates the status of the patient at the time of admission to hospital with respect to the Mental Health Act (Scotland) 2003.\r\nIncludes all patients treated in Scottish hospitals.\r\nData from the State Hospital (Carstairs) have been excluded.\r\nData from the learning disability specialty have been excluded.\r\nHomeless patients have been identified by those coded as having “no fixed abode” as their NHS board of residence. This may be an undercount of the actual number of homeless patients as those who are resident in temporary accommodation or homeless shelter may have their board of residence assigned to the location of this accommodation.\r\nPatients are counted only once in each year even if they had more than one formal admission in that year.\r\nInformation provided by Information Services Division (Scotland).","AnswerDate":"2015-07-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-08-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304907,"EventID":"S4W-26612","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-07-10T14:35:43.113","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-07-09T15:46:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many people were made homeless in each year since 2010 as a result of mental health problems.","AnswerText":"After a homelessness assessment has taken place, local authorities record the additional support needs which the household may have, including support needs for mental health problems.\r\nThe following table shows:\r\n1. The number of cases assessed each year as homeless or threatened with homelessness.\r\n2. The number of these cases which, in addition to being assessed as homeless or threatened with homelessness, have had a support need identified due to a household member having a mental health problem.\r\n\r\n2008-09\r\n2009-10\r\n2010-11\r\n2011-12\r\n2012-13\r\n2013-14\r\n2014-15\r\nAssess as homeless or threatened with homelessness\r\n42,064\r\n43,564\r\n41,964\r\n35,715\r\n32,186\r\n30,086\r\n29,565\r\nAs above and where support needs have been identified for mental health problem\r\n4,908\r\n5,105\r\n5,432\r\n4,711\r\n4,230\r\n3,949\r\n4,234\r\nProportion of homelessness assessments with a support need for a mental health problem\r\n12%\r\n12%\r\n13%\r\n13%\r\n13%\r\n13%\r\n14%\r\nThe extent to which mental health problems directly contributed to the episode of homelessness is not known.\r\nFurther information on homelessness statistics is contained in the latest publication Operation of the Homeless Persons Legislation in Scotland: 2014-15, which can be accessed online at: http://www.gov.scot/homelessstats\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-08-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-08-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Burgess","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304908,"EventID":"S4W-26613","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2117,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-07-10T14:35:43.94","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-07-09T15:56:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many bids have been received for the contract to supply water and waste water services to the public sector; which companies submitted bids, and when it will announce the successful bid.","AnswerText":"Six bids were received. A decision on the award will be made following the conclusion of the standstill period. \r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-08-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-08-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304909,"EventID":"S4W-26614","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2117,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-07-10T14:35:44.847","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-07-09T15:56:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it expects the new contract for the provision of water and waste water services to the public sector to come into force.","AnswerText":"A decision on the award will be made following the conclusion of the standstill period.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-07-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-08-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304910,"EventID":"S4W-26615","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2117,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-07-10T14:35:45.72","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-07-09T15:56:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when the contract for Business Stream to provide water and waste water services to the public sector was originally scheduled to conclude, and when it will now conclude.","AnswerText":"The contract was due to end on 31 of March 2015. The current contract extension expires on 30 September 2015.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-07-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-08-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304911,"EventID":"S4W-26616","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2117,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-07-10T14:35:46.61","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-07-09T15:56:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many extensions there have been to the current contract to supply water and waste water services to the public sector and when the supplier was notified of each extension.","AnswerText":"There have been two extensions to the current contract with Business Stream. The first extension was notified on 18 March 2015 and the second on 4 June 2015.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-08-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-08-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304912,"EventID":"S4W-26617","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2117,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-07-10T14:35:47.53","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-07-09T15:56:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government for what reason there has been a delay in concluding the current water and waste water services contract with Business Stream and with announcing details of the new contract.","AnswerText":"EU procurement rules require that we provide a ‘Standstill’ period following notification of the tender evaluation to allow all parties involved the opportunity to seek clarification on the outcome before the contract can be awarded. The standstill period has extended in order to allow proper consideration of matters that have been raised on the outcome.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-08-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-08-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304913,"EventID":"S4W-26618","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2117,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-07-10T14:35:48.34","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-07-09T15:56:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what (a) legal and (b) other advice it is seeking on the options available to it in reaching a final decision on tenders for the contract to supply water and waste water services to the public sector.","AnswerText":"Due consideration is currently being given to matters raised during the Standstill period, which will inform the decision on the award of the contract to provide billing services for waste and water services.","AnswerDate":"2015-08-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-08-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304914,"EventID":"S4W-26619","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2010,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":137,"ApprovedDate":"2015-07-10T14:35:49.23","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-07-10T11:07:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how (a) much has been awarded and (b) many activities for young people have been supported by the CashBack for Communities programme since 2008, broken down by local authority area.","AnswerText":"Information about investment in the CashBack for Communities programme and number of activities by local authority area, from 2008-09 until 2013-14, is set out in Table 3.5 and Table 3.10 of the National Evaluation of the CashBack for Communities Programme document published in May 2014: http://www.gov.scot/Resource/0045/00452165.pdf\r\nThe data for 2014-15 is not yet available.","AnswerDate":"2015-07-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-08-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304924,"EventID":"S4W-26389","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3771,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-07-13T15:12:50.917","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-29T15:02:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the estimated savings for patients will be in 2015-16 arising from free prescriptions that would not be age-exempt from charging in England for medications associated with the long-term conditions, (a) asthma, (b) chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and (c) cardiovascular disease.","AnswerText":"The information requested is not routinely captured by NHS Scotland’s prescribing information system. The following table therefore sets out very broad estimates based on limited information available from prescription forms dispensed in the community, and an assumed adult working population aged 20 to 59 years old as at 30 September 2014.\r\nDrug group\r\nTotal dispensed items in 2014-15\r\nEstimated number of chargeable items (excl. prescription pre-payment certificates)\r\nEstimated savings to patients in 2015-16\r\nAsthma/chronic obstructive pulmonary disease\r\n2,199,196\r\n312,100\r\n£2.6 million\r\nCardiovascular disease\r\n5,359,032\r\n558,900\r\n£4.6 million\r\nMental health (antipsychotic and antidepressant)\r\n4,128,986\r\n585,000\r\n£4.8 million\r\nEmollients/topical corticosteroids/ preparations for eczema and psoriasis\r\n1,495,714\r\n303,600\r\n£2.5 million\r\nSource: Derived from NHS National Services Scotland, Prescribing Information System\r\nNotes:\r\n1. The table sets out broad estimated savings for the year 2015-16.\r\n2. The estimated data is based on age groups within an assumed adult working population aged 20 to 59 years old (as at 30 September 2014) derived from dispensed prescriptions in community with a recorded Community Health Index number, and using 2010-11 as the base year for estimating forward. 2010-11 was the last full financial year before prescription charges were abolished in Scotland.\r\n3. Items dispensed relate to medicines normally associated with the treatment of certain long-term conditions (as categorised by the British National Formulary hierarchy of drugs), and dispensed to patients who were assumed to have normally attracted a prescription charge for each prescription item dispensed.\r\n4. The estimated savings have been derived from the number of prescription items dispensed in the community in 2014-15 and if prescription charges were set at the rate currently in place in England from 1 April 2015 (£8.20 per item).\r\n5. It should be noted that prescription forms do not record the clinical condition for which the drug is prescribed. Some prescription items may, therefore, have been dispensed for the treatment of a condition other than the assumed long-term condition.","AnswerDate":"2015-08-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-08-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304925,"EventID":"S4W-26391","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3771,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-07-13T15:12:51.497","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-06-29T15:17:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the estimated savings for patients will be in 2015-16 arising from free prescriptions that would not be age-exempt from charging in England for medications associated with long-term (a) mental health and (b) dermatological conditions.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-26389 on 3 August 2015. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-08-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-08-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304926,"EventID":"S4W-26620","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-07-13T15:12:52.007","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-07-10T15:51:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what training on mental health issues each NHS board has provided to staff in accident and emergency departments in each year since 2010.","AnswerText":"Information on mental health training provided to accident and emergency staff by NHS boards is not held centrally. We expect NHS boards to arrange training in line with local needs.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-08-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-08-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304927,"EventID":"S4W-26621","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-07-13T15:12:52.537","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-07-10T15:51:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many psychiatric liaison staff there have been in accident and emergency departments in each NHS board in each year since 2010.","AnswerText":"The information requested is not held centrally. The Scottish Government expects NHS boards to have arrangements in place that ensures the safe and effective provision of good quality liaison psychiatry to acute hospitals and services, including to accident and emergency departments.\r\n\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-08-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-08-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304928,"EventID":"S4W-26622","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-07-13T15:12:53.047","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-07-10T15:52:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many people referred by a GP to a mental health specialist in each year since 2010 were detained under the Mental Health (Care and Treatment) (Scotland) Act 2003.","AnswerText":"Details are as follows:\r\nTable 1 - The number of patients formally1 admitted to psychiatric hospitals in Scotland2,3,4 that were referred from a GP5, 2010-11 to 2013-14\r\nYear\r\nNumber of patients6\r\n2010-11\r\n382\r\n2011-12\r\n309\r\n2012-13\r\n366\r\n2013-14\r\n336\r\nInformation on psychiatric inpatients and day cases is recorded in Scottish morbidity record 04 (SMR04). Data on SMR04 is routinely published by financial year and 2013-14 is the latest year for which information is available.\r\nFormal admissions are identified by using the admission status variable. This variable indicates the status of the patient at the time of admission to hospital with respect to the Mental Health Act (Scotland) 2003.\r\nIncludes all patients treated in Scottish hospitals.\r\nData from the State Hospital (Carstairs) have been excluded.\r\nData from the learning disability specialty have been excluded.\r\nGP referrals are identified by using the \"admission referral from\" variable.\r\nPatients are counted only once in each year even if they had more than one formal admission in that year.","AnswerDate":"2015-08-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-08-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304929,"EventID":"S4W-26623","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-07-13T15:12:53.497","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-07-10T15:53:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many (a) primary and (b) secondary school teachers have sought specialist referral for mental health-related issues in each year since 2010, broken down by local authority.","AnswerText":"The information requested is not held centrally by the Scottish Government. Statistics on sickness absence rates for local authority employees are published by the improvement service:\r\n\r\nhttp://www.improvementservice.org.uk/benchmarking/tool.html.","AnswerDate":"2015-07-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-08-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alasdair Allan","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304930,"EventID":"S4W-26635","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2633,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-07-13T15:12:53.917","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-07-10T15:59:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many stop and searches have taken place in the (a) (i) Clackmannanshire and Dunblane, (ii) Cowdenbeath, (iii) Dunfermline, (iv) Kirkcaldy, (v) Mid Fife and Glenrothes, (vi) North East Fife, (vii) Perthshire North, (viii) Perthshire South and Kinross-shire constituency and (b) Mid Scotland and Fife region in each of the last five years, broken down by people aged (A) under 12, (B) 12 to 15, (C) 16 to 25 and (D) over 25.","AnswerText":"The information requested is a matter for Police Scotland. I have alerted the Chief Constable to your question and I have asked him to write to you.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-08-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-08-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304931,"EventID":"S4W-26636","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2633,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-07-13T15:12:54.417","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-07-10T15:59:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many of the stop and searches in the (a) (i) Clackmannanshire and Dunblane, (ii) Cowdenbeath, (iii) Dunfermline, (iv) Kirkcaldy, (v) Mid Fife and Glenrothes, (vi) North East Fife, (vii) Perthshire North, (viii) Perthshire South and Kinross-shire constituency and (b) Mid Scotland and Fife region in each of the last five years resulted in a (A) positive finding and (B) (i) prosecution and (ii) conviction.","AnswerText":"The information requested is a matter for Police Scotland. I have alerted the Chief Constable to your question and I have asked him to write to you.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-08-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-08-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304932,"EventID":"S4W-26638","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2633,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-07-13T15:12:54.927","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-07-10T15:59:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many people who were subject to a stop and search in the (a) (i) Clackmannanshire and Dunblane, (ii) Cowdenbeath, (iii) Dunfermline, (iv) Kirkcaldy, (v) Mid Fife and Glenrothes, (vi) North East Fife, (vii) Perthshire North, (viii) Perthshire South and Kinross-shire constituency and (b) Mid Scotland and Fife region in each of the last five years were stopped more than once, and what information it has on how many times each person was stopped.","AnswerText":"The information requested is a matter for Police Scotland. I have alerted the Chief Constable to your question and I have asked him to write to you.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-08-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-08-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304933,"EventID":"S4W-26640","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4939,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":78,"ApprovedDate":"2015-07-13T15:12:55.467","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-07-13T10:22:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it last discussed the reintroduction of a Rosyth to Zeebrugge passenger and car ferry service with DFDS Seaways.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-26641 on (date). All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:\r\n\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx","AnswerDate":"2015-07-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-08-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304934,"EventID":"S4W-26641","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4939,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":78,"ApprovedDate":"2015-07-13T15:12:56.137","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-07-13T10:22:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether the reintroduction of a car and passenger ferry service between Rosyth and Zeebrugge was discussed at the recent tripartite talks between it, Forth Ports and DFDS Seaways.","AnswerText":"The reintroduction of a car and passenger ferry service was not part of the recent discussions at the tripartite talks between the Scottish Government, Forth Ports and DFDS. Those discussions were focused on securing the future of the freight service ferry. We continue to work with DFDS to ensure that the freight service develops sufficient custom to ensure that it is commercially sustainable, as this could help form the basis of a viable passenger service on the route. DFDS have indicated they have no plans to reintroduce a passenger service in the immediate future.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-07-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-08-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304935,"EventID":"S4W-26642","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-07-13T15:12:56.757","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-07-13T13:08:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-02674 by Keith Brown on 13 July 2015, whether any contractor, sub-contractor or employment agency working for any contractor or sub-contractor or agency on the Forth Replacement Crossing project employs workers via a payroll or umbrella company arrangement.","AnswerText":"The contractor, Forth Crossing Bridge Constructors, has confirmed that it does not use umbrella companies in the recruitment or employment of workers on the Forth Replacement Crossing project.\r\nRecruitment and conditions of employment are an operational matter for the individual contractor, sub-contractor or employment agency on the Forth Replacement Crossing project. The information requested is not held by the Scottish Government.","AnswerDate":"2015-08-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-08-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304936,"EventID":"S4W-26665","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4080,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-07-14T15:17:07.03","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-07-14T10:24:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government for what reason Police Scotland plans to replace some multi-member ward plans with area plans; what consultation has taken place, and when any changes would be implemented.","AnswerText":"This is a matter for Police Scotland, working in partnership with local government and communities across Scotland. In consultation with stakeholders, Police Scotland will renew their existing local multi-member ward plans and pilot a new approach in three local authority areas - Aberdeenshire, Dumfries and Galloway and Fife. The pilot is intended to make 'local community policing plans' better aligned to the existing local authority provision of services, scrutiny arrangements and community planning boundaries. Any alterations to multi-member ward plans are only if authority chooses to change the existing arrangements.\r\nThis pilot is being taken forward partly in response to a recommendation made by HM Inspectorate of Constabulary in Scotland through their Local Policing+ pilot inspection programme.\r\nThe detail of the consultation exercise and timing are matters for Police Scotland","AnswerDate":"2015-08-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-08-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304937,"EventID":"S4W-26666","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4080,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-07-14T15:17:08.277","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-07-14T10:24:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many people have been transported by prisoner and custody escort services in each of the last three years, broken down by (a) age and (b) gender.","AnswerText":"I have asked Colin McConnell, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service (SPS), to respond. His response is as follows:\r\nThe court custody and prisoner escorting in Scotland contract provides escorting services for prisoners aged 16 and above. \r\nThis information is not available, as it is not required by SPS for the management of the contract. The contract records the number of movements for which the contractor has responsibility. It is also important to note that an individual may in the course of court proceedings be subject to multiple movements which cannot be accounted for in aggregated data.\r\nInformation is, however, available on the total number of movements. The following table shows the total number of movements undertaken by the contract service provider in the past three years broken down by age and gender where an adult is anyone over the age of 21 and young male/female refers to those aged between 16 and 20.\r\nYear\r\nYoung Male\r\nAdult Male\r\nYoung Female\r\nAdult Female\r\nApril 2013 to December 13\r\n19,062\r\n147,645\r\n1,845\r\n17,249\r\nJanuary 2014 to December 14\r\n23,506\r\n198,439\r\n2,466\r\n23,434\r\nJanuary 2015 to June 15\r\n11,722\r\n96,376\r\n1,024\r\n11,270","AnswerDate":"2015-08-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-08-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304938,"EventID":"S4W-26667","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4080,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-07-14T15:17:09.057","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-07-14T10:24:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the (a) average and (b) longest (i) distance and (ii) time was for a person to be transported by prisoner and custody escort services in each of the last three years, also broken down by (A) age and (B) gender.","AnswerText":"I have asked Colin McConnell, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service, to respond. His response is as follows:\r\nThe court custody and prisoner escorting in Scotland contract provides escorting services for prisoners aged 16 and over.\r\nThe distance travelled by an individual prisoner is not routinely recorded, and aggregated data on distance is not available.","AnswerDate":"2015-08-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-08-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304939,"EventID":"S4W-26668","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4080,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-07-14T15:17:09.743","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-07-14T10:24:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many times in each of the last three years prisoner and custody escort services have transported (a) children in the same vehicle as adults, (b) women in the same vehicle as men and (c) vulnerable detainees in the same vehicle as other detainees.","AnswerText":"I have asked Colin McConnell, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service, to respond. His response is as follows:\r\nThe court custody and prisoner escorting in Scotland contract provides escorting services for prisoners aged 16 and above.\r\nThis information is not routinely gathered, as it is not required for the management of the contract.\r\nChildren and women may be escorted in the same vehicle as adult male prisoners. The vehicles utilised in the vast majority of these movements are of a cellular type and while on the same vehicle, prisoners are not in direct contact with each other.\r\nUnder the terms of the contract, the vehicle fleet must be sufficiently flexible to cover the range of care or specific needs of individual prisoners (both adults and children) and this includes those who are deemed to be vulnerable. An individual assessment would be undertaken and if necessary, a single person special observation vehicle, or a multi-purpose vehicle, could be used to undertake the escort. In these cases, the individual would be the only person escorted.\r\nThe exception to individual travel is movement for prisoners on temporary licence (e.g. work placement, home leave) where larger groups can be transported outwith cellular vehicles. In these instances, the passengers are transported within their own prisoner category, so adults would not mix with young offenders, and males would not mix with females.","AnswerDate":"2015-08-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-08-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304940,"EventID":"S4W-26669","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4080,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-07-14T15:17:10.633","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-07-14T10:24:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what risk assessment is made to determine whether (a) adult and (b) child detainees should be handcuffed while being transported by prisoner and custody escort services, and whether there is a presumption in favour of handcuffing during (i) the journey and (ii) embarkation and disembarkation.","AnswerText":"I have asked Colin McConnell, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service, to respond. His response is as follows:\r\n\r\nThe court custody and prisoner escorting in Scotland contract makes clear that handcuffs should only be used if required. The current contract places the responsibility for risk assessments with the contractor to determine whether handcuffs should be used on an individual. Prisoners are not handcuffed during journeys on cellular vehicles. Currently, all prisoners are handcuffed during embarkation and disembarkation.\r\nThe contract includes escorting services for prisoners aged 16 and above.","AnswerDate":"2015-08-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-08-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304941,"EventID":"S4W-26670","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4080,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-07-14T15:17:11.397","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-07-14T10:24:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many times in each of the last three years detainees have been transported to hospital by prisoner and custody escort services; how often information on their condition was provided to the service in advance of the journey, and how many were handcuffed while (a) being transported and (b) at the appointment.","AnswerText":"I have asked Colin McConnell, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service, to respond. His response is as follows:\r\n\r\nThe court custody and prisoner escorting in Scotland contract provides escorting services for prisoners aged 16 and above. \r\nThe following table sets out the number of hospital appointment escorts that have been undertaken over the past three financial years.\r\n\r\nNumber of hospital appointments\r\n2013-14\r\n8,321\r\n2014-15\r\n8,652\r\n2015-16 to 30 June\r\n2,191\r\nTotal\r\n19,164\r\nTo ensure patient confidentiality, information on a prisoner’s medical condition is not routinely shared with the service provider. Only information that is specifically required for the health and safety of the prisoner and service provider would be shared.\r\nPrisoners are not routinely handcuffed during transport on cellular vehicles.\r\nThe decision on handcuffing prisoners at hospital is a decision taken by G4S on the basis of an individual risk assessment.","AnswerDate":"2015-08-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-08-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304942,"EventID":"S4W-26671","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4080,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-07-14T15:17:12.07","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-07-14T10:24:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many times in each of the last three years pregnant women have been transported to hospital by prisoner and custody escort services; how often health information was provided to the service in advance of the journey, and how many were handcuffed while (a) being transported and (b) at the appointment.","AnswerText":"I have asked Colin McConnell, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service, to respond. His response is as follows:\r\nThe court custody and prisoner escorting in Scotland contract provides escorting services for prisoners aged 16 and above. \r\nThe table below shows the number of healthcare appointments attended by women believed to be pregnant in the past three years, as reported by the escort contractor.\r\n1 January to 31 December 2013\r\n20\r\n1 January to 31 December 2014\r\n51\r\n1 January to 27 July 2015\r\n16\r\nWhenever it is made known to the service provider that a pregnant woman requires to be escorted to hospital, there is a presumption against the use of handcuffs unless a risk assessment indicates otherwise.\r\nThe service provider reports that none of these individuals were handcuffed at hospital.","AnswerDate":"2015-08-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-08-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304943,"EventID":"S4W-26672","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4080,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-07-14T15:17:12.787","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-07-14T10:24:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many hospital appointments have been (a) delayed and (b) cancelled in each of three years due to problems with the provision of prisoner and custody escort services.","AnswerText":"I have asked Colin McConnell, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service, to respond. His response is as follows:\r\nThe court custody and prisoner escorting in Scotland (CCPES) contract provides escorting services for prisoners aged 16 and above. This answer refers to this contract only.\r\nThe following table sets out the number of occasions where establishments have reported that hospital appointments have been delayed or cancelled due to problems relating to the CCPES contract.\r\n\r\nDelayed\r\nCancelled\r\n2013-14\r\n6\r\n11\r\n2014-15\r\n14\r\n39\r\n2015-16 to 30 June\r\n5\r\n11\r\nTotal\r\n25\r\n61\r\nThe CCPES contract is a self-reporting contract with the service provider providing a business report on a monthly basis. This report identifies failures in performance where hospital appointments have been delayed or cancelled. The contract contains a variety of performance measures which are applied when the contract requirements are not met. Each of these delayed or cancelled appointments were reviewed by the escort monitor team to ensure that the relevant performance measures were applied.","AnswerDate":"2015-08-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-08-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304944,"EventID":"S4W-26675","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4080,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-07-14T15:17:13.41","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-07-14T10:24:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many times in each of the last three years details about a person's security arrangements and requirements have not been provided by the Scottish Prison Service to prisoner and custody escort services prior to their transportation.","AnswerText":"I have asked Colin McConnell, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service (SPS), to respond. His response is as follows:\r\nThe court custody and prisoner escorting in Scotland (CCPES) contract provides escorting services for prisoners aged 16 and above. This answer refers to this contract only.\r\nAll escorts, other than transfer arrangements relating to community placements and home leaves, require a prisoner escort record (PER) to be completed. The PER records information to inform risk which is passed to the service provider to inform their risk assessment to undertake the escort at the time of transfer of responsibility. \r\nSPS is not aware of any occasion when the required information was not made available. ","AnswerDate":"2015-08-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-08-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304945,"EventID":"S4W-26676","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4080,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-07-14T15:17:14.067","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-07-14T10:24:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether adapted prisoner and custody escort vehicles are always used for (a) disabled, (b) claustrophobic, (c) pregnant and (d) child detainees.","AnswerText":"I have asked Colin McConnell, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service, to respond. His response is as follows:\r\nThe court custody and prisoner escorting in Scotland contract provides escorting services for prisoners aged 16 and above. \r\nUnder the terms of the contract, the vehicle fleet must be sufficiently flexible to cover the range of care or specific needs of individual prisoners (both adults and children). This includes: those with mobility issues or in wheelchairs, as well as those with mental health issues or have a requirement for mother and baby escorts. As long as specific information is either available, or has been personally disclosed, the needs of each person are assessed, and the most suitable vehicle then allocated. \r\nFor example, multi-purpose vehicles are available, which have been purpose built with additional wheel chair access, to be utilised by all prisoners when appropriate. Furthermore, G4S have, on occasion, hired vehicles, including a purpose build ambulance, to escort prisoners in the most appropriate way to meet their needs. ","AnswerDate":"2015-08-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-08-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304946,"EventID":"S4W-26677","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4080,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-07-14T15:17:14.767","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-07-14T10:24:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what percentage of prisoner and custody escort vehicles has seatbelts, and what research has been undertaken on whether there is appropriate provision.","AnswerText":"I have asked Colin McConnell, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service, to respond. His response is as follows:\r\nThe court custody and prisoner escorting in Scotland contract provides escorting services for prisoners aged 16 and above. This answer refers to this contract only.\r\nAll vehicles used for the provision of these services are fitted with seatbelts.","AnswerDate":"2015-08-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-08-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304947,"EventID":"S4W-26678","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4080,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-07-14T15:17:15.483","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-07-14T10:24:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether people being transported by prisoner and custody escort services are offered (a) food, (b) drink, and (c) toilet breaks, and whether these are provided on all journeys.","AnswerText":"I have asked Colin McConnell, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service (SPS), to respond. His response is as follows:\r\nThe court custody and prisoner escorting in Scotland contract provides escorting services for prisoners aged 16 and above. \r\nThe service provider has a responsibility to ensure the safety, welfare and dignity of those people being escorted. The contract requires appropriate meal provision for prisoners which addresses the needs of those with special dietary requirements. The service provider must also ensure that the supply of water is available at regular intervals and is appropriate to the length of time that the prisoner spends in their care. As a minimum, an offer of drinking water should be made to each prisoner at least every 2.5 hours or otherwise as reasonably requested by the prisoner.\r\nThere is also a contractual obligation for in-transit toilet and comfort breaks to take place. G4S also have agreements in place with police offices (in England and Scotland) and SPS establishments to allow prisoner access for the purpose of comfort breaks.\r\nWhile the provision for food, drink and toilet breaks is available, they will not routinely be provided during short journeys, such as from prison or police custody unit to the local court. \r\nTo ensure that the contract requirements are being met, the escort monitor team carries out a number of on-site audits at courts, G4S vehicle bases and vehicles as part of their annual assurance plan. This in-depth audit includes reviewing G4S toilet breaks, food and water provision. Failure to provide services is formally reported to G4S managers at that time and may attract applicable performance measures. \r\nIf prisoners are unhappy about the service they have received, they are able to make complaints directly to G4S with G4S complaint forms available at court and within prisons. Prisoners are also able to raise complaints via the SPS complaint process. Similar to SPS complaints, any unresolved complaints can be sent to the Scottish Public Services Ombudsman.","AnswerDate":"2015-08-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-08-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304948,"EventID":"S4W-26679","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4080,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-07-14T15:17:16.187","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-07-14T10:24:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many self-harm incidents have been recorded during prisoner escort and custody journeys in each of the last three years.","AnswerText":"I have asked Colin McConnell, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service, to respond. His response is as follows:\r\nThe court custody and prisoner escorting in Scotland contract provides escorting services for prisoners aged 16 and above. \r\nThe following table sets out the self-harm incidents confirmed by the escort monitor in this period.\r\n\r\nSelf-harm\r\n2013-14\r\n11\r\n2014-15\r\n14\r\n2015-16 to 30 June\r\n3\r\nTotal\r\n28\r\nSelf-harm is defined in the contract as ‘Any incident of deliberate self-harm by a prisoner which results in a need for medical attention or on-going medical care which is beyond first aid.’","AnswerDate":"2015-08-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-08-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304949,"EventID":"S4W-26680","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4080,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-07-14T15:17:16.937","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-07-14T10:24:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many complaints have been made about prisoner and custody escort services in each of the last three years, and how prisoners access information about how to make a complaint.","AnswerText":"I have asked Colin McConnell, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service (SPS), to respond. His response is as follows:\r\nThe court custody and prisoner escorting in Scotland contract provides escorting services for prisoners aged 16 and above.\r\nThe following table sets out the total number of complaints by prisoners in each of the last three years.\r\n\r\nPrisoner Complaints\r\n2013-14\r\n98\r\n2014-15\r\n118\r\n2015-16 to 30 June\r\n35\r\nTotal\r\n251\r\nBoth the SPS and the service provider have well established complaints procedures for prisoners to utilise. \r\nThe service provider’s complaints procedure for any prisoner complaints requires prominently displayed posters at each location where the service provider operates, which informs anyone who wishes to make a complaint, of the process, timescales and how to obtain further information and documentation. The service provider’s compliance team send complaint responses to escort monitors and complaint responses are further reviewed at the mid-monthly performance management meeting.\r\nIf the complainant is unhappy with the response to a complaint, they can pursue their complaint through the Scottish Public Services Ombudsman.\r\nPrisoners may also raise complaints in relation to the escort service provider through the SPS complaint process.","AnswerDate":"2015-08-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-08-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304950,"EventID":"S4W-26681","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4080,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-07-14T15:17:17.67","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-07-14T10:24:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether children using the prisoner and custody escort service are always asked about their experience on arrival.","AnswerText":"Currently, children and young people who are sentenced to detention through court and transported by the escort services are not asked about their experiences on arrival.\r\n\r\nThe escort services contract contains a provision to ensure that an effective complaints procedure is in place, that both children and young people are made aware of it, understand it and have easy access to it. There have been no such complaints received since the commencement of this contract.","AnswerDate":"2015-08-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-08-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304951,"EventID":"S4W-26682","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4080,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-07-14T15:17:18.357","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-07-14T10:24:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when prisoners are given information regarding where an escorted journey is transporting them to.","AnswerText":"I have asked Colin McConnell, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service, to respond. His response is as follows:\r\nThe court custody and prisoner escorting in Scotland contract provides escorting services for prisoners aged 16 and above. This answer refers to this contract only. \r\nPrisoners are routinely advised at least the day prior to the escort unless security or operational risk assessments dictate otherwise.","AnswerDate":"2015-08-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-08-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304952,"EventID":"S4W-26683","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4080,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-07-14T15:17:19.01","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-07-14T10:24:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether detainees attending court on consecutive days are able to exercise.","AnswerText":"I have asked Colin McConnell, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service, to respond. His response is as follows:\r\n\r\nAll prisons provide prisoners with the opportunity to exercise and spend time in the open air. Where a prisoner is attending court or a hospital appointment or outside the prison for any matter, this may impact on their ability to participate fully in the regime that is in place.","AnswerDate":"2015-08-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-08-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304953,"EventID":"S4W-26684","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4080,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-07-14T15:17:19.727","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-07-14T10:24:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how Police Scotland conducts its Public Consultation Survey.","AnswerText":"Each year, Police Scotland undertake a survey to seek the views of members of the public on what the local policing priorities for their area should be. Last year, over 43000 people were surveyed through face to face interviews. These were undertaken by local officers, within each of Police Scotland’s 14 divisions, carrying out a number proportionate to the local population.","AnswerDate":"2015-08-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-08-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304954,"EventID":"S4W-26685","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4080,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-07-14T15:17:20.46","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-07-14T10:24:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how Police Scotland plans to enhance the capability of the Scottish Safety Camera Programme.","AnswerText":"Following the Review of the Scottish Safety Camera Programme, capability of the Programme will be enhanced through greater deployment flexibility and improved operational effectiveness. Any efficiencies from structural savings will be reinvested into frontline enforcement activity, maximising resource and the Programme’s collision reduction potential.\r\nThe delivery of the Programme is the responsibility of Police Scotland and the relevant safety camera units. For further information on how Police Scotland plan to enhance the capability of the Programme, questions should be directed to Police Scotland.\r\n\r\n\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-07-31T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-08-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304955,"EventID":"S4W-26686","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4080,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-07-14T15:17:21.333","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-07-14T10:24:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how Police Scotland’s national prostitution strategy will prevent harm; whether it will aim to ensure a standard national approach to dealing with prostitution; who will be consulted prior to its introduction, and when it will be published.","AnswerText":"The content and timing of publication of Police Scotland’s national prostitution strategy is a matter for Police Scotland. \r\n\r\nWe have been advised by Police Scotland that they are currently in the process of developing a prostitution policy, supported by an operational toolkit, which aims to deliver a consistent approach in relation to men and woman involved in prostitution with the key objectives of protecting individuals from the threat, risk and harm of exploitation while pursuing and disrupting individuals and organised crime groups who abuse, exploit and control. The overarching principle of the policy is one of harm reduction.\r\nIn development of the policy, Police Scotland has engaged with a wide range of partners and stakeholders including the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service, Woman’s Support Project, Scotpep, The Trafficking Awareness Raising Alliance, Routes Out, NHS Ending Violence and Abuse Services and SACRO.","AnswerDate":"2015-08-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-08-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304956,"EventID":"S4W-26687","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5556,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":111,"ApprovedDate":"2015-07-14T15:17:21.99","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-07-14T10:40:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many injuries were sustained in nurseries in 2014-15 as a result of woodwork activities.","AnswerText":"The Care Inspectorate is the body responsible for inspecting standards of care in Scotland, including day care of children services. This includes ensuring that nurseries provide safe environments for young children, particularly where there are opportunities to play using materials which could pose risk, as in the case of woodwork.\r\nThe Care Inspectorate do not collect data specifically on numbers of injuries sustained through woodwork play, although all individual early learning and childcare settings are required to maintain their own records of any accidents and incidents. The Care Inspectorate investigate any cases where concerns have been raised by parents and take action where needed.\r\nThe Care Inspectorate is clear that they would consider woodwork to be an appropriate activity which can provide a positive learning experience for pre-school children, but that safeguards require to be in place: for example, it is important that children undertaking this activity are more closely supervised than for other, less risky activities, and that a suitable range of child-sized woodwork is provided.","AnswerDate":"2015-08-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-08-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fiona McLeod","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304957,"EventID":"S4W-26688","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5556,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":111,"ApprovedDate":"2015-07-14T15:17:22.397","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-07-14T10:40:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government for what reason there are no Scotland-wide regulations in relation to woodwork activities in nurseries.","AnswerText":"There are no Scotland-wide regulations in relation to woodwork activities in nurseries. The Care Inspectorate, as the body responsible for inspecting standards of care in Scotland, including day care of children services, have a remit to ensure that nurseries provide safe environments for young children, particularly where there are opportunities to play using materials which could pose risk, as in the case of woodwork. The Care Inspectorate is clear that they would consider woodwork to be an appropriate activity which can provide a positive learning experience for pre-school children, but that safeguards require to be in place: for example, it is important that children undertaking this activity are more closely supervised than for other, less risky activities, and that a suitable range of child-sized woodwork is provided.\r\n\r\nNational guidance materials for supporting young children’s learning, particularly the early level of curriculum for excellence, Pre-Birth to Three guidance and the Building the Ambition national practice guidance all make clear the benefits to children of working with different materials and tools, and of having the opportunity to engage in risky play.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-08-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-08-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fiona McLeod","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304958,"EventID":"S4W-26689","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4080,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-07-14T15:17:22.787","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-07-14T11:07:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many prisoner and custody escort vehicles have been involved in road traffic accidents during escort journeys in each of the last three years.","AnswerText":"I have asked Colin McConnell, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service (SPS), to respond. His response is as follows:\r\nThe court custody and prisoner escorting in Scotland contract includes escorting services for prisoners aged 16 and above. This answer refers to this contract only. \r\nThe following table sets out the number of reported accidents.\r\n\r\nAccident\r\n2013-14\r\n61\r\n2014-15\r\n63\r\n2015 to 16 July 2015\r\n17\r\nTotal\r\n141\r\nThe road traffic accidents shown in the table include all incidents of accident or vehicular (non-breakdown) damage reported to SPS by G4S. This will include collisions between vehicles as well as minor damage caused by single-vehicle incidents (e.g. clipping a bollard).","AnswerDate":"2015-08-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-08-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304959,"EventID":"S4W-26690","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4080,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-07-14T15:17:23.253","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-07-14T11:07:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many times in each of the last three years prisoners have spent time in police custody instead of prison due to (a) delays in escort services, (b) late court appearances, (c) being locked out of prison and (d) other reasons, also broken down by the length of stay in police custody.","AnswerText":"I have asked Colin McConnell, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service, to respond. His response is as follows:\r\nThe court custody and prisoner escorting in Scotland contract provides escorting services for prisoners aged 16 and above.  This information is not readily available. \r\nWhile the escort contractor is required to arrive at court by a set time, there is no deadline for escorting people from police custody. It is therefore not possible to calculate any additional time when prisoners are kept in police custody.\r\nWithin the contract, the escort contractor has two hours from receipt of legal detention paperwork for a person going to prison to leave court. On the occasion where a custody court runs late, the day after a bank holiday for example, prisoners are escorted to prison regardless of what time they will arrive. \r\nUnlike England and Wales, prisoners in Scotland do not spend time in Police custody due to being ‘locked out’ of prison. This is because prisoners can be admitted to prison custody at any time during the day or the night. While admissions after a prison’s ‘normal’ lock-up times are the exception, they do occur. For example, on one occasion, a prisoner was admitted to HMP Grampian at midnight. ","AnswerDate":"2015-08-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-08-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304960,"EventID":"S4W-26691","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1893,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-07-14T15:17:23.707","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-07-14T12:09:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether the First Minister or any other minister would meet the Dalai Lama in an official capacity if he visited Scotland again.","AnswerText":"Scottish Government Ministers consider invitations for meetings as and when they are received.","AnswerDate":"2015-08-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-08-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fiona Hyslop","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304961,"EventID":"S4W-26692","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1893,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-07-14T15:17:24.113","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-07-14T12:09:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to review the role of the Confucius Institute for Scotland and Confucius Classrooms in Scotland.","AnswerText":"Confucius Institutes in Scotland, other than the Confucius Institute for Scotland’s Schools (CISS) at the University of Strathclyde, are independent and do not receive any funding from the Scottish Government. It is the decision of the university which hosts these independent institutes whether or not to review their role.\r\nCISS is in receipt of Scottish Government funding to carry out their functions in supporting the teaching of Chinese language and culture across Scotland, including providing opportunities for young people and teachers to undergo intensive language learning in China. All of this work contributes to the implementation of the 1+2 languages policy and to the targets of the government’s China Plan.\r\nThe Scottish Government has no plans to review the role of CISS, however officials continue to discuss with them future options available. It remains important that local authorities and businesses also show their commitment to, and support of, Chinese language learning including the expansion of intensive language courses of tuition.","AnswerDate":"2015-07-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-08-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alasdair Allan","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304962,"EventID":"S4W-26693","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-07-14T15:17:24.517","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-07-14T13:43:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many people (a) up to and (b) over 18 years of age have been discharged from psychiatric hospitals with a principal diagnosis of learning disability in each year since 2010, broken down by NHS board.","AnswerText":"Information on psychiatric inpatients and day case discharges is recorded in Scottish morbidity record 04 (SMR04). Data on SMR04 is routinely published by financial year and 2013-14 is the latest year for which information is available.\r\nDue to the small number of patients, an NHS board breakdown is not possible for those aged 17 or under.\r\nTable 1: The number of patients aged 18 or over1 discharged from psychiatric hospitals in Scotland2,3, with a main diagnosis of learning disability4,5, 2010-11 to 2013-14, by NHS board of treatment6,7,8.\r\nNHS board of treatment\r\n2010-11\r\n2011-12\r\n2012-13\r\n2013-14\r\nAyrshire and Arran\r\n29\r\n27\r\n29\r\n38\r\nBorders\r\n*\r\n7\r\n8\r\n*\r\nDumfries and Galloway\r\n25\r\n22\r\n20\r\n19\r\nFife\r\n*\r\n32\r\n31\r\n28\r\nForth Valley\r\n18\r\n18\r\n29\r\n26\r\nGrampian\r\n20\r\n22\r\n37\r\n24\r\nGreater Glasgow and Clyde\r\n53\r\n39\r\n68\r\n49\r\nHighland\r\n14\r\n7\r\n14\r\n*\r\nLanarkshire\r\n15\r\n23\r\n19\r\n18\r\nLothian\r\n47\r\n44\r\n50\r\n42\r\nTayside\r\n52\r\n43\r\n40\r\n39\r\nWestern Isles\r\n*\r\n0\r\n0\r\n*\r\nScotland\r\n288\r\n284\r\n345\r\n303\r\nTable 2: The number of patients aged 17 or under1 discharged from psychiatric hospitals in Scotland2,3, with a main diagnosis of learning disability4,5, 2010-11 to 2013-14, Scotland total.\r\n\r\n2010-11\r\n2011-12\r\n2012-13\r\n2013-14\r\nScotland\r\n72\r\n69\r\n63\r\n63\r\n\r\n* Indicates values that have been suppressed due to the potential risk of disclosure.\r\n1. Age on discharge from facility.\r\n2. Psychiatric inpatient and day case activity is recorded in Scottish morbidity record 04 (SMR04).\r\n3. Data from the State Hospital (Carstairs) have been excluded.\r\n4. In order to define learning disability the following ICD-10 codes have been used – F70-F89. The SMR04 dataset has space to record a main discharge diagnosis and up to five secondary discharge diagnoses, this analysis looks at the main diagnosis position only. For SMR04 records, diagnosis is recorded on admission and discharge. For this analysis, only diagnosis on discharge has been used.\r\n5. Some board areas record admissions for respite care as SMR04 returns whereas others do not. This is due to differences in models of service delivery.\r\n6. Where the data was assigned to a non-NHS provider, patients were allocated to an NHS board based on the location of the facility they were treated in.\r\n7. Orkney and Shetland are not included in the table as there are no SMR04 hospitals in these NHS boards.\r\n8. Patients are only counted once in each year under the first NHS board in which they were discharged.","AnswerDate":"2015-08-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-08-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304963,"EventID":"S4W-26694","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-07-14T15:17:25.063","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-07-14T13:43:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what provisions there are for people with learning disabilities to be treated in the community.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is committed to improving the lives of people with learning disabilities, their families and carers through the implementation of The keys to life in Scotland. The focus of the keys to life strategy is to reduce the significant health and social inequalities faced by people who have learning disabilities. Specifically the strategy aims to reduce the significant health inequalities and early mortality of the population.\r\nPeople with learning disabilities are supported by a wide range of multi disciplinary health and social care professionals in the community.\r\nIn addition to the full service of primary care offering treatments there are also further levels of specialist care such as community dentistry for those who require a more protected environment. Other specialist services include a range of clinical provisions from the community learning disability specialist teams which provide nursing, speech and language therapy, psychology, psychological therapies, psychiatry, occupational and physiotherapy services.\r\nOther initiatives aim to address new challenges facing learning disability services such as dementia services as the learning disability population is now mainly older than previously experienced by health and social care services.","AnswerDate":"2015-08-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-08-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304964,"EventID":"S4W-26695","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-07-14T15:17:25.563","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-07-14T13:43:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many mental health inpatients there have been in each year since 2010, broken down by (a) age and (b) gender.","AnswerText":"Data on the age and gender of inpatients in psychiatric hospitals and on discharges from psychiatric hospitals is published by Information Services Division. The publication is available at http://www.isdscotland.org/Health-Topics/Mental-Health/Publications/data-tables.asp?id=1390#1390.\r\n\r\nOn 30 June 2015 we published an overview of the results of the first Mental Health and Learning Disability Inpatient Bed Census, carried out by the Scottish Government and NHS boards as at midnight, 29 October 2014, which delivers Commitment 26 of the Mental Health Strategy: 2012 to 2015. The data from the census will be used by NHS boards and partners to inform future service design:\r\nhttp://www.gov.scot/Publications/2015/06/7555.","AnswerDate":"2015-08-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-08-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304965,"EventID":"S4W-26696","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2678,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-07-14T15:17:26.047","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-07-14T13:50:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what sentencing targets there are for offenders with a history of mental illness.","AnswerText":"In any given case, sentencing decisions are a matter for the court based on the facts and circumstances of each case in line with the overall legal framework. There are no sentencing targets for judges including in relation to how different categories of offenders should be treated when sentencing.\r\n\r\nOne of the disposals available to Scottish courts is the Community Payback Order, which ensures offenders pay back to the community, whilst also addressing the underlying causes of their offending behaviour. This can include providing support for mental health issues.","AnswerDate":"2015-08-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-08-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304966,"EventID":"S4W-26697","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2678,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-07-14T15:17:26.513","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-07-14T13:50:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with NHS boards regarding mental health policy in prisons.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government established the National Prisoner Healthcare Network to take forward work on mental health policy in prisons. The Network has representation from NHS boards. The Scottish Government will consider the recommendations from the Network’s implementation report which is due to be published for wider consultation on 6 August 2015.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-08-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-08-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304967,"EventID":"S4W-26698","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2678,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-07-14T15:17:26.95","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-07-14T13:50:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it monitors the mental health of prisoners, particularly those whose mental health conditions were a contributory factor in their offending.","AnswerText":"The health care of prisoners transferred to the NHS as of November 2011. As part of this transition, all prisoner health care records and mental health service management information also transferred from Scottish Prison Service to NHSScotland. In terms of mental health care and treatment the Scottish Government is responsible for setting the overall policy direction of mental health services, and for working with and funding NHS boards and local authorities to ensure they plan and deliver appropriate local services. It is for local NHS boards to decide how they implement these policies to ensure that their local population have the highest quality care and treatment.\r\nSpecifically in relation to the mental health of prisoners, the National Prisoner Healthcare Network has a strategic and national coordinating role to support the delivery of high quality, safe, effective and consistent services to prisoners in a national Scottish Prison Service. This network has commissioned specific work streams on mental health and substance misuse to ensure that national policies and protocols are used and to ensure that resources are used effectively. Membership of the group includes the Scottish Government, NHS boards including the State Hospital and the Scottish Prison Service.","AnswerDate":"2015-08-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-08-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304968,"EventID":"S4W-26699","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2678,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-07-14T15:17:27.42","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-07-14T13:50:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will ensure that NHS boards with a prison in their area include data on mental health provision in that prison in their annual report as responsibility for the physical and mental health of prisoners was transferred from the Scottish Prison Service to NHS boards by the Criminal Justice and Licensing (Scotland) Act 2010.","AnswerText":"The health care of prisoners transferred to the NHS as of November 2011. As part of this transition all prisoner health care records and mental health service management information also transferred from Scottish Prison Services to NHSScotland. Health boards are expected to undertake the assessment of healthcare needs in the prisons in their areas, prioritise them, and address them over time, as they would do for other services in the community. We would expect boards to be transparent about any data they have used to materially inform their \r\ndecision-making.","AnswerDate":"2015-08-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-08-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304969,"EventID":"S4W-26700","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4080,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-07-14T15:17:27.87","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-07-14T14:06:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many times in each of the last three years prisoner and custody escort services have handcuffed detainees during (a) a journey and (b) embarkation or disembarkation.","AnswerText":"I have asked Colin McConnell, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service, to respond. His response is as follows:\r\n\r\nThe court custody and prisoner escorting in Scotland contract provides escorting services for prisoners aged 16 and above.\r\nPrisoners are not handcuffed during journeys on cellular vehicles. Currently, all prisoners are handcuffed during embarkation and disembarkation.","AnswerDate":"2015-08-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-08-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304970,"EventID":"S4W-26701","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-07-14T15:17:28.323","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-07-14T14:35:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it will publish the diary engagements for the Minister for External Affairs and International Development for 6 December 2012.","AnswerText":"All ministerial engagements are proactively published and updated on the Scottish Government website. Engagements for the Minister for External Affairs and International Development for the period including 6 December 2012 can be found at http://www.gov.scot/Resource/0043/00437448.pdf","AnswerDate":"2015-08-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-08-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304983,"EventID":"S4W-26702","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-07-15T15:14:44.67","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-07-14T15:58:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much has been spent on A&E locum staff in each year since 2010, broken down by NHS board.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-26703 on 4 August 2015. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-08-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-08-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304984,"EventID":"S4W-26703","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-07-15T15:14:45.187","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-07-14T15:58:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many hours have been filled by A&E locum staff in each year since 2010, broken down by NHS board.","AnswerText":"Information on how many hours have been filled by A&E locum staff in each year since 2010 is not held centrally.\r\nHowever, we currently have the highest medical staffing levels ever. Under this government, the number of consultant medical staff working in NHSScotland has increased by a record 37.5%. A&E has seen an unprecedented increase of 171.7% in consultant staff.\r\nThe Scottish Government is also working with doctors and nurses to design the new emergency workload planning tool to be rolled out later in 2015. This will help NHS boards ensure they have appropriate staffing levels in place to meet variable workload demands.\r\nThis investment in emergency medical staff was recognised in March 2015 by Dr Martin McKechnie, Vice President of the Royal College of Emergency Medicine Scotland, who stated: “The College welcomes the support the Scottish Government has given to increasing staffing and tackling crowding in our A&Es.” (Royal College of Emergency Medicine release, 24 March)","AnswerDate":"2015-08-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-08-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304985,"EventID":"S4W-26704","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-07-15T15:14:45.653","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-07-14T15:58:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many locum A&E consultants have been used to fill shifts in emergency departments in each year since 2010, broken down by NHS board. ","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-26703 on 4 August 2015. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-08-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-08-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304986,"EventID":"S4W-26705","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2015-07-15T15:14:46.107","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-07-14T18:47:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much is being allocated to each area being supported by the Attainment Scotland Fund and what the focus is of each area's local improvement plan.","AnswerText":"The following initial funding has been allocated to the seven local authorities identified as first to benefit from the Attainment Scotland Fund:\r\nGlasgow – £3,030,000\r\nNorth Lanarkshire – £2,241,000\r\nInverclyde – £592,000\r\nClackmannanshire – £718,109\r\nWest Dunbartonshire – £1,024,000\r\nNorth Ayrshire – £1,965,000\r\nDundee – £2,145,000\r\nThese authorities have developed improvement plans to narrow the attainment gap, with a specific focus on literacy, numeracy and health and wellbeing.","AnswerDate":"2015-08-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-08-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304987,"EventID":"S4W-26706","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2015-07-15T15:14:46.84","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-07-14T18:47:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question SW4-25723 by Alex Neil on 3 June 2015 and its news release of 9 June 2015, Scottish Government signals planning modernisation, what particular areas it proposes to reform and what evidence base will inform the proposals.","AnswerText":"The scope of the review is currently being considered but it is likely to include development planning and housing delivery. The details of how the review will be carried out, the evidence base and opportunities for stakeholder involvement will all be confirmed in due course.","AnswerDate":"2015-08-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-08-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304988,"EventID":"S4W-26707","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2876,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-07-15T15:14:47.667","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-07-15T09:34:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much it has invested in early years (a) projects and (b) services since 2011 through the (i) Early Years Change Fund and (ii) public-social partnerships. ","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-26719 on 10 August 2015. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.","AnswerDate":"2015-08-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-08-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fiona McLeod","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304989,"EventID":"S4W-26708","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2135,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":92,"ApprovedDate":"2015-07-15T15:14:48.43","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-07-15T10:32:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what (a) investment it is making and (b) encouragement it is giving toward innovation in the (i) growing of scallops through farming or ranching, (ii) collection of scallops by remote operated vehicles and (iii) new methods of fishing for scallops, including from deep waters. ","AnswerText":"The aquaculture industry supports employment and the economic wellbeing of many fragile rural communities across Scotland. The Scottish Shellfish Farm Production Survey 2014 shows that there has been a decrease in queen scallop production (45%) but an increase in scallop production (20%) from registered scallop farming sites during 2014. Both these sectors continue to target small niche markets. The ministerial group for sustainable aquaculture (MGSA) has been established to support Scotland’s aquaculture industry to achieve sustainable growth targets, with due regard to the marine environment, by 2020. The shellfish working group is one of seven working groups under MGSA. The group has a published programme of work including the development of an industry lead plan to identify potential future growth and highlight constraints, opportunities and requirements http://www.gov.scot/Topics/marine/Fish-Shellfish/MGSA/Shellfishwg.\r\nWe are not aware of any direct Scottish Government investment in technology to facilitate the collection of scallops by remote operated vehicles. However, Seafish the body set up by the fisheries act 1981 to improve efficacy and raise standards across the seafood industry, has previously researched the potential of an autonomous scallop harvesting platform. A copy of the report can be found here: http://www.seafish.org/media/Publications/10413_Shellfishharvestingplatform.pdf\r\nWith regards to new methods of fishing for scallops, the Scottish Government has supported initiatives to encourage the development of dredge design such as a competition run in 2009 to develop a new form of scallop dredge. Seafish has researched scallop gear for both king and queen scallops which can be found on their website: http://www.seafish.org/.","AnswerDate":"2015-08-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-08-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Richard Lochhead","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304990,"EventID":"S4W-26709","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2135,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":92,"ApprovedDate":"2015-07-15T15:14:48.913","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-07-15T10:33:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what progress is being made with the work of inshore fisheries groups (IFG) and what action the IFG for the Argyll and Clyde waters is taking to help the industry in that area. ","AnswerText":"The inshore fisheries groups (IFGs) are continuing to consider local inshore fisheries management issues while also engaging with national bodies and initiatives including inshore fisheries management and conservation group (IFMAC). The process of establishing Scottish marine region marine planning partnerships has seen the Clyde region as one of the first two formal areas to be designated. The south west inshore fisheries group (SWIFG) with a region including the Clyde and Argyll areas has engaged with this process through the chair. The Clyde 2020 initiative is also being supported through attendance at meetings. In terms of practical implementation the SWIFG has established Mull, Ayrshire and Solway sub groups which have undertaken trials such as the use of escape panels in creels, tail notching of lobster and participating in fisheries data gathering. The IFG process is currently the subject of an independent review to determine how inshore fishery management initiatives involving local fishermen and communities can be best represented by the IFGs within the wider marine planning framework created by the Scottish National Marine Plan. The findings were discussed with industry at the IFMAC meeting on 18 August 2015.","AnswerDate":"2015-08-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-08-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Richard Lochhead","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304991,"EventID":"S4W-26710","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2135,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":92,"ApprovedDate":"2015-07-15T15:14:49.523","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-07-15T10:36:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the possible increase in the use of static gear because of the restrictions on mobile gear that are likely to be imposed by changes to the current designation of marine protected areas.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government announced 11 June 2015 management measures to be applied to the 16 sites in the first tranche of Scotland’s network of Marine Protected Areas. The intention is to create a coherent network of protected sites that will both protect vulnerable species and habitats and ensure there is space for fishing to continue – including trawling and dredging. For those designated sites that exclude mobile activity Marine Scotland will undertake careful on-going monitoring to establish if there is any increase in static activity and if there is a potential negative impact shellfish stocks.","AnswerDate":"2015-08-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-08-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Richard Lochhead","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304992,"EventID":"S4W-26711","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2135,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":92,"ApprovedDate":"2015-07-15T15:14:50.02","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-07-15T10:38:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many incidents were reported to Marine Scotland in each of the last five years because of disputes between the users of static and mobile fishing gear, and how many led to (a) legal action, broken down by the number of times the complaints upheld and (b) prosecution, broken down by the number of convictions.","AnswerText":"Deliberate gear conflict is a common law offence, better understood as vandalism or theft, and is therefore a matter for Police Scotland to investigate. Marine Scotland compliance has no enforcement remit where fishing gear has been damaged or towed away. It therefore follows that any subsequent legal action leading to prosecutions or convictions are matters for the crown office and procurator fiscal service (COPFS) and Scottish court service (SCS) respectively. The following table details the instances of alleged gear conflict reported to Marine Scotland compliance in each of the calendar years: \r\nYear\r\nNo of instances of gear conflict reported\r\n2015\r\n74 (up to 17 July 2015)\r\n2014\r\n104\r\n2013\r\n52\r\n2012\r\n62\r\n2011\r\n24\r\nAlthough the overwhelming majority of fishermen, whether static or mobile, manage to co-operate well on a daily basis sharing fishing areas when targeting the same species without conflict. However, the Scottish Government has recognised that where gear conflict occurs it can have a significant effect on individual fishermen. We sought views on gear conflict for a new policy direction and the report of that consultation will be available later this year.","AnswerDate":"2015-08-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-08-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Richard Lochhead","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304993,"EventID":"S4W-26712","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2135,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":92,"ApprovedDate":"2015-07-15T15:14:50.567","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-07-15T10:39:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what scientific information it has on the status of stocks of velvet crab, and how many landings of the species have been recorded in each of the last five years.","AnswerText":"Marine Scotland science assesses velvet crab stocks using official landings data, size composition data collected as part of its market sampling programme and other biological parameters. Using these data it is possible to estimate stock status in terms of fishing mortality relative to a proxy for Fmsy – Fmsy being the fishing mortality which maximises the average long-term yield from a stock under prevailing environmental conditions. When a stock is fished above Fmsy, it is often advised that measures be introduced to reduce fishing mortality to achieve a higher average yield and biomass in the long term. Marine Scotland science has sufficient data to provide assessments in six of the 12 assessment areas (Table 1 below). These six areas account for around 90% of total Scottish landings of velvet crabs. Stock assessments are conducted for males and females separately. Stock status may differ between sexes and assessment areas. For the Shetland assessment area the fishery is currently fished below Fmsy for both males and females. In the Hebrides and South Minch one of the sexes is assessed as being fished above Fmsy. For the remaining three assessment areas both species are assessed as being fished above Fmsy.\r\nYear\r\nTonnage landed into Scotland\r\n2010\r\n2,518\r\n2011\r\n2,193\r\n2012\r\n2,032\r\n2013\r\n1,574\r\n2014 (P)\r\n1,643\r\nTable 1 – Tonnage of velvet crabs landed into Scotland 2010 – 2014. Landings data for 2014 are provisional. It is worth of note that from May 2015 a larger minimum landings size for velvet crabs has been introduced for the Outer Hebrides. A consultation has also recently closed on introducing an increased minimum landing size for the Orkney Isles. Increasing the minimum landing size of shellfish should allow animals more time to breed before becoming legally harvestable.","AnswerDate":"2015-08-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-08-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Richard Lochhead","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304994,"EventID":"S4W-26713","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2135,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":92,"ApprovedDate":"2015-07-15T15:14:51.27","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-07-15T10:40:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action Marine Scotland is taking to develop a creel management plan for areas in which there (a) has been, or might be, disputes between the users of static and mobile fishing gear and (b) is an expectation of increased pressure on stocks because of an increase use of static gear. ","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government works closely with creel fishermen, fishing associations and inshore fisheries groups to develop local solutions for effective management. A national consultation on a range of creel management and control measures was held in 2012 with the respondents not in favour of national creel limits but were open to considering limits in local areas as part of other measures. A copy of the outcome report is available http://www.gov.scot/Publications/2013/10/1091.\r\nHowever, in response to concerns about increased effort in the creel sector requests for controls were raised at inshore fisheries management and conservation group (IFMAC) on 11 March 2015 a small working group was established to explore potential local management options. The Scottish Government recently held a consultation on measures to tackle gear conflict in inshore waters, the outcome report will be issued at the end of August, early September. The proposals can be accessed here http://www.gov.scot/Publications/2014/11/6562.","AnswerDate":"2015-08-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-08-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Richard Lochhead","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304995,"EventID":"S4W-26714","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2135,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":92,"ApprovedDate":"2015-07-15T15:14:51.737","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-07-15T10:41:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to introduce Twin Otter aircraft for new routes, including between (a) Oban and Barra and (b) Glasgow and Barra via Oban. ","AnswerText":"We have significantly improved the specification on the Glasgow to Campbeltown, Tiree and Barra air services. The Twin Otter aircraft owned by Highlands and Islands Airports will be fully utilised on these services and will not be available for new routes.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-07-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-08-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304996,"EventID":"S4W-26715","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2135,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":92,"ApprovedDate":"2015-07-15T15:14:52.33","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-07-15T10:41:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what recent discussions it has had with (a) Argyll and Bute Council, (b) Hebridean Airways, (c) Highlands and Islands Airports Limited and (d) others regarding increasing the number of routes served from Oban Airport.","AnswerText":"On 6 February 2015 Transport Scotland officials attended a meeting with Argyll and Bute Council and Glasgow Airport to discuss proposals for an Oban to Glasgow air service.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-07-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-08-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304997,"EventID":"S4W-26716","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2015-07-15T15:14:52.987","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-07-15T11:04:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-26169 by Jamie Hepburn on 25 June 2015, when it will announce its decision on how the funding for (a) 2015-16 and (b) 2016-17 will be distributed among the NHS boards, and what freedom each board will have in deciding on how to spend its allocation.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government intends to make an announcement about priorities for the new funding for mental health shortly. That will include details about how funding will be allocated to NHS boards, and other organisations in the public and third sector to deliver better access and shorter waiting times for child and adolescent mental health services, to test new approaches to meeting people’s mental health needs in primary care, to promote mental wellbeing through physical activity and to improve patients’ rights.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-08-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-08-25T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304998,"EventID":"S4W-26717","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2615,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":143,"ApprovedDate":"2015-07-15T15:14:53.733","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-07-15T10:56:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many children will be eligible for 600 hours of childcare from August 2015, and what information it has regarding how this compares with proposals in the Childcare Bill introduced by the UK Government.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-08-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":304999,"EventID":"S4W-26718","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2615,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":143,"ApprovedDate":"2015-07-15T15:14:54.157","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-07-15T10:56:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many P1 to P3 pupils have received free school meals since universal provision was introduced, broken down by local authority area, and what the estimated saving has been for the pupils' families.","AnswerText":"The latest statistics on free school meal uptake were published on 17 June 2015 in the Scottish Government statistics publication - Summary statistics for attainment, leaver destinations and healthy living, No. 5: 2015 Edition. Table 7 in the accompanying supplementary data, provides details of the number of P1-P3 pupils present and taking free school meals on the day of the survey, broken down by local authority, and can be accessed at the following address:\r\n\r\nhttp://www.gov.scot/Topics/Statistics/Browse/School-Education/MealsSD/mealspesd/mealspesd2015\r\nWe estimate the saving for families will be around £380 per child per year.","AnswerDate":"2015-08-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-08-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fiona McLeod","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305000,"EventID":"S4W-26719","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2876,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-07-15T15:14:54.577","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-07-15T12:03:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government which early years (a) projects and (b) services have received support since 2011 through the (i) Early Years Change Fund and (ii) public-social partnerships, also broken down by the (A) amount received, (B) local authority area in which they are based and (C) number of families that have received support.","AnswerText":"i) The Scottish Government's commitment to the £274.25 million Early Years Change Fund is £52.25 million. Since the Early Years Change Fund began in 2012-13, the Scottish Government has invested in the following projects and services:\r\nScottish Government Early Years Change Fund\r\nProgramme\r\n2012-13\r\nto 2014-15\r\n2015-16*\r\nProject or service?\r\nBookbug\r\n£4,500,000\r\n\r\nService\r\nCommunities and Families Fund\r\n£4,500,000\r\n\r\nProjects\r\nCompassionate Connections Training Roll Out\r\n\r\n£135,000\r\nProject\r\nConnecting with Parents Training\r\n\r\n£112,358\r\nProject\r\nEarly Learning and Childcare (Looked after 2 year olds and Vulnerable 2’s)\r\n£4,500,000\r\n\r\nService\r\nEarly Years Collaborative\r\n£3,973,701\r\n£1,910,448\r\nProject\r\nEarly Years Collaborative Key Change Activities\r\n\r\n£294,000\r\nProject\r\nFamily Friendly and Flexible Working support\r\n\r\n£320,000\r\nProject\r\nFamily Friendly Play Campaign\r\n\r\n£350,000\r\nProject\r\nFamily Support and information sources for families and parents\r\n£12,000,000\r\n£1,156,000\r\nService\r\nFathers and Male Carers and the ‘Year of the Dad’\r\n\r\n£394,000\r\nProject\r\nMulti-professional Practice Simulation \r\n£110,000\r\n\r\nProject\r\nOpen School Places Training\r\n£6,000\r\n\r\nProject\r\nParenting Strategy\r\n£150,000\r\n\r\nProject\r\nPeople First (Scotland) support for parents with learning disabilities\r\n\r\n£150,000\r\nProject\r\nPlay - increasing the quality and availability of Play (Go 2 Play and Grounds for Learning)\r\n£3,000,000\r\n\r\nProject\r\nPlayTalkRead (PTR)\r\n£3,000,000\r\n\r\nService\r\nPublic Social Partnerships (see further detail below)\r\n£6,000,000 \r\n£2,678,633 \r\nProjects\r\nRoots of Empathy\r\n£964,179\r\n£347,299\r\nProject\r\nScotland’s Home Safety Equipment Scheme\r\n£265,120\r\n\r\nProject\r\nScottish Business in the Community engagement\r\n\r\n£67,500\r\nProject\r\nSeparated and ‘blended’ families support\r\n\r\n£500,000\r\nService\r\nThe Psychology of Parenting Project\r\n£672,000\r\n\r\nService\r\nThe Solihull Approach Cascade in Scotland\r\n£109,000\r\n£84,762\r\nProject\r\nTotal\r\n£43,750,000\r\n£8,500,000\r\n\r\n*The figures for 2015-16 are estimates at this stage. The funding in 2015-16 is supporting the transition year away from the Early Years Change Fund. \r\nii) Since the Change Fund began, the Scottish Government has supported the following Public Social Partnerships (PSPs), broken down by the amount received, local authority area and the number of referrals:\r\nCurrent PSPs:\r\nLocal Authority\r\n2013-14\r\nto 2014-15\r\n2015-16*\r\nTotal Award\r\nReferrals**\r\nProject or Service\r\nAberdeen City\r\n£450,000\r\n£225,000\r\n£675,000\r\n\r\n42\r\n\r\nProject \r\nAberdeenshire\r\n£250,000\r\n£154,704\r\n£395,704\r\n\r\n45\r\nProject \r\nArgyll and Bute\r\n£150,000\r\n£49,540\r\n£199,540\r\n\r\n75\r\nProject \r\nClackmannanshire\r\n£275,000\r\n£166,958\r\n£441,958\r\n\r\n88\r\nProject \r\nEast Ayrshire\r\n£250,000\r\n£187,098\r\n£437,098\r\n53\r\nProject \r\nEast Lothian\r\n£250,000\r\n£220,448\r\n£470,448\r\n\r\n50\r\nProject \r\nGlasgow City Council\r\n£1,165,000\r\n£764,165\r\n£1,929,165\r\n\r\n451\r\nProject \r\nHighland\r\n£250,000\r\n£220,620\r\n£470,620\r\n\r\n44\r\nProject \r\nInverclyde\r\n£250,000\r\n£194,800\r\n£444,800\r\n\r\n89\r\nProject \r\nNorth Ayrshire\r\n£250,000\r\n£119,282\r\n£369,282\r\n68\r\nProject \r\nPerth and Kinross/Angus\r\n£420,000\r\n£280,018\r\n£700,018\r\n\r\n67\r\nProject \r\nWest Lothian\r\n£200,000\r\n£96,000\r\n£269,000\r\n\r\n49\r\nProject \r\n*The figures for 2015-16 are estimates at this stage. The funding in 2015-16 is supporting the transition year away from the Early Years Change Fund.\r\n**Referral numbers correct to March 2015 and include both individual and wider family referrals. \r\n\r\nClosed PSPs:\r\nLead Partner and Public Body\r\n2013-14\r\nto 2014-15*\r\nReferrals**\r\nProject or Service\r\nDumfries and Galloway\r\n£200,000\r\n94\r\nProject\r\nDundee City\r\n£440,000\r\n75\r\nProject\r\nFalkirk\r\n£225,000\r\n44\r\nProject\r\nMoray Council\r\n£150,000\r\n95\r\nProject\r\nPolmont (Scottish Prison Service)\r\n£250,000\r\n273\r\nProject\r\nRenfrewshire and Engage\r\n£300,000\r\n\r\n24\r\nProject\r\n*Funding for these projects ended in March 2015\r\n**Referral numbers correct to March 2015 and include both individual and wider family referrals.","AnswerDate":"2015-08-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-08-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fiona McLeod","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305001,"EventID":"S4W-26720","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1769,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":75,"ApprovedDate":"2015-07-15T15:14:55.123","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-07-15T12:03:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, when criminal behaviour is reported to a procurator fiscal, who the fiscal's office would correspond with regarding an alleged crime committed by a (a) member of the public, (b) police officer on duty and (c) police officer off duty.","AnswerText":"In relation to reports alleging criminal behaviour by a member of the public or an off duty police officer the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service endeavours to respond to all correspondence it receives within 20 working days and will generally correspond with any individuals or organisations who have a legitimate interest on a case by case basis and in accordance with data protection principles and constraints. However, where the allegation involves a police officer on duty the fiscal’s office would also normally correspond with the Professional Standards Department of Police Scotland and may, in certain circumstances, correspond with the Police Investigations and Review Commissioner.","AnswerDate":"2015-08-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-08-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Frank Mulholland","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305002,"EventID":"S4W-26721","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1769,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":75,"ApprovedDate":"2015-07-15T15:14:55.543","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-07-15T12:03:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether, in relation to the decision on whether to proceed with a case, it is normal practice for a procurator fiscal to correspond with the employer of a member of the public alleged to have committed a crime.","AnswerText":"The procurator fiscal would not routinely correspond with a member of the public’s employer however much depends on the circumstances of the case and there may be situations where this will take place. For instance, the employer may be a victim or a witness and have a legitimate interest to request information from the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service which may give rise to correspondence being issued depending on any data protection issues that arise. The accused may be a regulated worker involved in working with children or other vulnerable groups and the allegations may raise concerns regarding the suitability of that person to be employed in such a situation. In such a situation it may be proportionate and necessary in the public interest to disclose information to the employer having taken into account the interests of the accused, the interests of justice and the protection of the interests of the public.","AnswerDate":"2015-08-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-08-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Frank Mulholland","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305003,"EventID":"S4W-26722","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2015-07-15T15:14:56.01","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-07-15T12:11:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what grant assistance it provides to fund technology that improves the health and productivity of livestock.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government provides grant assistance to improve health and livestock productivity through the following routes:\r\nThe Scottish rural development programme (SRDP), where £45M of funding is available to improve beef efficiency.\r\nThe rural affairs, food and environment strategic research portfolio for 2011 to 2016, where approximately £10.7M will be allocated towards research into animal health, welfare and sustainable production systems in 2015 to 2016.\r\nThe veterinary and advisory services, animal health and welfare programme, which will receive £230k of Scottish Government Grant funding in 2015 to 2016, helping to support the development of the Scottish animal health planning system (SAHPS), which allows for the recording and analysis of data to improve animal health and production.","AnswerDate":"2015-08-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-08-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Richard Lochhead","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305004,"EventID":"S4W-26723","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4014,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-07-15T15:14:56.573","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-07-15T12:38:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many out-of-hours GP services have been removed from practices and hospitals in each year since 1999.","AnswerText":"All territorial NHS boards are responsible for the design, delivery and management of NHS services to their population. Therefore, the Scottish Government does not hold the information requested as this is an operational matter for NHS boards.\r\nHowever, Information Services Division publishes information on the number of GP practices that have opted in to provide out-of-hours services throughout Scotland. This can be accessed by visiting the link at:\r\nhttp://www.isdscotland.org/Health-Topics/General-Practice/Workforce-and-Practice-Populations/Practices-and-Their-Populations/","AnswerDate":"2015-08-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-08-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305005,"EventID":"S4W-26724","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4014,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-07-15T15:14:57.04","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-07-15T12:38:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what average distance patients have to travel to access out-of-hours GP services.","AnswerText":"The provision of out-of-hours primary care services is a matter for NHS health boards to design, plan and manage in accordance with the needs of their populations. The Scottish Government would expect NHS boards to consider public transport accessibility, journey times, rurality and deprivation to ensure reasonable accessibility for all patients.","AnswerDate":"2015-08-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-08-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305006,"EventID":"S4W-26725","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4014,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-07-15T15:14:57.523","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-07-15T12:38:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to re-open (a) Newburgh and (b) Bridge of Earn railway station.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government currently has no plans to open a railway station at Newburgh or Bridge of Earn however we understand that South East of Scotland Transport Partnership, in conjunction with Tayside and Central Scotland Transport Partnership, Fife Council and Perth and Kinross Council, are undertaking a feasibility study regarding proposed rail stations at Newburgh and Bridge of Earn (Oudenarde). If a decision to progress with either station is made by the regional transport partnerships and the councils, a further appraisal which is compliant with Scottish Appraisal Transport Guidance will be required to consider all possible solutions to any identified transport problems at Newburgh and/or Bridge of Earn, not just rail.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-07-31T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-08-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305007,"EventID":"S4W-26727","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4014,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-07-15T15:14:57.913","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-07-15T12:38:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it expects the British Transport Police to merge with Police Scotland.","AnswerText":"The timing for the integration of the Scottish Division of the British Transport Police within Police Scotland is subject to the progress of legislation through the UK Parliament. Following the devolution of railway policing in Scotland to the Scottish Parliament, a detailed timetable for integration will be developed and implemented. The Scottish Government will engage with key stakeholders and partners to ensure railway policing in Scotland is subject to appropriate oversight by the Scottish Parliament.","AnswerDate":"2015-08-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-08-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305008,"EventID":"S4W-26728","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4014,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-07-15T15:14:58.35","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-07-15T12:38:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many additional calls it expects the Police Scotland call centre will receive following the proposed merger of the British Transport Police with Police Scotland.","AnswerText":"About five per cent of the 37,000 emergency calls received by British Transport Police each year involved the Scottish Division of the British Transport Police. The Scottish Government will engage with key stakeholders and partners to ensure railway policing in Scotland is subject to appropriate oversight by the Scottish Parliament. We will ensure any transition is as smooth as possible, and the effective and efficient management of emergency calls will be a priority.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-08-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-08-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305009,"EventID":"S4W-26746","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":2,"MSPID":3129,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":83,"ApprovedDate":"2015-07-16T14:04:31.653","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-07-16T11:01:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-25214 by John Swinney on 2 April 2015, what changes there have been in respect of the information provided, and what the total salary cost of employing special advisers was in 2014-15.","AnswerText":"Special advisers are appointed in accordance with Part 1 of the Constitutional Reform and Governance Act 2010 by the First Minister as a special adviser for the purpose of providing assistance to the Scottish Ministers.\r\nThe *total costs of the special adviser team of 14 special advisers employed during the financial year 2014-15 was £952,865.\r\nWith the appointment of Katy Bowman on 13 July 2015, there are currently 14 special advisers. The special advisers and their specific responsibilities are as follows:\r\nName\r\nRole\r\nAppointed\r\nLiz Lloyd\r\nChief of Staff to the First Minister including the co-ordination of the Special Adviser team \r\nSenior Special Adviser on the Constitution\r\nResponsible for the First Minister’s Strategic programme in Government\r\nSpecial Adviser for Culture, Europe and External Affairs (temp)\r\n30 January 2012\r\nNoel Dolan\r\nSenior Special Adviser to the First Minister\r\nFMQs, Policy Advice to the First Minister\r\n26 May 2011\r\nStuart Nicolson\r\nHead of Communications \r\nSenior Political Spokesperson for the First Minister\r\n26 May 2011\r\nColin McAllister\r\nHead of Policy and Special Adviser to the Deputy First Minister\r\nSenior Special Adviser for Finance and for Local Government\r\nFMQs, Programme for Government\r\n3 October 2012\r\nMalcolm Fleming\r\nSenior Special Adviser for Energy, Enterprise and Tourism and for Fair Work, Skills and Training\r\n25 July 2011\r\nCampbell Gunn\r\nDeputy Spokesperson for the First Minister and Communications Adviser\r\n8 July 2013\r\nRoss Ingebrigtsen\r\nDeputy Spokesperson for the First Minister and Communications Adviser\r\nStrategic communications planning\r\n20 January 2014\r\nAlexander Anderson\r\nSpecial Adviser for Infrastructure, Investment and the Cities and for Rural Affairs, Food and Environment, Climate Change and Land Reform\r\n8 October 2012\r\nJohn MacInnes\r\nPolitical and Media Research\r\nSupport for First Minister’s Questions\r\nSupport to Communications Special Advisers\r\n3 June2011\r\nDavie Hutchison\r\nSpecial Adviser for Health, Wellbeing and Sport\r\nFoI Legislation lead\r\n8 June 2011\r\nJohn McFarlane\r\nSpecial Adviser for Justice\r\nParliamentary Business including liaison with the Parliamentary Group\r\n26 May 2011\r\nJeanette Campbell\r\nSpecial Adviser for Social Justice, Communities and Pensioners’ Rights\r\n1 April 2015\r\nKate Higgins\r\nSpecial Adviser for Education and Lifelong Learning\r\n1 April 2015\r\nKaty Bowman\r\nSupport for First Minister and First Minister’s Private Office\r\nOutreach and stakeholder engagement\r\nPolicy support to Chief of Staff \r\n13 July 2015\r\n\r\nThe special adviser pay bands and ranges and the number of special advisers within each pay band currently in place are:\r\nPay Band\r\nCurrent Pay Range\r\nNumber of Special Advisers\r\n1\r\n£39,445 - £52,904\r\n10\r\n2\r\n£51,041 - £67,709\r\n1\r\n3\r\n£65,017 - £83,963\r\n3\r\n3 (premium)\r\n£83,549 - £100,942\r\n0\r\n4\r\n£86,965 - £104,462\r\n0\r\n*Total costs include salary, Earnings-Related National Insurance Contributions and employer pension contributions.","AnswerDate":"2015-07-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-08-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305010,"EventID":"S4W-26625","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1860,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-07-16T15:20:48.21","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-07-10T16:27:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to research the costs of its plans relating to improving outcomes for people experiencing out of hospital cardiac arrest and how these improvements could be achieved without incurring additional cost.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government published Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest: A Strategy for Scotland in March 2015. We continue to work with a wide range of stakeholders to deliver the aims of the strategy and improve outcomes for people experiencing out of hospital cardiac arrest.\r\nIn the context of a complex, multi-organisational system, it is difficult to calculate the net additional costs of improving out of hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) given that it is not clear at this stage what proportion of the proposed improvements might be absorbed through different and more effective use of existing resources. Or what efficiencies might be achieved through better co-ordination amongst stakeholders.\r\nSince announcing in October 2014 that an OHCA strategy would be produced, the government has committed over £300,000 to support delivery. Statutory organisations, including the Scottish Ambulance Service and the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service, and third sector organisations, including Chest Heart and Stroke Scotland and the British Heart Foundation have also invested significant resources.","AnswerDate":"2015-08-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-08-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305011,"EventID":"S4W-26626","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1860,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-07-16T15:20:49.69","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-07-10T16:27:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to raise public awareness of sudden cardiac arrest symptoms.","AnswerText":"Plans to raise public awareness of cardiac arrest are being developed in partnership with stakeholders. One strand of this will be to use European Restart a Heart Day on 16 October 2015 as a focus for activity.","AnswerDate":"2015-08-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-08-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305012,"EventID":"S4W-26627","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1860,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-07-16T15:20:50.703","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-07-10T16:27:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what information it has on the number of people who are CPR trained or undergoing training and what plans it has to increase the amount of information that it collects.","AnswerText":"The Institute for Social Marketing, School of Health Sciences, University of Stirling has been commissioned to undertake a survey to provide baseline information on the number of people trained. In addition, we are working with the British Heart Foundation and other third sector organisations to explore options for measuring the number of people who undergo CPR training.","AnswerDate":"2015-08-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-08-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305013,"EventID":"S4W-26628","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1860,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-07-16T15:20:51.827","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-07-10T16:27:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to implement further CPR training in (a) schools, (b) workplaces and (c) volunteer groups.","AnswerText":"The government acknowledges and welcomes the work of third sector groups, business, public sector organisations and others in providing CPR training.\r\nAs part of the implementation of the Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest Strategy, the government is working with stakeholder organisations to develop ideas and initiatives to increase CPR training. In addition, a report is in preparation on how public attitudes and behaviour can be influenced in order to increase rates of bystander CPR. This report will inform our approach to increasing CPR training rates.","AnswerDate":"2015-08-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-08-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305014,"EventID":"S4W-26629","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1860,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-07-16T15:20:52.873","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-07-10T16:27:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it will encourage owners, purchasers and suppliers of public access defibrillators to ensure that they are regularly serviced, maintained and registered with the Scottish Ambulance Service.","AnswerText":"As part of the implementation of the Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest Strategy, the government is working with stakeholders to consider how to maximise the value of public access defibrillators.\r\nThe Scottish Ambulance Service (SAS) encourages all those considering purchasing a Public Access Defibrillator to contact the service beforehand – information can be found on the SAS website (www.scottishambulance.com) – in order that communities can be provided with information of the service protocol. The Memorandum of Understanding defines the responsibilities of the two parties in the provision of an Automated External Defibrillator until the arrival of the statutory ambulance response. It also provides information on the registration and maintenance of devices.","AnswerDate":"2015-08-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-08-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305015,"EventID":"S4W-26630","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1860,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-07-16T15:20:53.84","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-07-10T16:27:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to put in place pathways and protocols that promote consistent best practice for the ambulance transportation of out of hospital cardiac arrest patients that reflects local geography and circumstances.","AnswerText":"There are already established emergency care pathways in place for patients who experience out of hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA). These pathways involve support from Ambulance Control Centres to help initiate bystander CPR, rapid response by the Scottish Ambulance Service and a range of emergency co-responders, for example Community First Responders and BASICS responders, resuscitation and rapid transfer to the nearest Emergency Department.","AnswerDate":"2015-08-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-08-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305016,"EventID":"S4W-26631","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1860,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-07-16T15:20:54.793","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-07-10T16:27:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has for the (a) development and (b) delivery of rural and remote pathways to address any inequality in out of hospital cardiac arrest outcomes by improving ambulance response times in rural areas.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Ambulance Service continually works to improve ambulance response times in all parts of the country. In acknowledgement of the time critical nature of cardiac arrest response and the clearly defined elements of the ‘chain of survival’, the service is working with a range of partner agencies, community responder groups and projects to optimise the chain of survival in all parts of the country. Some of these pathways are currently under development such as the Sandpiper Wildcat project, which will create a network of trained cardiac responders across the north east of Scotland. In rural Grampian there are emerging pilot projects between the Scottish Ambulance Service and the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service. In other remote and rural areas the service works closely with BASICS responders and our network of Community First Responders in Scotland.","AnswerDate":"2015-08-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-08-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305017,"EventID":"S4W-26632","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1860,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-07-16T15:20:55.773","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-07-10T16:27:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to introduce a law to protect people giving CPR from legal action when providing help in an emergency.","AnswerText":"The government currently has no such plans.","AnswerDate":"2015-08-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-08-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305018,"EventID":"S4W-26633","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1860,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-07-16T15:20:56.803","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-07-10T16:27:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to improve processes to ensure that Scottish Ambulance Service and aligned staff are sufficiently supported to deal with the (a) physical, (b) psychological and (c) emotional demands of their jobs.","AnswerText":"Our staff are at the heart of our NHS. Their health and wellbeing is something the government takes very seriously. The Staff Governance Standard for NHSScotland commits all boards to providing a continuously improving and safe working environment promoting the health and wellbeing of staff, patients and the wider community. Through our monitoring arrangements, we are ensuring that boards, including the Scottish Ambulance Service, have policies and actions in place to support staff.\r\nIn December 2014, we allocated an additional £200,000 to the Scottish Ambulance Service to fund activities which will address the health and welfare needs of staff.","AnswerDate":"2015-08-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-08-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305019,"EventID":"S4W-26634","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1860,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-07-16T15:20:58.053","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-07-10T16:27:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to increase the number of police officers and staff trained in the use of defibrillators.","AnswerText":"A number of police officers are already trained in the use of defibrillators, e.g. through the First Aid at Work scheme. Police Scotland has undertaken to add training in the use of defibrillators to the annual Scottish Police Emergency Lifesaving Saving Course. This means that by the end of 2016 all serving police officers – up to and including the Chief Constable – will be trained in the use of defibrillators.","AnswerDate":"2015-08-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-08-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305020,"EventID":"S4W-26730","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2394,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-07-16T15:20:59.097","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-07-15T14:45:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it plans to (a) reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 80 to 95% below the 1990 levels or (b) achieve a per capita emissions target of less than two metric tons by 2050.","AnswerText":"Scotland has had a statutory target in place since 2009 to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by at least 80% by 2050. Substantial progress is being made and Scotland is over three quarters of the way towards meeting the interim 2020 target of a 42% reduction in emissions.\r\nSupporting the transition to a low carbon economy will help to meet our targets and is at the heart of our Programme for Government and Scotland’s Economic Strategy. As highlighted in the second report on proposals and policies, published in 2013, our support for the low carbon economy is provided through six channels: long term legal and institutional certainty; expanding renewable energy production; improvements in energy and resource efficiency in households and industry; transition of transport to a lower carbon basis; expansion of renewable sources of heat; and sustainable land use.\r\nAlthough we have already made considerable progress, the Scottish Government announced in June 2015 a comprehensive new package of measures covering transport, environment and energy to strengthen the measures already in place, and Cabinet have agreed to embed climate change in this autumn’s budget process. Development of the third report on proposals and policies is underway and will focus on how we deliver our world leading climate change targets.\r\nOur targets are not easy, but they are at the level the international community needs to match if the new climate treaty in Paris this year is to stand a good chance of limiting global temperature rise to no more than 2 degrees Celsius. That is why we have joined international partners with similar high ambition on the Under 2 Memorandum of Understanding group, and will continue to support efforts to secure an ambitious global deal on climate change this year. ","AnswerDate":"2015-08-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-08-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen McLeod","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305021,"EventID":"S4W-26731","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2112,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":102,"ApprovedDate":"2015-07-16T15:21:00.127","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-07-15T15:05:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-26198 by John Swinney on 7 July 2015, whether its current position is based on the constitutional restrictions that apply, a policy opposition to prisoner franchise or both.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-26198 on 7 July 2015. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at:\r\n\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.","AnswerDate":"2015-08-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-08-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305022,"EventID":"S4W-26733","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5059,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-07-16T15:21:00.983","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-07-15T15:16:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many and what percentage of children are receiving two hours of physical education in school, broken down by year group. ","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government does not collect data on the number of children who are receiving two hours or two periods of physical education (PE), but we do collect data on the number of schools who provide two hours or two periods of PE. Latest statistics show that 98% of schools are providing at least two hours of PE in primary schools and two periods of PE in secondary schools in S1 to S4, which demonstrates remarkable progress since 2004-05 when only 10% of schools were meeting this target. Education Scotland and sportscotland continue to work with local authorities and schools to ensure that all schools provide two hours or two periods of PE. \r\nThe latest statisitcs were published on 17 June 2015 in the Scottish Government statistical publication - Summary statistics for attainment, leaver destinations and healthy living, No. 5: 2015 Edition. Tables 27 and 28 in the accompanying supplementary data, contain details of the number and percentage of schools providing two hours or two periods PE to every pupil, and can be accessed at the following address:\r\nhttp://www.gov.scot/Topics/Statistics/Browse/School-Education/MealsSD/mealspesd/mealspesd2015. Only the secondary school data is broken down by year group.","AnswerDate":"2015-08-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-08-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alasdair Allan","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305023,"EventID":"S4W-26734","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5059,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-07-16T15:21:01.717","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-07-15T15:23:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it plans to improve physical literacy in (a) children and (b) adults.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government continues to support schools to deliver at least two hours of quality physical education (PE) per week in primary schools and two periods per week in secondary schools. Latest statistics show that 98% of primary and secondary schools across Scotland are now meeting this target. The aim of quality PE is to develop physically literate children and young people who have the physical competence and confidence necessary for lifelong participation in sport and physical activity.\r\nAs part of our £11.6 million programme of investment in PE we have supported the roll-out of the Better Movers and Thinkers (BMT) programme to schools across Scotland. BMT is designed to develop young people’s ability to move and think in an integrated way, providing more opportunities to successfully engage with PE, physical activity and sport. The BMT process focuses on a series of movement skills, aimed at developing physical literacy, while also developing cognitive skills, and key personal qualities. \r\nThe Scottish Government is also committed to supporting adults in Scotland to lead more active lifestyles to improve our physical and mental health and wellbeing. The Active Scotland Outcomes Framework, published in December 2014, sets out a vision for a more active Scotland. To deliver this, the Scottish Government is working with a range of external partners to provide opportunities to encourage adults and older people to be physically active on a regular basis, throughout their lives. This includes initiatives to help people develop physical literacy skills to enable them to make healthy, active choices and move with confidence, imagination and in safety. For example, on 19 July 2014 the Scottish Government launched a new £800,000 Legacy 2014 Physical Activity Fund to provide grant opportunities to support local community projects that aim to reach people who are currently inactive.","AnswerDate":"2015-08-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-08-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alasdair Allan","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305024,"EventID":"S4W-26735","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2876,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-07-16T15:21:02.31","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-07-15T16:48:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what progress has been made on establishing the new national Scottish chronic pain management service and how this will benefit people with fibromyalgia.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government continues to work closely with both NHS National Services Scotland’s National Services Division and NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde on the two development strands (the interim and permanent facilities) of the Scottish National Chronic Pain Management Programme (SNCPMP).\r\nBuilding work in the interim location (Allander House on the Gartnavel campus) was completed on 13 March 2015. All key service staff have been recruited and are in various stages of appointment, with the service lead taking up post in mid-September 2015.\r\nPatient assessment clinics have so far been held in January, April and July 2015, with a further clinic scheduled for August 2015. Two additional patients were also independently referred at the end of May 2015. It is anticipated that the first cohort of patients will begin the programme at the interim facility on 26 October 2015. All local and regional pain centres are welcome, and indeed are encouraged, to discuss the management of individual cases with the SNCPMP team until that time.\r\nIn parallel to this, work continues on the development of the bespoke build for the permanent facility on the Gartnavel site.\r\nIt is the aim of the SNCPMP to help patients manage their chronic pain, irrespective of the underlying condition. A patient with fibromyalgia, therefore, would be eligible for referral to the programme (subject to their acceptance following an assessment clinic). Participation in the programme will help the patients maximize their independence and improve their ability to manage their chronic pain.","AnswerDate":"2015-08-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-08-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305025,"EventID":"S4W-26736","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5041,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-07-16T15:21:03.293","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-07-16T09:56:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many additional support for learning teachers there have been in each year since 2007, broken down by local authority.","AnswerText":"Education authorities and other agencies have duties under the Additional Support for Learning Act 2004 (as amended) to identify, provide for and review the additional support needs of their pupils. It is for education authorities to ensure that they have sufficient resources, including teaching and support staff to ensure that they meet their statutory responsibilities.\r\nThe following table shows teachers with additional support needs for learning as their main subject, 2007 to 2014:\r\nLocal Authority\r\n2007\r\n2008\r\n2009\r\n2010\r\n2011\r\n2012\r\n2013\r\n2014\r\nAberdeen City\r\n191\r\n184\r\n192\r\n174\r\n161\r\n167\r\n147\r\n116\r\nAberdeenshire\r\n209\r\n227\r\n279\r\n292\r\n286\r\n277\r\n265\r\n242\r\nAngus\r\n94\r\n105\r\n97\r\n97\r\n102\r\n93\r\n82\r\n79\r\nArgyll and Bute\r\n29\r\n36\r\n41\r\n42\r\n42\r\n43\r\n41\r\n40\r\nClackmannanshire\r\n29\r\n33\r\n35\r\n30\r\n30\r\n26\r\n24\r\n30\r\nDumfries and Galloway\r\n83\r\n125\r\n121\r\n130\r\n124\r\n132\r\n124\r\n120\r\nDundee City\r\n182\r\n169\r\n159\r\n159\r\n148\r\n148\r\n137\r\n138\r\nEast Ayrshire\r\n55\r\n64\r\n115\r\n110\r\n109\r\n111\r\n111\r\n107\r\nEast Dunbartonshire\r\n46\r\n66\r\n55\r\n53\r\n50\r\n58\r\n60\r\n53\r\nEast Lothian\r\n41\r\n44\r\n60\r\n56\r\n58\r\n55\r\n49\r\n50\r\nEast Renfrewshire\r\n43\r\n46\r\n43\r\n36\r\n34\r\n43\r\n42\r\n42\r\nEdinburgh City\r\n166\r\n176\r\n169\r\n168\r\n165\r\n153\r\n150\r\n138\r\nEilean Siar\r\n15\r\n19\r\n25\r\n22\r\n22\r\n21\r\n23\r\n15\r\nFalkirk\r\n112\r\n122\r\n148\r\n131\r\n133\r\n124\r\n124\r\n116\r\nFife\r\n233\r\n235\r\n248\r\n236\r\n209\r\n208\r\n211\r\n173\r\nGlasgow City\r\n235\r\n240\r\n214\r\n245\r\n236\r\n260\r\n245\r\n220\r\nHighland\r\n225\r\n208\r\n216\r\n190\r\n171\r\n163\r\n150\r\n129\r\nInverclyde\r\n49\r\n55\r\n53\r\n47\r\n43\r\n47\r\n46\r\n36\r\nMidlothian\r\n44\r\n40\r\n43\r\n40\r\n38\r\n40\r\n60\r\n57\r\nMoray\r\n79\r\n96\r\n98\r\n99\r\n99\r\n100\r\n92\r\n87\r\nNorth Ayrshire\r\n104\r\n117\r\n118\r\n116\r\n121\r\n119\r\n125\r\n124\r\nNorth Lanarkshire\r\n186\r\n200\r\n189\r\n185\r\n175\r\n162\r\n140\r\n147\r\nOrkney Islands\r\n19\r\n22\r\n20\r\n22\r\n26\r\n27\r\n32\r\n29\r\nPerth and Kinross \r\n39\r\n79\r\n70\r\n73\r\n61\r\n68\r\n83\r\n90\r\nRenfrewshire\r\n85\r\n78\r\n62\r\n53\r\n57\r\n54\r\n57\r\n52\r\nScottish Borders\r\n78\r\n80\r\n80\r\n65\r\n88\r\n87\r\n81\r\n86\r\nShetland Islands\r\n40\r\n45\r\n52\r\n50\r\n44\r\n41\r\n41\r\n37\r\nSouth Ayrshire\r\n83\r\n76\r\n77\r\n106\r\n101\r\n109\r\n106\r\n103\r\nSouth Lanarkshire\r\n119\r\n146\r\n151\r\n156\r\n158\r\n152\r\n150\r\n137\r\nStirling\r\n27\r\n34\r\n35\r\n43\r\n40\r\n36\r\n38\r\n41\r\nWest Dunbartonshire\r\n28\r\n45\r\n52\r\n48\r\n51\r\n50\r\n48\r\n60\r\nWest Lothian\r\n92\r\n90\r\n87\r\n88\r\n76\r\n76\r\n73\r\n71\r\nScotland\r\n3,062\r\n3,301\r\n3,402\r\n3,363\r\n3,258\r\n3,249\r\n3,157\r\n2,963\r\n1. This includes teachers in primary, secondary, special schools, and centrally employed teachers, with their main subject recorded as: learning support secondary; learning support, primary; special education needs (SEN) (primary) non-recorded pupils; SEN (recorded pupils); SEN (secondary) non-recorded pupils; SEN Behavioural Support; SEN Learning Difficulties; SEN Physical Disabilities; Hearing Impairment; or Visual Impairment.\r\n2. Data for 2007 does not include centrally employed teachers as the main subject of these teachers could not be identified. Therefore data for 2007 is not directly comparable with other years. Across all subjects, there were 964 centrally employed teachers in 2007.\r\n3. Scotland total includes teachers at grant aided schools.","AnswerDate":"2015-08-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-08-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305026,"EventID":"S4W-26738","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5041,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-07-16T15:21:04.057","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-07-16T09:56:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many care assistants there have been in each year since 2007, broken down by local authority.","AnswerText":"This is a matter for the Scottish Social Services Council. The information requested is not held centrally.","AnswerDate":"2015-08-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-08-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fiona McLeod","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305027,"EventID":"S4W-26739","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5034,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-07-16T15:21:04.697","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-07-15T17:00:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what percentage of women invited for a smear test attends the test.","AnswerText":"The most recently published statistics for the Scottish Cervical Screening Programme reported that, of all eligible women, 70.7% took up the invitation to be screened in the previous 3.5 years up to 31 March 2014.","AnswerDate":"2015-08-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-08-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305028,"EventID":"S4W-26740","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2015-07-16T15:21:05.493","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-07-15T17:40:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what consideration it has given to raising the rate of the Air Discount Scheme from 40% to 50%.","AnswerText":"As part of our work in response to the recent campaign about air fares from the Islands to the Scottish Mainland, the Scottish Government is considering various policy options to help address the issue.","AnswerDate":"2015-08-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-08-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305029,"EventID":"S4W-26741","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2015-07-16T15:21:06.507","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-07-15T17:40:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to increase the rate of the Air Discount Scheme from 40% to 50%.","AnswerText":"As part of our work in response to the recent campaign about air fares from the Islands to the Scottish Mainland, the Scottish Government is considering various policy options to help address the issue.","AnswerDate":"2015-08-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-08-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305030,"EventID":"S4W-26742","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2015-07-16T15:21:07.397","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-07-15T17:40:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with the European Commission in the last two years regarding the (a) eligibility criteria and (b) scope of the Air Discount Scheme.","AnswerText":"None. The Air Discount Scheme, SA. 40925, was notified to the commission under the General Block Exemption Regulation Article 51 – Social aid for transport for residents of remote regions. This is valid from 1 April 2015 until 31 March 2019, and replaces the full notification to the commission for SA.32497 - Aid of a Social Character for Air Services. This notification was made electronically and did not require any discussion with the European Commission.","AnswerDate":"2015-08-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-08-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305031,"EventID":"S4W-26743","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2015-07-16T15:21:08.52","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-07-15T17:40:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with Highlands and Islands Airports Limited in the last three months regarding landing charges.","AnswerText":"Transport Scotland officials will be discussing airport landing charges with Highlands and Islands Airports Limited shortly.","AnswerDate":"2015-08-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-08-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305032,"EventID":"S4W-26744","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1768,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":131,"ApprovedDate":"2015-07-16T15:21:09.347","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-07-16T10:15:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to make young people aware of possible hearing loss arising from listening to loud music in pubs and clubs.","AnswerText":"One of the recommendations of the Scottish Government ‘See Hear’ sensory impairment strategy, launched in 2014, was that accessible local information strategies be developed to include preventative measures and good self care in retaining sensory health, and providing information on how to access services.\r\nAmong the preventative measures should be the protection of hearing at music venues and events.","AnswerDate":"2015-08-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-08-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305033,"EventID":"S4W-26745","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1892,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":134,"ApprovedDate":"2015-07-16T15:21:10.237","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-07-16T10:54:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what it is doing to (a) monitor and (b) prevent the spread of giant hogweed.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government does not monitor giant hogweed, however the distribution of the plant is recorded. The Botanical Society of the British Isles periodically publishes a complete atlas of plant distribution, based on records gathered by volunteers. Records of giant hogweed are also collated and made available on the National Biodiversity Network and the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) is developing a tool on Scotland’s environment website that will use that data to show changes in the distribution of invasive species over time.\r\nControl of any non-native plant is the responsibility of the owner of the land on which it is growing. Transport and utility companies control invasive plants as part of their annual maintenance regime on land that they own or manage. They operate extensive networks and often rely on others to report the presence of invasive plants to them. Most local authorities control giant hogweed on land that they own or manage, such as parks, playing fields, footpaths and road verges. Some encourage the public to report sightings to them. Local authorities also have powers to take action on private land where giant hogweed is a risk to the public or harms amenity. Farmers can receive Scottish Rural Development Programme payments for controlling giant hogweed.\r\nSustainable control however, requires coordinated action across entire river catchments and in some areas giant hogweed is actively controlled as part of a formal programme. In rural areas this is usually led by a local fisheries trust as part of efforts to restore river bank vegetation, with local authorities or countryside trusts sometimes involved. The Rivers and Fisheries Trust Invasive Species and Biosecurity Programme was the first initiative to coordinate invasive plant control over a large geographic area with biosecurity plans prepared by 23 of the local fisheries trusts covering 90% of Scotland. Giant hogweed is absent or very rare in 10 of these areas, and any occurrence is dealt with swiftly. Coordinated control programmes have been initiated in 10 out of the 13 local fisheries trust areas where giant hogweed is widespread. In some areas, such the Tweed, populations have already been reduced to very low levels. In others, control is at an early stage and concentrated on the upper parts of the catchment. The projects have been supported by the SEPA Restoration Fund, Scottish Natural Heritage, European Union funding and various local funders.","AnswerDate":"2015-08-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-08-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen McLeod","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305034,"EventID":"S4W-26747","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2610,"Party":"Independent","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-07-16T15:21:10.86","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-07-16T11:15:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will review the powers of the (a) Traffic Commissioner for Scotland and (b) public to take action against bus operators who fail to deliver agreed routes or withdraw or cancel services without advance notice.","AnswerText":"I have no plans to review the existing powers of the Traffic Commissioner for Scotland to take action against bus operators who fail to operate local services as registered. \r\nBus operators are legally obliged to register local services they intend to operate with the Traffic Commissioner and to run them in accordance with the registered timetable as submitted. The Traffic Commissioner can impose penalties of up to £550 per vehicle where a service is not so operated.\r\nOperators are additionally obliged to notify local transport authorities before proposed services are registered or registered services changed and to notify the general public at least three weeks prior to any change or removal of a service.\r\nLater in 2015, I will be introducing changes to the bus service registration process, including an increased period of up to 28 days consultation between local transport authorities and bus operators prior to registration with the Traffic Commissioner. This is intended to allow for discussion and action on potential issues before they arise, enhancing local bus planning and improving the stability of the bus network. I do not rule out further changes if these changes do not have the desired effects.","AnswerDate":"2015-08-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-08-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305035,"EventID":"S4W-26748","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2610,"Party":"Independent","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-07-16T15:21:11.657","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-07-16T11:15:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it last met the Traffic Commissioner for Scotland and what was discussed.","AnswerText":"I last met the Traffic Commissioner for Scotland on 10 June 2015. This was the second of two introductory meeting following my appointment as Minister for Transport and Islands, at which we discussed her role and responsibilities.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-08-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-08-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305036,"EventID":"S4W-26750","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4934,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-07-16T15:21:12.247","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-07-16T11:50:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, in view of the 98% consultation response in favour of a ban, when it will introduce legislation to ban the use of wild animals in circuses.","AnswerText":"We are currently considering the options for introducing a ban on ethical grounds and I hope to set out my time-table for action shortly.","AnswerDate":"2015-08-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-08-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Richard Lochhead","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305042,"EventID":"S4W-26751","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2015-07-17T14:46:53.803","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-07-16T13:51:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many maternity beds there have been in each year since 2007-08, broken down by (a) NHS board and (b) hospital.","AnswerText":"The following tables show the average number of available staffed beds in maternity specialties by NHS board of treatment (table 1) and the average number of available staffed beds in maternity specialties by hospital (table 2) from financial year 2007-08 to 2014-15. \r\nThe provision of beds is for each NHS board to determine as part of their management planning of all healthcare services in their area. This should take account of demographics such as birth rates and the clinical need of women and families. The length of stay in hospital for mothers and babies has decreased by about one day, on average, over the last ten years. However all women have postnatal care by midwives in their community setting when they return home, as required until the baby is at least 10 days old.\r\nThe expectation is that postnatal discharge planning processes and mechanisms are person centred, safe and effective. The Scottish Government expects NHS boards to have integrated discharge planning processes and pathways of care in place tailored to individual need.\r\nIn February 2015 the Scottish Government announced plans to review NHSScotland maternity and neonatal services to make sure that Scotland has the right services in place to continue to deliver, and enhance, the excellent care provided. As part of this process the Scottish Government will be engaging with maternity staff and service users about what matters to them.\r\nTable 1: Average number of available staffed beds in maternity specialties by NHS board of treatment from 2007-08 to 2014-15.\r\n\r\nFinancial Year\r\nNHS Board\r\n2007-08\r\n2008-09\r\n2009-10\r\n2010-11\r\n2011-12\r\n2012-13\r\n2013-14\r\n2014-15\r\nNHS Ayrshire and Arran\r\n70\r\n68\r\n61\r\n56\r\n53\r\n54\r\n38\r\n36\r\nNHS Borders\r\n19\r\n19\r\n19\r\n18\r\n22\r\n22\r\n22\r\n22\r\nNHS Dumfries and Galloway\r\n25\r\n30\r\n34\r\n29\r\n32\r\n31\r\n30\r\n31\r\nNHS Fife\r\n55\r\n49\r\n44\r\n37\r\n38\r\n57\r\n57\r\n53\r\nNHS Forth Valley\r\n45\r\n45\r\n35\r\n34\r\n33\r\n28\r\n27\r\n28\r\nNHS Grampian\r\n130\r\n130\r\n109\r\n97\r\n101\r\n101\r\n101\r\n100\r\nNHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde\r\n256\r\n249\r\n244\r\n216\r\n216\r\n199\r\n184\r\n174\r\nNHS Highland\r\n71\r\n69\r\n60\r\n55\r\n54\r\n46\r\n48\r\n47\r\nNHS Lanarkshire\r\n78\r\n74\r\n74\r\n77\r\n93\r\n89\r\n74\r\n61\r\nNHS Lothian\r\n82\r\n83\r\n114\r\n121\r\n122\r\n120\r\n120\r\n120\r\nNHS Orkney\r\n6\r\n6\r\n6\r\n6\r\n6\r\n6\r\n6\r\n6\r\nNHS Shetland\r\n6\r\n6\r\n5\r\n4\r\n4\r\n5\r\n5\r\n5\r\nNHS Tayside\r\n*\r\n*\r\n*\r\n69\r\n70\r\n73\r\n73\r\n60\r\nNHS Western Isles\r\n12\r\n12\r\n9\r\n4\r\n8\r\n8\r\n8\r\n8\r\nScotland\r\n*\r\n*\r\n*\r\n823\r\n853\r\n839\r\n793\r\n750\r\n* figures unavailable\r\nSource: ISD(S)1\r\nRef: S4W-27651\r\nDate: 23-07-15\r\n\r\nTable 2 Average number of available staffed beds in maternity specialities by hospital from 2007-08 to 2014-15\r\n\r\nFinancial Year\r\nHospital\r\n2007-08\r\n2008-09\r\n2009-10\r\n2010-11\r\n2011-12\r\n2012-13\r\n2013-14\r\n2014-15\r\nArran War Memorial Hospital\r\n2\r\n2\r\n2\r\n2\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\nUniversity Hospital Crosshouse\r\n68\r\n66\r\n59\r\n54\r\n53\r\n54\r\n38\r\n36\r\nBorders General Hospital\r\n19\r\n19\r\n19\r\n18\r\n22\r\n22\r\n22\r\n22\r\nCowal Community Hospital\r\n3\r\n2\r\n1\r\n1\r\n1\r\n1\r\n2\r\n1\r\nIslay Hospital\r\n1\r\n1\r\n1\r\n1\r\n1\r\n0\r\n1\r\n1\r\nVictoria Hospital\r\n3\r\n3\r\n1\r\n1\r\n1\r\n0\r\n1\r\n1\r\nLorn and Islands Hospital\r\n4\r\n4\r\n3\r\n2\r\n1\r\n1\r\n2\r\n2\r\nCampbeltown Hospital\r\n1\r\n1\r\n1\r\n1\r\n1\r\n1\r\n1\r\n1\r\nVale of Leven General Hospital\r\n3\r\n3\r\n3\r\n2\r\n2\r\n2\r\n2\r\n2\r\nInverclyde Royal Hospital\r\n4\r\n4\r\n4\r\n2\r\n2\r\n2\r\n2\r\n2\r\nRoyal Alexandra Hospital\r\n58\r\n51\r\n50\r\n47\r\n51\r\n40\r\n38\r\n38\r\nVictoria Hospital\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n5\r\n0\r\n-\r\nVictoria Maternity Unit\r\n55\r\n49\r\n44\r\n37\r\n38\r\n53\r\n57\r\n53\r\nGlasgow Royal Infirmary\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\nThe Princess Royal Maternity Unit\r\n82\r\n82\r\n86\r\n81\r\n80\r\n77\r\n72\r\n69\r\nQueen Elizabeth University Hospital 1\r\n57\r\n58\r\n67\r\n83\r\n81\r\n78\r\n71\r\n63\r\nRoyal Hospital for Children\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n0\r\n-\r\nQueen Mother’s Hospital\r\n52\r\n52\r\n33\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\nCaithness General Hospital\r\n9\r\n9\r\n8\r\n7\r\n6\r\n6\r\n6\r\n6\r\nRaigmore Hospital\r\n44\r\n44\r\n41\r\n38\r\n38\r\n32\r\n31\r\n29\r\nBelford Hospital\r\n4\r\n3\r\n3\r\n3\r\n3\r\n3\r\n3\r\n3\r\nMackinnon Memorial Hospital\r\n1\r\n1\r\n1\r\n1\r\n1\r\n1\r\n1\r\n1\r\nMid-Argyll Community Hospital and Integrated Care Centre\r\n2\r\n2\r\n1\r\n1\r\n1\r\n1\r\n1\r\n2\r\nMull and Iona Community Hospital\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n0\r\n-\r\nWishaw General Hospital\r\n78\r\n74\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-08-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-08-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305043,"EventID":"S4W-26752","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2015-07-17T14:46:55.51","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-07-16T13:51:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many (a) midwife- and (b) consultant-led maternity units there are in each NHS board, broken down by hospital.","AnswerText":"NHS Ayrshire and Arran\r\nConsultant Led\r\nMidwife Led\r\nAyrshire Maternity Unit\r\nCrosshouse\r\nArran War Memorial\r\n\r\nMidwifery Led Unit Crosshouse \r\nNHS Borders\r\nConsultant Led\r\nBorders General Melrose\r\nNHS Dumfries and Galloway\r\nConsultant Led\r\nMidwife Led\r\nCresswell Maternity Wing, Dumfries and Galloway Royal Infirmary, Dumfries\r\nClenoch Birthing Centre, Galloway Community Hospital, Stranraer\r\nNHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde\r\nConsultant Led\r\nMidwife Led\r\nPrincess Royal\r\nRoyal Alexandra Paisley Community Unit\r\nSouthern General\r\nInverclyde Royal Greenock\r\nRoyal Alexandra Paisley\r\nVale of Leven Alexandria\r\nNHS Lanarkshire\r\nConsultant Led\r\nWishaw General\r\nNHS Lothian\r\nConsultant Led\r\nMidwife Led\r\nSimpson Centre, Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh\r\nSimpson Centre Birthing Centre\r\nSt John’s Hospital Livingston\r\n\r\nNHS Fife\r\nConsultant Led\r\nMidwife Led\r\nVictoria Hospital Kirkcaldy\r\nVictoria Hospital Kirkcaldy\r\nNHS Forth Valley\r\nConsultant Led\r\nForth Valley Royal Hospital\r\nNHS Tayside\r\nConsultant Led\r\nMidwifery Unit\r\nNinewells, Dundee\r\nPerth Community Maternity Unit (CMU)\r\n\r\nMontrose Infirmary CMU\r\n\r\nArbroath Infirmary CMU\r\n\r\nDundee Midwifery Unit (alongside)\r\nNHS Grampian\r\nConsultant Led\r\nMidwifery Unit\r\nAberdeen Royal Maternity\r\nPeterhead Community Hospital\r\nDr Gray’s Elgin\r\n\r\nNHS Highland\r\nConsultant Led\r\nMidwifery Unit\r\nRaigmore Inverness\r\nDunoon and District Hospitals\r\nCaithness General Wick\r\nVictoria Hospital Rothesay\r\n\r\nMid Argyll Hospital Lochgilphead\r\n\r\nBelford Hospital Fort William\r\n\r\nCampbeltown Hospital\r\n\r\nLorn and Islands Hospital, Oban\r\n\r\nIslay Hospital\r\n\r\nDr MacKinnon Memorial Hospital Skye\r\nNHS Orkney\r\nMidwife Led Unit\r\nBalfour Hospital Orkney\r\nNHS Shetland\r\nGP/Midwife Led\r\nShetland Maternity Unit\r\nNHS Western Isles\r\nConsultant Led\r\nMidwife Led\r\nWestern Isles Hospital, Stornoway\r\nUist and Barra Benbecula\r\n\r\nBarra Community Hospital\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-08-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-08-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305044,"EventID":"S4W-26754","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2015-07-17T14:46:57.617","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-07-16T13:51:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many babies have been born in each year since 2007-08, also broken down by (a) NHS board, (b) hospital and (c) home birth.","AnswerText":"This information is not held by the Scottish Government, however some of this data can be found on the NHS National Services Scotland – Information Services Division Scotland website which can be viewed by following the attached link: http://www.isdscotland.org/\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-08-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-08-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305045,"EventID":"S4W-26755","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2015-07-17T14:46:59.16","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-07-16T14:58:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it is aware of the study that has found that the number of breeding puffins on Fair Isle has halved from 20,000 to 10,000 over the last 30 years.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is aware of this study. The research paper to which this question refers can be found at: http://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0131527","AnswerDate":"2015-08-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-08-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen McLeod","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305046,"EventID":"S4W-26756","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2117,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-07-17T14:47:00.147","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-07-16T17:14:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-26314 by Fergus Ewing on 13 July 2015, how it responds to the evidence to the Economy, Energy and Tourism Committee on 3 June 2015 by (a) Kersti Berge of Ofgem that fully socialised electricity transmission charges would add £7 billion a year to the bills of Scottish consumers (Official Report, c. 28) and (b) Mike Calviou of National Grid that fully socialised electricity transmission charges would raise bills by around £10 per customer (Official Report, c. 25).","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government welcomes all of the evidence that has been put forward as part of the Economy, Energy and Tourism Committee’s inquiry into Security of Supply. We welcomed the opportunity to give evidence directly and look forward to considering the main findings of the Committee’s report after the inquiry has concluded. The figures referenced by Ofgem in the Scottish Parliament relate to modelling published in 2011. The Scottish Government provided a detailed response in February 2012 to the Ofgem analysis, which can be found in full here https://www.ofgem.gov.uk/sites/default/files/docs/2012/03/scottish-government-transmit-con-resp.pdf. The Scottish Government raised significant concerns with the methodology and the general approach taken by Ofgem to socialised charging, along with a number of organisations including the Crown Estate, Western Isles Council and Orkney Islands Council. We remain concerned today that the locational element of transmission charging, introduced in Scotland in 2005 under the Labour UK Government, looks likely to lead to the premature closure of Longannet, which plays an important role Scotland’s security of supply. The simple fact is that generators in Scotland are not competing on a level playing field with those in the rest of the UK, and indeed the EU, and that should rightly be a matter of concern to us all – particularly given the role that Scottish generation plays in keeping the lights on across the UK.","AnswerDate":"2015-09-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-08-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305047,"EventID":"S4W-26757","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2117,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-07-17T14:47:01.067","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-07-16T17:16:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-26125 by Fergus Ewing on 13 July 2015, when it will adopt the recommendations for government action in the document, Solar Energy - A Viable Contributor to Renewables in Scotland, to integrate solar as a core part of the Scottish renewables strategy and to revise the renewable energy road map to 2025 and beyond with specific plans and targets for solar energy.","AnswerText":"We are engaging closely with the Solar Trade Association and Scottish Renewables to improve the environment for solar in Scotland and Scottish Government actions such as the current consultation on extending permitted development rights for solar have been welcomed by industry. Solar has always been part of our core Scottish Government renewables policy as part of our wider energy mix, however we are including solar in our renewables routemap in 2015 making our commitment to solar more explicit.\r\nPlans for solar and other renewable technologies beyond 2020 will form part of future policy statements in due course.","AnswerDate":"2015-08-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-08-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305048,"EventID":"S4W-26758","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2117,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-07-17T14:47:01.917","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-07-16T17:16:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-26128 by Fergus Ewing on 13 July 2015, how much of the potential 4.3GW of onshore wind developments identified as in planning could be brought to fruition within the Renewables Obligation support scheme before it is closed by accelerating the planning process.","AnswerText":"The grace period as described by Amber Rudd in her statement on 18 June 2015 means that no application with a consent dated after the announcement could apply for the Renewables Obligation support scheme, therefore there would be no benefit in accelerating the planning process. However the terms of the legislation are still to be secured and the Department of Energy and Climate Change have asked for industry input into this.","AnswerDate":"2015-08-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-08-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305049,"EventID":"S4W-26759","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2117,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-07-17T14:47:02.723","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-07-16T17:16:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-26128 by Fergus Ewing on 13 July 2015, whether it will list those onshore wind projects in Scotland that will lose financial support under the planned changes to the Renewables Obligation support scheme, and indicate how much potential electricity generation each represents.","AnswerText":"While the onshore wind summit we held recently uncovered serious concern about the planned changes to the subsidy system for onshore wind, the Scottish Government does not hold a definitive list of projects affected by the early closure of the renewables obligation to this sector. We have been made aware of several projects that may be seriously impacted by the UK Government’s decision, but information on these projects has been provided in confidence. We are also concerned that because of UK change in policy and early curtailment of promised support, the response of lenders will be to decline to proceed with finance even for projects which appear to qualify under the proposed rules because they will not be confirmed or be clear until primary legislation is available next year, which of course will be too late.","AnswerDate":"2015-08-31T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-08-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305050,"EventID":"S4W-26760","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2615,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":143,"ApprovedDate":"2015-07-17T14:47:03.82","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-07-16T16:48:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many children will be eligible for 600 hours of early learning and childcare from August 2015.","AnswerText":"Over the course of the academic year we estimate that 135,111 will be eligible for funded early learning and childcare. This includes:\r\n17,441 eligible 2 year olds\r\n57,865 eligible 3 year olds\r\n59,805 eligible 4 year olds","AnswerDate":"2015-08-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-08-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fiona McLeod","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305051,"EventID":"S4W-26761","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2615,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":143,"ApprovedDate":"2015-07-17T14:47:04.513","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-07-16T16:48:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what information it has on how the commitment in its programme for government to extend provision of early learning and childcare to 30 hours per week compares with proposals in the Childcare Bill introduced by the UK Government.","AnswerText":"The policy statement supporting the UK Government's proposed Childcare Bill states that the bill will place a duty on the secretary of state to secure the equivalent of 30 hours of free childcare per week in each of 38 weeks in any year to eligible working parents of three and four year old children. The department for education has estimated that around 600,000 families will benefit, which, based on The Office of National Statistics population data, suggests that less than half of three and four year olds in England and Wales may be eligible under this scheme.\r\nThe First Minister pledged in November 2014 that the Scottish Government would increase the level of funded early learning and childcare to 30 hours per week. This applies to 100% of three and four-year-olds in Scotland, not just those with parents in employment, as well as two-year-olds who are currently entitled to 600 hours per year (or 16 hours per week) of funded provision. From August 2015, 27% of two year olds will be entitled to the 600 hours. The increase to 30 hours per week will be delivered by the end of the next Parliament.","AnswerDate":"2015-08-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-08-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fiona McLeod","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305052,"EventID":"S4W-26762","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2015-07-17T14:47:05.14","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-07-16T17:01:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it will respond to the Scottish Crofting Federation's concern that reintroducing species such as wolves, lynx and beavers would threaten the already challenging livelihoods of crofters.","AnswerText":"There are no plans to reintroduce wolf or lynx to Scotland. \r\nTo help inform a decision on the possible reintroduction of beavers in Scotland, Scottish Ministers are listening to the views of stakeholders and considering very carefully the Scottish Natural Heritage publication Beavers in Scotland – A Report to the Scottish Government. The decision will also be informed by reports published by Scotland’s Rural College on the socio-economic impacts of beavers in Knapdale and Tayside which acknowledge that beavers can cause agricultural damage as well as deliver ecological benefits. Any decision that beavers can remain in Scotland would require appropriate management arrangements to be in place.","AnswerDate":"2015-08-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-08-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen McLeod","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305053,"EventID":"S4W-26763","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2015-07-17T14:47:06.177","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-07-16T17:01:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it plans to take in response to Scottish Natural Heritage's report, Beavers in Scotland.","AnswerText":"To help inform a decision on the possible reintroduction of beavers in Scotland, Scottish Ministers are considering very carefully the Scottish Natural Heritage report Beavers in Scotland – A Report to the Scottish Government as well as listening to the views of a range of stakeholders. A decision on the future of beavers in Scotland will be announced in due course.","AnswerDate":"2015-08-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-08-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen McLeod","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305054,"EventID":"S4W-26764","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2029,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":145,"ApprovedDate":"2015-07-17T14:47:07.223","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-07-17T11:13:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many people in Scotland are employed in renewables manufacturing engineering and how many of the jobs are located in the Renfrewshire Council area.","AnswerText":"The information requested is not held centrally. Gathering the information requested by local authority area would subject to the classification challenges described in the Scottish Government’s 'Energy in Scotland 2015' publication, and hence disproportionately expensive. The energy sector (including renewables), as defined using Standard Industrial Classification (SIC) codes for the Scottish Government growth sector, accounted for 66,000 jobs in 2013. However, it is likely that a significant proportion of renewable jobs will fall under other SIC classifications such as construction or manufacturing. It is also particularly difficult to attribute renewable or low carbon employment where organisations cover a wider range of business activities.Other estimates of renewable and low carbon employment are published through commissioned research projects such as the Size and Performance of the UK Low Carbon Economy study published by the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills, or the Employment in Renewables do not necessarily lend themselves to consistent comparisons over time or across energy in Scotland report published by Scottish Renewables. However, these studies technologies. 'Energy in Scotland 2015' is available on the Scottish Government website at the following link: http://www.gov.scot/Resource/0046/00469235.pdf","AnswerDate":"2015-08-31T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-08-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305055,"EventID":"S4W-26765","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2159,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":88,"ApprovedDate":"2015-07-17T14:47:07.89","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-07-17T12:30:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-26260 by Michael Matheson on 9 July 2015, how many registered sex offenders have been assessed and managed under the multi-agency public protection arrangements in each year since 2007, also broken down by community justice authority area.","AnswerText":"All offenders managed under the Multi Agency Public Protection Arrangements (MAPPA) are subject to risk assessment and risk management planning. \r\nThe figures below are presented by year and Community Justice Authority (CJA) area. The data are taken from more than one source and this includes from each CJA and from ViSOR, the UK wide violent and sexual offender database, which stores information relating to registered sex offenders in Scotland. This is an operational system for the management of offenders and the data are therefore subject to continuous adjustment. The data from 2007 to 2011 relates to the total number of offenders subject to the Sex Offender Notification Requirements (SONR) who were assessed and managed over the course of a whole year. From 2012 the data relates to the total number of offenders recorded as being subject to the SONR on the 31 March of each year. Whilst the numbers broadly correlate, it is important to note that they are the subject of different methodologies and therefore this means comparisons between years should be treated with caution. The Scotland wide data from 2012 to 2014 is included in the MAPPA National Overview Report published on 30 October 2014 and available through the following link:http://www.gov.scot/Resource/0046/00462072.pdf\r\nCommunity Justice Authority Area\r\n\r\n2007-08\r\n2008-09\r\n2009-10\r\n2010-11\r\n2012\r\n2013\r\n2014\r\nScotland\r\n3309\r\n3637\r\n3736\r\n3915\r\n3946\r\n4032\r\n4256\r\nNorthern\r\n585\r\n492\r\n528\r\n609\r\n615\r\n575\r\n579\r\nTayside\r\n275\r\n298\r\n294\r\n327\r\n335\r\n345\r\n404\r\nFife and Forth Valley\r\n435\r\n486\r\n501\r\n538\r\n541\r\n575\r\n586\r\nEdinburgh, Lothian and Scottish Borders\r\n637\r\n710\r\n736\r\n738\r\n746\r\n765\r\n817\r\nLanarkshire\r\n275\r\n352\r\n343\r\n417\r\n422\r\n450\r\n436\r\nGlasgow\r\n479\r\n589\r\n607\r\n571\r\n580\r\n604\r\n615\r\nSouth West Scotland\r\n355\r\n447\r\n446\r\n449\r\n439\r\n438\r\n468\r\nNorth Strathclyde\r\n268\r\n263\r\n281\r\n266\r\n268\r\n280\r\n351\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-08-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-08-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Paul Wheelhouse","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305064,"EventID":"S4W-26774","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4947,"Party":"Independent","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-07-20T11:26:49.467","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-07-20T11:01:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body, further to the answer to question S4W-25996 by John Pentland on 17 June 2015, when it expects the Fund Trustees will provide an answer.","AnswerText":"The Fund Trustees issued a response to the member on 28 July 2015.","AnswerDate":"2015-07-31T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-08-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Pentland ","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305065,"EventID":"S4W-26786","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":2,"MSPID":4940,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-07-20T12:46:40.01","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-07-20T11:54:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on progress with the review of maternity and neonatal services announced on 26 February 2015.","AnswerText":"Following a short period of consultation with key stakeholders and professionals, I have invited Jane Grant, Chief Executive of NHS Forth Valley to chair the review. Jane has accepted the appointment and will now invite key professionals and service user representatives to join the group, which will hold its first meeting later in summer 2015. I have asked the group to report back to me in summer 2016.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-07-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-08-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305066,"EventID":"S4W-26766","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2117,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-07-20T15:02:54.477","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-07-17T15:58:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-26127 by Fergus Ewing on 13 July 2015, when it estimates the carbon capture and storage (CCS) pilot project will become commercially viable and what plans it has made for the future thermal generation of electricity in the event that CCS does not reach that stage before 2030.","AnswerText":"Shell and SSE plan to develop the world’s first full-scale gas carbon capture and storage (CCS) project at Peterhead. The detailed design study for this project has now been completed and planning consent was granted for the onshore elements of the project by Aberdeenshire Council on 18 June 2015. Shell, SSE and the UK Government are expected to make a final investment decision on the project at the end of this year or in early 2016, with the aim of the project being operational in 2018-19.\r\nIn his evidence to the Economy, Energy and Tourism Committee on 27 May 2015, Stuart Haszeldine (Professor of Carbon Capture at the University of Edinburgh) confirmed the likely timescales for the start of commercial operations at Peterhead. However, he stated that one of key dependences for commercial development remains the willingness of the UK Government to support the technology, highlighting “complete uncertainty about whether it will be allocated any funding from the levy control framework”. \r\nThe Caledonia Clean Energy Project, a low-carbon power generation project proposed by Summit Power for Grangemouth, is a second major CCS project proposal for Scotland. The Scottish and UK governments have jointly agreed to provide £4.2 million funding to advance the development of this project. Summit Power aims to achieve commercial operation of this project in the early 2020’s.\r\nThe official report of the Economy, Energy and Tourism Committee on 27 May 2015 can be found at: \r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/report.aspx?r=9983&i=0&c=0&s=haszeldine","AnswerDate":"2015-08-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-08-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305067,"EventID":"S4W-26767","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4939,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":78,"ApprovedDate":"2015-07-20T15:02:55.523","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-07-19T10:54:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether its moratorium on hydraulic fracturing includes test drilling for shale gas in central Scotland.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-24473 on 8 October 2015. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.","AnswerDate":"2015-10-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-08-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305068,"EventID":"S4W-26768","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2135,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":92,"ApprovedDate":"2015-07-20T15:02:56.397","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-07-17T16:24:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-26180 by Michael Matheson on 15 July 2015, whether it has taken into account that there is no justice of the peace (JP) court on any of the Argyllshire islands and that there are no resident JPs and notaries public on, for example, Islay.","AnswerText":"Appointments of JPs take into account the level of JP court business in the sheriffdom, including business to which signing functions relate. In relation to notaries public, I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-26180 on 15 July 2015.\r\nAll answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at: \r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.","AnswerDate":"2015-08-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-08-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305069,"EventID":"S4W-26769","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2135,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":92,"ApprovedDate":"2015-07-20T15:02:57.223","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-07-17T16:24:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-26180 by Michael Matheson on 15 July 2015, whether if it will make arrangements for affidavit administration on islands where there are no resident justices of the peace (JP), no resident notaries public and no JP court.","AnswerText":"Given the relatively low volume of affidavit administration business, the Scottish Government currently has no plans to make arrangements for affidavit administration on islands where there are no resident justices of the peace, no resident notaries public and no JP court.","AnswerDate":"2015-08-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-08-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305070,"EventID":"S4W-26770","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-07-20T15:02:58.143","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-07-20T09:51:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government which foreign governments or government agencies have invested in Scottish infrastructure projects via the Scottish Futures Trust.","AnswerText":"There has been no direct investment from foreign governments or their agencies in infrastructure projects managed by the Scottish Futures Trust which comes from private sector sources, including the European Investment Bank.","AnswerDate":"2015-08-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-08-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305071,"EventID":"S4W-26771","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-07-20T15:02:59.11","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-07-20T10:32:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the estimated value is of the Scottish allocation of the pharmaceutical industry rebate payment under the Pharmaceutical Price Regulation Scheme for (a) 2015-16 and (b) 2016-17.","AnswerText":"As set out in the Pharmaceutical Price Regulation Scheme agreement between the Department of Health and the Association of British Pharmaceutical Industry, payment percentages are adjusted annually. The annual payment percentages for 2016 and 2017 are not yet available.","AnswerDate":"2015-08-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-08-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305072,"EventID":"S4W-26772","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-07-20T15:02:59.967","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-07-20T10:32:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what is included in primary care spend when calculating the Scottish allocation of the pharmaceutical industry rebate payment under the Pharmaceutical Price Regulation Scheme.","AnswerText":"Licensed branded medicines are included. Primary care data is used as this is the most consistent data set available across the UK. The health departments explored with industry whether an accurate four country split of Pharmaceutical Price Regulation Scheme sales data could be obtained to inform the apportionment however not all companies are able to provide this data.","AnswerDate":"2015-08-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-08-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305073,"EventID":"S4W-26773","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1865,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":85,"ApprovedDate":"2015-07-20T15:03:00.81","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-07-20T10:34:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what progress each university has made since 2011 on increasing access to courses for students from each income decile.","AnswerText":"Income data is collected only for those students who apply for income assessed support and for this reason it is not possible to provide the data requested. \r\nHowever, as an alternative, it may be helpful to consider data published by the Scottish Funding Council on young undergraduate entrants from Scotland’s 20% most deprived areas, based on the Scottish Index of Multiple Deprivation:\r\nhttp://www.sfc.ac.uk/PublicationsStatistics/statistics/higher_education_statistics/HE_performance_indicators/Participation_indicator_for_Scottish_HEIs.aspx\r\nYou will also be aware that ministers have set up a Commission on Widening Access to advise on the achievement of our ambition that a child born today, irrespective of socio-economic background, should have an equal chance of accessing higher education.","AnswerDate":"2015-08-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-08-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305074,"EventID":"S4W-26775","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2015-07-20T15:03:01.87","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-07-20T11:21:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government in how many primary (a) 1, (b) 2, (c) 3, (d) 4, (e) 5, (f) 6, and (g) 7 classes team teaching is used, and which year groups are taught in composite classes, broken down by local authority.","AnswerText":"The numbers of classes in which team teaching is used, by local authority and by year group, are shown in Table 1.\r\nTable 1: Number of classes with two or more teachers, 2014*\r\nLocal authority \r\nP1 \r\nP2 \r\nP3 \r\nP4 \r\nP5 \r\nP6 \r\nP7 \r\nComposite\r\nClasses\r\nAberdeen City\r\n1\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n1 \r\nAberdeenshire\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\nAngus\r\n1\r\n1\r\n1\r\n0\r\n0\r\n1\r\n0\r\n3\r\nArgyll and Bute\r\n1\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\nClackmannanshire\r\n2\r\n0\r\n1\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n1\r\n0\r\nDumfries and Galloway\r\n1\r\n0\r\n0\r\n1\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n5\r\nDundee City\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n1\r\n0\r\nEast Ayrshire\r\n2\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\nEast Dunbartonshire\r\n3\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n2\r\nEast Lothian\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\nEast Renfrewshire\r\n4\r\n0\r\n2\r\n0\r\n1\r\n0\r\n1\r\n0\r\nEdinburgh City\r\n17\r\n1\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n1\r\nEilean Siar\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\nFalkirk\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\nFife\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n1\r\nGlasgow City\r\n1\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\nHighland\r\n0\r\n0\r\n1\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n1\r\n11\r\nInverclyde\r\n0\r\n1\r\n0\r\n1\r\n0\r\n1\r\n2\r\n1\r\nMidlothian\r\n1\r\n0\r\n1\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n1\r\nMoray\r\n2\r\n3\r\n2\r\n2\r\n1\r\n1\r\n0\r\n10\r\nNorth Ayrshire\r\n0\r\n0\r\n1\r\n0\r\n0\r\n1\r\n0\r\n2\r\nNorth Lanarkshire\r\n3\r\n1\r\n0\r\n0\r\n1\r\n1\r\n0\r\n4\r\nOrkney Islands\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\nPerth and Kinross\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n1\r\nRenfrewshire\r\n0\r\n1\r\n4\r\n0\r\n3\r\n1\r\n1\r\n3\r\nScottish Borders\r\n2\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n3\r\n4\r\nShetland Islands\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n2\r\nSouth Ayrshire\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n2\r\nSouth Lanarkshire\r\n9\r\n2\r\n3\r\n3\r\n0\r\n1\r\n0\r\n27\r\nStirling\r\n0\r\n1\r\n0\r\n0\r\n1\r\n2\r\n0\r\n0\r\nWest Dunbartonshire\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n1\r\n0\r\n1\r\n1\r\n0\r\nWest Lothian\r\n2\r\n2\r\n1\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\nScotland\r\n52\r\n13\r\n17\r\n8\r\n7\r\n10\r\n11\r\n81\r\nAll local authorities have pupils in all primary year groups in composite classes. The numbers of pupils in composite classes, by local authority and by year group, are shown in Table 2.\r\nTable 2: Number of pupils in composite classes by stage, 2014*\r\nLocal Authority\r\nP1 \r\nP2 \r\nP3 \r\nP4 \r\nP5 \r\nP6 \r\nP7 \r\nTotal Number of Composite Classes \r\nAberdeen City\r\n265\r\n551\r\n536\r\n593\r\n452\r\n348\r\n185\r\n133\r\nAberdeenshire\r\n988\r\n1336\r\n1219\r\n1175\r\n1257\r\n1385\r\n937\r\n415\r\nAngus\r\n215\r\n339\r\n399\r\n328\r\n324\r\n277\r\n226\r\n110\r\nArgyll and Bute\r\n309\r\n401\r\n387\r\n373\r\n394\r\n508\r\n349\r\n168\r\nClackmannanshire\r\n87\r\n186\r\n201\r\n162\r\n163\r\n146\r\n98\r\n50\r\nDumfries and Galloway\r\n572\r\n886\r\n759\r\n808\r\n812\r\n771\r\n606\r\n257\r\nDundee City\r\n197\r\n326\r\n331\r\n353\r\n271\r\n355\r\n228\r\n89\r\nEast Ayrshire\r\n199\r\n407\r\n380\r\n395\r\n331\r\n303\r\n238\r\n104\r\nEast Dunbartonshire\r\n127\r\n186\r\n218\r\n261\r\n356\r\n367\r\n191\r\n80\r\nEast Lothian\r\n155\r\n277\r\n288\r\n265\r\n331\r\n256\r\n136\r\n83\r\nEast Renfrewshire\r\n10\r\n15\r\n22\r\n11\r\n7\r\n31\r\n30\r\n7\r\nEdinburgh City\r\n267\r\n599\r\n383\r\n452\r\n443\r\n402\r\n244\r\n133\r\nEilean Siar\r\n194\r\n245\r\n211\r\n220\r\n239\r\n190\r\n167\r\n89\r\nFalkirk\r\n158\r\n374\r\n375\r\n252\r\n328\r\n259\r\n115\r\n92\r\nFife\r\n806\r\n1532\r\n1477\r\n1281\r\n1350\r\n1234\r\n716\r\n397\r\nGlasgow City\r\n782\r\n1498\r\n1300\r\n1341\r\n1240\r\n1219\r\n634\r\n364\r\nHighland\r\n1002\r\n1385\r\n1309\r\n1213\r\n1140\r\n1232\r\n867\r\n448\r\nInverclyde\r\n97\r\n173\r\n145\r\n192\r\n137\r\n148\r\n58\r\n41\r\nMidlothian\r\n87\r\n162\r\n178\r\n188\r\n210\r\n170\r\n105\r\n56\r\nMoray\r\n275\r\n462\r\n486\r\n373\r\n448\r\n352\r\n234\r\n123\r\nNorth Ayrshire\r\n265\r\n523\r\n498\r\n486\r\n473\r\n392\r\n263\r\n131\r\nNorth Lanarkshire\r\n599\r\n1514\r\n1262\r\n1231\r\n1116\r\n1296\r\n617\r\n351\r\nOrkney Islands\r\n79\r\n122\r\n95\r\n88\r\n65\r\n58\r\n60\r\n37\r\nPerth and Kinross\r\n485\r\n617\r\n570\r\n595\r\n666\r\n723\r\n379\r\n205\r\nRenfrewshire\r\n178\r\n472\r\n471\r\n496\r\n397\r\n317\r\n93\r\n112\r\nScottish Borders\r\n405\r\n564\r\n467\r\n452\r\n489\r\n525\r\n481\r\n169\r\nShetland Islands\r\n133\r\n169\r\n132\r\n160\r\n157\r\n157\r\n131\r\n56\r\nSouth Ayrshire\r\n90\r\n224\r\n231\r\n203\r\n219\r\n201\r\n145\r\n73\r\nSouth Lanarkshire\r\n886\r\n1338\r\n1414\r\n1356\r\n1216\r\n1313\r\n871\r\n407\r\nStirling\r\n183\r\n291\r\n300\r\n314\r\n297\r\n247\r\n160\r\n92\r\nWest Dunbartonshire\r\n86\r\n210\r\n209\r\n230\r\n300\r\n303\r\n177\r\n74\r\nWest Lothian\r\n298\r\n529\r\n469\r\n426\r\n427\r\n434\r\n329\r\n143\r\nScotland\r\n10479\r\n17913\r\n16722\r\n16273\r\n16055\r\n15919\r\n10070\r\n5089\r\n\r\n*As recorded in the September 2014 Pupil Census","AnswerDate":"2015-08-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-08-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305079,"EventID":"S4W-26788","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5047,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-07-21T15:11:22.813","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-07-21T10:00:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what discretion veterinary physicians have when determining dosage levels of pharmaceutical products used on fish farms.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has no role in this matter.\r\nThe regulation of veterinary medicines, their prescription and their use is a reserved matter. The Secretary of State for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs is the competent authority in Scotland.","AnswerDate":"2015-08-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-08-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen McLeod","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305080,"EventID":"S4W-26789","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-07-21T15:11:23.773","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-07-21T10:14:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on reports that urology patients have been moved from Gartnavel General Hospital to the Princess Royal Maternity Hospital, causing increased capacity pressures.","AnswerText":"The planning and provision of local healthcare services are matters for individual NHS boards. NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde advise that, to improve patient flows during peak activity, there are additional beds available across all maternity hospitals that can be accessed immediately to meet demand. The health board has been clear that having urology patients in the Princess Royal Maternity Hospital has not reduced their ability to open additional beds on the obstetric floors where required.","AnswerDate":"2015-08-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-08-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305081,"EventID":"S4W-26790","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-07-21T15:11:24.453","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-07-21T10:14:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government which NHS services and treatments are not available in each NHS board area, requiring patients to travel outwith their NHS board area for treatment.","AnswerText":"The information requested is not collected centrally.\r\nThere are very good reasons why people are treated outside their board areas as specialist care is provided in the most appropriate environment, regardless of board boundaries. In many cases it is simpler for a patient to go to a hospital in a neighbouring board area, as it is nearer to their home. There are many other patients who start their care in their own area and are then referred to a regional centre for specialist treatment, for example to the Golden Jubilee Hospital as a national centre providing treatments such as heart transplants and cardiac bypass surgery.","AnswerDate":"2015-08-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-08-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305082,"EventID":"S4W-26791","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-07-21T15:11:25.203","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-07-21T10:14:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on reports that midwives are facing extreme pressure to discharge new mothers from Glasgow’s maternity hospitals as soon as possible because of capacity pressures.","AnswerText":"In February 2015 the Scottish Government announced plans to review our maternity and neonatal services to make sure that Scotland has the right services in place to continue to deliver and indeed enhance the excellent care provided. As part of this process we will be engaging with maternity staff and service users about what matters to them.\r\nAll health boards, including NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, are responsible for ensuring that they have sufficient capacity in place to meet the needs of local people and they have provided assurances that this is the case. The decision about discharge for new mothers and their babies should be made in partnership between the woman and her care providers. Midwives are accountable for any decisions they make in relation to women under their care and we would expect them place the needs of the family front and centre in their decision making. The health board has provided further assurance that local mothers and their babies are only discharged when it is appropriate to do so, as informed by their needs.","AnswerDate":"2015-08-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-08-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305083,"EventID":"S4W-26792","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2029,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":145,"ApprovedDate":"2015-07-21T15:11:26.163","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-07-21T11:40:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many police (a) officers and (b) civilian staff have been employed at each police contact centre in each month since April 2013.","AnswerText":"This information is not held centrally. The deployment of police officers and support staff is a matter for Police Scotland and the Scottish Police Authority.","AnswerDate":"2015-08-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-08-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305084,"EventID":"S4W-26793","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2029,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":145,"ApprovedDate":"2015-07-21T15:11:26.933","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-07-21T11:40:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many civilian staff have been employed by the police in each month since April 2013.","AnswerText":"Police support staff are employed by the Scottish police authority. Staff numbers are reported to the Scottish police authority board and the human resource and remuneration committee on a regular basis.","AnswerDate":"2015-08-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-08-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305085,"EventID":"S4W-26794","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2029,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":145,"ApprovedDate":"2015-07-21T15:11:27.643","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-07-21T11:40:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many police stations have been open to the public in each month since April 2013. ","AnswerText":"This information is not held by the Scottish Government.","AnswerDate":"2015-08-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-08-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305086,"EventID":"S4W-26795","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2029,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":145,"ApprovedDate":"2015-07-21T15:11:28.373","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-07-21T11:40:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the average waiting time for a (a) 101 and (b) 999 call to each police contact centre has been in each month since April 2013.","AnswerText":"This information is not held by the Scottish Government. However since May 2015 the Scottish police authority has provided weekly assurance reports to the Scottish Government about the performance of police Scotland’s call handling service centres at Bilston Glen and Govan. The reports demonstrate that Police Scotland are exceeding their service targets of answering 90 per cent of 999 calls within 10 seconds, and 90% of 101 calls within 40 seconds.","AnswerDate":"2015-08-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-08-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305087,"EventID":"S4W-26796","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2029,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":145,"ApprovedDate":"2015-07-21T15:11:29.063","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-07-21T11:40:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many (a) 101 and (b) 999 calls to each police contact centre have been unanswered in each month since April 2013.","AnswerText":"This information is not held by the Scottish Government. However since May 2015 the Scottish police authority has provided weekly assurance reports to the Scottish Government about the performance of Police Scotland’s call handling service centres at Bilston Glen and Govan. The reports demonstrate that Police Scotland are exceeding their service targets of answering 90 per cent of 999 calls within 10 seconds, and 90% of 101 calls within 40 seconds.","AnswerDate":"2015-08-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-08-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305088,"EventID":"S4W-26797","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2029,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":145,"ApprovedDate":"2015-07-21T15:11:29.763","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-07-21T11:40:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the average time has been between a call to each police contact centre and an officer attending the incident in each month since April 2013. ","AnswerText":"This information is not held by the Scottish Government.","AnswerDate":"2015-08-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-08-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305089,"EventID":"S4W-26798","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2029,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":145,"ApprovedDate":"2015-07-21T15:11:30.493","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-07-21T11:40:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the absence rate for police (a) officers and (b) civilian staff has been in each month since April 2013, expressed as a percentage.","AnswerText":"This information is not held centrally. It is a matter for Police Scotland and the Scottish Police Authority.","AnswerDate":"2015-08-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-08-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305090,"EventID":"S4W-26799","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2029,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":145,"ApprovedDate":"2015-07-21T15:11:31.203","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-07-21T11:40:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many police (a) officer and (b) civilian staff working days have been lost because of stress-related conditions at each police call centre in each month since April 2013.","AnswerText":"This information is not held centrally. It is a matter for Police Scotland and the Scottish Police Authority.","AnswerDate":"2015-08-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-08-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305091,"EventID":"S4W-26800","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2029,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":145,"ApprovedDate":"2015-07-21T15:11:31.913","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-07-21T12:48:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many police officers have been taken off their regular duties to be deployed at each police call centre in each month since April 2013. ","AnswerText":"This information is not held centrally. The deployment of police officers is a matter for Police Scotland and the Scottish Police Authority.","AnswerDate":"2015-08-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-08-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305092,"EventID":"S4W-26801","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3745,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":122,"ApprovedDate":"2015-07-21T15:11:32.523","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-07-21T14:26:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to raise awareness in (a) black and minority ethnic and (b) other communities regarding (i) how kidney disease might impact on them and (ii) the links between diabetes and kidney disease.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government recognises that kidney disease and diabetes related kidney complications are more common in people from ethnic minority communities.\r\nWe are working with Kidney Research UK (KRUK) to raise awareness of kidney health and organ donation among the South Asian Communities in Glasgow and the West of Scotland. Additionally, KRUK’s Peer Educators have been trained to talk to their communities about organ donation in general and kidney health and the risk of kidney disease specifically. The project will help raise awareness of kidney disease and the links with diabetes and help dispel some of the myths that act as a barrier to organ donation. \r\nThis work is complemented by our Diabetes Improvement Plan which was published in November 2014. The plan aims to support NHS boards to implement measures to promptly detect and prevent the complications associated with diabetes, including kidney disease, and reduce the impact of deprivation, ethnicity and disadvantage on diabetes care and outcomes.","AnswerDate":"2015-08-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-08-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305105,"EventID":"S4W-26802","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-07-22T15:11:59.333","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-07-21T14:28:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-26333 by Shona Robison on 13 July 2015, how many student nurses have (a) begun, (b) completed, (c) interrupted and (d) dropped out of their nursing training in each year since 2005.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government manages the supply of registered nurses and midwives into NHSScotland through the commissioning of student numbers on nursing and midwifery programmes at Scottish higher education institutions. This process is informed by workforce planning that considers employers’ predictions of the number of nurses and midwives required and available future supply of qualified staff and includes input from higher education institutions and partnership bodies, including the Royal College of Nursing.\r\nTo support analysis of nursing and midwifery student commencement, progression and completion, NHS Education Scotland (NES) captures data whenever any student starts (commencement), stops (discontinuation) or completes their course. The figures, as set out in the table below, reflect that the duration of nursing pre-registration programmes varies depending on the programme type from 18 months (for conversion programmes) to four years (for honours programmes) and that due to breaks in training, students may take longer than the normal programme length to complete. Therefore, recent cohort years in the table will show smaller numbers of completions.\r\nTable 1*: Nursing fields of practice only\r\nCohort\r\nCommencement\r\nDiscontinuation\r\nCompletion\r\n2005\r\n3,465\r\n1,148\r\n2,510\r\n2006\r\n3,184\r\n1,092\r\n2,291\r\n2007\r\n3,110\r\n1,018\r\n2,206\r\n2008\r\n3,056\r\n898\r\n2,222\r\n2009\r\n3,231\r\n812\r\n2,395\r\n2010\r\n3,259\r\n613\r\n2,394\r\n2011\r\n2,936\r\n434\r\n1,862\r\n2012\r\n2,597\r\n317\r\n150\r\n2013\r\n2,737\r\n205\r\n24\r\n2014\r\n3,017\r\n68\r\n0\r\nNotes:\r\nNumber of commencements on the cohorted course only, i.e. excluding commencements on any subsequent courses they may have taken on the cohorted course only, i.e. excluding discontinuations from any subsequent courses they may have taken.\r\nNumber of completions on cohorted or any subsequent pre-registration course up until first registration (excluding midwifery courses). \r\n* The reported data have been specifically analysed to respond to the request for information sought by particular parliamentary questions. The source of the data analysis is NES Nursing and Midwifery Student Indexing Data. These data are collated and analysed by NES in support of the Nursing and Midwifery Workforce Planning and Educational Commissioning and inform the published Information Services Division NHS workforce data:\r\nhttp://www.isdscotland.org/Health-Topics/Workforce/Nursing-and-Midwifery/ and the annual NES Nursing and Midwifery Annual Statistical Survey report.","AnswerDate":"2015-08-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-08-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305106,"EventID":"S4W-26803","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-07-22T15:12:00.283","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-07-21T14:28:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many newly qualified nurses the NHS has recruited in each year since 2005, broken down by NHS board.","AnswerText":"The number of newly qualified nurses recruited by the NHS each year since 2005, broken down by NHS board, is not held centrally.\r\nHowever, in terms of current nursing staff levels, we are better equipped to deliver services than ever before. Under this government, the number of qualified nurses and midwives (including interns) working across NHSScotland has increased by 2,357.0 whole time equivalent – up 5.7 per cent to a record high. \r\nIn addition, the Scottish Government has provided £450,000 further investment over the next three years to attract 75 former nurses and midwives per year back into practice. Furthermore, in January 2015 the Scottish Government announced a third successive rise in pre-registration student nursing and midwifery intake, with a 3% increase for 2015-16 complementing the 6% increase for 2014-15.","AnswerDate":"2015-08-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-08-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305107,"EventID":"S4W-26804","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-07-22T15:12:01.05","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-07-21T14:28:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many medical students have (a) begun, (b) completed, (c) interrupted and (d) dropped out of their training in each year since 2005.","AnswerText":"The latest data for medical students at Scottish Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) are Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA) data for 2013 to 14.\r\nTables 1 and 2 provide information by year for entrants to and graduates from degree level medicine courses at higher education institutions in Scotland (including pre-clinical and clinical medicine courses).\r\nNon continuation rates by subject are available at UK level on the HESA website https://www.hesa.ac.uk/pis/09/10/noncon, Table SN3. Comparable data for Scotland are not held centrally.\r\nTable 1 - Entrants to degree level medicine courses at Scottish HEIs by year: 2005-06 and 2013-14\r\nYear\r\n2005-06\r\n2006-07\r\n2007-08\r\n2008-09\r\n2009-10\r\nNumber of Entrants \r\n995\r\n1,010\r\n1,015\r\n1,025\r\n1,030\r\nYear\r\n2010-11\r\n2011-12\r\n2012-13\r\n2013-14\r\n\r\nNumber of Entrants \r\n1,080\r\n1,200\r\n1,045\r\n1,000\r\n\r\nSource: HESA\r\nData rounded to the nearest 5.\r\nTable 2 - Graduates from degree level medicine courses at Scottish HEIs by year: 2005-06 and 2013-14\r\nYear\r\n2005-06\r\n2006-07\r\n2007-08\r\n2008-09\r\n2009-10\r\nNumber of Graduates \r\n950\r\n990\r\n980\r\n965\r\n960\r\nYear\r\n2010-11\r\n2011-12\r\n2012-13\r\n2013-14\r\n\r\nNumber of Graduates \r\n960\r\n965\r\n1,010\r\n1,130\r\n\r\nSource:HESA\r\nData rounded to the nearest five.","AnswerDate":"2015-08-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-08-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305108,"EventID":"S4W-26806","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-07-22T15:12:01.843","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-07-21T14:40:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many student nurses have (a) begun, (b) completed and (c) discontinued their 18-month conversion course in each year since 2005.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government manages the supply of registered nurses and midwives into NHSScotland through the commissioning of student numbers on nursing and midwifery programmes at Scottish higher education institutions. This process is informed by workforce planning that considers employers’ predictions of the number of nurses and midwives required and available future supply of qualified staff and includes input from higher education institutions and partnership bodies, including the Royal College of Nursing.\r\nTo support analysis of nursing and midwifery student commencement, progression and completion, NHS Education Scotland (NES) captures data whenever any student starts (commencement), stops (discontinuation) or completes their course. The figures, as set out in the table below, reflect the duration of nursing pre-registration 18 months conversion programmes and that due to breaks in training, students may take longer than the normal programme length to complete. Therefore, recent cohort years in the table will show smaller numbers of completions.\r\nConversion course programmes reflect one of a number of routes to registration that are captured under the overall commissioned target numbers. As such, the number of places on such routes will vary between years depending upon service/student demand, even if the overall target numbers do not. Table 2:\r\nCohort\r\nCommencement\r\nDiscontinuation\r\nCompletion\r\n2005\r\n143\r\n15\r\n129\r\n2006\r\n63\r\n15\r\n50\r\n2007\r\n78\r\n14\r\n64\r\n2008\r\n54\r\n6\r\n48\r\n2009\r\n39\r\n6\r\n31\r\n2010\r\n47\r\n0\r\n44\r\n2011\r\n37\r\n0\r\n37\r\n2012\r\n31\r\n1\r\n27\r\n2013\r\n27\r\n0\r\n24\r\n2014\r\n28\r\n1\r\n0\r\nNotes: \r\nData relates to 18 month conversion courses for registered first and second level nurses.\r\nNumber of commencements on the cohorted course only, i.e. excluding commencements on any subsequent courses they may have taken. \r\nNumber of discontinuations on the cohorted course only, i.e. excluding discontinuations from any subsequent courses they may have taken.\r\nNumber of completions on cohorted course only, i.e. excluding completions of any subsequent courses they may have taken.\r\n* The reported data have been specifically analysed to respond to the request for information sought by particular parliamentary questions. The source of the data analysis is NHS Education for Scotland Nursing and Midwifery Student Indexing Data. These data are collated and analysed by NES in support of the Nursing and Midwifery Workforce Planning and Educational Commissioning and inform the published Information Services Division NHS workforce data:\r\nhttp://www.isdscotland.org/Health-Topics/Workforce/Nursing-and-Midwifery/ and\r\nthe annual NES Nursing and Midwifery Annual Statistical Survey report.","AnswerDate":"2015-08-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-08-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305109,"EventID":"S4W-26807","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-07-22T15:12:02.703","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-07-21T14:40:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many student nurses have (a) begun, (b) completed and (c) discontinued their four-year course in each year since 2005.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government manages the supply of registered nurses and midwives into NHSScotland through the commissioning of student numbers on nursing and midwifery programmes at Scottish higher education institutions. This process is informed by workforce planning that considers employers’ predictions of the number of nurses and midwives required and available future supply of qualified staff and includes input from higher education institutions and partnership bodies, including the Royal College of Nursing.\r\nTo support analysis of nursing and midwifery student commencement, progression and completion, NHS Education Scotland captures data whenever any student starts (commencement), stops (discontinuation) or completes their course. The figures, as set out in the following table, reflects the duration of nursing pre-registration four-year programmes and that due to breaks in training, students may take longer than the normal programme length to complete. Therefore, recent cohort years in the table will show smaller numbers of completions. Table 3:\r\nCohort\r\nCommencement\r\nDiscontinuation\r\nCompletion\r\n2005\r\n289\r\n76\r\n217\r\n2006\r\n284\r\n87\r\n200\r\n2007\r\n264\r\n82\r\n183\r\n2008\r\n277\r\n63\r\n213\r\n2009\r\n291\r\n55\r\n221\r\n2010\r\n328\r\n52\r\n238\r\n2011\r\n274\r\n26\r\n67\r\n2012\r\n285\r\n27\r\n0\r\n2013\r\n239\r\n16\r\n0\r\n2014\r\n245\r\n4\r\n0\r\nNotes:\r\nData relates to four year honours degree courses.\r\nNumber of commencements on the cohorted course only, i.e. excluding commencements on any subsequent courses they may have taken.\r\nNumber of discontinuations on the cohorted course only, i.e. excluding discontinuations from any subsequent courses they may have taken. \r\nNumber of completions on cohorted course only, i.e. excluding completions of any subsequent courses they may have taken. \r\n* The reported data have been specifically analysed to respond to the request for information sought by particular parliamentary questions. The source of the data analysis is NHS Education for Scotland Nursing and Midwifery Student Indexing Data. These data are collated and analysed by NES in support of the Nursing and Midwifery Workforce Planning and Educational Commissioning and inform the published Information Services Division NHS Workforce data:\r\nhttp://www.isdscotland.org/Health-Topics/Workforce/Nursing-and-Midwifery/ and the annual NES Nursing and Midwifery Annual Statistical Survey report.","AnswerDate":"2015-08-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-08-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305110,"EventID":"S4W-26808","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4080,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-07-22T15:12:03.42","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-07-21T16:42:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will consider publishing annual statistics on deaths (a) in police custody and (b) following police contact.","AnswerText":"Annual reports of the police investigations and review commissioner already set out the number of cases referred to them relating to deaths in police custody and deaths following police contact. The Scottish Government will consider with stakeholders the most appropriate way for information on these matters to be made publicly available in future.","AnswerDate":"2015-08-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-08-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305111,"EventID":"S4W-26809","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4080,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-07-22T15:12:04.183","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-07-21T16:42:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many deaths (a) in police custody and (b) following police contact have been recorded in each of the last five years, broken down by Police Scotland division or legacy force.","AnswerText":"The chief constable must refer to the police investigations and review commissioner (PIRC) the death or serious injury of any person who had direct or indirect contact with the police at or before their death or serious injury and where there is an indication that the contact with police may have caused, or contributed to, the death or serious injury. PIRC annual reports, state that, in 2014 to2015, three instances of deaths in custody and eight instances of death following police contact were referred to the PIRC. In 2013 to 2014 seven deaths in custody and 12 deaths following police contact were referred to the PIRC. Information for years prior to 2013 to 2014 is not held centrally.","AnswerDate":"2015-08-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-08-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305112,"EventID":"S4W-26810","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4939,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":78,"ApprovedDate":"2015-07-22T15:12:04.933","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-07-21T17:01:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what progress it has made in developing policy guidance for planning authorities on permitting huts and micro-houses with sleeping accommodation in the countryside.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Planning Policy, published in June 2014, sets out national planning policy on huts. In addition Reforesting Scotland is developing guidance for the sustainable development of new hutting entitled New Hutting Developments: Guidance on planning, developing and managing huts. Reforesting Scotland is also preparing good practice guidance on hut building and design. Both documents will include policy guidance for planning authorities.\r\nNo policy guidance for planning authorities has been or is intended to be developed by the Scottish Government which refers specifically to micro houses.","AnswerDate":"2015-08-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-08-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil ","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305113,"EventID":"S4W-26811","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-07-22T15:12:05.713","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-07-22T08:07:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether there was increased military activity at Glasgow Prestwick Airport over 2014-15 and, if so, whether it will provide details of that activity.","AnswerText":"Over 2014-15 the Glasgow Prestwick Airport management team worked to increase income across all of the airport’s revenue streams. This included actively pursuing commercial opportunities connected with military aircraft. Business from this sector increased over 2014-15 and included training flights, large scale military exercises and fuel stops. In addition, the RAF have used the airport to bring troops back from exercises.","AnswerDate":"2015-08-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-08-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305114,"EventID":"S4W-26813","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-07-22T15:12:06.587","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-07-22T08:07:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether overseas military aircraft used Glasgow Prestwick Airport in 2014-15 and, if so, from what countries.","AnswerText":"Military aircraft from the United States, Canada, Belgium, the Netherlands, France and Kuwait have used Glasgow Prestwick Airport in 2014-15.","AnswerDate":"2015-08-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-08-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305115,"EventID":"S4W-26815","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5047,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-07-22T15:12:07.417","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-07-22T13:18:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to inform young people of the dangers of getting involved with criminal gangs.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government recognises the importance of informing young people to understand the dangers and consequences of violence. Although Scotland has relatively low numbers of young people involved in gangs and is becoming safer, we strive to reduce crime even more. Our approach, targets diversion of young people from offending, based on prevention, early intervention and providing appropriate support to tackle the causes, and not just deal with the symptoms. \r\nThe Scottish Government works with various partners who deliver a number of programmes. Specifically to reduce violence, we are supporting the following:\r\nThe Violence Reduction Unit has been funded with £6.5 million since 2008 to reduce violent crime and behaviour with a focus on enforcement and containing and managing individuals who carry weapons or who are involved in violent behaviour.\r\nThe No Knives Better Lives Programme, managed by YouthLink Scotland, involves local partners, including councils, police, youth groups, delivering a range of activities in schools and communities, including diversionary activities, youth work interventions and events, to get the message across to young people about the dangers and consequences of carrying a knife and engagement in gang activities, and encourages them to make more positive life choices. To date it has worked in Glasgow, Inverclyde, Renfrewshire, Clackmannanshire, West Dunbartonshire, South Lanarkshire, North Lanarkshire, Edinburgh, East Ayrshire, North Ayrshire and West Lothian and 10 other local authorities have expressed an interest in expanding the programme.\r\nWe support the work of Medics Against Violence works in secondary schools to deliver an anti-violence message to pupils from a medical perspective, looking at the biological, psychological, social and personal consequences of violence. Over 240 volunteer medics from Glasgow have pledged their time to help, estimating they have reached so far approx. 15,000 young people.\r\nThe Police Scotland National Partnership Unit, as part of our Building Safer Communities programme, is supported through Police Scotland, Young Scot and Youthlink Scotland to deepen police engagement with young people, breaking down barriers with traditionally difficult to engage communities and promoting positive role models. They seek to improve the relationship between young people and the police in Scotland by increasing the opportunities for positive dialogue through the Police Scotland Youth Volunteers Programme and their Youth Advisory Panel.\r\nTo date, £75 million of funds have been used from proceeds of crime to fund CashBack for Communities and other community initiatives, to provide community activities and facilities that are largely, but not exclusively, for young people. This has delivered over 1.5 million free, positive and healthy opportunities and activities for young people (figures are up to 2013-14), diverting them from crime. \r\nWith regard to young people becoming involved in more serious criminal activities, the Scottish Government are working with various partners in Glasgow to develop a specific service which diverts vulnerable children and young people from involvement in serious organised crime. The aims of this service are to reduce offending behaviour, improve young people's physical and mental wellbeing including reduced or stabilised substance misuse, improve relationships with families, peers and the community and encourage the young people to access financial advice, education, and/or employment.","AnswerDate":"2015-08-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-08-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Paul Wheelhouse","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305116,"EventID":"S4W-26816","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5047,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-07-22T15:12:08.237","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-07-22T13:18:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many babies were delivered by caesarean section in each month in 2014-15, broken down by hospital.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government doesn’t hold this information. Data on caesarean section rates in Scotland up to March 2013 can be found on the NHS National Services Scotland – Information Services Division Scotland website by following the attached link: http://www.isdscotland.org/","AnswerDate":"2015-08-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-08-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305117,"EventID":"S4W-26817","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5047,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-07-22T15:12:08.93","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-07-22T13:18:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it will address discrimination faced by LGBT people.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government intends to continue with the approach it is currently taking to address the prejudice and discrimination lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex (LGBTI) people face and to progress LGBTI equality. This includes working in partnership with LGBT organisations, engaging with LGBTI communities, continuing to invest in this sector both financially and in other forms of support, and to continue to show strong leadership in relation to LGBTI equality through policy development and legislation, and by Scottish Ministers.","AnswerDate":"2015-08-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-08-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305118,"EventID":"S4W-26818","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5080,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-07-22T15:12:09.6","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-07-22T13:40:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to improve economic productivity and what its preferred standard of measurement for this is.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is undertaking a range of actions that will support productivity improvements in the Scottish economy including; investing in Scotland’s transport and digital infrastructure; investing in early years, schools, further and higher education to boost employability and enhance skills; and supporting a culture of entrepreneurial ambition and innovation throughout Scotland. Further information can be found in Scotland’s Economic Strategy, which is available at: http://www.gov.scot/Publications/2015/03/5984.\r\n\r\nThe Scottish Government currently use GDP per hour worked to measure Scotland’s productivity performance through Scotland Performs.","AnswerDate":"2015-08-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-08-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305119,"EventID":"S4W-26820","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5080,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-07-22T15:12:10.24","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-07-22T13:40:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what progress it is making toward achieving its productivity purpose target of Scotland ranking \"in the top quartile for productivity against our key trading partners in the OECD by 2017\".","AnswerText":"Scotland Performs monitors and reports on progress against the Scottish Government’s seven purpose targets and 50 national indicators.\r\nData on Scotland’s productivity performance is currently available for years up to and including 2013. Progress against the productivity purpose target, covering the period up to 2013, is published at the following address: \r\nhttp://www.gov.scot/About/Performance/scotPerforms/purpose/productivity.","AnswerDate":"2015-08-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-08-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305120,"EventID":"S4W-26821","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5080,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-07-22T15:12:10.863","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-07-22T13:40:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to the Equality Network report, The Scottish LGBT Equality Report. ","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government welcomes Equality Network’s The Scottish LGBT Equality Report. Despite the significant progress made in relation to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex (LGBTI) equality, particularly in recent years, we are aware of the inequality still facing LGBTI people and communities today and that there are many challenges that still remain. Equality Network’s report reinforces this position, and will assist in the development of government policy to address these issues of inequality.","AnswerDate":"2015-08-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-08-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305121,"EventID":"S4W-26822","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5080,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-07-22T15:12:11.457","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-07-22T13:40:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on developing an LGBT equality and human rights strategy. ","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government’s strategic approach to date has been to work in collaboration with LGBT organisations in Scotland to address the priorities these communities have identified to progress equality for LGBT people. This is no more evident than through the Marriage and Civil Partnership (Scotland) Act 2014. \r\nThe Scottish Government will continue to work strategically in collaboration with LGBT organisations and communities to develop the policies and legislation which we have jointly identified as being critical to advance equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex (LGBTI) people.","AnswerDate":"2015-08-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-08-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305122,"EventID":"S4W-26823","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5080,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-07-22T15:12:12.173","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-07-22T13:40:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on couples in civil partnerships that were registered overseas being able to convert these to marriages in Scotland. ","AnswerText":"Section 9 of the Marriage and Civil Partnership (Scotland) Act 2014 allows the Scottish Ministers to make an Order enabling civil partners in a partnership registered outwith Scotland to change their civil partnership to a marriage in Scotland. On 6 March 2015, the government issued a discussion paper on the proposals in relation to making an Order under section 9. This discussion paper is at: http://www.gov.scot/Resource/0047/00472742.pdf. Following this, on 8 June 2015, the government issued a consultation on a draft Order. This consultation is at: http://www.gov.scot/Resource/0047/00479412.pdf and the draft Order at: http://www.gov.scot/Resource/0047/00479414.pdf. The effect of the draft Order is to allow persons in a same sex civil partnership registered outwith Scotland to change that civil partnership into a marriage through having a marriage ceremony in Scotland. The government is currently considering the responses to the consultation and intends to lay an Order under section 9 before Parliament later in 2015. Orders under section 9 are subject to the affirmative procedure.","AnswerDate":"2015-08-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-08-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Marco Biagi","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305123,"EventID":"S4W-26824","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5080,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-07-22T15:12:12.89","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-07-22T13:40:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to the Academy of Medical Royal Colleges and Faculties in Scotland Short-life Working Group on Hospitals report, Learning from Serious Failings in Care. ","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is committed to driving up standards in our NHS and we had already taken action to implement the recommendations of the reviews the academy’s report covers. We are expanding our world leading Patient Safety Programme, implementing the Scottish Health Council’s review of NHS health board’s annual complaints and feedback, taking forward Healthcare Improvement Scotland’s work around the reporting of adverse events and have announced plans to appoint an independent national whistle blowing officer and whistle blowing champions in all boards.\r\nWe are absolutely clear about the value we place on staff and the safe and effective service they deliver to patients. We currently have the highest staffing levels across our NHS than ever before, with increases under this government of over 1,300 more consultants, and 2,300 more qualified nurses and midwives. NHS Scotland led the UK in putting mandatory nursing workforce planning tools in place and these are working well in helping health boards to plan for the number of staff required to provide the best possible care for patients. \r\nWe are constantly striving to further improve health care in Scotland and will review the recommendations within this report and take forward any learning that will benefit NHS Scotland, as part of the follow up work to the Vale of Leven, Grampian and North Lanarkshire reviews or separately.","AnswerDate":"2015-08-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305124,"EventID":"S4W-26825","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5080,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-07-22T15:12:13.983","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-07-22T13:40:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what priority it gives to leadership capacity building in NHS boards. ","AnswerText":"Building leadership capacity in NHS boards is a significant priority for the Scottish Government.\r\nEffective leadership and management is one of the five priority areas for action in Everyone Matters, our 2020 vision for the NHS Workforce. Within that priority area the Scottish Government is supporting delivery of five leadership and management focus areas:\r\nCross sector working.\r\nAdopting values driven approaches.\r\nMaking space for honest dialogue to improve performance, sustain good performance and tackle poor performance.\r\nStrengthening management at all levels but with a particular focus on middle management, talent management and succession planning.\r\nLeading teams and engaging people.\r\nTo oversee this work the leadership advisory board has been established. It provides strategic leadership and advice to the respective leadership and management development governance forums across health and social care services in relation to their identified and agreed leadership and management development priorities","AnswerDate":"2015-08-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-08-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305125,"EventID":"S4W-26826","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-07-22T15:12:14.53","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-07-22T13:52:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many under-18-year-old (a) inpatients in mental health facilities and (b) schoolchildren have received talking therapies in each year since 2010.","AnswerText":"The information is not held centrally.","AnswerDate":"2015-08-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-08-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305126,"EventID":"S4W-26827","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-07-22T15:12:15.34","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-07-22T13:52:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it (a) supports and (b) resources the provision of talking therapies for under-18-year-old (i) schoolchildren and (ii) inpatients in mental health facilities.","AnswerText":"The provision and resourcing of talking therapies within mental health service provision funding is provided from within the overall resources available this year for healthcare and local government with NHS boards and councils responsible for local decision making and delivery.\r\nIn addition, £85 million funding for mental health was announced on 24 May 2015. This follows the £15 million over three years announced in November 2014 for the Mental Health Innovation Fund providing £100 million in total. This funding will be invested in improving mental health services.","AnswerDate":"2015-08-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-08-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305127,"EventID":"S4W-26829","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-07-22T15:12:16.137","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-07-22T14:54:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many mental health patients have been accommodated in a hospital (a) in their own NHS board area and (b) outwith their NHS board area in each year since 2005.","AnswerText":"Information on psychiatric inpatient and day case discharges is recorded in Scottish morbidity record 04 (SMR04). Data on SMR04 is routinely published by financial year and 2013-14 is the latest year for which information is available.\r\nTable 1: Number of patients1 discharged from psychiatric hospitals in Scotland2,3,4 who were treated in the same or different NHS board areas5 from the one in which they reside, 2005-06 to 2013-14.\r\n\r\n2005-06\r\n2006-07\r\n2007-08\r\n2008-09\r\n2009-10\r\n2010-11\r\n2011-12\r\n2012-13\r\n2013-14\r\nSame NHS board\r\n17,149\r\n16,191\r\n15,740\r\n16,137\r\n15,208\r\n14,578\r\n14,378\r\n14,268\r\n13,862\r\nDifferent NHS board\r\n803\r\n832\r\n923\r\n885\r\n780\r\n805\r\n855\r\n793\r\n799\r\nNon-resident or unknown6\r\n494\r\n456\r\n434\r\n390\r\n350\r\n348\r\n318\r\n345\r\n379\r\n1. Patients are counted in every category they satisfy, so may be included in multiple rows for each year.\r\n2. Psychiatric inpatient and day case activity is recorded in Scottish morbidity record 04 (SMR04).\r\n3. Data from the State Hospital (Carstairs) have been excluded.\r\n4. Data from the learning disability specialty have been excluded.\r\n5. Where the data was assigned to a non-NHS provider, patients were allocated to an NHS board based on the location of the facility they were treated in.\r\n6. ‘Non-resident or unknown’ contains all patients for which information on council area is not available on SMR04, which includes patients living outside of Scotland and patients with no fixed abode.\r\nSource: SMR04 (psychiatric inpatient and day case database)\r\nhttps://isdscotland.scot.nhs.uk/Health-Topics/Mental-Health/Publications/2015-05-12/2015-05-12-MHIC-Report.pdf?65449160338","AnswerDate":"2015-08-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-08-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305128,"EventID":"S4W-26830","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4939,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":78,"ApprovedDate":"2015-07-23T15:12:45.927","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-07-22T14:58:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many licences have been issued in each year from 2007 to allow (a) night shooting of deer and (b) shooting of deer during the closed season.","AnswerText":"The number of licences issued by Scottish natural heritage in each year since 2007 to allow (a) night shooting of deer and (b) shooting of deer during the closed season, is set out in the following table.\r\n\r\n2007-08\r\n2008-09\r\n2009-10\r\n2010-11\r\n2011-12\r\n2012-13\r\n2013-14\r\n(a) Night shooting\r\n187\r\n260\r\n265\r\n297\r\n337\r\n344\r\n382\r\n(b) Out of season culling\r\n66\r\n138\r\n124\r\n140\r\n140\r\n258*\r\n270\r\nNote: changes arising from the wildlife and natural environment (Scotland) act 2011 have meant that all deer culling out of season now requires authorisation from SNH, resulting in increased number of licences from 2012.","AnswerDate":"2015-08-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-08-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Richard Lochhead","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305129,"EventID":"S4W-26831","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-07-23T15:12:46.63","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-07-22T15:58:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many patients treated outwith their NHS board area have died by suicide in the post-discharge period in each year since 2005.","AnswerText":"For the purposes of this question the post discharge period has been defined as within 90 days of discharge from either acute or psychiatric hospitals in Scotland.\r\nTable 1: Number of Scottish residents1 who died from suicide2,3,4 within 90 days of their last hospital discharge5,6 which was from a medical facility in a different NHS board from the one in which they live7.8, 2005-06 to 2012-139. The latest year for which information is currently available.\r\n\r\n2005-06\r\n2006-07\r\n2007-08\r\n2008-09\r\n2009-10\r\n2010-11\r\n2011-12\r\n2012-13\r\nNumber of suicides\r\n9\r\n11\r\n11\r\n15\r\n8\r\n9\r\n10\r\n10\r\nScottish residents are defined as patients with a recorded Scottish NHS board area. Excludes patients with no fixed abode and whose address is unknown.\r\nSuicide deaths are recorded by National Records of Scotland.\r\nSuicides are defined using the ICD10 codes X60-X84, Y87.0, Y10-Y34 and Y87.2.\r\nOnly suicides registered within Scotland are included.\r\nAcute inpatient and day case activity is recorded in Scottish morbidity record 01 (SMR01) and psychiatric inpatient and day case activity is recorded in Scottish morbidity record 04 (SMR04). SMR01 and SMR04 are linked to allow patient based analysis across the two datasets. This analysis includes discharges from either SMR01 or SMR04.\r\nIn order to avoid including hospital treatment due to the suicide itself and instead look at the previous hospital stay, only the last recorded inpatient or day case discharge from either SMR01 or SMR04, where the patient was recorded as discharged to a private or temporary residence or institution, was used. This excludes discharges where the patient was transferred to another medical speciality or died.\r\nIf a patient had more than one inpatient or day case discharge in the 90 days prior to their suicide death, only the last discharge has been looked at for this analysis. If their last discharge was in their own NHS board but all their previous ones were in a different NHS board they will not appear in this table.\r\nWhere the data was assigned to a non-NHS provider, patients were allocated to an NHS board based on the location of the facility they were treated in.\r\nCases were allocated to a financial year by the date of death.\r\n\r\nSource: SMR04 (psychiatric inpatient and day case database)\r\nhttp://www.isdscotland.org/Health-Topics/Mental-Health/Publications/\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-08-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-08-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305130,"EventID":"S4W-26832","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-07-23T15:12:47.08","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-07-22T16:03:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what information it has on how many people were living alone in their post-discharge period from a mental health unit in each year since 2005.","AnswerText":"Information on psychiatric inpatients and day case discharges is recorded in Scottish morbidity record 04 (SMR04). Data on SMR04 is routinely published by financial year and 2013-14 is the latest year for which information is available.\r\nTable 1: Number of patients1 discharged from psychiatric hospitals in Scotland2,3,4 who were recorded as discharged to5 a private residence in which they live alone, 2005-06 to 2013-14.\r\n\r\n2005-06\r\n2006-07\r\n2007-08\r\n2008-09\r\n2009-10\r\n2010-11\r\n2011-12\r\n2012-13\r\n2013-14\r\nPrivate residence – living alone6\r\n6,539\r\n6,072\r\n6,145\r\n6,621\r\n5,961\r\n5,832\r\n5,872\r\n5,684\r\n5,969\r\nPrivate residence – type not known7\r\n2,042\r\n2,004\r\n1,925\r\n1,894\r\n1,867\r\n1,664\r\n1,657\r\n1,964\r\n1,688\r\nIf a patient has multiple discharges in a year, each with different discharge destinations they have been counted once in each applicable row.\r\nPsychiatric inpatient and day case activity is recorded in Scottish morbidity record 04 (SMR04).\r\nData from the State Hospital (Carstairs) have been excluded.\r\nData from the learning disability specialty have been excluded.\r\nThe “Discharge/Transfer to” field records patients discharged to various settings. This field has been used to generate these data.\r\nThis is identified using the “Discharge/Transfer to” field with the value “Private residence – living alone”\r\nThis includes the “Discharge/Transfer to” codes of “Private residence – type not known” and “Private residence – no additional detail added”.\r\nThe “Discharge/Transfer to” field also records patients discharged to various “temporary places of residence”. In some of these places patients may be living alone, however these have not been included in the table above. More details of the SMR04 dataset and the “Discharge/Transfer to” variable can be found in the data dictionary (http://www.ndc.scot.nhs.uk/Dictionary-A-Z/) section of the Information Services Division (ISD) website.\r\nSource: NHS ISD SMR04 (psychiatric inpatient and day case database)","AnswerDate":"2015-08-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-08-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305131,"EventID":"S4W-26833","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1895,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":121,"ApprovedDate":"2015-07-23T15:12:47.627","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-07-22T16:06:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what assistance it is giving to communities in the north east to ensure that they have access to improved mobile network coverage and fibre broadband.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government’s Digital Scotland Superfast Broadband (DSSB) programme is investing over £410 million of public and private sector funds to extend the coverage of fibre broadband to 95% of Scottish premises by the end of 2017, with an interim milestone of 85% coverage by March 2016. This programme is progressing through two regional projects: one led by Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) covering the HIE region, and another, led by the Scottish Government, covering the rest of Scotland (RoS).\r\nAberdeenshire, Aberdeen City and Angus council areas fall within the RoS area, while Moray is within the scope of the HIE programme. Combined with commercial and DSSB rollout, Aberdeenshire is projected to achieve 89.4% coverage, Aberdeen City 96.7% and Angus 93.5% while Moray will realise 93%. As announced on 11 August 2015, this programme will now also benefit from early payment of gainshare funds. Our broadband objectives will further benefit from an additional £42 million pledged by the UK and Scottish governments.\r\nWe have also set up Community Broadband Scotland to work with those communities unlikely to have superfast coverage delivered through the DSSB programme and support them design and implement sustainable broadband solutions.\r\nImproving mobile coverage in Scotland is an integral part of the Scottish Government’s world class digital connectivity vision. Achieving widespread 4G coverage throughout Scotland, whilst ensuring that the gap between those who don’t receive 3G or even 2G services doesn’t widen, is important. We are currently assessing potential models to address mobile coverage gaps in the future, in collaboration with industry. An example is our pilot project on the Isle of Coll which went live in March 2015. Working in partnership with Vodafone, the project has extended 3G and 4G services utilising a community-owned mast. We will trial a number of alternative models alongside this project with a view to determining which could be scalable in future. I recently met all mobile network operators in Scotland to encourage collaborative working to boost access to mobile services.","AnswerDate":"2015-08-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-08-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305132,"EventID":"S4W-26834","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-07-23T15:12:48.11","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-07-22T17:35:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what guidelines NHS boards follow regarding acceptable rates of emergency patient readmissions for (a) surgical and (b) medical specialties.","AnswerText":"Every quarter, the Scottish Government and NHS boards monitor hospital readmission rates within 7 and 28 days for surgical and medical specialties. If readmission rates in a hospital are statistically high then the Scottish Government engages with the NHS board to determine whether the readmission levels are due to data recording or clinical practice and the actions it is taking.","AnswerDate":"2015-08-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-08-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305133,"EventID":"S4W-26835","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-07-23T15:12:48.72","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-07-22T21:13:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what redundancy, severance or early retirement packages have been offered to staff at each police control room since April 2013, also broken down by how many staff at each control room have (i) expressed an interest in and (ii) taken a package.","AnswerText":"The management of voluntary redundancy and voluntary early retirement (VR/VER) is a matter for Police Scotland and the Scottish Police Authority (SPA). The SPA VR/VER scheme for staff was approved by Scottish Ministers who along with Police Scotland and the SPA remain committed to no compulsory redundancies.","AnswerDate":"2015-08-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-08-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305134,"EventID":"S4W-26836","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3763,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-07-23T15:12:49.25","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-07-23T10:58:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much is being allocated to each area being supported by the Attainment Scotland Fund and what the focus is of each area's local improvement plan.","AnswerText":"The following initial funding has been allocated to the seven local authorities identified as first to benefit from the Attainment Scotland Fund:\r\nGlasgow – £3,030,000\r\nNorth Lanarkshire – £2,241,000\r\nInverclyde – £592,000\r\nClackmannanshire – £718,109\r\nWest Dunbartonshire – £1,024,000\r\nNorth Ayrshire – £1,965,000\r\nDundee – £2,145,000\r\nThese authorities have developed improvement plans to narrow the attainment gap, with a specific focus on literacy, numeracy and health and wellbeing.","AnswerDate":"2015-08-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-08-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305135,"EventID":"S4W-26842","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1759,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-07-23T15:12:49.797","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-07-23T13:28:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government who has overall responsibility for the management and development of the carbon calculator tool used in windfarm applications and associated guidance.","AnswerText":"On behalf of Scottish Government, the Scottish Environment Protection Agency maintains and updates the carbon assessment tool. The tool is available to use on our website for developers of section 36 wind farm applications.","AnswerDate":"2015-08-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-08-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305136,"EventID":"S4W-26843","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1759,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-07-23T15:12:50.187","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-07-23T13:28:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government who is responsible for validating carbon assessments undertaken as part of planning applications for windfarms on peat soils.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Environment Protection Agency validates calculations for section 36 cases to be determined by Scottish Ministers. ","AnswerDate":"2015-08-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-08-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305137,"EventID":"S4W-26844","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1759,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-07-23T15:12:50.637","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-07-23T13:28:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how carbon assessments submitted as part of planning applications for windfarms that are material to the decision but have not been validated should be taken into consideration by the decision-maker when the decision-maker is either a Scottish Government minister or another planning authority.","AnswerText":"This can be a material consideration among other material considerations in decision making in terms of the predicted or estimated positive or detrimental impact. In instances where the consideration of the carbon assessment is of particular significance Scottish Ministers will ask the Scottish Environment Protection Agency to validate the applicant’s carbon assessment.","AnswerDate":"2015-08-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-08-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305138,"EventID":"S4W-26845","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1759,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-07-23T15:12:51.077","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-07-23T13:28:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how stakeholders, including environmental groups, can participate in the development of the windfarm carbon calculator.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Environment Protection Agency is currently turning the existing Excel-based carbon calculator into an online tool. There may scope for wider engagement at some stage in this process.","AnswerDate":"2015-08-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-08-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305139,"EventID":"S4W-26846","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1759,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-07-23T15:12:51.467","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-07-23T13:29:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how the outcomes of the windfarm payback calculator surveys coordinated by Carbon Landscapes and Drainage have informed Scottish Government decisions in relation to reviewing or updating the carbon calculator.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Environment Protection Agency’s current work on the carbon calculator was already in hand before the completion of the Carbon Landscapes and Drainage surveys. ","AnswerDate":"2015-08-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-08-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305140,"EventID":"S4W-26847","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5080,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-07-23T15:12:52.09","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-07-23T14:00:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what percentage of the (a) resource and (b) total departmental expenditure limit has been spent on revenue-financed investment charges in each year since 2012-13.","AnswerText":"The draft budget 2015 to 2016 available from the following link: www.gov.scot/Publications/2014/10/2706 contains information on revenue financed investment as a percentage of Scottish Government DEL for the period since 2013 to 2014 and projections for the period between 2016 to 2017 and 2021 to 2022. The draft budget 2013 to 2014 provides information for the year 2012 to 2013 available from the following link: www.gov.scot/Publications/2012/09/7829.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-08-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-08-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305141,"EventID":"S4W-26848","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5080,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-07-23T15:12:52.527","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-07-23T14:23:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what percentage of the (a) resource and (b) total departmental expenditure limit has been allocated for future revenue-financed investment charges.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-26847 on 12 August 2015. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at: www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.","AnswerDate":"2015-08-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-08-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305142,"EventID":"S4W-26849","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2610,"Party":"Independent","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-07-23T15:12:53.01","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-07-23T14:24:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it considers it appropriate to remove continuing care patients with old age psychiatry issues such as dementia from their homes, and whether it may be a detriment to their wellbeing.","AnswerText":"One of the key outcomes for Scotland’s second three year national dementia strategy is that people with dementia are enabled to live a good quality, safe and dignified life at home or for longer. This includes ensuring that people will be admitted into specialist NHS dementia care only when their symptoms have advanced to the extent that they cannot be safely cared for in any other care setting.New guidance on Hospital Based Complex Clinical Care:http://www.sehd.scot.nhs.uk/dl/DL(2015)11.pdf was published on 28 May 2015, replacing previous guidance on NHS continuing healthcare. This reiterates that people should only be in hospital when they have complex clinical needs.\r\nThe Scottish Government is committed to supporting the delivery of safe, effective and person-centred dementia care for everyone with dementia in all care settings. These principles underpin the standards of care for dementia in Scotland and the national promoting excellence dementia workforce skills and knowledge framework (both published in 2011). The integration of health and social care will help enable services to provide more comprehensive and seamless home-based care and support for people with dementia.","AnswerDate":"2015-08-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-08-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305143,"EventID":"S4W-26850","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2610,"Party":"Independent","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-07-23T15:12:53.463","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-07-23T14:24:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it plans to support people who need continuing NHS care but cannot or will not be removed from their homes.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government policy is to support people to live as independently as possible, for as long as possible, in their own homes. Anyone who needs NHS care will continue to have that care provided to them whatever the setting.\r\nOur legislation to integrate health and social care provides a platform for health boards and local authorities along with third and independent sectors to work together to ensure people are supported to improve their lives and outcomes.\r\nTo support integration, an overall package over £0.5 billion is being invested across Scotland over three years to enhance care in the community capacity and quality.","AnswerDate":"2015-08-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-08-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305144,"EventID":"S4W-26851","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2610,"Party":"Independent","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-07-23T15:12:53.96","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-07-23T14:26:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to minimise barriers in its recruitment and interviewing processes to improve the opportunities for people on the autistic spectrum to access modern apprenticeship training with it.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is committed to improving the lives of people with autism through the Scottish Strategy for Autism. We are working in partnership to ensure that there is intensive support and training for modern apprenticeship applicants on the autistic spectrum and training for our managers.\r\nOur diversity manager works with recruiting managers and applicants to ensure that no part of the process impacts disparately for applicants on the autistic spectrum. This includes specific support during the recruitment process for the applicant, adjustments to particular parts of the process and/or questions and specialist training for those undertaking the recruitment process.","AnswerDate":"2015-08-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-08-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Roseanna Cunningham","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305145,"EventID":"S4W-26852","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2610,"Party":"Independent","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-07-23T15:12:54.443","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-07-23T14:26:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what national training Skills Development Scotland career advisors and job coaches are given in relation to supporting people on the autistic spectrum to improve their opportunities to access modern apprenticeship training.","AnswerText":"This is an operational matter for Skills Development Scotland (SDS). I will ask the Chief Executive of SDS to write to you with the information you have requested.","AnswerDate":"2015-08-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-08-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Roseanna Cunningham","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305146,"EventID":"S4W-26853","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2610,"Party":"Independent","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-07-23T15:12:54.973","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-07-23T14:26:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many people with autism are undertaking modern apprenticeships with it.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has a responsibility to their staff and their right to privacy. Due to the small number of individuals involved, it is likely that staff could be identified, therefore we cannot disclose this information.","AnswerDate":"2015-08-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-08-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Roseanna Cunningham","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305147,"EventID":"S4W-26854","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2610,"Party":"Independent","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-07-23T15:12:55.507","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-07-23T14:26:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it will improve the number of people on the autistic spectrum taking up a modern apprenticeship with it.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is working in partnership to ensure intensive support and training for modern apprenticeship applicants on the autistic spectrum and training for our managers. This is aimed at creating more employment opportunities for those on the autistic spectrum and widening the skills, knowledge and understanding of our staff with regard to recruiting and employing these young people.\r\nWe aim to provide a suite of training programmes for Scottish Government modern apprenticeship managers, designed to provide them with interviewing skills and techniques that will allow those on the autistic spectrum to express themselves clearly and fairly at interview, in what is a competitive and sometimes stressful situation.\r\nWe aim to redress the disproportionate unemployment rates experienced by young people on the autistic spectrum, while reflecting the society we serve and appreciating the different perspectives and skills sets those on the spectrum bring to our work.","AnswerDate":"2015-08-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-08-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Roseanna Cunningham","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305162,"EventID":"S4W-26776","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-07-24T14:44:40.497","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-07-20T11:50:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what steps it has taken to ensure that NHS boards (a) undertake a risk assessment on the sustainability of section 17J and 17C practices, (b) assess partner and sessional vacancies unfilled after three months and (c) report to the Information Services Division on these matters.","AnswerText":"The difficulties practices face in recruiting GPs has been well documented and it is acknowledged that there is no quick or easy solution, nor is this unique to Scotland. However, where there are challenges, heath boards have reassured me that they are managing the situation and are taking the appropriate steps to ensure continuity of service provision in those communities, as it is their responsibility to do. Officials have been asked to keep me informed of progress in all the cases.\r\nPartner and sessional vacancies information is not held centrally as this is a matter for individual GP contractors as employers. Most GP practices are independent contractors who are free to decide (within the context of the services they must provide under contract with their board) exactly how they set up their operations in terms of employing staff. How NHS boards organise the provision of GP services in their area is an operational matter for the board to determine, based on an assessment of local needs.\r\nThe Primary Care Workforce Survey 2013, a survey of Scottish general practices and GP out of hours services was published on 24 September 2013 and provided a ‘snapshot’ of vacancies. This survey was the second conducted across the whole of Scotland, the first having been undertaken in 2009. The 2009 survey, however, did not collect data on the primary care service delivered out of hours.\r\nThe next survey will be conducted later in 2015 and will not only collect data on the primary care service provided by GPs, nurses and healthcare assistants, 24/7, but will also collect information about the other members of staff employed by GP practices who play a vital role in the delivery of that primary care service including staff such as the practice manager, the receptionists, the cleaning and maintenance staff.","AnswerDate":"2015-08-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-08-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305163,"EventID":"S4W-26777","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-07-24T14:44:41.557","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-07-20T11:50:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many category A continuing care patients there have been in each of the last five years, also broken down by care provided in (a) hospital, (b) hospice and (c) the community.","AnswerText":"This information is available from the Information Services Division Scotland website via the annual continuing care census: http://www.isdscotland.org/Health-Topics/Health-and-Social-Community-Care/NHS-Continuing-Care/Publications/. Table 8 of the census provides details of Category A patients from 2009 until 2015. It details speciality and location of care (hospitals, care homes and other). This census was taken on 31 March 2015 and published on 23 June 2015.","AnswerDate":"2015-08-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-08-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305164,"EventID":"S4W-26778","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-07-24T14:44:42.523","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-07-20T11:51:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether a global unique identifier number is being applied to each patient in NHS GP practices where the EMIS IT system is used and, if so, whether this is in addition to the community health index number and whether (a) practices and (b) patients can opt out of the research database.","AnswerText":"No global unique identifier number is applied to patients in NHS GP practices using the EMIS IT system. The community health index number is the only unique identifier that is used across all NHS Scotland IT systems. Patients and practices can opt out of providing patient-identifiable information for research purposes.","AnswerDate":"2015-08-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-08-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305165,"EventID":"S4W-26779","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-07-24T14:44:43.57","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-07-20T11:51:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether pseudoanonymised data is collected from IT systems by all GP practices, unless the practice or patient opts out, and then anonymised for use by designated researchers.","AnswerText":"Currently there is no service which collects pseudonymised data from IT systems by all GP practices.","AnswerDate":"2015-08-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-08-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305166,"EventID":"S4W-26780","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-07-24T14:44:44.77","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-07-20T11:52:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what research it has commissioned or funded on the outcomes for patients for whom the 12-week diagnosis to treatment guarantee has not been met.","AnswerText":"The treatment time guarantee has been in place since October 2012, such research would normally require a number of years data and this is something which will be considered. The Scottish Government does however cooperate regularly with a range of independent research, including recent reports on waiting times, the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development report Waiting Time Policies in the Health Sector: What Works? and the Nuffield report The four health systems of the UK: How do they compare?. Waiting times throughout Scotland emerge in a positive light within these reports.\r\nThe Scottish Government expects health boards to take all appropriate action to comply with their legal obligation to ensure eligible patients who are due to receive planned inpatient or day case treatment are treated in accordance with the treatment time guarantee. If a patient has not received their treatment within the 12 week maximum waiting time period they should immediately contact their health board so that an appointment can be made to treat them without delay.","AnswerDate":"2015-08-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-08-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305167,"EventID":"S4W-26781","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-07-24T14:44:45.893","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-07-20T11:52:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what research it has commissioned or funded on the outcomes for cancer patients for whom the guarantee of 31 days from (a) referral to diagnosis and (b) diagnosis to treatment and 62-day overall target have not been met.","AnswerText":"There has been no centrally commissioned or funded research to monitor outcomes for patients diagnosed with cancer who breach the 62-day referral to treatment and 31-day decision to treat to treatment cancer access standards. \r\nThis government introduced tougher new cancer waiting times targets in 2010 with over 1,000 more patients now being treated each quarter. The 31-day standard has been consistently achieved with, on average, cancer patients starting treatment within six days of a decision to treat.\r\nHowever, the pathway to diagnosis and staffing can be complex involving several medical investigations and decision-making processes and we continue to scrutinise performance across NHS Scotland and are actively supporting NHS boards where there are challenges to sustained delivery against the 62-day standard backed by additional funding of £4.05 million in 2015-16.","AnswerDate":"2015-08-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-08-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305168,"EventID":"S4W-26782","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-07-24T14:44:47","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-07-20T11:53:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what research it has commissioned or funded on the outcomes for patients whose referral to child and adolescent mental health services was designated in the returns to the Information Services Division as rejected.","AnswerText":"There has been no centrally commissioned research into the outcomes for patients whose referral was not considered suitable for treatment within child and adolescent mental health services.\r\nThe latest published research by the Scottish Government into mental health issues was the first Mental Health and Learning Disability Inpatient Bed Census, carried out by the Scottish Government and NHS boards as at midnight, 29 October 2014. The report provides evidence for commitment 26 of the Mental Health Strategy for Scotland: 2012-2015, but also enhances the Scottish Government’s and NHS Scotland’s understanding of mental health, addiction and learning disability services, and about the patients who use these services.\r\nA copy of this report is available on the Scottish Government website at: \r\nhttp://www.gov.scot/Publications/2015/06/7555/0","AnswerDate":"2015-08-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-08-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305169,"EventID":"S4W-26783","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-07-24T14:44:48.17","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-07-20T11:53:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what research it has commissioned or funded on the outcomes for patients whose referral to child and adolescent mental health services did not meet the 18-week referral to treatment guarantee.","AnswerText":"There has been no centrally commissioned research into the outcomes for patients referred to child and adolescent mental health services (CAMHS) who were not seen within 18 weeks.\r\nWe want to drive improvements in CAMHS and on that basis we reduced the maximum wait target of 26 weeks, down to 18 weeks from December 2014. There are now record numbers of staff working in CAMHS across the Scottish health service, an increase of 28.2% from September 2009. \r\nIn addition, £85 million funding for mental health was announced on 24 May 2015. This follows the £15 million over three years announced in November 2014 for the Mental Health Innovation Fund providing £100 million in total. This funding will be invested in improving mental health services and will further improve child and adolescent mental health services and bring down waiting times.","AnswerDate":"2015-08-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-08-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305170,"EventID":"S4W-26784","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-07-24T14:44:49.437","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-07-20T11:54:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what research it has commissioned on the outcomes for patients for whom the 18-week referral to treatment guarantee for psychology services was not met.","AnswerText":"There has been no centrally commissioned research into the outcomes for patients referred for psychological therapies who were not seen within 18 weeks.\r\nNHS boards have been working to increase the capacity of their services, using service redesign to improve the efficiency of the services and by increasing the number of staff who are able to deliver evidence-based therapies and have made good progress in recent years in improving access to many psychological therapies. The target focuses further attention on access to psychological therapies and mental health service improvement more widely. Latest published figures from Information Services Division for the quarter to end March 2015 confirm that 82.8% of people were seen within 18 weeks, a 2% increase on performance in the last quarter, and the average waiting time remains at eight weeks.\r\nIn addition, £85 million funding for mental health was announced on 24 May 2015. This follows the £15 million over three years announced in November 2014 for the Mental Health Innovation Fund providing £100 million in total. This funding will be invested in improving mental health services and will further improve child and adolescent mental health services and bring down waiting times.","AnswerDate":"2015-08-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-08-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305171,"EventID":"S4W-26785","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-07-24T14:44:50.747","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-07-20T11:54:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what work (a) Health Improvement Scotland or (b) the Mental Welfare Commission has undertaken to determine the outcomes for patients for whom the waiting time targets were not met.","AnswerText":"Details of research undertaken by the Mental Welfare Commission and Health Improvement Scotland can be found online at:\r\na) Health Improvement Scotland: \r\nhttp://www.healthcareimprovementscotland.org/about_us/what_we_do/research.aspx\r\nb) Mental Welfare Commission: http://www.mwcscot.org.uk/publications/research-reports/\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-08-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-08-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305172,"EventID":"S4W-26787","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-07-24T14:44:51.743","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-07-20T11:55:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what qualitative research it has commissioned or funded into the views of NHS consultants on the waiting times targets.","AnswerText":"Through the local delivery planning process, the Scottish Government engages extensively with a wide range of stakeholders, including the royal colleges, medical and nurse directors and chief executives and COSLA in considering the performance standards for the NHS in Scotland.\r\nWe are also actively engaged with the Scottish Partnership Forum on the performance management principles for the NHS in Scotland. These principles are promoted widely and recognise the importance of local clinical decision making and that all staff should be engaged in performance measurement setting and delivery. In addition, a nationwide consultation on the future of health and social care services which I launched earlier in August 2015 aims to involve the views of as many patients and their families when thinking about the future of health services and what support they need to lead healthier lives.","AnswerDate":"2015-08-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-08-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305173,"EventID":"S4W-26837","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5034,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-07-24T14:44:52.96","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-07-23T11:40:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government (a) how many times and (b) what disciplinary sanctions have been taken against care homes by the Scottish Social Services Council since 2007.","AnswerText":"The Care Inspectorate (Scottish Care and Social Work Improvement Scotland) has a range of powers under the Public Services Reform (Scotland) Act 2010 which allow them to take enforcement action against a care service. The Care Commission, prior to the introduction of the Care Inspectorate in 2011, also had enforcement powers deriving from earlier legislation. \r\nEnforcement action is rare and generally in response to very serious matters which cannot or have not been addressed through other regulatory approaches. Where the quality of care is not sufficiently good, they regularly make requirements and recommendations. These are commonly made at an inspection or if a complaint is upheld.\r\nNo applications were made to the Sheriff Court either by the Care Commission from 2007 onwards or by the Care Inspectorate from 1 April 2011 to present, seeking cancellation of the registration of any form of care home service.\r\nThe Care Inspectorate can provide further information on the range of improvement and enforcement actions that they have undertaken and by the Care Commission prior to the introduction of the Care Inspectorate in 2011, over the period 2007-14.","AnswerDate":"2015-08-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-08-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305174,"EventID":"S4W-26840","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5034,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-07-24T14:44:53.663","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-07-23T11:40:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government (a) how many times and (b) what disciplinary sanctions have been taken against care home workers by the Scottish Social Services Council since 2007.","AnswerText":"This is a matter for the Scottish Social Services Council. The information requested is not held centrally.","AnswerDate":"2015-08-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-08-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fiona McLeod","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305175,"EventID":"S4W-26841","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5034,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-07-24T14:44:54.317","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-07-23T11:40:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what financial assistance to pay for legal representation is made available to care home workers when they are facing legal disciplinary proceedings from the Scottish Social Services Council.","AnswerText":"This information is not held centrally.","AnswerDate":"2015-08-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-08-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fiona McLeod","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305176,"EventID":"S4W-26855","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-07-24T14:44:54.973","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-07-24T10:59:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government which NHS boards have been providing a Keep Well service since 2010.","AnswerText":"All NHS boards have been providing a Keep Well service since 2010.","AnswerDate":"2015-08-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-08-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305177,"EventID":"S4W-26856","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-07-24T14:44:55.923","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-07-24T10:59:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much money it has allocated to the Keep Well programme in each year since 2010, broken down by NHS board.","AnswerText":"\r\n2010-11*\r\n2011-12*\r\n2012-13\r\nNHS Ayrshire and Arran\r\n180,000\r\n635,715\r\n913,000\r\nNHS Borders\r\n181,000\r\n83,500\r\n110,000\r\nNHS Dumfries and Galloway\r\n63,760\r\n229,694\r\n209,000\r\nNHS Fife\r\n17,892\r\n640,291\r\n638,000\r\nNHS Forth Valley\r\n222,212\r\n356,594\r\n451,000\r\nNHS Grampian\r\n189,034\r\n72,000\r\n517,000\r\nNHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde\r\n3,057,000\r\n4,670,000\r\n4,191,000\r\nNHS Highland\r\n267,000\r\n183,500\r\n396,000\r\nNHS Lanarkshire\r\n1,928,222\r\n1,854,172\r\n1,320,000\r\nNHS Lothian\r\n1,717,000\r\n1,400,000\r\n1,199,000\r\nNHS Orkney\r\n45,000\r\n70,000\r\n99,000\r\nNHS Shetland\r\n100,000\r\n96,000\r\n99,000\r\nNHS Tayside\r\n1,011,441\r\n13,177\r\n748,000\r\nNHS Western Isles\r\n220,000\r\n200,000\r\n110,000\r\nNHS Health Scotland\r\n505,576\r\n105,862\r\n84,000\r\nScottish Ambulance Service\r\n\r\n49,200\r\n\r\nNHS National Services Scotland\r\n\r\n10,000\r\n\r\n*This includes funds provided, via NHS boards, for Keep Well in community pharmacies and in prisons.\r\n\r\n2013-14\r\n2014-15\r\n2015-16\r\nNHS Ayrshire and Arran\r\n913,000\r\n913,000\r\n539,500\r\nNHS Borders\r\n110,000\r\n110,000\r\n65,000\r\nNHS Dumfries and Galloway\r\n209,000\r\n209,000\r\n123,500\r\nNHS Fife\r\n638,000\r\n638,000\r\n377,000\r\nNHS Forth Valley\r\n451,000\r\n451,000\r\n266,500\r\nNHS Grampian\r\n517,000\r\n517,000\r\n305,500\r\nNHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde\r\n4,191,000\r\n3,927,000\r\n2,437,500\r\nNHS Highland\r\n396,000\r\n396,000\r\n234,000\r\nNHS Lanarkshire\r\n1,320,000\r\n1,584,000\r\n819,000\r\nNHS Lothian\r\n1,199,000\r\n1,199,000\r\n708,500\r\nNHS Orkney\r\n99,000\r\n99,000\r\n58,500\r\nNHS Shetland\r\n99,000\r\n99,000\r\n58,500\r\nNHS Tayside\r\n748,000\r\n748,000\r\n442,000\r\nNHS Western Isles\r\n110,000\r\n110,000\r\n65,000\r\nNHS Health Scotland\r\n33,250\r\n\r\n\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-08-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-08-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305178,"EventID":"S4W-26857","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-07-24T14:44:56.94","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-07-24T10:59:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many people in each NHS board area have used the Keep Well service since 2010, broken down by age.","AnswerText":"This information is not held centrally.","AnswerDate":"2015-08-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-08-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305179,"EventID":"S4W-26858","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-07-24T14:44:58.123","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-07-24T10:59:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will consider making the funding for the Keep Well programme recurring and what the reasons are for its position on this matter.","AnswerText":"In 2011 a process of mainstreaming Keep Well began across NHS boards in Scotland, with the Scottish Government phasing out ring-fenced funding for the programme between 2014-15 to 2016-17. The expectation is that by the end of March 2017 NHS boards will have prioritised their services to reflect local need.","AnswerDate":"2015-08-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-08-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305180,"EventID":"S4W-26859","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-07-24T14:44:59.03","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-07-24T10:59:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much the Keep Well programme costs.","AnswerText":"In excess of £70 million has been spent on the Keep Well programme since it began in 2006. ","AnswerDate":"2015-08-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-08-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305181,"EventID":"S4W-26860","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-07-24T14:45:00.107","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-07-24T10:59:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it is implementing the actions noted in Chapter 3 of its Better Heart Disease and Stroke Care Action Plan. ","AnswerText":"The Better Heart Disease and Stroke Action Plan has been refreshed and separate Heart Disease and Stroke Improvement Plans were published in 2014. These plans are backed by a significant amount of Scottish Government funding and, in line with our 2020 Vision for health and social care, have a strong focus on prevention and tackling health inequalities.\r\nThe national advisory committee on heart disease oversees the implementation of the heart disease improvement plan with the national advisory committee on stroke having national oversight of the stroke improvement plan. Both national groups work to co-ordinate and evaluate the implementation of the respective plans and to promote sharing of best practice.","AnswerDate":"2015-08-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-08-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305182,"EventID":"S4W-26861","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-07-24T14:45:01.243","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-07-24T10:59:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many clinics in each NHS board specialise in treating eating disorders.","AnswerText":"The information is not held centrally. All NHS boards work in partnership to provide appropriate care, services and support in a range of settings to those living with an eating disorder on the basis of comprehensive, multi-disciplinary needs assessment.\r\nThe majority of people with an eating disorder will be treated in the community by specialist eating disorder or community mental health teams. A small number may need specialist psychiatric or acute inpatient care which can be provided through the two specialist NHS inpatient eating disorder units serving the north and south east of Scotland, or in general or adolescent psychiatry in mental health hospitals, and as appropriate in acute care.","AnswerDate":"2015-08-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-08-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305183,"EventID":"S4W-26862","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-07-24T14:45:02.257","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-07-24T10:59:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what average distance patients with eating disorders in each NHS board area have to travel to reach a clinic specialised in eating disorders.","AnswerText":"The information is not collected centrally. All NHS boards work in partnership to provide appropriate care, services and support to those living with an eating disorder on the basis of comprehensive, multi-disciplinary needs assessment.","AnswerDate":"2015-08-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-08-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305184,"EventID":"S4W-26863","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-07-24T14:45:03.24","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-07-24T10:59:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what support it provides to patients with eating disorders in the post-discharge period.","AnswerText":"The majority of people with an eating disorder will be treated in the community by specialist eating disorder or community mental health teams. A small number may need specialist psychiatric or acute inpatient care. NHS boards, working in partnership with primary and secondary care services will agree post-discharge support including arrangements about the nature and frequency of post-discharge monitoring. A range of support will be offered depending on individual circumstances and the level of need, including contingency plans made in advance about how to get help in crisis should it be needed.","AnswerDate":"2015-08-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-08-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305185,"EventID":"S4W-26864","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-07-24T14:45:04.317","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-07-24T10:59:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what estimate it has of the number of cases of eating disorders that are not reported.","AnswerText":"The information is not held ventrally. The Recommendations for the Management and Treatment of Eating Disorders in Scotland recognises prevalence estimates for the number of people with eating disorders in Scotland are difficult to calculate given the likely numbers who do not seek medical help, but does not offer an estimate of the number of cases that are not reported.","AnswerDate":"2015-08-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-08-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305186,"EventID":"S4W-26865","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-07-24T14:45:05.363","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-07-24T10:59:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what services it provides for people with eating disorders in remote and rural areas.","AnswerText":"NHS boards and local authorities are responsible for working with their partners to provide care, services and support which meets the assessed needs of people living with an eating disorder across Scotland, including those in remote and rural areas, in line with their statutory obligations and Scottish Government policy.","AnswerDate":"2015-08-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-08-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305187,"EventID":"S4W-26866","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-07-24T14:45:06.407","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-07-24T10:59:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what support services it provides for the families and carers of people with eating disorders.","AnswerText":"A range of support services will be provided in partnership by NHS boards, local authorities and the third sector to meet the needs of families and carers of people living with an eating disorders, in line with statutory obligations and Scottish Government policy.\r\nExamples include the provision of evidence based family therapy through NHS Scotland; the Scottish Government’s funding of national carer organisations providing accessible services to support carers and young carers; Scottish Government provision of nearly £34 million over 2008-16 for NHS board carer information strategies; and work being undertaken by NHS 24 to redesign and improve the provision of information to people cared for, and people caring for others including unpaid and young carers through the Carers Information Scotland service.","AnswerDate":"2015-08-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-08-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305188,"EventID":"S4W-26867","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-07-24T14:45:07.373","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-07-24T10:59:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many GP referrals to accident and emergency departments there have been in each year since 2010, broken down by NHS board.","AnswerText":"The number of GP referrals to Accident and Emergency (A&E) departments in NHS Scotland are given in the following table. Figures are provided from January 2010 to end of June 2015, by calendar year.\r\nTable 1. Number of new and unplanned attendances at A&E departments in NHS Scotland referred by a GP from January 2010 to June 2015 by calendar year.\r\nHealth Board of Treatment 1,2\r\n2010 3\r\n2011\r\n2012\r\n2013\r\n2014\r\nJanuary to June 2015\r\nNHS Scotland\r\n102,759\r\n138,747\r\n145,546\r\n138,961\r\n139,773\r\n70,403\r\nNHS Ayrshire and Arran\r\n9,504\r\n17,983\r\n19,456\r\n20,126\r\n19,921\r\n10,372\r\nNHS Borders\r\n2,783\r\n2,579\r\n2,546\r\n2,682\r\n2,948\r\n1,754\r\nNHS Dumfries and Galloway\r\n4,730\r\n7,064\r\n7,184\r\n7,271\r\n7,176\r\n3,451\r\nNHS Fife\r\n1,443\r\n2,777\r\n1,649\r\n1,410\r\n1,138\r\n637\r\nNHS Forth Valley\r\n1,455\r\n1,917\r\n1,125\r\n1,316\r\n1,449\r\n725\r\nNHS Grampian\r\n1,142\r\n2,274\r\n7,881\r\n7,467\r\n5,630\r\n2,832\r\nNHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde\r\n31,671\r\n43,229\r\n41,499\r\n38,131\r\n37,408\r\n17,168\r\nNHS Highland\r\n1,194\r\n3,260\r\n4,407\r\n4,606\r\n5,119\r\n2,536\r\nNHS Lanarkshire\r\n12,247\r\n18,063\r\n18,103\r\n16,882\r\n18,343\r\n8,803\r\nNHS Lothian\r\n33,900\r\n35,211\r\n36,692\r\n33,569\r\n34,695\r\n19,074\r\nNHS Orkney\r\n0\r\n94\r\n275\r\n543\r\n996\r\n517\r\nNHS Shetland\r\n654\r\n1,255\r\n1,121\r\n1,188\r\n1,143\r\n527\r\nNHS Tayside\r\n1,497\r\n2,198\r\n2,880\r\n3,277\r\n3,309\r\n1729\r\nNHS Western Isles\r\n539\r\n843\r\n728\r\n493\r\n498\r\n278\r\nSource: A&E data mart, Information Services Division (ISD) Scotland.\r\n1. Referral source is identified from patient episode level data. Since 2010 the number of sites submitting patient episode level data has increased. As of June 2015, 94% of attendances to A&E departments in NHS Scotland were to a department submitting episode level data.\r\n2. Data is extracted from the A&E data mart and does not include GP referrals direct to a ward. The number of GP referrals direct to a ward will be dependent on the local configuration of services.\r\n3. Revised recording guidance was issued to NHS boards in early 2010. Recording of referral source has improved steadily since 2010 and ISD continue to engage with NHS boards to further improve the quality and consistency of recording.","AnswerDate":"2015-08-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-08-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305189,"EventID":"S4W-26868","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2015-07-24T14:45:08.357","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-07-24T12:03:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-26305 by Humza Yousaf on 22 July 2015, whether the First Minister plans to follow up her meeting with the US Deputy Secretary of State with a written representation on the case of Shaker Aamer.","AnswerText":"As I previously stated, the Scottish Government fully supports any attempts that the UK Government makes to end the continued detention of Shaker Aamer. I note that the case has been raised by the UK Government and UK parliamentarians with the US administration on several occasions this year.","AnswerDate":"2015-08-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-08-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305190,"EventID":"S4W-26869","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2015-07-24T14:45:09.31","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-07-24T12:03:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-26305 by Humza Yousaf on 22 July 2015, for what reason the answer did not address whether the case of Shaker Aamer was discussed at the meeting.","AnswerText":"Some aspects of discussions with representatives of foreign governments must remain private in order to maintain a relationship of trust and confidence. For this reason the Scottish Government cannot always confirm whether or not a particular topic was raised.","AnswerDate":"2015-08-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-08-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305191,"EventID":"S4W-26870","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2015-07-24T14:45:10.2","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-07-24T12:03:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-26305 by Humza Yousaf on 22 July 2015, whether notes on the case of Shaker Aamer were included in the First Minister’s briefing pack for her meeting with the US Deputy Secretary of State.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government does not routinely release information relating to the content of ministerial briefing.","AnswerDate":"2015-08-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-08-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305192,"EventID":"S4W-26871","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2015-07-24T14:45:11.353","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-07-24T12:03:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-26305 by Humza Yousaf on 22 July 2015, whether the (a) Cabinet Secretary for Culture, Europe and External Affairs or (b) Minister for Europe and International Development was consulted about whether the case of Shaker Aamer should be raised at the First Minister’s meeting with the US Deputy Secretary of State.","AnswerText":"The cabinet secretary for culture, Europe and external affairs is consulted about all ministerial visits overseas.","AnswerDate":"2015-08-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-08-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305203,"EventID":"S4W-26872","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1845,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-07-27T15:21:22.517","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-07-24T15:48:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when work will start on the new flyover at Laurencekirk.","AnswerText":"The final report on the Access to Laurencekirk study commissioned by Nestrans was recently sent to Transport Scotland and Aberdeenshire Council for consideration. Discussions are now underway with our partners on the next steps for this project, including matters around funding. \r\nFurther detailed design development work and authorisation are likely to take some years and progress will be reported as that process continues.\r\nIn light of this, it is not possible at this stage to confirm when work will start on the new flyover at Laurencekirk.","AnswerDate":"2015-08-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-08-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305204,"EventID":"S4W-26873","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1845,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-07-27T15:21:23.39","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-07-24T15:48:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what progress it is making on delivering a Scottish national travel card.","AnswerText":"Transport Scotland’s Smart and Integrated Ticketing strategy was launched in 2012 and its long term vision statement is: “That all journeys on Scotland’s bus, rail, ferry, subway and tram networks can be accessed using some form of smart ticketing or payment”. \r\nWe have set out smart ticketing targets in the new ScotRail franchise which commenced on 1 April 2015. These include clear contractual targets for delivery of smart ticketing on Scotland’s rail network. Abellio ScotRail has committed to achieving 60% uptake for the majority of ticket types and a 65% uptake for all ticket types, by 2019 and 2021 respectively.\r\nSmart ticketing will also feature in the new Clyde and Hebrides Ferry Services contract tenders (October 2016) and the Northern Isles Ferry Services contract tenders (April 2018) and will be passenger focussed.\r\nThere is also strong engagement with the bus industry and Transport Scotland is both supporting large operators like First and Stagecoach in delivering their commercial objectives and directly assisting smaller bus operators in developing and delivering smart and integrated ticketing.\r\nFinally, we are ensuring that the infrastructure platform necessary to deliver smart ticketing is fit for purpose, and are investing wherever necessary in this aspect of delivery, particularly on bus where 40% of journeys are already smart by virtue of the government’s concessionary travel scheme.","AnswerDate":"2015-08-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-08-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305205,"EventID":"S4W-26874","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1845,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-07-27T15:21:24.17","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-07-24T15:48:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it expects that the east coast line between Aberdeen and Edinburgh will be electrified.","AnswerText":"Work on an electrification strategy that sets out our assessment of priorities for a continuation of the rolling programme of electrification from 2019 and beyond is currently on-going. The outcome of this work, including details of plans to electrify the route between Aberdeen and Edinburgh will be announced in due course. The Scottish Government remains committed to a substantial rolling programme of electrification that will bring significant economic, social and environmental benefits, providing Scotland with a sustainable world-class transport system.","AnswerDate":"2015-08-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-08-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305206,"EventID":"S4W-26875","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1845,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-07-27T15:21:25.043","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-07-24T15:48:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it will ensure that the additional £2.5 million per year to support specialist nursing and care is being used to support increasing access to clinical nurse specialists.","AnswerText":"As part of the specialist nursing and care funding arrangements, NHS territorial boards have been asked to report regularly on how funds have been invested. In addition, NHS territorial board have also been asked to increase the number of clinical specialists which will result in improved access for patients.","AnswerDate":"2015-08-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-08-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305207,"EventID":"S4W-26876","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1845,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-07-27T15:21:27.04","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-07-24T15:48:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much each NHS board has received as a share of the (a) £0.7 million investment to support motor neurone disease nurse specialists and (b) £1.8 million investment in other specialist nursing and care.","AnswerText":"The information requested is shown in the following table:\r\nNHS territorial board\r\n2015-16 Investment in motor neurone disease as at 11.8.15 (£)\r\n2015-16 Investment in specialist nursing and care (£)\r\nNHS Ayrshire and Arran\r\n0\r\n119,304\r\nNHS Borders\r\n0\r\n72,970\r\nNHS Dumfries and Galloway\r\n0\r\n80,576\r\nNHS Fife\r\n0\r\n113,491\r\nNHS Forth Valley\r\n0\r\n102,088\r\nNHS Grampian\r\n122,390\r\n140,175\r\nNHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde\r\n216,648\r\n249,071\r\nNHS Highland\r\n48,066\r\n111,020\r\nNHS territorial board\r\n2015-16 Investment in motor neurone disease as at 11.8.15 (£)\r\n2015-16 Investment in specialist nursing and care (£)\r\nNHS Lanarkshire\r\n0\r\n162,893\r\nNHS Lothian\r\n146,426\r\n180,389\r\nNHS Orkney\r\n0\r\n31,551\r\nNHS Shetland\r\n0\r\n31,511\r\nNHS Tayside\r\n84,216\r\n121,671\r\nNHS Western Isles\r\n0\r\n33,288\r\nSub Totals\r\n617,746\r\n1,550,000\r\nLeuchie House\r\n0\r\n250,000\r\nTotal\r\n617,746\r\n1,800,000\r\nFunding to double the number of motor neurone disease (MND) clinical specialists and pay them centrally has been allocated to those NHS boards who currently employ MND clinical specialists and who have links with specialist neurological centres. NHS boards that have received direct funding have been asked to work collaboratively with those boards who have not received direct funding. Funding to special boards that have patient facing services is still to be agreed. We expect that once agreement has been reached, both funds will be fully utilised. Funding allocated to Leuchie House is to support specialist nursing and care for those people affected by long term physical disability.","AnswerDate":"2015-08-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-08-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305208,"EventID":"S4W-26877","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1845,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-07-27T15:21:27.883","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-07-24T15:48:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how each NHS board has invested its share of the (a) £0.7 million investment to support motor neurone disease nurse specialists and (b) £1.8 million investment in other specialist nursing and care.","AnswerText":"NHS territorial boards are expected to deliver the following outcomes from the Scottish Government’s £2.5 million investment in specialist nursing and care from 1 April 2015: \r\nMotor neurone disease clinical specialists to be paid centrally and their number doubled by 31 October 2015.\r\nTerritorial NHS boards to employ at least one additional clinical specialist by 31 December 2015.\r\nNHS island boards to employ at least 0.5 whole time equivalent clinical specialist by 31 December 2015.\r\nEvidence of improved access to specialist nursing services.","AnswerDate":"2015-08-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-08-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305209,"EventID":"S4W-26878","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1845,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-07-27T15:21:28.63","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-07-24T15:48:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what guidance it has issued to NHS boards about working collaboratively with third sector organisations when deciding how to invest their share of the (a) £0.7 million investment to support motor neurone disease nurse specialists and (b) £1.8 million investment in other specialist nursing and care.","AnswerText":"The Chief Nursing Officer for Scotland wrote to NHS board territorial directors of nursing on 7 May 2015 to request that they work collaboratively with third sector, social care partners and people with motor neurone disease and other specialist conditions in designing and delivering services for people affected by specialist conditions.","AnswerDate":"2015-08-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-08-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305210,"EventID":"S4W-26879","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1845,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-07-27T15:21:29.457","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-07-24T15:48:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the timeline is for (a) completing and (b) publishing its review of specialist nursing provision.","AnswerText":"The review of specialist nursing will be completed by spring 2016 and will be published by summer 2016. The recommendations from the review will be considered by the Scottish Government’s transforming nursing roles group.","AnswerDate":"2015-08-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-08-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305211,"EventID":"S4W-26880","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1845,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-07-27T15:21:30.347","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-07-24T15:48:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it is enabling (a) patient organisations and (b) people living with health conditions to be involved in the review of specialist nursing provision.","AnswerText":"As part of the review of specialist nursing services, NHS territorial boards have been asked to work with third sector, social care partners and people with motor neurone disease and other specialist conditions in designing and delivering specialist nursing services. The Scottish Government’s role is to support NHS boards to engage with these organisations and a specific offer of facilitation and support has been made. In addition, the Scottish Government will seek to engage with relevant third sector organisations on wider aspects of the review of specialist nursing.","AnswerDate":"2015-08-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-08-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305212,"EventID":"S4W-26881","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1860,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-07-27T15:21:31.157","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-07-27T09:34:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it or any of its agencies has a contract with Scottish Provincial Press to deliver marketing or other publications and, if so, whether it will list those agencies and contracts.","AnswerText":"Neither the Scottish Government nor its agencies have a contract with the Scottish Provincial Press to deliver marketing or other publications.","AnswerDate":"2015-08-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-08-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fiona Hyslop","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305213,"EventID":"S4W-26883","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3763,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-07-27T15:21:32.203","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-07-27T11:20:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what external training CalMac has commissioned in each year since 2010; who supplied the training; how much was spent in each year on this training, and whether it (a) took place and (b) is available in Scotland.","AnswerText":"CalMac Ferries Ltd and the David MacBrayne Group believes in supporting worthwhile learning, training and personal development initiatives for all its staff. CalMac provides extensive structured training programmes for both marine and shore staff, encouraging all employees to continuously update their skills and knowledge.\r\nDetails of CalMac’s external training since 2010, including who supplied the training, where the training took place and whether it was available in Scotland, is available from the Scottish Parliament Information Centre (Bib. number 57115)\r\nThe following table sets out CalMac’s spend on external training for each year since 2010:\r\nYear\r\nCalMac spend on external training\r\n2010\r\n£721,351\r\n2011\r\n£699,782\r\n2012\r\n£1,174,614\r\n2013\r\n£1,189,573\r\n2014\r\n£1,066,387\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-08-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-08-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305214,"EventID":"S4W-26884","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3763,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-07-27T15:21:32.937","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-07-27T11:20:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what discussions CalMac has had with colleges in Scotland in each year since 2010 to deliver training for its employees.","AnswerText":"CalMac Ferries Limited has engaged with five colleges in Scotland to deliver training for its employees since 2010. These are the City of Glasgow College, Lews Castle College, Orkney College, West Highland College and Shetland College. CalMac continues to undertake ongoing discussions with these colleges about the availability of training requirements for its staff.","AnswerDate":"2015-08-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-08-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305215,"EventID":"S4W-26885","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-07-27T15:21:33.84","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-07-27T11:29:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many calls there have been to Police Scotland in each year since 2010 for (a) home and (b) school interventions relating to people under 18 with extreme behavioural difficulties. ","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government does not hold this information.","AnswerDate":"2015-08-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-08-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305216,"EventID":"S4W-26886","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-07-27T15:21:34.683","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-07-27T11:29:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many Police Scotland interventions there have been at (a) homes and (b) schools in each year since 2010 for people under 18 with extreme behavioural difficulties. ","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government does not hold this information.","AnswerDate":"2015-08-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-08-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305217,"EventID":"S4W-26887","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2394,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-07-27T15:21:35.463","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-07-27T11:35:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to introduce a uniform format for conducting environmental impact assessments to allow for ease of analysis and comparison.","AnswerText":"Statutory procedures for conducting environmental impact assessment are set out in legislation in accordance with the requirements of European Directive 2011/92/EU, known as the EIA Directive. Following recent changes to the directive made at European level, the Scottish Government is giving consideration as to what changes may be required to existing statutory EIA regimes. Further details of our proposals for implementing the required changes will be made available in due course.","AnswerDate":"2015-08-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-08-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305218,"EventID":"S4W-26888","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2394,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-07-27T15:21:36.4","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-07-27T11:36:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to make changes to environmental impact assessments to ensure that they are conducted by an independent body free from bias.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is required to give effect to the newly amended Directive 2014/52/EU, known as the EIA Directive, by 16 May 2017. Further details of our proposals for implementing the required changes will be made available in due course.","AnswerDate":"2015-08-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-08-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305219,"EventID":"S4W-26889","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2112,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":102,"ApprovedDate":"2015-07-27T15:21:37.337","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-07-27T11:41:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-26200 by Alex Neil on 17 July 2015, whether it accepts that this applies to the rights of prisoners. ","AnswerText":"The requirement to act compatibly with the convention rights identified in the Human Rights Act 1998 is relevant to the rights of persons detained in prison.","AnswerDate":"2015-08-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-08-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305231,"EventID":"S4W-26890","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1895,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":121,"ApprovedDate":"2015-07-28T15:10:29.417","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-07-28T10:55:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what assistance it is providing to the NHS to mitigate any adverse impact on staffing and patient care in Scotland of the UK Government's changes to immigration rules.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government does not support the UK Government’s planned changes to immigration rules which could harm our NHS and have an adverse effect on staffing and patient care. We have already made representations to the UK Government about the changes planned for next year, and we will also be providing evidence to the Review of the Tier 2 route which is taking place in autumn 2015. \r\nThe Scottish Government is working closely with boards to seek solutions to ensure that NHSScotland has the staffing it needs to continue to deliver high quality and sustainable health services.","AnswerDate":"2015-08-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-08-25T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305232,"EventID":"S4W-26891","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5080,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-07-28T15:10:30.35","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-07-28T10:58:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether staffing in Police Scotland has ever fallen below operational base levels and, if so, when and for what reason, broken down by (a) division, (b) parliamentary region and (c) parliamentary constituency.","AnswerText":"This information is not held centrally. Operational resourcing levels are an operational matter for Police Scotland and the Scottish Police Authority.","AnswerDate":"2015-08-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305233,"EventID":"S4W-26892","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4016,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":133,"ApprovedDate":"2015-07-28T15:10:31.037","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-07-28T11:46:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what work it has done on the costs to homeowners of registering a standard security after 1 April 2016 in cases where the property’s title is on the sasine register.","AnswerText":"From 1 April 2016, the General Register of Sasines will be closed to new standard securities. That means that a person who owns land recorded in the sasine register must first voluntarily register their land in the land register so that the standard security can also be registered in that register.\r\nWhere a voluntary registration is required to facilitate registration of a new security in this way, no fee will be charged by virtue of article 4(5) of The Registers of Scotland (Voluntary Registration, Amendment of Fees, etc.) Order 2015 (2015 No. 265). The fee for registering the standard security itself remains £60.\r\nRegisters of Scotland is working closely with lenders and solicitors who specialise in re-mortgaging work to ensure that the process for registrations of this type is as straightforward as possible in order to keep other costs to homeowners down.","AnswerDate":"2015-08-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-08-25T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305234,"EventID":"S4W-26893","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4016,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":133,"ApprovedDate":"2015-07-28T15:10:31.943","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-07-28T11:46:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the total cost will be of registering all land owned by the public sector in the five years from December 2014.","AnswerText":"There are two areas of cost associated with registration: registration fees and costs incurred by the applicant in preparing their registration application.\r\nRegistration fees are set by Scottish Ministers by way of affirmative order in the Scottish Parliament. Fees are charged on an ad valorem basis and with a 25% reduction for applications made on a voluntary basis. Registers of Scotland estimates that voluntary registration fees for the 343,000 public sector titles will be between circa £15.5 million and circa £85 million, depending on a number of factors, most importantly, the value of public sector assets and the number of titles constituting their landholdings.\r\nThe costs incurred by an applicant vary considerably and depend on the quality of the records held. Organisations which have a digitised, map-based asset register will have low costs; those with a limited understanding of the legal extent of their land holdings will face much higher costs.","AnswerDate":"2015-08-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-08-25T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305235,"EventID":"S4W-26894","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4016,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":133,"ApprovedDate":"2015-07-28T15:10:32.723","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-07-28T11:46:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the total cost of registering land owned by the public sector has been since December 2014.","AnswerText":"Since December 2014, £10,840 has been paid in application fees for voluntary registration. This excludes applications submitted by the public sector on a non-voluntary basis through normal land transactions, i.e. buying and selling property.","AnswerDate":"2015-08-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-08-25T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305236,"EventID":"S4W-26895","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4016,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":133,"ApprovedDate":"2015-07-28T15:10:33.487","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-07-28T11:46:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what work has been done to estimate the cost of registering all land owned by the public sector on the Land Register of Scotland by 2019.","AnswerText":"There are two areas of cost associated with registration: registration fees and costs incurred by the applicant in preparing their registration application.\r\nRegistration fees are set by Scottish Ministers by way of affirmative order in the Scottish Parliament. Fees are charged on an ad valorem basis and with a 25% reduction for applications made on a voluntary basis. Registers of Scotland estimate that voluntary registration fees for the 343,000 public sector titles will be between circa £15.5 million and circa £85 million, depending on a number of factors, most importantly, the value of public sector assets and the number of titles constituting their landholdings.\r\nThe costs incurred by an applicant vary considerably and depend on the quality of the records they hold. Organisations which have a digitised, map-based asset register will have low costs; those with a limited understanding of the legal extent of their land holdings will face much higher costs.","AnswerDate":"2015-08-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-08-25T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305237,"EventID":"S4W-26896","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4016,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":133,"ApprovedDate":"2015-07-28T15:10:34.19","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-07-28T11:46:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether fees will be charged for keeper-induced registration under the Land Registration etc. (Scotland) Act 2012.","AnswerText":"No. As indicated in the Financial Memorandum accompanying the Land Registration etc. (Scotland) Bill on its introduction to Parliament, costs associated with keeper-induced registration will be met by Registers of Scotland.\r\nThe keeper intends to consult on her proposals for keeper-induced registration later in 2015.","AnswerDate":"2015-08-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-08-25T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305238,"EventID":"S4W-26897","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4016,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":133,"ApprovedDate":"2015-07-28T15:10:34.937","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-07-28T11:46:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it remains committed to the registration of all land owned by the public sector by 2019 and what percentage of this land has been registered on the Land Register of Scotland since December 2014.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government remains committed to completing the land register by 2024 and the registration of land owned by the public sector by 2019.\r\nAs expected, the amount of public land voluntarily registered since December 2014 is small, with nine voluntary registration applications having been received. Public landowners are presently engaged in pre-registration activity and preparing their registration applications. Also, the 25% reduction in registration fee only came into force from 1 July 2015 and applications were not expected to be submitted before then. We expect the level of applications to increase significantly from 2016 onwards.\r\nRegisters of Scotland continues to work closely with public landowners to encourage them to voluntarily register their land on the land register by 2019.","AnswerDate":"2015-08-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-08-25T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305239,"EventID":"S4W-26898","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1860,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-07-28T15:10:35.67","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-07-28T13:50:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the long-term plan is for the Connected Communities network.","AnswerText":"Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) is working with partners, including Comhairle nan Eilean Siar, NHS and Community Broadband Scotland to assess what the rollout of fibre through the Digital Scotland Superfast Broadband (DSSB) programme will mean for Connected Communities customers.\r\nHIE is currently exploring whether the Connected Communities network could benefit from the core subsea fibre connection which was installed as part of the DSSB programme. This high-capacity backhaul link brought superfast services into Stornoway earlier this summer. Once HIE establishes the reach of new fibre services in the Western Isles arising from DSSB, there will be a better understanding of the role that Connected Communities could play in providing services in the future.","AnswerDate":"2015-08-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-08-25T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305240,"EventID":"S4W-26899","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1860,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-07-28T15:10:36.53","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-07-28T13:50:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what (a) exchanges and (b) cabinets are being upgraded as part of the rollout of superfast broadband in the Western Isles.","AnswerText":"As a result of the £410 million Digital Scotland Superfast Broadband (DSSB) programme, the first fibre broadband services in the Western Isles went live in Stornoway in July 2015. Further rollout in Stornoway is planned.\r\nFibre broadband in the following 28 exchanges in the Western Isles is expected over 2015 and 2016:\r\nBack\r\nCrossbost\r\nLochmaddy\r\nBalallan\r\nEriskay\r\nManish\r\nBarvas\r\nGarrabost\r\nNorth Tolsta\r\nBenbecula\r\nGravir\r\nNorthbay\r\nBerneray\r\nGrogarry\r\nPort O’Ness\r\nBorve\r\nHarris\r\nScalpay\r\nCallanish\r\nLeverburgh\r\nShawbost\r\nCarloway\r\nLochboisdale\r\nSollas\r\nCarnan\r\nLocheport\r\nStornoway\r\nCastlebay\r\n\r\n\r\nThe following seven exchanges are not currently expected to receive coverage from the DSSB programme: Bayhead, Bornish, Drinnishadder, Great Bernera, Scarsta, Scarp, Timsgarry. We are exploring how coverage to these areas can be extended in phase 2 of our broadband programme.\r\nOnly Stornoway and Garrabost exchanges have existing cabinets that can be upgraded as part of DSSB. In all other areas, and within Stornoway and Garrabost as well, BT will be installing new cabinets.","AnswerDate":"2015-08-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-08-25T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305241,"EventID":"S4W-26901","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1860,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-07-28T15:10:37.713","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-07-28T13:50:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the route is of the fibre cabling being laid in North Uist as part of the rollout of superfast broadband and what its proximity is to the (a) Berneray, (b) Sollas, (c) Lochmaddy, (d) Bayhead, (e) Locheport and (f) Benbecula exchange.","AnswerText":"As a result of the £410 million Digital Scotland Superfast Broadband programme, subsea fibre now links Harris (Leverburgh) with North Uist (Lochmaddy) while a land cable runs from Lochmaddy to Benbecula (following the A867). Further access cable will be laid to provide coverage in the Sollas, Lochmaddy, Locheport and Benbecula exchange areas. The Bernera exchange area is likely to be linked by microwave radio. Currently there are no plans to provide coverage in the Bayhead exchange area. \r\nAs part of preparatory work for phase 2 of our broadband programme, Highlands and Islands Enterprise has requested that BT examine ways of increasing coverage in all exchange areas where there are no current rollout plans. This includes areas such as Bayhead.","AnswerDate":"2015-08-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-08-25T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305242,"EventID":"S4W-26902","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-07-28T15:10:38.683","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-07-28T14:07:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will introduce an exemption to tail docking for working dogs following its research study on tail injuries in working dogs in 2014.","AnswerText":"I have been carefully considering the strongly held views on both sides of the argument about the possibility of allowing tail docking of working dogs in Scotland. I have recently been asked by the rural affairs, climate change and environment committee to provide an update on the Scottish Government's position on this subject and will reply to them shortly.","AnswerDate":"2015-08-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-08-25T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Richard Lochhead","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305263,"EventID":"S4W-26903","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2108,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":141,"ApprovedDate":"2015-07-29T15:18:12.833","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-07-28T15:09:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to review the Charities and Benevolent Fundraising (Scotland) Regulations 2009.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-26904 on 21 August 2015. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx","AnswerDate":"2015-08-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-08-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305264,"EventID":"S4W-26904","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2108,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":141,"ApprovedDate":"2015-07-29T15:18:13.58","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-07-28T15:09:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to ensure that members of the public have confidence in the regulation of charitable donations.","AnswerText":"The Charities and Trustee Investment (Scotland) Act 2005 (the Act) is the statutory framework for charities operating in Scotland. The Act is reviewed regularly as part of the Scottish Government’s formal and informal engagement with the Office of the Scottish Charity Regulator (OSCR). OSCR submits an annual report to Scottish Ministers and the recommendations in the report have consistently been of a minor technical nature and in the main were addressed in the Public Services Reform (Scotland) Act 2010 (part 9). Where necessary, secondary legislation has been enacted to address other matters and update the legislation. The Act provides OSCR with wide ranging and powers to make enquiries into charities and charity trustees in cases of apparent misconduct and to take remedial or protective action in relation to such misconduct.\r\nThe Scottish Government wants to ensure the existing legislation and framework for self-regulation of fundraising practices is sufficient to protect public confidence and trust in charities on Scotland. We want to make sure no-one can prey on the most vulnerable people in our society and that we can continue to place our trust in our charitable sector. That is why we have asked Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations, working with OSCR and others, to carry out an informal review to establish whether the legislation relating to fundraising in Scotland, is effectively protecting the vulnerable.\r\nThe findings of the review will be reported to Scottish Ministers by the early autumn for consideration and any changes to the existing fundraising controls will be tailored to suit the needs of the people of Scotland.","AnswerDate":"2015-08-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-08-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305265,"EventID":"S4W-26905","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5079,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-07-29T15:18:14.143","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-07-28T16:37:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to review the open market shared equity scheme.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has no plans to review its open market shared equity scheme. ODS Consulting carried out independent research for the Scottish Government on four of the low-cost initiative for first time buyers (LIFT) schemes in 2010-11 which included the open market shared equity. A copy of the report can be found at: http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2011/01/18143303/0.","AnswerDate":"2015-08-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-08-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Burgess","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305266,"EventID":"S4W-26906","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5079,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-07-29T15:18:14.75","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-07-28T16:37:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many people in Glasgow have received support from the open market shared equity scheme since 2011.","AnswerText":"Between January 2011 and June 2015, 210 homes have been purchased through the open market shared equity scheme in Glasgow.","AnswerDate":"2015-08-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-08-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Burgess","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305267,"EventID":"S4W-26910","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4014,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-07-29T15:18:15.233","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-07-29T10:10:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much money it provided for the relocation of T in the Park by way of state aid grants and on what dates these were paid.","AnswerText":"T in the Park is one of the most popular and successful cultural events in Scotland’s annual events programme. It has a significant economic impact, driving additional tourism and supporting jobs. In 2014 the event generated £15.4 million for the Scottish economy.\r\nThe national events strategy ‘Scotland, the Perfect Stage’ highlights the Scottish Government’s recognition of the importance of Scotland’s wide and diverse portfolio of events, and in particular the role of our large and iconic ‘signature’ events, such as T in the Park, in driving sustainable economic growth and retaining our status as a world class events destination.\r\nT in the Park’s status as a signature event has been an important factor in previous funding awards made to DF Concerts and Events for this event by the Scottish Government and a number of its bodies, including Creative Scotland, VisitScotland and Scottish Enterprise. It was also a key consideration in the decision to make a one-off grant payment of £150,000 to DF Concerts and Events to support the transition of the T in the Park event from Balado to Strathallan.\r\nThe decision to offer a grant to DF Concerts and Events was made as a result of the following sequence of events and considerations.\r\nDue to Health and Safety Executive concerns regarding the proximity of T in the Park’s previous location at Balado to the BP forties oil pipeline, DF Concerts and Events were required to seek a new site for event after its final staging at Balado in 2014. DF Concerts and Events identified Strathallan as a potential new site and submitted a planning application to Perth and Kinross Council in January 2015. On 12 May 2015 the council voted to grant consent subject to conditions, including a time-limit granting permission for the event to run in 2015, 2016 and 2017 only with further permission dependent on a future assessment of its impact on the site.\r\nFollowing the planning decision, on 14 May 2015 the private office of the Cabinet Secretary for Culture, Europe and External Affairs was contacted by Ms Jennifer Dempsie, a project manager for DF Concerts and Events, to seek the rescheduling of a previously postponed meeting between DF Concerts and Events’ Chief Executive and myself regarding T in the Park. The meeting was arranged for 28 May 2015 due to the proximity of the event and the extreme difficulties being faced by the organisers in relation to delivering an event the scale of T in the Park at a new site and on a temporary basis, as determined by a condition of the planning decision made less than nine weeks in advance of the event being staged.\r\n\r\nDF Concerts and Events’ Chief Executive Geoff Ellis and Business Development Manager Jo Blyth attended the meeting with myself and my officials. Ms Dempsie did not attend that meeting or have any discussions with myself or the Scottish Government in relation to funding for T in the Park.\r\nDF Concerts and Events outlined a range of additional costs associated with the change of site for the T in the Park event and highlighted unanticipated further costs resulting from the time-limited condition attached to the planning consent. DF Concerts and Events confirmed that the 2015 event could be delivered under pressure but that the additional costs faced in relation to it were a threat to its longer term viability on that site.\r\nFollowing detailed consideration of options, including consideration of DF Concerts and Events’ finances and an application on 29 June 2015 from DF Concerts and Events under State Aid rules for support in relation to operational transition costs for T in the Park, I approved funding of £150,000 from the Scottish Government’s major events and themed years programme budget.\r\nThe level of funding support provided this year by the Scottish Government to DF Concerts and Events for T in the Park is in line with the level of funding provided by Scottish Government and its bodies to the organisers of other major events such as Edinburgh’s Hogmanay, ","AnswerDate":"2015-08-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-08-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fiona Hyslop","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305268,"EventID":"S4W-26912","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4014,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-07-29T15:18:15.657","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-07-29T10:10:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it was first approached by DF Concerts regarding its request for state aid support for the relocation of T in the Park.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-26910 on 14 August 2015. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.","AnswerDate":"2015-08-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-08-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fiona Hyslop","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305269,"EventID":"S4W-26913","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4014,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-07-29T15:18:16.013","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-07-29T10:10:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government on what criteria state aid funding was granted for the relocation of T in the Park.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-26910 on 14 August 2015. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx","AnswerDate":"2015-08-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-08-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fiona Hyslop","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305270,"EventID":"S4W-26914","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4014,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-07-29T15:18:16.42","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-07-29T10:10:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government for what purposes state aid funding for the relocation of T in the Park was used.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-26910 on 14 August 2015. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx","AnswerDate":"2015-08-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-08-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fiona Hyslop","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305271,"EventID":"S4W-26915","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4014,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-07-29T15:18:16.887","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-07-29T10:10:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government on what occasions ministers met DF Concerts in relation to the relocation of T in the Park.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-26910 on 14 August 2015. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx\r\nAdditionally, on 31 March 2015 the Minister for Transport and the Islands met with DF concerts and events and was briefed on the history of the T in the Park event along with the background to and preparations for the move to the new site at Strathallan.","AnswerDate":"2015-08-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-08-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fiona Hyslop","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305272,"EventID":"S4W-26916","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4014,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-07-29T15:18:17.293","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-07-29T10:10:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will publish details of all meetings and documentation regarding state aid support for the relocation of T in the Park and, if so, when.","AnswerText":"This information is now the subject of a Freedom of Information (FOI) request and will be dealt with in line with the FOI (Scotland) Act. Information released by the Scottish Government in response to FOI requests is published at: http://www.gov.scot/About/Information/FOI/Disclosures","AnswerDate":"2015-08-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-08-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fiona Hyslop","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305273,"EventID":"S4W-26917","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1860,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-07-29T15:18:17.747","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-07-29T10:58:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to encourage NHS medical staff to develop career paths that will lead them into senior NHS management positions.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government fully recognises the importance of providing development opportunities for NHS medical staff in order to encourage those who are keen to move into senior management positions. As such, we are developing and promoting a number of initiatives to encourage leadership and management development through high quality programmes, management training schemes, toolkits and resources.\r\nThis includes work with the Scottish Academy of Medical Royal Colleges which has established a ‘Working Group on Professionalism and Excellence’ with the aim of promoting the values of leadership at all levels of the profession. The Scottish Trainer Framework also supports the development of clinical leaders and future senior educators in NHS roles, providing the competences and training required for clinicians to become recognised trainers to support the development of students and doctors in training programmes.\r\nNHS Education Scotland (NES) is also involved in a number of initiatives that directly encourage NHS staff to consider management career paths, including the Leadership and Management Programme which provides online and face to face training that is available for all doctors undertaking speciality training; whilst NES and the Scottish Government offer several Scottish Clinical Leadership Fellowships each year, where doctors in training work with senior medical colleagues in NES, Scottish Government and other partner host organisations including the General Medical Council and Health Improvement Scotland.","AnswerDate":"2015-08-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-08-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305274,"EventID":"S4W-26918","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1860,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-07-29T15:18:18.37","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-07-29T10:59:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what support it is (a) providing and (b) planning to provide to train NHS medical staff who wish to progress into senior management positions.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government recognises the importance of ensuring a high quality future supply of senior managers within the NHS and that is why future planning for ‘Effective Leadership and Management’ is one of the five priority areas for action in Everyone Matters, our 2020 vision for the NHS workforce. Within that priority area, we are supporting delivery of specific leadership and management focus areas, and a leadership advisory board has been established to provide strategic leadership and advice.\r\nLed by NHS Education Scotland’s (NES) National Leadership Unit, there are several initiatives that enable NHS staff to undertake appropriate training to progress into senior management positions. For example, the, ‘Delivering the Future’ development programme aims to identify senior strategic clinical leaders and prepare them for future roles at board, regional and national level. The programme was developed to address a perceived gap in recruiting to the most senior strategic clinical leadership roles.\r\nNES has also developed a flexible range of resources including the Leadership and Management Programme which offers leadership and management development to all Scottish medical trainees in higher training, as part of a conceptual framework which also includes the Management Trainees Scheme, the Clinical Leadership Fellowship Scheme, and Launchpad for Leadership. This ensures that all doctors in training in Scotland have a grounding and introduction to leadership and management concepts before they move into their career posts, giving them an understanding of the importance of clinical staff involvement in management within the NHS.","AnswerDate":"2015-08-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-08-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305275,"EventID":"S4W-26919","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1860,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-07-29T15:18:18.963","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-07-29T10:59:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it is encouraging NHS boards to be proactive in relation to the risk assessment of patient care.","AnswerText":"The National Standards for Clinical Governance and Risk Management, published in 2005, set out the requirement for NHS boards to self-assess their arrangements for clinical governance and risk management to support the delivery of safe, effective and person-centred care and services.\r\nThe Scottish Government published the Governance for Quality Healthcare Agreement in 2013. This sets out the respective roles and responsibilities of the Scottish Government, NHS board chief executives, NHS board chairs and non-executives and all staff and includes recommended actions in respect of risk management to support the oversight, planning, and delivery of healthcare services.\r\nIn addition, the Learning from adverse events through reporting and review – A national framework for Scotland (2nd edition), published by Healthcare Improvement Scotland in April 2015, includes risk assessment and prevention actions for boards to minimise risks in order to provide high quality care.","AnswerDate":"2015-08-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-08-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305276,"EventID":"S4W-26920","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1860,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-07-29T15:18:19.493","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-07-29T11:00:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it is working with NHS boards to develop more meaningful performance indicators that are centred on quality of care rather than on financial or activity performance targets.","AnswerText":"In order to ensure high quality, continuously improving health and social care, the Scottish Government recognises that it is important to strike the right balance between improvement, performance management and scrutiny. Through the Local Delivery Planning (LDP) process, the Scottish Government engaged with a range of stakeholders in considering the performance standards for the NHS in Scotland. In recent years there has been significant reduction in the number of standards and targets that are monitored through the NHS performance frameworks. Reflecting this changing approach boards were asked to develop LDPs for 2015-16 which focused on new actions planned in a small number of priority areas for improvement including prevention and health inequalities, antenatal and early years, person centredness, safety, primary care and integration.\r\nWe will continue to review the performance standards and the LDP process for the NHS in Scotland.\r\nIn addition Healthcare Improvement Scotland is currently consulting on new enhanced proposals for scrutiny of the quality of care, structured around a more comprehensive set of measures that cover all of the factors knowing to contribute to the quality of health and care. The consultation can be found at: \r\nhttp://www.healthcareimprovementscotland.org/our_work/governance_and_assurance/quality_of_care_reviews/qoc_reviews_consultation.aspx","AnswerDate":"2015-08-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-08-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305277,"EventID":"S4W-26921","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1860,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-07-29T15:18:20.147","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-07-29T11:01:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will consider requiring all NHS boards to develop, publish and promote policies aimed at engaging with staff while understanding and responding to their professional concerns.","AnswerText":"The NHSScotland Staff Governance Standard already places a specific obligation on NHS boards, as employers, to ensure that all staff have access to communication channels which offer the opportunity to give and receive feedback, either directly or via their trade union/professional organisation, on organisational and service delivery issues at all levels.\r\nThe NHSScotland Partnership Information Network (PIN) policies, which underpin the Staff Governance Standard, provide a minimum standard of practice in employment, helping to ensure fair and consistent management of staff which meets both current legislative requirements and best employment practice. These policies, which are promoted locally, and accessible via a range of mediums, cover, amongst other things, whistleblowing and bullying and harassment.","AnswerDate":"2015-08-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-08-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305278,"EventID":"S4W-26922","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1860,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-07-29T15:18:20.71","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-07-29T11:01:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will consider working with NHS boards, the General Medical Council and other stakeholders to introduce measures in medical education and training that are designed to prevent bullying in NHS Scotland.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government already works closely with health boards, NHS Education for Scotland and the General Medical Council (GMC) to support efforts to fully eradicate bullying and harassment. Any incidence of bullying and harassment is one too many, and we have developed and revised Partnership Information Network guidance (Preventing and Dealing with Bullying and Harassment in NHSScotland) to be followed by all staff in NHS boards. This sets out minimum standards which each board must adhere to locally.\r\nHealth boards and their employees, irrespective of their position, are expected to act in line with the values and behaviours expected of everyone in NHSScotland, and we will continue to work collaboratively to tackle workplace bullying, and to encourage and support staff to raise any concerns they have about practices in the NHS.\r\nThe GMC also plays an important role in monitoring these issues through its annual national training survey and quality assurance visits. They are also using the findings of a report published earlier this year, Building a supportive environment: a review to tackle undermining and bullying in medical education and training, to better understand the nature of undermining and bullying in medical education and training, and we look forward to their recommendations where further improvements or guidance might be possible in tackling this issue.","AnswerDate":"2015-08-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-08-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305279,"EventID":"S4W-26923","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1860,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-07-29T15:18:21.303","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-07-29T11:02:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what measures it (a) has introduced and (b) is planning to introduce to encourage NHS staff to raise concerns regarding the quality of care provided by NHS Scotland.","AnswerText":"Much has already been done to develop an open and honest reporting culture in NHSScotland where staff are encouraged and supported to raise any genuine concerns they may have, particularly about quality of care and patient safety. This includes:\r\nThe introduction of the NHSScotland Staff Governance Standard which requires employers to ensure that it is safe and acceptable for staff to speak up about wrongdoing or malpractice within their organisation, particularly in relation to patient safety. \r\nDevelopment and publication of a national whistleblowing policy Implementing and Reviewing Whistleblowing Arrangements in NHSScotland Partnership Information Network policy.\r\nLaunch of the NHSScotland Confidential Alert Line (NCAL), a dedicated service for NHS staff in Scotland, which provides a confidential service to staff should they have any doubt about whether or how to raise a concern, or worry about doing so. NCAL provides an additional safe space for staff to discuss their concerns with legally trained staff and, if appropriate, have these concerns passed to the appropriate regulatory body on their behalf.\r\nRemoval of the standard inclusion of confidentiality clauses and derogatory statement clauses from settlement agreements across NHSScotland, ensuring that staff entering into such an agreement are clear that this does not compromise their right to whistleblow.\r\nDevelopment of guidance for NHSScotland employees and employers on the appropriate use of confidentiality clauses and derogatory statement clauses in settlement agreements. This guidance has been developed in partnership and is due to be published later in 2015.\r\nTo further support the above, and in response to the recommendations from Sir Robert Francis’ ‘Freedom to Speak Up’ review, published earlier in 2015, the Scottish Government has also committed to:\r\nIntroducing non-executive whistleblowing champions in each NHSScotland board. The role, which has been developed in partnership, will act predominantly as an oversight and assurance mechanism, as well as a conduit to ensure that internal mechanisms within boards are working effectively to support whistleblowing arrangements and staff in raising concerns.\r\nDeveloping and establishing an independent national officer to provide an independent and external level of review on the handling of whistleblowing cases. Detailed proposals on this role will be subject to a full public consultation later in 2015.","AnswerDate":"2015-08-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-08-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305280,"EventID":"S4W-26924","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1860,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-07-29T15:18:22.037","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-07-29T11:03:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what measures it (a) has introduced and (b) is planning to introduce to protect NHS staff from career-damaging recrimination should they raise concerns regarding the quality of care provided by NHS Scotland.","AnswerText":"The Public Interest Disclosure Act 1998 already offers legal protection to NHSScotland staff members who suffer detriment for raising a genuine concern about patient safety or malpractice.\r\nIn addition, and in response to the recommendations from the ‘Freedom to Speak Up’ review, the Scottish Government is continuing to work closely with the Department of Health to ensure that UK legislation to protect whistleblowers applying for NHS jobs extends to the relevant NHS employers in Scotland.","AnswerDate":"2015-08-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-08-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305281,"EventID":"S4W-26925","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1860,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-07-29T15:18:23.02","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-07-29T11:04:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what measures it is taking to ensure that NHS boards develop minimum safe staffing levels for all professions in hospital settings that provide the required skills mix and experience, along with the appropriate supervision, to ensure that patients always receive safe, high quality care.","AnswerText":"We are fully committed to achieving the best possible healthcare outcomes for Scotland’s people through safe, high quality care. Scotland is a world leader, internationally recognised for the improvements in care and safety the Scottish Patient Safety Programme has brought about. The care delivered by our NHS workforce is of the highest quality and we have record staffing levels with staff better equipped to deliver services than ever before.\r\nWe have backed this up by our statutory requirements on NHS boards to ensure they have workforce plans in place, and by our mandatory application of an important series of evidence-based workload and workforce tools. These enable NHS boards to assess and deploy the required numbers of appropriate staff accurately and effectively, according to the clinical needs of patients rather than by fixed staffing ratios.","AnswerDate":"2015-08-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-08-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305282,"EventID":"S4W-26926","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1860,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-07-29T15:18:23.69","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-07-29T11:05:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what measures it (a) has introduced and (b) is planning to introduce to reduce the level of absenteeism through ill-health in NHS Scotland.","AnswerText":"Our staff are at the heart of our NHS. The welfare of NHS staff is critically important with every health board required to have policies in place and to comply with national policies on managing health at work.\r\nThe Staff Governance Standard for NHSScotland commits all boards to providing a continuously improving and safe working environment promoting the health and wellbeing of staff, patients and the wider community. Through our monitoring arrangements, we are ensuring that boards have policies and actions in place to support staff.\r\nWe are currently in the process of updating the Partnership Information Network (PIN) policy for Managing Health at Work. This is in consultation with boards.\r\nWe are currently in the process of updating the Managing Health at Work PIN policy that will be researched and prepared on a partnership basis involving NHSScotland employers, trade unions, professional organizations and the Scottish Government.","AnswerDate":"2015-08-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-08-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305283,"EventID":"S4W-26927","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1860,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-07-29T15:18:24.203","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-07-29T11:06:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will consider a streamlined NHS patients’ complaints procedure that has less emphasis on process, is designed to eliminate defensiveness and ensures that complaints are considered independently in an open and sensitive manner. ","AnswerText":"The Scottish Public Services Ombudsman’s Complaints Standards Authority is already leading work for the Scottish Government on the development of a revised NHS complaints procedure, in line with one of the recommendations of the Scottish Health Council’s Listening and Learning report on how feedback, comments, concerns and complaints can be used to drive improvement across NHS services in Scotland. A working group, with membership drawn from across health boards, was recently convened to progress this and will meet for the first time in September 2015.","AnswerDate":"2015-08-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-08-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305284,"EventID":"S4W-26928","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2015-07-29T15:18:24.75","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-07-29T11:44:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much notice HMP Grampian gives G4S in order to transfer prisoners to Lerwick Sheriff Court on time.","AnswerText":"I have asked Colin McConnell, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service, to respond. His response is as follows:\r\n“HMP&YOI Grampian informs G4S of prisoner escort requirements for Lerwick Sheriff Court on the same day as the establishment receives notification from the Scottish Courts and Tribunals Service.”","AnswerDate":"2015-08-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-08-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305285,"EventID":"S4W-26929","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5047,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-07-29T15:18:25.343","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-07-29T11:48:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it last discussed organ donation and a soft opt-out system with the Welsh Government.","AnswerText":"Policy colleagues meet regularly with their Welsh counterparts to discuss organ donation and opt out forms part of those discussions. The most recent discussion took place on 24 July 2015, in the course of a regular UK wide organ donation meeting.","AnswerDate":"2015-08-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-08-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305286,"EventID":"S4W-26930","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5047,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-07-29T15:18:25.997","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-07-29T11:48:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many organ donations per million people were carried out by each NHS board in (a) 2012-13, (b) 2013-14 and (c) 2014-15.","AnswerText":"Donor potential varies among NHS boards because boards serving remote and rural populations do not have neurological Intensive Care Units therefore potential donors can be transferred to larger centres. The information requested is contained in the following table.\r\nTable: Organ Donations Carried Out Per Million People (PMP) By NHS Board\r\nHealth Board\r\n2012-13\r\n2013-14\r\n2014-15\r\n\r\nPMP\r\nPMP\r\nPMP\r\nAyrshire and Arran\r\n13.4\r\n5.4\r\n8.0\r\nBorders\r\n0.0\r\n0.0\r\n26.4\r\nDumfries and Galloway\r\n19.9\r\n13.3\r\n19.9\r\nFife\r\n5.5\r\n13.7\r\n16.4\r\nForth Valley\r\n10.0\r\n10.0\r\n10.0\r\nGreater Glasgow and Clyde (plus Golden Jubilee)\r\n22.7\r\n29.7\r\n20.1\r\nGrampian\r\n14.0\r\n24.4\r\n26.2\r\nHighland\r\n12.5\r\n3.1\r\n12.5\r\nLanarkshire\r\n15.6\r\n4.7\r\n14.0\r\nLothian\r\n27.3\r\n37.9\r\n28.4\r\nOrkney\r\n0.0\r\n0.0\r\n0.0\r\nShetland\r\n0.0\r\n0.0\r\n0.0\r\nTayside\r\n24.3\r\n24.3\r\n12.1\r\nWestern Isles\r\n0.0\r\n0.0\r\n0.0\r\nTotal\r\n17.7\r\n19.9\r\n18.4\r\nSource: NHS Blood and Transplant","AnswerDate":"2015-08-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-08-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305287,"EventID":"S4W-26931","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5047,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-07-29T15:18:26.497","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-07-29T11:48:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much it has invested in raising awareness of organ donation in each of the last five years.","AnswerText":"Advertising spend on the organ donation campaign for 2013-14 and 2014-15 has not yet been published. Expenditure for 2010-11, 2011-12 and 2012-13 can be seen at the following link:\r\nhttp://www.gov.scot/About/People/Directorates/Communications/advertising-marketing/spend","AnswerDate":"2015-08-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-08-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305288,"EventID":"S4W-26932","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5047,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-07-29T15:18:27.137","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-07-29T11:48:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government (a) what the start-up costs were and (b) how much annual funding it has committed for Organ Donation Scotland.","AnswerText":"Organ Donation Scotland is the brand name for the Scottish Government’s organ donation marketing campaign. There were no start-up costs and the costs of the campaign are contained within the overall Scottish Government marketing budget.","AnswerDate":"2015-08-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-08-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305289,"EventID":"S4W-26933","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5047,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-07-29T15:18:27.62","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-07-29T11:48:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when the Scottish Donation and Transplant Group last discussed a soft opt-out system for organ donation.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Donation and Transplant Group most recently discussed opt out at their last meeting on 10 June 2015.","AnswerDate":"2015-08-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-08-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305290,"EventID":"S4W-26934","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4947,"Party":"Independent","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-07-29T15:18:28.15","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-07-29T12:01:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what steps it has taken to increase grid capacity to assist renewable energy producers in the Highlands and Islands.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government’s third National Planning Framework was published in June 2014 and designates an enhanced high voltage energy transmission network as a national development. It sets out our view that strengthening the electricity grid will be essential in unlocking renewable resources, both onshore and offshore. It also emphasises that the construction of new connections between the Scottish islands and the mainland electricity grid are an essential part of this and a top priority for the Scottish Government. The network owners in Scotland plan to invest around £7 billion in the High Voltage Transmission Network between 2013 and 2021, including major projects in the Highlands and Islands. For example, the recently approved Caithness to Moray sub-sea link will enable 1.2GW of new renewable generation to connect by 2018 providing enough electricity to power the equivalent of over 500,000 homes.","AnswerDate":"2015-08-31T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-08-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305291,"EventID":"S4W-26951","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":2,"MSPID":4964,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":119,"ApprovedDate":"2015-07-30T13:21:43.53","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-07-30T13:16:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the non-profit distributing (NPD) pipeline of infrastructure investment.","AnswerText":" I advised Parliament in February that recent updates to relevant Eurostat technical guidance on Statistical Accounts (the European System of Accounts – ESA 10), which came into effect in September 2014, could have implications for the non-profit distributing (NPD) and hub investment programmes.\r\nIn December 2014 the UK Office for National Statistics (ONS) decided to review the classification of the Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route (AWPR) project. ONS has now reported and I am in a position to update Parliament.\r\nONS has advised that, in light of the new guidance, the AWPR will be classified to the public sector. This is based on their interpretation of the degree of public sector control over the special purpose vehicle established to deliver the project and the balance of risk and reward between the public and private sector partners that effectively caps the profits that can be achieved by the private sector.\r\nI have instructed the Scottish Futures Trust to engage with the ONS and other parties to clarify the basis of this interpretation and the potential implications for the future contractual arrangements for the AWPR, with a view to securing private sector classification.\r\nThe ONS’ conclusions will have no effect on the timetable or cost of the AWPR project.\r\nONS has also confirmed that it will review two other NPD projects signed since September 2014 – the Dumfries and Galloway Royal Infirmary and the Edinburgh Royal Hospital for Sick Children – with a view to providing a classification opinion on these projects later in the year. Scottish Government and the Scottish Futures Trust will consider the implications of the AWPR opinion for these projects.\r\nThe ONS review will not affect the delivery timetable or cost for either of these signed projects.\r\nIn light of today’s opinion on an NPD project I am considering whether further changes are required to the hub model. There is likely to be some further impact on the delivery timetable for hub projects that are in the current pipeline. The Scottish Futures Trust will engage closely with project partners to discuss the implications for them.\r\nAs the ONS review has opined that the AWPR will be classified to the public sector, Scottish Government officials are engaging with HM Treasury officials to address the timing and nature of budget treatment. Parliament will recall that I indicated in my earlier statement in February 2015 that I had secured an additional £300 million in budget cover from HM Treasury to deal with potential consequences that may arise from this ruling. \r\nI will report further to Parliament early in the next term. I can assure Parliament that I am taking all appropriate action to protect vital capital investment in Scotland and to manage the implications of the latest guidance on classification on the NPD programme and the Scottish Budget.","AnswerDate":"2015-07-31T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-08-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305292,"EventID":"S4W-26907","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5034,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-07-30T15:24:42.79","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-07-28T15:05:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what methodology it uses to analyse data from across the country on what constitutes physical education for the two hours requirement in schools.","AnswerText":"Data on physical education is collected on an annual basis from all publically funded schools through the Healthy Living Survey (formerly school meals survey). The latest Healthy Living Survey was undertaken in February 2015 and the results were published on 17 June 2015 as part of the Summary statistics for attainment, leaver destinations and healthy living release:\r\nhttp://www.gov.scot/Publications/2015/06/2579\r\nWhether a school is meeting the target level of PE provision of two hours per week in primary school or 100 minutes per week in secondary school is determined by whether it meets the following criteria:\r\nPhysical education must be during curriculum time and either taught or led by a General Teaching Council for Scotland registered class or PE specialist teacher.\r\nIt includes certificated and non-certificated PE. It includes, for example, dance, but does not include walking to school, drama, etc.\r\nIf PE is only available as an optional subject and only some pupils are taking this option (i.e. if PE is only undertaken/available as a certificated subject) then this should not be counted as providing PE to all pupils.\r\nLocal authorities are provided with guidance when completing the Healthy Living Survey and this includes more detailed information on how schools answer in special cases.\r\nLocal authorities which return data indicating that schools are not meeting the target are asked to provide reasons why.","AnswerDate":"2015-08-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-08-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305293,"EventID":"S4W-26908","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5034,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-07-30T15:24:43.693","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-07-28T15:05:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what criteria it uses for physical education to meet the two hours requirement in schools.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government's commitment on physical education (PE) is that all schools will provide at least two hours of PE in primary schools and at least two periods of PE in secondary schools, for pupils in S1-S4. In order to meet this commitment schools must deliver PE during curriculum time, it must either be taught or led by a General Teaching Council for Scotland registered teacher, and must support the experiences and outcomes as defined in Curriculum for Excellence. If PE is only available as an optional subject and only some pupils are taking this option then it cannot be counted as providing PE to all pupils.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-08-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-08-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alasdair Allan","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305294,"EventID":"S4W-26909","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5034,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-07-30T15:24:44.303","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-07-28T15:05:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many hours of teacher training are spent on physical education.","AnswerText":"This information is not held centrally.","AnswerDate":"2015-08-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-08-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alasdair Allan","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305295,"EventID":"S4W-26943","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2117,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-07-30T15:24:44.957","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-07-29T16:28:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many (a) civilian staff and (b) police officers the police service has employed to carry out Disclosure Scotland checks in each of the last four years.","AnswerText":"This information is not held centrally.","AnswerDate":"2015-08-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-08-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305296,"EventID":"S4W-26944","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2117,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-07-30T15:24:45.97","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-07-29T16:28:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answers to questions S4W-26614 and S4W-26615 by John Swinney on 28 July 2015, whether it can confirm that the current standstill period applied to the new contract for the provision of water and waste water services to the public sector will come to an end on 30 September 2015.","AnswerText":"No date has yet been set for the conclusion of the standstill period for water and waste water billing services to the public sector.","AnswerDate":"2015-08-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-08-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305297,"EventID":"S4W-26945","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2117,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-07-30T15:24:46.83","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-07-29T16:28:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many (a) civilian staff and (b) police officers Police Scotland employs to carry out Disclosure Scotland checks and where they are based.","AnswerText":"This information is not held centrally.","AnswerDate":"2015-08-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-08-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305298,"EventID":"S4W-26946","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1768,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":131,"ApprovedDate":"2015-07-30T15:24:47.717","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-07-29T16:17:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether grant funding is available to enable a privately owned road to be brought up to a standard so that the local authority can adopt and maintain it.","AnswerText":"The Roads (Scotland) Act 1984 places the statutory responsibility for local roads with local road authorities, and this is not an issue where the Scottish Ministers or the Scottish Government would become directly involved.\r\n\r\nThe Local Government Finance Settlement for 2015 to 2016 is over £10.85 billion. It is the responsibility of individual local authorities to manage their own budgets and to allocate financial resources available to them on the basis of local needs and priorities.","AnswerDate":"2015-08-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-08-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305299,"EventID":"S4W-26947","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2015-07-30T15:24:48.687","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-07-29T16:23:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it will prevent a repeat of the breakdown of emergency service calls in Shetland on 25 July 2015.","AnswerText":"The security and resilience of the 999 service is a matter reserved to the UK Government. Officials from the Scottish Government meet regularly with representatives from BT, other telecoms providers, Ofcom and the Department for Culture, Media and Sport. The Scottish Government is fully engaged in the lessons learned process (for this incident on the 25 July 2015) with local responders and other telecoms operators to ensure that plans are in place to reduce the likelihood of such an issue recurring and responders are in a position to act quickly and appropriately.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-08-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-08-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305300,"EventID":"S4W-26948","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2015-07-30T15:24:49.7","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-07-29T16:23:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government at what time ministers were informed that 999 calls in Shetland could not be connected on 25 July 2015.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government was notified by BT of a telecoms failure occurring on Orkney at 15:12 on 25 July, 2015. Transport Scotland notified Ministers shortly after this time that Sumburgh Airport on Shetland has been impacted. At that stage BT had not identified a problem on Shetland as a result of the Orkney fault other than the issue at Sumburgh Airport. As BT’s investigations progressed the Scottish Government was notified on 27 July 2015 that 999 services on Shetland had been widely impacted due to the fault on Orkney.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-08-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-08-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305301,"EventID":"S4W-26949","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2015-07-30T15:24:50.73","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-07-29T16:23:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what backup to the BT system there is for connecting 999 calls for Shetland.","AnswerText":"The security and resilience of the 999 system is a matter reserved to the UK Government. The 999 system is operated by telecoms providers including BT and as such this is a matter for those companies and the regulator (Ofcom). However local emergency responders have 999 outage plans to mitigate the effects of outages when certain triggers are met. It is important to note that 999 is available by both landline and mobile phones and since 2009 the 999 service from mobile phones roams to available networks to ensure connectivity.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-08-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-08-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305302,"EventID":"S4W-26950","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2015-07-30T15:24:52.337","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-07-29T16:23:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether any area other than Shetland has lost emergency call connections in the last five years.","AnswerText":"The 999 service is reliant on local exchanges and mobile phone masts operating to deliver messages to 999 call centres. Community Isolations (faults) at local exchanges for landline and mobile phone masts occur for a variety of reasons including:\r\nsevere weather;\r\npower supply problems; \r\nthird party damage;\r\nand equipment failure or damage.\r\nOften these outages are of short duration (less than an hour) and affect relatively small numbers of customers. (less than 500) at small exchanges.\r\nEmergency Service Control Rooms are always notified by BT of Community Isolations affecting their network to enable emergency responders to take decisions as to whether to instigate Local Resilience Partnerships 999 outage plans. Community isolations can affect different services, for example broadband, therefore do not always result in a loss of 999.","AnswerDate":"2015-08-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-08-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305308,"EventID":"S4W-26935","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-07-31T14:47:54.947","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-07-29T15:04:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government for what reasons a referral for treatment to community mental health teams can be declined.","AnswerText":"It is the responsibility of health boards to provide services appropriate to the needs of their local population. If it is deemed that a patient will benefit from a particular therapy, clinicians will ensure that appropriate services are provided to meet their needs. Community mental health teams would decline a referral if it didn't fit the service specification set out by the health board. Typically community mental health teams accept referrals from patients with known or possible mental illness.","AnswerDate":"2015-08-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-08-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305309,"EventID":"S4W-26936","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-07-31T14:47:56.117","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-07-29T15:04:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many adult counselling posts have been (a) filled, (b) advertised and (c) unfilled in each year since 2007, broken down by NHS board.","AnswerText":"Counsellors in NHS Scotland are usually employed by psychology services within NHS boards. Information on the numbers employed each year since 2007 is provided in the answer to question S4W-26941 on 20 August 2015. Information on how many posts have been filled, advertised or unfilled in each of those years is not held centrally. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.","AnswerDate":"2015-08-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-08-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305310,"EventID":"S4W-26937","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-07-31T14:47:56.93","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-07-29T15:04:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it has taken in relation to developing a strategy for school-based counselling for mental health issues.","AnswerText":"The Schools (Health Promotion and Nutrition) Act (Scotland) 2007 places a number of duties on local education authorities including ensuring that schools are health promoting. This includes promoting physical, social, mental and emotional wellbeing by supporting pupils to make positive lifestyle choices in relation to their health and wellbeing. All adults who work in schools have a responsibility to support and develop mental, emotional, social and physical wellbeing. It is for the local authority and schools to decide how to develop their own approaches to ensure staff have the appropriate skills to implement Curriculum for Excellence, based on local needs and circumstances.","AnswerDate":"2015-08-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-08-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305311,"EventID":"S4W-26938","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-07-31T14:47:58.003","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-07-29T15:04:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many students under 18 have had access to a qualified counsellor at school since 2007, broken down by local authority.","AnswerText":"This information is not held centrally.\r\nThe Schools (Health Promotion and Nutrition) Act (Scotland) 2007 places a number of duties on local education authorities including ensuring that schools are health promoting. This includes promoting physical, social, mental and emotional wellbeing by supporting pupils to make positive lifestyle choices in relation to their health and wellbeing. All adults who work in schools have a responsibility to support and develop mental, emotional, social and physical wellbeing. It is for the local authority and schools to decide how to develop their own approaches to implement Curriculum for Excellence, based on local needs and circumstances. Whilst an authority may wish to provide access to school based counselling in their schools, in other areas, schools utilise the skills of their pastoral care or guidance staff and liaise with health services for specialist support when required. Every school has a named contact in specialist Children and Adolescent Mental Health Service services who can be contacted for advice if they have any concerns about a pupil and can provide ongoing support.","AnswerDate":"2015-08-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-08-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305312,"EventID":"S4W-26939","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-07-31T14:47:58.88","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-07-29T15:04:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to commission an audit of the availability of (a) general and (b) specific counselling services (i) within and (ii) outwith NHS Scotland.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has no plans to commission an audit on the availability of general and specific counselling services within and outwith Scotland. NHS Boards are responsible for ensuring adequate provision of evidence based psychological therapies for their local populations. Information about the evidence base for psychological therapies is published by NHS Education for Scotland in Mental Health in Scotland - A Guide to delivering evidence-based Psychological Therapies in Scotland - The Matrix 2011 which can be found online at http://www.nes.scot.nhs.uk/media/20137/Psychology%20Matrix%202013.pdf","AnswerDate":"2015-08-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-08-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305313,"EventID":"S4W-26940","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-07-31T14:47:59.707","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-07-29T15:04:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much each NHS board has spent on redundancy payments in each year since 2007. ","AnswerText":"NHS boards have been required since 2009-10, to report summary data on the use of exit packages agreed in year in their annual accounts. The information relating to 2014-15 is not yet available.\r\nA summary of the expenditure on exit packages is set out in the following table:\r\n\r\n2009-10\r\n2010-11\r\n2011-12\r\n2012-13\r\n2013-14\r\n£000\r\n£000\r\n£000\r\n£000\r\n£000\r\nNHS Territorial Boards\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nAyrshire and Arran \r\n0\r\n1,227\r\n174\r\n1,281\r\n68\r\nBorders \r\n95\r\n87\r\n171\r\n170\r\n307\r\nDumfries and Galloway \r\n0\r\n382\r\n258\r\n446\r\n204\r\nFife \r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\nForth Valley \r\n0\r\n537\r\n5,126\r\n17\r\n0\r\nGrampian \r\n2,400\r\n2,305\r\n2,078\r\n416\r\n273\r\nGreater Glasgow and Clyde\r\n140\r\n592\r\n1,951\r\n1,954\r\n925\r\nHighland \r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n75\r\n44\r\nLanarkshire \r\n3,067\r\n6,527\r\n2,022\r\n499\r\n50\r\nLothian \r\n144\r\n1,075\r\n2,024\r\n1,084\r\n1,144\r\nOrkney \r\n52\r\n551\r\n2,066\r\n191\r\n112\r\nShetland \r\n0\r\n1\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\nTayside \r\n19\r\n165\r\n247\r\n105\r\n109\r\nWestern Isles \r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\nNHS Territorial Boards Total\r\n5,917\r\n13,449\r\n16,117\r\n6,238\r\n3,236\r\nNHS Special Health Boards\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nNHS National Services Scotland\r\n0\r\n289\r\n1,062\r\n797\r\n413\r\nScottish Ambulance Service\r\n0\r\n15\r\n86\r\n54\r\n35\r\nNHS Education for Scotland\r\n4\r\n41\r\n812\r\n720\r\n297\r\nNHS 24\r\n66\r\n434\r\n89\r\n31\r\n21\r\nNational Waiting Times Centre Board\r\n14\r\n188\r\n1,397\r\n597\r\n0\r\nThe State Hospital\r\n0\r\n333\r\n474\r\n244\r\n56\r\nNHS Health Scotland\r\n0\r\n649\r\n904\r\n203\r\n716\r\nHealthcare Improvement Scotland\r\n0\r\n0\r\n1,126\r\n0\r\n36\r\nNHS Special Health Boards Total\r\n84\r\n1,949\r\n5,950\r\n2,646\r\n1,574\r\nNHSScotland Total\r\n6,001\r\n15,398\r\n22,067\r\n8,884\r\n4,810\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-08-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-08-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305314,"EventID":"S4W-26941","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-07-31T14:48:00.533","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-07-29T15:04:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many NHS counsellors there have been in each NHS board in each year since 2007.","AnswerText":"Counsellors in NHS Scotland are usually employed by psychology services within NHS Boards. Information on the numbers employed each year since 2007 is shown in the following table. Information on the number of counsellors employed by other services is not held centrally.\r\nTable 1: Number of counsellors (whole time equivalent) employed in psychology services in NHS Scotland.\r\nNHS Board\r\nSep-07\r\nSep-08\r\nSep-09\r\nSep-10\r\nSep -11\r\nSep -12\r\nSep -13\r\nSep -14\r\nMar -15\r\nNHS Ayrshire and Arran\r\n5.5\r\n5.6\r\n6.6\r\n5.5\r\n4.3\r\n3.6\r\n4.4\r\n4.4\r\n4.4\r\nNHS Borders\r\n1.4\r\n0.9\r\n0.9\r\n0.3\r\n0.3\r\n0.3\r\n0.3\r\n0.3\r\n0.3\r\nNHS Dumfries and Galloway\r\n5.1\r\n5.1\r\n3.3\r\n2.5\r\n2.3\r\n2.1\r\n1.7\r\n1.6\r\n1.1\r\nNHS Fife\r\n3.6\r\n2.5\r\n2.0\r\n2.0\r\n3.0\r\n3.0\r\n1.0\r\n1.0\r\n1.0\r\nNHS Forth Valley\r\n1.2\r\n2.4\r\n2.4\r\n2.2\r\n2.2\r\n2.6\r\n2.2\r\n2.2\r\n2.4\r\nNHS Grampian\r\n1.0\r\n0.5\r\n0.5\r\n0.5\r\n0.5\r\n0.5\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\nNHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde\r\n3.0\r\n2.8\r\n2.8\r\n1.8\r\n1.6\r\n1.0\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\nNHS Highland\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\nNHS Lanarkshire\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n5.2\r\n18.3\r\n17.8\r\n16.4\r\n15.5\r\nNHS Lothian\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n0.8\r\nNHS Orkney\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\nNHS Shetland\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\nNHS Tayside\r\n1.4\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\nNHS Western Isles\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\nSource NES-ISD psychology workforce database.\r\nIt should be noted that counselling psychologists are a different staff group from counsellors. Information on the numbers employed each year since 2010 is shown in the following table.\r\nTable 2: Number of counselling psychologists (whole time equivalent) employed in psychology services in NHS Scotland.\r\nNHS Board\r\nSep -10\r\nSep -11\r\nSep -12\r\nSep -13\r\nSep -14\r\nMar-15\r\nNHS Ayrshire and Arran\r\n2.0\r\n1.8\r\n2.7\r\n2.8\r\n3.7\r\n2.7\r\nNHS Borders\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\nNHS Dumfries and Galloway\r\n-\r\n-\r\n1.0\r\n1.0\r\n1.0\r\n1.0\r\nNHS Fife\r\n0.5\r\n1.0\r\n1.0\r\n1.0\r\n1.0\r\n1.9\r\nNHS Forth Valley\r\n-\r\n-\r\n0.6\r\n0.5\r\n0.5\r\n0.5\r\nNHS Grampian\r\n5.5\r\n4.7\r\n4.5\r\n5.2\r\n4.8\r\n5.8\r\nNHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde\r\n3.0\r\n4.0\r\n2.0\r\n4.0\r\n4.0\r\n3.0\r\nNHS Highland\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\nNHS Lanarkshire\r\n8.9\r\n10.2\r\n12.2\r\n13.4\r\n14.2\r\n16.7\r\nNHS Lothian\r\n5.6\r\n2.6\r\n2.3\r\n4.0\r\n5.2\r\n5.8\r\nNHS Orkney\r\n-\r\n0.8\r\n0.8\r\n0.8\r\n0.8\r\n0.8\r\nNHS Shetland\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\nNHS Tayside\r\n-\r\n2.0\r\n3.0\r\n2.0\r\n2.0\r\n1.0\r\nNHS Western Isles\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\nSource NES-ISD psychology workforce database\r\nPublished information on psychology services workforce can be found on the workforce statistics web site at http://www.isdscotland.org/Health-Topics/Workforce/Psychology/\r\n\r\nFurther information on the statistics, including information on how the data are collected and notes to aid interpretation, is given in the 'FAQs' section of the workforce statistics website at www.isdscotland.org/workforce.","AnswerDate":"2015-08-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-08-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305315,"EventID":"S4W-26942","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-07-31T14:48:01.42","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-07-29T15:04:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many referrals for treatment to community mental health teams have been declined in each year since 2007.","AnswerText":"Data on the specific numbers of referrals and declines is not provided to the Scottish Government. However the latest published data on the numbers of all referrals and referrals including those rejected referrals for psychological therapies and child and adolescent mental health services (CAMHS) by NHSScotland is available from the Information Services Division (ISD) reports on waiting times reports on CAMHS and psychological therapies.\r\nThese ISD reports are available online at: \r\nCAMHS waiting times report: http://www.isdscotland.org/Health-Topics/Waiting-Times/Publications/2015-05-26/2015-05-26-CAMHS-Report.pdf\r\nPsychological therapies waiting times report: http://www.isdscotland.org/Health-Topics/Waiting-Times/Publications/2015-05-26/2015-05-26-WT-PsychTherapies-Report.pdf\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-08-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-08-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305316,"EventID":"S4W-26952","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2033,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":132,"ApprovedDate":"2015-07-31T14:48:02.233","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-07-30T18:42:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what assurance it can give that the East Lothian Community Hospital project will be delivered to the timetable of phase one open by 2017 and completion by 2019.","AnswerText":"Scottish Ministers remain committed to supporting the East Lothian Community Hospital project, and NHS Lothian is continuing to develop its plans for a replacement hospital. This project is to be delivered through non-profit distributing (NPD) funding, under the hub model. In light of the recent opinion by the Office for National Statistics on the Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route, another NPD project, the Scottish Government is considering whether further changes are required to the hub model. The Scottish Futures Trust will engage closely with project partners to discuss the implications for them. \r\nAll appropriate action is being taken to protect vital capital investment in Scotland and to manage the implications of the latest guidance on classification on the NPD programme and the Scottish Budget.","AnswerDate":"2015-08-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-08-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305317,"EventID":"S4W-26953","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1768,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":131,"ApprovedDate":"2015-07-31T14:48:02.84","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-07-30T19:02:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how community radio stations can advise it that they are available to carry Scottish Government advertising.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government and public bodies buy advertising through the Media Planning & Buying Framework. It is currently held by a single supplier, Carat. All media suppliers who are interested in carrying advertising for The Scottish Government should approach Carat who will evaluate the opportunity against the effectiveness and efficiency in delivering each campaign’s objectives.","AnswerDate":"2015-08-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-08-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fiona Hyslop","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305318,"EventID":"S4W-26954","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2015-07-31T14:48:03.887","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-07-30T22:18:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the membership is of the Emergency Authorities' 999 Liaison Committee; when it last met, and what matters it discusses.","AnswerText":"Due to the 999/112 service being a matter reserved to the UK Government, the 999/112 Liaison Committee is chaired by the Department of Culture Media and Sport. The membership includes representatives from all of the emergency services, telecoms providers, Cabinet Office, Department of Health, Home Office, Department for Transport, Ofcom and Devolved Administrations including the Scottish Government. It last met on 27 May 2015. It discusses a range of issues related to the operation of 999 and connectivity to the emergency services. Recent issues discussed include:\r\n\r\n999 Blue Light Seminar – 30 March 2015,\r\nUpdate on National 101 Failure - 22 November 2014,\r\nStrategic Direction of the 999 service,\r\nDistributed Denial of Service (DDOS) attacks,\r\nDisabling mobile phone SIM cards of nuisance callers,\r\nZone codes of mobile operators connecting to emergency services,\r\nUpdate from 999 Issues in Scotland Group.","AnswerDate":"2015-08-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-08-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305319,"EventID":"S4W-26955","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-07-31T14:48:04.963","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-07-31T10:46:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether Health Improvement Scotland (a) has undertaken or (b) plans to undertake research into the reasons for the cancellation of operations by 13,000 patients annually.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has recently asked information services division (ISD) to collect and publish information on the number of cancelled planned operations and the reasons for the cancellation. This monthly information was first published on 30 June 2015 on NHS Performs and on the ISD waiting times websites. The website information provides the total number of operations cancelled and a breakdown of the reason for cancelled operations by NHS Boards and hospitals.\r\nThe latest published data for the month of June showed that 30,895 operations were planned to take place of which 2,746 of these operations were cancelled either by the hospital or the patients - a cancellation rate of 8.9%. Of the 2,746 cancelled operations the rate cancelled by the hospital due to capacity or non-clinical reasons was 1.3% compared to 2.7% for clinical reasons and 3.8% by patients. We fully expect all Boards to review this information and to determine what action they can take to reduce the number of operations cancelled. We are continuing to work with ISD to provide more information of cancellations through the new ways data warehouse which will provide more details on the specific reasons for cancellations and expect this detailed data to be available early in 2016.","AnswerDate":"2015-08-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-08-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305320,"EventID":"S4W-26956","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-07-31T14:48:06.04","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-07-31T10:46:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what steps it has taken (a) directly or (b) via Health Improvement Scotland to ensure that consultant contracts are not being advertised as nine clinical sessions to one programmed activity, covering only revaluation and reappraisal work, and that all advertisements make it clear that within a 10-session contract the balance of programmed activities is negotiable.","AnswerText":"On 27 March 2015 Paul Gray, Chief Executive of NHSScotland, wrote to NHS board chief executives endorsing the guidance on consultant job planning issued by NHSScotland employers Management Steering Group. This guidance asks boards to ensure that full time consultant posts are advertised on the basis of 10 programmed activities with applicants being advised of the fixed clinical care sessions allocated with the post in the job pack accompanying the advertisement.","AnswerDate":"2015-08-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-08-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305321,"EventID":"S4W-26957","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-07-31T14:48:07.023","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-07-31T10:47:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what steps it has taken (a) directly or (b) via Health Improvement Scotland to ensure that, for new and reappraised consultant contracts, the balance of programmed activities (PAs) where the clinical care element is nine PAs to one PA should not be routine and that consultants are having such contracts reviewed regularly to ensure that non-clinical activities include audit, research, clinical teaching in non-academic posts and service redesign.","AnswerText":"Further to my answer to S4W-26956 on 14 August 2015, the guidance also advises boards that it is critical that job plans and job planning strike the right balance between direct clinical care commitments, contractual and regulatory requirements such as appraisal and revalidation and other important activities undertaken in support of professionalism and excellence in medicine.\r\nThe balance of all PAs – both direct clinical care and supporting professional activities – should be agreed between the consultant and their manager and is subject to at least an annual review through a well monitored, fair and appropriate job planning process.\r\nNHS boards are also investing in job planning technology which is aiding with the creation of intelligent and responsive job plans, making this process much more efficient and user friendly.\r\nAll answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at: \r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx","AnswerDate":"2015-08-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-08-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305322,"EventID":"S4W-26958","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-07-31T14:48:08.147","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-07-31T10:47:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether NHS boards have met the requirement to publish workforce plans by 30 June annually.","AnswerText":"A number of NHS boards have published their workforce plans by 30 June each year as described in Chief Executives Letter (CEL) 32 (2011). CEL 32 (2011) replaced Health Directorate Letter (HDL) 52 (2005) and provides NHS boards with guidance on what they should consider when undertaking workforce planning as well as when their plans should be published on their board websites. Since the issue of CEL 32 in 2011, Scottish Government Ministers asked that workforce projections (which must be submitted to the Scottish Government by 30 June each year) were made publicly available. This has been delivered through an annual Official Statistics publication by the Scottish Government Analytical Services Division which draws the projections information from the NHS boards and publishes them in August. Reflecting this change, and whilst allowing NHS boards to improve the quality of workforce information by allowing them added time to triangulate workforce plans with projections, the requirement to actually have and publish them is absolute. Best practice under the Code of Practice for Official Statistics advised that workforce plans should be published without projections by 30 June, or with them on or after the publication of the workforce projections. The planned month of publication of the Official Statistics product is pre-announced one year in advance by the Office of the Chief Statistician, with the actual date confirmed at least a month in advance. The next publication will take place on 25 August 2015 and provides the public and other key users with a single publication on workforce projections. We are considering with boards how the current guidance may be refreshed in order to reflect changes in timing; progress being made by boards in the arrangements for workforce planning; and the development of policies aimed at improving the health of Scotland's people.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-08-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-08-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305323,"EventID":"S4W-26959","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-07-31T14:48:09.16","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-07-31T10:47:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether NHS board workforce plans for medical staffing include the proportion of consultant post contracts or job plans that have been reviewed in the past year.","AnswerText":"It is the responsibility of NHS boards to plan and deliver clinical services. Workforce plans enable boards to ensure they have the right workforce with the right skills and competences deployed in the right place at the right time. In preparing their workforce plans, boards are required to consider relevant local issues and demographic changes and assess the resultant demands and implications for service delivery. Consultant staff work to job plans agreed between themselves and NHS boards to allow the delivery of safe and sustainable services. These determine how much time a consultant is expected to spend providing front line care, taking into account the time spent on providing out of hours cover, and are a matter for individual consultants and their boards. We are considering with NHS boards how current workforce planning guidance might be refreshed in order to reflect progress they are making, and the development of policies aimed at improving the health of Scotland's people.","AnswerDate":"2015-08-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-08-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305324,"EventID":"S4W-26960","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-07-31T14:48:10.143","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-07-31T10:47:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether NHS board workforce plans for medical staffing include the proportion of consultant post contracts on (a) nine clinical care programmed activities (PA) to one PA covering only revaluation and reappraisal, (b) eight clinical PAs to two other non-clinical PAs covering other activities and (c) standard seven and a half clinical PAs to two and a half other PAs (i) in post and (ii) planned.","AnswerText":"It is the responsibility of NHS boards to plan and deliver clinical services. Workforce plans enable boards to ensure they have the right workforce with the right skills and competences deployed in the right place at the right time. In preparing their workforce plans, boards are required to consider relevant local issues and demographic changes and assess the resultant demands and implications for service delivery. Consultant staff work to job plans agreed between themselves and NHS boards to allow the delivery of safe and sustainable services. They determine how much time a consultant is expected to spend providing front line care, taking into account the time spent on providing out of hours cover. These job plans are a matter for individual consultants and their boards.","AnswerDate":"2015-08-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305325,"EventID":"S4W-26962","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-07-31T14:48:11.36","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-07-31T10:48:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether the Cabinet Secretary for Health, Wellbeing and Sport consulted the British Medical Association (Scotland) before sending the letter of 18 December 2014 to the NHS Review Body on Doctors' and Dentists' Remuneration.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government was a full negotiating partner in the UK talks to secure new contractual arrangements for doctors in training. The British Medical Association (BMA) withdrew from these talks in October 2014 without prior notice. Following this, all parties were invited to submit evidence to the Doctors’ and Dentists’ Review Body (DDRB) in order that they could review the work to date and give their opinion on the potential make up of a new contract for doctors in training. The Scottish Government asked the DDRB for observations only. The BMA were informed of our course of action.","AnswerDate":"2015-08-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-08-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":true},{"UniqueID":305326,"EventID":"S4W-26964","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-07-31T14:48:12.327","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-07-31T10:49:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether the medical records of all military personnel held in NHS Scotland's electronic information systems are protected by the mechanisms prescribed by the Official-Sensitive [Personal] classification as per paragraph 22 of the Government Security Classifications April 2014.","AnswerText":"NHS boards are advised to use the label official sensitive when sharing sensitive personal information externally such as that relating to military personnel with organisations such as UK government and armed forces as part of data handling procedures. The exact security controls in place for this information varies between the NHS and HM departments, but they are broadly in alignment.","AnswerDate":"2015-08-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-08-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305327,"EventID":"S4W-26965","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-07-31T14:48:13.263","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-07-31T10:49:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether Scottish hospitals contributed data to the National Confidential Enquiry into Patient Outcome and Death for its study into the care and outcome of patients admitted to hospital with gastrointestinal bleeding.","AnswerText":"NHSScotland’s participation in the Medical and Surgical Clinical Outcome Review Programme commenced in April 2015 and it was too late to participate in the gastrointestinal bleeding work. NHSScotland is currently involved in the mental health study and will participate fully in the non-invasive ventilation programme later in 2015.\r\nAll NHS board chief executives are aware of future participation in the programme and the first topic which Scotland will formally take part in is on mental health care in acute hospitals.","AnswerDate":"2015-08-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-08-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":true},{"UniqueID":305328,"EventID":"S4W-26967","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-07-31T14:48:14.29","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-07-31T10:51:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what steps it will take in response to the report by the National Confidential Enquiry into Patient Outcome and Death into the care and outcome of patients admitted to hospital with gastrointestinal bleeding.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government notes the report and its recommendations with interest and will consider how these can be included in our work on improving patient care in Scotland.","AnswerDate":"2015-08-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-08-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305329,"EventID":"S4W-26968","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-07-31T14:48:15.663","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-07-31T10:51:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what percentage of patients has access to electronic GP records.","AnswerText":"Data is not held centrally on the number of GPs in Scotland offering patients access to (summary) medical records electronically. However, this service is not believed to be currently offered by any GP practice in Scotland. Patients can see their records at any time on request, as a print out, or viewed on screen at the GP practice.\r\nThe Scottish Government has recently allocated £6 million to a three-year digital services development fund to support and accelerate the use of digital services by GP practices in Scotland. This will include funding for wider activation of online appointment booking and repeat prescription ordering, and to promote a range of enhanced digital services, which should include access to summary medical information and access to correspondence.\r\nNHSScotland is working to provide everyone in Scotland with access to an integrated summary of their electronic health record drawn from a range of relevant clinical IT systems, not just GP IT systems. The aim is to develop such a summary incrementally so that every person in Scotland has access via a digital health and care portal service by 2020.","AnswerDate":"2015-08-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-08-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305330,"EventID":"S4W-26969","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4938,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-07-31T14:48:16.583","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-07-31T12:15:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on lender option borrower option loans and whether they provide best value for local government finance.","AnswerText":" Local authorities are under a statutory duty to secure best value. It is a matter for each local authority to determine whether a lender option borrower option loan provides best value in the context of its approved treasury management policies, practices and activities.","AnswerDate":"2015-08-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-08-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305331,"EventID":"S4W-26970","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4938,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-07-31T14:48:17.177","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-07-31T12:15:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the current cost is to (a) North Lanarkshire, (b) South Lanarkshire and (c) Falkirk Council of lender option borrower option loans.","AnswerText":"This is a matter for each local authority.","AnswerDate":"2015-08-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-08-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305332,"EventID":"S4W-26971","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4938,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-07-31T14:48:17.77","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-07-31T12:15:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government which local authority has accumulated the highest interest through the operation of a lender option borrower option loan.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government does not hold all of the relevant information to provide a definitive answer.","AnswerDate":"2015-08-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-08-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305333,"EventID":"S4W-26972","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1768,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":131,"ApprovedDate":"2015-07-31T14:48:18.347","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-07-31T13:37:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many people have received driver education as an alternative to a fixed penalty notice for driving offences in each of Police Scotland’s divisions in the last year.","AnswerText":"Driver education is not an alternative to a fixed penalty notice issued by the police for driving offences in Scotland. In limited circumstances, prosecutors can offer individuals reported to them for an offence of careless and inconsiderate driving under section 3 of the road traffic act 1988 a diversion to the national driver alertness course or the rider intervention developing experience courses. These courses are tailored to car drivers and motorcyclists respectively instead of prosecution. The aim of the schemes is driver improvement with a view to increasing road safety. In the year 2014 to 2015 474 drivers were offered such a diversion from prosecution.","AnswerDate":"2015-08-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-08-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Frank Mulholland QC","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305334,"EventID":"S4W-26973","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1768,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":131,"ApprovedDate":"2015-07-31T14:48:19.267","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-07-31T13:37:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many people have received a fixed penalty notice for driving offences in each of Police Scotland’s divisions in the last year.","AnswerText":"Alternatives to court proceedings for moving motor vehicle offences can be issued by the police (conditional offers of a fixed penalty) and by the procurator fiscal (fixed penalty notices). Information on fixed penalty notices issued by Police Scotland is not held centrally. For information on fiscal fixed penalty notices, I would refer the member to the answer to question S4W-26513 on 31 July 2015 for information on fiscal fixed penalty notices. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:\r\n\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx","AnswerDate":"2015-08-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-08-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305341,"EventID":"S4W-26974","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5079,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-08-03T15:19:35.183","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-07-31T16:34:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it has considered or plans to consider the case for clinical associates in applied psychology to be added to the list of regulated specialities covered by the Health and Care Professions Council. ","AnswerText":"Ministers of all four countries have committed to working together to maintain a consistent approach to professional healthcare regulation across national boundaries. This is in the interests of both patients and professionals and to prevent professionals with conduct issues crossing systems.\r\nThere are no current plans to regulate clinical associates in applied psychology. The current UK wide approach to regulation is underpinned by the UK Command Paper Enabling Excellence which was published in February 2011. This confirms that the statutory regulation of further healthcare professions is unlikely in the near future and alternatives, such as voluntary registers accredited by the professional standards authority for health and social care, should be considered first. Ministers of the four administrations would need to agree to regulate further groups.","AnswerDate":"2015-08-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-08-31T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305350,"EventID":"S4W-26976","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2610,"Party":"Independent","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-08-04T15:25:00.167","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-08-04T13:41:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what support it can provide to the Scottish SPCA to ensure that it has adequate resources and means to carry out its work in relation to animal abuse.","AnswerText":"The Scottish SPCA receives no Government funding. I understand that all of its funding - £14.4 millon in 2014 comes from bequests, memberships and donations. However, the Scottish Government strongly supports the work of the SPCA in dealing with animal abuse. SPCA inspectors are appointed as inspectors by Scottish Ministers under the Animal Health and Welfare (Scotland) Act 2006 to safeguard the welfare of domestic and captive animals. This allows inspectors to enter premises, to take possession of suffering animals and and to search for, or seize, evidence. The Minister for Environment, Climate Change and Land Reform is currently considering whether to grant SPCA inspectors similar powers in relation to offences involving wild animals.","AnswerDate":"2015-08-31T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Richard Lochhead","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305351,"EventID":"S4W-26977","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2610,"Party":"Independent","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-08-04T15:25:01.337","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-08-04T13:41:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the recent Scottish SPCA strategic review, which noted that the average fine for animal abuse is £139 and the average community service sentence is 3.2 days, what its position is on the need for stricter penalties for animal abusers.","AnswerText":"The question of penalties for animal cruelty offences was the subject of a recent petition to the Scottish Parliament. In my response to the Public Petitions Committee I explained that the maximum penalty available is 12 months imprisonment and/or a £20,000 fine. This is in line with the rest of Great Britain, and the Scottish Courts have not yet used the maximum penalties available to them. The Scottish Government therefore believes that the maximum sentences available are currently proportionate. Sentencing decisions in individual cases are however a matter for the Courts, who will consider the relative seriousness of the offence and the full surrounding circumstances when deciding on an appropriate sentence.","AnswerDate":"2015-08-31T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Richard Lochhead","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305352,"EventID":"S4W-26978","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2015-08-04T15:25:01.96","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-08-04T13:51:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether its assessment of patient flow for emergency services at hospitals in the NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde area has identified any key priorities for improvement at the (a) Vale of Leven Hospital and (b) Royal Alexandra Hospital.","AnswerText":"NHS greater Glasgow and Clyde are undertaking a study of the patient flow for emergency services at hospitals across all sites. This work will consider attendances for one full year from June 2015 through May 2016 so as to take account of the seasonality in emergency services. NHS greater Glasgow and Clyde will continue to pursue improvement in unscheduled care and engage in national improvement programmes. The Scottish Government and local boards are engaged in a range of programmes and initiatives to improve patient flow across Scotland in order to provide the best possible care across Scotland.","AnswerDate":"2015-08-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305353,"EventID":"S4W-26979","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2015-08-04T15:25:03.333","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-08-04T13:51:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it will complete the study of patient flow for emergency services at hospitals in the NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde area and when it will be published.","AnswerText":"NHS greater Glasgow and Clyde are undertaking a study of the patient flow for emergency services at hospitals across all sites. This work will consider attendances for one full year from June 2015 through May 2016 so as to take account of the seasonality in emergency services. NHS greater Glasgow and Clyde will continue to pursue improvement in unscheduled care and engage in national improvement programmes. The Scottish Government and local boards are engaged in a range of programmes and initiatives to improve patient flow across Scotland in order to provide the best possible care across Scotland.","AnswerDate":"2015-08-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305362,"EventID":"S4W-26980","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-08-05T15:09:16.227","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-08-04T16:56:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it has considered outsourcing or competitively retendering any aspect of primary care support services.","AnswerText":"GPs, optometrists, dentists and pharmacists operate as independent contractors who provide services to the NHS. Each have a variety of arrangements in place for services provided in support of their work. We are aware that NHS England awarded a contract for primary care support services to Capita on 22 June 2015. We have no plans to outsource comparable services in Scotland, which are provided in the public sector by NHS National Services Scotland. Primary care is at the very heart of our 2020 vision for health and social care in Scotland. It is a vital part of the national conversation on creating a healthier Scotland, which I launched on 4 August 2015.","AnswerDate":"2015-08-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305363,"EventID":"S4W-26981","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-08-05T15:09:19.567","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-08-04T16:59:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what information it has on (a) whether Police Scotland or its predecessor forces carried out surveillance on trade union, environmental or political activists, (b) who authorised any such surveillance, (c) whether there was collaboration between the police and the (i) Economic League and (ii) Consulting Association in any such surveillance, (d) whether there was outsourcing of any such surveillance to private contractors, (e) what form any such surveillance took, (f) whether there was political oversight of any such surveillance, (g) whether the police were assisted by the security services and, if so, to what extent and (h) how many people were subject to any such surveillance.","AnswerText":"The authorisation of police surveillance is an operational matter for the Police Service of Scotland. Scottish Ministers have no role. Surveillance activity is overseen by the independent, judicially-led Office of Surveillance Commissioners (OSC). The OSC carries out regular inspections of the relevant public authorities and makes annual reports which are laid in the Parliaments at Holyrood and Westminster.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-08-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305364,"EventID":"S4W-26982","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3812,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-08-05T15:09:20.127","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-08-04T15:12:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what it is doing to address the reported gender pay gap at universities.","AnswerText":"The terms and conditions of employment for all staff is a matter for individual universities as autonomous institutions. Through the Scottish Funding Council, the Scottish Government funds the Equality Challenge Unit to support universities and other higher education institutions to advance equality for their staff and students. In addition, the Scottish Government funds and has been an active partner in the Close the Gap project. Close the Gap raises awareness about the gender pay gap and its various causes and encourages action by employees and employers to tackle the causes and close the gap. Close the Gap has provided support to colleges and universities on conducting pay reviews and producing robust equal pay statements.","AnswerDate":"2015-08-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305365,"EventID":"S4W-26983","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3812,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-08-05T15:09:20.643","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-08-04T15:12:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what it is doing to encourage an increase in the number of senior female academics.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is committed to helping more women to achieve their full potential in the labour market, including in our universities. Through the Scottish Funding Council (SFC), we are working with universities in Scotland to drive forward a culture change on equality and diversity issues. The SFC funds and works closely with the Equality Challenge Unit, the College Development Network and the Higher Education Academy to support Higher Education Institutions in this work. Programmes such as the ECU Athena SWAN Awards and the Aurora Programme recognise commitment to advancing woman’s careers in STEMM (science, technology, engineering, maths and medicine) subjects and the development of leadership of women in higher education. The majority of our universities have signed up to a set of principles that state a commitment to addressing gender inequalities in academia, including at senior levels. The SFC is currently developing a Gender Action Plan, in partnership with Skills Development Scotland and the Scottish Government. This will set out how it will work with the colleges, universities and partners to address gender imbalances and inequality across staff and student populations.","AnswerDate":"2015-08-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305366,"EventID":"S4W-26984","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3812,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-08-05T15:09:21.143","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-08-04T15:12:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many female professors there are, also expressed as a percentage of all professors.","AnswerText":"According to Higher Education Statistics Agency data for 2013-2014 there were 495 female professors at Higher Education Institutions in Scotland, which amounts to 21.8% of all professors, representing a 1.5% increase from the previous year.","AnswerDate":"2015-08-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305367,"EventID":"S4W-26985","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2066,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-08-05T15:09:21.827","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-08-05T10:17:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to increase the number of retailer businesses in the centre of Dunoon and decrease the number of empty shops.","AnswerText":"Scotland’s Town Centre First Principle agreed with COSLA, together with the range of measures set out in the Town Centre Action Plan, set the conditions and underpin activity designed to tackle key issues such as empty shops, diversify town centre offer and thereby attract a range of businesses and services to locate there. We also deliver the most competitive business tax environment in the UK, with two in five properties in Scotland paying zero or reduced rates under the Scottish Government’s Small Business Bonus Scheme and relief also available under Fresh Start. Local authorities remain responsible for local economic development. They are best placed to respond to local circumstances, working with their communities to develop the right vision for their town centres, in partnership with the wider public, private and community sectors.","AnswerDate":"2015-08-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305368,"EventID":"S4W-26986","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2066,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-08-05T15:09:22.407","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-08-05T10:17:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to the news that Stewart McNee (Dunoon) Ltd has gone into administration.","AnswerText":"Upon being alerted to the situation by Michael Russell MSP I was very concerned to learn of events in respect of Stewart McNee Dunoon Ltd and the impact this would have on the employees concerned, their families and on the surrounding area. I oversaw the substantial work carried out by Partnership Action for Continuing Employment (PACE), Skills Development Scotland (SDS) and Highlands and Islands Enterprise. I have myself spoken with KPMG (the liquidator) and I have been in close contact with lead officials over the last few weeks. I can confirm that the Scottish Government took immediate action to provide support for affected employees through our initiative for responding to redundancy situations. Four PACE redundancy support events were held locally which all employees were invited to attend. I understand that a new company has been formed which has employed 16 of the former employees and most of the other former employees have obtained alternative employment with only three of the 60 employees affected still seeking alternative positions. All apprentices who were affected have also been assisted to secure alternative employment. ","AnswerDate":"2015-08-31T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305369,"EventID":"S4W-26987","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2066,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-08-05T15:09:22.95","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-08-05T10:17:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to increase economic development and employment in the Dunoon and Cowal areas.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is committed to increasing sustainable economic activity and employment across all regions of Scotland, including in Dunoon and the Cowal area. Tackling economic challenges in Argyll and Bute is a key priority for the Scottish Government’s economic development agency in the area, Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE), which does so by offering a wide range of support mechanisms to businesses and communities. In fact I visited Hunter’s Quay ferry terminal, Hunter’s Quay holiday village in Dunoon and Drimsynie Estate holiday village in Lochgoilhead on 8 June. As an example of this support, over the past three years HIE has invested around £4 million into the area, generating additional investment of approx. £15 million. This significant level of support includes £1.9 million into developing offices at the Sandbank Business Park, £0.9 million in the Portavadie Marina which leveraged a further £8 million investment into the area, a £300,000 contribution towards the £1.7 million redevelopment of the Dunoon Burgh Hall, and £250,000 investment into the Firstport Social Challenge Programme to enable social enterprise start-ups. These investments and improvements to business conditions have contributed to the unemployment rate in the Dunoon and Bute travel to work area falling from 3.3% in June 2014 to 2.3% in 2015. The Scottish Government also works close with local partners to further support local economic growth. Following a meeting with the Deputy First Minister on 29 October 2014, Argyll and Bute Council established an economic forum to consider specific local opportunities and challenges. Scottish Enterprise, HIE, and senior officials represent the Scottish Government on the forum. We will continue to engage with local stakeholders in driving forward initiatives aimed at increasing sustainable economic growth and tackling unemployment.","AnswerDate":"2015-08-31T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305370,"EventID":"S4W-26988","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4014,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-08-05T15:09:23.513","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-08-05T10:20:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many primary school teachers have a science (a) degree and (b) Higher, broken down by local authority area.","AnswerText":"The information requested is not held centrally.","AnswerDate":"2015-08-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305371,"EventID":"S4W-26989","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4948,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-08-05T15:09:23.997","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-08-05T10:56:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many (a) affordable homes, (b) homes for social rent and (c) council houses have been completed under the affordable housing supply programme in each year since 1999.","AnswerText":"The following table shows the number of (a) affordable homes, (b) homes for social rent and (c) council houses completed under the affordable housing supply programme in each year since 2000.\r\nFigures in respect of 1999-2000 are not available in this format.\r\nFinancial Year\r\nCompleted\r\nAffordable\r\nCompleted\r\nSocial\r\nCompleted\r\nCouncil\r\nTotal\r\n2000-01\r\n2,137\r\n4,201\r\n\r\n6,338\r\n2001-02\r\n1,609\r\n4,531\r\n\r\n6,140\r\n2002-03\r\n1,236\r\n3,983\r\n\r\n5,219\r\n2003-04\r\n557\r\n3,596\r\n\r\n4,153\r\n2004-05\r\n1,103\r\n4,342\r\n\r\n5,445\r\n2005-06\r\n871\r\n5,017\r\n\r\n5,888\r\n2006-07\r\n1,514\r\n3,318\r\n\r\n4,832\r\n2007-08\r\n1,444\r\n4,226\r\n\r\n5,670\r\n2008-09\r\n1,559\r\n4,662\r\n\r\n6,221\r\n2009-10\r\n2,627\r\n5,424\r\n41\r\n8,092\r\n2010-11\r\n1,395\r\n5,167\r\n669\r\n7,231\r\n2011-12\r\n1,230\r\n4,704\r\n948\r\n6,882\r\n2012-13\r\n1,735\r\n3,158\r\n1,116\r\n6,009\r\n2013-14\r\n2,644\r\n3,044\r\n1,324\r\n7,012\r\n2014-15\r\n2,693\r\n3,121\r\n1,255\r\n7,069\r\nTotal\r\n24,354\r\n62,494\r\n5,353\r\n92,201\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-08-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Burgess","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305372,"EventID":"S4W-26990","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5057,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-08-05T15:09:24.543","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-08-05T12:00:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it has had discussions with the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service regarding prosecutions of those responsible for the collapse of the Royal Bank of Scotland in 2008.","AnswerText":"All decisions about whether to prosecute an individual or individuals for any crime are the responsibility of the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service. The Scottish Government has no role in these decisions and the Scottish Government has not been involved in any discussions regarding prosecutions of those responsible for the collapse of the Royal Bank of Scotland in 2008.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-08-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305373,"EventID":"S4W-26991","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1756,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":136,"ApprovedDate":"2015-08-05T15:09:24.993","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-08-05T12:45:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will consider amending Regulation 7 (2) (d) of the Public Services Reform (Social Services Inspections) (Scotland) Regulations 2011 (SSI 2011/185) regarding interviewing employees to include former employees who were employed at the premises during the period to which a complaint applies.","AnswerText":"Regulation seven of SSI 2011/185 does not prevent former employees from being interviewed as part of an investigation into the provision of care standards, should they consent to doing so. Regulation seven (1) confers broad powers in relation to interviews while Regulation 7 (2) provides examples of the use of that power. As I explained in earlier correspondence, there is no provision on former employees to participate in an investigation against their will, however they often do so at their own choosing. I am aware that in a few cases this may have resulted in some employees choosing not to participate in an investigation into a care service they were employed in at the time of a complaint. It is important that scrutiny organisations such as the Care Inspectorate are empowered to fully investigate all aspects of complaints against care service providers. \r\nThe Care Inspectorate’s view is that this is not a significant barrier to allowing them to investigate complaints. However in order to ensure complaints can be suitably investigated I have asked them to keep this under review.","AnswerDate":"2015-08-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305379,"EventID":"S4W-27003","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2015-08-06T15:14:35.587","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-08-06T11:13:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the guidelines are regarding the public procurement of Scottish-produced milk. ","AnswerText":"Guidance on buying food sustainably in the public sector is available in Catering for Change and the Procurement Reform (Scotland) Act 2014 requires public bodies to provide a statement on how their policies on food procurement will contribute, among other things, to the wellbeing of their area. ","AnswerDate":"2015-08-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305380,"EventID":"S4W-27004","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2015-08-06T15:14:36.913","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-08-06T11:13:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much it spends on the procurement of Scottish-produced milk and what information it has regarding how much other public bodies spend.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government does not directly procure milk but uses a contract for the provision of Catering and Associated Services. For the financial year 2013-2014, other Scottish public bodies spent £11.9m with suppliers classified as dairies, dairy farmers and dairy produce merchants who have a presence in Scotland.","AnswerDate":"2015-08-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305381,"EventID":"S4W-27005","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2015-08-06T15:14:37.897","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-08-06T11:13:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much it has paid dairy farmers for their products in each of the last five years, and how this compares with the cost of production.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has not directly purchased products from dairy farmers in each of the last five years. We do have a contract with Sodexo for catering services in a number of Scottish Government buildings. Sodexo purchases milk from Grahams family dairy who in turn purchase milk from farmers. All milk is Scottish Red Tractor standard and Grahams confirm that they pay above the usual farmgate price.","AnswerDate":"2015-09-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Richard Lochhead","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305382,"EventID":"S4W-27006","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2015-08-06T15:14:38.863","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-08-06T11:13:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, when it procures Scottish-produced milk, how it ensures that this is purchased at above the cost of production.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has not directly been involved in procuring Scottish produced milk. We do have a contract with Sodexo for catering services in a number of Scottish Government buildings. Sodexo purchases milk from Grahams family dairy who in turn purchase milk from farmers. All milk is Scottish Red Tractor standard and Grahams confirm that they pay above the usual farmgate price.","AnswerDate":"2015-09-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Richard Lochhead","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305383,"EventID":"S4W-27007","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1895,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":121,"ApprovedDate":"2015-08-06T15:14:40.05","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-08-06T12:25:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the plans to construct a new integrated health and social care hub for Inverurie, and what action it and NHS Grampian are taking to keep the community informed of progress.","AnswerText":"NHS Grampian has recently provided an update to its board, at its 6 August meeting, on the £14 million inverurie health and care hub project. This paper is available on its website at this address:\r\nhttp://www.nhsgrampian.org/grampianfoi/files/item9infrastructureboardpaper27715\r\nThe board's planned project programme will see construction begin in summer 2016, completion of the build and commissioning in December 2017, and service commencement in January 2018.The board of NHS Grampian has approved the outline business case for the project and the next stage is for it to be submitted to Scottish Government for review. A newsletter, published by NHS Grampian in June this year, provided the public with a report on progress with the project and outlined the programme. In addition, a public drop in session, the second such event, was held at the Acorn Centre in Inverurie on 30 June, giving the public the opportunity to view the latest concept design plans. Further public engagement is planned to be advertised in the local press towards the end of the year and public representatives continue to attend the monthly project meetings.","AnswerDate":"2015-08-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305399,"EventID":"S4W-26992","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2675,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":93,"ApprovedDate":"2015-08-07T14:51:47.403","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-08-06T08:46:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how an annual sustainable harvest of wild salmon will be calculated.","AnswerText":"As part of the new proposals underpinning the proposed kill licence scheme, the killing of salmon would be managed on an annual basis by categorising fishery districts and Special Areas of Conservation in relation to their conservation status. Details on how this would be calculated have been published on the Scottish Government website:\r\nhttp://www.gov.scot/Topics/marine/Salmon-Trout-Coarse/fishreform/licence.","AnswerDate":"2015-09-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen McLeod","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305400,"EventID":"S4W-26993","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2675,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":93,"ApprovedDate":"2015-08-07T14:51:48.357","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-08-06T08:46:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it calculates the number of wild salmon killed annually by anglers.","AnswerText":"The number of wild salmon killed annually by anglers is estimated from the annual reported catch. Total numbers killed by anglers consist of two components, direct and indirect mortality. The direct mortality is estimated as the reported number of retained fish. No account is currently taken of unreported catch. Indirect mortalities are those released fish that subsequently die as a result of the catch and release process. The assumed catch and release mortality varies between countries and falls between 0 and 20%. In current models Marine Scotland Science assumes a catch and release mortality of 10%.","AnswerDate":"2015-09-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen McLeod","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305401,"EventID":"S4W-26994","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2675,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":93,"ApprovedDate":"2015-08-07T14:51:48.917","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-08-06T08:46:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the outcome of scientific studies has been concerning the number of wild salmon that die as a result of the catch and release policy on rivers.","AnswerText":"There have been a number of scientific studies on the impact of catch and release on Atlantic salmon, primarily in Norway and Ireland. The results of these vary from no mortalities up to 45%, depending on capture method. In Scotland work was undertaken on the Dee in 1996 where one out of 25 (4%) of caught and released fish subsequently died with the fates of a further two (8%) unclear.","AnswerDate":"2015-09-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen McLeod","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305402,"EventID":"S4W-26995","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2675,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":93,"ApprovedDate":"2015-08-07T14:51:49.447","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-08-06T08:46:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many salmon anglers have killed on rivers in each year since 2010.","AnswerText":"Annual reported catch of wild salmon and grilse retained is presented in the following table. These numbers show slight increases from those published at the time as our records are updated when further information is provided.\r\nYear\r\nNumber\r\n2010\r\n32,866\r\n2011\r\n24,332\r\n2012\r\n22,683\r\n2013\r\n13,559\r\n2014\r\n8,036\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-09-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen McLeod","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305403,"EventID":"S4W-26996","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2675,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":93,"ApprovedDate":"2015-08-07T14:51:50.057","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-08-06T08:46:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it collects the figures from anglers for the number of salmon caught and released or killed each year.","AnswerText":"Salmon and sea trout fishery statistics are obtained from returns made in response to an annual questionnaire sent to the proprietors or occupiers of all known salmon and sea trout fisheries under the provisions of section 64 of the Salmon and Freshwater Fisheries (Consolidation) (Scotland) Act 2003. Currently each fishery is required to provide the numbers and total weights of both wild and farmed salmon and grilse caught and retained in each month of the fishing season. In addition, rod and line fisheries are currently required to provide the monthly numbers and total weights of those salmon and grilse which were caught then released back into the river (catch and release). Marine Scotland Science has produced a topic sheet which describes how the annual survey of salmon and sea trout fisheries is carried out. Topic Sheet 67 Collecting the Marine Scotland Salmon and Sea Trout Fishery Statistics may be downloaded at: http://www.gov.scot/Resource/0047/00475539.pdf","AnswerDate":"2015-09-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen McLeod","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305404,"EventID":"S4W-26997","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2675,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":93,"ApprovedDate":"2015-08-07T14:51:50.71","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-08-06T08:46:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many licences to kill wild salmon are expected to be issued in 2016.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-26992 on 28 September 2015. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.","AnswerDate":"2015-09-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen McLeod","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305405,"EventID":"S4W-26998","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2675,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":93,"ApprovedDate":"2015-08-07T14:51:51.367","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-08-06T08:46:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it has concluded the criteria for compensating netsmen who do not receive a licence to kill wild salmon.","AnswerText":"We are developing an appropriate diversification/compensation package and will publish details at the earliest opportunity.","AnswerDate":"2015-09-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen McLeod","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305406,"EventID":"S4W-26999","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2675,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":93,"ApprovedDate":"2015-08-07T14:51:51.897","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-08-06T08:46:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what estimate it has made of the level of compensation likely to be needed to close mixed fishery netting businesses as part of the wild salmon kill licence strategy.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-26998 on 28 September 2015. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.","AnswerDate":"2015-09-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen McLeod","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305407,"EventID":"S4W-27000","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2675,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":93,"ApprovedDate":"2015-08-07T14:51:52.6","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-08-06T08:46:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it considers that there is a difference between the hereditary rights of active and dormant fishing stations in relation to possible levels of compensation regarding wild salmon fishing.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-26998 on 28 September 2015. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.","AnswerDate":"2015-09-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen McLeod","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305408,"EventID":"S4W-27001","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2675,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":93,"ApprovedDate":"2015-08-07T14:51:53.13","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-08-06T08:46:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what scientific process it uses to calculate the feed sources of a growing seal population around the coasts.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government commissions expert scientists to investigate seal diet and they develop an appropriate methodology for estimating the diet of both individual seals and wider seal populations.\r\n\r\nThe examination of fish ear bones or otoliths found in seal faeces provides information on both the species and the size of fish being eaten by individual seals. If sufficient such individual samples are collected, it is possible to estimate the diet of the wider population of seals.\r\nThis process was used to estimate the diet of grey seals in the published study MF-0319 Grey seal diet and fish consumption in the North Sea, which can be found through the following link:-\r\nhttp://randd.defra.gov.uk/Default.aspx?Menu=Menu&Module=ProjectList&Completed=0&ContractorID=716\r\nA new study of seal diet commissioned by the Scottish Government using a similar methodology is due to be published later in 2015.","AnswerDate":"2015-09-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Richard Lochhead","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305409,"EventID":"S4W-27002","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2675,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":93,"ApprovedDate":"2015-08-07T14:51:53.673","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-08-06T08:46:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it will introduce legislation relating to licences to kill wild salmon.","AnswerText":"It is anticipated that the details of a kill licence regime will be available in September 2015 with legislation following at the earliest opportunity thereafter.","AnswerDate":"2015-09-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen McLeod","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305410,"EventID":"S4W-27008","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3806,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-08-07T14:51:54.423","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-08-06T15:16:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether Scrabster Harbour will be named as the main ferry terminal for service sailings to and from Stromness in the next Northern Isles ferry tendering process.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government can confirm that the services going forward will continue to support the socio-economic development of the Northern Isles by providing reliable and resilient ferry services. Decisions about the form of the next Northern Isles ferry services contract have still to be taken. In line with commitments given in the Empowering Scotland's Island Communities prospectus in June 2014, we have been engaging with key partners to scope out the way forward for the next Northern Isles Ferry Services contract. As announced on Thursday 13 August, during my visit to Shetland, a comprehensive study of the Northern Isles service is to be carried out to inform the tender process for the next contract. We will continue to engage with key partners as part of that process.","AnswerDate":"2015-08-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305411,"EventID":"S4W-27010","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3806,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-08-07T14:51:55","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-08-06T15:16:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether the next tender for the Northern Isles ferry contracts will be bundled.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-27008 answered on 18 August 2015. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at:http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx","AnswerDate":"2015-08-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305412,"EventID":"S4W-27011","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1845,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-08-07T14:51:55.517","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-08-07T08:27:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when guidance on the introduction of the peer approved clinical system will be published.","AnswerText":"Guidance will be published following careful piloting and assessment.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-09-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305413,"EventID":"S4W-27012","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1845,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-08-07T14:51:56.013","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-08-07T08:27:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government which NHS boards will take part in the pilots of the peer approved clinical system and when these will begin.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government intends to take a targeted approach that recognises clinical demand in particular disease areas.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-09-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305414,"EventID":"S4W-27013","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1845,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-08-07T14:51:56.56","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-08-07T08:27:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether the peer approved clinical system will be based on an assessment of a patient’s clinical need.","AnswerText":"Yes it will together with wider considerations on how decisions impact on all patients within NHSScotland.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-09-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305415,"EventID":"S4W-27014","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1845,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-08-07T14:51:57.06","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-08-07T08:27:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of NHS boards’ implementation of the guidance that approval of individual patient treatment requests should be based on clinical need. ","AnswerText":"There has been significant increase in patient access to orphan, ultra-orphan and end of life medicines through the changed approach to individual patient treatment requests. In 2012-13 around 50 patients across Scotland accessed orphan, ultra-orphan and end of life medicines through this route. By 2014-15 this has increased tenfold to around 500 patients accessing orphan, ultra-orphan and end of life medicines through this route. The Scottish Government expects that in the future there will be reduced reliance on individual requests as the changes introduced by the Scottish Medicines Consortium are expected to deliver substantially improved access to end of life, orphan and ultra-orphan medicines for patients across Scotland. The Scottish Government does not have access to the clinical details of individual patients.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-09-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305416,"EventID":"S4W-27015","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1845,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-08-07T14:51:57.59","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-08-07T08:27:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it expects the peer approved clinical system to change patients’ access to medicines.","AnswerText":"The intention of the peer approved clinical system has always been that it will operate in an environment where there is a reduced reliance on individual requests for medicines. As set out in the Task and Finish Group report presented to the Health and Sport Committee the changes introduced by the Scottish Medicines Consortium are expected to deliver substantially improved access to end of life, orphan and ultra-orphan medicines for patients across Scotland.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-09-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305417,"EventID":"S4W-27016","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1845,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-08-07T14:51:58.137","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-08-07T08:27:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-22884 by Alex Neil on 11 November 2014, what guidance has been issued to NHS boards on how they can access resources from the New Medicines Fund. ","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has provided information to NHS boards on the scope of the New Medicines Fund and will continue to provide any appropriate guidance for NHS as and when necessary. The Scottish Government works with NHS boards to ensure that relevant expenditure is supported by the fund.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-09-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305418,"EventID":"S4W-27017","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1845,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-08-07T14:51:58.667","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-08-07T08:27:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much of the New Medicines Fund has been spent on (a) medicines not yet assessed, (b) medicines approved, (c) individual patient requests for medicines not approved and (d) medicines approved by the Scottish Government but not approved by the Scottish Medicines Consortium.","AnswerText":"In 2014-15 NHS boards required £1 million to support the Scottish Medicines Consortium decisions and £20.5 million to support individual and group patient treatment requests from the New Medicines Fund. The funding is not required by NHS boards for this purpose in 2014-15 remains available in 2015-16 on top of the new allocation made by the Scottish Government in 2015-16.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-09-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305419,"EventID":"S4W-27018","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1845,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-08-07T14:51:59.23","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-08-07T08:27:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of how the Scottish Medicines Consortium takes account of recommendations from Patient and Clinician Engagement groups in its final decisions. ","AnswerText":"The Scottish Medicines Consortium (SMC) developed the Patient and Clinician Engagement (PACE) process with input from stakeholders. The Scottish Government’s position remains that the views of those involved in PACE should be a determining factor in decisions made. The Scottish Government has previously stated that there will be a formal review of the new SMC approach in 2015-16 and that we are open to considering any further changes. The Scottish Government is currently working with the SMC on the remit of the review which will be shared with stakeholders prior to publication.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-09-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305420,"EventID":"S4W-27019","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1845,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-08-07T14:51:59.773","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-08-07T08:27:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the criteria used during the Scottish Medicines Consortium Patient and Clinician Engagement group process. ","AnswerText":"The Scottish Medicines Consortium (SMC) developed the Patient and Clinician Engagement (PACE) process with input from stakeholders. The Scottish Government has previously stated that there will be a formal review of the new SMC approach in 2015-16 and that we are open to considering any further changes. The Scottish Government is currently working with the SMC on the remit of the review which will be shared with stakeholders prior to publication.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-09-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305421,"EventID":"S4W-27020","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3806,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-08-07T14:52:00.32","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-08-07T09:46:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what recent assessment it has made of the impact on jobs in Scotland of industrial relations in the offshore oil and gas industry.","AnswerText":"The First Minister launched the Energy Jobs Taskforce in January to deliver a co-ordinated response to the issues being faced by the industry, with partners working across the sector both to maintain jobs and to mitigate the potential impact of any losses. The taskforce is a strong partnership of industry, public sector and trade union representatives. Through the work of the taskforce, operators and unions have now committed to establishing a regular forum to enable earlier discussion of strategic issues and effective communication to and from the workforce.","AnswerDate":"2015-08-31T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305422,"EventID":"S4W-27021","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3806,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-08-07T14:52:00.867","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-08-07T09:51:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether promoting good industrial relations in the oil and gas industry is part of the remit of the Energy Jobs Taskforce and, if so, what steps it has taken to do this.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government recognises the importance of good industrial relations, particularly during the current downturn in the industry. This is why the taskforce encompasses the widest range of stakeholders, bringing together industry, trade unions and the public sector to identify and put in place measures to ensure the long term sustainability of the sector. The Scottish Trade Union Congress, as well as the Reliable Multicast Transport and Unite unions, are represented on the taskforce. One of the key strands of work taken forward by the taskforce is to establish a more collaborative way of working and there is progress being made through the shared values and principles work stream. As well as engaging with the trade unions, the taskforce also held a meeting with various workforce representatives to understand their perspective. An action plan under this theme has been drawn up and a copy is available here: http://www.gov.scot/Resource/0048/00482206.pdf","AnswerDate":"2015-08-31T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305423,"EventID":"S4W-27022","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3806,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-08-07T14:52:01.49","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-08-07T09:51:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what recent assessment it has made of the impact on jobs in Scotland of the decline in the number of offshore supply vessels servicing the North Sea oil and gas industry from Scottish ports.","AnswerText":"The First Minister launched the energy jobs taskforce on 14 January to deliver a co-ordinated response to the issues being faced by the industry, with partners working across the sector both to maintain jobs and to mitigate the potential impact of any losses. The taskforce itself has created an action plan which is available on the Scottish Government website, detailing its work going forward.","AnswerDate":"2015-08-31T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305424,"EventID":"S4W-27023","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3806,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-08-07T14:52:02.067","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-08-07T09:51:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what information it has on how many apprentices employers in the offshore oil and gas industry have taken on under the Adopt an Apprentice scheme.","AnswerText":"Figures for the Oil and Gas Adopt an Apprentice offer relate to the sector as a whole; it is not possible to provide figures relating to offshore employers only. \r\nAs at 19 August 2015, 12 modern apprentices have benefited from the support offered by the Adopt an Apprentice scheme for the sector.","AnswerDate":"2015-08-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Roseanna Cunningham","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305425,"EventID":"S4W-27024","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3806,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-08-07T14:52:02.597","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-08-07T09:51:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether its Partnership Action for Continuing Employment programme has provided assistance to offshore workers and, if so, how many it has helped since January 2015.","AnswerText":"From 1 January 2015 until the end of July 2015, Skills Development Scotland (SDS) is aware of 10,352 employees across Scotland under threat of redundancy as a result of the downturn in the oil and gas industry. This includes industry operators, service companies and contractors. Partnership Action for Continuing Employment (PACE) support has been offered to 7084 of these employees. Redundancy notifications do not specify if employees under threat of redundancy work onshore or offshore, so specific information about the number of offshore workers supported cannot be provided. Some employees may take voluntary severance while some companies may not engage with PACE at all. In some cases the redundancy notifications also do not result in compulsory redundancies, therefore PACE is not needed. It is important to recognise that there is also a vibrant private sector outplacement market and some companies have an existing contract with providers such as Penna and Right Management. These can be UK, European or Global relationships and companies are keen to ensure consistency of support across all the geographies they operate in. PACE has provided intensive support to oil and gas employees, including attendance at workshops or presentations, participation in one to one consultations by phone or in person and attendance at events. SDS has organised two major PACE events in Aberdeen for employees in the oil and gas sector this year and a third event is planned for 16 September. The first was attended by 850 individuals and the second by 870. There was an overlap of 54 people between the first and second events, and unfortunately a number of registration forms were incorrectly completed which has had an impact on the overall attendee figures and the registered attendee figures, so the total number of unique individuals who registered for and attended both events was 1611. These events were open to the public, so while they were focussed on supporting the oil and gas industry, not all attendees will have been from this sector. 219 oil and gas sector workers have been supported via PACE with intensive engagements through face to face interviews, phone contacts and/ or groups work sessions. In addition SDS provides information on the PACE support, provided to oil and gas companies and employees, to the energy jobs taskforce.","AnswerDate":"2015-08-31T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305426,"EventID":"S4W-27025","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3806,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-08-07T14:52:03.207","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-08-07T09:51:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to implement the principles of its Fair Work Convention in the (a) oil and gas and (b) offshore supply sector.","AnswerText":"The Fair Work Convention established in April 2015 will be a focal point to develop, promote and sustain a fair work framework for Scotland. Its remit for its first year is to develop a fair work framework based on innovative and productive workplaces, job security, and promoting the living wage. In doing so, the convention will support Scotland's skills and economic development agencies in pro-actively engaging businesses in Scotland to promote fair work, trade unions and an evidence-based approach in industrial relations with a view to maximising the potential for the endorsement and adoption of the Framework. The Energy Jobs Taskforce, created by the First Minister in January, brings together industry, trade unions and the public sector to identify and put in place measures to ensure the long term sustainability of the sector. The Scottish Trades Union Congress sits on the taskforce as do representatives from the Reliable Multicast Transport and Unite unions. One of the key strands of work taken forward by the taskforce is to establish a more collaborative way of working and there is progress being made through the shared values and principles work stream. As well as engaging with the trade unions the taskforce also held a meeting with various workforce representatives to understand their perspective. An action plan under this theme has been drawn up and a copy is available here: http://www.gov.scot/Resource/0048/00482206.pdf","AnswerDate":"2015-08-31T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305427,"EventID":"S4W-27026","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3806,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-08-07T14:52:03.783","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-08-07T09:51:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what steps it has taken to protect workers from the effects of so-called social dumping by employers in the (a) oil and gas and (b) maritime industry.","AnswerText":"The Energy Jobs Taskforce brings together industry, trade unions and the public sector to identify and put in place measures to ensure the long term sustainability of the sector. The Scottish Trade Unions Congress sits on the taskforce as do representatives from the Reliable Multicast Transport and Unite unions. One of the key strands of work taken forward by the taskforce is to establish a more collaborative way of working and there is progress being made through the shared values and principles work stream. As well as engaging with the trade unions the taskforce also held a meeting with various workforce representatives to understand their perspective. An action plan under this theme has been drawn up and a copy is available here: http://www.gov.scot/Resource/0048/00482206.pdf","AnswerDate":"2015-08-31T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305428,"EventID":"S4W-27027","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3806,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-08-07T14:52:04.453","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-08-07T09:51:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what recent assessment it has made of the potential impact that the findings of Oil and Gas UK’s Cost Efficiency Taskforce will have on the (a) employment and (b) skills of workers in Scotland.","AnswerText":"A key strand of work undertaken by the Energy Jobs Taskforce is the area of cost efficiencies; to understand in more detail the current industry led work on cost efficiency for the sector and the aid the supply chain in understanding the impact of this work. This clearly ties in with the work of the Oil and gas UK Taskforce. We have already seen a report produced by PricewaterhouseCoopers, with task force input, looking at how the sector might learn lessons from other industries on cost efficiency was completed in June. The taskforce will also look to safeguard the decades of skills and experience built up in Scotland’s oil and gas industry for decades to come.","AnswerDate":"2015-08-31T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305429,"EventID":"S4W-27028","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3806,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-08-07T14:52:05.25","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-08-07T09:51:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the impact on jobs in Scotland of Shell’s plans to sell off its North Sea assets.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is fully committed to the oil and gas industry; it has been a true success story and we are working to ensure that it will continue to be so. The Scottish Government continues to be in close engagement with industry, Shell remains committed to the North Sea for decades to come through their continued activities and investment in the UK continental shelf, including their investment in extending the life of Gannet, and their investments in the non-operated ventures of Schiehallion and Clair, West of Shetland. With the sale of the Anasuria field and the Floating Production Storage and Offloading vessel, we have now seen two new independent operators from Malaysia make their way into the North Sea, clearly demonstrating the continued commercial interest in the basin.","AnswerDate":"2015-09-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305430,"EventID":"S4W-27029","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3806,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-08-07T14:52:05.86","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-08-07T09:51:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what information it has on the impact on jobs in Scotland of any changes to contracts of employment in the North Sea oil and gas industry since July 2014.","AnswerText":"The First Minister launched the Energy Jobs Taskforce in January to deliver a co-ordinated response to the issues being faced by the industry, with partners working across the sector both to maintain jobs and to mitigate the potential impact of any losses. The taskforce is a strong partnership of industry, public sector and trade union representatives. The Energy Jobs Taskforce had its sixth meeting on 29 June where the latest version of the action plan was agreed. The action plan can be accessed through the Scottish Government website, and will be added to and further developed as the work moves forward.","AnswerDate":"2015-08-31T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305431,"EventID":"S4W-27031","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2029,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":145,"ApprovedDate":"2015-08-10T15:03:21.67","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-08-07T16:20:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what steps it has taken to identify the extent of the acquisition of communications data by Police Scotland prior to 25 March 2015.","AnswerText":"Statutory provisions concerning communications data are set out in the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000, the Data Retention and Investigatory Powers Act 2014 and associated codes of practice. Oversight of how these powers are used is a matter for the independent Interception of Communications Commissioner.","AnswerDate":"2015-09-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305432,"EventID":"S4W-27032","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2029,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":145,"ApprovedDate":"2015-08-10T15:03:22.903","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-08-07T16:20:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government who is responsible for investigating any unauthorised intercepts by Police Scotland carried out prior to 25 March 2015.","AnswerText":"The Interception of Communications Commissioner’s Office is the independent body responsible for the oversight of all matters relating to the interception of communications.","AnswerDate":"2015-09-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305433,"EventID":"S4W-27033","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2029,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":145,"ApprovedDate":"2015-08-10T15:03:23.62","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-08-07T16:20:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government in what circumstances Police Scotland or its predecessor forces have been or were authorised to carry out intercepts of communications that did not require authorisation from Scottish ministers or other relevant authorities.","AnswerText":"The Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000 requires all interception of communications authorisations to be made by a relevant authority.","AnswerDate":"2015-09-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305434,"EventID":"S4W-27034","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2029,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":145,"ApprovedDate":"2015-08-10T15:03:24.463","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-08-07T16:20:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government who had the authority to approve intercepts of communications by Police Scotland prior to 25 March 2015.","AnswerText":"The provisions relating to the interception of communications are set out in the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000. Scottish Ministers are responsible for authorising interception of communications for the purpose of preventing or detecting serious crime in Scotland and have been since December 2000.","AnswerDate":"2015-09-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305435,"EventID":"S4W-27035","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2029,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":145,"ApprovedDate":"2015-08-10T15:03:25.35","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-08-07T16:20:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government who has had the authority to approve intercepts of communications by Police Scotland since 25 March 2015.","AnswerText":"The provisions relating to the interception of communications are set out in the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000. Scottish Ministers are responsible for authorising interception of communications for the purpose of preventing or detecting serious crime in Scotland. Scottish Ministers have no role in the authorisation of police acquisition of communications data. Communications data is the who, where and when information attached to communications, but not including the content.","AnswerDate":"2015-09-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305436,"EventID":"S4W-27036","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2029,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":145,"ApprovedDate":"2015-08-10T15:03:26.053","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-08-07T16:20:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many intercepts of communications ministers have authorised in each year since 3 May 2007.","AnswerText":"Figures relating to the interception of communications are only published once the Interception of Communications Commissioner has received the agreement from the Prime Minister. As such, the figures requested are those published in the reports made by the Interception of Communications Commissioner. Copies of the commissioner’s reports can be found at: http://www.iocco-uk.info/sections.asp?sectionID=1&type=top.","AnswerDate":"2015-09-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305437,"EventID":"S4W-27037","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2029,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":145,"ApprovedDate":"2015-08-10T15:03:26.85","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-08-07T16:20:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government on how many occasions since 3 May 2007 ministers have authorised the interception of communications to and from journalists.","AnswerText":"While we do not comment on individual cases, Scottish Ministers have not and would not authorise interception targeted at lawful journalistic activity.","AnswerDate":"2015-09-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305438,"EventID":"S4W-27038","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2029,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":145,"ApprovedDate":"2015-08-10T15:03:27.487","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-08-07T16:20:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government on how many occasions since 3 May 2007 ministers have authorised the interception of communications to and from the sources of journalists.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-27037 on 3 September 2015. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.","AnswerDate":"2015-09-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305439,"EventID":"S4W-27039","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2029,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":145,"ApprovedDate":"2015-08-10T15:03:28.113","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-08-07T16:20:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it has received communication from the Interception of Communications Commissioner’s Office regarding an investigation relating to Police Scotland.","AnswerText":"Scottish Ministers are aware that the Interception of Communications Commissioner’s Office is investigating unnamed forces relating to breaches in acquiring communications data, as reported in the commissioner’s half-yearly report.","AnswerDate":"2015-09-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305440,"EventID":"S4W-27040","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2029,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":145,"ApprovedDate":"2015-08-10T15:03:28.923","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-08-07T16:20:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it has had contact with Police Scotland about a possible investigation by the Interception of Communications Commissioner’s Office relating to Police Scotland.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is in regular contact with Police Scotland concerning a variety of matters.","AnswerDate":"2015-09-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305441,"EventID":"S4W-27041","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2029,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":145,"ApprovedDate":"2015-08-10T15:03:29.64","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-08-07T16:20:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with Police Scotland about intercepts of communications prior to 25 March 2015 that have been approved by Scottish ministers or other relevant authorities.","AnswerText":"There is regular discussion between the Scottish Government, Police Scotland and a number of other relevant bodies regarding the interception of communications.","AnswerDate":"2015-09-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305442,"EventID":"S4W-27042","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2029,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":145,"ApprovedDate":"2015-08-10T15:03:30.5","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-08-07T16:20:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government in what circumstances ministers can authorise Police Scotland to intercept communications.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Ministers may authorise the interception of communications for the purpose of preventing or detecting serious crime in Scotland.","AnswerDate":"2015-09-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305443,"EventID":"S4W-27043","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2029,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":145,"ApprovedDate":"2015-08-10T15:03:31.31","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-08-07T16:20:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government in what circumstances someone other than a Scottish minister can authorise the interception of communications, and who.","AnswerText":"The Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000 sets out who is able to authorise interception of communications and for what purposes. A UK Secretary of State may authorise interception of communications for the purpose of preventing or detecting serious crime, in the interests of national security, and for the purpose of safeguarding the economic well-being of the United Kingdom in circumstances appearing to the Secretary of State to be relevant to the interests of national security.","AnswerDate":"2015-09-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305444,"EventID":"S4W-27044","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2029,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":145,"ApprovedDate":"2015-08-10T15:03:32.073","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-08-07T16:20:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what communications data can be acquired with judicial approval since 25 March 2015.","AnswerText":"The Acquisition and Disclosure of Communications Data Code of Practice which came into force on 25 March 2015 states:\r\n\"Communications data that may be considered to determine journalistic sources includes data relating to:\r\njournalists’ communications addresses;\r\nthe communications addresses of those persons suspected to be a source; and\r\nthe communications addresses of persons suspected to be acting as intermediaries between the journalist and the suspected source.\"","AnswerDate":"2015-09-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305445,"EventID":"S4W-27045","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2029,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":145,"ApprovedDate":"2015-08-10T15:03:32.853","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-08-07T16:20:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government to whom Police Scotland is accountable regarding any breaches of the code of practice identified by the Interception of Communication Commissioner’s Office.","AnswerText":"Breaches of any codes of practice made under Chapter I of the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000 are a matter for the Interception of Communications Commissioner’s Office (IOCCO) in the first instance. It is a matter for IOCCO to decide on what, if any, remedial action is required.","AnswerDate":"2015-09-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305446,"EventID":"S4W-27046","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2029,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":145,"ApprovedDate":"2015-08-10T15:03:33.62","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-08-07T16:20:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether Police Scotland officers had the authority to approve the (a) interception of communications and (b) acquisition of communications data prior to 25 March 2015.","AnswerText":"Police Scotland has no authority to approve or authorise the interception of communications. Police Scotland is one of the public authorities able to authorise the acquisition of communications data in accordance with the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000 and has been since its creation on 1 April 2013.","AnswerDate":"2015-09-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305447,"EventID":"S4W-27047","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4014,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-08-10T15:03:34.43","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-08-09T14:14:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government which local authorities have taken out lender option borrower loans; how much they have borrowed, and what information it has on the interest charges.","AnswerText":"The information requested is held by individual local authorities.","AnswerDate":"2015-08-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305448,"EventID":"S4W-27050","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4014,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-08-10T15:03:34.943","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-08-09T14:14:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many local planning committee decisions it has overturned in each year since 1999, broken down by local authority.","AnswerText":"The information requested is given in the table entitled \"Planning application decisions by local planning authorities overturned by the Scottish Government since 1999 broken down by local authority\", a copy of which has been placed in the Scottish Parliament’s Reference Centre (Bib number 57133).","AnswerDate":"2015-08-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305449,"EventID":"S4W-27051","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4014,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-08-10T15:03:35.413","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-08-09T14:14:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many objections from families have been received by the Inspector of Crematoria for Scotland.","AnswerText":"The Inspector for Crematoria has received no objections to planning decisions from families since taking up his post on 9 March 2015.","AnswerDate":"2015-08-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305450,"EventID":"S4W-27052","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4014,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-08-10T15:03:35.897","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-08-09T14:14:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether families concerned that planning applications might impact on graves or gardens of remembrance can raise objections with the Inspector of Crematoria for Scotland and, if so, what action the inspector can take.","AnswerText":"The Inspector for Crematoria has no powers in relation to planning decisions.","AnswerDate":"2015-08-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305451,"EventID":"S4W-27053","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2015-08-10T15:03:36.38","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-08-09T17:00:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what criteria will apply to projects that might enjoy a grace period following the UK Government's decision to end public subsidy for onshore wind projects.","AnswerText":"The UK Government has set out details of the proposed grace period relating to the closure of the renewables obligation for new onshore wind projects in a policy paper which can be found at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/renewables-obligation-ro-grace-period-for-new-onshore-wind/information-on-the-proposed-ro-grace-period-for-new-onshore-wind","AnswerDate":"2015-08-31T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305452,"EventID":"S4W-27054","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2015-08-10T15:03:37.283","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-08-09T17:00:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many onshore wind projects are awaiting approval by ministers; what the name is of each project; when it was submitted for approval, and how much electricity it is expected to generate.","AnswerText":"At present there are no onshore wind projects awaiting approval by ministers. There are currently 42 live wind farm applications with the Local Energy and Consents Department which may be submitted for determination under Section 36 of the Electricity Act 1989 following consultation and robust assessment of the proposals. All relevant cases are submitted to the minister for determination rather than for approval. Each application is taken on its own merits and there is a commitment to ensuring the right developments in the right place.","AnswerDate":"2015-10-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305453,"EventID":"S4W-27055","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2015-08-10T15:03:38.36","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-08-09T17:00:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it expects onshore wind projects that have yet to achieve planning consent and a grid connection offer and acceptance to be eligible for public subsidy after 1 April 2016.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government’s position is that grace period criteria relating to the closure of the renewables obligation should extend to all projects in planning to afford reasonable protection to developers who have made significant investments. We have made that case to the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change. The UK Government is finalising its policy on the proposed grace period ahead of bringing forward primary legislation to implement the final policy. Before framing the terms of the legislation, the Department of Energy and Climate Change has sought information from developers with projects which are currently in the planning system but which have not yet secured consent. The UK Government has set out further information on this process in a policy paper which can be found at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/renewables-obligation-ro-grace-period-for-new-onshore-wind/information-on-the-proposed-ro-grace-period-for-new-onshore-wind The UK Government has not yet confirmed whether onshore wind will remain eligible for support under the Feed-in Tariff or Contracts for Difference schemes.","AnswerDate":"2015-08-31T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305454,"EventID":"S4W-27056","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2015-08-10T15:03:39.297","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-08-09T17:00:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many onshore wind projects are in the pipeline that have yet to achieve planning consent, broken down by local authority.","AnswerText":"Figures published by the Department of Energy and Climate (DECC) show that, as at March 2015, there were 126 onshore wind sites in the planning system awaiting consent in Scotland. This data is published by DECC at: https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/renewable-energy-planning-data The Scottish Government publishes a local authority breakdown of this data on a quarterly basis. This data is available at: http://www.gov.scot/Topics/Statistics/Browse/Business/Energy/planningdata","AnswerDate":"2015-08-31T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305455,"EventID":"S4W-27057","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2015-08-10T15:03:40.077","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-08-09T17:00:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much generating capacity is available from existing onshore wind projects.","AnswerText":"Figures published by the Department of Energy and Climate show that, as at March 2015, Scotland had 5.1 gigawatts of installed capacity from existing onshore wind projects.","AnswerDate":"2015-08-31T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305456,"EventID":"S4W-27058","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2015-08-10T15:03:41.06","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-08-09T17:00:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much the UK Government has provided in subsidies for onshore wind projects in Scotland in each year since 2007-08.","AnswerText":"The Renewables Obligation (RO) is a scheme which supports the deployment of large-scale renewable electricity generating stations in the UK. It puts an obligation on licensed electricity suppliers to source some of their supply from renewables, a proportion which increases every year. The Gas and Electricity Markets Authority (the authority) is the body responsible for administering the RO. Information on the number of certificates issued can be found at: https://www.ofgem.gov.uk/publications-and-updates/renewables-obligation-ro-annual-report-2013-14\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-08-31T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305469,"EventID":"S4W-27060","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4939,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":78,"ApprovedDate":"2015-08-11T15:05:32.45","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-08-11T10:58:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the timescale is for the appointment of the new chief executive officer of Bòrd na Gàidhlig.","AnswerText":"Scottish Government officials are currently discussing the terms and conditions for appointment with the Chair of Bòrd na Gidhlig. When discussions have been concluded we will aim to advertise the post in October 2015.","AnswerDate":"2015-09-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alasdair Allan","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305470,"EventID":"S4W-27061","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2610,"Party":"Independent","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-08-11T15:05:33.557","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-08-11T12:47:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many meetings (a) the Minister for Transport and Islands and (b) government officials has/have had with Peter D Stirling Ltd regarding planning applications.","AnswerText":"No meetings have been held between the current Minister for Transport and Islands and Peter D Stirling Ltd regarding planning applications. Transport Scotland officials met with P.D. Stirling Ltd on two occasions, to discuss alternative access routes to serve Mossend Rail Freight Terminal. The meetings took place in September 2007 and January 2013.","AnswerDate":"2015-09-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305471,"EventID":"S4W-27062","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2610,"Party":"Independent","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-08-11T15:05:34.26","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-08-11T12:47:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it last carried out a review of rail freight services.","AnswerText":"Transport Scotland is currently undertaking a widespread review as part of work to refresh the rail freight strategy and will launch a public consultation on this in the autumn. The strategy will set out our approach to supporting a sustainable rail freight industry in Scotland and will consider how best to work with industry and business to maximise opportunities to do so.","AnswerDate":"2015-09-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305472,"EventID":"S4W-27063","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2610,"Party":"Independent","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-08-11T15:05:35.18","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-08-11T12:47:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what work it has done to encourage the use of rail freight services.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government recognises that the rail freight industry has a vital role to play in delivering economic and environmental benefits for Scotland. Through our refreshed rail freight strategy, due for public consultation in the autumn, we are working with the industry and partners to ensure it can maximise its future potential. This Government already has a strong record of investment in rail with the £3.5 billion capital investment programme 2014 to 2019, and freight services will benefit from major improvements such as the Edinburgh to Glasgow Improvement Programme and the Aberdeen to Inverness and Highland Main Line projects. In addition to the freight mode shift grant schemes which help offset any extra costs incurred through moving from road to more sustainable transport modes, there is also a dedicated £30 million Scottish Strategic Rail Freight Investment Fund which is supporting opportunity-led investment in infrastructure to encourage growth.","AnswerDate":"2015-09-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305473,"EventID":"S4W-27065","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2345,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":128,"ApprovedDate":"2015-08-11T15:05:35.833","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-08-11T13:04:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action to support dairy farmers is being taken by (a) it and (b) its agencies. ","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government recognises the difficulties faced by dairy farmers during the current period of global market volatility, which impacts on the domestic dairy sector. All parts of the dairy supply-chain, including processors, retailers and the food service sector must play their part to ensure there continues to be a market for high-quality, locally-sourced dairy products and we have encouraged them to do so. The Dairy Action Plan which was launched in March 2015 aims to improve the resilience of the sector and provide the right platform to ensure the entire industry can thrive in the context of volatile market prices. Scottish Enterprise, Highlands and Islands Enterprise and Scottish Development International are working with the Scottish Government and individual dairy enterprises on a range of project-specific actions.","AnswerDate":"2015-09-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Richard Lochhead","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":true},{"UniqueID":305474,"EventID":"S4W-27066","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2345,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":128,"ApprovedDate":"2015-08-11T15:05:36.49","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-08-11T13:04:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what investment in support of the dairy farming industry is planned by (a) it and (b) its agencies.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has provided farmer-owned dairy co-operative First Milk with a grant of up to £416,000 towards the upgrading of the regionally important Campbeltown Creamery. The creamery provides the sole market for the Kintyre peninsula’s remaining 36 milk producers and itself supports almost 30 full-time jobs. In addition, resources have been made available to temporarily support First Milk’s haulage costs associated with transporting raw milk from the Isle of Bute for processing. More broadly the Scottish Government is also supporting the work of the Dairy Growth Board as it implements the recommendations set out in the Dairy Action Plan, launched in March 2015 and aimed at boosting the sector’s resilience. A range of other dairy-related activities are underway involving Scottish Enterprise, Highlands and Islands Enterprise and Scottish Development International. These include efforts to improve the marketing of Scottish dairy produce internationally, potential inward investments and support for First Milk’s recovery programme.","AnswerDate":"2015-09-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Richard Lochhead","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":true},{"UniqueID":305485,"EventID":"S4W-27059","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1892,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":134,"ApprovedDate":"2015-08-12T15:05:53.21","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-08-10T09:46:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it will respond to the legal basis for claims of harm against the Scottish Government set out by agricultural tenants affected by the Salvesen v Riddell judgement.","AnswerText":"This matter is the subject of on-going litigation and is being given full consideration by officials. In the circumstances, we are unable to offer any further comment at this time.","AnswerDate":"2015-09-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Richard Lochhead","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305486,"EventID":"S4W-27067","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-08-12T15:05:54.93","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-08-11T17:14:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many posts in the Scottish Prison Service are subject to a recruitment and retention allowance or other market-based pay supplement and whether it will provide a breakdown of staff in these posts by (a) age, (b) gender and (c) geographical area.","AnswerText":"I have asked Colin McConnell, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service, to respond. His response is as follows: In the 2014 to 2015 financial year, 302 employees received payment of a recruitment and retention allowance or similar market-based payment. The breakdowns are provided as follows: a) Age 16 to 29 104, 30 to 39 47, 40 to 49 67, 50 to 54 39, 55 to 59 22, 60 to 65 19, 65 + 4 b) Gender - Female 89, Male 213 c) Geographical area (broken down by local authority area) Aberdeenshire 143, City of Edinburgh 53, Clackmannanshire 14, Dumfries and Galloway 6, East Dunbartonshire 11, Falkirk 5, East Renfrewshire 16, Glasgow City 11, Highland 6, North Lanarkshire 11, Perth and Kinross 18, Stirling 8. Note: The Scottish Prison Service systems record people rather than posts. Therefore the number of employees receiving a payment at any point during the 2014-2015 financial year has been given. The number of employees could be higher than the number of posts. For example, where an employee has left and another has taken their place this would represent two employees in one post.","AnswerDate":"2015-08-31T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305487,"EventID":"S4W-27068","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-08-12T15:05:56.26","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-08-11T17:14:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much money the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service pays in recruitment and retention allowances or other market-based pay supplements.","AnswerText":"The Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service pays a total of £192,060 per annum in recruitment and retention or other market-based pay supplements.","AnswerDate":"2015-09-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Frank Mulholland QC","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305488,"EventID":"S4W-27069","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-08-12T15:05:58.4","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-08-11T17:14:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many posts in the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service are subject to a recruitment and retention allowance or other market-based pay supplement and whether it will provide a breakdown of staff in these posts by (a) age, (b) gender and (c) geographical area.","AnswerText":"In the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service there are 53 posts that are subject to recruitment and retention allowance or other market-based pay supplements. This is broken down as follows:\r\n(a) Age\r\nAge Split\r\nNumber\r\n\r\n<30\r\n6\r\n\r\n30-39\r\n15\r\n\r\n40-49\r\n19\r\n\r\n50-60+\r\n13\r\n\r\nTotal\r\n53\r\n\r\n (b) Gender\r\nGender Split\r\nMale\r\nFemale\r\nTotal\r\nNumber\r\n39\r\n14\r\n53\r\n(c) Geographical Area\r\nGeographical Area\r\nNo. of Employees\r\nEast\r\n30\r\nWest\r\n15\r\nNorth\r\n8\r\nTotal\r\n53\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-09-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Frank Mulholland QC","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305489,"EventID":"S4W-27070","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-08-12T15:06:01.15","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-08-11T17:14:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much money Historic Scotland pays in recruitment and retention allowances or other market-based pay supplements.","AnswerText":"Historic Scotland apply a recruitment and retention allowance to one post within the finance directorate and a market-based pay supplement to 18 staff within the information and communication technology (ICT) directorate. The application of the market-based ICT pay supplements are based on criteria and amounts set by the Scottish Government and reviewed on a three year basis.\r\nHistoric Scotland currently pays £67,250.00 per year on recruitment and retention allowances and market-based pay supplements. This is broken down to:\r\nRecruitment & Retention Allowance - £4,000.00\r\nIT pay supplements - £ £63,250.00","AnswerDate":"2015-08-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fiona Hyslop","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305490,"EventID":"S4W-27071","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-08-12T15:06:04.65","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-08-11T17:14:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many posts in Historic Scotland are subject to a recruitment and retention allowance or other market-based pay supplement and whether it will provide a breakdown of staff in these posts by (a) age, (b) gender and (c) geographical area.","AnswerText":"Historic Scotland currently have 19 posts that will attract a recruitment and retention allowance or other market-based pay supplement. The market-based pay supplement in this case is paid to posts which qualify for an IT allowance.\r\n(a) The age range of staff in the 19 posts are:\r\n16 to 20\r\n0\r\n21 to 30\r\n1\r\n31 to 40\r\n7\r\n41 to 50\r\n7\r\n51 to 60\r\n4\r\n61 to 65\r\n0\r\n65 over\r\n0\r\nTotal\r\n19\r\n(b) The gender of staff in the 19 posts are:\r\nMale\r\n13\r\nFemale\r\n6\r\nTotal \r\n19\r\n(c) The 19 posts are all based within the City of Edinburgh. \r\nRecruitment and retention allowance \r\n1\r\nMarket-based pay supplement\r\n18\r\nTotal \r\n19\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-08-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fiona Hyslop","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305491,"EventID":"S4W-27072","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-08-12T15:06:07.05","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-08-11T17:14:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much money Scottish Enterprise pays in recruitment and retention allowances or other market-based pay supplements.","AnswerText":"This is an operational matter for Scottish Enterprise. I have passed your question to Dr Lena Wilson, Chief Executive of Scottish Enterprise. Scottish Enterprise will provide an answer to you directly.","AnswerDate":"2015-09-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305492,"EventID":"S4W-27073","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-08-12T15:06:08.63","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-08-11T17:14:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many posts in Scottish Enterprise are subject to a recruitment and retention allowance or other market-based pay supplement and whether it will provide a breakdown of staff in these posts by (a) age, (b) gender and (c) geographical area.","AnswerText":"This is an operational matter for Scottish Enterprise. I have passed your question to Dr Lena Wilson, Chief Executive of Scottish Enterprise. Scottish Enterprise will provide an answer to you directly.","AnswerDate":"2015-09-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305493,"EventID":"S4W-27074","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-08-12T15:06:10.41","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-08-11T17:14:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much money the Scottish Prison Service pays in recruitment and retention allowances or other market-based pay supplements.","AnswerText":"I have asked Colin McConnell, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service, to respond. His response is as follows: In 2014 to 2015 the Scottish Prison Service spent £777,100 on recruitment and retention allowances and other market-based pay supplements for jobs where it is challenging to recruit or retain staff. This figure excludes associated employers costs.","AnswerDate":"2015-08-31T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305494,"EventID":"S4W-27075","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5079,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-08-12T15:06:14.49","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-08-11T16:11:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it will appoint a Chief Scientific Adviser for Scotland.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is committed to drawing on the very best science advice and expertise. The post of Chief Scientific Adviser for Scotland was advertised externally over the period 13 March to 10 April 2015 but following a full recruitment process we are disappointed we were not able to appoint anyone to the role. Consideration is being given to the next steps in the recruitment process. Interim arrangements are in place and the Scottish Government continues to draw upon a range of science advice and expertise across all policy areas including the Chief Medical Officer, the Chief Scientist Health, the Chief Scientific Adviser Rural Affairs, Food and Environment, and the Chief Veterinary Officer.","AnswerDate":"2015-09-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alasdair Allan","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305495,"EventID":"S4W-27076","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5079,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-08-12T15:06:16.42","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-08-11T16:11:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what scientific evidence it has considered in relation to the regulation of GM technology.","AnswerText":"GM technology is regulated at EU level where all GM applications submitted for approval are scientifically assessed before they can be approved. The European Commission recognise that there are additional factors which can have an impact on decisions to cultivate GM crops. That is why the Commission proposed the amendments to the GM Directive which now allow countries to restrict or ban the cultivation of EU approved GM crops on their territories. The Scottish Government takes a precautionary approach to GM. It also takes into account the wider context including the preventative and democratic principles. We recognise that growing GM crops could threaten the brand that underpins Scotland's reputation for producing high quality and natural foods and damage Scotland's image as a land of food and drink. That is why, in line with our longstanding, I recently announced that we planned to make use of the new EU rules and opt-out of growing the one GM crop that is currently approved by the EU and six others in the pipeline for approval.","AnswerDate":"2015-09-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Richard Lochhead","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305496,"EventID":"S4W-27077","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2015-08-12T15:06:18.54","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-08-12T10:13:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government on how many occasions in the last year G4S has failed to deliver prisoners to court for the appointed time.","AnswerText":"I have asked Colin McConnell, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service, to respond. His response is as follows: G4S have completed 131,780 movements to court over the last year, 22,001 of which were out with time referenced contractual requirements as a result of G4S failure and of which 169 resulted in a delay to court proceedings.","AnswerDate":"2015-08-31T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305497,"EventID":"S4W-27078","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2015-08-12T15:06:19.92","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-08-12T10:13:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it will ensure that G4S always delivers prisoners to court on time.","AnswerText":"I have asked Colin McConnell, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service, to respond. His response is as follows: G4S is required to self-report performance which falls outside defined contractual targets which includes court delivery performance. In addition, G4S contractual compliance and performance is subject of continuous and robust scrutiny by the Scottish Prison Service (SPS). SPS employs escort monitors, who oversee G4S operational performance attainment and service delivery across the requirements of the contract, which includes court delivery. More specifically, the Escort Monitors undertake spot checks and full assessment visits across G4S activities reporting on performance shortfalls and applying performance measures. In addition to this routine contract monitoring and management, more intensive scrutiny is currently being undertaken due to recent performance issues. This includes the daily review of performance data, SPS participation in G4S internal contract management calls, and daily attendance by escort monitors at the G4S head office. ","AnswerDate":"2015-08-31T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305498,"EventID":"S4W-27079","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2394,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-08-12T15:06:21.16","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-08-12T12:24:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what support mechanisms are available to landrace farmers.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government operates the Scottish Landrace Protection Scheme. This enables growers to deposit samples of seed in the long-term seed storage facility at the laboratories of Science and Advice for Scottish Agriculture, thereby providing a safety net in the event of crop failure or other loss of seed.","AnswerDate":"2015-09-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Richard Lochhead","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305513,"EventID":"S4W-27080","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4964,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":119,"ApprovedDate":"2015-08-14T14:33:53.823","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-08-13T15:04:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what estimate it has made of the number of people in Scotland employed by living wage accredited businesses.","AnswerText":"Research published by KPMG in October 2014, indicated that Scotland has a higher proportion of employees paid the Living Wage compared to both the UK as a whole and each devolved UK nation. The report estimated that approximately 81% of earners in Scotland were paid at least the Living Wage. Additionally data provided by the Poverty Alliance shows that the number of directly employed staff across the UK employed by Scots-based Living Wage Accredited Employers was 134,908 as at 24 August 2015. This information is based on the number of employees at the time of accreditation.","AnswerDate":"2015-09-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Roseanna Cunningham","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305514,"EventID":"S4W-27081","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3101,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-08-14T14:33:54.713","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-08-13T15:34:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what analysis it has carried out of the first two-yearly progress reports by listed public bodies under the public sector equality duty in relation to the Scotland-specific duties and how it will use the results of any such analysis to tackle inequality.","AnswerText":"Public authorities listed on the schedule to the Equality Act 2010 (Specific Duties)(Scotland) Regulations 2012 were required to publish equality outcomes and mainstreaming reports including employee information and gender pay gap information by 30 April 2013 with progress reports due by 30 April 2015. Monitoring and compliance of equality duties falls to the Equality and Human Rights Commission. The Commission are currently analysing the reports and aim to publish findings in September 2015. Findings will inform the next phase of the Scottish National Equality Improvement Project which supports the Scottish Ministers' Proposals published in December 2013 to tackle inequality and enable the better performance of the Public Sector Equality Duty. Scottish Ministers will publish a report on progress by 30 December 2015.","AnswerDate":"2015-09-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305515,"EventID":"S4W-27082","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3806,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-08-14T14:33:55.18","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-08-14T09:47:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it will take to address the congestion on the A96 through Nairn.","AnswerText":"Since spring 2014, and further to previous works undertaken, we have implemented additional measures to help improve journey time reliability and traffic flows in Nairn. This has included reconfiguration of traffic detectors which are linked to ‘real time’ alterations to the signal timings based on traffic demand, road surfacing and relining schemes through the town and also implementation of pedestrian sensors to give more appropriate balance to pedestrian crossing times. Local councillors and community groups have acknowledged a notable improvement as a result and this is supported by the findings from our Bluetooth journey time monitors which indicate more consistent journey times. Transport Scotland is also aware of the congestion in the area as a result of works carried out by Scottish Gas Network at the start of August and the inconvenience which the travelling public experienced. Transport Scotland and its operating company, BEAR Scotland, will raise this with the contractor at a senior level. In the longer term, we are fully committed to duelling the A96. A £30 million design contract was awarded earlier this year for the 19 mile section between Inverness and Nairn, which includes a bypass at Nairn. We are now progressing our plans to publish draft road orders for the scheme in 2016, having identified a preferred option last October.","AnswerDate":"2015-09-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305516,"EventID":"S4W-27083","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3806,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-08-14T14:33:55.773","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-08-14T09:49:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it will take to showcase Nairn as a seaside holiday destination.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government fully recognises the importance of Nairn as one of Scotland’s top seaside locations, an accolade underlined by both the 22 years it has held Keep Scotland Beautiful’s Seaside Award, and its recent inclusion as one of TripAdvisor’s top 25 UK beaches.\r\nThe Scottish Government is supportive in general of all areas of Scotland working to achieve the industry-led ambition for Scotland to be a first-choice tourism destination. Scotland’s stunning assets are promoted across the UK and overseas by VisitScotland in a number of ways, such as websites, print, direct mail and PR activity. In relation to the promotion of Nairn, the town is well represented in VisitScotland’s Explore: Inverness, Nairn and Loch Ness guide; has a relevant page on visitscotland.com (http://www.visitscotland.com/info/towns-villages/nairn-p236781); and has an Information Point in Partnership located within the Nairn Community Centre, which is open all year round.\r\nMore specifically, Nairn also featured prominently in VisitScotland’s spring 2015 campaign to promote the Highlands, with which VisitScotland worked closely with the Highland Council and local tourism bodies, including VisitNairn. This promotional activity included the prize of a three night luxury break in Nairn. VisitScotland also highlighted the Nairn Highland Games and the theatre event ‘Drift’, which took place on Nairn Beach, in their June Scotland e-zines which went out to 13,000 people in mid-June. The July edition highlighted the Nairn Book and Arts Festival.\r\nThere is also financial support for events in the Highlands such as the World Orienteering Championships, including the opening ceremony in Nairn on 1 August 2015. These events help attract competitors, families and spectators to the area and VisitScotland (through EventScotland) invested £280,000 in the event, making them the majority investor. EventScotland estimate that the six day event brought more than 5,000 people to the local area and helped deliver an estimated visitor spend of around £2.5 million. In addition, international TV coverage was beamed to some two million people, showcasing the area to potential visitors from around the world.\r\nGolf is another key asset for Nairn and the Aberdeen Asset Scottish Open will return to nearby Castle Stuart in 2016 with VisitScotland assisting financially as well as marketing and promotional activity. In addition, the opportunities for individual businesses during the 2015 Year of Food and Drink is being heavily promoted by public body partners. As well as the logo, a toolkit has been produced to assist businesses and events (such as the World Orienteering Championships) harness the potential of the year.\r\nThere has also been direct ministerial engagement with VisitNairn to discuss ways in which tourism can be further developed within the community, building on Nairn’s many strengths. My ministerial engagement in Nairn on 15 April 2015 demonstrated that, working in partnership with a range of public bodies, the Scottish Government is supporting the development, and people’s enjoyment of, Nairn as a seaside holiday destination in a number of ways. Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) works with business and social enterprises of growth potential in Nairn, as elsewhere, providing them with support to grow, internationalise, innovate and invest. In terms of specific support for the development and enjoyment of Nairn as a tourism destination, HIE and VisitScotland are working with VisitNairn, to reinforce the region’s key strengths and promote authentic experiences to inspire potential visitors to take a break in the Highlands.\r\nIn addition to working with both individual businesses and the destination group, HIE, along with partners, is working with the community on a wider plan for the town centre. HIE has provided seed funding of around £5,000 to enable some of this initial planning work to be undertaken.\r\nThe current Scottish Government National Marine Plan, and t","AnswerDate":"2015-09-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305517,"EventID":"S4W-27084","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4955,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":105,"ApprovedDate":"2015-08-14T14:33:56.243","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-08-14T12:08:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the fee is for submitting a high hedge notice application in each local authority area.","AnswerText":"The setting of fees for submitting a high hedge notice application is a matter for local authorities. This is provided for by Section 4 of the High Hedges (Scotland) Act 2013. This gives local authorities the discretion to set their own fees at a level which will cover the reasonable costs which they incur from considering an application. The legislation is intended to be cost neutral for local authorities.\r\nThe cost of submitting an application for a high hedge notice in each local authority area is set out in the following table. The figures provided in this table are for the cost of a standard application. \r\nThe information contained in the following table is correct as at 20 August 2015:\r\nLocal Authority Area\r\nStandard Fee for a High Hedge Application\r\nAberdeen City Council\r\n£382\r\nAberdeenshire Council\r\n£450\r\nAngus Council\r\n£275\r\nArgyll and Bute Council\r\n£450\r\nComhairle nan Eilean Siar (Western Isles)\r\n£401\r\nClackmannanshire Council\r\n£401\r\nDumfries and Galloway Council\r\n£450\r\nDundee City Council\r\n£400\r\nEast Ayrshire Council\r\n£400\r\nEast Dunbartonshire Council\r\n£401\r\nEast Lothian Council\r\n£401\r\nEast Renfrewshire Council\r\n£420\r\nCity of Edinburgh Council*\r\n£350\r\nFalkirk Council\r\n£401\r\nFife Council\r\n£382\r\nGlasgow City Council\r\n£500\r\nHighland Council\r\n£450\r\nInverclyde Council\r\n£192\r\nMidlothian Council\r\n£300\r\nMoray Council\r\n£382\r\nNorth Ayrshire Council\r\n£382\r\nNorth Lanarkshire Council**\r\n£450\r\nOrkney Islands Council\r\n£382\r\nPerth and Kinross Council\r\n£270\r\nRenfrewshire Council\r\n£382\r\nScottish Borders Council\r\n£400\r\nShetland Islands Council\r\nInformation not available\r\nSouth Ayrshire Council\r\n£495\r\nSouth Lanarkshire Council\r\n£401\r\nStirling Council\r\n£192\r\nWest Dunbartonshire Council\r\n£384\r\nWest Lothian Council\r\n£401\r\nAll local authorities, except City of Edinburgh Council and North Lanarkshire Council, charge this single flat fee.\r\n* Fee variations apply in Edinburgh, as follows:\r\nFees are waived for applications made by registered disabled persons and, in cases of hardship, the fee may be waived at the discretion of the head of service.\r\nFee is £450 where the hedge is in multiple ownership of more than six owners.\r\nWhere multiple applicants are applying in respect of the same hedge, the fee is set at £350 plus £100 per each additional applicant.\r\nSupplementary fees may apply in cases where specialist surveys are required in the assessment of an application e.g. wildlife surveys, although further information will be available from City of Edinburgh Council where applicable.\r\n** North Lanarkshire Council charges a reduced fee of £225 for applications made by registered disabled persons.","AnswerDate":"2015-09-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Marco Biagi","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305533,"EventID":"S4W-27089","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1853,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":86,"ApprovedDate":"2015-08-17T15:01:09.31","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-08-15T13:41:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether the (a) ScotRail and (b) Network Rail franchise has a requirement stipulating that major work on the network is carried out at night","AnswerText":"The ScotRail franchise sets out the Scottish Government’s specification for the operation of rail services rather than the delivery of rail infrastructure works. Network Rail is responsible for the operation, maintenance, renewal and enhancement of the rail infrastructure in Scotland and its activities are regulated by the independent Office of Rail and Road (ORR). The conditions upon which it must operate are set out in their network licence, a copy of which is available from the ORR website. Safety is Network Rail’s top priority and a significant proportion of infrastructure works are therefore required to be carried out at night when trains are not running.","AnswerDate":"2015-09-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305534,"EventID":"S4W-27090","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1853,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":86,"ApprovedDate":"2015-08-17T15:01:10.03","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-08-15T13:41:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what guidelines are included in the (a) ScotRail and (b) Network Rail franchise concerning night-time working close to residential areas.","AnswerText":"The requirements set out within the ScotRail franchise relate specifically to the operation of passenger services. Network Rail is responsible for the operation, maintenance, renewal and enhancement of the rail infrastructure in Scotland and must manage this within defined regulatory and control frameworks. Its activities are regulated by the independent Office of Rail and Road (ORR) and the conditions upon which it must operate are set out in their network licence, a copy of which is available from the ORR website. Network Rail has broader social and sustainability obligations that require employees and contractors to respect the privacy, sensitivity, and property of those who live and work near the railway when undertaking engineering works. A range of measures are deployed to minimise noise and disruption from engineering activities and local resident and stakeholder engagement is encouraged prior to the commencement of major works.","AnswerDate":"2015-09-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305535,"EventID":"S4W-27091","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4964,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":119,"ApprovedDate":"2015-08-17T15:01:10.58","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-08-17T11:14:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what guidance it issues to the relevant bodies regarding the removal of abandoned vehicles. ","AnswerText":"Removal of abandoned vehicles is a matter for local authorities and the police. The Scottish Government has not issued guidance. Keep Scotland Beautiful has published guidance on the relevant legislation, which can be found at http://www.keepscotlandbeautiful.org/media/148830/Abandoned_Vehicles.pdf.","AnswerDate":"2015-09-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Richard Lochhead","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305536,"EventID":"S4W-27092","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4964,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":119,"ApprovedDate":"2015-08-17T15:01:23.1","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-08-17T11:14:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government which bodies are responsible for the removal of abandoned vehicles and whether there is a maximum time limit for such action to be taken.","AnswerText":"Section 3 of the Refuse Disposal Amenity Act 1978 places a duty on local authorities to remove abandoned vehicles on certain land. Where a vehicle is causing an obstruction or is dangerous, removal is principally the responsibility of the police. There is no maximum time limit for such action to be taken.","AnswerDate":"2015-09-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Richard Lochhead","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305537,"EventID":"S4W-27093","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4964,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":119,"ApprovedDate":"2015-08-17T15:01:11.21","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-08-17T11:14:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether abandoned vehicles must be left in place for a set period before being uplifted and removed.","AnswerText":"The procedures and time limits depend on the circumstances in which the vehicle has been abandoned, and are set out in the Removal and Disposal of Vehicles Regulations 1986. Where local authorities are subject to the duty in section 3 of the Refuse Disposal Amenity Act 1978, they must affix a notice to the vehicle. The notice period before removal of the vehicle is 15 days where the vehicle has been abandoned on private property, seven days for other land, or 24 hours where the local authority are of the opinion that the vehicle is in such a condition that it ought to be destroyed. Where a police officer has the power to intervene, there is no set period before a vehicle can be removed.","AnswerDate":"2015-09-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Richard Lochhead","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305538,"EventID":"S4W-27094","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2394,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-08-17T15:01:11.84","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-08-17T11:51:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what (a) location, (b) size, (c) hub height, (d) number constructed, (e) consent for the building, (f) scope of and (g) other information regarding onshore wind turbines it provides to the Department for Energy and Climate Change's Renewable Energy Planning Database.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government does not provide the Department of Energy and Climate Change with the details referred to in the question. Information about wind farm applications that are determined by Scottish Ministers under Section 36 of the Electricity Act 1989 are available on the Scottish Government website at http://www.gov.scot/Topics/Business-Industry/Energy/Infrastructure/Energy-Consents.","AnswerDate":"2015-09-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305539,"EventID":"S4W-27100","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":2,"MSPID":2615,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":143,"ApprovedDate":"2015-08-17T15:01:12.43","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-08-17T14:56:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to extend the Attainment Scotland Fund beyond the local authorities that have already been announced.","AnswerText":"I am pleased to announce that we are expanding the Attainment Scotland fund to include an additional 57 primary schools across 14 local authority areas. Each of these 57 primary schools will receive funding from the Attainment Scotland fund. The schools have been selected on the basis that they are supporting a significant proportion of pupils and families from communities which are facing some of the greatest challenges across Scotland. Many of these schools are already doing well for all of their pupils and we want to learn from and spread this practice. These schools will work closely with their attainment advisors and each other to implement, support and spread good practice of what works to raise attainment, ambition and aspirations for our children and young people.\r\nLocal authority\r\nSchool Name\r\nAberdeen City\r\nRiverbank School\r\nAberdeen City\r\nManor Park School\r\nAberdeen City\r\nTullos School\r\nAberdeen City\r\nBramble Brae School\r\nArgyll and Bute\r\nRosneath Primary School\r\nDumfries and Galloway\r\nKelloholm School\r\nEast Ayrshire\r\nSt Xavier’s Primary School\r\nEast Ayrshire\r\nPatna Primary School\r\nEast Ayrshire\r\nLogan Primary School\r\nEast Ayrshire\r\nBellsbank Primary School\r\nEast Ayrshire\r\nHillhead Primary School\r\nEast Ayrshire\r\nShortlees Primary School\r\nEdinburgh\r\nSighthill Primary School\r\nEdinburgh\r\nSt Catherine’s RC Primary School\r\nEdinburgh\r\nClovenstone Primary School\r\nEdinburgh\r\nSt Francis’ RC Primary School\r\nEdinburgh\r\nCraigroyston Primary School\r\nEdinburgh\r\nNiddrie Mill Primary School\r\nEdinburgh\r\nCanal View Primary School\r\nEdinburgh\r\nCastleview Primary School\r\nFalkirk\r\nLanglees Primary School\r\nFife\r\nSt Serf’s R C Primary School\r\nFife\r\nInzievar Primary School\r\nFife\r\nSt Kenneth’s R C Primary School\r\nFife\r\nSouthwood Primary School\r\nFife\r\nWarout Primary and Community School\r\nFife\r\nPathhead Primary School\r\nHighland\r\nMilton Primary School\r\nHighland\r\nCoulhill Primary School\r\nHighland\r\nBishop Eden Primary School\r\nHighland\r\nSouth Primary School\r\nHighland\r\nMerkinch Primary School\r\nRenfrewshire\r\nSt Catherine’s Primary School\r\nRenfrewshire\r\nSt David’s Primary School\r\nRenfrewshire\r\nSt Fergus Primary School\r\nRenfrewshire\r\nGallowhill Primary School\r\nRenfrewshire\r\nGlencoats Primary School\r\nScottish Borders\r\nBurnfoot Community School\r\nScottish Borders\r\nSt Margaret’s RC Primary School (Hawick)\r\nSouth Ayrshire\r\nDalmilling Primary School\r\nSouth Ayrshire\r\nNewton Primary School\r\nSouth Ayrshire\r\nBraehead Primary School\r\nSouth Lanarkshire\r\nSt Mark’s Primary School (Rutherglen)\r\nSouth Lanarkshire\r\nJames Aiton Primary School\r\nSouth Lanarkshire\r\nBeckford Primary School\r\nSouth Lanarkshire\r\nCarstairs Junction Primary School\r\nSouth Lanarkshire\r\nBurgh Primary School\r\nSouth Lanarkshire\r\nSt Paul’s Primary School\r\nSouth Lanarkshire\r\nAuchinraith Primary School\r\nSouth Lanarkshire\r\nCathkin Primary School\r\nSouth Lanarkshire\r\nLoch Primary School\r\nSouth Lanarkshire\r\nRobert Smillie Memorial Primary School\r\nSouth Lanarkshire\r\nHareleeshill Primary School\r\nSouth Lanarkshire\r\nRigside Primary School\r\nStirling\r\nRaploch Primary School\r\nWest Lothian\r\nBridgend Primary School\r\nWest Lothian\r\nSt Thomas’ Primary School\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-08-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305552,"EventID":"S4W-27135","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":2,"MSPID":2615,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":143,"ApprovedDate":"2015-08-18T14:25:07.573","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-08-18T14:23:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when the Registrar General will publish his annual report for 2014.","AnswerText":"Scotland’s Population 2014: the Registrar General’s Annual Review of Demographic Trends will be published on 20 August 2015. The report contains information about births, deaths and marriages during the year, together with other demographic information. A copy of the report will be laid in the Scottish Parliament Information Centre and will be available on the Registrar General’s website at: www.nrscotland.gov.uk.","AnswerDate":"2015-08-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fiona Hyslop","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305553,"EventID":"S4W-27085","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2135,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":92,"ApprovedDate":"2015-08-18T15:31:38.927","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-08-14T16:21:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the infant mortality rate was in (a) 1999 and (b) 2014; what information it has how this compares with (i) 1953 and (ii) 1979, and how this compares with international statistics.","AnswerText":"The majority of the information that was requested is published annually by National Records of Scotland in its vital events reference tables.\r\nThe infant death rates for Scotland for 1979, 1999 and 2014, and the annual average for the five years 1951-55 (which indicates the approximate level in 1953) are as follows:\r\nTable 4.2: Stillbirth1, perinatal, neonatal, postneonatal and infant death rates, Scotland, 1946 to 2014 (both sexes)\r\nYear\r\nRates per 1,000 births (live and still)\r\nRates per 1,000 live births\r\nStillbirths\r\nPerinatal deaths\r\nStillbirths and neonatal deaths\r\nNeonatal deaths\r\nPostneonatal deaths\r\nInfant deaths\r\n1946-50\r\n29.2\r\n48.3\r\n54.6\r\n26.1\r\n21.2\r\n47.3\r\n1951-55\r\n25.5\r\n42.4\r\n45.7\r\n20.7\r\n12.2\r\n32.9\r\n1956-60\r\n22.8\r\n38.8\r\n41.4\r\n19.0\r\n8.9\r\n27.9\r\n1961-65\r\n19.1\r\n33.6\r\n35.8\r\n17.0\r\n8.0\r\n25.0\r\n1966-70\r\n15\r\n26.6\r\n28.5\r\n13.8\r\n7.4\r\n21.2\r\n1971-75\r\n12.3\r\n23\r\n24.8\r\n12.7\r\n6.2\r\n18.8\r\n1976-80\r\n8\r\n15.8\r\n17.2\r\n9.3\r\n4.4\r\n13.7\r\n1981-85\r\n5.8\r\n10.9\r\n12.1\r\n6.3\r\n4.1\r\n10.5\r\n1986-90\r\n5.3\r\n9.1\r\n10\r\n4.7\r\n3.7\r\n8.4\r\n1991-95\r\n6.0 (4.9)\r\n9.2 (8.1)\r\n10.2 (9.1)\r\n4.2\r\n2.4\r\n6.6\r\n1996-2000\r\n5.7 (4.3)\r\n8.4 (7.0)\r\n9.3 (7.9)\r\n3.6\r\n2.0\r\n5.6\r\n2001-05\r\n5.6 (4.4)\r\n8.0 (6.8)\r\n9.0 (7.7)\r\n3.4\r\n1.8\r\n5.2\r\n2006-10\r\n5.3 (4.0)\r\n7.4 (6.1)\r\n8.2 (6.9)\r\n2.9\r\n1.3\r\n4.2\r\n1971\r\n13.1\r\n24.5\r\n26.8\r\n13.5\r\n6.4\r\n19.9\r\n1972\r\n13.2\r\n23.7\r\n25.5\r\n12.4\r\n6.4\r\n18.8\r\n1973\r\n11.6\r\n22.5\r\n24.1\r\n12.7\r\n6.3\r\n19.0\r\n1974\r\n12.0\r\n22.8\r\n24.6\r\n12.8\r\n6.1\r\n18.9\r\n1975\r\n11.1\r\n21.1\r\n22.8\r\n11.8\r\n5.4\r\n17.2\r\n1976\r\n9.6\r\n18.3\r\n19.8\r\n10.3\r\n4.5\r\n14.8\r\n1977\r\n8.8\r\n18.3\r\n20.0\r\n11.3\r\n4.8\r\n16.1\r\n1978\r\n8.1\r\n15.4\r\n16.8\r\n8.8\r\n4.1\r\n12.9\r\n1979\r\n6.9\r\n14.1\r\n15.5\r\n8.7\r\n4.2\r\n12.8\r\n1980\r\n6.7\r\n13.1\r\n14.4\r\n7.8\r\n4.3\r\n12.1\r\n1981\r\n6.3\r\n11.6\r\n13.1\r\n6.9\r\n4.4\r\n11.3\r\n1982\r\n5.8\r\n11.5\r\n12.9\r\n7.1\r\n4.2\r\n11.4\r\n1983\r\n5.8\r\n10.6\r\n11.6\r\n5.8\r\n4.1\r\n9.9\r\n1984\r\n5.8\r\n11.0\r\n12.1\r\n6.4\r\n3.9\r\n10.3\r\n1985\r\n5.5\r\n9.8\r\n10.9\r\n5.5\r\n3.9\r\n9.4\r\n1986\r\n5.8\r\n10.2\r\n11.0\r\n5.2\r\n3.6\r\n8.8\r\n1987\r\n5.1\r\n8.9\r\n9.8\r\n4.7\r\n3.8\r\n8.5\r\n1988\r\n5.4\r\n8.9\r\n9.9\r\n4.5\r\n3.7\r\n8.2\r\n1989\r\n5.0\r\n8.7\r\n9.7\r\n4.7\r\n4.0\r\n8.7\r\n1990\r\n5.3\r\n8.7\r\n9.6\r\n4.4\r\n3.3\r\n7.7\r\n1991\r\n5.5\r\n8.6\r\n9.8\r\n4.4\r\n2.7\r\n7.1\r\n1992\r\n5.4 (4.9)\r\n9.0 (8.5)\r\n10.0 (9.4)\r\n4.6\r\n2.2\r\n6.8\r\n1993\r\n6.4 (4.8)\r\n9.6 (8.0)\r\n10.4 (8.8)\r\n4.0\r\n2.5\r\n6.5\r\n1994\r\n6.1 (4.5)\r\n9.0 (7.4)\r\n10.1 (8.5)\r\n4.0\r\n2.2\r\n6.2\r\n1995\r\n6.6 (4.9)\r\n9.6 (7.9)\r\n10.6 (8.9)\r\n4.0\r\n2.2\r\n6.2\r\n1996\r\n6.4 (5.0)\r\n9.2 (7.9)\r\n10.3 (8.9)\r\n3.9\r\n2.2\r\n6.2\r\n1997\r\n5.3 (4.1)\r\n7.8 (6.6)\r\n8.5 (7.3)\r\n3.2\r\n2.1\r\n5.3\r\n1998\r\n6.1 (4.5)\r\n8.7 (7.2)\r\n9.7 (8.1)\r\n3.6\r\n2.0\r\n5.6\r\n1999\r\n5.2 (4.0)\r\n7.6 (6.4)\r\n8.4 (7.3)\r\n3.3\r\n1.7\r\n5.0\r\n2000\r\n5.6 (4.0)\r\n8.4 (6.8)\r\n9.6 (8.0)\r\n4.0\r\n1.8\r\n5.7\r\n2001\r\n5.7 (4.6)\r\n8.5 (7.4)\r\n9.5 (8.4)\r\n3.8\r\n1.7\r\n5.5\r\n2002\r\n5.4 (4.2)\r\n7.6 (6.4)\r\n8.6 (7.4)\r\n3.2\r\n2.1\r\n5.3\r\n2003\r\n5.6 (4.5)\r\n8.0 (6.9)\r\n9.0 (7.9)\r\n3.4\r\n1.7\r\n5.1\r\n2004\r\n5.8 (4.4)\r\n8.1 (6.7)\r\n8.9 (7.5)\r\n3.1\r\n1.9\r\n4.9\r\n2005\r\n5.3 (4.1)\r\n7.7 (6.5)\r\n8.8 (7.6)\r\n3.5\r\n1.7\r\n5.2\r\n2006\r\n5.3 (4.0)\r\n7.4 (6.2)\r\n8.4 (7.1)\r\n3.1\r\n1.4\r\n4.5\r\n2007\r\n5.6 (4.1)\r\n7.8 (6.4)\r\n8.9 (7.4)\r\n3.3\r\n1.5\r\n4.7\r\n2008\r\n5.4 (4.3)\r\n7.4 (6.4)\r\n8.2 (7.1)\r\n2.8\r\n1.4\r\n4.2\r\n2009\r\n5.3 (4.0)\r\n7.4 (6.0)\r\n8.1 (6.8)\r\n2.8\r\n1.2\r\n4.0\r\n2010\r\n4.9 (3.6)\r\n6.9 (5.6)\r\n7.5 (6.1)\r\n2.6\r\n1.2\r\n3.7\r\n2011\r\n5.1 (3.8)\r\n6.9 (5.6)\r\n7.8 (6.5)\r\n2.7\r\n1.3\r\n4.1\r\n2012\r\n4.7 (3.7)\r\n6.5 (5.5)\r\n7.2 (6.2)\r\n2.6\r\n1.2\r\n3.7\r\n2013\r\n4.2 (3.2)\r\n5.8 (4.8)\r\n6.5 (5.5)\r\n2.3\r\n1.0\r\n3.3\r\n2014\r\n4.0 (3.1)\r\n5.9 (4.9)\r\n6.4 (5.5)\r\n2.4\r\n1.2\r\n3.6\r\nNotes:\r\n1. The Still-Birth (Definition) Act 1992 re-defined stillbirths, from 1 October 1992, to include losses between 24 and 27 weeks gestation. This table is based on all stillbirths registered during the year. The rates in brackets are based on stillbirths with a gestation period of 28 weeks and over.\r\n2. Includes any cases for which the sex was not known.\r\nInfant death rates for Scotland, and for each of the countries in the European Union, and for four other European countries are as follows:\r\nTable 1.6: International populations and vital statistics rates, selected countries, latest available figures\r\nCountry\r\nEstimated population 2014 ('000s)\r\nLive births\r\nStillbirths1\r\nInfant de","AnswerDate":"2015-09-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305554,"EventID":"S4W-27086","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2135,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":92,"ApprovedDate":"2015-08-18T15:31:39.77","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-08-14T16:21:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many low birthweight babies were born in (a) 1999, (b) 2007 and (c) 2014, also expressed as a percentage of all live births.","AnswerText":"The following table shows the number of low birthweight live babies (<2500g), all live births and low birthweight live babies (<2500g) expressed as a percentage of all live births for the financial years ending 31 March 1999, 2007 and 2013, the latest information published by ISD. Information for 2014 is not yet available.\r\nLow Birthweight Live Babies (<2500g) as a Percentage of All Live Births,\r\nScotland, Year Ending 31 March\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nFinancial year\r\n\r\nAll live births\r\n\r\nLow birthweight live births (<2500g)\r\n\r\nPercentage of all live births\r\n\r\n1999\r\n56266\r\n3925\r\n7.0\r\n2007\r\n54832\r\n3781\r\n6.9\r\n2013\r\n56192\r\n3570\r\n6.4\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nSource: SMR02, ISD Scotland","AnswerDate":"2015-09-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305555,"EventID":"S4W-27087","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2015-08-18T15:31:40.52","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-08-15T21:46:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on reviewing the legislation on mooring and navigation licences.","AnswerText":"We have no current plans to review the legislation on mooring and navigation licences on Scotland’s canals.","AnswerDate":"2015-09-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305556,"EventID":"S4W-27088","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2015-08-18T15:31:41.673","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-08-15T21:46:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on introducing legislation to give tenancy rights to people with residential moorings.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has not considered introducing legislation to give tenancy rights to people with residential moorings.","AnswerDate":"2015-09-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305557,"EventID":"S4W-27097","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1866,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-08-18T15:31:43.873","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-08-17T14:57:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it will publish the findings of its study of the sentences applied in wildlife crime cases.","AnswerText":"The Wildlife Crime Penalties Review Group is currently considering a final draft of its report which, when completed, will be submitted to me.","AnswerDate":"2015-09-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen McLeod","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305558,"EventID":"S4W-27098","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1866,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-08-18T15:31:44.87","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-08-17T14:57:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the remit is of its examination of the regulation of game shooting, and when its findings will be published.","AnswerText":"The planned review of the regulation of game shooting will look at measures that are deployed elsewhere, particularly in the European Union. This is expected to be a desk-based study and further details of the work, including the remit and timetable, will be published in due course.","AnswerDate":"2015-09-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen McLeod","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305559,"EventID":"S4W-27099","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1866,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-08-18T15:31:46.603","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-08-17T14:57:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the comments by the Minister for Environment, Climate Change and Land Reform on 11 August 2015, what criteria will be applied in determining whether the licensing of shooting businesses should be introduced, and when this determination will be made. ","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has put in place a number of measures to tackle raptor persecution, including the introduction of vicarious liability, a scheme to remove illegal pesticides from the environment, and restrictions on the use of general licences on land where wildlife crime is believed to have occurred. The report of the Wildlife Crime Penalties Review Group, which was commissioned to review the penalties for wildlife crime, will shortly be submitted to the Scottish Government.\r\n\r\nIt is important that we are able to assess the impact of the measures that have been recently implemented, or are still to be fully implemented, before consideration is given to the introduction of any further measures such as the licensing of shooting businesses.","AnswerDate":"2015-09-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen McLeod","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305560,"EventID":"S4W-27101","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1866,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-08-18T15:31:48.303","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-08-17T15:49:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what consultation it carried out with its scientific advisors prior to its recent decision on GM crops, and what advice they provided.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government made the decision to opt out of cultivating EU approved GM crops on the basis that it is not willing to risk Scotland’s multi-billion pound food and drink sector. Like Europe’s biggest country, Germany, the Scottish Government has restated its long-held policy to maintain a precautionary approach to GM.\r\nGM crops go through scientific assessment before they are authorised by the EU, but Scotland is taking advantage of the EU’s decision to allow member states and regions to opt out for non-scientific reasons.\r\nBoth Science and Advice for Scottish Agriculture and the Chief Scientific Adviser for Rural Affairs, Food and the Environment are sources of expert advice on a range of issues that help inform the government’s position.","AnswerDate":"2015-09-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen McLeod","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305561,"EventID":"S4W-27111","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2033,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":132,"ApprovedDate":"2015-08-18T15:31:49.193","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-08-18T09:20:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when the wastewater pollution incidents risk management guidance (a) was last and (b) will next be reviewed.","AnswerText":"The guidance was developed through a multi-agency approach and the joint working group included Scottish Water, SEPA, Local Authority Environmental Health, NHS boards, Health Protection Scotland and the Scottish Government. The guidance was last updated in 2009 and a review will take place later this year. The effectiveness and improvement of the guidance will be an integral part of the review.","AnswerDate":"2015-09-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen McLeod","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305562,"EventID":"S4W-27112","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2033,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":132,"ApprovedDate":"2015-08-18T15:31:49.8","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-08-18T09:20:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what consultation process was used in the development of the wastewater pollution incidents risk management guidance.","AnswerText":"The guidance was developed through a multi-agency approach and the joint working group included Scottish Water, the Scottish Environment Protection Agency, Local Authority Environmental Health, NHS boards, Health Protection Scotland and the Scottish Government. The guidance was last updated in 2009 and a review will take place later this year. The effectiveness and improvement of the guidance will be an integral part of the review.","AnswerDate":"2015-09-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen McLeod","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305563,"EventID":"S4W-27113","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2033,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":132,"ApprovedDate":"2015-08-18T15:31:50.393","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-08-18T09:20:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the effectiveness of the wastewater pollution incidents risk management guidance.","AnswerText":"The guidance was developed through a multi-agency approach and the joint working group included Scottish Water, the Scottish Environment Protection Agency, Local Authority Environmental Health, NHS boards, Health Protection Scotland and the Scottish Government. The guidance was last updated in 2009 and a review will take place later in 2015. The effectiveness and improvement of the guidance will be an integral part of the review.","AnswerDate":"2015-09-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen McLeod","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305591,"EventID":"S4W-27103","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-08-19T15:15:58.35","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-08-17T18:35:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what information it has regarding how much public money was used by Network Rail to purchase Millerhill rail depot.","AnswerText":"The site at Millerhill was acquired by Network Rail primarily for the purposes of creating a new train operator facility that is required as part of the Edinburgh to Glasgow Improvement Programme. Network Rail paid £9.88 million for the purchase of site, of which £5.928 million was allocated from the Edinburgh to Glasgow Improvements Programme budget.","AnswerDate":"2015-09-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305592,"EventID":"S4W-27107","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-08-19T15:15:59.597","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-08-17T18:35:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of what the impact would be on (a) passenger rail and freight services and (b) rail and supply-chain jobs if (i) Network Rail's proposals regarding the future of Millerhill rail depot were implemented and (ii) Millerhill rail depot was closed.","AnswerText":"The future use of the Millerhill rail depot as a distribution centre for asset renewals and maintenance is a commercial matter for Network Rail. The existing centre, which has been in temporary use to support the construction of the Borders Railway, was acquired by Network Rail primarily for the development of a new train operator facility required as part of the Edinburgh to Glasgow Improvements Programme and construction is scheduled to start in September 2015.\r\nNetwork Rail is currently developing their long term logistics strategy, which includes an option to redevelop land remaining at Millerhill to create a new distribution centre. A detailed assessment of options is underway and Network Rail expects to make a decision on their strategy in autumn 2015.","AnswerDate":"2015-09-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305593,"EventID":"S4W-27108","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-08-19T15:16:00.767","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-08-17T18:35:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what representations it has made to Network Rail regarding the future of Millerhill rail depot and the impact of its plans for the depot on staff and associated employment, and what the outcomes have been.","AnswerText":"The future use of the Millerhill rail depot as a distribution centre for asset renewals and maintenance is a commercial matter for Network Rail, and a process is underway to determine their long term logistics strategy. This includes an option to create a new distribution centre on remaining land at Millerhill and Network Rail is expected to reach a decision on their strategy in autumn 2015. Whilst the final decision is a matter for Network Rail, Transport Scotland officials are working closely with Network Rail to understand all the options being considered and their implications.","AnswerDate":"2015-09-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305594,"EventID":"S4W-27109","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-08-19T15:16:01.767","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-08-17T18:35:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to meet the unions representing railway staff to discuss the future of Millerhill rail depot and the impact of Network Rail’s plans for the depot on this and associated employment.","AnswerText":"Transport Scotland officials have been in direct correspondence with ASLEF regarding the future of the Millerhill Rail Depot and the potential impact on their members.","AnswerDate":"2015-09-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305595,"EventID":"S4W-27114","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5060,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-08-19T15:16:02.64","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-08-18T10:14:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much the increased stakeholding of private sector investors in Scotland’s Schools for the Future Programme will cost.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-26951 on 31 July 2015. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.","AnswerDate":"2015-09-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305596,"EventID":"S4W-27115","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5060,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-08-19T15:16:03.293","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-08-18T10:14:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether the agreed timescale for the design, build, finance and maintenance of St Fergus’ Primary School in Ferguslie Park, Paisley, will be honoured by the Scottish Futures Trust.","AnswerText":"Ministers fully remain committed to delivery of the Government's school building programme, Scotland's Schools for the Future, and hope to be in a position to announce projects to benefit from Phase four in the coming months.","AnswerDate":"2015-09-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305597,"EventID":"S4W-27116","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5060,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-08-19T15:16:03.967","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-08-18T10:14:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to ensure that agreed school or other infrastructure projects are not delayed because of an increased involvement of the private sector in their funding.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-26951 on 31 July 2015. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.","AnswerDate":"2015-09-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305598,"EventID":"S4W-27136","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1814,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":77,"ApprovedDate":"2015-08-19T15:16:04.603","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-08-18T14:32:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on its position on developing an environmental deposit return scheme; what discussions it has had with (a) local authorities, (b) manufacturing companies and (c) other relevant stakeholders regarding such a scheme, and what assessment it has made of the potential (i) advantages and (ii) disadvantages.","AnswerText":"I commissioned a study from Zero Waste Scotland (which can be found here: http://www.zerowastescotland.org.uk/content/deposit-return-system-feasibility-study) to explore the feasibility of a national deposit return system in Scotland. Following publication of this study, Zero Waste Scotland hosted a workshop with key stakeholders and launched a call for evidence that sought further information from all interested parties. Furthermore, the current Scottish Government circular economy consultation, ‘Making Things Last’, is providing a further opportunity for engagement and to explore further the important points raised in the call for evidence.","AnswerDate":"2015-09-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Richard Lochhead","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305599,"EventID":"S4W-27141","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1814,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":77,"ApprovedDate":"2015-08-19T15:16:05.603","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-08-18T14:51:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on whether the British guarantor system for students seeking a private tenancy impacts on its efforts to recruit EU and international students; what impact the system has had in Scotland on the numbers of such students; what its position is on the (i) fairness and (ii) efficiency of the system, and what discussions it has had with (A) the UK Government and (B) relevant stakeholders regarding it.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305600,"EventID":"S4W-27145","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1814,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":77,"ApprovedDate":"2015-08-19T15:16:06.617","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-08-18T14:51:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it considers the British guarantor system to be compatible with its fair housing sector approach.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305601,"EventID":"S4W-27146","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1814,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":77,"ApprovedDate":"2015-08-19T15:16:07.723","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-08-18T14:51:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what support it offers to (a) EU and (b) international students seeking a private-rented tenancy.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305602,"EventID":"S4W-27147","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1814,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":77,"ApprovedDate":"2015-08-19T15:16:09.003","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-08-18T14:51:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on the powers over (a) the British guarantor system applying to students at Scottish institutions and (b) post-work study visas being devolved, and what assessment it has made of the potential benefits of this.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305603,"EventID":"S4W-27148","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1814,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":77,"ApprovedDate":"2015-08-19T15:16:10.097","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-08-18T14:51:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the work of the cross-party group on post-study work visas, and what consideration the group has made of the British guarantor system on (a) EU and (b) international student recruitment.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305604,"EventID":"S4W-27151","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4080,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-08-19T15:16:11.157","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-08-18T16:25:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government in what circumstances information would be given to a child’s named person regarding the (a) instigation and (b) outcome of a children’s hearing, and what information must be provided.","AnswerText":"The instigation and processes around a children’s hearing includes local authority social work involvement. The Children and Young People Act under Part 4 will place duties on local authorities and others, including the principal reporter to share information with the named person service where in their view sharing information is likely to be relevant to the named person functions to provide the child, young person or parent with advice, information, support or help to access services with the aim of promoting supporting or safeguarding the wellbeing of the child.\r\nIt is normal practice now for local authorities and the Scottish Children’s Reporter Administration to seek information from the school and health services when a children’s hearing is being considered. It is also normal practice for social services to share information with the school and health services in the interest of the wellbeing of the child. This may include information relating to the instigation and outcome of a children’s hearing where it is considered that it would be in the wellbeing interest of the child. This practice will continue when Parts 4 and 5 of the Act are commenced.\r\nThe Act does not specify what information should be shared, as each individual child and their circumstances is unique; only information that is likely to be relevant to the named person functions can be shared, and this information is subject to a number of considerations, including the views of the child or young person and the effect the information sharing might have on the child’s or young person’s wellbeing (the likely benefit to wellbeing must outweigh any likely adverse effect on wellbeing that might be a consequence of sharing).","AnswerDate":"2015-09-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen Campbell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305605,"EventID":"S4W-27152","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1866,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-08-19T15:16:11.89","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-08-19T09:35:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the announcement by the Minister for Environment, Climate Change and Land Reform on 9 June 2015 that energy efficiency will be designated as a national infrastructure priority, what new measures it will take to deliver energy efficiency improvements in the transport sector.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government are delivering a number of energy efficiency improvements across the Scottish transport sector. We are installing LED Road Lighting luminaires on the Scottish Trunk Road Network, which can achieve a 50% reduction in energy consumption, and have procured the world’s two first sea going roll-on/roll-off diesel/electric hybrid ferries. Energy efficiency measures have been embedded within our public contracts. The new ScotRail franchise states that the new operator must ensure that all aspects of running the new franchise consider energy efficiency including rolling stock design, timetable preparation and stabling arrangements. There are additional targets to monitor and minimise train traction energy and invest in energy efficiency at Stations and Depots.","AnswerDate":"2015-09-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305606,"EventID":"S4W-27153","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2678,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-08-19T15:16:12.827","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-08-19T11:27:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when the process for gathering material for screening for bowel cancer in 50-year-olds and over was (a) established and (b) last reviewed.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Bowel Screening Programme commenced a phased roll out in June 2007 and by December 2009 all NHS boards in Scotland were participating in the programme. The UK National Screening Committee regularly reviews national screening programmes against international evidence and technology to ensure they remain relevant and fit for purpose. Bowel cancer screening was last reviewed in April 2011 and is currently under review by the committee as part of the regular review cycle. The Scottish Government works closely with the independent expert advisory group, who advise ministers and the NHS in the four UK countries about all aspects of screening.","AnswerDate":"2015-09-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305607,"EventID":"S4W-27154","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2678,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-08-19T15:16:13.497","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-08-19T11:27:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether alternative processes to screen for bowel cancer have been considered or deemed practical.","AnswerText":"The Cabinet Secretary for Health, Wellbeing and Sport announced earlier in 2015 that a new type of test would be introduced to the Scottish Bowel Screening Programme over the next two years. The Quantitative Faecal Immunochemical Test will replace the current Faecal Occult Blood Test. The new test is deemed to be more user friendly than the current test and is expected to help increase participation in the programme.\r\nAdditionally the ‘Bowel Scope Study’ is currently underway within three health boards in Scotland to determine if offering a Flexible Sigmoidoscopy to participants would be a beneficial addition to the Scottish Bowel Screening Programme. The study is due to complete in March 2016, the resulting data will then be analysed and a decision taken upon recommending inclusion to the Bowel Screening Programme.","AnswerDate":"2015-09-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305608,"EventID":"S4W-27155","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2678,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-08-20T14:59:08.26","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-08-19T14:35:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it has assessed the report commissioned by Public Health England, E-cigarettes: an evidence update, and, if so, what (a) its position is on the findings and (b) implications the report will have on the advice provided by NHS Scotland's smoking cessation services.","AnswerText":"The Public Health England report is a welcome addition to the evidence base around e-cigarettes as the Scottish Government continues to develop its overall policy around e-cigarettes. Current evidence suggests e-cigarettes are far less harmful than tobacco and if using them helps smokers quit entirely then that is to be welcomed. Anyone using an e-cigarette to help them quit will most likely see the best results if they do this alongside the support of their local stop smoking services. Scottish Government is working with smoking cessation services in Scotland to explore how they can best help users of e-cigarettes to quit tobacco for good. Further research on the long-term health impacts of e-cigarettes is needed, and we will continue to monitor evidence. Our Health Bill strikes a balance between regulating e-cigarettes and helping those who wish to use them to help stop smoking. By doing so we hope both to prevent smoking from appearing normal again, but also gain the public health benefits from reductions in the use of cigarettes.","AnswerDate":"2015-09-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305609,"EventID":"S4W-27157","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2678,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-08-20T14:59:09.22","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-08-19T14:36:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on the comment in the report, NHS Smoking Cessation Services (Scotland) that \"the rise in the use of electronic cigarettes is a plausible explanation” for the decrease in quit attempts using NHS smoking cessation services.","AnswerText":"Evidence suggests that increased use of e-cigarettes has contributed to a reduction in the popularity of other methods of quitting smoking. Nevertheless, NHS stop smoking services continue to support significant numbers of smokers to give up this deadly habit. Anyone using an e-cigarette to help them quit will most likely see the best results if they do this alongside the support of their local stop smoking services. Scottish Government is working with smoking cessation services in Scotland to explore how they can best help users of e-cigarettes to quit tobacco for good.","AnswerDate":"2015-09-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305610,"EventID":"S4W-27158","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2610,"Party":"Independent","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-08-20T14:59:09.66","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-08-20T13:51:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4O-04445 by Shona Robison on 10 June 2015, on what date it last met the board of NHS Lanarkshire.","AnswerText":"Scottish Government officials attended NHS Lanarkshire's Annual Review on 25 August and I chaired the regular meeting of NHS Board Chairs including the Chair of NHS Lanarkshire on 31 August.","AnswerDate":"2015-09-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305611,"EventID":"S4W-27159","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2610,"Party":"Independent","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-08-20T14:59:10.12","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-08-20T13:51:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government for what reason NHS Lanarkshire has decided to close out-of-hours GP services in Wishaw, and in light of the board failing to meet its interim waiting time targets in August 2015, (a) what its position is on whether it considers the board's decision appropriate and (b) how it will work with the board to reduce waiting times.","AnswerText":"NHS Lanarkshire commissioned a review of its primary care out-of-hours services in September 2013 with a view to enabling improvements in service delivery. Phase 1 of the review concluded in April 2014 and included extensive communication and engagement with staff, service users and the public.\r\nNHS Lanarkshire reported the service being under significant pressure, due to a range of resourcing and other difficulties including securing commitment from GPs, particularly in the busier out-of-hours centres and during peak holiday time such as Christmas and Easter. This difficulty in resource planning led to low morale and service instability. Furthermore, the service was reported as being delivered from inadequate facilities.\r\nNHS Lanarkshire health board approved the current interim service model, which will remain interim until the national review of primary care out-of-hours services has reported its findings and recommendations, which the health board will be required to align with and further, I will be required to approve.\r\nThe national unscheduled care team continues to work closely with the local teams across Scotland, including NHS Lanarkshire, to progress the six essential actions that aim to minimise long waits in A&E and assessment units, by improving patient flow throughout all areas of the hospital and in the community. These actions have already underpinned improvements in NHS boards across Scotland and will ensure best practice is installed throughout the hospital system.","AnswerDate":"2015-09-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305612,"EventID":"S4W-27161","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2610,"Party":"Independent","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-08-20T14:59:10.55","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-08-20T13:52:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, in light of reports that the three most persistently running late train services embark from the area, what action it will take to improve the reliability of rail services in North Lanarkshire.","AnswerText":"Responsibility for operating train services in North Lanarkshire rests with Abellio ScotRail.Officials from Transport Scotland meet regularly with the ScotRail alliance, to ensure that the improvement in performance remains in line with the targets set in the Franchise Agreement. Over the year-to-date, some 199,000 of the 211,800 trains run in the Suburban West service group, of which North Lanarkshire is part, have arrived at their destination within five minutes of the scheduled arrival times 93.8%. The overall target of the ScotRail alliance for reliability, is to achieve a public-performance-measure of 92% by 31 March 2016.","AnswerDate":"2015-09-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305613,"EventID":"S4W-27162","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2610,"Party":"Independent","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-08-20T14:59:11.03","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-08-20T13:52:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on the concept of public ownership of railway services in Scotland.","AnswerText":"It is in Scotland’s interests that the Scottish Government is able to consider the full range of options for structuring our railways, within the boundaries of what is permissible under European law, including models of public ownership. However, this is not possible under the current framework for UK railways, which remains a reserved matter. As proposed by this Government, there is provision within the draft Scotland bill which will enable public sector bodies to bid for future Scottish franchises. This is a step in the right direction, but falls short of the full transfer of railway powers to the Scottish Parliament which we have requested on numerous occasions, including in our submission to the Smith Commission.","AnswerDate":"2015-09-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305614,"EventID":"S4W-27163","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2015-08-20T14:59:11.45","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-08-20T14:08:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what impact the proposed deposit return system would have on the price of milk for consumers.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government commissioned a study from Zero Waste Scotland to explore the feasibility of introducing a national deposit return system in Scotland. Following publication of this study, a call for evidence sought further information. At this stage, no particular model or system has been proposed by the Scottish Government, and we will consider further any issues raised during the call for evidence.","AnswerDate":"2015-09-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Richard Lochhead","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305615,"EventID":"S4W-27164","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2015-08-20T14:59:11.99","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-08-20T14:22:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the First Minister's recent comments about any changes to the Hunting Act 2004 by the UK Parliament, when it plans to consult on changes to the Protection of Wild Mammals (Scotland) Act 2002.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government’s Programme for Government 2015-16, published on 1 September 2015, contains a commitment to review the Protection of Wild Mammals (Scotland) Act 2002 to ensure that it is providing the necessary level of protection for foxes and other wild mammals, while at the same time allowing effective and humane control of these animals where necessary. Should the review conclude that changes to the legislation are required we will aim to consult and bring forward new legislation after May 2016. Details of the remit and timetable for the review will be announced in due course.","AnswerDate":"2015-09-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen McLeod","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305616,"EventID":"S4W-27165","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2015-08-20T14:59:12.81","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-08-20T14:22:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the annual spend is on the Highlands and Islands Veterinary Service Scheme, and whether this is guaranteed at existing levels for 2016-17.","AnswerText":"The annual budget for the Highlands and Islands Veterinary Services scheme is £760,000. There are no plans to reduce this.","AnswerDate":"2015-09-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Richard Lochhead","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305626,"EventID":"S4W-27173","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":2,"MSPID":5074,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":104,"ApprovedDate":"2015-08-21T09:33:39.263","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-08-21T09:18:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when the expansion of the education maintenance allowance will be introduced.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is committed to the education maintenance allowance (EMA) programme and values its contribution in helping young people overcome financial barriers to access learning. To help even more young people the current EMA thresholds will increase to £24,421 for a family with one dependent child and £26,884 for a family with more than one dependent child. Also for the first time part time college students will be able to apply for an EMA. We estimate these changes will support an additional 22,000 young people and will come into effect from 1 January 2016.","AnswerDate":"2015-08-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Annabelle Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305627,"EventID":"S4W-27166","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2117,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-08-21T14:40:06.993","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-08-20T15:27:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what steps it has taken to use the powers it has over (a) the Renewable Obligations scheme (i) banding and (ii) grandfathering and (b) grace periods for current Renewables Obligation scheme applications to mitigate the impact of the changes to the scheme that were announced on 21 July 2015 by the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change.","AnswerText":"The Energy Act 2013 provides the UK Government with the power to close the Renewables Obligation (RO) across the UK. This includes the ability to set grace periods and eligibility criteria. A grace period relates to the closure of the RO and is a provision which allows a developer a certain period of time to accredit a project after the closure date.\r\nThe consultation published by the Department of Energy and Climate Change on \r\n22 July 2015 in relation to closing the RO to solar photovoltaic (PV) projects below 5MW from 1 April 2016 was done so on the basis that the proposal would apply in Scotland. The Scottish Government were not consulted on this matter prior to the consultation being published. I have written to the Secretary of State to express my concern about the impact of the proposal and disappointment at the UK Government’s failure to consult.\r\nDecisions on grandfathering policy and support levels under the RO are matters for Scottish Ministers. Grandfathering is a policy decision that once a generating statement is accredited and receiving RO support at a certain level, the level it receives (i.e. the number of RO certificates) would not change for the lifetime of its support under the scheme.\r\nThe Department of Energy and Climate Change have excluded solar PV of 5MW and below from the grandfathering policy and proposed a banding review for projects in England in Wales.\r\nAs is the case for the wider renewables industry, developers of solar projects need clarity and certainty on the policy environment in order to attract funding and reach financial close. Frequent and unexpected policy changes create huge uncertainty for investors, developers and communities and put at risk important economic developments in Scotland. To maintain a consistent policy framework until the RO closes the Scottish Government is retaining the current policy on grandfathering and support levels for solar PV projects in Scotland.","AnswerDate":"2015-10-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305628,"EventID":"S4W-27167","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2029,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":145,"ApprovedDate":"2015-08-21T14:40:07.663","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-08-20T16:19:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answers to questions S4W-26795 and S4W-26796 by Michael Matheson on 18 August 2015, if the information is not held centrally, what the basis is for the assertion that \"Police Scotland are exceeding their service targets” and whether it will (a) publish the weekly assurance reports and (b) provide the information requested regarding how many (i) 101 and (ii) 999 calls in each month since 2015 were unanswered, and what the average waiting time was.","AnswerText":"As stated in my previous answers S4W-26795 and S4W-26796, since May 2015 the Scottish Police Authority has provided weekly assurance reports to the Scottish Government about the performance of Police Scotland’s call handling service centres at Bilston Glen and Govan. I understand from these reports that Police Scotland’s targets for 90 per cent of 999 calls to be answered within 10 seconds and for 90 per cent of 101 calls and other non-emergency calls to be answered in 40 seconds are being consistently exceeded. Police Scotland advise that they will begin publishing this data on their website during September 2015.","AnswerDate":"2015-09-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305629,"EventID":"S4W-27168","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3806,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-08-21T14:40:08.287","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-08-21T09:19:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on making (a) the fuel additive, Adblue, and (b) commercial natural gas more accessible for HGVs.","AnswerText":"The provision of fuels for vehicles is a matter for the commercial sector. However, the Scottish Government remains committed to the decarbonisation of the road transport sector and recognises that a range of technologies will be required. Transport Scotland meets with stakeholders across the sector on a regular basis to explore how we can work in partnership to achieve this.","AnswerDate":"2015-09-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305630,"EventID":"S4W-27170","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3806,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-08-21T14:40:08.787","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-08-21T09:21:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on providing further support to HGV training centres to encourage more people to become drivers.","AnswerText":"An enthusiastic and trained workforce underpins Scotland's ambition for economic success and our successful Modern Apprenticeship (MA) programme supports this goal by providing individuals with the opportunity to secure industry-recognised qualifications while earning a wage. The Scottish Government, through our national skills body, Skills Development Scotland (SDS), provides a contribution towards the cost of training and assessment for MAs. We primarily prioritise this funding towards young people. However, in recognition that there are industry areas which contribute significantly towards economic growth, we also provide a contribution for MAs aged 25 and above in key and enabling sectors. This includes the framework for Freight Logistics which encompasses the planning, routing and movement of freight across all transport modes road, rail, sea and air as well as associated activities such as warehousing and storage. HGV Training centres may find it beneficial to engage with SDS. Information on how to become an SDS approved provider, delivering national training programmes is available on SDS’ website: \r\nhttp://www.skillsdevelopmentscotland.co.uk/our-services/provider-central/national-training-programmes/, or by calling SDS on 0800 783 6000. SDS has a dedicated employer helpline and a specific web service, Our Skillsforce, offering help on planning, recruiting and developing a skilled workforce:\r\nhttps://www.ourskillsforce.co.uk/. Our Skillsforce includes support available not only from SDS but also Jobcentre Plus, Scotland's local authorities and other partners. I understand that the Road Haulage Association have met with Skills Development Scotland and discussions to explore a range of options available, which may help address the driver shortage, are continuing. ","AnswerDate":"2015-09-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305631,"EventID":"S4W-27171","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3806,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-08-21T14:40:09.24","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-08-21T09:23:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on encouraging hauliers to make use of (a) jumbo tankers and (b) bulk trailer/tankers.","AnswerText":"Haulage services are delivered by the private sector on a commercial basis. Hauliers therefore decide which vehicle, or vehicle combination, to use in line with what is most appropriate for their business. Through the Scottish Freight Logistics Advisory Group, we maintain a close working relationship with our partners across the public and private sectors to identify and facilitate any opportunities to increase the efficiency and sustainability of freight movements in cities.","AnswerDate":"2015-09-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305632,"EventID":"S4W-27172","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3806,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-08-21T14:40:09.707","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-08-21T09:24:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the number of HGVs using the road, what its position is on improving the quality and design of the A95.","AnswerText":"Improvements to the A95 were considered as part of the Strategic Transport Projects Review. That work concluded that local improvements should be considered, and since 2007 over £20 million has been invested to ensure this key route in the north east of Scotland remains safe, efficient and effective.","AnswerDate":"2015-09-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305633,"EventID":"S4W-27174","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3806,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-08-21T14:40:10.173","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-08-21T09:30:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, in light of reports that many are unfit for the transportation of foodstuffs, what action it can take (a) regarding the quality of and (b) to address the reported shortage in steel export/import storage container units. ","AnswerText":"Import/export storage containers are provided and located in response to market demands. As such, the quality and provision of such containers are for the private sector to determine.","AnswerDate":"2015-09-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305634,"EventID":"S4W-27175","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2015-08-21T14:40:10.69","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-08-21T12:09:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will clarify each of the specific irregularities that has been identified by the European Commission leading to the commission's decision to suspend European Social Fund support for Scotland, and what action it is taking to resolve this.","AnswerText":"Irregularities detected by the Audit Authority in the course of their Annual Control Report work in 2014 fall into three main types: final beneficiaries grant recipients failing to comply with public procurement rules, final beneficiaries failing to provide a full audit trail to support the eligibility and reality of project expenditure and final beneficiaries failing to provide time sheets as evidence to support staff costs in projects. The Scottish Government has worked closely with final beneficiaries and the European Commission to respond to issues raised in relation to individual projects; this led in a number of cases to individual error rates reducing and as a result lower programme error rates. An action plan is in place to ensure that organisations are better prepared for visits this year and to provide increased assurance to the European Commission on the management and control of the funds in Scotland.","AnswerDate":"2015-09-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305651,"EventID":"S4W-27186","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":2,"MSPID":3771,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-08-24T14:11:52.37","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-08-24T13:56:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the national support team it put at the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital to help improve performance against the four-hour A&E target identified as the key issues, and what actions have been progressed.","AnswerText":"The key issues identified as hindering performance against the four hour A&E target at the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital (QEUH) were:\r\nBed management - how beds were made available quickly for patients requiring admission to avoid congestion and delay\r\nPatient flow from the Immediate Assessment Unit (IAU) – how beds are made available quickly for patients\r\nInfrastructure to support the delivery of services, e.g. portering services, room cleaning and pharmacy \r\nThe support team worked closely with the local team on site to implement key measures that would support immediate improvements and identified a number of next steps to ensure further improvement and sustainability, including:\r\nOpening hours in the discharge lounge extended from 5pm to 8pm.\r\nRapid Response Team of domestic services formed to cut turnaround time from bed being vacated to being made available again – reduced turnaround time by over half (45 minutes to 20 minutes).\r\nAdditional porters deployed, including dedicated portering service to the discharge lounge, enabling the more timely transfer of patients.\r\nThe streaming of surgical patients directly from IAU to the Acute Receiving Unit to improve flow through the IAU, enabling belter communication and earlier specialist intervention\r\nPrioritising appropriate discharge of patients pre-noon and at weekend and prompt turnaround and notification of bed availability across the site on more of a real time basis\r\nThe Scottish Ambulance Service is working closely with the hospital to ensure that crews are able to transfer patients as quickly and safely as possible, including scheduled weekly meetings with QEUH team\r\nStaff at the QEUH continue to work hard and implement and enhance new ways of working, in line with the new six essential actions, to ensure that all patients are treated with the quality of care they deserve.\r\nPerformance at the QEUH averaged at 84.3% in June 2015. In the week-ending 16 August 2015 performance was 94.8%, an overall improvement of over 16 percentage points since week-ending 14 June 2015 (78.6%).\r\nThe transfer of services to the QEUH has been one of the largest and most complex ever undertaken anywhere in the UK. The support team found that the transfer delivered a range of improvements in service, including: \r\nImaging support for the emergency department which has been commended by staff. \r\nDownstream in-patient specialty ward areas (medical and surgical) reported the ward environment as excellent for patients.\r\nTeam working in these wards was also reported as being well developed with visible clinical leadership.\r\nFurthermore, throughout the transfer of the services the QEUH has maintained its excellent treatment time guarantee performance, including in paediatrics, it continues to see outpatients within the 12 week waiting time period and almost all patients requiring one of the key diagnostic tests are being seen within four weeks.\r\nWeek Ending\r\n4 Hour Performance\r\n12 Hour Waits\r\n17-05-2015\r\n87.9%\r\n0\r\n24-05-2015\r\n83.2%\r\n1\r\n31-05-2015\r\n83.2%\r\n1\r\n07-06-2015\r\n78.3%\r\n8\r\n14-06-2015\r\n78.6%\r\n0\r\n21-06-2015\r\n89.6%\r\n0\r\n28-06-2015\r\n88.6%\r\n0\r\n05-07-2015\r\n94.0%\r\n0\r\n12-07-2015\r\n93.5%\r\n0\r\n19-07-2015\r\n92.6%\r\n0\r\n26-07-2015\r\n88.6%\r\n0\r\n02-08-2015\r\n93.8%\r\n0\r\n09-08-2015\r\n92.7%\r\n1\r\n16-08-2015\r\n94.8%\r\n0","AnswerDate":"2015-08-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305652,"EventID":"S4W-27176","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2673,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":114,"ApprovedDate":"2015-08-24T15:01:52.817","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-08-24T09:08:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with the motor trade sector in Scotland about the potential impact on it of the proposed changes to the MOT requirements for new vehicles.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has not had any discussions with the motor trade sector in Scotland about the UK government proposal to extend the deadline for new cars and motorcycles to have a first MOT test from three years to four. This proposal is subject to public consultation and cost-benefit evaluation, still to be undertaken.","AnswerDate":"2015-09-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305653,"EventID":"S4W-27177","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2673,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":114,"ApprovedDate":"2015-08-24T15:01:53.613","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-08-24T09:09:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the potential economic impact on Scotland of the proposed Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership.","AnswerText":"In his evidence to the European and External Relations Committee on 5 February 2015, the Deputy First Minister noted that the Scottish Government had undertaken indicative modelling of the impact of the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP) on the Scottish economy.\r\nFuller information on this modelling can be found in the Scottish Government response to the 2nd Report 2015 (Session 4) in Annex B: TTIP – Modelling of Economic Impacts on Scotland which was supplied by the Office of the Chief Economic Advisor.","AnswerDate":"2015-09-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305654,"EventID":"S4W-27178","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2633,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-08-24T15:01:54.33","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-08-24T10:27:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-26156 by Fergus Ewing on 15 July 2015, who the (a) First Minister, (b) Cabinet Secretary for Culture, Europe and External Affairs and (c) Cabinet Secretary for Infrastructure, Investment and Cities met in the United States to discuss the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership; when the meetings took place; who else attended; what the outcomes were, and whether it will publish the (i) agendas and (ii) minutes of the meetings.","AnswerText":"All ministerial engagements are proactively published quarterly in arrears on the Scottish Government website at http://www.gov.scot/About/People/14944/Events-Engagements. \r\nScottish Ministers have raised their concerns about the potential impact of the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership on the NHS and other vital public services and on governments in meetings with the US administration. In order to maintain a relationship of trust and confidence with representatives of the US and other foreign governments, details of these discussions are not released.","AnswerDate":"2015-09-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305655,"EventID":"S4W-27179","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1759,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-08-24T15:01:55.267","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-08-24T12:01:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what process will be introduced to identify the need for financial assistance for diversification or decommissioning for fishers who will be displaced because of the recently proposed marine conservation orders for nature conservation marine protected areas and fishing orders for special areas of conservation, and how it will support applications for such assistance.","AnswerText":"The management of marine protected areas and some particular special areas of conservation has not yet been finalised and, in any case, that management remains subject to parliamentary scrutiny. Possible mitigation measures that may be required are currently under consideration by Marine Scotland. The intention is that appropriate mitigation arrangements will be in place as management measures come into force.","AnswerDate":"2015-09-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Richard Lochhead","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305656,"EventID":"S4W-27180","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1759,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-08-24T15:01:55.873","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-08-24T12:01:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its ecological monitoring strategy is for features protected by nature conservation marine protected areas and marine special areas of conservation.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is working with Scottish Natural Heritage, the Joint Nature Conservation Committee and other partners on a program of work identifying biodiversity monitoring needs to fulfil a range of obligations, duties and commitments. Part of this program will be to incorporate ecological monitoring of the new nature conservation marine protected areas into the ongoing program of work to determine the status of existing protected areas in Scottish waters including marine special areas of conservation.","AnswerDate":"2015-09-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Richard Lochhead","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305657,"EventID":"S4W-27182","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1768,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":131,"ApprovedDate":"2015-08-24T15:01:56.467","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-08-24T12:35:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what consultation took place regarding the closure of the A75 between the A76 and the A702 on 22 to 23 August 2015, and who was consulted.","AnswerText":"Initial consultation with both Police Scotland and Dumfries and Galloway Council began in November 2014. On 30 July 2015 a meeting was held between Transport Scotland, Dumfries and Galloway Council, Police Scotland and Scotland TranServ where suitable dates were finalised and diversion routes agreed to minimise disruption to the travelling public. Our operating company, Scotland TranServ, also consulted the organisers of Galloway Country Fair at Drumlanrig Castle and no concerns were raised.","AnswerDate":"2015-09-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305658,"EventID":"S4W-27183","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1768,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":131,"ApprovedDate":"2015-08-24T15:01:57.373","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-08-24T12:35:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government who was notified in advance regarding the closure of the A75 between the A76 and the A702 on 22 to 23 August 2015.","AnswerText":"Police Scotland, Scottish Fire and Rescue Service, P&O Ferries, Stenaline, Alive Radio, Shopkeepers Association, Loreburn Community Council, Tesco, Morrison’s, Lidl, Tariff Country Store, Heathhall Garden Centre, Dalscone Farm, Peel Centre Retail Park, MacDonald’s Fast Food, ‘Dumfries and Galloway What’s Going On’ website, Galloway Country Fair and various petrol stations in the area were notified in advance of the closure. This was carried out by the distribution of information postcards and posters.\r\nTo alert motorists and members of the public of the works, variable message signs were erected on the route, press adverts published and radio messages broadcast advising of the planned works from two weeks before the works.\r\nIn addition the closure was also contained within a Road Order (SSI 204 2015) which was published in the Herald newspaper on 29 May 2015.","AnswerDate":"2015-09-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305659,"EventID":"S4W-27184","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1768,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":131,"ApprovedDate":"2015-08-24T15:01:58.26","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-08-24T12:35:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what information was made available on Transport Scotland’s website regarding the closure of the A75 between the A76 and the A702 on 22 to 23 August 2015.","AnswerText":"Through the Traffic Scotland service https://trafficscotland.org/ Transport Scotland provides a high quality public service delivering traffic information for road users on Scotland’s motorway and trunk road network.\r\nA news story advertising the proposed works was placed on the Traffic Scotland website on 18 August 2015. The works were also advertised on the ‘Planned Roadworks’ page of the Traffic Scotland website prior to the start date and thereafter details transferred to the ‘Current Works’ page of the Traffic Scotland website. During the event Inrix broadcast details of the closure to all media partners and Traffic Scotland tweeted live updates.","AnswerDate":"2015-09-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305660,"EventID":"S4W-27185","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-08-24T15:01:59.18","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-08-24T13:42:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much it has received each quarter in rebate payments under the Pharmaceutical Price Regulation Scheme, and what the estimated receipts are for the remainder of the scheme.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has received the following amounts from 2014 Pharmaceutical Price Regulation Scheme payments, as defined by the scheme, relating to the following quarters:\r\n January to March 2014 £7,194,507.98\r\nApril to June 2014 £7,053,634.24\r\nJuly to September 2014 £7,232,222.23\r\nOctober to December 2014 £7,525,932.98\r\nJanuary to March 2015 £19,583,325.70\r\n As explained in my answer to S4W-26771 on 7 August 2015, then as set out in the Pharmaceutical Price Regulation Scheme agreement between the Department of Health and the Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry, payment percentages are adjusted annually. The annual payment percentages for future years are not yet available. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.","AnswerDate":"2015-09-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305677,"EventID":"S4W-27190","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-08-25T14:28:53.4","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-08-24T16:49:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when the Crown Office report into the Jim Clark Rally tragedy will be published. ","AnswerText":"Investigations into the circumstances at the Jim Clark Rally in May 2014 are currently ongoing by the health and safety division (HSD) at Crown Office. These investigations are to determine whether there will be any criminal proceedings arising out of the events and thereafter to decide whether there should be an inquiry. An interim report by HSD has been considered by Crown Counsel and further investigations including expert reports have been instructed. Once the further enquiries have been completed the matter will be reported back to Crown Counsel to take a final decision. Although the decision in relation to criminal proceedings or an inquiry will be made public, reports from investigating agencies and procurators fiscal are confidential and are not published.","AnswerDate":"2015-09-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Frank Mulholland","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305678,"EventID":"S4W-27191","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4939,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":78,"ApprovedDate":"2015-08-25T14:28:54.32","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-08-24T17:22:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what progress has been made with the Forth Estuary flood risk management plan.","AnswerText":"Scottish Environment Protection Agency published the draft flood risk management strategy for the Forth Estuary on 22 December 2014, and carried out a joint consultation with the lead local authority for the Forth Estuary (City of Edinburgh Council) on the draft strategy and Local Flood Risk Management Plan. The final strategy will be approved by Scottish Ministers and published by 22 December 2015, with the local plan being published by June 2016.","AnswerDate":"2015-09-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen McLeod","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305679,"EventID":"S4W-27192","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4939,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":78,"ApprovedDate":"2015-08-25T14:28:55.193","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-08-24T20:04:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it last met Falkirk Council to discuss the Grangemouth Investment Zone national development.","AnswerText":"Scottish Government officials attended the last Grangemouth Investment Zone action group meeting, arranged and attended by Falkirk Council officials, on 22 April 2015.","AnswerDate":"2015-09-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305680,"EventID":"S4W-27194","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-08-25T14:28:55.693","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-08-24T15:39:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much the Scottish Futures Trust has paid to staff in each year since 2010, also broken down by (a) salaries, (b) bonuses, (c) pension payments and (d) other remuneration.","AnswerText":"The following table provides a breakdown of the staff costs for Scottish Futures Trust since 2009-10:\r\nYear Ended\r\n2009-10\r\n2010-11\r\n2011-12\r\n2012-13\r\n2013-14\r\n2014-15\r\n\r\n£\r\n£\r\n£\r\n£\r\n£\r\n£\r\nSalaries (note 1)\r\n663,036\r\n1,899,328\r\n2,394,143\r\n3,093,457\r\n3,719,550\r\n4,561,652\r\nBonuses\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\nPension costs (note 2)\r\n123,142\r\n192,581\r\n224,244\r\n385,133\r\n709,943\r\n1,110,319\r\nOther remuneration\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\nNotes\r\nThis figure includes gross salary, car allowance, IAS19 holiday accrual and staff benefits (childcare vouchers etc).\r\nThis figure is made up of employer payments in the year and IAS19 service costs.","AnswerDate":"2015-09-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305681,"EventID":"S4W-27195","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-08-25T14:28:56.397","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-08-24T15:39:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many Scottish Futures Trust staff have received (a) up to £20,000, (b) £20,001 to £50,000, (c) £50,001 to £100,000, (d) £100,001 to £200,000 and (e) over £200,001 in remuneration in each year since 2010.","AnswerText":"The following table shows the number of Scottish Futures Trust staff broken down by pay range:\r\nYear Ended\r\n2009-10\r\n2010-11\r\n2011-12\r\n2012-13\r\n2013-14\r\n2014-15\r\nSalary received in year (£)\r\nStaff Numbers\r\nStaff Numbers\r\nStaff Numbers\r\nStaff Numbers\r\nStaff Numbers\r\nStaff Numbers\r\nUp to 20,000\r\n0\r\n9\r\n6\r\n16\r\n11\r\n9\r\n20,001 – 50,000\r\n8\r\n7\r\n11\r\n14\r\n23\r\n17\r\n50,001 – 100,000\r\n3\r\n10\r\n14\r\n18\r\n23\r\n38\r\n100,001 – 200,000\r\n1\r\n6\r\n6\r\n7\r\n7\r\n7\r\nOver 200,001\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\nTOTAL\r\n12\r\n32\r\n37\r\n55\r\n64\r\n71\r\nNotes:\r\nThe table excludes Non-Executive Directors. \r\nRemuneration is based on salary and car allowance paid per employee excluding employers’ National Insurance and pension contributions. \r\nSalaries received in year includes part years for staff recruited in that year.","AnswerDate":"2015-09-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305682,"EventID":"S4W-27196","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-08-25T14:28:57.067","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-08-24T15:39:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much the Scottish Futures Trust has paid to contractors in bonuses in each year since 2010.","AnswerText":"Since 2009-2010 no bonuses have been paid by the Scottish Futures Trust to contractors in any year.","AnswerDate":"2015-09-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305683,"EventID":"S4W-27197","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-08-25T14:28:57.77","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-08-25T09:55:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what resources have been allocated to (a) SEPA and (b) other public bodies to tackle non-native invasive plant species in the Scottish Borders in each year since 2011.","AnswerText":"Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) activities are funded through a combination of grant in aid support and charging to recover economic costs of its regulatory actions. These support SEPA’s delivery of its statutory obligations with regard to the delivery of the relevant regulatory requirements such as invasive species. Through the Water Environment Fund (WEF) it is working in partnership with the Rivers and Fisheries Trust of Scotland to implement a strategic national programme of invasives plant control across Scotland. This is funded with up to £100,000 from the Scottish Government per year since 2011. Other public bodies that take action to control non-native plants are mainly Scottish Natural Heritage, who are the overall lead agency for non-native species, and local authorities. The majority of local authority funding, including any funding which councils may wish to allocate for the control of non-native species, is provided by means of a revenue block grant. It is the responsibility of individual local authorities to manage their own budgets and to allocate the total financial resources available to them, including any locally raised funding. They do this on the basis of local needs and priorities, having first fulfilled their statutory obligations and the jointly agreed set of national and local priorities.\r\nThe Scottish Government allocates a budget annually to SNH, in accordance with published spending plans approved by the Scottish Parliament, which they are responsible for managing to fulfil their statutory functions and deliver priorities directly supporting the Scottish Government’s commitments with respect to protecting and improving the natural environment. This includes advice and strategies aimed at addressing non-native species, in their role as lead agency on the issue. Strategic control of invasive non-native plants in the Scottish Borders is delivered through the Tweed Forum. In addition to this, control of some non-native species is directly supported by a number of options in Scotland’s Rural Development Programme. A breakdown of relevant funding is given in the following table:\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nTweed Invasives Project *\r\nIntegrated Catchment Management Planning * (Note that, in any given year, only 5 to 10% of this grant aid was for INNS related work)\r\n\r\nSRDP funding ** (awards to all beneficiaries within the Borders Regional Project Assessment Committee area)\r\n\r\n\r\n2010-11\r\n£ 4,775.22 (SNH)\r\n£49,500.00 (from SEPA WEF)\r\n\r\n\r\n£64.00 (JK)\r\n£2755.20 (GH)\r\n2011\r\n2011-12\r\n2012-13\r\n2013-14\r\n2014-15\r\nPart funding from the European Union’s INTERREG IVA programme through the CIRB (Controlling Priority Invasive Non-native Riparian Plants and Restoring Native Biodiversity) project\r\n\r\n£10,500.00 (from SEPA WEF)\r\n£27,838.97 (SNH)\r\n\r\n£64.00 (JK)\r\n£2441.60 (GH)\r\n2012\r\n£14,062.50 (from SEPA WEF)\r\n£20,864.60 (SNH)\r\n\r\n£64.00 (JK)\r\n£2441.60 (GH)\r\n2013\r\n£14,312.50 (from SEPA WEF)\r\n£36,563.91 (SNH)\r\n\r\n£64.00 (JK)\r\n£2352.00 (GH)\r\n2014\r\n£14,312.50\r\n(from SEPA WEF)\r\n\r\n£30,000.00 (SNH)\r\n\r\n£2240.00 (GH)\r\n\r\n2015\r\nFunding is given for financial years.\r\nSRDP funding is given for calendar years and broken down by plant: \r\nJK = Japanese knotweed, GH = giant hogweed, no awards for Himalayan balsam or rhododendron.","AnswerDate":"2015-09-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen McLeod","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305684,"EventID":"S4W-27198","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-08-25T14:28:58.407","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-08-25T09:55:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what it is doing to monitor and prevent the spread of Himalayan Balsam in the Scottish Borders.","AnswerText":"At a national level, changes in distribution of plants are monitored by the Botanical Society of the British Isles. The Society periodically publishes a complete Atlas of plant distributions, based on 10km square records gathered by volunteers. Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) ecologists record non-native bankside plant species at all their programmed monitoring sites, which on the River Tweed catchment includes approximately 75 sites per year. In addition, more detailed river corridor surveys are carried out on priority catchments. In the Scottish Borders the Eye Water has been surveyed, with more planned for future years.\r\nScottish Natural Heritage (SNH) monitors Himalayan balsam along the River Tweed and its tributaries as part of a wider Site Condition Monitoring programme. The River Tweed Special Area for Conservation is the only protected nature site in the Scottish Borders where Himalayan balsam has been reported as a pressure on the features of interest. A river habitat survey was carried out in 2004 and 2013, and is due to be repeated in 2019. Of some 200 points sampled, 10% failed because of high densities of Himalayan balsam in 2004 compared with only 5% in 2013. The fluctuation was not linked to any coordinated control programmes and probably reflects the transient nature of high density stands of Himalayan balsam on river banks.\r\nHimalayan balsam is already widespread throughout much of the Scottish Borders but there are some areas where it is rare or absent. The priority is to understand how non-native species invade and take steps to prevent their establishment and spread. To this end SNH and SEPA promote best practice advice to the construction industry and planners through the NetRegs website and work with infrastructure managers such as Network Rail and Scottish Water to help them avoid facilitating the spread of invasive species via their networks. SEPA works with partners such as the Tweed Forum in promoting biosecurity to prevent spread of non-native species. A trial of a rust fungus as a biological control agent for Himalayan balsam is underway, with funding from Defra and the Scottish Government. One of the sites for field trials for the rust fungus is on the on the River Till in the Tweed catchment, on the English side of the border.","AnswerDate":"2015-09-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen McLeod","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305685,"EventID":"S4W-27201","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2015-08-25T14:28:58.953","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-08-25T12:05:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-26869 by Humza Yousaf on 24 August 2015, with which countries since 2011 it has had discussions where it has decided to decline to confirm or deny whether certain topics were discussed.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has had discussions a number of countries since 2011, many of which need to remain private for the reasons I gave previously.","AnswerDate":"2015-09-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305686,"EventID":"S4W-27202","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2015-08-25T14:28:59.797","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-08-25T12:05:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-26869 by Humza Yousaf on 24 August 2015, whether the US Government asked it to refuse to confirm or deny if the Shaker Aamer case was raised at the meeting.","AnswerText":"The US Government made no such request and was not consulted by the Scottish Government about the release of information relating to the First Minister’s meeting with the US Deputy Secretary of State.","AnswerDate":"2015-09-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305687,"EventID":"S4W-27203","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2015-08-25T14:29:00.7","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-08-25T12:05:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-26869 by Humza Yousaf on 24 August 2015, whether the US Government was provided with a draft of its news release listing the topics discussed at the meeting between the First Minister and the Deputy Secretary of State and, if so, whether the US requested any topics to be redacted.","AnswerText":"No.","AnswerDate":"2015-09-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305688,"EventID":"S4W-27204","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2015-08-25T14:29:01.42","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-08-25T12:05:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-26869 by Humza Yousaf on 24 August 2015, whether the US Government has been consulted on which topics discussed at the meeting between the First Minister and the Deputy Secretary of State can be referred to in parliamentary answers. ","AnswerText":"No.","AnswerDate":"2015-09-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305689,"EventID":"S4W-27205","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2015-08-25T14:29:02.323","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-08-25T12:05:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-26869 by Humza Yousaf on 24 August 2015, whether its policy position of not commenting in Parliamentary answers about certain topics discussed at meetings with foreign governments was taken to prior to the minister making his comments about the UK Government in his answer to the supplementary to question S4O-02111 on 15 May 2013 (Official Report, c.19791). ","AnswerText":"That discussions with representatives of overseas governments must sometimes remain private is a well-established principle, as recognised in legislation such as the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002.","AnswerDate":"2015-09-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305690,"EventID":"S4W-27206","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2015-08-25T14:29:03.133","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-08-25T12:05:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-26869 by Humza Yousaf on 24 August 2015, who took the decision to decline to confirm or deny whether the Shaker Aamer case was raised at the meeting.","AnswerText":"Scottish Ministers took the decision.","AnswerDate":"2015-09-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305691,"EventID":"S4W-27207","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2015-08-25T14:29:03.867","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-08-25T12:05:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-26869 by Humza Yousaf on 24 August 2015, whether there have been topics discussed at its meetings with the (a) Qatari and (b) Chinese Government that it will decline to confirm or deny were raised. ","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-27201 on 17 September 2015. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.","AnswerDate":"2015-09-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305692,"EventID":"S4W-27209","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2117,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-08-25T14:29:04.71","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-08-25T12:11:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much the Scottish Loan Fund has invested in each year since 2012, which companies have received such loans, how much of each loan has been repaid and what monies have been written-off.","AnswerText":"This is an operational matter for Scottish Enterprise. I will ask its chief executive to reply to you.","AnswerDate":"2015-09-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305693,"EventID":"S4W-27210","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2117,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-08-25T14:29:05.32","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-08-25T12:11:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much of the £5 million invested in Fletcher Shipping by the Scottish Loan Fund it expects to be repaid following the announcement that the company has gone into administration. ","AnswerText":"This is an operational matter for Scottish Enterprise. I will ask its chief executive to reply to you.","AnswerDate":"2015-09-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305694,"EventID":"S4W-27211","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2117,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-08-25T14:29:05.973","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-08-25T12:11:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what measures it took, prior to the announcement that Fletcher Shipping was to go into administration, to secure the public funds invested in the company through the Scottish Loan Fund.","AnswerText":"This is an operational matter for Scottish Enterprise. I will ask its chief executive to reply to you.","AnswerDate":"2015-09-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305719,"EventID":"S4O-04518","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":2673,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":114,"ApprovedDate":"2015-08-26T13:32:29.093","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-08-26T10:53:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what progress it has made in encouraging businesses to sign-up to the Scottish Business Pledge.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-09-02T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305720,"EventID":"S4O-04519","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":2059,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":91,"ApprovedDate":"2015-08-26T13:32:29.937","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-08-26T09:56:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what progress it has made in introducing the living wage to public sector workers in Rutherglen.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-09-02T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305721,"EventID":"S4O-04520","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":2159,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":88,"ApprovedDate":"2015-08-26T13:32:30.56","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-08-24T15:06:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to tackle youth unemployment in Glasgow Provan.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-09-02T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305722,"EventID":"S4O-04521","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":2595,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-08-26T13:32:31.183","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-08-25T16:15:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the Youth Employment Scotland Fund. ","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-09-02T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305723,"EventID":"S4O-04522","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":5034,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-08-26T13:32:32.043","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-08-24T12:06:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the recommendation by the Commission for Developing Scotland's Young Workforce, how many secondary schools in Dundee are paired with an employer.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-09-02T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305724,"EventID":"S4O-04523","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":1741,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-08-26T13:32:32.573","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-08-24T12:06:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, in light of recommendation 12 of the report of the Commission for Developing Scotland's Young Workforce, what progress it is making in ensuring that there is a focus on STEM subjects to help young people into employment.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-09-02T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305725,"EventID":"S4O-04524","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":2826,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":84,"ApprovedDate":"2015-08-26T13:32:33.417","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-08-25T10:27:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on its strategy for supporting access to work for disabled people.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-09-02T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305726,"EventID":"S4O-04525","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-08-26T13:32:34.07","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-08-24T12:06:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what it is doing to support skills opportunities in the textile sector across South Scotland. ","AnswerText":"This Government has exceeded its target to deliver over 25,000 Modern Apprenticeships each year with over 101,000 new opportunities delivered in this parliamentary term. In the Scottish Borders and Dumfries and Galloway local authority areas, 1,160 individuals started a modern apprenticeship during 2014 to 2015. Our national skills body, Skills Development Scotland (SDS), is involved in a range of activity and partnership work on a local and national level to support skills opportunities in the textile sector across the south of Scotland and in other areas. SDS is an active member of the Scottish Textiles Skills Partnership and the National Textiles Forum, the Industry leadership group for the sector. SDS plays an active development role with many of the companies in the sector though its participation in the Regional Textiles Training Groups in Scottish Borders. SDS also has direct relationships with textiles companies locally via the team of relationship accounts executives and employer engagement advisers across Scotland.","AnswerDate":"2015-09-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-09-02T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"Roseanna Cunningham","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305727,"EventID":"S4O-04526","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":3061,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-08-26T13:32:34.82","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-08-26T11:58:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to encourage apprenticeships in the chemicals and energy sectors.","AnswerText":"The skills investment plans for chemical sciences and energy include action with industry to increase the number of Modern Apprenticeships (MA) in both of these important sectors. A sector specific MA leaflet has been developed to help raise awareness within the energy sector. These will be targeted at raising awareness of MA opportunities in areas that are under-utilised, such as the MA in Sustainable Resource Management and the MA in Installation and Commissioning. Additionally, the Skills Development Scotland marketing campaign, You Work, You Earn, You learn was actively encouraging women to consider Modern Apprenticeships in STEM areas such as energy and engineering.","AnswerDate":"2015-09-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-09-02T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"Annabelle Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305728,"EventID":"S4O-04527","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2015-08-26T13:32:35.677","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-08-26T10:09:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will implement the recommendations outlined in the report by the Scottish Commission on Older Women, Older Women and Work: Looking to the Future.","AnswerText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will implement the recommendations outlined in the report by the Scottish Commission on Older Women, Older Women and Work: Looking to the Future. I welcome the Scottish Commission on Older Women's report, which I read with interest. The Scottish Government absolutely agrees that supporting women of all ages in the labour market is a key priority and that older women face particular challenges. Female employment is at a historically high rate, and over a third of the increase in overall employment over the last year came from women aged over fifty getting jobs. We recognise that beneath this there is more work to be done to enable a level playing field for women. We are already making progress on a number of these issues and will do everything within our power to help older women play a valuable role in the Scottish economy. We will certainly take into account the recommendations helpfully outlined in the report.","AnswerDate":"2015-09-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-09-02T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"Annabelle Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305729,"EventID":"S4O-04528","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":5106,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":118,"ApprovedDate":"2015-08-26T13:32:37.13","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-08-24T12:08:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much it is spending in 2015-16 to mitigate the UK Government’s social security reforms.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-09-02T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305730,"EventID":"S4O-04529","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":2674,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":99,"ApprovedDate":"2015-08-26T13:32:38.11","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-08-24T12:08:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it considers that enough is being done to tackle prejudice towards people with faith.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-09-02T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305731,"EventID":"S4O-04530","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":1893,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-08-26T13:32:38.673","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-08-24T12:08:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to use the additional welfare and employment support powers proposed in the Scotland Bill.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-09-02T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305732,"EventID":"S4O-04531","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":1814,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":77,"ApprovedDate":"2015-08-26T13:32:39.327","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-08-24T12:08:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when the Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice, Communities and Pensioners' Rights last met Citizens Advice Scotland and what was discussed.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-09-02T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305733,"EventID":"S4O-04532","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":2615,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":143,"ApprovedDate":"2015-08-26T13:32:40.653","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-08-24T12:08:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on the recent admission by the UK Government that it used fake quotes to promote its benefit sanctions regime in Scotland and across the UK.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-09-02T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305734,"EventID":"S4O-04533","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":5080,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-08-26T13:32:41.23","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-08-25T11:49:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it supports town centre regeneration in Central Scotland. ","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-09-02T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305735,"EventID":"S4O-04534","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":1853,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":86,"ApprovedDate":"2015-08-26T13:32:41.777","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-08-26T09:21:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what process communities should follow to apply for funding from the Town Centre Communities Capital Fund.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-09-02T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305736,"EventID":"S4O-04535","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":2853,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":81,"ApprovedDate":"2015-08-26T13:32:42.9","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-08-25T15:22:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what it is doing to encourage developers to build housing on brownfield sites rather than bring forward plans for using agricultural and greenbelt land.","AnswerText":"Scottish Planning Policy requires that development plans promote sustainable development and consider the re-use or re-development of brownfield land over greenfield sites.","AnswerDate":"2015-09-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-09-02T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Burgess","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305737,"EventID":"S4O-04536","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":4984,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-08-26T13:32:43.557","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-08-25T16:11:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to increase support for local participation and decision-making in planning applications outside of local development plans. ","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-09-02T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305738,"EventID":"S4O-04537","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-08-26T13:32:44.087","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-08-24T14:57:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what advice and support it provides to local authorities and private landlords regarding unauthorised Gypsy/Traveller sites.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government published guidelines for managing unauthorised camping in 2004. These have been reviewed in the past, and we have begun a further review which will involve the Police, local authorities, Gypsy/Travellers, and others.","AnswerDate":"2015-09-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-09-02T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305739,"EventID":"S4O-04538","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":1860,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-08-26T13:32:45.49","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-08-25T12:06:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether a public local inquiry will be held following the publication of the draft road order material for the A9 Berriedale Braes improvement scheme. ","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-09-03T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305740,"EventID":"S4O-04539","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":1932,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":117,"ApprovedDate":"2015-08-26T13:32:46.503","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-08-24T12:09:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what further consultation is planned with regard to the Land Reform (Scotland) Bill.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-09-03T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305741,"EventID":"S4O-04540","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":2033,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":132,"ApprovedDate":"2015-08-26T13:32:48.05","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-08-24T12:09:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether the new Haddington Community Hospital will be completed by 2019.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-09-03T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305742,"EventID":"S4O-04541","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":2603,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-08-26T13:32:48.61","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-08-24T12:09:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with Aberdeen City and Aberdeenshire councils on progressing the bid for the Aberdeen City Region deal.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-09-03T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305743,"EventID":"S4O-04542","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":4947,"Party":"Independent","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-08-26T13:32:49.657","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-08-25T13:54:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to ensure availability of GPs in remote and rural areas.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-09-03T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305744,"EventID":"S4O-04543","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":2675,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":93,"ApprovedDate":"2015-08-26T13:32:50.28","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-08-24T12:09:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what recent discussions it has had with NHS Highland regarding staff shortages and hard-to-fill posts.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-09-03T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305745,"EventID":"S4O-04544","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-08-26T13:32:51.293","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-08-24T12:09:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the average cost is to keep a patient in hospital for one week.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-09-03T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305746,"EventID":"S4O-04545","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":2123,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":103,"ApprovedDate":"2015-08-26T13:32:52.293","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-08-24T12:09:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what rate of landfill tax will apply to the disposal of contaminated soil.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-09-03T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305747,"EventID":"S4O-04546","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":1882,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":129,"ApprovedDate":"2015-08-26T13:32:52.87","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-08-25T13:46:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with the UK Government on changes to the carbon price support mechanism to support the restoration of opencast sites.","AnswerText":"The UK Government undertook in its March Budget to work with the Scottish Government in order to find a solution enabling restoration of opencast sites.\r\nThe Scottish Government has written to the UK Government on three occasions to make progress. UK and Scottish Governments with key industry representatives discussed this on 27 August 2015. The carbon price support exemption proposal was discussed at length during this meeting and the taskforce is now awaiting a response from the UK Government on the matter.","AnswerDate":"2015-09-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-09-03T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305748,"EventID":"S4O-04547","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":5107,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":124,"ApprovedDate":"2015-08-26T13:32:53.79","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-08-24T12:09:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to ensure that children are better supported by the education maintenance allowance.","AnswerText":"The First Minister announced that the education maintenance allowance (EMA) programme will be expanded to support more young people. These changes include raising the eligibility threshold and extending the scheme to part time college students and will come into effect from 1 January 2016. EMAs have already helped thousands of young people Scotland stay on in education to build up their skills and employability. It is estimated that an additional 22,000 young people will become eligible for EMA under the revised eligibility criteria.","AnswerDate":"2015-09-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-09-03T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"Annabelle Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305749,"EventID":"S4W-27187","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2610,"Party":"Independent","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-08-26T15:26:20.31","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-08-24T15:55:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what criteria its reporters use when considering whether to overturn planning applications that have been previously rejected by local authorities.","AnswerText":"The Town and Country Planning (Scotland) Act 1997 sets out that the reporter must make their decision in accordance with the development plan unless material considerations indicate otherwise. The reporter will consider all the evidence submitted by parties involved in an appeal and make their decision on the planning merits of the case.","AnswerDate":"2015-09-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305750,"EventID":"S4W-27188","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2610,"Party":"Independent","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-08-26T15:26:21.31","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-08-24T15:56:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the reported proximity to homes and schools, for what reason its reporter approved Clean Powers Properties’ application to build an incinerator in Hamilton.","AnswerText":"The Town and Country Planning Scotland Act 1997 sets out that the reporter must make their decision in accordance with the development plan unless material considerations indicate otherwise. The reporter will consider the status of the plan, any emerging policies that may be relevant, and all the evidence submitted by parties involved in an appeal, and make their decision on the planning merits of the case. Having regard to the development plan the reporter considered that the determining issues in this appeal were whether there was a need for the proposal, and whether it would have acceptable effects on the living conditions of nearby residents, the historic environment, the green network, and nature conservation interests. The reporter concluded that the proposal satisfied almost all requirements of the development plan and that any conflict was of a minor nature and outweighed by the benefits of the scheme which would:\r\nMake a valuable contribution towards the significant national shortfall in the provision of waste management infrastructure.\r\nHave an acceptable impact on local communities and would cause no significant individual or cumulative local environmental effects.\r\nHave no significant impact on any of the built heritage features and has imposed a condition to secure a programme of archaeological works to protect the historic assets within the historic environment.\r\nDespite the localised adverse effect on the green network and consequent development plan conflict, cause very limited harm to the green network as a whole.\r\nNot have any significant effects on the nature conservation interests and would not threaten the objectives of the designation and the overall integrity of the area.\r\nThe reporter gave consideration in his decision notice to the concerns expressed by local residents over potential adverse effects on public health due to emissions of pollutant gases and dust from the site itself during construction and operation and as a result of traffic congestion, bearing in mind the close proximity of residential areas, three schools, a food factory and a leisure centre. The council’s environmental health team, the roads authority and Transport Scotland all raised no objections to the proposals and SEPA also confirmed that it was satisfied with the proposals. The reporter further concluded that, subject to safeguards which SEPA have confirmed would be Pollution Prevention and Control requirements, noise emissions from the building would not have any significant adverse effects on any residential neighbour.","AnswerDate":"2015-09-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305751,"EventID":"S4W-27189","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2610,"Party":"Independent","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-08-26T15:26:21.9","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-08-24T15:56:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what consideration its reporter gave to the reported over 540 objections to the proposal from the public to Clean Powers Properties’ application to build an incinerator in Hamilton.","AnswerText":"The Town and Country Planning (Scotland) Act 1997 sets out that the reporter must make their decision in accordance with the development plan unless material considerations indicate otherwise. The reporter will consider the status of the plan, any emerging policies that may be relevant, and all the evidence submitted by parties involved in an appeal, and make their decision on the planning merits of the case. The reporter gave full consideration to all representations made by parties involved in this appeal and his decision notice gave detailed consideration to the issues raised in these representations.","AnswerDate":"2015-09-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305752,"EventID":"S4W-27212","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2135,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":92,"ApprovedDate":"2015-08-26T15:26:22.977","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-08-25T16:10:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-26769 by Michael Matheson on 17 August 2015, whether it considers that the expense incurred by people having to travel to other islands or the mainland to get affidavit administration because they cannot access this on the island where they live is consistent with its policy objective of seeking to support and maintain island populations, and what the reason is for its position is on this matter.","AnswerText":"As I said in response to S4W-26769, given the relatively low volume of affidavit administration business, the Scottish Government currently has no plans to make arrangements for affidavit administration on islands where there are no resident justices of the peace, no resident notaries public and no Justice of the peace court. However, the Scottish Government is very aware of the many unique challenges facing island communities, which is why the First Minister announced on 1 June 2015 that a public consultation will be launched later this summer on plans for more autonomy for Scotland’s islands. This will include looking at possibilities of providing more power, equality and protection for islands to allow them to build a more prosperous and fairer future for their communities.","AnswerDate":"2015-09-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305753,"EventID":"S4W-27213","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1866,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-08-26T15:26:24.087","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-08-25T17:15:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-19275 by Paul Wheelhouse on 30 January 2014, how many people had attended the training by 1 August 2015.","AnswerText":"By 1 August 2015, 2386 people had attended and completed a snaring training course.","AnswerDate":"2015-09-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen McLeod","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305754,"EventID":"S4W-27214","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1866,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-08-26T15:26:25.52","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-08-25T17:15:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-22977 by Paul Wheelhouse on 14 November 2014, how many people had obtained an identification number by 1 August 2015.","AnswerText":"By 1 August 2015, 1,166 snare users, having attended the required training, had obtained their snaring identification number from the Chief Constable of Police Scotland. ","AnswerDate":"2015-09-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen McLeod","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305755,"EventID":"S4W-27215","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1866,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-08-26T15:26:26.597","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-08-25T17:15:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question SW4-25062 by Aileen McLeod on 21 April 2015, what the timeframe is for the review and how it will be carried out.","AnswerText":"The timeframe for the Snaring Review is set out under Section 11F of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981. This section states that the review must be completed no later than 31 December 2016. The details of the procedure for the review will be announced in due course once they have been finalised.","AnswerDate":"2015-09-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen McLeod","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305756,"EventID":"S4W-27216","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1866,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-08-26T15:26:27.86","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-08-25T17:15:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what secondary legislation under the Animal Health and Welfare (Scotland) Act 2006 it plans to introduce before March 2016.","AnswerText":"As noted in answer to question S4W-25563 on 2 June 2015, it is planned to bring the Microchipping of Dogs (Scotland) Regulations 2016 into force in January 2016, with the requirement for mandatory microchipping of all dogs coming into effect in April 2016.\r\nAll answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at: \r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.","AnswerDate":"2015-09-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Richard Lochhead","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305757,"EventID":"S4W-27217","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1866,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-08-26T15:26:28.827","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-08-25T17:15:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what progress it is making towards the development of an animal health and welfare strategy.","AnswerText":"Effective animal health and welfare policies that build on Scotland’s reputation for good husbandry are essential for the future of the livestock industry. Discussions have already taken place with stakeholders and identified a number of possible initiatives. However, decisions will need to take into account the outcome of the ongoing national discussion on what the industry will be like in 2025, which followed the publication of the The Future of Scotland’s Agriculture at the 2015 Royal Highland Show.\r\nA group of stakeholders, supported by the Scottish Government and chaired by Stuart Earley, Chief Executive of the Scottish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, is looking at the welfare of farmed animals and is currently considering a number of proposals.","AnswerDate":"2015-09-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Richard Lochhead","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305758,"EventID":"S4W-27218","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2015-08-26T15:26:29.997","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-08-25T19:00:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the impact that the economic slowdown in China will have on the Scottish economy.","AnswerText":"As the chief economist’s latest State of the Economy report highlighted, slowing growth in the Chinese economy represents a key headwind for global economic conditions and the Scottish economy. Whilst China accounts for only a small share (2%) of Scottish international exports, slowing Chinese growth could affect the Scottish and UK economies by several channels: via exports with weaker global demand; via lower commodity prices; via company returns on overseas investment; and via financial market volatility. However, slowing growth in China must be viewed against improving conditions in Scotland’s main trading partners, the UK, US and Europe. Furthermore, the continuous growth over the last three years has demonstrated the Scottish economy’s underlying resilience given the external and domestic challenges that we have seen during this period. Latest forecasts expect Scottish economic growth of around 2.4 per cent this year, broadly in line with the expected performance of the UK economy.","AnswerDate":"2015-09-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305759,"EventID":"S4W-27219","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2015-08-26T15:26:31.807","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-08-25T19:00:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the current level of inward investment is by companies based in China.","AnswerText":"The current level of inward investment in Scotland by companies based in China is not held centrally. However, the latest Office for National Statistics Inter Departmental Business Register figures show that as of March 2014, there are five Chinese-owned enterprises operating in Scotland.","AnswerDate":"2015-09-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305760,"EventID":"S4W-27220","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2015-08-26T15:26:33.647","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-08-25T19:00:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the current level of exports is from Scottish companies to China.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government's latest Global Connections Survey reported that in 2013 Scotland exported £580 million of goods and services to China.","AnswerDate":"2015-09-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305761,"EventID":"S4W-27221","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2015-08-26T15:26:35.503","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-08-25T19:00:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it will take to help Scottish companies affected by the economic slowdown in China.","AnswerText":"At this early stage, Scottish Development International (SDI) and Scottish Enterprise (SE) are maintaining close links with account managed companies trading in China to monitor potential impacts. SDI and SE are already assisting Scottish companies trading with China and will remain on hand to provide guidance and support for Scottish companies as required. As the pace of growth in China remains faster than most western economies, SDI and SE will continue to encourage Scottish businesses to remain focussed on the potential that China still offers and to take a long term approach to the opportunities which the market presents.","AnswerDate":"2015-09-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305762,"EventID":"S4W-27223","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4964,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":119,"ApprovedDate":"2015-08-26T15:26:37.22","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-08-26T10:46:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many living wage-accredited employers there are, broken down by local authority.","AnswerText":"There are currently 318 Accredited Living Wage Employers in Scotland (correct as of 9th September 2015), details of which can be found at http://scottishlivingwage.org/accredited. \r\nLocal Authority\r\nNo. of Accredited Living Wage Employers\r\nAberdeen\r\n11\r\nAberdeenshire\r\n3\r\nAngus\r\n3\r\nArgyll and Bute\r\n7\r\nClackmannanshire\r\n2\r\nDumfries and Galloway\r\n9\r\nDundee\r\n4\r\nEast Ayrshire\r\n1\r\nEast Dunbartonshire\r\n2\r\nEast Lothian\r\n3\r\nEast Renfrewshire\r\n2\r\nEdinburgh\r\n70\r\nFalkirk\r\n1\r\nFife\r\n16\r\nGlasgow\r\n72\r\nHighlands\r\n13\r\nInverclyde\r\n6\r\nMidlothian\r\n13\r\nMoray\r\n2\r\nNa h-Eileanan Siar\r\n0\r\nNorth Ayrshire\r\n4\r\nNorth Lanarkshire\r\n6\r\nOrkney\r\n1\r\nPerth and Kinross\r\n12\r\nRenfrewshire\r\n6\r\nShetland\r\n1\r\nSouth Ayrshire\r\n0\r\nScottish Borders\r\n3\r\nSouth Lanarkshire\r\n18\r\nStirling\r\n3\r\nWest Dunbartonshire\r\n1\r\nWest Lothian\r\n10\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-09-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Roseanna Cunningham","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305763,"EventID":"S4W-27224","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4964,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":119,"ApprovedDate":"2015-08-26T15:26:38.017","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-08-26T10:46:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many living wage-accredited employers there have been in each year since 2013.","AnswerText":"Since the Living Wage accreditation scheme started, and up until 31 March 2014, there were 24 Accredited Living Wage Employers in Scotland. From April 2014 to 31 March 2015, there were 133, and since the start of April 2015, there have been 159 these figures are correct as of 9 September 2015. The current total of 318 Accredited Living Wage Employers in Scotland illustrates that we are on our way to our target of 500 by the end of March 2016.","AnswerDate":"2015-09-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Roseanna Cunningham","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305764,"EventID":"S4W-27225","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5074,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":104,"ApprovedDate":"2015-08-26T15:26:38.75","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-08-26T11:59:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what proportion of employers in Scotland have living wage-accreditation, and what information it has regarding how this compares with the rest of the UK. ","AnswerText":"This information is collected by the Poverty Alliance on behalf of the Living Wage Accreditation Initiative and the Living Wage Foundation. However, as of 9 September 2015, 318 employers have been accredited through the Scottish Living Wage Accreditation Initiative. Peter Kelly, Director of the Poverty Alliance, who run the initiative, has highlighted that Scotland now has the highest public awareness of the Living Wage, and has a faster rate in terms of growth of number of Accredited Living Wage Employers than any other part of the UK. More people in Scotland are paid the Living Wage than in any country in the UK. Background statistics in the following table: Proportion Earning less than the Living Wage, 2014\r\n\r\nEarning less than the Living Wage\r\nScotland\r\n18.4%\r\nWales\r\n23.9%\r\nNorthern Ireland\r\n27.6%\r\nEngland\r\n21.7%\r\n- South East\r\n17.8%\r\n- London*\r\n18.3%\r\n- East\r\n22.3%\r\n- South West\r\n22.6%\r\n- North East\r\n23.4%\r\n- North West\r\n23.6%\r\n- West Midlands\r\n24.1%\r\n- Yorkshire and The Humber\r\n24.3%\r\n- East Midlands\r\n24.7%\r\nUnited Kingdom\r\n21.7%\r\nSource: ONS, Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings Living Wage rate of £8.80 for employees in London, £7.65 for employees who did not work in London in April 2014","AnswerDate":"2015-09-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Roseanna Cunningham","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305765,"EventID":"S4W-27226","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5074,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":104,"ApprovedDate":"2015-08-26T15:26:39.513","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-08-26T11:59:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what information it has regarding how the risk in Scotland of being paid below the living wage compares with the rest of the UK.","AnswerText":"More people in Scotland are paid the Living Wage than in any country in the UK. Background statistics in the following table: Proportion Earning less than the living wage, 2014\r\n\r\nEarning less than the Living Wage\r\nScotland\r\n18.4%\r\nWales\r\n23.9%\r\nNorthern Ireland\r\n27.6%\r\nEngland\r\n21.7%\r\n- South East\r\n17.8%\r\n- London*\r\n18.3%\r\n- East\r\n22.3%\r\n- South West\r\n22.6%\r\n- North East\r\n23.4%\r\n- North West\r\n23.6%\r\n- West Midlands\r\n24.1%\r\n- Yorkshire and The Humber\r\n24.3%\r\n- East Midlands\r\n24.7%\r\nUnited Kingdom\r\n21.7%\r\nSource: ONS, Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings Living Wage rate of £8.80 for employees in London, £7.65 for employees who did not work in London in April 2014","AnswerDate":"2015-09-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Roseanna Cunningham","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305766,"EventID":"S4W-27227","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1759,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-08-26T15:26:40.153","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-08-26T12:25:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government on what basis ministers consider the potential increased carbon emissions from sites with deep peat when making decisions under section 36 of the Electricity Act 1989 where the total volumes of peat exacavated to make way for windfarm developments are not available.","AnswerText":"Section 36 proposals are assessed on their individual merits and proposals on peat are obliged to use the carbon calculator. This provides a view of carbon payback time which is taken account of in Ministers’ decisions, alongside other material considerations.","AnswerDate":"2015-09-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen McLeod","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305767,"EventID":"S4W-27228","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1759,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-08-26T15:26:40.683","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-08-26T12:25:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how carbon emissions or savings from wind developments are calculated and included in its annual carbon statistics.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Greenhouse Gas Inventory is used to inform Scotland’s annual greenhouse gas statistics. It considers emissions within Scotland. The operation of the wind farms will however also have impacts on the power sector across the UK. For that reason a separate calculator has been produced to consider the full carbon impact of new wind farms.\r\nThis can be found using the attached link:\r\nhttp://www.gov.scot/Topics/Business-Industry/Energy/Energy-sources/19185/17852-1/CSavings\r\nEmissions arising from any wind farm manufacturing, transport and construction activity taking place within Scotland will be included in the relevant sections of the inventory and Scottish emissions from the energy sector will be lower as a result of displaced thermal generation.","AnswerDate":"2015-09-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305768,"EventID":"S4W-27229","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1759,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-08-26T15:26:41.23","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-08-26T12:25:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when SEPA will have completed the upgraded carbon calculator tool and made it available.","AnswerText":"The main purpose of the upgrade is to streamline the use of the tool but it is based largely in content on the existing carbon calculator which remains valid and should be used in the meantime.","AnswerDate":"2015-09-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305769,"EventID":"S4W-27230","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1759,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-08-26T15:26:41.9","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-08-26T12:25:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it considers carbon emissions in decisions under section 36 of the Electricity Act 1989 while the carbon calculator tool is being upgraded by SEPA.","AnswerText":"The existing carbon calculator remains in use.","AnswerDate":"2015-09-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305770,"EventID":"S4W-27231","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3759,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":80,"ApprovedDate":"2015-08-26T15:26:42.523","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-08-26T13:34:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much financial support it has provided to South Lanarkshire Council in addition to the annual local government settlement in each of the last five years, and what information it has on how much the council then allocated to (a) employability schemes (b) welfare reform measures, (c) reducing poverty, (d) providing free school meals, (e) maintaining teacher numbers, (f) capital investment, (g) integrating health and social care and (h) providing other financial support.","AnswerText":"The information requested is set out in the following table. The figures provided represent the complete range of funding which the Scottish Government has provided to South Lanarkshire Council in addition to the funding provided through the Local Government Finance settlement.\r\nFinancial Year\r\nFunding provided by Scottish Government\r\n2010-11\r\n£25,787,279.32\r\n2011-12\r\n£26,230,403.71\r\n2012-13\r\n£5,882,928.68\r\n2013-14\r\n£21,517,395.54\r\n2014-15\r\n£34,617,285.54\r\nThe Scottish Local Government Finance Statistics document is published annually within the Scottish Government website. This publication provides a comprehensive overview of the information that the Scottish Government collects on local authority financial activity including their expenditure on services. Access to the documents can be found at http://www.gov.scot/Topics/Statistics/Browse/Local-Government-Finance/PubScottishLGFStats.","AnswerDate":"2015-09-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305779,"EventID":"S4W-27222","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4951,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-08-27T15:39:00.667","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-08-25T20:49:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what progress it is making with the commitment in the Dairy Action Plan to (a) work with local authorities to increase the consumption in schools of dairy products, (b) discuss with the Grocery Code Adjudicator how it can perform its role effectively in respect of the Scottish market and (c) ask the Department for Food, Environment and Rural Affairs to accelerate the timetable for extending country of origin labelling to dairy products, including, as agreed by the Smith Commission, the department asking the EU to recognise “Made in Scotland” labelling.","AnswerText":"The local authority procurement organisation, Scotland Excel, has been asked to encourage support for the relevant Dairy Action Plan recommendations among its local authority members. In particular Scotland Excel was asked to contact all of the contracted dairy suppliers requesting each supplier to write to their public sector customers highlighting the Scottish dairy products which they are able to supply, and in the correspondence urges caterers to support the plan by increasing the use of Scottish yoghurts, milk, butter and cheeses.\r\nIn addition, as part of 2015 Year of Food and Drink, the Scottish Government provided Community Food Fund support and worked with ASSIST (the local authority catering association) to promote, specifically, August as the month of \"Delicious Dairy – Yoghurts, milk and cheeses\". ASSIST expects that there will be an impetus created from this and on-going benefits going forward.\r\nI had a productive meeting with Christine Tacon, the Grocery Code Adjudicator, on 8 October 2015 where a number of issues were discussed, including how producers and suppliers might better understand her role and how particular issues can be aired and addressed. We are exploring how this can be taken forward for mutual benefit.\r\nThe Scottish Government continues to press the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs to make the case for country of origin food labelling with the European Commission.","AnswerDate":"2015-10-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Richard Lochhead","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305780,"EventID":"S4W-27232","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2015-08-27T15:39:01.317","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-08-27T08:25:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what funding streams are available for local tourism bodies. ","AnswerText":"Financial support is available for local tourism bodies from a number of public bodies, although as funding is an operational matter for these organisations the information requested is not held centrally.\r\nExamples of potential funding support include:\r\nVisitScotland provides support through its growth fund, available for well researched, collaborative marketing campaigns to groups of tourism businesses operating at a local or national level, which will generate additional visitors to Scotland. The fund can support groups with up to 50% of approved total marketing costs to a maximum award of £40,000.\r\nHighlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) and Scottish Enterprise (SE) are currently working with and supporting a number of tourism groups across Scotland in line with their business priorities. The nature and scale of intervention varies across the tourism groups and is driven by the specific requirements and development needs of the group, aligned to the priorities for tourism for the local area and set in the context of the ambitions of the industry led Tourism 2020 Strategy and their operating plan priorities. HIE and SE are able to support tourism groups by drawing on a number of products and services offered across their portfolios. Support can be targeted at strategy development, internationalisation, project feasibility, organisational capacity and capabilities. Where there is a clear business case for support, both organisations are able to grant in aid to tourism groups to deliver specific projects.\r\nScottish Natural Heritage operates a grants programme to which tourism bodies can apply if their projects fit the relevant criteria. Its most recent round had a specific priority on nature based tourism, wild foods and innovative enterprises based on sustainable use of natural assets. The focus was on projects based on wide cross-sector partnerships: those developing partnerships with businesses reliant on Scotland’s nature and landscapes in the tourism and food and drink sectors, those adding value to businesses using natural heritage based brands, and those strengthening links between wildlife sites and the local economy.\r\nNational Park authorities support tourism projects which focus on key outcomes for the National Parks. This includes maximising the benefits of national initiatives such as Visit Scotland’s focus years and promoting sustainable transport around the National Park. The authorities may make a contribution to tourism groups on a case by case basis to assist the delivery of projects to achieve these outcomes.","AnswerDate":"2015-09-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305781,"EventID":"S4W-27233","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2015-08-27T15:39:02.827","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-08-27T08:25:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its annual spend on tourism has been in each year since 2007-08.","AnswerText":"Since 2007, the Scottish Government has invested heavily in projects that have supported tourism in Scotland either directly or indirectly including transport projects such as the Border railway and A9 improvements, digital connectivity and the Step Change programme, promoting Scotland’s unique food and drink produce, support for nature through Scotland’s Forest and National Parks. Scotland’s marine environment is being protected by Marine Scotland and Scottish Canals is managing our canal network and delivering projects such as the Falkirk Wheel and the Kelpies. Heritage projects are being delivered all over Scotland by Historic Scotland who are investing in Scotland’s flagship castles at Edinburgh and Stirling, Elgin Cathedral and Iona Abbey. The Scottish Government has provided support for major events such as the Commonwealth Games and the Ryder Cup.\r\nVisitScotland produced a Tourism Development Framework, which was published in July 2013. The Framework document sets out the role of the planning system in delivering the visitor economy and supports the national tourism strategy Tourism Scotland 2020. The document provides detail on tourism related projects that have been undertaken since 2007. The attachment List of Action Plan Projects at September 2014 also provides information on projects that will be undertaken between 2014 and 2020 to promote growth in Scotland’s visitor economy. The report can be found on VisitScotland’ s web site using the link below:\r\nhttp://www.visitscotland.org/what_we_do/tourism_development_plan.aspx","AnswerDate":"2015-09-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305782,"EventID":"S4W-27234","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2015-08-27T15:39:04.197","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-08-27T08:25:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government which (a) agencies and (b) projects are supported by the tourism budget.","AnswerText":"The 2015-16 Scottish Budget states:\r\n“The Tourism budget supports VisitScotland to promote Scotland as a tourism destination, both within the UK and in key overseas markets.”\r\nTable 6.07 of the 2015-16 Scottish Budget sets out the level 3 detail of the tourism budget, shown in the following table with level 4 data.\r\n\r\n2015-16 Budget (£ million)\r\nTourism\r\n\r\nLevel 3\r\n50.580\r\nLevel 4\r\n\r\nVisitScotland (Resource)\r\n48.000\r\nVisitScotland (Capital)\r\n0.700\r\nVisitScotland (Non cash)\r\n1.480\r\nTourism special projects\r\n0.400\r\nAs the lead public body on the visitor economy in Scotland a wide range of projects are supported by VisitScotland and these are set out in the VisitScotland Corporate Plan which may be accessed using the following URL: \r\nhttp://www.visitscotland.org/pdf/Final%20Corporate%20Plan%202015%20revision.pdf. ","AnswerDate":"2015-09-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305783,"EventID":"S4W-27235","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2015-08-27T15:39:05.777","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-08-27T08:25:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how VisitScotland allocates funds to local tourism bodies, and what criteria it uses. ","AnswerText":"VisitScotland provides support through its growth fund. The growth fund is a marketing fund available for well researched, collaborative marketing campaigns to groups of tourism businesses operating at a local or national level. The fund enables these groups to undertake inspiring new marketing activity, or further develop current activity, which will generate additional visitors to Scotland.\r\nApplicants to the fund should demonstrate the following key criteria:\r\nAlignment with the tourism industry’s Tourism 2020 Strategy and, where relevant, the National Events Strategy Scotland the Perfect Stage. Golf groups must also show alignment with Scotland’s Golf Tourism Strategy Driving Forward Together.\r\nFresh ideas, new developments and approaches such as new promotional themes, collaborations, packages, or markets, that will inspire customer engagement and additional visits.\r\nCollaboration and business engagement demonstrating how businesses are coming together to help support the marketing campaign, through e.g. special offers, itineraries, competition prizes.\r\nGrowth in terms of awareness, visitor numbers and tourism spend, and strength/membership of the tourism group.\r\nSustainability of activity post funding. In this groups must demonstrate how the outcomes of the marketing campaign will help sustain and build marketing activity in future years and how activity will address periods which have capacity to increase the number of visitors and occupancy levels.\r\nThe fund is open to constituted groups of three or more independent tourism businesses, including destination organisations and sectoral groups. Applications are welcome from both new and existing partnerships.\r\nFull criteria, conditions and guidelines for the VisitScotland growth fund against which applications are assessed are available on its website at: \r\nhttp://www.visitscotland.org/pdf/GrowthFundCriteriaConditionsDec2013.pdf","AnswerDate":"2015-09-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305784,"EventID":"S4W-27236","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2015-08-27T15:39:07.157","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-08-27T08:25:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government which local tourism bodies receive support from VisitScotland, broken down by amount received.","AnswerText":"Details of VisitScotland’s growth fund awards for the year 2014-15, for the Year of Food and Drink and the period 2015-16 are in the following tables:\r\n2014-15 Growth Fund Awards\r\nArea/Local Authority\r\nRecipient’s name\r\nProject Description\r\nAmount\r\nAberdeen City\r\nAberdeen Festivals\r\nAn international marketing campaign to promote Aberdeen’s broad range of festivals highlighting nine major events throughout the year, starting with the month-long Arts Across Learning Festival at the end of February. The campaign will aim to align Aberdeen’s festivals, which include everything from music and the visual arts to science and dance, with the city’s rich array of food and drink and its accommodation.\r\n£25,000\r\nAberdeen City and Aberdeenshire\r\nGolf Aberdeen City and Shire\r\nCampaign aimed at increasing awareness of the region as a golfing destination and increasing golfing visitors through familiarisation trips, website creation, event and exhibition attendance, print and online marketing.\r\n£22,500\r\nArgyll and Bute\r\nGardens of Argyll and Bute\r\nTo increase visitor numbers to Argyll and Bute gardens and increase the number of gardens in the group, carried out through the use of websites and social media in conjunction with Argyll and the Isles Tourism Cooperative.\r\n£12,202\r\nDumfries and Galloway\r\nSouth of Scotland Golfers’ Association\r\nTo promote Dumfries and Galloway as a region with a varied and good value golf product using online and print marketing.\r\n£10,000\r\nEast, Mid and West Lothian\r\nVisit West Lothian\r\nPromotion of West, Mid, and East Lothian as a key stopover and destination to the group tour market.\r\n£11,900\r\nEast Lothian\r\nEast Lothian Golf Tourism Alliance\r\nPromotion of East Lothian’s golf product, bringing in ancillary services such as food and drink and accommodation.\r\n£22,280\r\nEdinburgh, City of\r\nMarketing Edinburgh\r\nThe development of the North American market to secure additional business for the members of Marketing Edinburgh Ltd and the city of Edinburgh as a whole.\r\n£39,100\r\nEdinburgh, City of\r\nFestivals Edinburgh\r\nA multi-touchpoint campaign, targeting new markets throughout the year, with tailored ‘spotlight’ festivals message within cities across the UK including, Leicester, Bristol and York have been identified.\r\n40,000\r\nHighland\r\nCairngorms Business Partnership\r\nCairngorms Business Partnership series of themed mini-campaigns, either product (e.g. cycling) or location specific (e.g. Aviemore).\r\n£35,000\r\nHighland\r\nLochaber Enterprises Ltd\r\nA year-round campaign aimed at encouraging more people from Scotland’s central belt to explore Lochaber. Promoting the region’s outdoor adventure sports, its wildlife and landscapes, as well as its food and drink.\r\n£25,000\r\nHighland\r\nDornoch\r\nA brand new marketing campaign designed to “put Dornoch on the map”. A number of businesses in the partnership have joined forces to target people in the UK who are looking for an ideal short-break destination. Content themes of this campaign will include the promotion of fly fishing lessons, golf tuition, private guided walks at Dunrobin Castle Gardens and expert whisky tasting.\r\n£40,000\r\nPerth and Kinross\r\nGolf Perthshire\r\nMaximising the golfing legacy from the 2014 Ryder Cup in Perthshire. \r\n£15,414\r\nSouth Ayrshire\r\nSouth Ayrshire Council Year 3\r\nArts and cultural festival designed to complement the creativity and variety of the work of Robert Burns and his legacy. Specific activity includes newly designed programme, targeted distribution strategy and new outdoor display elements.\r\n£14,000\r\nStirling\r\nDestination Stirling\r\nEstablishment of a new destination organisation, set up on the back of a Scottish Enterprise funded strategy and with backing from VisitScotland and Stirling Council, to take advantage of 2014 opportunities.\r\n£26,000\r\nStirling\r\nBreadalbane Tourism Co-operative\r\nCampaign designed to build on Ring of Breadalbane Explorer hop-on, hop-off bus and promote ‘Rings’ beyond the bus, such as walking and cycling (on and off-road) rou","AnswerDate":"2015-09-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305785,"EventID":"S4W-27237","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5057,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-08-27T15:39:08.577","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-08-27T12:38:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what information it has about the use of the hormone pregnancy test, Primodos, by women in Scotland in the 1950s, 1960s and 1970s.","AnswerText":"Following engagement between the Scottish Government and families in Scotland around their concerns about hormone pregnancy tests, the Scottish Government conducted a search to identify if we held any information. No information was identified and therefore the information we hold relates to what has been shared with us by families and the Association for Children Damaged by Hormone Pregnancy Tests in the last year.","AnswerDate":"2015-09-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305786,"EventID":"S4W-27238","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5057,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-08-27T15:39:09.287","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-08-27T12:38:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with the UK Government regarding the independent panel of inquiry on the use of hormone pregnancy tests and whether there are links between such tests and birth defects, which was announced by the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Health on 23 October 2014, and whether NHS Scotland has submitted evidence to the inquiry.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has raised, and continues to raise, the issue of the independent panel with the UK Government and the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency. I have stressed that it is vital that the independent panel has the opportunity to hear from women who were prescribed Primodos and their families. The Scottish Government has also written to families in Scotland encouraging them to share their experiences with the independent panel.","AnswerDate":"2015-09-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305787,"EventID":"S4W-27241","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-08-27T15:39:09.877","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-08-27T14:30:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it considers that school pupils who sat the 2015 maths higher exam should be allowed to appeal their results. ","AnswerText":"Under the system established last year, if a school or college is concerned by a candidate’s result, in any subject, and believes the final mark does not reflect expectations, it can request a priority marking review, clerical check or a marking review of the exam paper. The Scottish Qualifications Authority, while acknowledging that the 2015 new higher maths paper was more demanding than intended, has ensured that candidates have not been disadvantaged. Its established grade boundary processes take account of any assessments that were easier or more demanding than intended to ensure all candidates received the grades they deserved. This means that those who would have received a grade A, B, C or D last year would achieve the same grade if they had sat this year’s exam.","AnswerDate":"2015-09-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alasdair Allan","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305788,"EventID":"S4W-27242","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-08-27T15:39:10.697","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-08-27T14:30:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what appeal mechanism it will put in place for pupils who sat the 2015 maths higher exam and who wish to appeal their results. ","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-27241 on 17 September 2015. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.","AnswerDate":"2015-09-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alasdair Allan","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305808,"EventID":"S4W-27239","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2059,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":91,"ApprovedDate":"2015-08-28T14:35:07.353","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-08-27T13:47:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answers to questions S4W-25269 by John Swinney on 6 May 2015 and S4F-02752 by Nicola Sturgeon on 30 April 2015 (Official Report, c.10), whether it can confirm that it remains its position that, as set out at page 556 of its white paper on independence, the referendum was a “once-in-a-generation” opportunity.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-25269 on 6 May 2015. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:\r\nwww.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.","AnswerDate":"2015-09-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-25T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305809,"EventID":"S4W-27240","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2059,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":91,"ApprovedDate":"2015-08-28T14:35:08.133","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-08-27T13:48:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4F-02752 by Nicola Sturgeon on 30 April 2015 (Official Report, c.10), whether it considers a second referendum to be inevitable, and what the reasons are for its position on this matter. ","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-25269 on 6 May 2015. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:\r\nwww.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.","AnswerDate":"2015-09-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-25T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305810,"EventID":"S4W-27243","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4964,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":119,"ApprovedDate":"2015-08-28T14:35:08.757","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-08-27T18:27:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what requirements exist for registered charities to fulfil the purposes for which they were founded.","AnswerText":"The Charities and Trustee Investment (Scotland) Act 2005, the Act is the statutory framework for charities operating in Scotland. The Office of the Scottish Charity Regulator (OSCR) are the independent regulator and registrar for over 23,500 Scottish charities. It is therefore for OSCR to ensure charities comply with the terms of the legislation. The Act sets out a general duty of care that charity trustees must follow which includes a requirement that the charity trustee acts in the interests of the charity and seeks to ensure that the charity acts consistently with its purposes. The Act also requires charities to prepare and submit annual accounts to OSCR which must contain a trustee annual report detailing their activities for that year.\r\nIn order to establish if a charity is fulfilling or continues to fulfil its purposes OSCR has the power to obtain information from charities and it is an offence to provide false or misleading information. OSCR also has wide ranging powers to make inquiries either generally or for particular purposes into charities.\r\nIf it appears to OSCR, as a result of inquiries, that a charity no longer meets the charity test OSCR must either direct the charity to take steps they consider necessary to meet the test or remove the charity from the register. If the charity fails to comply with the direction OSCR must remove it from the register. OSCR have wide ranging powers following inquiries which are detailed in the Act. ","AnswerDate":"2015-09-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-25T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305811,"EventID":"S4W-27244","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4964,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":119,"ApprovedDate":"2015-08-28T14:35:09.52","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-08-27T18:27:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what checks it makes to ensure that registered charities continue to fulfil the purposes for which they were founded.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-27243 on 22 September 2015. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at:http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.","AnswerDate":"2015-09-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-25T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305812,"EventID":"S4W-27245","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4964,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":119,"ApprovedDate":"2015-08-28T14:35:10.16","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-08-27T18:27:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what steps it can take in relation to charities that no longer fulfil the purposes for which they were founded.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-27243 on 22 September 2015. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.","AnswerDate":"2015-09-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-25T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305813,"EventID":"S4W-27246","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4964,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":119,"ApprovedDate":"2015-08-28T14:35:10.847","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-08-27T18:27:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether there are any requirements on charities that no longer fulfil the purposes for which they were founded to dispose of assets.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-27243 on 22 September 2015. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at:http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.","AnswerDate":"2015-09-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-25T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305814,"EventID":"S4W-27247","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2029,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":145,"ApprovedDate":"2015-08-28T14:35:11.69","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-08-28T12:19:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the reported uncertainty caused by the transition to the European System of Accounts 2010 (ESA10), whether it will instruct that capital projects impacted by this should go ahead as soon as possible, with it bearing any risk and additional costs, and contracts amended as necessary.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-26951 on 31 July 2015. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.","AnswerDate":"2015-09-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-25T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305815,"EventID":"S4T-01090","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":9,"MSPID":4940,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-08-31T12:55:24.687","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-08-31T10:52:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what information it has on how many people in Scotland died between December 2011 and February 2014 shortly after a work capability assessment found them fit for work.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":"2015-09-01T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":true},{"UniqueID":305816,"EventID":"S4T-01095","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":9,"MSPID":4934,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-08-31T12:55:28.88","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-08-31T11:58:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it would invest the £500 million that the UK Government has announced to build nuclear-armed submarine infrastructure to benefit the Scottish economy and create jobs.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":"2015-09-01T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305817,"EventID":"S4T-01096","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":9,"MSPID":1866,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-08-31T12:55:29.393","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-08-31T11:59:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with National Museums Scotland regarding the ongoing pay dispute.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":"2015-09-01T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305818,"EventID":"S4F-02907","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":3812,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-08-31T12:54:29.167","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-08-27T13:48:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister what engagements she has planned for the rest of the day.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":"2015-09-03T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305819,"EventID":"S4F-02909","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":4938,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-08-31T12:54:30.687","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-08-28T13:55:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister what role the Scottish Government is playing in discussions regarding the BBC charter renewal process.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":"2015-09-03T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305820,"EventID":"S4F-02915","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":4976,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-08-31T12:54:37.67","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-08-31T09:54:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister when she will next meet the Prime Minister. ","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":"2015-09-03T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305821,"EventID":"S4F-02917","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":5009,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-08-31T12:54:38.763","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-08-31T10:05:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister what issues will be discussed at the next meeting of the Cabinet.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":"2015-09-03T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305822,"EventID":"S4F-02920","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":5079,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-08-31T12:54:40.47","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-08-31T11:02:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister what scientific evidence the Scottish Government used as the basis for its recent announcement on GM technology.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":"2015-09-03T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305823,"EventID":"S4F-02922","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":2673,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":114,"ApprovedDate":"2015-08-31T12:54:42.173","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-08-31T11:21:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister what assistance the Scottish Government can provide to the UK Government in relation to the refugee crisis.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":"2015-09-03T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305824,"EventID":"S4W-27248","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2015-08-31T16:50:38.37","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-08-31T09:24:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much (a) it spends and (b) its agencies spend on the services of non-Scotland based dairy producers, and what proportion of the total spent on such services this represents.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government does not purchase milk. Milk is procured as part of the Scottish Government’s overall catering contract with Sodexo who advise an expenditure of approximately £80,000 per annum. Milk purchased by public agencies is 100% Scottish.","AnswerDate":"2015-10-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Richard Lochhead","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305825,"EventID":"S4W-27249","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2015-08-31T16:50:39.76","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-08-31T09:24:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what price per litre (a) it pays and (b) its agencies pay dairy producers based in Scotland, and what information it has regarding how this compares with the cost of production.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government does not purchase milk. Milk is procured as part of the Scottish Government’s overall catering contract with Sodexo who advise an average price paid of 69 pence per litre (ppl) across all pack sizes. The price varies according to how milk is purchased in various pack sizes including 200ml, 250ml, 500ml, 1L, 2L and 3 gallon pergals and according to distribution requirements and geography. Public sector bodies pay between 40 ppl and £1.21 ppl. Industry analysts suggest an average cost of production of between 26 and 28 ppl.","AnswerDate":"2015-10-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Richard Lochhead","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305826,"EventID":"S4W-27250","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2015-08-31T16:50:40.337","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-08-30T09:35:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what funding it gave to the Mark Scott Leadership for Life Award in each year from 2012-13 to 2014-15 and how much it has provided for 2015-16.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government provided £600,000 of funding for the Mark Scott Leadership for Life Award between 2012-13 and 2014-15. The funding broken down by financial year was:\r\n£220,000 in 2012-13;\r\n£200,000 in 2013-14;\r\n£180,000 in 2014-15.\r\nThe Scottish Government has committed £100,000 of funding in 2015-16 for the award.\r\nAs Minister for Community Safety, I met recently with the Outward Bound Trust to hear of their work, and its positive impact on beneficiaries, and to discuss future activities associated with the awards programme and funding requirements.","AnswerDate":"2015-09-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Paul Wheelhouse","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305827,"EventID":"S4W-27251","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2345,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":128,"ApprovedDate":"2015-08-31T16:50:41.24","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-08-31T10:58:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether the number of junior doctors graduating meets the demand in hospitals, broken down by hospital.","AnswerText":"Scottish Ministers set annual undergraduate intake targets for Scottish Medical Schools each year based on meeting the requirements for postgraduate Foundation training posts in Scotland. This takes account of the identified needs of Health Boards whilst also ensuring that trainees are able to develop the required skills and competencies relevant to their training programme, which also enables them to progress into higher specialty training in subsequent years. The 2015 undergraduate intake target was set at 848 which corresponds to the current Foundation Year 1 establishment requirement of 804, allowing for some attrition. There was a 100% fill rate of these establishment posts in the 2015 recruitment round. In addition, the Scottish Government continues to provide funding for additional Foundation posts above the establishment projection of 804 to ensure that all graduates of Scottish medical schools who wish to undertake Foundation training in the UK are able to do so. In the 2015 recruitment round, an additional 44 FY1 posts were advertised.\r\nThe table below shows the distribution of the total 848 Foundation posts across hospitals in Scotland:\r\nHealth Board\r\nHospital\r\nNumber of Trainees\r\nVacant Posts\r\nAyrshire & Arran\r\nUniversity Hospital Crosshouse\r\n24\r\n\r\n\r\nUniversity Hospital Ayr\r\n18\r\n\r\nBorders\r\nBorders General Hospital\r\n16\r\n\r\nDumfries & Galloway\r\nDumfries & Galloway Royal Infirmary\r\n17\r\n\r\nFife\r\nVictoria Hospital\r\n38\r\n1\r\nForth Valley\r\nForth Valley Royal Hospital\r\n45\r\n\r\nGrampian\r\nAberdeen Maternity Hospital\r\n3\r\n\r\n\r\nAberdeen Royal Infirmary\r\n77\r\n4\r\n\r\nDr Gray’s Hospital\r\n9\r\n3\r\n\r\nRoyal Aberdeen Children’s Hospital\r\n7\r\n1\r\n\r\nRoyal Cornhill Hospital\r\n1\r\n\r\n\r\nWoodend General Hospital\r\n1\r\n1\r\nGreater Glasgow & Clyde\r\nGlasgow Royal Infirmary\r\n72\r\n\r\n\r\nInverclyde Royal Hospital\r\n21\r\n\r\n\r\nRoyal Alexandra Hospital\r\n30\r\n1\r\n\r\nQueen Elizabeth University Hospital\r\n115\r\n\r\nHighland\r\nBelford Hospital\r\n2\r\n\r\n\r\nLorn & Islands Hospital\r\n2\r\n\r\n\r\nRaigmore Hospital\r\n25\r\n2\r\nLanarkshire\r\nHairmyres Hospital\r\n19\r\n\r\n\r\nMonklands District General Hospital\r\n22\r\n\r\n\r\nWishaw General Hospital\r\n27\r\n\r\nLothian\r\nRoyal Hospital for Sick Children\r\n7\r\n\r\n\r\nRoyal Infirmary of Edinburgh\r\n66\r\n1\r\n\r\nSt John’s Hospital\r\n24\r\n\r\n\r\nWestern General Hospital\r\n44\r\n2\r\nShetland\r\nGilbert Bain Hospital\r\n1\r\n\r\nTayside\r\nCarseview Centre\r\n1\r\n\r\n\r\nDudhope House (Young Persons Unit)\r\n1\r\n\r\n\r\nMurray Royal Hospital\r\n1\r\n\r\n\r\nNinewells Hospital\r\n67\r\n3\r\n\r\nPerth Royal Infirmary\r\n17\r\n4\r\n\r\nRoyal Victoria Hospital\r\n2\r\n\r\nWestern Isles\r\nWestern Isles Hospital\r\n2\r\n\r\nOrkney\r\nN/A*\r\n0\r\n0\r\nTotals\r\n\r\n824\r\n23**\r\nNHS Orkney does not currently provide training for foundation trainee doctors.\r\nThe overall figure should be 848. One is lost from international recruitment.\r\nScottish Ministers are currently reviewing the Medical students target to allow for future NHS requirement.","AnswerDate":"2015-09-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305828,"EventID":"S4W-27252","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2345,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":128,"ApprovedDate":"2015-08-31T16:50:41.71","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-08-31T10:58:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many unfilled consultant posts there are in each NHS board.","AnswerText":"The number of unfilled consultant posts broken down by NHS Scotland Board as at June 2015 is published by ISD Scotland and is available on the workforce statistics website at: \r\nhttps://www.isdscotland.org/Health-Topics/Workforce/Publications/2015-09-01/Consultant_Vacancies_J2015.xls\r\nWe currently have the highest medical staffing levels ever, with record numbers of consultants. A combination of different factors involving geography, age profile, retirement, a lack of trainee doctors in a particular speciality or difficulties in recruiting and retaining qualified staff can result in vacancies being hard to fill. Increasing the supply of consultants is particularly challenging due to the length and expense of training. Any fluctuation in consultant vacancies is linked to our efforts to increase capacity by recruiting even more staff. Under this Government, consultant numbers across Scotland have increased by 1,387.8 WTE, or 38.2%, from 3,636.5 WTE in September 2006 to 5,024.3 WTE in June 2015.\r\nThis includes:-\r\n171.7% increase in Emergency Medicine Consultants (75.8 to 205.8 WTE),\r\n36.6% increase in Geriatric Consultants (118.9 to 162.4 WTE) and\r\n76.6% increase in Paediatric Consultants (167.2 to 295.4 WTE).\r\nDuring the same period, the consultant Establishment has increased by 38.3%, rising from 3896.9 WTE in September 2006 to 5,390.5 WTE in June 2015.\r\nThe Scottish Government is working with Health Boards to continue to improve workforce planning, ensuring the provision of safe, effective and high quality healthcare, delivered by the right professional at the right time.","AnswerDate":"2015-09-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305829,"EventID":"S4W-27253","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2345,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":128,"ApprovedDate":"2015-08-31T16:50:42.193","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-08-31T10:58:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many consultants are due to retire in the next five years in each NHS board.","AnswerText":"Scotland currently has record high numbers of consultants. Under this Government, consultants across Scotland have increased by 38.2% to 5,024.3 Whole Time Equivalent. We are working with NHS Boards to ensure safe, effective and high quality healthcare is delivered by the right professional at all times, and we are developing better intelligence through robust medical workforce supply and demand profiles which take into account the effects of consultant retirement and other factors. In accordance with current legislation, we can no longer presume a retiral age as this is discriminatory. As a result, information relating to numbers of NHS consultants retiring in the next five years is not available. However, the number of consultants in post who will have reached the age of 65 within the next five years can be found in the table below. \r\nNumber whole time equivalent of consultants who will have reached the age of 65 by financial year.\r\nRetirement year\r\n2015-16\r\n2016-17\r\n2017-18\r\n2018-19\r\n2019-2020\r\nTotal\r\nConsultants\r\n65.5\r\n27.4\r\n48.5\r\n45.4\r\n71.8\r\n258.6\r\nIt should be noted that not all staff that reach the average retirement age will retire as there is no legal requirement for them to do so.","AnswerDate":"2015-09-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305830,"EventID":"S4W-27254","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-08-31T16:50:42.737","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-08-31T11:15:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it will take in light of the comment in the Diabetes Scotland report, State of the Nation 2015, that \"SIGN Guidelines do not currently cover prevention of Type 2 diabetes and there is no practical mechanism to identify and support people at risk of the condition\".","AnswerText":"We want to ensure that people at risk of Type 2 diabetes are identified and supported appropriately to help minimise the risk of health complications. This aim is reflected in our Diabetes Improvement Plan, published in November 2014, which includes the prevention and early detection of diabetes as one of its main priorities. The plan contains a specific action to develop and implement an appropriate framework for assessing the risk of diabetes for people currently undiagnosed to support early identification, diagnosis and treatment of diabetes. We are committed to working with our wider health strategy to address the underlying risk factors associated with diabetes by reducing obesity, encouraging healthy eating and promote healthier living across Scotland.","AnswerDate":"2015-09-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305831,"EventID":"S4W-27255","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-08-31T16:50:43.237","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-08-31T11:15:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to tackle inequality between more deprived and less deprived areas in accessing each of the nine care processes for the treatment of diabetes. ","AnswerText":"It is essential that people living with diabetes receive the care they need to stay healthy and prevent complications. More people than ever before have had an HbA1c measurement, their foot score measured and received retinopathy screening. These key checks are essential in the early identification and prevention of diabetes related complications. Our Diabetes Improvement Plan, which was published in November 2014, sets out a range of measures that we expect NHS Boards to report on, which include the nine care processes. This reporting will ensure that areas for improvement are identified quickly, good practice shared across NHS Boards and ultimately support the delivery of consistent diabetes care across Scotland. The plan also sets out actions to establish an inequalities work stream to support targeted action to reduce disengagement from health care services. This is expected to complement our existing work with deep end GP practices in deprived areas.","AnswerDate":"2015-09-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305832,"EventID":"S4W-27256","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-08-31T16:50:43.783","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-08-31T11:15:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many people with diabetes have received each of the nine care processes for treatment in each year since 2010, broken down by NHS board.","AnswerText":"Information on the number of people receiving the nine care processes is published annually within the Scottish Diabetes Survey, the most recent of which was published in June 2015 and covers data from 2014. All of the Scottish Diabetes Survey reports, which began in 2002, can be accessed at:http://www.diabetesinscotland.org.uk/Publications.aspx?catId=3.","AnswerDate":"2015-09-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305833,"EventID":"S4W-27257","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-08-31T16:50:44.33","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-08-31T11:15:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many people have been diagnosed by the Keep Well service as having (a) diabetes and (b) coronary heart disease in each year since 2010, broken down by NHS board.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government does not hold this data centrally. Individual NHS boards may have recorded this information locally at their own discretion\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-09-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305834,"EventID":"S4W-27258","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1845,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-08-31T16:50:44.86","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-08-31T12:06:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many people have not been registered with a GP in each year since 1999, broken down by NHS board.","AnswerText":"The information requested is not held centrally.\r\nInformation Services Division of National Services Scotland produce practice population size reports every quarter. These can be accessed at the following web site: http://www.isdscotland.org/Health-Topics/General-Practice/Workforce-and-Practice-Populations/Practices-and-Their-Populations/","AnswerDate":"2015-09-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305835,"EventID":"S4W-27259","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2059,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":91,"ApprovedDate":"2015-08-31T16:50:45.373","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-08-31T13:42:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it expects the findings of the NHS national review of out-of-hours services to be published.","AnswerText":"Sir Professor Lewis Ritchie is due to submit his findings and recommendations from the National Review of Primary Care Out-of-Hours Services to the Cabinet Secretary for Health, Sport and Wellbeing in autumn 2015.","AnswerDate":"2015-09-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305836,"EventID":"S4W-27260","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2059,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":91,"ApprovedDate":"2015-08-31T16:50:45.797","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-08-31T13:42:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will present the results of the NHS national review of out-of-hours services to the Parliament.","AnswerText":"The Chair of the National Review of Primary Care Out of Hours Services will present his findings and recommendations to me in the autumn. The Review process, since its establishment in February 2015 has been fully inclusive throughout with public, professional and political engagement led and facilitated by the Review Chair. I will ensure that Parliament is fully informed of the findings and recommendations of the Review following publication of the final Review Report.","AnswerDate":"2015-09-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305848,"EventID":"S4W-27261","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4934,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-01T14:36:33.63","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-08-31T16:51:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether, in considering its policy, it will request from the Australian Government information on pollution incidents associated with underground coal gasification projects in Australia.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is clear that the development of new energy technologies such as underground coal gasification must be consistent with our environmental objectives, and we will continue to take a careful, evidence-based approach to such developments.\r\nUnderground coal gasification would only ever be allowed in Scotland under the strictest environmental and planning regulations to ensure the highest level of environmental protection, which is of paramount importance to the Scottish Government. No planning applications for underground coal gasification have been submitted, but any future application would be subject to the same cautious, rigorous and evidence based approach that we are adopting for unconventional oil and gas.","AnswerDate":"2015-09-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305849,"EventID":"S4W-27262","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-01T14:36:34.457","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-01T09:43:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the finding of the 2015 road condition index that suggests a deterioration on the road compared with 2013, what plans it has to invest in improvement works on the A72 in the Scottish Borders. ","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is committed to working with local road authorities to improve the condition of all of Scotland’s roads. The Road Collaboration Programme, established in 2014 following a key recommendation from the National Road Maintenance Review, is working with road authorities, including Scottish Borders Council, to plan and deliver shared service initiatives which will result in more efficient, sustainable and resilient roads services.\r\nThe maintenance and improvement of local roads in the Scottish Borders, including the A72, is ultimately the responsibility of Scottish Borders Council. The Scottish Government is providing the council with £245 million through the 2015-16 local government finance settlement.","AnswerDate":"2015-09-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305850,"EventID":"S4W-27266","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-01T14:36:40.543","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-01T09:52:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the finding of the 2015 road condition index that suggests that, compared with 2013, routes in the area are deteriorating at a faster rate than the rest of the country, what plans it has to work with Scottish Borders Council to improve the area's roads.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-27262 on 10 September 2015. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.","AnswerDate":"2015-09-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305851,"EventID":"S4W-27267","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-01T14:36:40.993","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-01T09:52:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many community mental health teams are operating in each NHS board and how many people are supported by these teams, broken down by NHS board area. ","AnswerText":"The information is not held centrally. NHS Boards are responsible for working with their partners to provide care, services and support which meet the assessed needs of people living with a mental illness across Scotland, in line with their statutory obligations and Scottish Government policy. An additional £85 million funding for mental health was announced on 24 May 2015. This follows the £15 million over three years announced in November 2014 for the Mental Health Innovation Fund providing £100 million in total. This funding will be invested in improving mental health services.","AnswerDate":"2015-09-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305852,"EventID":"S4W-27268","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2610,"Party":"Independent","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-01T14:36:41.68","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-01T10:36:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what safeguards will be put in place to ensure the safety of residents in Kilsyth and the surrounding areas in light of reports that the closure of Drumgrew Bridge and the proposed work at the Castlecary Arches could result in an increase in traffic volume.","AnswerText":"Drumgrew Road bridge closed to all traffic on 27 July 2015 to enable the electrification of the Edinburgh-Glasgow line as part of the Edinburgh Glasgow Improvement Programme. The bridge is expected to re-open on 31 March 2016. The M80 Glasgow to Stirling trunk road between Junction 6 and Junction 6a Castlecary will be closed overnight on five occasions between 16 September 2015 and 1 November 2015 to enable Network Rail to carry out essential maintenance work to Castlecary Viaduct.\r\nThe diversionary routes for both closures, along with traffic management planning and signage, were agreed in consultation with the relevant authorities including Transport Scotland, BEAR Scotland, Police Scotland and North Lanarkshire, East Dunbartonshire and Falkirk Councils. M80 closures will be carried out overnight to minimise disruption and Network Rail have worked closely with local communities to publicise the appropriate diversionary routes.","AnswerDate":"2015-09-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305862,"EventID":"S4W-27274","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5047,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-01T16:34:52.99","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-01T14:01:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many people have type 1 diabetes, broken down by NHS board area.","AnswerText":"Information on the number of people with diabetes in Scotland is published annually within the Scottish Diabetes Survey, the most recent of which was published in June 2015 and covers data from 2014. All of the Scottish Diabetes Survey reports, which began in 2002, can be accessed at:http://www.diabetesinscotland.org.uk/Publications.aspx?catId=3.","AnswerDate":"2015-09-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305869,"EventID":"S4W-27281","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":2,"MSPID":3771,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-02T10:54:00.737","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-02T10:47:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it will provide an update on the legal challenge to minimum unit pricing.","AnswerText":"The Advocate General of the European Court of Justice (ECJ) has now provided his Opinion to the Court. A copy can be found here: .\r\nThe Court will consider the Opinion and then give its preliminary ruling, which is expected within two to four months. The case will then return to the Court of Session which will make its judgement in light of the ECJ preliminary ruling. \r\nA further update will be provided after the ECJ has delivered its preliminary ruling.","AnswerDate":"2015-09-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305870,"EventID":"S4O-04548","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":5041,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-02T13:29:21.24","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-08-31T12:03:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government for what reason it is delaying publishing details of the draft budget.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-09-09T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305871,"EventID":"S4O-04549","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":2633,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-02T13:29:21.847","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-02T11:13:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the potential economic impact on the area, what discussions it is having with Havelock Europa regarding potential job losses in Fife. ","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-09-09T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305872,"EventID":"S4O-04550","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":5047,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-02T13:29:22.627","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-01T10:11:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it will take a decision on setting the Scottish rate of income tax.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-09-09T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305873,"EventID":"S4O-04551","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":1768,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":131,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-02T13:29:23.267","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-08-31T12:03:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it is addressing the concerns raised by the Office for National Statistics regarding the transition to the European System of Accounts 2010 and whether local authorities will be fully compensated for any additional costs for their programmes.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-09-09T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305874,"EventID":"S4O-04552","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":2673,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":114,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-02T13:29:24.127","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-02T10:42:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what recent discussions the Cabinet Secretary for Finance, Constitution and Economy has had with the UK Government regarding the devolution of welfare powers.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-09-09T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305875,"EventID":"S4O-04553","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":5038,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-02T13:29:24.78","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-02T10:58:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to review business rates.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-09-09T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305876,"EventID":"S4O-04554","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":2108,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":141,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-02T13:29:25.42","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-08-31T12:03:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether the Cabinet Secretary for Finance, Constitution and Economy will provide an update on what the cost will be of the recent ruling by the Office for National Statistics regarding the use of private finance for public projects.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-09-09T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305877,"EventID":"S4O-04555","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":2010,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":137,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-02T13:29:26.2","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-08-31T12:03:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to increase tourism in the Greater Glasgow and Clyde Valley area.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-09-09T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305878,"EventID":"S4O-04556","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":1814,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":77,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-02T13:29:26.997","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-08-31T12:03:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what cumulative loss to the block grant has resulted from the UK Government's policy on tuition fees in higher education.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-09-09T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305879,"EventID":"S4O-04557","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":5060,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-02T13:29:27.93","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-02T11:45:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when the Cabinet Secretary for Finance, Constitution and Economy last met the Scottish Futures Trust and what issues were discussed.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-09-09T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305880,"EventID":"S4O-04558","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":2059,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":91,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-02T13:29:29.647","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-08-31T12:03:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the implications are of a curtailed timetable for consideration of the Scottish Budget.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-09-09T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305881,"EventID":"S4O-04559","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":5059,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-02T13:29:30.24","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-02T10:15:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many small and medium-sized enterprises it expects to help through the proposed growth fund.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-09-09T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305882,"EventID":"S4O-04560","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-02T13:29:30.787","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-01T12:56:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what discussions the Cabinet Secretary for Finance, Constitution and Economy has had with Moray Council and Elgin High School Parent Council regarding delays to the replacement of Elgin High School.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-09-09T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305883,"EventID":"S4O-04561","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":3759,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":80,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-02T13:29:36.667","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-08-31T12:03:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how the Scottish economy is performing when measured against those of EU member states.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-09-09T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305884,"EventID":"S4O-04562","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":1741,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-02T13:29:38.07","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-08-31T12:03:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the economic benefits of HMNB Clyde being designated the UK’s submarine centre of specialisation, with a projected increase of 1,500 jobs by 2022.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-09-09T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305885,"EventID":"S4O-04563","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":2112,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":102,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-02T13:29:38.71","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-08-31T12:03:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its plans are for the social responsibility levy.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-09-09T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305886,"EventID":"S4O-04564","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":3771,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-02T13:29:39.693","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-08-31T12:03:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made to mitigate the economic impact of the UK Government’s austerity measures in Glasgow.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-09-09T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305887,"EventID":"S4O-04565","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":5106,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":118,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-02T13:29:40.487","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-08-31T12:03:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what recent meetings and communications it has had with the UK Government regarding the oil and gas industry.","AnswerText":"I have for the past five years attended PILOT meetings chaired by the UK Government. I have included UK Government representatives on the Industry Leader Group which I co-chair and have regularly urged the UK Government since 2011 to provide to the oil and gas industry a stable predictable tax regime to encourage maximised economic recovery.","AnswerDate":"2015-09-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-09-09T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305888,"EventID":"S4O-04566","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":5042,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-02T13:29:41.283","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-08-31T12:03:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what financial impact the delayed timetable for the announcement of its draft budget will have on local authorities.","AnswerText":"The current devolution settlement sees around 80% of the Scottish budget being directly determined by decisions taken in Westminster meaning that we have no alternative but to await the outcome of the UK spending review before publishing the draft budget. While this will be inconvenient for Scotland’s local authorities and other public sector partners in trying to set their 2016 to 2017 budgets, the delay is unavoidable. The Government will work with Parliament to consider the most effective timetable for considering the Local Government Finance Order.","AnswerDate":"2015-09-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-09-09T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305889,"EventID":"S4O-04567","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":5107,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":124,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-02T13:29:41.893","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-08-31T12:03:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how the current period of economic growth in Scotland compares with previous periods of economic growth.","AnswerText":"In Q1 2015 the Scottish economy recorded growth of 0.6%. This was the eleventh consecutive quarter of growth, the longest period of uninterrupted expansion in the Scottish economy since 2001.","AnswerDate":"2015-09-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-09-09T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305890,"EventID":"S4O-04568","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":2159,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":88,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-02T13:29:42.767","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-08-31T12:04:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether Police Scotland uses GPS technology to track registered sex offenders.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-09-10T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305891,"EventID":"S4O-04569","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":2033,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":132,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-02T13:29:43.42","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-08-31T12:04:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the objective is of its proposed root-and-branch review of the planning system.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-09-10T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305892,"EventID":"S4O-04570","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":2853,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":81,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-02T13:29:43.997","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-01T17:22:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when the Cabinet Secretary for Health, Wellbeing and Sport last met the board and chief executive of NHS Lanarkshire and what was discussed.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-09-10T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305893,"EventID":"S4O-04571","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":2215,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":125,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-02T13:29:44.67","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-02T11:58:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what it is doing to protect employment in the Fraserburgh area.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-09-10T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305894,"EventID":"S4O-04572","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":2110,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":138,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-02T13:29:45.45","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-08-31T12:04:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it will take to address the reported increasing number of deaths due to alcohol misuse.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-09-10T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305895,"EventID":"S4O-04573","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":3061,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-02T13:29:46.523","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-02T10:45:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what it is doing to support carers in the Central Scotland region.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-09-10T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305896,"EventID":"S4O-04574","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":4939,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":78,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-02T13:29:47.21","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-08-31T12:04:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what progress it is making on repatriating the red meat levy paid by Scottish livestock producers in England.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-09-10T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305897,"EventID":"S4O-04575","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":5075,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":112,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-02T13:29:47.897","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-01T15:15:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to ease the transition of severely disabled patients from the juvenile to the adult care system.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is committed to supporting children and young people through transition periods to make sure that everyone can reach their potential. Under the Getting It Right for Every Child approach, statutory providers are expected to ensure that transition planning for children with severe disabilities starts as early as possible through a multi-agency team which places the child at the centre. Additionally, under the self-directed support programme we are investing over £500,000 on projects aimed at improving transitions for young people in receipt of social care and support.","AnswerDate":"2015-09-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-09-10T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305898,"EventID":"S4O-04576","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":1853,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":86,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-02T13:29:48.537","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-08-31T12:04:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to reduce health inequalities in Glasgow.","AnswerText":"Scotland’s health is improving, with people living longer, healthier lives. But despite the best efforts of both this and previous administrations, deeply ingrained social inequalities persist.\r\nAt its root this is an issue of income inequality – we need a shift in emphasis from dealing with the consequences to tackling the underlying cause, poverty. The focus must be in providing fair wages, supporting families and improving our physical and social environments.\r\nThe First Minister said in introducing our Programme for Government last week that we will invest more than £100 million this year to mitigate the impact of UK Government welfare cuts. We are also preparing to use our new, albeit limited, welfare powers. The new powers that are proposed in the Scotland Bill fall far short of what we would need to fully mitigate the harm caused by UK Government policies.","AnswerDate":"2015-09-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-09-10T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305899,"EventID":"S4O-04577","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":1775,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":146,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-02T13:29:49.38","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-02T10:36:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether accident statistics are held on shared spaces in Scotland.","AnswerText":"Transport Scotland publishes national statistics covering road accidents and casualties in Scotland on an annual basis. However, due to the variable nature of design for shared spaces it is not possible to present statistics for these areas.","AnswerDate":"2015-09-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-09-10T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305914,"EventID":"S4W-27269","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2135,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":92,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-02T16:56:42.15","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-01T12:53:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what information it has regarding how many people have been injured because of exposure to the sap of giant hogweed in each of the last five years. ","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government does not hold information on the number of people injured as a result of exposure to giant hogweed. Data coding for patients who suffer such an injury does not specify the type of plant or environmental hazard which has caused it. Cases are likely to be coded as burns or blistering of the skin.","AnswerDate":"2015-09-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen McLeod","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305915,"EventID":"S4W-27271","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2135,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":92,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-02T16:56:43.303","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-01T12:53:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what enforcement action has been taken by (a) Scottish Natural Heritage and (b) other bodies in the last 12 months regarding the (i) existence and (ii) spread of giant hogweed.","AnswerText":"Scottish Natural Heritage has intervened to support coordinated action to control giant hogweed on three occasions in the last 12 months. All of these instances have been dealt with on a voluntary basis, with a Species Control Agreement being put in place in one case. The Scottish Environment Protection Agency has not been involved in this way with any giant hogweed control. The Scottish Government does not hold information about interventions by local authorities.","AnswerDate":"2015-09-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen McLeod","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305916,"EventID":"S4W-27272","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2135,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":92,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-02T16:56:44.347","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-01T12:53:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what assessment Scottish Natural Heritage has made of the efforts of (a) local authorities, (b) the Scottish Ministers and (c) private landowners to control or eliminate giant hogweed.","AnswerText":"The Rivers and Fisheries Trust of Scotland (RAFTS) Invasive Species and Biosecurity Programme began in 2008 with funding from Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) and the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) Restoration Fund. Biosecurity Plans have been prepared by 23 of the local Fisheries Trusts with geographic coverage for 90% of Scotland. Coordinated control programmes have been initiated in 11 out of the 13 local Fisheries Trust areas where giant hogweed is widespread. In some areas, such as the Tweed, populations have already been reduced to very low levels. In others, control is at an early stage and concentrated on the upper parts of the catchment. RAFTS is completing an evaluation of effectiveness and lessons learnt from these programmes, which will be shared with SNH and SEPA. The network of Local Biodiversity Action Partnership officers was recently asked to provide details of giant hogweed control carried out by local authorities. The results of this survey suggest that most local authorities control giant hogweed on land that they own or manage, but that they rarely take action on private land. SNH liaises with Network Rail, the Trunk Road Operating Companies and Scottish Water over control of invasive non-native plants. All of these bodies control giant hogweed as part of their annual maintenance regimes.\r\nIn some parts of the country regional invasive non-native species groups and forums have been set up to develop strategic plans and encourage information exchange between the various bodies involved. Regional groups with a specific non-native species remit exist in Dumfries and Galloway, Falkirk, Aberdeen-shire and Highland Council areas. In other parts of the country, bodies such as the Tweed Forum and various countryside trusts have taken on a regional coordination role.","AnswerDate":"2015-09-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen McLeod","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305917,"EventID":"S4W-27273","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2135,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":92,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-02T16:56:45.3","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-01T12:53:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will instruct Scottish Natural Heritage to review the action that has been taken to control or eliminate giant hogweed.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government and Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) are currently working to prioritise non-native species for action through the Scottish Biodiversity Committee’s Non-Native Species Action Group. Giant hogweed is being assessed, alongside a number of other plants, for this purpose. The Group will determine what action should be taken for plants or animals that are deemed to be priorities for management in Scotland. In the meantime, where SNH are made aware that the presence of giant hogweed poses a threat to public health, they will work with the appropriate local authority to ensure that the appropriate action is taken by landowners.","AnswerDate":"2015-09-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen McLeod","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305918,"EventID":"S4W-27276","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-02T16:56:46.267","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-01T16:14:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when the 2015 single farm payments will be made.","AnswerText":"The Single Farm Payment Scheme has been replaced by a range of new schemes or direct payments including the new Basic Payment Scheme and Greening payments.\r\nUnder EU rules the payment window for 2015 direct payments runs from 1 December 2015 to the end of June 2016. The new common agricultural policy (CAP) is far more complex than the previous CAP, which has been a significant challenge for administrations and farmers alike right across Europe. In addition to delivering the new IT system, there are also additional tasks to be completed for the first time this year such as greening inspections, regionalisation of land parcels, and calculating and issuing new entitlements.\r\nThe Scottish Government fully recognises the pressures facing the farming industry at present, and is striving to start making payments at the earliest possible time. It remains the case that we are aiming to start making payments by the end of December 2015 if at all possible. As we have said previously, we are also considering the option of partial payments.\r\nWe will of course continue to keep the farming industry, and the banking sector on which they rely, fully informed of progress with these issues, over and above the steps already announced.","AnswerDate":"2015-09-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Richard Lochhead","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305919,"EventID":"S4W-27277","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-02T16:56:47.483","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-01T16:14:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it will announce the proposed by-laws for the Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park.","AnswerText":"Ministers are currently considering the camping management byelaw proposals submitted by Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park Authority, including the comments received during the formal 30 day notification period. An announcement will be made in due course.","AnswerDate":"2015-09-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen McLeod","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305920,"EventID":"S4W-27278","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-02T16:56:48.607","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-01T16:14:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government who the Minister for Environment, Climate Change and Land Reform has met to discuss the proposed by-laws for the Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park and when.","AnswerText":"As part of my consideration of the camping management byelaw proposals submitted by the Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park Authority, on 8 July 2015 I met representatives of the National Park Authority, the Loch Lomond Destination Group, the 5 Lochs Management Group & Community Council, the Loch Earn Tourism Initiative and the St. Fillans Community Council. On 3 September 2015, I met Ramblers Scotland and the Mountaineering Council of Scotland to hear about their work and their views on the proposed camping management proposals. A meeting is also being arranged with Ms Baillie.","AnswerDate":"2015-09-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen McLeod","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305921,"EventID":"S4W-27279","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2615,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":143,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-02T16:56:49.98","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-02T10:04:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many Scottish-domiciled students have been accepted by Scottish universities for 2015-16 and how many have been accepted by their (a) first and (b) second choice university and how many have been placed through clearing.","AnswerText":"The latest data on acceptances to higher education institutions (HEIs) across the UK are Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS) data as at 15 days after A-level results day 2015.\r\nAt that stage, the number of Scottish domiciled applicants accepted to HEIs in Scotland was 27,940.\r\nFurther breakdowns by choice/clearing are not published for Scottish domiciled applicants accepted to HEIs in Scotland but are published for Scottish domiciled applicants accepted to HEIs anywhere in the UK.\r\nTable 1: Scottish domiciled students accepted to HEIs anywhere in the UK at 15 days after A-level results day: 2011 to 2015\r\n\r\n2011\r\n2012\r\n2013\r\n2014\r\n2015\r\nTotal placed at this stage\r\n27,500\r\n27,660\r\n28,090\r\n28,890\r\n29,610\r\nFirst choice\r\n24,050\r\n24,180\r\n25,020\r\n25,860\r\n26,270\r\nSecond choice\r\n1,530\r\n1,510\r\n1,350\r\n1,410\r\n1,480\r\nNo preference indicated\r\n800\r\n630\r\n500\r\n510\r\n510\r\n‘Adjustment’*\r\n10\r\n20\r\n10\r\n10\r\n10\r\nClearing (Main scheme)\r\n980\r\n1180\r\n1070\r\n960\r\n1150\r\nClearing (Direct to)\r\n130\r\n150\r\n150\r\n130\r\n190\r\nSource: UCAS\r\nData rounded to nearest 10.\r\n*A small number of applicants meet the entry conditions for their first choice but opt to accept an alternative offer.","AnswerDate":"2015-09-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305922,"EventID":"S4W-27282","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4014,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-02T16:56:50.603","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-02T11:07:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on the names of companies to which it has awarded development contracts being displayed on site.","AnswerText":"The Town and Country Planning (Development Management Procedure) (Scotland) Regulations 2013 require all major and national developments and those developments specified in Schedule 3 to the regulations (developments likely to have wider impacts on amenity), while in progress, to display a sign in a specified form, including the name and address of the developer. It must be: i) displayed in a prominent place at or in the vicinity of the site of the development; (ii) readily visible to the public; and (iii) printed on durable material. The aim is for the public to know more about what is being built, the permission and conditions, where to get more information and who is responsible for planning enforcement.","AnswerDate":"2015-09-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305923,"EventID":"S4W-27283","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4014,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-02T16:56:51.103","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-02T10:58:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many sheriff court actions to settle disputes between small and large businesses there have been in each year since 1999.","AnswerText":"This question relates to operational matters that are the responsibility of the Scottish Court Service (SCS) corporate body. The question has been passed to the Chief Executive of the SCS who will reply in writing within 20 days.","AnswerDate":"2015-09-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305924,"EventID":"S4W-27284","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4014,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-02T16:56:51.9","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-02T10:58:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with the UK Government regarding the establishment of a small business conciliation service.","AnswerText":"It is the UK Government’s intention to establish a small business commissioner (which delivers its manifesto commitment to establish a small business conciliation service) as part of the provisions in the Enterprise Bill. The Scottish Government is in regular contact with the UK Government on a wide range of issues, including the provisions of the Enterprise Bill.","AnswerDate":"2015-09-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305925,"EventID":"S4W-27285","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4014,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-02T16:56:52.587","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-02T10:58:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what support it provides to schools seeking funds to visit the UK Parliament. ","AnswerText":"Responsibility for delivery of education rests with local authorities. The Scottish Government does not provide any additional funding for Scottish schools to support them to visit the UK Parliament. We understand that the UK Parliament does provide travel subsidies for schools wishing to visit them and further information can be found on their website.","AnswerDate":"2015-09-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305926,"EventID":"S4W-27288","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5074,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":104,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-02T16:56:53.053","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-02T14:25:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many brownfield sites have been brought back into use for housing developments since 2007.","AnswerText":"Scottish Planning Policy defines brownfield land as: “Land which has previously been developed”. The term may cover vacant or derelict land, land occupied by redundant or unused buildings and developed land within the settlement boundary where further intensification of use is considered acceptable.\r\nIn total, since 2007, 1,013 hectares (919 sites) of derelict or urban vacant land has been reclaimed for residential developments.\r\nThe following table gives details for reclaimed land from the Scottish Vacant and Derelict Land Survey. These figures for derelict and urban vacant land are a subset of all brownfield land.\r\nSites that have been reclaimed for residential developments since the previous year:\r\nYear\r\nDerelict Land 1\r\nUrban Vacant Land 2\r\nTotal Derelict and Urban Vacant Land\r\n\r\n\r\nArea (hectares)\r\nNo. of Sites\r\nArea (hectares)\r\nNo. of Sites\r\nArea (hectares)\r\nNo. of Sites\r\n\r\n2008\r\n99\r\n80\r\n173\r\n136\r\n271\r\n216\r\n\r\n2009\r\n66\r\n55\r\n60\r\n77\r\n126\r\n132\r\n\r\n2010\r\n51\r\n45\r\n61\r\n82\r\n111\r\n127\r\n\r\n2011\r\n69\r\n40\r\n66\r\n72\r\n135\r\n112\r\n\r\n2012\r\n43\r\n36\r\n85\r\n58\r\n128\r\n94\r\n\r\n2013\r\n57\r\n55\r\n60\r\n69\r\n118\r\n124\r\n\r\n2014\r\n60\r\n44\r\n63\r\n70\r\n124\r\n114\r\n\r\nTotal\r\n445\r\n355\r\n568\r\n564\r\n1,013\r\n919\r\n\r\nSource: Scottish Vacant and Derelict Land Survey\r\n1. Derelict land (and buildings) is land which has been so damaged by development that it is incapable of development for beneficial use without rehabilitation. In addition, the land must currently not be used for the purpose for which it is held or a use acceptable in the local plan. Land also qualifies as derelict if it has an un-remedied previous use which could constrain future development. For both vacant and derelict land, site records must be at least 0.1 hectares in size to be included.\r\n2. Vacant land is land which is unused for the purposes for which it is held and is viewed as an appropriate site for development. This land must either have had prior development on it or preparatory work has taken place in anticipation of future development. Urban vacant land is located within settlements of over 2,000 in population.","AnswerDate":"2015-09-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Burgess","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305927,"EventID":"S4W-27289","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4014,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-02T16:56:53.85","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-02T15:05:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will change pension rules in Scotland to provide pension parity for serving police officers who joined the force after 2006.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is considering this issue.","AnswerDate":"2015-09-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305928,"EventID":"S4W-27290","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1895,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":121,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-02T16:56:54.38","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-02T15:51:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what support it is giving to (a) schools and (b) local authorities in North East Scotland to (i) promote the heritage and (ii) help secure the future of the Scots language. ","AnswerText":"Education Scotland currently provide Scots language CPD to teachers across Scotland, including in the North East. They have paired nine Scots ambassadors with schools in the North East area and have developed a suite of new Scots language resources for schools, some of which are specifically tailored to the North East variety of Scots.\r\nFollowing the publication of the Scottish Government’s Scots language policy, we will look to provide practical advice to local authorities, by means of a Scots language plan, on how they can actively encourage and include Scots within their daily activity.","AnswerDate":"2015-09-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alasdair Allan","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305929,"EventID":"S4W-27291","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5047,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-02T16:56:54.973","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-02T16:03:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much has been spent on research related to type 1 diabetes in each year since 2007, broken down by project.","AnswerText":"Details of expenditure by financial year for research projects, identified as related to type 1 diabetes, receiving support through the Chief Scientist Office response mode health grant schemes is provided in the following table.\r\n\r\nProject Reference\r\n\r\nGrant Awarded\r\nStart Date\r\nEnd Date\r\n2006-07\r\n2007-08\r\n2008-09\r\n2009-10\r\n2010-11\r\n2011-12\r\n2012-13\r\n2013-14\r\n2014-15\r\nCZB-4-423\r\n46,388\r\n01-06-06\r\n31-05-07\r\n41,749\r\n4,271\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\nCZB-4-606\r\n223,327\r\n01-04-08\r\n30-04-10\r\n0\r\n0\r\n111,502 \r\n108,188\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\nCZF-2-15\r\n221,796\r\n01-10-04\r\n30-09-07\r\n92,491\r\n36,267 \r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\nCZF-7-25\r\n77,805\r\n01-03-08\r\n28-02-10\r\n0\r\n0\r\n43,283\r\n31,928\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\nCZH-4-1063\r\n218,262\r\n01-09-15\r\n31-08-17\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\nCZH-4-1072\r\n207,898\r\n01-01-15\r\n30-06-17\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n26,725\r\nCZH-4-1122\r\n34,700\r\n01-08-15\r\n31-10-16\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\nCZH-4-256\r\n224,729\r\n01-10-05\r\n31-05-09\r\n61,624\r\n61,624\r\n49,800\r\n0\r\n19,754\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\nCZH-4-722\r\n119,963\r\n01-10-12\r\n31-05-14\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n53,452\r\n53,457\r\n11,878\r\nCZH-4-742\r\n179,616\r\n01-10-12\r\n31-01-16\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n23,091\r\n92,364\r\n46,201\r\nCZH-4-971\r\n81,857\r\n01-10-13\r\n31-01-15\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n65,326\r\n0\r\nETM-325\r\n224,882\r\n01-03-14\r\n29-02-16\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n8,433\r\n101,196\r\nETM-47\r\n411,827\r\n01-09-10\r\n31-12-13\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n87,290\r\n123,479\r\n159,875\r\n41,177\r\n0\r\nTOTAL\r\n2,273,050\r\n\r\n\r\n195,864\r\n102,162\r\n204,585\r\n140,116\r\n107,044\r\n123,479\r\n236,418\r\n260,757\r\n186,000\r\nSince 2006 the Scottish Diabetes Research Network (SDRN) has been funded by the Chief Scientist Office to improve the quality and increase the quantity of diabetes research, including type 1 diabetes, in Scotland. The current annual funding is £567,000.","AnswerDate":"2015-09-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305930,"EventID":"S4W-27292","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-02T16:56:55.487","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-02T16:17:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the sickness absence rate is for (a) Police Scotland, (b) the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service, (c) the Scottish Ambulance Service, (d) the NHS, (e) the college sector, (f) local authorities, and (g) the Scottish civil service in each of the last seven years, expressed as a percentage. ","AnswerText":"In response to (a) the recording and management of sickness absence for police officers and staff is a matter for the Scottish Police Authority (SPA) and Police Scotland. Sickness absence is reported to the SPA board regularly, with papers published on the SPA website.\r\nIn response to (b) sickness absences rates for the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service is not held centrally or available publicly.\r\nIn response to (c) and (d) sickness absences rates for the NHS boards, including the Scottish Ambulance Services can be found on http://www.isdscotland.org/Health-Topics/Workforce/Publications/data-tables.asp?id=1059\r\nIn response to (e) and (f) sickness absence rates for the college sector and local authorities are not held centrally.\r\nIn response to (g) the Scottish Government holds sickness absence figures for staff in core Scottish Government directorates and some of the associated agencies.\r\nSick absence rates for the core Scottish Government for the last seven years are as follows:\r\nYear\r\nSick absence rate\r\n2008-09\r\n3.8%\r\n2009-10\r\n3.4%\r\n2010-11\r\n3.0%\r\n2011-12\r\n2.8%\r\n2012-13\r\n3.1%\r\n2013-14\r\n2.9%\r\n2014-15\r\n3.2%\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-09-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305931,"EventID":"S4W-27293","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-02T16:56:56.39","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-02T16:22:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what analysis it is carrying out of sickness absence rates in the public sector and what action is being taken as a result.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government holds and analyses sickness absence figures for staff in core Scottish Government directorates and some associated agencies, and has arrangements in place to monitor sickness absence levels closely. This ensures that appropriate action can be taken to help reduce the overall absence rates and to support individual members of staff during periods of ill-health. We also provide regular sick absence information to the Cabinet Office, who collate the results and publish sickness absence figures for the whole of the UK Civil Service:https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/355941/CS_Website_Absence_update_September_2014.pdf\r\nNational Health Service Scotland\r\nSickness absences rates for the NHS Boards, including the Scottish Ambulance Services can be found on:\r\nhttp://www.isdscotland.org/Health-Topics/Workforce/Publications/data-tables.asp?id=1059\r\nOur staff are at the heart of our NHS. The welfare of NHS staff is critically important with every health board required to have policies in place and to comply with national policies on managing health at work. The Staff Governance Standard for NHS Scotland commits all Boards to providing a continuously improving and safe working environment promoting the health and wellbeing of staff, patients and the wider community. Through our monitoring arrangements, we are ensuring that Boards have policies and actions in place to support staff. We are updating the Managing Health at Work Partnership Information Network policy that will be researched and prepared on a partnership basis involving NHSScotland employers, trade unions, professional organisations and The Scottish Government.\r\nFor information about sickness absence in other parts of the public sector, please see response to S4W-27292 on 10 September 2015. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.","AnswerDate":"2015-09-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305932,"EventID":"S4W-27304","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":2,"MSPID":4964,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":119,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-03T10:52:55.483","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-03T10:47:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the cost was of the referendum on independence.","AnswerText":"The cost of running the Scottish independence referendum which took place on 18 September 2014 was £15.8 million. A breakdown of this total cost is set out in the following table:\r\n\r\nFinancial Memorandum (£,000)\r\nActual outturn\r\n(£,000)\r\nChief Counting Officer\r\n330\r\n510\r\nCounting officers\r\n8,317\r\n10,888\r\nElectoral registration officers\r\n333\r\n1,042\r\nRoyal Mail\r\n2,383\r\n1,568\r\nElectoral Commission\r\n2,350\r\n1,826\r\nMiscellaneous\r\n-\r\n7\r\nTotal\r\n13,713\r\n15,841\r\nThe total cost of £15.8 million is £2.1 million more than the indicative cost of running the referendum which was set out in the Financial Memorandums which accompanied the Scottish Independence Referendum Bill and the Scottish Independence Referendum (Franchise) Bill.\r\nThis additional expenditure was a result of the very high turnout at the referendum which resulted in additional expenditure by counting officers and electoral registration officers in preparing for and running the poll.","AnswerDate":"2015-09-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305933,"EventID":"S4W-27305","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":2,"MSPID":4964,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":119,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-03T11:03:11.17","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-03T10:43:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide a breakdown of counting officers’ costs for running the poll at the referendum on independence.","AnswerText":"The agreed claims from counting officers, including the counting officers’ services, incurred in running the poll in individual local government areas were as follows:\r\nLocal government area\r\nTotal agree claim (£)\r\nAberdeen City\r\n495,002\r\nAberdeenshire\r\n572,679\r\nAngus\r\n245,781\r\nArgyll and Bute\r\n270,223\r\nClackmannanshire\r\n113,699\r\nDumfries and Galloway\r\n368,565\r\nDundee City\r\n250,437\r\nEast Ayrshire\r\n258,159\r\nEast Dunbartonshire\r\n161,335\r\nEast Lothian\r\n178,471\r\nEast Renfrewshire\r\n180,660\r\nEdinburgh (City of)\r\n1,172,806\r\nEilean Siar\r\n74,039\r\nFalkirk\r\n288,521\r\nFife\r\n604,833\r\nGlasgow City\r\n1,072,921\r\nHighland\r\n507,755\r\nInverclyde\r\n164,486\r\nMidlothian\r\n133,832\r\nMoray\r\n180,544\r\nNorth Ayrshire\r\n285,951\r\nNorth Lanarkshire\r\n789,143\r\nOrkney Islands\r\n52,606\r\nPerth and Kinross\r\n293,517\r\nRenfrewshire\r\n383,499\r\nScottish Borders\r\n272,078\r\nShetland Islands\r\n53,140\r\nSouth Ayrshire\r\n258,653\r\nSouth Lanarkshire\r\n592,938\r\nStirling\r\n153,376\r\nWest Dunbartonshire\r\n159,698\r\nWest Lothian\r\n299,211\r\nTotal\r\n10,888,558\r\nThe total revised maximum recoverable amount of £10,888,558 is £1,919,908 more than the total maximum recoverable amount for counting officers set out in the Scottish Independence Referendum (Chief Counting Officer And Counting Officer Charges And Expenses) Order 2014.\r\nThis additional expenditure was due to the very high turnout at the referendum. In anticipation of a high turnout, the chief counting officer provided guidance to counting officers on issues such as printing additional ballot papers, to ensure that replacement ballot papers were available to cover for any damaged or misprinted ballot papers, and limiting the number of electors attending individual polling stations, to avoid queues. In addition, additional staff were employed at count centres in order to ensure a prompt result. These, and other similar sensible contingency measures, added to counting officers’ costs but ensured that the poll ran smoothly on the day.\r\nIn addition to the above, the total claim by the chief counting officer for her costs of administering the referendum, including the chief counting officers’ services, was £509,880. This is £159,880 more that the amount set out in article 3 of the Scottish Independence Referendum (Chief Counting Officer and Counting Officer Charges and Expenses) Order 2014. This increase mainly reflects the Chief Counting Officer’s costs associated with the running of the international event to declare the referendum result which took place at Ingliston on the night of 18 to 19 September 2014.\r\nScottish Ministers will bring forward an order revising the chief counting officers’ and individual counting officers’ maximum recoverable amounts in line with the above figures in due course.","AnswerDate":"2015-09-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305934,"EventID":"S4W-27306","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":2,"MSPID":3759,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":80,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-03T11:09:57.617","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-03T11:01:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what information it can provide regarding the First Minister’s recent visit to mainland China and Hong Kong.","AnswerText":"The First Minister visited mainland China and Hong Kong from 26 to 31 July 2015 to promote Scottish innovation and deliver a programme covering education, culture, trade and investment, including oil and gas. During her time in the country, the First Minister promoted the work of 50 Scottish businesses and announced business partnerships between Scotland and China worth a total of £55 million over three years.\r\nIn Beijing, government engagements included a meeting with State Councillor Yang Jiechi, the holder of China’s most senior foreign affairs office. The meeting included discussion around China’s ongoing focus on innovation and Scotland’s expertise in areas such energy and low carbon technology, coupled with educational strengths that could be beneficial for both economies. \r\nDuring the meeting with State Councillor Yang, the First Minister shared the key message of her earlier speech to the Chinese Friendship Association: that women’s rights and human rights both in China and in Scotland are a fundamental part of achieving greater equality and greater economic growth. Amnesty International’s Programme Director in Scotland, Naomi McAuliffe, called the speech a “significant statement of support for equality and human rights in Beijing”.\r\nThe First Minister also met with Minister for Culture, Luo Shugang, and signed a renewal of the Cultural Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Scottish and Chinese governments. She highlighted Scotland’s contribution to the UK China Year of Culture, before witnessing the signing of the Edinburgh International Festival’s MoU on festival collaboration with China. \r\nWhilst in Beijing, the First Minister hosted a reception for 80 Scottish school children benefitting from a Hanban summer learning exchange programme in China. Currently over 200 schools and 20,000 school children learn about China and its language. The First Minister met with Madame Xu Lin, Head of Hanban, thanking her for the recent extension of 21 Confucius Classrooms in Scotland to teach further primary pupils Mandarin and boost their language skills.\r\nOn the business front, the First Minister conducted senior-level meetings with major oil companies Sinopec, the China National Offshore Oil Corporation and PetroChina, all of which have substantial interests in the North Sea, opening the door for Scottish companies at the very highest level and promoting further investment in North Sea operations.\r\nThe First Minister led a business showcase event in Beijing, where she announced a series of new partnership agreements between Scottish and Chinese firms. The agreements, between nine Scottish companies and Chinese private sector partners, will collectively create 70 jobs in Scotland. At the event, the First Minister addressed an audience of over 120 senior Chinese business people and national media to position Scotland’s innovative company and academic base and promote Scotland as a location for Chinese investment.\r\nThe First Minister’s Shanghai programme included announcements around further investment in Scottish textile operations in China as well as business and academic partnerships for one of Scotland’s animation software firms. She also opened Scotland’s largest ever contemporary arts exhibition in China at the Himalayas Museum, promoting opportunities within the cultural and creative industries between Scotland and China.\r\nThe programme in Hong Kong included a meeting with Chief Secretary Carrie Lam to discuss opportunities for economic collaboration between Hong Kong and Scotland. The meeting focused on Hong Kong’s programme of constitutional reform and the shared challenges of in work poverty and meeting the needs of an older population.\r\nOther engagements saw the First Minister opening the Edinburgh Centre for Carbon Innovation’s new base in the Hong Kong Science and Technology Park. The centre will share and develop best practise with the Hong Kong government, academic and business partners for the future of carb","AnswerDate":"2015-09-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fiona Hyslop","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305935,"EventID":"S4W-27294","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-03T13:49:03.04","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-02T16:24:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to support public sector staff in (a) identifying and (b) treating issues relating to mental health. ","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government sets national direction of policy on mental health and provides funding to agencies, including NHS boards and local authorities, to support implementation of policy. The management of local actions in implementing national policy, including the support given to staff to do this, are the responsibility of relevant local agencies.\r\nScotland’s Mental Health First Aid\r\nNHS Health Scotland has for several years been rolling out Scotland’s Mental Health First Aid (SMHFA), a 12-hour evidence-based training course with the aim of improving the general public’s awareness and understanding of mental health. The course enables people to develop skills which are the mental health equivalent of physical first aid. SMHFA is supported by a website (www.smhfa.com). The site provides trainer support, with hints and tips and up to date information and a way for trainers to log all their courses and order course materials. The website offers information for the wider public who are able to access local training courses open to the public. It is estimated that, to date, over 45,000 people have attended SMHFA from across all the sectors and in all parts of Scotland. These figures are based on a count of materials distribution and recording forms received.\r\nSee Me\r\nSee Me is Scotland’s national campaign to end mental health stigma and discrimination. Over the coming months See Me will be working with a small number of employers to trial the process they are developing. They will be working with Network Rail, Edinburgh City Council and Lewis Agency to develop resources, training materials and effective case studies and other support to ensure our offer to employers is as good as it can be. See Me will also be working with people with lived experience to further understand their experience and what action they can take to support the shift need in workplaces to transform culture and make work safe for people with mental health problems. See Me plan to do another more public awareness campaign in September 2015 highlighting some of the workplace issues and encouraging employers to sign up.","AnswerDate":"2015-09-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305936,"EventID":"S4W-27295","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-03T13:49:04.3","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-02T16:29:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what lessons it has learned from West Dunbartonshire Council raising attainment levels in schools, and whether it will implement these lessons as part of the Scottish Attainment Challenge.","AnswerText":"A number of lessons have been learned from West Dunbartonshire Council’s raising attainment levels in school, in particular the authority wide literacy scheme.\r\nThe Scottish Government invited the Association of Directors of Education to conduct a review (published in March 2014) of the operation of the literacy hubs – this included the West Dunbartonshire literacy hub. The overall aim of the review was to understand the impact that the literacy hub approach has had across host and partner local authorities. West Dunbartonshire literacy hub shared the learning and delivered training across its partner authorities and learning has been shared more widely through Education Scotland’s National Literacy Network events.\r\nEducation Scotland’s report on Family Learning in West Dunbartonshire, published in July 2014, highlights ways in which the council is using family learning as a tool to improve outcomes and close the equity gap.\r\nTo support the Scottish Attainment Challenge a national hub will provide a virtual centre of expertise that will share practice of what is working well. Effective strategies and interventions, including those delivered in West Dunbartonshire Council, will be shared and made easily accessible through the hub. In addition, every local authority will have direct access to an attainment advisor who will work collaboratively alongside local authority staff and provide support to implement effective interventions. Those local authorities in receipt of the Attainment Scotland Fund, which includes West Dunbartonshire Council, have developed their own improvement plans focused on raising attainment in literacy, numeracy and health and wellbeing. Lessons learned from these local authorities will be spread more widely.\r\nBroader support to improve literacy is being provided by Education Scotland and the National Literacy Network, building on work done in the literacy hubs.","AnswerDate":"2015-09-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305937,"EventID":"S4W-27296","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5047,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-03T13:49:05.34","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-02T16:34:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the costs to the NHS of treatment for type 1 diabetes.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government does not hold this information centrally.","AnswerDate":"2015-09-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305938,"EventID":"S4W-27297","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-03T13:49:05.92","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-02T17:20:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many patients Police Scotland has delivered to accident and emergency units in each month since 2010 due to self-harm.","AnswerText":"Attendances at A&E due to self-harm can be recorded in several ways, primarily through the data field ‘intent of injury’. However, this field is not mandatory and Information Services Division is working with NHS boards to increase coverage and consistency.","AnswerDate":"2015-09-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305939,"EventID":"S4W-27298","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-03T13:49:06.56","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-02T17:20:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much it has spent on the (a) Scotland GP Returner Programme and (b) Scotland GP Enhanced Induction Programme in each year since 2010.","AnswerText":"Introduced in 2015-2016 Scottish Government provided £100,000 NES for this year to fund the GP Returner scheme. This is the first year and therefore there is no historical data. It is NHS Education for Scotland (NES) which has operational responsibility for both programmes; the Enhanced Induction programme only commenced in 2015. Regarding the Returners programme, until this year NES had no earmarked fund for returners and, on average in recent years between five to six GPs applied to return with NES funding their educational placements from its general medical budget. The Scottish Government has provided NES with £100,000 from 2015 to ensure both programmes are financially stable, and these were relaunched earlier this year.","AnswerDate":"2015-09-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305940,"EventID":"S4W-27299","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-03T13:49:07.06","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-02T17:20:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many people it has recruited through the (a) Scotland GP Returner Programme and (b) Scotland GP Enhanced Induction Programme in each year since 2010.","AnswerText":"The GP returner programme started in May 2015 and to date three GPs have completed the programme. There are currently four GPs taking part in the programme and a further eight expressions of interest have also been submitted.\r\nThere are two practitioners currently being assessed before joining the Enhanced Induction Programme.","AnswerDate":"2015-09-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305941,"EventID":"S4W-27300","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1814,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":77,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-03T13:49:07.61","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-02T20:46:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what guidance it gives to local authorities in relation to independent adjudication under the Education (Additional Support for Learning) (Scotland) Act 2004.","AnswerText":"On receipt of a request for referral to independent adjudication, the Scottish Government provides local authorities with the application and a non-statutory guidance document on dispute resolution specifically tailored for education authorities. In addition, the supporting children’s learning code of practice provides guidance on dispute resolution under the Education (Additional Support for Learning) (Scotland) Act 2004.","AnswerDate":"2015-09-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-10-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alasdair Allan","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305942,"EventID":"S4W-27301","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1814,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":77,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-03T13:49:08.26","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-02T20:46:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it ensures that parents are aware of their rights to independent adjudication under the Education (Additional Support for Learning) (Scotland) Act 2004.","AnswerText":"Every education authority must publish and keep under review information on any person specified by the Scottish Ministers to allow the parents of children and young people with additional support needs to obtain advice and support. One of those person’s specified under The Additional Support for Learning Sources of Information Scotland Order is Children in Scotland. Scottish Ministers currently fund Children in Scotland to provide the Enquire service – a national, independent, advice and information service for the families of children who require extra help at school. Enquire has developed a number of resources aimed at helping parents and carers navigate the system, including advice on resolving disagreements.\r\nFurther, Scottish Ministers currently fund Govan Law Centre’s Education Law Unit (http://www.edlaw.org.uk) to provide advice and support to parents or young people on any aspect of education law, which includes independent adjudication.","AnswerDate":"2015-09-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-10-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alasdair Allan","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305943,"EventID":"S4W-27302","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1814,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":77,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-03T13:49:09.32","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-02T20:46:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many referrals there have been to the Scottish Ministers resulting in independent adjudication under the Education (Additional Support for Learning) (Scotland) Act 2004, broken down by local authority.","AnswerText":"The Education (Additional Support for Learning) (Scotland) Act 2009 made amendments to the Education (Additional Support for Learning) (Scotland) Act 2004. One of those amendments introduced a requirement on parents or young people making an application to dispute resolution to make that application directly to the Scottish Ministers. Therefore, the following information outlines the number of referrals made directly to Scottish Ministers since the legislation was commenced on 14 November 2010.\r\nSince 14 November 2010 Scottish Ministers have received 21 referrals for dispute resolution which resulted in independent adjudication. These are broken down by authority in the following table:\r\nAberdeenshire Council\r\n1\r\nAberdeen City Council\r\n1\r\nAngus Council\r\n1\r\nCity of Edinburgh Council\r\n1\r\nDumfries and Galloway Council\r\n1\r\nEast Lothian Council\r\n1\r\nFife Council\r\n1\r\nFalkirk Council\r\n2\r\nGlasgow City Council\r\n1\r\nThe Highland Council\r\n4\r\nMidlothian Council\r\n1\r\nMoray Council\r\n1\r\nNorth Lanarkshire Council\r\n2\r\nScottish Borders Council\r\n1\r\nWest Dunbartonshire Council\r\n2\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-09-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-10-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alasdair Allan","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305944,"EventID":"S4W-27303","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1814,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":77,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-03T13:49:10.18","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-02T20:46:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the annual cost is of servicing each (a) NHS, (b) education and (c) justice portfolio PFI/PPP project in the East Kilbride parliamentary constituency.","AnswerText":"Information relating to PPP/PFI contracts and the associated unitary payments is available from the Scottish Government website under ‘Unitary Payment Charges’ by way of the following link:www.scotland.gov.uk.","AnswerDate":"2015-09-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305945,"EventID":"S4W-27307","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4014,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-03T13:49:11.23","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-03T12:42:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government which railway stations are not accessible to disabled people.","AnswerText":"When referring to access to railway stations for disabled people, it normally relates to those with reduced mobility. When considering if a station is accessible it is usually put in the context of a wheelchair user and therefore stations are categorized according to the existence of step free access to all station platforms and facilities. The information below reflects this definition of an inaccessible station, but people with a range of other disabilities may still be able to use these stations.\r\nOf Scotland’s 358 railway stations, 274 (76.6%) have step free access to all platforms.\r\n42 stations (11.7%) have platforms that can only be accessed by steps. This makes it impossible for a wheelchair user to reach rail services from these stations. Table 1 provides a full list of these stations:\r\nTable 1\r\nAddiewell\r\nBurnside\r\nGilschochill\r\nQueen’s Park (Glasgow)\r\nAlexandria\r\nCarstairs\r\nGreenock West\r\nRannoch for Kinloch\r\nAnderston\r\nCathcart\r\nHigh Street\r\nRannoch\r\nArdlui\r\nCoatdyke\r\nKing’s Park\r\nRoy bridge\r\nArgyle Street\r\nCorrour\r\nLangside\r\nShawlands\r\nArrochar and Tarbet\r\nCrianlarich\r\nMaxwell Park\r\nSlateford\r\nAttadale\r\nCroftfoot\r\nPaisley St James\r\nSpringburn\r\nBellgrove\r\nCrosshill\r\nPollokshaws East\r\nUpper Tyndrum\r\nBlairhill*\r\nDumbarton East\r\nPollokshaws West\r\nWilliamwood\r\nBridge of Orchy\r\nFalls of Cruachan\r\nPollokshields East\r\n\r\nBridgeton\r\nGarelochhead\r\nPollokshields West\r\n\r\n*Network Rail is developing proposals to make Blairhill station step free and fully accessible through the Access for All Fund.\r\nA further 42 stations (11.7%) have at least one platform that can only be accessed by steps and are therefore part accessible for a wheelchair user. Table 2 provides a full list of these stations:\r\nTable 2\r\nAchnasheen\r\nBurntisland\r\nFauldhouse\r\nKingussie\r\nAnniesland\r\nCardonald\r\nForsinard\r\nKirkconnel\r\nArdgay\r\nCarrbridge\r\nFort Matilda\r\nLairg\r\nArisaig\r\nCleland\r\nGarve\r\nLochgelly\r\nBalmossie\r\nCoatbridge\r\nGirvan\r\nLochwinnoch\r\nBarassie\r\nCentral\r\nGlenfinnan\r\nPitlochry\r\nBarhill\r\nCurriehill\r\nHelmsdale\r\nSpringfield\r\nBarry Links\r\nDalreoch\r\nHyndland\r\nStirling\r\nBowling\r\nDalwhinnie\r\nInsch\r\nTain\r\nBreich\r\nDrem\r\nKilmarnock**\r\n\r\nBrora\r\nDunkeld and Birnam\r\nKinghorn\r\n\r\n**Network Rail is developing proposals to make Kilmarnock station step free and fully accessible through the Access for All Fund.\r\nScotRail provides alternative accessible transport (normally a taxi) to any eligible disabled passenger who cannot access a station and who books this service in advance of travel. The passenger will be taken to the next nearest accessible station on that route and this service is provided free of charge to the passenger.","AnswerDate":"2015-09-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305946,"EventID":"S4W-27308","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-03T13:49:11.66","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-03T12:48:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-26185 by Humza Yousaf on 8 July 2015, what response it has received from the UK Government to the concerns raised by the First Minister.","AnswerText":"From November 2015, Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) qualifications will no longer be recognised by UK Visas and Immigration to demonstrate English language skills for settlement and citizenship applications. The First Minister has written twice to the UK Immigration Minister making clear Scottish Government concerns about these changes. The UK Government has however refused to continue to recognise SQA ESOL qualifications for settlement and citizenship applications. We are very disappointed by this response. Scottish Government and Education Scotland officials will remain in touch with SQA and with key sector contacts to monitor, and where possible, mitigate negative impacts of these changes.","AnswerDate":"2015-09-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305959,"EventID":"S4W-27309","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1853,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":86,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-04T13:53:59.837","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-03T16:41:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the cost was of the new logo for the Glasgow alcohol and drug recovery service, including design and implementation across the alcohol and drug service.","AnswerText":"It is for Alcohol and Drug Partnerships (ADPs) to commission and oversee the provision of local drug and alcohol services. The Scottish Government would not intervene in local decision making as it is up to ADPs and commissioned services to decide how their allocated funding is spent according to local needs and in line with the evidence base for effective treatment provision but the Scottish Government would expect that ADPs seek to achieve best value in the procurement process and ensure they maximise their ability to invest in delivery of services for clients.","AnswerDate":"2015-09-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Paul Wheelhouse","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305960,"EventID":"S4W-27310","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-04T13:54:01.087","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-03T17:48:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government where the independent police monitors who visit the cells in Lerwick police station on an unannounced basis are based.","AnswerText":"This is a matter for the Scottish Police Authority, which has a statutory duty to maintain and manage an independent custody visiting scheme to monitor the welfare of people detained in police custody facilities throughout Scotland. Independent Custody Visitors are volunteer members of the local community who visit police stations unannounced to check on the treatment of detainees, the conditions in which they are being held and that their rights and entitlements are being observed. The SPA co-ordinates and manages around 140 volunteer visitors across Scotland.\r\nI understand that in respect of Lerwick, despite a national recruitment drive with assistance from Voluntary Action Shetland there are currently no Independent Custody Visitors based on Shetland. The Scottish Police Authority is aiming to rectify this in the near future. Currently the unannounced visits to Lerwick are carried out by volunteers predominantly from the Inverness area.","AnswerDate":"2015-09-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305961,"EventID":"S4W-27311","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-04T13:54:02.24","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-03T17:48:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what selection criteria are included in the retendering process for the emergency services' communication system, which is currently run by the company, Airwave, and what input the Scottish Government has had in ensuring that the new system meets rural and island needs.","AnswerText":"Since 2011, the Scottish Government has been participating in the UK Government led Emergency Services Mobile Communications Programme, which has been working to procure a replacement emergency services network for when the existing Airwave contracts begin to expire in England and Wales from 2016 (contracts covering Scotland begin to expire in 2019).\r\nThe programme will deliver a mobile communications network that will provide integrated critical voice and broadband data services to all three emergency services (police, fire and ambulance) that are:\r\nEnhanced – to provide integrated broadband services to meet user need;\r\nFlexible – to better match and be responsive to user demand;\r\nAffordable – to address budget pressures on user budgets.\r\nThe main procurement for the programme is divided into three lots – Lot 1 (Delivery Partner), Lot 2 (User Services), and Lot 3 (Mobile Services). As the procurement process has not yet concluded, the evaluation criteria for the main procurement lots has not yet been made public. However the high level criteria, which are all assessed in combination with the proposed pricing, are:\r\nLot 1 – Programme management, integration and reporting to assure the build and transition of the network; user devices and upgrade of their vehicles;\r\nLot 2 – system-integration; network and IT infrastructure, and public safety communications services;\r\nLot 3 – mobile communication services; coverage, and availability.\r\nThe three emergency services in Scotland have been closely involved in the programme to develop an understanding of future operational needs as well as to ensure that the technical aspects of the proposed new network will meet the needs of all communities across Scotland, including island and rural communities.\r\nIn addition, I met the programme director recently to emphasise that geographic coverage should be at least as good as under the present system.","AnswerDate":"2015-09-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Paul Wheelhouse","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305962,"EventID":"S4W-27329","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3824,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-04T13:54:03.317","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-04T11:36:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the impact on the economy of North Ayrshire of the closure of Longannet power station given its commercial relationship with the Hunterston coal terminal and whether it has considered repurposing the terminal to protect jobs.","AnswerText":"An economic development plan will be developed by the Longannet Taskforce, which was set up by the Scottish Government to support the workers, businesses and communities impacted by Scottish Power’s decision to close Longannet. One of the plan’s strands will focus on identifying how best to mitigate the effects on the supply chain of which Hunterston coal terminal is a key part.\r\nBecause of the specific impact at Hunterston, Scottish Enterprise, which is taking forward the supply chain work, has organised an on-site meeting at Hunterston. The meeting will help to gather detailed information on the economic impact of Longannet’s closure and will inform the ongoing engagement between senior Scottish Enterprise officials and Peel Ports Group to discuss what support might be available to help Peel Ports prepare for the closure of Longannet.","AnswerDate":"2015-09-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305963,"EventID":"S4W-27330","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3824,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-04T13:54:04.063","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-04T11:36:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what preparations it has made to reduce the impact of the closure of Longannet power station.","AnswerText":"Since Scottish Power announced on 23 March 2015 the likelihood that Longannet would close in March 2016, the Scottish Government has been working closely with Fife Council and other public agencies to consider the impact of closure and secure the best possible outcome for those affected. As part of that process I co-chaired two meetings of relevant organisations with Councillor David Ross, Leader of Fife Council, on 20 May and 25 June.\r\nWhen the decision to close Longannet was announced on 18 August 2015, the Scottish Government established a Longannet Taskforce to support the workers, businesses and communities impacted by Scottish Power’s decision. The taskforce, which I co-chair with Councillor Ross met for the first time on 24 August 2015 and brought together key partners to co-ordinate the development of a joint, multi-agency plan to mitigate the economic impacts of Longannet’s closure. The taskforce will develop an economic recovery plan to:\r\nHelp ensure individuals employed at the site are supported, maximising each individual’s opportunity to secure alternative employment;\r\nSupport the communities impacted by the closure;\r\nMitigate the effects on the supply chain;\r\nProduce a masterplan for the long term future of the site, maximising the employment potential of the site; and\r\nConsider the economic infrastructure of the local area, to identify how to create sustainable employment in the longer term.\r\nThe next meeting of the Longannet Taskforce is scheduled for 29 September 2015.","AnswerDate":"2015-09-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305964,"EventID":"S4W-27332","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3824,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-04T13:54:04.72","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-04T11:36:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what contact PACE has had with the staff of the Hunterston coal terminal.","AnswerText":"I co-chaired the inaugural meeting of the Longannet Taskforce on 24 August 2015 with Councillor David Ross of Fife Council. I also chaired a subsequent meeting on 31 August 2015 for companies in the Longannet supply chain who will be affected by the closure of Longannet Power Station.\r\nA representative of PeelPorts Group attended the meeting on 31 August and accepted the offer of PACE support for employees at Hunterston Coal Terminal who will be affected by the closure of Longannet.\r\nA meeting between the local Ayrshire PACE team and PeelPorts HR representatives will take place on 14 September 2015 to discuss a tailored programme of support for affected employees.\r\nThrough providing skills development and employability support, PACE will aim to minimise the time individuals affected by redundancy are out of work.","AnswerDate":"2015-09-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305965,"EventID":"S4W-27333","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-04T13:54:05.343","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-04T11:54:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what it is doing to use and improve Scotland's canal infrastructure in terms of (a) economic development, (b) leisure and (c) tourism.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government provides funding totalling £10 million each year to Scottish Canals to enable it to deliver its statutory duties as well as our canals policy Making the most of Scotland’s canals which we published in 2013. This encourages Scottish Canals to identify and exploit productive new contributions from our canals in the delivery of the Scottish Government’s Purpose.\r\nScottish Canals continues to work with partners and in joint ventures to develop opportunities for the economic development and regeneration of areas adjacent to our canals. It is currently working with Glasgow City Council to redevelop areas in North Glasgow and with the Highland Council, West Dunbartonshire Council and Argyll and Bute Council on local plans including potential canalside developments.\r\nOur canals continue to be developed as important locations for leisure activities including walking, cycling and boating. An excellent example of using and improving Scotland’s canal infrastructure for leisure is the recently opened Pinkston Watersports centre which offers a white-water paddlesports experience close to the centre of Glasgow.\r\nScotland’s canals continue to develop as major tourist attractions from the magnificent Caledonian canal running the length of the Great Glen in the Highlands to the Falkirk Wheel and the hugely popular Kelpies attraction which was formally opened in 2015.","AnswerDate":"2015-09-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305966,"EventID":"S4W-27334","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2675,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":93,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-04T13:54:06.78","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-04T12:39:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what best practice was taken forward following the summit that it convened on urban seagulls in 2008.","AnswerText":"The Urban Gull Task Force, which was set up after the summit in 2008 has recommended various measures to help minimise the problems caused by urban gulls including: the removal, where necessary, of eggs and nests under Scottish Natural Heritage General Licence 03/2015; dissuading people from feeding urban gulls, including widespread use of notices, educational talks at schools; modifying bins and street furniture to deter gull activity; and encouraging occupiers of premises not to leave bin bags on the streets. The use of falcons is also discussed in the Dumfries Gull Report – Use of Falcons to Displace Nesting Gulls from an Urban Area which was a report commissioned by the Scottish Government and was published on 14 April 2010. The report is available at:\r\nhttp://www.gov.scot/Publications/2010/04/14160323/0","AnswerDate":"2015-09-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen McLeod","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305967,"EventID":"S4W-27335","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2675,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":93,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-04T13:54:07.823","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-04T12:39:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to address (a) increasing numbers of and (b) increasingly dangerous seagulls.","AnswerText":"Although regular seabird censuses include species that are particularly problematic in urban environments (herring and lesser black-backed gull), there has only been a single inland gull nesting survey in 2000. Results suggest that approximately 1% of herring gulls nest inland while 22% of lesser black-blacked gulls nest inland. These data represent a baseline figure against which changes in the size of the urban nesting gull population can be assessed when the survey is repeated. This is planned for 2016. At this stage therefore we do not yet have factual evidence about changes to the urban gull nesting population.\r\nIt is the responsibility of local authorities to address problems caused by urban gulls. People may interpret the dive bombing and harassment by gulls as exhibiting dangerous behaviour. This behaviour is most commonly associated with the hatching of gull chicks at roof nesting sites where the adult birds are attempting to protect their chicks from potential predators such as man.\r\nLocal authorities can help to minimise this behaviour by preventing the eggs from hatching, either by egg and nest removal, or by egg oiling, or by egg replacement with artificial dummy eggs as carried out by Dumfries and Galloway Council. Where necessary, these actions are licensed under Scottish Natural Heritage Licence No. 3/2015, which authorises the killing and taking of certain species of gulls for the purpose of preserving public health and safety and for the purpose of preventing the spread of disease.\r\nThe use of falcons is discussed in the Dumfries gull report Use of Falcons to Displace Nesting Gulls from an Urban Area which was a report commissioned by the Scottish Government and was published on 14 April 2010. The report is available at: http://www.gov.scot/Publications/2010/04/14160323/0\r\nIt is hoped that local authorities across Scotland will be able to implement the recommendations in this report, and learn from measures deployed by Dumfries and Galloway Council, to help reduce this problem across Scotland.","AnswerDate":"2015-09-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen McLeod","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305978,"EventID":"S4W-27336","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2673,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":114,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-04T15:27:15.593","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-04T14:05:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it plans to reduce the number of domestic fire incidents for people aged 60 and over.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) has a statutory responsibility for promoting fire safety, which includes providing advice, information, publicity and encouragement to prevent fires and death or injury in the home. SFRS promotes domestic fire safety in a number of different community safety initiatives, including providing free home fire safety visits. These visits are available to everyone, but the SFRS is actively promoting them for the people most vulnerable from the risk of fire at home, and this includes people over 60 years old.\r\nIn June 2015, the SFRS launched a ‘week of action’, which focussed on older people, who often live alone and with reduced mobility. The initiative included targeted visits by operational crews and community fire-fighters to households throughout the country to offer residents advice on keeping their homes and everyone in them safe. The initiative was supported locally through the use of the SFRS ‘Ageing Safely’ toolkit which was distributed to partners to deliver its messages within a local context. During the week of action I visited my local fire station in Eyemouth to provide Scottish Government support to the campaign and to highlight the importance of the campaign’s messaging.\r\nThe SFRS recognise that a partnership approach is the most effective way to identify those individuals in communities who are most vulnerable, to make early interventions to ensure they are protected and that the risk of fire related fatalities and casualties is reduced. The service will continue to work with partners to share information, target its resources, and jointly assess and reduce the specific risks to those most vulnerable in our communities.","AnswerDate":"2015-09-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Paul Wheelhouse","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305986,"EventID":"S4W-27312","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3806,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-07T13:42:41.623","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-04T10:09:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will publish the correspondence between it and the European (a) Commission and (b) Parliament since May 2011 regarding (i) the tendering of contracts for passenger and freight ferry services and (ii) council regulation EC/3577/92.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has no current plans to publish this correspondence.","AnswerDate":"2015-09-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305987,"EventID":"S4W-27314","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3806,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-07T13:42:42.593","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-04T10:09:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much compensation (a) CalMac Ferries and (b) Serco NorthLink has paid to (i) passengers and (ii) freight companies since 1 July 2012 because of service disruptions, and under what circumstances claims can be made.","AnswerText":"(a) For the period from 1 July 2012 to date a total of £305,758 compensation was paid to passengers by CalMac.\r\nFrom 5 July 2012, when Serco NorthLink Ferries commenced operating the Northern Isles Ferry Services, to date a total of £6,485.58 was paid to passengers.\r\nSince 18 December 2012 claims for compensation can be made by passengers under the provisions of the EU Passenger Rights Regulation 1177/2010. A copy of these conditions is available on the CalMac website by following the following link:\r\nhttps://www.calmac.co.uk/on-board/passenger-rights\r\nSerco NorthLink Ferries provides commitment to EU Regulation 1177/2010 in the travel insurance sub-section of the additional information section of the customer’s reservation details; this is provided as part of their booking confirmation.\r\n(b) No compensation has been paid to freight companies by CalMac or Serco NorthLink Ferries.","AnswerDate":"2015-09-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305988,"EventID":"S4W-27318","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3806,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-07T13:42:43.277","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-04T10:09:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what increases in passenger fares there have been on Serco NorthLink ferry services since 1 July 2012. ","AnswerText":"Passenger fares have increased on Serco NorthLink ferry services since 1 July 2012 by the following: \r\n2.8% on 1 January 2013\r\n2.7% on 1 January 2014\r\n1.5% on 1 January 2015\r\nThese increases are in accordance with the contract, consistent with inflation and approved by the Scottish Ministers.","AnswerDate":"2015-09-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305989,"EventID":"S4W-27319","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3806,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-07T13:42:44.057","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-04T10:09:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much a standard class passenger cabin on Northern Isles ferry services costs, and how this compares with 1 January 2012.","AnswerText":"Serco NorthLink Ferries (SNF) provides passengers with a wide range of on board accommodation opportunities. These range from reclining seats to premium cabins. Since taking on the contract for the Northern Isles Ferry Services, SNF fares have increased in accordance with the contract, consistent with inflation and approved by the Scottish Ministers. For instance on the Aberdeen to Lerwick route a four berth inner cabin cost £100.70 (peak) at the start of the contract and the same cabin in 2015 costs £108.00.\r\nIn February 2013, Serco NorthLink Ferries introduced a new offering to passengers with 36 ‘Sleeping Pod’ style seats becoming available on board both the MV Hjaltland and MV Hrossey. Details of the current fares structure, including cabin prices are available on their website by following the link below:\r\nhttp://www.northlinkferries.co.uk/fares/\r\nUnder the terms of the Northern Isles ferries services contract fares are set by the Scottish Ministers.","AnswerDate":"2015-09-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305990,"EventID":"S4W-27320","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3806,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-07T13:42:44.777","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-04T10:09:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it last met community representatives to discuss the performance of Serco NorthLink. ","AnswerText":"Transport Scotland chairs the Northern Isles Ferry Services Consultative Forum. The forum acts as a consultative mechanism with key stakeholders coming together at regular intervals to consider issues around the ferry services to their communities. The forum has met on four occasions since it was established in December 2013 with the most recent meeting occurring on 23 June 2015.\r\nThe following bodies are represented on the forum: HITRANS, ZetTrans, Shetland Island Council, Orkney Island Council, Serco NorthLink Ferries, Pentland Ferries, John O’Groats Ferries, Aberdeen Harbour Board, Lerwick Port Authority, Scrabster Harbour Trust, Stromness and Kirkwall Harbours and VisitScotland.\r\nTransport issues, including ferries, have also been discussed at meetings of the Island Areas Ministerial Working Group.","AnswerDate":"2015-09-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305991,"EventID":"S4W-27321","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3806,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-07T13:42:45.557","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-04T10:09:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will publish the correspondence between it and (a) community representatives, (b) councillors and (c) local authority officials since 1 January 2012 regarding the performance of Serco NorthLink. ","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has no current plans to publish correspondence regarding the performance of Serco NorthLink.","AnswerDate":"2015-09-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305992,"EventID":"S4W-27322","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3806,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-07T13:42:46.383","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-04T10:09:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many (a) communications and (b) complaints from the public regarding Serco NorthLink ferry services have been received by (i) it and (ii) Transport Scotland since 1 January 2012.","AnswerText":"Serco NorthLink commenced operating the Northern Isles ferry services contract on 5 July 2012. Transport Scotland has identified the following items of formal correspondence regarding the Northern Isles ferry services contract operated by Serco NorthLink:\r\nMinisterial correspondence cases: 92\r\nFreedom of Information requests: 9\r\nThe total volume of communication during the contract period to date is likely to have been higher when telephone calls and emails not routinely filed are taken into account.","AnswerDate":"2015-09-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305993,"EventID":"S4W-27324","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3806,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-07T13:42:47.24","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-04T10:09:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it will ensure that (a) passenger groups and (b) trade unions are represented on the working group that will examine Northern Isles ferry services to inform the tender process for the next contract.","AnswerText":"No decisions have been taken at this stage about the membership of the working group which will oversee the comprehensive study into the Northern Isles ferry services to inform the next tender process. The external consultant appointed by Transport Scotland to undertake the comprehensive study will be required to engage with key stakeholder groups.","AnswerDate":"2015-09-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305994,"EventID":"S4W-27326","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3806,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-07T13:42:47.91","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-04T10:09:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what vessel (a) deployment and (b) financing options are being considered for Northern Isles ferry services from 2018. ","AnswerText":"In Scottish Ferry Services: Ferries Plan (2013-2022), published in December 2012, it was noted (chapter 2 paragraph 11) that the current ro-pax vessels chartered from RBS for the Northern Isles ferry services will only be 18 years old in 2018 and it will be feasible for them to continue on the routes for another contract period. We are taking that forward in discussion with RBS and local stakeholders.","AnswerDate":"2015-09-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305995,"EventID":"S4W-27327","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3806,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-07T13:42:48.707","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-04T10:09:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government to what extent Scottish Transport Appraisal Guidance is informed by European state aid guidelines. ","AnswerText":"The Scottish Transport Appraisal Guidance (STAG) requires the user to consider a number of constraints such as:\r\nScottish, UK or EU legislation; and\r\nScottish or UK fiscal policy.\r\nDepending on the nature of the state aid, further consideration would typically be undertaken once the STAG appraisal is complete, during the preparation of an outline business case.","AnswerDate":"2015-09-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305996,"EventID":"S4W-27328","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3806,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-07T13:42:49.487","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-04T10:09:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will publish each Transport Scotland appraisal of Serco NorthLink since July 2012.","AnswerText":"Transport Scotland does not hold a formal recorded annual appraisal with any of the operators of its ferry contracts. Formal performance management meetings are held regularly with each operator and on an annual basis, in line with the provisions of the relevant public service contracts. This will include consideration of the annual outturn statement and discussion of the previous year’s performance.","AnswerDate":"2015-09-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305997,"EventID":"S4W-27337","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5060,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-07T13:42:50.22","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-06T15:21:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government on what dates in 2015 the First Minister has met the Chief Constable.","AnswerText":"All ministerial engagements are proactively published by the Scottish Government. This information is publicly available online at:\r\nhttp://www.gov.scot/About/People/14944/Events-Engagements.","AnswerDate":"2015-09-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305998,"EventID":"S4W-27338","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2135,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":92,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-07T13:42:50.75","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-07T10:34:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many sailings on the Kennacraig/Islay route have operated carrying less than the full vehicle capacity since 1 April 2015 and how many of these were notified as full to prospective travellers with vehicles at any time prior to the vessel leaving the departure port.","AnswerText":"Since 1 April 2015, there have been 216 sailings that have exceeded a capacity figure of 90%, which are effectively classed as full sailings by CalMac. The operated sailings since 1 April 2015 total 1,286, therefore 16.8% can be classed as full and 83.2% as less than full. No information is held by CalMac as to how many were notified to customers, as full, prior to the vessel sailing.","AnswerDate":"2015-09-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":305999,"EventID":"S4W-27339","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2135,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":92,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-07T13:42:51.78","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-07T10:34:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many crew members on each Caledonian MacBrayne vessel live in the postcode area (a) from which it departs or (b) where it arrives.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government does not hold this information.\r\nHowever, I refer you to the Fraser of Allander Institute Report on The Economic and Social Impact of CalMac Ferries Ltd on Scotland that was commissioned by CalMac Ferries Ltd and published in April 2015 (link attached). This gives information on residence of CalMac employees by local authority area (not postcode).\r\nhttps://www.calmac.co.uk/media/2193/The-Economic-and-Social-Impact-of-CalMac-Ferries-Ltd-on-Scotland/pdf/The_Economic_and_Social_Impact_of_CalMac_Ferries_Ltd_on_Scotland.pdf","AnswerDate":"2015-09-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306000,"EventID":"S4W-27340","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2135,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":92,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-07T13:42:52.95","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-07T10:34:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many outbreaks of the winter vomiting virus have been reported on Caledonian MacBrayne vessels in the last three years and how many vessels have been withdrawn from service for deep cleaning as a result. ","AnswerText":"In the past three years there have been five incidents where more than one passenger or member of CalMac crew have shown symptoms of the winter vomiting virus, also known as noro-virus. These incidents have resulted in one vessel, the MV Lord of the Isles, being taken off scheduled service for two full days, 10 and 11 April 2013, to carry out deep cleaning operations. It has been possible to carry out cleaning on other vessels without impeding the normal service provision. CalMac do, however, undertake precautionary cleaning on board their vessels whenever it is known that the virus is in the communities served by CalMac.","AnswerDate":"2015-09-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306001,"EventID":"S4W-27341","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2135,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":92,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-07T13:42:54.26","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-07T10:34:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many outbreaks of food poisoning have been reported by staff on Caledonian MacBrayne vessels in the last three years and what actions were taken as a result. ","AnswerText":"In the last three years there has been one complaint made by a passenger who felt that they had caught food poisoning on board. An investigation by CalMac’s environmental advisor was conducted and it was not confirmed that the source of the food poisoning was from food served on board the vessel.","AnswerDate":"2015-09-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306002,"EventID":"S4W-27342","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2135,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":92,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-07T13:42:55.367","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-07T10:34:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether either of the two new vessels being procured by Caledonian Maritime Assets Ltd would be able to dock at (a) Port Ellen and (b) Port Askaig. ","AnswerText":"The new vessels have not been designed to berth at the current facilities at Port Ellen or Port Askaig.\r\nIn his announcement of 15 October 2014, the then Minister for Transport and Veterans, Keith Brown MSP, stated that the new ferries would be designed to provide a fully flexible year-round service for Arran and the Uig Triangle (Uig to Tarbert to Lochmaddy).","AnswerDate":"2015-09-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306003,"EventID":"S4W-27343","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2135,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":92,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-07T13:42:56.693","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-07T10:34:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many cancellations there have been on Caledonian MacBrayne's (a) Kennacraig/Islay and (b) Oban/Colonsay route in 2015, broken down by reason for cancellation and compared with (a) 2012, (b) 2013 and (c) 2014. ","AnswerText":"The following tables detail the number of sailings cancelled on CalMac Ferries Ltd’s (a) Kennacraig/Islay and (b) Oban/Colonsay routes so far in 2015, broken down by reason for cancellation and compared with the same period in (a) 2012, (b) 2013 and (c) 2014.\r\nKennacraig to Islay\r\nJanuary to August each year\r\nCancelled sailing\r\n2012\r\n2013\r\n2014\r\n2015\r\nTotal\r\nAdverse weather\r\n8\r\n41\r\n37\r\n73\r\n159\r\nMechanical problems (ship)\r\n12\r\n19\r\n64\r\n23\r\n118\r\nVessel redeployed\r\n10\r\n\r\n29\r\n10\r\n39\r\nSubstitute vessel (annual overhaul)\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n18\r\n18\r\nIndustrial dispute\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n15\r\n15\r\nShip involved in emergency\r\n\r\n2\r\n\r\n\r\n2\r\nAll others\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n1\r\n1\r\nShip out of position\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n1\r\n1\r\nCancelled sailing total\r\n30\r\n62\r\n130\r\n141\r\n363\r\nCancelled after relief events\r\n12\r\n6\r\n30\r\n29\r\n77\r\nScheduled sailings\r\n1773\r\n1852\r\n1872\r\n1885\r\n7382\r\n% Cancelled \r\n1.69%\r\n3.35%\r\n6.94%\r\n7.48%\r\n4.92%\r\n% Cancelled after relief events\r\n0.68%\r\n0.32%\r\n1.60%\r\n1.54%\r\n1.04%\r\n\r\nOban to Colonsay\r\nJanuary to August each year\r\nCancelled sailing\r\n2012\r\n2013\r\n2014\r\n2015\r\nTotal\r\nAdverse weather\r\n6\r\n15\r\n14\r\n18\r\n53\r\nIndustrial dispute\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n4\r\n4\r\nMechanical problems (ship)\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n3\r\n3\r\nMedical emergency\r\n\r\n2\r\n\r\n\r\n2\r\nCancelled sailing total\r\n6\r\n17\r\n14\r\n25\r\n62\r\nCancelled after relief events\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n7\r\n7\r\nScheduled sailings\r\n256\r\n255\r\n256\r\n257\r\n1024\r\n% Cancelled \r\n2.34%\r\n6.67%\r\n5.47%\r\n9.73%\r\n6.05%\r\n% Cancelled after relief events\r\n0.00%\r\n0.00%\r\n0.00%\r\n2.72%\r\n0.68%\r\nUnder the terms of the public services contract between Scottish Ministers and CalMac Ferries Limited, performance deductions are imposed when scheduled sailings are cancelled or delayed, when not covered by relief events. Late arrivals and departures, due to adverse weather are classed as relief events.\r\nThe Merchant Shipping (Master’s Discretion) Regulations 1997 gives the master of any ship sole responsibility for deciding whether in his or her professional judgement it is safe to sail. It is a criminal offence for the owner, charterer or manager of a ship, i.e. CalMac Ferries Limited, or any other person to prevent or restrict the master from exercising that judgement.","AnswerDate":"2015-09-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306004,"EventID":"S4T-01101","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":9,"MSPID":1865,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":85,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-07T12:41:20.157","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-07T11:22:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the Scottish Government's refugee taskforce.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":"2015-09-08T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306005,"EventID":"S4T-01103","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":9,"MSPID":1756,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":136,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-07T12:41:27.33","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-07T11:39:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what benefits it considers there will be for Midlothian and the Borders from the Borders Railway.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":"2015-09-08T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306006,"EventID":"S4T-01104","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":9,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-07T12:41:33.057","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-07T11:59:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it ensures that children and young people have access to mental health services, in light of reports of over 16,000 rejected referrals in the last three years.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":"2015-09-08T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306007,"EventID":"S4F-02931","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":5009,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-07T12:39:52.223","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-03T15:08:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister what issues will be discussed at the next meeting of the Cabinet.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":"2015-09-10T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306008,"EventID":"S4F-02933","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":4976,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-07T12:39:58.747","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-07T09:22:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister when she will next meet the Secretary of State for Scotland.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":"2015-09-10T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306009,"EventID":"S4F-02934","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":4014,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-07T12:39:59.197","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-07T09:27:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister, in light of the proposed national system of standardised assessment in primary schools, whether the Scottish Government will reinstate the Progress in International Reading and Literacy and Trends in International Mathematics and Science studies for Scotland.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":"2015-09-10T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306010,"EventID":"S4F-02936","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":3812,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-07T12:40:05.937","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-07T09:32:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister what engagements she has planned for the rest of the day. ","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":"2015-09-10T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306011,"EventID":"S4F-02942","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":4955,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":105,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-07T12:40:23.643","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-07T11:31:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister what steps the Scottish Government is taking to promote Scotland as a competitive location for film and TV production.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":"2015-09-10T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306012,"EventID":"S4F-02941","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":1860,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-07T12:40:22.003","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-07T11:33:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister what discussions the Scottish Government has had with women's groups following reports that the UK Government plans to devolve abortion law.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":"2015-09-10T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306027,"EventID":"S4W-27345","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1814,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":77,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-07T17:15:06.94","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-07T11:24:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what discussions or correspondence it has had with the UK Government regarding Scotland’s contribution to UK international development funds that \"improve the lives of people living in extreme poverty\" being used to fund a post at the Department for International Development in East Kilbride to communicate the benefits of the union to the Scottish public.","AnswerText":"Like those in other parts of the UK, Scottish taxpayers contribute to the UK Government’s international development work, which is delivered through the UK Department for International Development (DFID) and also a number of other UK Government departments including the Foreign and Commonwealth Office. The Scottish Government’s own £9 million per annum International Development Fund budget, focussed on our seven priority countries including Malawi, comes from the Scottish Consolidated Fund.\r\nThe UK Government has not discussed nor raised in correspondence with the Scottish Government the use of UK international development funds to fund a post at the DFID in East Kilbride to communicate the benefits of the union to the Scottish public.\r\nThe Scottish Government would be concerned if the salary for a post to communicate the benefits of the union to the Scottish public was to come from the DFID administration budget, when that international development budget itself counts towards the UK Government’s target of spending 0.7% of gross national income on overseas development assistance.","AnswerDate":"2015-09-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306028,"EventID":"S4W-27347","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1814,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":77,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-07T17:15:08.077","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-07T11:24:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, in light of its contribution to Department for International Development (DfID) funding, what information it has on the number of people employed at DfID in East Kilbride.","AnswerText":"Like those in other parts of the UK, Scottish taxpayers contribute to the UK Government’s international development work, which is delivered through the UK DfID, and also a number of other UK Government departments including the Foreign and Commonwealth Office. The Scottish Government’s own £9 million per annum International Development Fund budget, focussed on our seven priority countries including Malawi, comes from the Scottish Consolidated Fund.\r\nThe Scottish Government does not hold information on staffing numbers at DfID in East Kilbride, other than that which is already available publicly.","AnswerDate":"2015-09-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306029,"EventID":"S4W-27348","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1814,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":77,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-07T17:15:09.077","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-07T11:24:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it considers that “the Scotland Bill will fully implement the all-party Smith Agreement which considered what further powers should be devolved to Scotland” as indicated on the Scotland Office website.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government shares the concerns of the Devolution Further Powers Committee that the Bill in its current form does not fulfil the Smith Agreement. On 8 June 2015 the Scottish Government published amendments which would fully implement the recommendations of the Smith Commission, and these amendments have been discussed with the UK Government. The Scottish Government now expects the UK Government to share with us their proposals for amendments for further discussion between the governments prior to the next stage of the Bill’s passage in the Commons. Progress on these amendments will be required for the Bill to meet the terms of the Smith Agreement.\r\nFull implementation of the Smith Agreement is also reliant on agreement of a fiscal framework between the Scottish and UK governments. Discussion on the fiscal framework is continuing alongside the passage of the Scotland Bill. The Scottish Government has made clear it will only support a legislative consent motion if there is a satisfactory fiscal framework agreed between the Scottish and United Kingdom governments.","AnswerDate":"2015-09-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306030,"EventID":"S4W-27349","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1814,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":77,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-07T17:15:10.12","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-07T11:24:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what information it has on the cost of the Scotland Office’s publicity campaign to promote the view of the Secretary of State for Scotland that “the Scotland Bill will fully implement the all-party Smith Agreement which considered what further powers should be devolved to Scotland” as indicated on the Scotland Office website.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government does not have any information on the cost of Scotland Office publicity activity on the Scotland Bill.","AnswerDate":"2015-09-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306031,"EventID":"S4W-27350","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1814,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":77,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-07T17:15:11.133","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-07T11:24:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it considers that the (a) welfare, (b) employment support and (c) Crown Estate provisions in the Scotland Bill fully deliver the Smith Commission agreement.","AnswerText":"Scottish Government does not consider that these provisions in the Scotland Bill fully deliver the Smith Commission agreement. On 8 June 2015 the Scottish Government published amendments to the Bill that would implement Smith Commission recommendations in these specific areas.","AnswerDate":"2015-09-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306032,"EventID":"S4W-27353","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1814,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":77,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-07T17:15:12.163","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-07T11:24:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what discussions or correspondence it has had with the UK Government regarding HMRC’s report, Building our Future, in relation to the proposed regional centres.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has not had formal correspondence from HMRC in this regard. The Scottish Government resourcing team regularly discuss staffing matters through their engagement with the Civil Service Local Co-ordinator Group for Whitehall Departments based in Scotland.","AnswerDate":"2015-09-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306033,"EventID":"S4W-27354","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1814,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":77,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-07T17:15:13.21","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-07T11:24:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what discussions or correspondence it has had with the UK Government regarding the future of HMRC operations in East Kilbride, given the impact on jobs.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has not had formal correspondence from HMRC about its operations in East Kilbride. As part of the civil service local arrangements, Scottish Government resourcing works routinely with colleagues across UK departments to ensure that staff displaced from any location are considered for positions in other departments and administrations.","AnswerDate":"2015-09-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306034,"EventID":"S4W-27355","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1814,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":77,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-07T17:15:14.443","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-07T11:24:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what information it has on the number of people employed by HMRC in East Kilbride.","AnswerText":"The following information on HMRC employment in Scotland is provided in the Offshore Northern Seas 2014 statistics release on civil service employment. This is not broken down by building or otherwise by location in Scotland.\r\nHMRC – 8960 staff.\r\nHMRC valuation office – 60 staff\r\nTotal: 9020 civil servants","AnswerDate":"2015-09-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306035,"EventID":"S4W-27357","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5106,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":118,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-07T17:15:15.457","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-07T13:08:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether there is provision in planning guidance to ensure that redundant satellite dishes are removed from properties.","AnswerText":"There is no such general provision where a condition is attached to planning permission for a satellite dish requiring the removal of a redundant dish, enforcement of such a condition would be matter for the planning authority. The permitted development rights for certain changes to the exterior of dwelling houses and flats, which could include satellite dishes, do not include such a condition.","AnswerDate":"2015-09-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306036,"EventID":"S4W-27358","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5106,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":118,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-07T17:15:16.313","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-07T13:37:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what would happen in the event of enforcement action taking place under the Housing (Scotland) Act 2006 if a property in a block of flats was the subject of a disputed disposition.","AnswerText":"Local authorities have powers under the Housing (Scotland) Act 2006 to issue work notices and maintenance orders on owners in blocks of flats. When owners are unable or unwilling to comply with a notice or order the local authority can carry out work itself and recover costs from owners. The local authority has power under section 186 of the Act to make inquiries necessary to assist it in exercising these powers. It would be for the local authority to decide who it considers to be the owner of the property for the purpose of serving a notice. Section 64 of the Act provides a right of appeal to the Sheriff for anyone who is aggrieved by the local authority’s decision to serve a notice or order.","AnswerDate":"2015-09-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Burgess","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306037,"EventID":"S4W-27359","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5106,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":118,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-07T17:15:17.453","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-07T13:37:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on updating the Legal Profession and Legal Aid (Scotland) Act 2007 with regard to the time limits used by the Scottish Legal Complaints Commission to determine whether to investigate a complaint (a) generally and (b) if the complainant has an outstanding claim against the Law Society of Scotland's Guarantee Fund or Master Policy.","AnswerText":"With regards to time limits, specifically under section 32(1) of the Legal Aid (Scotland) Act 2007, the Scottish Legal Complaints Commission (SLCC) makes rules as to its own practice and procedure (although Scottish Ministers, along with others including the Lord President are consulted prior to the rules being made). In accordance with Schedule 3 of the Act, the SLCC may include provision for fixing time limits for the making of complaints.\r\nWe are currently working with the SLCC to identify whether any changes are required to the Legal Profession and Legal Aid (Scotland) Act 2007 that would lead to improvements in its complaints handling, which would require to be taken forward in a future legislative programme.\r\nTherefore, the setting of time limits is primarily a matter for the SLCC and there would be no requirement to amend or update the Legal Profession and Legal Aid (Scotland) Act 2007 to achieve this.","AnswerDate":"2015-09-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Paul Wheelhouse","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306038,"EventID":"S4W-27361","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5106,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":118,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-07T17:15:18.653","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-07T13:37:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it protects home buyers from fraudulent disposition, and what plans it has to introduce further measures.","AnswerText":"There are a number of ways in which home buyers are protected.\r\nFirst of all, fraud is a criminal offence.\r\nSecondly, the Keeper of the Registers takes a number of steps to combat fraud. Although the keeper is not usually the target of fraudulent acts, the land register can be used to legitimise fraudulent applications.\r\nThe risk of fraud can never fully be eliminated. However, the keeper has a designated fraud officer and has adopted a number of operational measures in an attempt to reduce the risk of fraudulent deeds entering the register. The fraud officer works closely with bodies such as Police Scotland and the Council of Mortgage Lenders to assist with the early detection of fraudulent schemes and provides internal training to raise staff awareness of types of fraud. The fraud officer is the referral point for suspicious applications.\r\nSolicitors act as gatekeepers for applications to register a deed in the land register and therefore have a key role to play in the prevention of this type of fraud. The Scottish Government and Registers of Scotland expect solicitors to adhere to professional standards set by the Law Society of Scotland.\r\nThirdly, the Land Registration etc. (Scotland) Act 2012 made it an offence for any party submitting an application to the keeper to knowingly or recklessly include materially false or misleading statements or to fail to disclose material information in such an application. The offence provision is designed to deter criminals from using the land register to validate illegitimate and criminal transactions.\r\nFinally, the 2012 Act also provides for a new statutory system of caveats. A caveat on a title sheet will effectively warn any party of ongoing litigation, including actions which may involve an allegation of fraud.\r\nThe Scottish Government and Registers of Scotland fully recognise the need to be vigilant in this area. We have no current plans to introduce further measures but the government will continue to discuss with the Law Society of Scotland and others any steps that can be taken to improve the conveyancing process generally.","AnswerDate":"2015-09-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Paul Wheelhouse","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306039,"EventID":"S4W-27362","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5106,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":118,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-07T17:15:19.73","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-07T13:37:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many home buyers have been victims of fraudulent disposition in each year since 1999.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government answered a similar question S4W-22567 on 2 October 2014.\r\nWe do not hold the information requested. However, there is published statistical information on criminal proceedings in Scotland:\r\nhttp://www.gov.scot/Topics/Statistics/Browse/Crime-Justice/PubCriminalProceedings\r\nI will write to the member with more details of statistical information on criminal offences relating to fraud.\r\nRegisters of Scotland are responsible for the registering of dispositions. However, Registers of Scotland would only know if a fraudulent deed had been registered if the fraud comes to light.\r\nSome deeds are registered in the Land Register and others in the Register of Sasines (though the Register of Sasines is being closed and all dispositions must now be registered in the Land Register).\r\nIn the Land Register, a party affected by fraud can apply for rectification of the register. However, the Keeper of the Registers does not catalogue the applications for rectifications in such a way as to allow her to identify the number of rectifications sought as a consequence of fraud.\r\nIn the Register of Sasines, a fraudulent deed can be reduced by a decree of reduction granted by the courts. These decrees may be recorded in the Sasines but that is not obligatory. A search of the Sasines to examine decrees of reduction granted by the courts following the recording of a fraudulent deed would be time-consuming. In any event, any such search would not give a definitive answer given that some fraud may be undetected and, in other cases, the decree of reduction may not have been recorded.\r\nAll answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at: \r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx","AnswerDate":"2015-09-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Paul Wheelhouse","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306040,"EventID":"S4W-27363","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5106,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":118,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-07T17:15:20.9","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-07T13:37:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what recent discussions it has had with the Law Society of Scotland regarding (a) compensating victims of and (b) conveyancing matters and fraudulent disposition.","AnswerText":"These matters have arisen as part of regular discourse with the Law Society of Scotland. I most recently met with the Law Society of Scotland on 3 September 2015 as part of my quarterly meetings with them. At this meeting, I emphasised the need to resolve quickly the cases in Aberdeen and Happy Valley, West Lothian which were the subject of the report by former Sheriff Principal Bowen to the society on consumer protection in conveyancing: http://www.lawscot.org.uk/media/439009/Law-Society-report-Consumer-Protections-in-Conveyancing-Cases.pdf\r\nThe Scottish Government will continue to discuss with the society and others what changes should be made generally to conveyancing following the recommendations in Sheriff Principal Bowen’s report and with particular focus on preventing any similar case arising in future and, if they do, seeing them resolved more effectively.","AnswerDate":"2015-09-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Paul Wheelhouse","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306041,"EventID":"S4W-27365","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5106,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":118,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-07T17:15:22.023","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-07T13:37:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what recourse is available to a homeowner in a block of flats whose property has been damaged if another property in the building is the subject of a disposition dispute.","AnswerText":"The usual position when property in a block of flats is damaged by property owned by somebody else is to seek recompense from the owner of the property that has caused the damage. Section 18 of the Tenements (Scotland) Act 2004 provides that owners of flats in tenements have a duty to obtain insurance against risks prescribed in regulations made by the Scottish Ministers. These regulations are at: http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ssi/2007/16/contents/made. If there is a dispute about liability because there is a dispute about ownership of the property that caused the damage, the first step would usually be for the parties involved to discuss to see if they can reach an agreement on liability. The 2004 Act makes provision on liability or continuing liability in certain circumstances: for example, section 28(2) makes provision on what ‘owner’ means. In some cases, alternative dispute resolution such as mediation or arbitration may help to resolve any dispute. If agreement cannot be reached, it would be open to one or more of the parties to raise an action in court to resolve the matter.","AnswerDate":"2015-09-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Paul Wheelhouse","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306042,"EventID":"S4W-27366","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1866,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-07T17:15:23.1","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-07T14:32:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the announcement on unconventional oil and gas by Fergus Ewing on 28 January 2015 (Official Report, c. 17), what progress it has made on (a) commissioning a full public health impact assessment, (b) conducting further work into strengthening planning guidance and (c) looking at further tightening of environmental regulations.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is taking time to develop an extensive and robust evidence base, and ministers have continued to meet with key stakeholders over the summer to discuss this work.\r\nIn line with our cautious evidence-based approach, we will continue to take time to consider all these matters with due care and attention. Further details of the consultation and accompanying work will be announced in due course.","AnswerDate":"2015-09-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306043,"EventID":"S4W-27367","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1866,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-07T17:15:24.083","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-07T14:32:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-26063 by Fergus Ewing on 22 June 2015, when it will provide a substantive update on its plans for a consultation and accompanying work on unconventional gas and fracking.","AnswerText":"Further details of the consultation and accompanying work will be announced in due course.","AnswerDate":"2015-09-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306044,"EventID":"S4W-27368","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1866,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-07T17:15:25.02","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-07T14:32:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-26272 by Fergus Ewing on 27 July 2015, whether it will publish the minutes of the meetings with representatives of (a) Broad Alliance, (b) the UK Onshore Operators Group, (c) Friends of the Earth Scotland, (d) COSLA and (e) The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds.","AnswerText":"In cases where there is a recorded minute of these meetings, a copy will be lodged in the Scottish Parliament Information Centre.","AnswerDate":"2015-10-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306045,"EventID":"S4W-27369","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-07T17:15:25.94","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-07T15:37:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much National Galleries of Scotland pays in recruitment and retention allowances or similar market-based pay supplements. ","AnswerText":"The National Galleries of Scotland has confirmed that it does not pay any recruitment and retention allowances, or similar market-based supplements.","AnswerDate":"2015-09-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fiona Hyslop","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306046,"EventID":"S4W-27370","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-07T17:15:26.907","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-07T15:37:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many posts in National Galleries of Scotland are subject to a recruitment and retention allowance or other market-based pay supplements, and whether it will provide a breakdown of staff in these posts by (a) age, (b) gender and (c) geographical area.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-27369 on 14 September 2015: the National Galleries of Scotland has confirmed that it does not pay any recruitment and retention allowances, or similar market-based supplements.\r\nAll answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.","AnswerDate":"2015-09-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fiona Hyslop","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306047,"EventID":"S4W-27371","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-07T17:15:27.75","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-07T15:37:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much National Museums Scotland pays in recruitment and retention allowances or similar market-based pay supplements. ","AnswerText":"National Museums Scotland currently pays £8k per annum in recruitment and retention allowance.","AnswerDate":"2015-09-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fiona Hyslop","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306048,"EventID":"S4W-27372","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-07T17:15:28.637","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-07T15:37:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many posts in National Museums Scotland are subject to a recruitment and retention allowance or other market-based pay supplements, and whether it will provide a breakdown of staff in these posts by (a) age, (b) gender and (c) geographical area.","AnswerText":"National Museums Scotland (NMS) has confirmed that only one post is currently subject to recruitment and retention allowance. NMS has not disclosed further details with regard to that one post because of data protection considerations.","AnswerDate":"2015-09-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fiona Hyslop","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306049,"EventID":"S4W-27373","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-07T17:15:29.543","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-07T15:37:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much Registers of Scotland pays in recruitment and retention allowances or similar market-based pay supplements. ","AnswerText":"From 1 October 2015 Registers of Scotland will have no recruitment or retention allowances to pay. An IT pay supplement of £1,000 per annum is currently paid to three members of staff and these payments will cease on 30 September 2015.","AnswerDate":"2015-09-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306050,"EventID":"S4W-27374","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-07T17:15:30.4","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-07T15:37:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many posts in Registers of Scotland are subject to a recruitment and retention allowance or other market-based pay supplements, and whether it will provide a breakdown of staff in these posts by (a) age, (b) gender and (c) geographical area.","AnswerText":"A phased withdrawal of an IT pay supplement for three members of staff began on 1 December 2012 and ends on 30 September 2015. As there are only three people affected a breakdown by age and/or location could identify them and is therefore not appropriate.","AnswerDate":"2015-09-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306051,"EventID":"S4W-27375","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-07T17:15:31.243","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-07T15:37:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much Scottish Natural Heritage pays in recruitment and retention allowances or similar market-based pay supplements. ","AnswerText":"This is an operational matter for Scottish Natural Heritage. I have asked Susan Davies, the organisation's acting Chief Executive, to reply to you directly.","AnswerDate":"2015-09-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen McLeod","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306052,"EventID":"S4W-27376","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-07T17:15:32.07","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-07T15:37:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many posts in Scottish Natural Heritage are subject to a recruitment and retention allowance or other market-based pay supplements, and whether it will provide a breakdown of staff in these posts by (a) age, (b) gender and (c) geographical area.","AnswerText":"This is an operational matter for Scottish Natural Heritage. I have asked Susan Davies, the organisation’s acting chief executive, to reply to you directly.","AnswerDate":"2015-09-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen McLeod","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306053,"EventID":"S4W-27392","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2117,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-08T13:34:56.423","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-08T09:55:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to questions S4W-26945 and S4W-26943 by Michael Matheson on 19 August 2015, for what reason the Cabinet Secretary for Justice stated that the information sought was not held centrally in relation to the number of police officers and civilian staff carrying out Disclosure Scotland checks, in light of the accountability of Disclosure Scotland to the Scottish Ministers as an Executive Agency of the Scottish Government, and whether it will review those responses and now publish the number of (a) police officers and (b) civilian staff carrying out Disclosure Scotland checks.","AnswerText":"The deployment of police officers and staff is an operational matter for Police Scotland and the Scottish Police Authority and, as such, and as set in previous answers, this information is not held by either Disclosure Scotland or the Scottish Government.","AnswerDate":"2015-09-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306054,"EventID":"S4W-27393","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2108,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":141,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-08T13:34:57.64","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-08T12:08:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether the working group on charging for residential accommodation discussed the use of contractual care routes, in particular the variations in the use of route 3, at its meeting in July 2015, and what recommendations it made to help address the reported variations in the use of contractual care routes.","AnswerText":"The Charging for Residential Accommodation Guidance working group met on 30 July 2015 and discussed the route three contractual route for residential care. It was agreed by the working group that greater clarity is needed in the guidance to local authorities on a self-funder requesting assistance in the contracting of a care home place. The group agreed that Scottish Government officials should draft proposals for amendments to guidance and bring these back to the group for discussion at its next meeting.","AnswerDate":"2015-09-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306066,"EventID":"S4W-27389","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-08T16:57:30.817","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-07T16:41:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many locum emergency medicine consultants each NHS board has used and at what cost in each year since 2010.","AnswerText":"The use of locum staff helps ensure service continuity during times of planned and unplanned staffing gaps including short and long term sickness, unexpected vacancies, and maternity and paternity leave. We have a national framework contract in place which ensures that agency locum staff employed from the framework contract receive nationally agreed NHS rates of pay. This contract is reviewed on a regular basis to ensure it continues to offer best value.\r\nInformation on locum consultants at board, specialty, cost and level is not held.\r\nWe currently have the highest medical staffing levels ever in NHSScotland. Under this government, the number of consultant medical staff working in NHSScotland has increased by a record 38.2%. A&E has seen an unprecedented increase in consultant staff of 171.7%, from 75.8 whole time equivalent (WTE) to 205.8 WTE. Overall there are 570.9 WTE medical staff of all grades working in A&E in NHSScotland.\r\nThe Scottish Government is also working with doctors and nurses to design the new emergency workload planning tool to be rolled out later this year. This will help NHS boards ensure they have appropriate staffing levels in place to meet variable workload demands.\r\nThis investment in emergency medical staff was recognised in March 2015 by Dr Martin McKechnie, Vice President of the Royal College of Emergency Medicine Scotland, who stated: “The College welcomes the support the Scottish Government has given to increasing staffing and tackling crowding in our A&Es.” (Royal College of Emergency Medicine release, 24 March 2015).","AnswerDate":"2015-09-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306067,"EventID":"S4W-27390","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-08T16:57:31.497","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-07T16:41:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many emergency medicine consultants there have been in each NHS board in each year since 2010, broken down by grade.","AnswerText":"We currently have the highest medical staffing levels ever in NHSScotland. Under this government, the number of consultant medical staff working in NHSScotland has increased by a record 38.2%. A&E has seen an unprecedented increase in consultant staff of 171.7%, from 75.8 whole time equivalent (WTE) to 205.8 WTE. Overall there are 570.9 WTE medical staff of all grades working in A&E in NHSScotland.\r\nPublished information on the number of consultants in emergency medicine can be found at ISD Scotland’s workforce statistics web site:\r\nhttps://www.isdscotland.org/Health-Topics/Workforce/Publications/2015-09-01/HCHS_by_specialty_J2015.xls\r\nThe Scottish Government is also working with doctors and nurses to design the new emergency workload planning tool to be rolled out later in 2015. This will help NHS boards to ensure they have appropriate staffing levels in place to meet variable workload demands.\r\nThis investment in emergency medical staff was recognised in March 2015 by Dr Martin McKechnie, Vice President of the Royal College of Emergency Medicine Scotland, who stated: “The College welcomes the support the Scottish Government has given to increasing staffing and tackling crowding in our A&Es.” (Royal College of Emergency Medicine release, 24 March 2015).","AnswerDate":"2015-09-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306068,"EventID":"S4W-27391","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-08T16:57:31.987","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-07T16:41:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on progress in implementing the National Unscheduled Care Action Plan and what measurable benefits it has provided.","AnswerText":"The National Unscheduled Care Action Plan, which was launched in 2013, moved to an improvement focussed approach to sustainability improving unscheduled care, focussing on six essential actions. This new approach was launched in May 2015 and is a two year programme that aims to minimise long waits in A&E and assessment units by improving patient flow throughout all areas of the hospital and in the community. \r\nThe six essential actions are:\r\nClinically-focussed and empowered hospital management;\r\nRealignment of hospital capacity and patient flow;\r\nOperational performance management of patients presenting at A&E and progressing through the acute system;\r\nMedical and surgical processes arranged to take patients from A&E through the acute system;\r\nSeven day services targeted to increase weekend and earlier in the day discharges;\r\nEnsuring patients are cared for in their own homes or homely setting.\r\nThe Scottish Government has invested £9 million this year (2015-16) to support NHS boards across Scotland to implement these actions and in the four months since the launch of the programme we have set up the basic essential elements that will ensure the continuous progress of the programme. For example, we have: \r\nRecruited a national team made up of experts with a range of professional expertise to work with local team across Scotland;\r\nSupported boards to recruit local teams dedicated to implementing the six essential actions;\r\nImplemented appropriate site management structure to ensure focus on all services and targets across the hospital;\r\nStrengthened structured planning and hospital safety huddles to ensure a whole system focus; \r\nEnhanced use of discharge lounges and discharge hub facilities. \r\nLike any programme it will take time to embed the key elements of the six essential actions and bring about long term sustainable improvements across Scotland.\r\nIn addition to the programme work we have also provided national additional support to those sites experiencing the biggest challenges. For instance, in order to support and embed the new working practices and processes following the transfer of all acute services from the Western Infirmary, the Victoria Infirmary and the Southern General to the new to the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital (QEUH) it was agreed we would provide a short term support team to work with the local team to implement key measures that would support immediate improvements, complementing the six essential actions work, including:\r\nImproved infrastructure around bed management to ensure the prompt turnaround of beds;\r\nEnhanced use of the discharge lounge; \r\nEarly in the day discharges to improve patient flow;\r\nImplementation of criteria led discharge;\r\nIncreased ward rounds to support appropriate discharging of patients.\r\nPerformance at the QEUH has improved by nearly 17 percentage points since the team were on site in June 2015 (w/e 13 September). The short term support team have also supported other sites across the Glasgow area including the Royal Alexandra Hospital.\r\nIn parallel, we have issued winter guidance to NHS boards this summer, two months earlier than last year, to ensure early and appropriate action is taken to minimise risk and disruption to patients during the coming winter period. NHS boards have been asked to publish their final winter plans by the end of October 2015. We hosted a winter planning event for stakeholders and key partners across Scotland on 17 September 2015 where partners will have the opportunity to share good practice.\r\nFinally, it is worth noting that performance against the four hour A&E target over the summer period has been consistently higher than last summer. Scotland’s performance in July 2015 was 95.3% for core sites, which is the highest performance since July 2012, and best performing in the UK – England (92.5%), Wales (81.9%) and Northern Ireland (78.2%).","AnswerDate":"2015-09-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306069,"EventID":"S4W-27395","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2853,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":81,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-08T16:57:32.497","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-08T14:54:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what (a) targeting criteria and (b) keywords it is using to promote the firstminister.gov.scot website.","AnswerText":"(a) The keyword searches for firstminister.gov.scot are targeted to people in Scotland.\r\n(b) The keywords used to promote the website are: \r\nMinisters of Government\r\nMinisters of the Government\r\nNicola Sturgeon Twitter\r\nWhat is the Scottish Government\r\nNicola Sturgeon profile\r\nFirst Minister Questions\r\nScottish First Ministers\r\nNicola Sturgeon email address\r\nNicola Sturgeon biography\r\nHow to contact Nicola Sturgeon\r\nEmail Nicola Sturgeon\r\nScottish First Minister\r\nNicola Sturgeon picture\r\nContact Nicola Sturgeon\r\nFirst Minister\r\nHow to email Nicola Sturgeon\r\nFirst Minister Scotland\r\nNicola Sturgeon contact\r\nWho is Nicola Sturgeon\r\nNicola Sturgeon\r\nSturgeon Leader\r\nFirst Ministers\r\nScottish Parliament First Minister\r\nNicola Sturgeon\r\nScotland First Minister\r\nWho Is The Scottish First Minister","AnswerDate":"2015-10-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306070,"EventID":"S4W-27396","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2853,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":81,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-08T16:57:32.987","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-08T14:54:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what (a) digital and (b) other media outlets it is using to promote the firstminister.gov.scot website.","AnswerText":"(a) Promotion of Scottish Government websites is managed by iProspect. (b) No other media outlets are used to promote firstminister.gov.scot.","AnswerDate":"2015-09-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306071,"EventID":"S4W-27397","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2853,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":81,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-08T16:57:33.467","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-08T15:03:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much is being spent on promoting the firstminister.gov.scot website.","AnswerText":"£2,374.12 has been spent on the promotion of firstminister.gov.scot since 17 May 2015.","AnswerDate":"2015-09-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306072,"EventID":"S4W-27398","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2117,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-08T16:57:33.887","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-08T15:23:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what it estimates the cost will be of (a) recruitment and (b) maintenance and repairs at the (i) 101 service centre in Bucksburn, (ii) 999 control room at Queen Street in Aberdeen and (iii) Inverness control room in order for each facility to meet the standards recommended in the recent Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary in Scotland (HMICS) report into police call-handling.","AnswerText":"This detailed information is not held by the Scottish Government. This is a matter for the Scottish Police Authority and Police Scotland.","AnswerDate":"2015-09-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306073,"EventID":"S4W-27399","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2117,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-08T16:57:34.437","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-08T15:23:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many police staff have (a) resigned (b) taken voluntary or early redundancy at the (i) 101 service centre in Bucksburn and (ii) 999 control room at Queen Street in Aberdeen since the planned closure of the two facilities was announced in January 2014.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government does not hold this information. This is a matter for the Scottish Police Authority and Police Scotland.","AnswerDate":"2015-09-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306074,"EventID":"S4W-27400","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2117,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-08T16:57:34.967","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-08T15:23:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many police staff have been recruited to work at the (a) 101 service centre in Bucksburn and (b) 999 control room at Queen Street in Aberdeen since the planned closure of the two facilities was announced in January 2014.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government does not hold this information. This is a matter for the Scottish Police Authority and Police Scotland.","AnswerDate":"2015-09-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306075,"EventID":"S4W-27401","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2117,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-08T16:57:35.527","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-08T15:23:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many police (a) officers and (b) staff were working at the (i) 101 service centre in Bucksburn and (ii) 999 control room at Queen Street in Aberdeen when the planned closure of the two facilities were announced in January 2014 and how many are working there now.","AnswerText":"The Contact, Command and Control Proposed Strategic Direction paper presented to the Scottish Police Authority Board for decision on 30 January 2014 identifies: six Police Officers and 82 staff working within the Aberdeen Bucksburn Service Centre; and 47 staff and 33 Police Officers in the Queen Street Area Control Room.","AnswerDate":"2015-09-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306076,"EventID":"S4W-27402","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2117,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-08T16:57:36.197","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-08T15:23:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the current maintenance and repairs backlog is at the (a) 101 service centre in Bucksburn and (b) 999 control room at Queen Street in Aberdeen.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government does not hold this information. This is a matter for the Scottish Police Authority and Police Scotland.","AnswerDate":"2015-09-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306077,"EventID":"S4W-27403","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2853,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":81,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-08T16:57:36.887","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-08T15:49:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide details of the (a) 2013-14 and (b) 2014-15 spend of its marketing unit, and what the reason is for the delay in posting this information to its website. ","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the Scottish Government website where marketing spend for 2013-14 was published on 9 September 2015. Please see the following link:\r\nhttp://www.gov.scot/About/People/Directorates/Communications/advertising-marketing\r\nWe proactively publish our spend each year following reconciliation. For the first time, it was agreed the handling for any future reporting on marketing expenditure was to be published to coincide with the annual publication of PR expenditure under sections 31 (1) and (2) of the Public Services Reform Scotland Act 2010, now live on the Scottish Government website. The report on marketing expenditure provides a more detailed breakdown of aspects of the PR expenditure published under the 2010 Act.\r\nThis approach will also be applied to the publication of 2014-15 expenditure.","AnswerDate":"2015-09-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306090,"EventID":"S4O-04578","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":3824,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-09T13:36:02.017","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-09T10:40:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will publish the business cases that were prepared in advance of the establishment of Police Scotland and the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-09-16T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306091,"EventID":"S4O-04579","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":2853,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":81,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-09T13:36:02.393","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-09T09:45:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when the Cabinet Secretary for Justice last met the Chief Constable and what they discussed.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-09-16T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306092,"EventID":"S4O-04580","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":2010,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":137,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-09T13:36:02.797","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-07T12:04:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the next steps in the process of the investigation into the death of Sheku Bayoh.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-09-16T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306093,"EventID":"S4O-04581","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":2033,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":132,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-09T13:36:03.343","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-07T12:04:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it expects net financial savings from the closure of local courts.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-09-16T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306094,"EventID":"S4O-04582","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":4080,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-09T13:36:03.733","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-09T11:51:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on Police Scotland’s restructuring and centralisation of the firearms licensing function.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-09-16T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306095,"EventID":"S4O-04583","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":2117,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-09T13:36:04.28","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-09T11:12:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much additional resource it plans to spend on the police control room and service centre in Aberdeen in the current financial year.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-09-16T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306096,"EventID":"S4O-04584","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":2603,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-09T13:36:04.857","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-09T11:17:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has for Aberdeen police control room.","AnswerText":"As outlined in my response to Lewis Macdonald, this is a matter for Police Scotland and the Scottish Police Authority.","AnswerDate":"2015-09-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-09-16T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306097,"EventID":"S4O-04585","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":2134,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":82,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-09T13:36:05.42","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-07T12:04:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it last met the chief executive of the Scottish Courts and Tribunals Service and what was discussed.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government meets the chief executive of the Scottish Courts and Tribunals Service (SCTS) regularly. The last formal meeting was on 21 May 2015 when an update was given on SCTS plans.","AnswerDate":"2015-09-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-09-16T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"Paul Wheelhouse","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306098,"EventID":"S4O-04586","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-09T13:36:05.917","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-09T09:08:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when the final decision on the merger of Police Scotland's L and K divisions will be announced.","AnswerText":"Any decision to merge K and L divisions is ultimately for Police Scotland acting under the oversight of the Scottish Police Authority. Scottish Ministers are aware that Police Scotland and the Scottish Police Authority have undertaken local consultation on this matter.","AnswerDate":"2015-09-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-09-16T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306099,"EventID":"S4O-04588","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":2826,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":84,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-09T13:36:06.853","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-08T15:28:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on discussions it has had regarding the reported decline in the bee population. ","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-09-16T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306100,"EventID":"S4O-04589","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":2110,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":138,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-09T13:36:07.337","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-07T12:04:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what input its Agriculture, Food and Rural Communities Directorate has into the work of Community Broadband Scotland.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-09-16T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306101,"EventID":"S4O-04590","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":2615,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":143,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-09T13:36:08.35","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-07T12:04:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how the growth of Japanese knotweed is controlled.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-09-16T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306102,"EventID":"S4O-04591","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":4984,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-09T13:36:08.757","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-09T10:23:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it plans to address the reported concerns of NFU Scotland regarding the effect of low prices on the farming industry.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-09-16T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306103,"EventID":"S4O-04592","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":2675,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":93,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-09T13:36:09.13","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-07T12:04:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with Scotland's Rural College regarding plans to close the Inverness veterinary laboratory since the Rural Affairs, Climate Change and Environment Committee meeting on 2 September 2015. ","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-09-16T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306104,"EventID":"S4O-04593","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":1853,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":86,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-09T13:36:09.77","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-07T12:04:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what assistance it provides to local authorities that wish to invest in environmentally friendly initiatives.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has treated local government very fairly despite the cuts to the Scottish Budget from the UK Government. The local government finance settlements have been maintained over the period 2012-16, with extra money for additional responsibilities, and, as a result, the total settlement in 2015-16 now amounts to over £10.85 billion. \r\nThe vast majority of this funding, including funding for environmental initiatives, is being provided by means of a block grant. It is therefore the responsibility of individual local authorities to manage their own budgets and to allocate the total financial resources available to them on the basis of local needs and priorities, having first fulfilled their statutory obligations and the jointly agreed set of national and local priorities.","AnswerDate":"2015-09-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-09-16T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen McLeod","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306105,"EventID":"S4O-04594","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":2394,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-09T13:36:10.473","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-07T12:04:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the impact on rural Scotland of its plans to introduce business rates on sporting businesses.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has published a Business and Regulatory Impact Assessment and an Equality Impact Assessment for the Land Reform (Scotland) Bill, which includes the proposal to end the exclusion of shootings and deer forests from the valuation roll.\r\nThe Scottish Government has also published a screening determination, under the Environmental Assessment (Scotland) Act 2005, that the Bill is not likely to have significant environmental effects and therefore that a Strategic Environmental Assessment is not required.","AnswerDate":"2015-09-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-09-16T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen McLeod","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306106,"EventID":"S4O-04595","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":5060,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-09T13:36:11.127","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-09T11:46:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what progress is being made with its Dairy Action Plan. ","AnswerText":"I launched the Dairy Action Plan in March 2015 to take forward the recommendations set out in the earlier dairy review entitled Ambition 2025 which considered ways to achieve sustainable economic growth in the sector. The plan is being implemented through the Dairy Growth Board – ably led by Paul Grant of Mackays Jam.\r\nWork is ongoing to improve the marketing of Scottish dairy produce on international markets – including the launch of a new Scottish dairy brand marque at the Anuga Food Fair in October 2015. Provision of better advice and information to producers has been delivered through the Scottish Dairy Hub – a free online information/advice source. Tailored support is also being provided to First Milk – including support for upgrading of Campbeltown Creamery and assistance with haulage costs for Bute producers.","AnswerDate":"2015-09-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-09-16T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"Richard Lochhead","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306107,"EventID":"S4O-04596","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":2633,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-09T13:36:11.58","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-09T10:30:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on its Low Emission Strategy.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government consulted on the draft Low Emission Strategy earlier in 2015. My officials are working closely with Transport Scotland, SEPA, local authorities and other partners to build on those proposals and we look to publish the final document later in 2015.","AnswerDate":"2015-09-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-09-16T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen McLeod","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306108,"EventID":"S4O-04597","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":3751,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":108,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-09T13:36:12.11","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-07T15:22:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the impact on its policy will be of reports that Germany, Latvia and Greece are to opt out of growing genetically modified crops.","AnswerText":"The fact that Germany, Europe’s largest country, Latvia, Greece and others are going to opt out of growing EU approved genetically modified (GM) crops shows the continuing concern that exists across the EU about the cultivation of GM crops and confirms that we were right to lead the way in exercising the new powers to opt out. \r\nScotland’s decision was based on the societal and economic consequences that growing GM crops might have for Scotland and that, as consumer surveys continue to show, there is little demand for GM food.","AnswerDate":"2015-09-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-09-16T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"Richard Lochhead","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306109,"EventID":"S4O-04598","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":5042,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-09T13:36:12.487","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-07T12:05:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the impact is of EU rule changes on capital projects in Central Scotland.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-09-17T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306110,"EventID":"S4O-04599","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":2029,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":145,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-09T13:36:12.86","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-09T11:10:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, in light of reported uncertainty caused by the transition to the European System of Accounts 2010, whether it will instruct that work should start immediately on the construction of the new Barrhead High School, with the Scottish Government bearing any risk and additional contracts, and with contracts amended as necessary.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-09-17T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306111,"EventID":"S4O-04600","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":5556,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":111,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-09T13:36:13.313","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-07T12:05:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what recent discussions it has had with NHS Fife regarding maternity services.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-09-17T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306112,"EventID":"S4O-04601","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":4940,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-09T13:36:13.67","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-07T12:05:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Governmentwhen the Ministerial Advisory Group on Child Poverty last met and what matters were discussed.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-09-17T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306113,"EventID":"S4O-04602","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":1860,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-09T13:36:14.047","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-09T10:41:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to promote emergency life support training in schools.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-09-17T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306114,"EventID":"S4O-04603","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":2595,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-09T13:36:14.653","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-08T17:47:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what progress is being made with the Scottish business development bank. ","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-09-17T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306115,"EventID":"S4O-04604","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":2678,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-09T13:36:15.167","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-07T12:05:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the recommended routes are for people travelling on public transport from East Renfrewshire to the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital and how long, on average, it is anticipated that these routes should take.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-09-17T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306116,"EventID":"S4O-04605","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":2059,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":91,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-09T13:36:15.543","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-07T12:05:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to address the reported shortage in the number of GPs.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-09-17T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306117,"EventID":"S4O-04606","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":4955,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":105,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-09T13:36:15.917","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-07T12:05:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with the University of Edinburgh regarding the Higher Education Governance (Scotland) Bill.","AnswerText":"Scottish Government officials have met with senior managers of the university on several occasions, and I met with Steve Morrison, Rector of the University of Edinburgh on 7 September 2015 to hear his views on the Bill. I reassured Mr Morrison that the Scottish Government has no intention of abolishing the post of Rector. I also made it very clear that ministers have no desire to control our autonomous universities. The Bill simply aims to modernise governance arrangements in our institutions, making them more transparent and inclusive. My meeting with Mr Morrison formed part of an ongoing dialogue with all key stakeholders on development of as consensual a model as possible for new elected chairs in all of Scotland’s higher education institutions.","AnswerDate":"2015-09-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-09-17T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306118,"EventID":"S4O-04607","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":3129,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":83,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-09T13:36:16.4","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-07T12:05:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on the impact on public transport users in Glasgow of plans by First Glasgow to reorganise its bus services.","AnswerText":"So long as the statutory notice periods and other regulatory requirements are complied with, including those related to punctuality and passenger information, bus services such as those being changed by First Glasgow are a commercial matter between the operator and its customers. Strathclyde Partnership for Transport has powers and funding to secure additional services to meet social needs where this does not happen on a commercial basis. ","AnswerDate":"2015-09-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-09-17T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306121,"EventID":"S4W-27404","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-09T16:44:52.713","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-08T17:00:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how the local authority joint working agreements will be updated when the new body, Historic Environment Scotland, starts on 1 October 2015.","AnswerText":"Acting as an Executive Agency on behalf of Scottish Ministers, Historic Scotland currently has a Joint Working Agreement (JWA) with every local planning authority in Scotland. On the 1 October, Historic Environment Scotland (HES) will take on its full powers as lead body on the historic environment. In anticipation of this change, Historic Scotland, working under the authority of the HES Board, has been working with Dumfries and Galloway Council on a new version of the JWA. This new version reflects changes in statutory processes and responsibilities that will take place at that date. A draft version of this Agreement is available on Historic Scotland’s website. All local authorities were informed about these changes on 27 August. In the coming weeks, HES will be developing a programme of work to engage directly with each local authority to review their respective joint working agreements. ","AnswerDate":"2015-09-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fiona Hyslop","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306122,"EventID":"S4W-27405","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-09T16:44:53.477","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-08T17:00:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how planning authorities’ conservation capacity is monitored.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government does not hold information on conservation related staff resource in planning authorities, as this is a matter for individual local authorities.","AnswerDate":"2015-09-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306123,"EventID":"S4W-27406","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2029,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":145,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-09T16:44:54.303","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-09T11:35:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government on which scheduled bus services in Scotland the National Entitlement Card is not valid and for what reason.","AnswerText":"Bus services on which a National Entitlement Card is valid under the National Concessionary Bus Travel Scheme for Older and Disabled People are set out in the National Bus Travel Concession Scheme for Older and Disabled Persons (Eligible Persons and Eligible Services) (Scotland) Order 2006 SSI 2006/117.\r\nThe Order lists specific types of services that are not eligible under the scheme. Scheduled services that are not valid are night bus services where a premium fare is charged and services where fares include a special amenity element, such as excursions, tours or group travel. The exclusions in the legislation relate to services which generally cost more than mainstream day time scheduled bus services.","AnswerDate":"2015-09-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306124,"EventID":"S4W-27409","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1893,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-09T16:44:54.913","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-09T12:23:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on regulating (a) professional dog walking, (b) dog minding and (c) other associated services to ensure that those providing these services are suitable.","AnswerText":"Professional dog walking, dog minding and other associated services are not currently governed explicitly by animal welfare legislation, although we are aware of some local authorities that have introduced bylaws in their area to regulate some of these activities. The welfare of dogs subject to these services is, however, protected by the general requirements of the Animal Health and Welfare (Scotland) Act 2006. \r\nThe possible need for further regulation of such businesses to protect animal welfare will be considered as part of an ongoing review of pet welfare.","AnswerDate":"2015-09-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Richard Lochhead","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306125,"EventID":"S4W-27410","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2892,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-09T16:44:55.473","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-09T13:40:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how the pilot library card scheme for children is being progressed, and whether the Improvement Service will administer this through the National Entitlement Card.","AnswerText":"The ‘Every Child is a Library Member’ pilots are being administered by individual local authorities in partnership with the Scottish Library and Information Council (SLIC). SLIC provides advice to local authorities and supports improvements in public libraries through the Public Library Improvement Fund provided by the Scottish Government. Local authorities are trialling various methods of distributing the library membership, including at the birth registration, via Bookbug packs and during Primary 1. There is no intended Scottish Government specific link with the National Entitlement Card.\r\nDetails of individual projects can be found on the SLIC website: \r\nhttp://scottishlibraries.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/ECLM-Pilot-Summaries.pdf","AnswerDate":"2015-09-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fiona Hyslop","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306144,"EventID":"S4W-27356","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-10T14:03:19.017","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-07T12:00:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government on what legal basis Police Scotland assisted in the seizure of the boat, Echo, which belongs to the Dutch-registered Sea Shepherd ship, the MV Sam Simon, on 1 September 2015 in Lerwick.","AnswerText":"On the basis of an international letter of request received from the Faroese authorities, I authorised the Procurator Fiscal at Lerwick to crave a warrant under Section 18 of the Crime (International Co-operation) Act 2003. The warrant was granted by the Sheriff at Lerwick. The warrant authorised officers of the Police Service of Scotland to seize evidence which resulted in the seizure of the boat Echo at Lerwick harbour on 1 September 2015.","AnswerDate":"2015-09-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Frank Mulholland QC","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306145,"EventID":"S4W-27377","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1866,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-10T14:03:20.577","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-07T16:33:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the statement by Fergus Ewing on 3 September 2015 (Official Report, c.52), (a) what support and (b) how much inward investment it will provide to mitigate the impact of the closure of Longannet Power Station on (i) communities, (ii) businesses and (iii) employees in (A) Kincardine and (B) other areas and manage the transitional issues arising from it; when it will announce full details of the inward investment, and how much of it will be new money.","AnswerText":"We recognise that the impact of the closure of Longannet will be felt in Fife and across Scotland. An economic development plan will be developed by the Longannet taskforce, which was set up by the Scottish Government to support the workers, businesses and communities impacted by Scottish Power’s decision to close Longannet Power Station. The taskforce will develop an economic recovery plan to:\r\nHelp ensure individuals employed at the site are supported, maximising each individual’s opportunity to secure alternative employment;\r\nSupport the communities impacted by the closure;\r\nMitigate the effects on the supply chain;\r\nProduce a masterplan for the long term future of the site, maximising the employment potential of the site; and\r\nConsider the economic infrastructure of the local area, to identify how to create sustainable employment in the longer term.\r\nWhile it is too early to say what resources might be required to support the delivery of the economic recovery plan, the taskforce will work towards identifying the various needs and requirements prior to Longannet’s closure.","AnswerDate":"2015-09-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306146,"EventID":"S4W-27378","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1866,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-10T14:03:21.853","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-07T16:33:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the statement by Fergus Ewing on 3 September 2015 (Official Report, c.52), what support it will provide to (a) Clydeport and (b) other (i) businesses, (ii) employees and (iii) communities in the supply chain affected by the closure of Longannet Power Station.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-27377 on 29 September 2015. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.","AnswerDate":"2015-09-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306147,"EventID":"S4W-27379","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1866,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-10T14:03:23.227","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-07T16:33:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the comment in its 2015-16 programme for government that thermal generation will \"continue to be an important part of Scotland’s electricity mix in the foreseeable future”, when it will announce details of its plans to ensure the delivery of thermal generation that relies on carbon capture and storage, and how it will ensure that this is sufficiently financed.","AnswerText":"Energy is a reserved matter and we have continually pressed the UK Government on the development of carbon capture and storage (CCS) for years. The UK Government’s CCS commercialisation competition is nearing its conclusions soon and we hope that the Peterhead project will come out of that process with a positive result but the UK Government have made no clear response to the future of CCS beyond the two planned demonstration projects.\r\nWe believe CCS is a technology needed both for electricity generation and for emission reduction.\r\nThis world leading initiative is ultimately dependant on the UK Government making a positive final investment decision on the project early in 2016. If the UK Government is willing to make this commitment the building of this project will require a construction workforce of up to 600 people and the project is expected to be operational in 2018-19.\r\nThis is a large scale project which expects to capture around 1 million tonnes of CO2 each year and transport it offshore for safe and secure storage more than two kilometres beneath the North Sea. \r\nA second major CCS project proposal for Scotland is the Caledonia Clean Energy Project, a low-carbon power generation project proposed by Summit Power for Grangemouth which proposes to capture up to 3.5 million tonnes of CO2 each year. It is important that follow-on CCS projects such as this continue to come forward and be supported and the Scottish and UK governments have jointly agreed to provide £4.2 million funding to advance the development of this project. \r\nSummit Power aims to achieve commercial operation of this project in the early 2020’s.","AnswerDate":"2015-10-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306148,"EventID":"S4W-27381","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1866,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-10T14:03:24.413","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-07T16:33:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the statement by Fergus Ewing on 3 September 2015 (Official Report, c.52), what plans it has to review its energy strategy.","AnswerText":"I refer Ms Boyack to my comments to Parliament on 17 September 2015 (motion S4M-14272) in the debate on the future of renewables in Scotland’s energy policy.","AnswerDate":"2015-10-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306149,"EventID":"S4W-27382","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1866,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-10T14:03:25.693","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-07T16:33:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the statement by Fergus Ewing on 3 September 2015 (Official Report, c.52), what action it is taking to ensure that its energy strategy focuses on retaining the skills and expertise needed for thermal generation.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government’s skills agency Skills Development Scotland published an updated Energy Skills Investment Plan in March 2015. The plan maintains and develops the significant range of world-leading skills and expertise that Scotland has to offer the energy sector.\r\nIn response to the planned closure of Longannet power station in March 2016 specifically, we have already established a Longannet taskforce and our Partnership Action for Continuing Employment (PACE) team is engaging with Scottish Power and its suppliers to offer tailored assistance to the workers affected. PACE has an excellent record in helping workers facing redundancy with 72 per cent of those who receive PACE support finding employment within six months.\r\nScotland’s diverse energy sector will continue to require a broad range of skills and expertise to maintain a balanced mix of energy generation sources, as set out in the Scottish Government’s Electricity Generation Policy Statement 2013 – including onshore and offshore wind, conventional thermal (for example at Peterhead), new carbon capture and storage (CCS) opportunities, hydro-electric and pumped storage schemes, biomass, marine energy and existing nuclear.\r\nScotland is the best place in these islands to develop large-scale and cost-effective renewables, pumped storage hydro and carbon capture and storage projects. That unique potential is recognised in our Third National Planning Framework (published in July 2014) through a series of National Developments.\r\nThe potential to develop in Scotland new clean thermal power is particularly strong and would create and safeguard jobs in thermal generation. Shell/SSE are expected to make a final investment decision on the Peterhead CCS project at the end of this year or in early 2016, with the aim of the project being operational in 2018/19, and Summit Power’s Caledonia Clean Energy Project at Grangemouth is aiming to achieve commercial operation in the early 2020s.\r\nHowever, the development of any new thermal generation in Scotland will require both certainty on future UK Government policy support for low-carbon generation beyond 2020 and a solution to the problem of discriminatory grid charges which penalise generators located in Scotland.","AnswerDate":"2015-10-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306150,"EventID":"S4W-27384","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1866,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-10T14:03:26.94","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-07T16:33:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the statement by Fergus Ewing on 3 September 2015 (Official Report, c.52), how much it will make available to the Longannet taskforce for regeneration activities.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-27377 on 29 September 2015. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.","AnswerDate":"2015-09-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306151,"EventID":"S4W-27388","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1866,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-10T14:03:28.08","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-07T16:33:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it plans to allocate any Barnett consequentials arising from the new vehicle excise duty.","AnswerText":"The Barnett formula does not adjust to changes in reserved taxation but allocates to Scotland a population share of net changes in expenditure on comparable spending programmes in England. Vehicle Excise Duty (VED) is reserved and there will therefore be no Barnett consequentials flowing to Scotland in the UK spending review directly as a consequence of changes to the tax, with VED revenues continuing to flow into general public expenditure rather than to specific programmes.\r\nThe UK Government has announced that from 2020-21 revenues from VED will be hypothecated for deployment through the Strategic Roads Fund in England. The funding implications for the devolved administrations have still to be determined.","AnswerDate":"2015-09-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306152,"EventID":"S4W-27407","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2633,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-10T14:03:29.39","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-09T11:55:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what meetings it has had to discuss the BBC charter renewal; when they took place; who was invited, and who attended. ","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has met with a range of individuals and organisations with an interest in the future of broadcasting in Scotland. These include the UK, Welsh and Northern Irish governments, the BBC, BBC Trust, STV, independent producers and academics. On 24 September 2015 I also hosted a stakeholder engagement event to enable a wide range of interested parties to feed in their views and ambitions for improving services in Scotland through BBC Charter renewal.\r\nThe Scottish Government will continue discussions with interested stakeholders in the months ahead. I met with the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, John Whittingdale, on 27 August 2015 and the CBBC Director of Strategy and Digital, James Parnell, on 22 September 2015. I plan to meet the BBC Director General, Tony Hall, in the coming weeks.","AnswerDate":"2015-10-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fiona Hyslop","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306153,"EventID":"S4W-27408","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2633,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-10T14:03:30.56","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-09T11:55:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what meetings it has had to discuss a film studio in Straiton; when they took place; who was invited, and who attended.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has not held any meetings to discuss a film studio in Straiton. The Film Studio Delivery Group which consists of representatives from Scottish Government, Creative Scotland and Scottish Enterprise tested the market for a film and TV studio for Scotland in 2014, which invited bids from the private sector. One of the proposals tendered was for a development at Straiton. The bid failed to meet the criteria. The developers were informed on 4 February 2015 in a letter from Scottish Enterprise.","AnswerDate":"2015-09-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fiona Hyslop","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306154,"EventID":"S4W-27411","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5060,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-10T14:03:31.573","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-10T08:04:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the potential impact on (a) business and (b) tourism, what discussions it has had with the (i) rail operators and (ii) Department for Transport regarding reports of overcrowding on trains between Scotland and Manchester Airport and the Department for Transport report that the two most overcrowded services in autumn 2014 were the 0422 Glasgow Central to Manchester Airport and 1600 Manchester Airport to Edinburgh Waverley.","AnswerText":"First TransPennine provides rail services between Edinburgh/Glasgow and Manchester airport. The rail franchise, which was awarded by the Department of Transport (DfT) to the First Group in 2004, will be re-let on 1 April 2016. Transport Scotland has been actively involved in the franchise tendering exercise both in assisting DfT in the formulation of the franchise specifications, as they relate to Scotland’s interests, and in discussion with all the franchise bidders on a wide range of service quality issues, including the need to ensure that capacity meets demand.","AnswerDate":"2015-09-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306155,"EventID":"S4W-27413","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2673,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":114,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-10T14:03:32.277","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-10T09:29:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many (a) GPs and (b) consultants have retired from each NHS board in each of the last five years and at what average age.","AnswerText":"Information on how many a) GPs and b) consultants have retired from each NHS board in the last five years, and at what average age, is not published by Information Services Division Scotland. Information relating to retiral rates is not recorded by NHS boards in a standardised way. Information relating to numbers of a) GPs and b) consultants can be found by following the following links:\r\nhttp://www.isdscotland.org/Health-Topics/General-Practice/\r\nhttps://www.isdscotland.org/Health-Topics/Workforce/Publications/2015-09-01/Medical_Trend_J2015.xls.","AnswerDate":"2015-09-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306156,"EventID":"S4W-27415","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1895,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":121,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-10T14:03:33.04","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-10T11:01:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many cases of recovery of maintenance from someone living abroad being processed by its Central Authority and International Law Team have taken longer than one year to resolve since 2011.","AnswerText":"The following table shows the number of requests for recovery of maintenance from someone living abroad, for each year from 2011 to 2014, that are still being processed by foreign authorities.\r\nYear\r\n2011\r\n2012\r\n2013\r\n2014\r\nTotals\r\n7\r\n11\r\n17\r\n28\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-09-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306157,"EventID":"S4W-27416","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1895,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":121,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-10T14:03:33.85","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-10T11:01:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many cases of recovery of maintenance from someone living abroad have been processed by its Central Authority and International Law Team since 2011.","AnswerText":"The following table shows, for each year from 2011 to 2014, the number of requests for recovery of maintenance from someone living abroad submitted by the Central Authority and International Law Team to foreign authorities.\r\nYear\r\n2011\r\n2012\r\n2013\r\n2014\r\nTotals\r\n30\r\n18\r\n30\r\n32\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-09-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306158,"EventID":"S4W-27417","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1895,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":121,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-10T14:03:34.57","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-10T11:01:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the average resolution time is for cases of recovery of maintenance from someone living abroad, and how many cases have been resolved successfully since 2011.","AnswerText":"Information on the average resolution time for cases of recovery of maintenance from someone living abroad is not readily available and could only be obtained at disproportionate cost. The table below shows the number of cases transmitted to foreign authorities in each year from 2011 to 2014 in which action has been successful.\r\nYear\r\n2011\r\n2012\r\n2013\r\n2014\r\nTotals\r\n23\r\n7\r\n13\r\n4\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-09-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306159,"EventID":"S4W-27418","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1895,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":121,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-10T14:03:35.193","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-10T11:01:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many active cases of recovery of maintenance from someone living abroad are being processed by its Central Authority and International Law Team.","AnswerText":"125 requests for recovery of maintenance abroad were sent from 2011 to 2014 and of these 79 are still being processed by foreign authorities.","AnswerDate":"2015-09-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306173,"EventID":"S4W-27420","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1893,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-10T16:56:31.18","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-10T11:59:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many registrations there have been with the Landlord Registration Scheme in each year since 2005.","AnswerText":"Landlord registration did not commence until 2006 and the first figures we have are from 2007. The following table gives a yearly breakdown of the number of applications for registration in each year.\r\nNumber of Applications for Registration\r\nDecember 2007\r\n104,758\r\nDecember 2008\r\n133,480\r\nDecember 2009\r\n159,797\r\nDecember 2010\r\n168,601\r\nDecember 2011\r\n181,359\r\nDecember 2012\r\n209,341\r\nDecember 2013\r\n235,018\r\nDecember 2014\r\n252,781\r\n2015 to date\r\n259,509\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-09-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Burgess","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306174,"EventID":"S4W-27421","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1893,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-10T16:56:32.18","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-10T11:59:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the impact of local rent controls on the housing supply.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has assessed the impact of local rent controls on the private rented sector in the Private Tenancies Bill Business and Regulatory Impact Assessment, which will be published on the Scottish Government’s website shortly.","AnswerDate":"2015-09-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Burgess","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306175,"EventID":"S4W-27422","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1893,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-10T16:56:33.083","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-10T11:59:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what information it has on whether the introduction of local rent controls in other countries has impacted on the level of new housing supply.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government does not hold any information on whether the introduction of local rent controls in other countries has impacted on the level of new housing supply.","AnswerDate":"2015-09-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Burgess","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306176,"EventID":"S4W-27423","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1893,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-10T16:56:33.943","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-10T11:59:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it has had discussions with the (a) German and (b) Swedish Government about the efficacy of a system of rent controls and, if so, what the outcome was.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has not had any discussions with either the German or Swedish governments.","AnswerDate":"2015-09-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Burgess","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306177,"EventID":"S4W-27424","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1893,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-10T16:56:34.783","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-10T11:59:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to encourage the (a) construction and (b) development of private rental properties in (i) Edinburgh, (ii) Glasgow and (iii) Aberdeen. ","AnswerText":"Following on from its support for the industry-led Building the Rented Sector Study in 2013, the Scottish Government is funding the new Private Rented Sector (PRS) Champion, appointed by Homes for Scotland. The Champion works with the house building industry and investors in order to boost the supply of homes for private rent across Scotland. With industry partners the PRS Working Party and PRS Champion are currently considering opportunities for private rental investment in Scotland and what actions could encourage the development of properties.","AnswerDate":"2015-09-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306178,"EventID":"S4W-27425","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1893,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-10T16:56:35.69","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-10T11:59:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on the effectiveness of the Landlord Registration Scheme.","AnswerText":"Private landlords make a significant contribution to meeting housing need in Scotland. Private landlord registration is a key tool to raise standards of accommodation and management in the private rented sector. Since its introduction, there have been over 259,509 applications for registration (of which 252,463 have been approved) from private landlords which contain details of over 350,000 let properties. This information provides local authorities with data to inform their local housing strategies.\r\nThe Landlord registration system has provided local authorities with the regulatory tools to improve standards in the private rented sector; it provides assurance to tenants and enhances the position of good landlords.","AnswerDate":"2015-09-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Burgess","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306179,"EventID":"S4W-27426","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1893,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-10T16:56:36.547","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-10T11:59:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much the Landlord Registration Scheme has received from (a) it and (b) other sources.","AnswerText":"Since 2006, £20.7 million has been paid by landlords making online fee payments to local authorities. The Scottish Government does not keep figures for payments made in offline applications or by invoiced payments made directly to local authorities. These fees are retained by local authorities to assist with meeting the cost of the regime. Landlord registration does not receive funding from any other source.","AnswerDate":"2015-09-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Burgess","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306180,"EventID":"S4W-27427","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1893,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-10T16:56:37.437","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-10T11:59:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many landlords have been (a) convicted and (b) sanctioned under the Landlord Registration Scheme.","AnswerText":"Responsibility for administration of the Landlord Registration Scheme rests with local authorities and Information on the number of prosecutions is not held by the Scottish Government. The Scottish Government does monitor local authority Landlord registration enforcement activity. Since January 2011, 25 cases have been reported to the procurator fiscal, prior to this time this figure was not collated centrally.\r\nWith reference to other sanctions under landlord registration legislation, local authorities undertake a range of work to pro-actively enforce Landlord registration and improve standards. For example, since April 2008, there have been \r\n36,637 late application fees applied and 8,590 rent penalty notices served, 321 action or improvement plans were instigated, 86 landlords have been deemed to be not “fit and proper” and 139 landlords have been refused registration or had their registration revoked.","AnswerDate":"2015-09-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Burgess","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306181,"EventID":"S4W-27428","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1893,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-10T16:56:38.357","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-10T11:59:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what consultation it has carried out with local authorities regarding the implementation of local rent controls.","AnswerText":"Local rent controls formed part of the Scottish Government’s proposals in the second consultation on a new tenancy for the private sector and sixteen local authorities commented on the approach outlined.","AnswerDate":"2015-09-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Burgess","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306182,"EventID":"S4W-27429","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1893,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-10T16:56:39.293","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-10T11:59:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the impact on the levels of private investment in the private rented sector of the proposed system of local rent controls.","AnswerText":"The impact upon business of the proposed system of local rent controls will be outlined in the Business and Regulatory Impact Assessment, which will be published on the Scottish Government’s website the day after the Private Tenancies Bill is introduced to Parliament in October 2015.","AnswerDate":"2015-09-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Burgess","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306183,"EventID":"S4W-27430","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1893,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-10T16:56:40.183","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-10T11:59:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it (a) collects and (b) interprets data regarding the operation of the private rented sector.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government collects data on the private rented sector through sources such as the Rent Service Scotland Market Evidence Database, the Scottish Household Survey, and the associated Scottish House Condition Survey module. Information from these sources is published in annual Private Sector Rent Statistics publications:\r\n(http://www.gov.scot/Publications/2014/11/2313), Scottish Household Survey Annual Reports:\r\n(http://www.gov.scot/Topics/Statistics/16002/PublicationAnnual), and Scottish House Condition Survey annual Key Findings Reports:\r\n(http://www.gov.scot/Topics/Statistics/SHCS/Downloads). In addition the Scottish Government Quarterly Scottish Housing Market Review:\r\n(http://www.gov.scot/Topics/Built-Environment/Housing/supply-demand/chma/statistics) presents a summary of different housing market measures from a variety of data sources.","AnswerDate":"2015-09-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Burgess","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306184,"EventID":"S4W-27431","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1893,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-10T16:56:41.023","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-10T11:59:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what engagement it has had with institutional investors regarding the impact that local rent controls might have on investment in new private rental developments.","AnswerText":"Local rent controls formed part of the Scottish Government’s proposals in the Second Consultation on a New Tenancy for the Private Sector and a number of institutional investors commented on the approach outlined. The Private Rented Sector (PRS) Champion and PRS Working Party, which the Scottish Government is part of, have had discussions with a range of interested parties including investors interested in supporting the private rental market in Scotland.","AnswerDate":"2015-09-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Burgess","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306185,"EventID":"S4W-27432","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1893,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-10T16:56:41.883","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-10T11:59:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with the Bank of England regarding its assessment of the financial stability risks associated with buy-to-let investors exiting the market and how this might impact on Scotland.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has not had discussions with the Bank of England regarding its assessment of the financial stability risks associated with buy-to-let investors exiting the market and how this might impact on Scotland. The Bank of England has responsibility for financial stability, and publically reports on its assessment through the financial stability report and meetings of its Financial Policy Committee.","AnswerDate":"2015-09-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Burgess","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306186,"EventID":"S4W-27433","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1893,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-10T16:56:42.77","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-10T11:59:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what sources of private rental data it uses to prepare its statistics on private rents.","AnswerText":"Information on the source data collection methodology for Private Sector Rent Statistics, Scotland 2010 to 2014 is available in Annex C of the statistical publication at: http://www.gov.scot/Publications/2014/11/2313.","AnswerDate":"2015-09-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Burgess","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306187,"EventID":"S4W-27435","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5057,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-10T16:56:43.707","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-10T13:59:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how long it takes on average for Police Scotland to respond to freedom of information requests.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government does not hold this information. This is a matter for Police Scotland.","AnswerDate":"2015-09-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306188,"EventID":"S4W-27436","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4080,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-10T16:56:44.317","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-10T14:39:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on plans to merge the British Transport Police in Scotland with Police Scotland; what other options have been considered; whether there will be a consultation on the plans, and whether the Parliament will have the opportunity to (a) scrutinise and (b) approve them.","AnswerText":"The timing for the integration of the Scottish Division of the British Transport Police within Police Scotland is subject to the progress of legislation through the UK Parliament.\r\nFollowing the devolution of railway policing in Scotland to the Scottish Parliament, a detailed timetable for integration will be developed and implemented; this is likely to include legislation through the Scottish Parliament.\r\nThe Scottish Government will engage with key stakeholders and partners, which will include a consultation on draft legislation, to ensure railway policing in Scotland is subject to appropriate oversight by the Scottish Parliament.","AnswerDate":"2015-09-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306189,"EventID":"S4W-27437","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4080,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-10T16:56:45.063","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-10T14:39:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what progress the Extended Courts Working Group has made; how often it has met since 5 December 2014, and on what date it will publish its findings.","AnswerText":"The Extended Courts Working Group has met on three occasions since 5 December 2014. It continues to report to the Justice Board. It is presently exploring a range of options for managing custodies at weekends, along with establishing the costs and benefits of each. Further work will be required before a date can be agreed to publish any findings.","AnswerDate":"2015-09-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306190,"EventID":"S4W-27438","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4080,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-10T16:56:45.907","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-10T14:39:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what (a) progress it has made and (b) meetings it has had on developing guidance on restorative justice services since 5 December 2014, and on what date it will be published.","AnswerText":"Scottish Government officials met with the Chair of the Scottish Restorative Justice Forum on 21 January 2015 to discuss, among other things, the collaborative approach to preparing an initial draft of the guidance to be published under the Victims and Witnesses Act. Further discussions were held about this process by correspondence, with views sought from both the Forum and victim support organisations.\r\nOfficials met representatives from Victim Support Scotland, Rape Crisis Scotland, Scottish Women’s Aid and the Scottish Restorative Justice Forum including Sacro on 27 August 2015 to discuss an early draft of the guidance. Further meetings are planned with these organisations to discuss subsequent iterations of the draft guidance.\r\nThe Scottish Government’s intention is to publish guidance relating to restorative justice services later this year, though the exact date is still to be determined.","AnswerDate":"2015-09-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306191,"EventID":"S4W-27441","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1866,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-10T16:56:46.687","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-10T14:59:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government on what date it will publish the options paper on the introduction of an environmental court, as laid out in the 2011 SNP manifesto; what stakeholder consultation is planned, and whether it expects to reach a conclusion or publish a decision in advance of the 2016 election.","AnswerText":"We are, at present, actively working on a paper which, as I have previously indicated to Parliament and stakeholders, will be published during this Parliament.\r\nWhen the paper is ready for publication, the Scottish Government will be in a position to give details of stakeholder engagement and a timetable for publishing any proposals.","AnswerDate":"2015-09-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Paul Wheelhouse","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306192,"EventID":"S4W-27446","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5057,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-10T16:56:47.763","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-10T16:03:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what meetings it has had with the (a) Falkirk and District Faculty of Solicitors and (b) Glasgow Bar Association regarding its members' reported concerns about the legal aid arrangements for the new sheriff appeal court.","AnswerText":"We have not met directly with either the Falkirk and District Faculty of Solicitors nor the Glasgow Bar Association. As the representative body for the profession, I met with the senior management team of the Law Society of Scotland on 3 September 2015 where we discussed the legal aid arrangements for the new Sheriff Appeal Court. A further meeting was held between senior officials from the Scottish Government Justice Directorate and the Law Society on 10 September 2015. This is in addition to ongoing discussion between Scottish Government officials and the Law Society on the draft regulations that were intended to put in place the new arrangements since they were first circulated for comment in April 2015. I have also had recent discussions with the Dean of the Faculty of Advocates.\r\nFollowing the Justice Committee’s vote against the original regulations, I withdrew the draft legal aid regulations and, having listened to concerns, I put in place alternative arrangements which mirror the current situation around legal aid payments for summary appeal cases in the High Court. This allowed for the smooth opening of the Sheriff Appeal Court for criminal cases, safeguarding access to justice for all those appearing in the new court and providing consistency for solicitors, counsel and solicitor advocates during this transitional period.","AnswerDate":"2015-09-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Paul Wheelhouse","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306193,"EventID":"S4W-27434","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-11T15:59:33.737","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-10T12:17:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether and, if so, when it will publish a consultative draft of the social responsibility levy under the Alcohol etc. (Scotland) Act 2010 and begin the consultation required under section 15(3) of the Act.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government have implemented a wide range of measures to tackle alcohol misuse in our Alcohol Framework. We are currently working on the next phase of the framework to build on the progress made to date and intend to introduce it in 2016. \r\nA social responsibility levy under the Alcohol etc. (Scotland) Act 2010 would require certain prior engagement and consultation activities. If it is decided to progress such a levy, then the Scottish Government will undertake these activities.","AnswerDate":"2015-09-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-25T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306194,"EventID":"S4W-27447","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4080,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-11T15:59:35.743","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-10T16:17:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4O-04551 by John Swinney on 9 September 2015 (Official Report c. 5), whether the planned timetable for the Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route project now differs from the details provided in the answer to question S4W-24246 on 2 February 2015.","AnswerText":"There is no change to the delivery timetable of the Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route since the updates given in the answer to question S4W-24246 on 2 February 2015, and reconfirmed in the answer to question S4W-26951 answered on 31 July 2015, which made clear that there would be no effect on either the timetable or cost of the Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route.\r\nAll answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at: \r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.","AnswerDate":"2015-09-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-25T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306195,"EventID":"S4W-27448","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4080,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-11T15:59:37.633","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-10T16:17:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4O-04551 by John Swinney on 9 September 2015 (Official Report c. 5), what impact the wait to receive a response from Eurostat will have on the timetable for the Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route project. ","AnswerText":"There will be no impact on the delivery timetable for the Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route as a result of Eurostat considering the points for clarification which have been put to it by the Office for National Statistics.","AnswerDate":"2015-09-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-25T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306196,"EventID":"S4W-27449","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5041,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-11T15:59:38.117","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-10T16:45:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much funding it has provided to the Scottish Legal Aid Board in each year since 2007.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Legal Aid Board (SLAB) is a non-departmental public body. Its work is funded by the Scottish Government in two ways.\r\nAn administration budget funded through grant-in-aid is provided to cover the running costs of SLAB such as its staff and accommodation costs. This enables SLAB to deliver its statutory duties and functions. Funding is cash limited but can be varied to allow for additional work required to deliver ministerial priorities.\r\nFunding is also provided for the Legal Aid Fund which is then used to pay for the costs of legal aid cases and SLAB’s grant funding programme. Amongst other things, this covers the costs of fees for solicitors and advocates. This funding is not cash limited but instead is demand led and the Scottish Government has an obligation to make funds available for cases that meet the statutory tests.\r\nThe Legal Aid Fund and grant-in-aid funding received over the period requested, and arising from this demand led system, is as set out in the following table:\r\nFinancial Year\r\n2007-08\r\n2008-09\r\n2009-10\r\n2010-11\r\n2011-12\r\n2012-13\r\n2013-14\r\n2014-15\r\nTotal SLAB funding received from the Scottish Government (£ million)\r\n168.8\r\n160.7\r\n163.8\r\n174.8\r\n169.7\r\n162.3\r\n163.7\r\n150.8\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-09-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-25T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Paul Wheelhouse","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306197,"EventID":"S4W-27450","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5041,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-11T15:59:44.57","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-10T16:45:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government by how much it will reduce the legal aid budget in 2015-16.","AnswerText":"The administration and Legal Aid Fund budget provision for 2015-16 will increase by £3.6 million. The published budget for 2015-16 is as shown in the following tables:\r\nProposed Budget\r\n\r\n2014-15\r\n2015-16\r\nTotal\r\nOperating\r\nCapital\r\nTotal\r\n(£ million)\r\n(£ million)\r\n(£ million)\r\n(£ million)\r\nGross Expenditure\r\n143.2\r\n146.8\r\n0\r\n146.8\r\nLess: Retained Income\r\n-0.3\r\n-0.3\r\n0\r\n-0.3\r\nCapital Receipts Applied\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\nTotal\r\n142.9\r\n146.5\r\n0\r\n146.5\r\n\r\nBudget Analysis\r\n\r\nBudget Analysis\r\n\r\n2014-15\r\n2015-16\r\nTotal\r\nOperating\r\nCapital\r\nTotal\r\n(£ million)\r\n(£ million)\r\n(£ million)\r\n(£ million)\r\nLegal Aid Administration\r\n11.1\r\n10.7\r\n0\r\n10.7\r\nLegal Aid Fund\r\n132.1\r\n136.1\r\n0\r\n136.1\r\nLegal Aid Income from Superannuation Contributions\r\n-0.3\r\n-0.3\r\n0\r\n-0.3\r\nNet Expenditure\r\n142.9\r\n146.5\r\n0\r\n146.5\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-09-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-25T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Paul Wheelhouse","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306198,"EventID":"S4W-27451","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5041,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-11T15:59:46.48","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-10T16:45:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many legal aid cases are outstanding and how this compares with previous years since 2007.","AnswerText":"When a payment can be made by the Scottish Legal Aid Board (SLAB) for work carried out will depend on the lifecycle of the case and the time it subsequently takes for the solicitor to submit an account to SLAB. This is not in SLAB’s control and the solicitor may never in fact submit an account.\r\nSLAB will make payment to the solicitor for all the elements of the account which fall within the boundaries of the legal aid legislation. Any disputed charges are then discussed which may result in SLAB making further payments on the account.\r\nSLAB has targets for assessing accounts that have been submitted and these are approved each year by ministers. The service standards vary depending upon the type of account. They are: 15 working days for fixed fee accounts and civil judicial expenses accounts, 20 working days for all other part payments and final accounts and 20 working days for the discussions on any element not paid in the first instance.\r\nThe following table shows the average time (excluding discussions) that it takes for SLAB to make a payment to solicitors and advocates over the last few years:\r\n\r\n2012-13\r\n2013-14\r\n2014-15\r\n2015-16 year to date (to Aug ’15)\r\nAverage working days to process\r\n22.4\r\n21.4\r\n15.7\r\n12.0\r\n‘Outstanding’ has been interpreted as grants of legal assistance which have had an account submitted and are under consideration (action with SLAB). Although a claim has not been settled (or settled in full) and therefore may be considered to be outstanding. The vast majority of these will still be within SLAB’s service standards and cannot therefore be considered overdue.","AnswerDate":"2015-09-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-25T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Paul Wheelhouse","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306199,"EventID":"S4W-27452","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5041,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-11T15:59:48.393","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-10T16:45:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether and, if so, for what reason solicitors who assist clients through legal aid are not being paid for their work.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Legal Aid Board (SLAB) paid solicitors £107.7 million pounds in legal aid fees in 2014-15.\r\nSLAB can only make payments for work that falls within the boundaries of legal aid legislation approved by Parliament. This forms a key part of SLAB’s duty to obtain best value for the taxpayer through the delivery of efficient legal assistance in Scotland.\r\nSolicitors are provided with guidance on what work is and is not chargeable and also when the Act and Regulations require them to seek permission from SLAB to carry out specific work or to increase the amount of expenditure they have to use on a case.\r\nSolicitors are paid for all work that complies with this guidance and which is actually and reasonably done, with due regard to economy.\r\nHowever, there are circumstances where the level of claim may be reduced following discussions between SLAB and the solicitor. Payments on any undisputed amounts are made while these discussions are ongoing. Circumstances may include:\r\nWork being carried out prior to the effective date of the grant of legal assistance;\r\nThe incorrect level of fees being claimed;\r\nNo sanction having been granted by SLAB for additional expenditure e.g. the use of an expert witness;\r\nFailure to provide vouching for incurring certain types of expenditure e.g. a medical report;\r\nWork being claimed for that is not chargeable under the legal aid regulations e.g. letters of engagement;\r\nAn increase in expenditure from SLAB not being sought at the appropriate time resulting in insufficient expenditure to cover the work undertaken;\r\nClaiming for work done by staff that are paid a salary by the firm and therefore cannot claim for the work that they do on behalf of the solicitor.\r\nIf a solicitor considers that SLAB has not applied the legislation correctly and dispute the amount SLAB has paid, they have the option of taking the matter to ‘taxation’ to be considered by an independent auditor of court.","AnswerDate":"2015-09-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-25T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Paul Wheelhouse","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306200,"EventID":"S4W-27453","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5041,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-11T15:59:48.863","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-10T16:45:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the value is of outstanding claims for solicitors who assist clients through legal aid.","AnswerText":"As outlined in the answer to S4W-27451 on 25 September 2015, ‘outstanding’ has been interpreted as grants of legal assistance which have had an account submitted and are under consideration (action with the Scottish Legal Aid Board (SLAB)). Although a claim has not been settled (or settled in full) and therefore may be considered to be outstanding, the vast majority of these will still be within SLAB’s service standards and cannot therefore be considered overdue.\r\nBelow are the figures as at the end of August 2015 and the comparable figure from August 2014. This data is not available for previous years. As SLAB pays on average around 21,000 accounts per month to a value of around £12 million, these figures represent around 12 days worth of payments.\r\nAll answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at: \r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.\r\n\r\nAs at 31 August 2014\r\nAs at 31 August 2015\r\nValue of outstanding claims (£ million)\r\n8.8\r\n7.5\r\nNumber of outstanding account (000’s)\r\n13\r\n12\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-09-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-25T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Paul Wheelhouse","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306201,"EventID":"S4W-27454","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5041,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-11T15:59:49.283","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-10T16:45:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether all outstanding claims for solicitors who assist clients through legal aid will be paid in 2015-16.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Legal Aid Board’s (SLAB) target is to pay 97% of accounts submitted within their service standards. For 2015-16 (to August) its performance is exceeding this.\r\nThe average time (excluding discussions) that it takes SLAB to make a payment to solicitors and advocates is currently around 12 working days.","AnswerDate":"2015-09-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-25T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Paul Wheelhouse","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306202,"EventID":"S4W-27464","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-11T15:59:49.7","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-11T09:53:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it will (a) publish and (b) place in the Scottish Parliament Information Centre the minutes and papers from the last two meetings of the Joint Exchequer Committee.","AnswerText":"I recognise and agree the importance of keeping Parliament informed on negotiations. As I have explained to Parliament previously, there is a need to strike a balance between satisfying the legitimate need for parliamentary scrutiny whilst leaving space for a negotiation that will protect Scottish interests.\r\nThe Joint Exchequer Committee (JEC) is a forum for intergovernmental discussion. I have undertaken to write to the Convenor of the Finance Committee after each JEC to provide him with a communique which sets out the issues discussed. This has been done on all occasions.","AnswerDate":"2015-09-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-25T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306203,"EventID":"S4W-27465","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-11T15:59:50.57","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-11T09:53:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the statement by Nicola Sturgeon on 1 September 2015 (Official Report, c. 13), in light of the First Minister’s comments about the Scotland Bill and the fiscal framework, what information it can provide regarding the progress being made by the Joint Exchequer Committee.","AnswerText":"As part of the Joint Exchequer Committee (JEC), I have met the Chief Secretary to the Treasury twice to take forward our discussions on a fiscal framework for Scotland with the aim of completing the negotiations during the autumn.\r\nI have undertaken to write to the Convener of the Finance Committee after each JEC to provide him with a communique which sets out the issues discussed.","AnswerDate":"2015-09-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-25T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306204,"EventID":"S4W-27466","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1768,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":131,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-11T15:59:51.49","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-11T09:25:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-24003 by Derek Mackay on 21 January 2015, whether it will provide an update on what progress has been made with the speed limit trial.","AnswerText":"Progress has been made with proposals for the 20 mph speed limit pilot by way of traffic surveys and engagement with the local authority. We are developing an integrated proposal for the 20 mph limit pilot encompassing both the trunk and local roads to provide the greatest safety benefits and support the needs of the community of Langholm.\r\nOn confirmation that the local authority has agreement to proceed, we will engage further with the community through a joint public exhibition on the combined plan.","AnswerDate":"2015-09-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-25T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306205,"EventID":"S4W-27467","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1756,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":136,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-11T15:59:52.067","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-11T13:14:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, in light of paragraphs 61 to 63 of the National Accommodation Strategy for Sex Offenders in Scotland, which deal with out-of-area placements and exceptional circumstances, on how many occasions in each of the last four years sex offenders have been relocated outwith their local area.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government does not collect this information. The National Accommodation Strategy for Sex Offenders (NASSO) explains that the responsibility for making the necessary arrangements for an out of area placement lies with the placing local authority. The NASSO also places the responsibility on local authorities for ensuring that monitoring arrangements are in place to track the incidence of out-of-area placements.","AnswerDate":"2015-09-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-25T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Burgess","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306206,"EventID":"S4W-27468","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4947,"Party":"Independent","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-11T15:59:52.807","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-11T14:28:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether the UK Government advised the (a) First Minister and (b) Lord Advocate about the death of Ruhul Amin from Aberdeen and, if so, (i) who provided the advice, (ii) when and (iii) under what circumstances.","AnswerText":"The First Minister was informed of the death of Ruhul Amin by a senior security official from the UK Government imminently before the Prime Minister’s statement to the House of Commons in her capacity as a member of the Privy Council. The Lord Advocate was not informed.","AnswerDate":"2015-10-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-25T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306207,"EventID":"S4W-27473","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4947,"Party":"Independent","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-11T15:59:53.227","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-11T14:28:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government under what circumstances it would consider holding an inquiry into the extra-judicial killing of a person from Scotland overseas.","AnswerText":"This would depend on the facts and circumstances relating to a particular case. However, in general terms, it should be noted that section 28 of the Inquiries Act 2005 provides that Scottish Ministers may only set up public inquiries which are wholly or primarily concerned with a Scottish matter. Section 28(2) of that Act requires that “the terms of reference of the inquiry must not require it to determine any fact or to make any recommendation that is not wholly or primarily concerned with a Scottish matter.”\r\nSection 6 of the Inquiries into Fatal Accidents and Sudden Deaths etc. (Scotland) Bill will, if passed by Parliament, provide the Lord Advocate with a discretionary power to hold a fatal accident inquiry into deaths abroad of persons who are ordinarily resident in Scotland where the Lord Advocate considers that the death was sudden, suspicious or unexplained, or occurred in circumstances giving rise to serious public concern. The Lord Advocate would also have to consider whether the circumstances of the death have not been sufficiently established in the course of an investigation in relation to the death, whether there is a real prospect that those circumstances would be sufficiently established in an inquiry, and whether it is in the public interest for an inquiry to be held. This discretionary power will not however be retrospective.","AnswerDate":"2015-09-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-25T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306208,"EventID":"S4W-27474","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4947,"Party":"Independent","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-11T15:59:53.687","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-11T14:28:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its stated position is on extra-judicial killings.","AnswerText":"Scotland sits within the international legal framework of human rights standards developed since the end of World War 2.\r\nThe European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR), incorporated into UK Law in 1998, requires public authorities, including local government, public services and agencies, to act compatibly with ECHR.\r\nThe Scottish Government considers that Article two of the ECHR, which protects the right to life and places a duty on States to refrain from unlawful deprivation of life, prohibits extra-judicial killings.\r\nArticle two allows for the deprivation of life only insofar as it results from the use of force which is no more than absolutely necessary in defence of any person from unlawful violence; in order to effect a lawful arrest or to prevent the escape of a person lawfully detained; or in action lawfully taken for the purpose of quelling a riot or insurrection.","AnswerDate":"2015-09-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-25T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306224,"EventID":"S4F-02946","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":4976,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-14T12:30:26.903","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-14T09:31:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister when she will next meet the Prime Minister. ","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":"2015-09-17T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306225,"EventID":"S4F-02947","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":3812,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-14T12:30:28.947","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-14T09:33:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister what engagements she has planned for the rest of the day.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":"2015-09-17T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306226,"EventID":"S4F-02948","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-14T12:30:30.663","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-14T09:54:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister when the Scottish Government will bring forward revised proposals for greater independence of the Scottish Fiscal Commission following the recent consultation.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":"2015-09-17T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306227,"EventID":"S4F-02949","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":1866,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-14T12:30:31.397","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-14T11:09:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister whether the timetable for the conclusion of the evidence-gathering process and public consultation regarding the moratorium on fracking and unconventional gas extraction will be published before the October recess.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":"2015-09-17T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306228,"EventID":"S4F-02955","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":3759,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":80,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-14T12:30:34.377","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-14T11:55:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister what the Scottish Government’s position is on the UK Government’s trade union Bill and its potential impact on employment in Scotland.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":"2015-09-17T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306229,"EventID":"S4F-02957","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":2675,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":93,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-14T12:30:35.657","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-14T11:59:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister what involvement the Scottish Government will have in the UN Sustainable Development Summit 2015.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":"2015-09-17T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306230,"EventID":"S4W-27455","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2892,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-14T17:02:40.133","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-10T17:02:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it plans to gather evidence to inform its position on unconventional coal gasification.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4F-02949 on 17 September 2015 which is available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/report.aspx?r=10088","AnswerDate":"2015-09-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306231,"EventID":"S4W-27456","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2892,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-14T17:02:41.053","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-10T17:02:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it plans to start its consultation on unconventional oil and gas extraction.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4F-02949 on 17 September 2015 which is available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/report.aspx?r=10088\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-09-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306232,"EventID":"S4W-27457","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2892,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-14T17:02:41.677","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-10T17:02:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it plans to gather evidence to inform its (a) public health impact assessment, (b) work to strengthen planning guidance and (c) tightening of environmental regulation as noted in its news release of 28 January 2015, Moratorium called on fracking.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4F-02949 on 17 September 2015 which is available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/report.aspx?r=10088\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-09-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306233,"EventID":"S4W-27458","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2892,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-14T17:02:42.177","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-10T17:02:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what (a) individuals and (b) organisations it has approached for evidence on the appropriateness of unconventional oil and gas extraction.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-26272 on 27 July 2015. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-09-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306234,"EventID":"S4W-27459","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2892,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-14T17:02:42.707","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-10T17:02:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it will provide a substantive answer to question S4W-26767, which received a holding answer on 17 August 2015, and what the reason is for the delay in providing such an answer.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-24473 on 8 October 2015. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.","AnswerDate":"2015-10-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306235,"EventID":"S4W-27475","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-14T17:02:43.347","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-11T17:23:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it has received a response to the First Minister’s letter to the Prime Minister of 24 July 2015 regarding the so-called Wilson doctrine and, if so, whether it will publish this.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has received no reply from the Prime Minister on this matter to date.","AnswerDate":"2015-09-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306236,"EventID":"S4W-27476","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-14T17:02:44.08","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-11T17:23:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government (a) how many and (b) what percentage of schools contain asbestos.","AnswerText":"This information is not held centrally.\r\nHowever, under the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012, local authorities are required to make and keep an up to date record of the location of all schools which contain, or are presumed to contain, asbestos.","AnswerDate":"2015-09-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306237,"EventID":"S4W-27477","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-14T17:02:44.97","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-11T17:23:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what financial support is available to local authorities to tackle asbestos in schools.","AnswerText":"Under the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012, responsibility for the control and management of asbestos in local authority schools rests with the local authority.","AnswerDate":"2015-09-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306238,"EventID":"S4W-27478","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-14T17:02:45.983","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-11T17:23:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many (a) prosecutions and (b) convictions there have been in each of the last five years for breaches of health and safety legislation regarding asbestos.","AnswerText":"The Health and Safety Executive, a UK agency, is the lead for safety in the workplace and has responsibility for enforcement of the related asbestos legislation and regulations.\r\nThe latest available Scottish court statistics cover the last five years from 2009-10 to 2013-14. During this time there was one prosecution which resulted in a conviction in 2013-14, where the main offence was under Control of Asbestos Regulations 2006 regulation 4(10)(A).\r\nSource: Scottish Government Criminal Proceedings Database","AnswerDate":"2015-09-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306239,"EventID":"S4W-27479","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-14T17:02:46.793","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-11T17:23:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made regarding the levels of mesothelioma and other conditions that have arisen because of suspected exposure to asbestos in schools.","AnswerText":"The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is the lead agency for safety in the workplace and has responsibility for enforcement of the related asbestos legislation and regulations. A report published in 2014 by the HSE titled Mesothelioma in Great Britain 2014: Mesothelioma mortality in Great Britain 1968-2013 analysed statistics on mesothelioma mortality in the UK between 1968 and 2013. This considered the overall scale of disease including trends in case numbers and deaths. It also includes an estimate of the future burden of mesothelioma deaths to 2030.\r\nNHS National Services Scotland collects statistics on the detailed incidence, mortality and prevalence data for mesothelioma patients in Scotland. These are published on the Information Services Division Scotland website.\r\nIn relation specifically to exposure in schools, the Institute of Cancer Research and the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine undertook a case control study for the Health and Safety Executive in 2009. Titled Occupational, domestic and environmental mesothelioma risks in Britain: A case-control study, this study was the largest global study of its kind, funded by Cancer Research UK and the HSE, and involved more than 600 patients with mesothelioma who were interviewed to examine UK rates of the disease linked to different occupations. It found there was little or no evidence of increased risk in non-industrial workplaces such as schools.","AnswerDate":"2015-09-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306240,"EventID":"S4W-27480","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-14T17:02:47.683","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-11T17:23:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on reports that people with mesothelioma are having to wait for more than six months to obtain access to their medical records.","AnswerText":"It is vital that people with mesothelioma can access their records within a reasonable time given the seriousness of their condition and the possible effects on associated compensation claims. Mesothelioma sufferers have the right (as do all NHS patients) to ask for a copy of their records in accordance with the Data Protection Act 1998. This would also apply to third parties such as legal representatives when it is clear that patients have given consent for this to happen.","AnswerDate":"2015-09-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306241,"EventID":"S4W-27481","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-14T17:02:48.667","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-11T17:23:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many sheriffs will serve in the new personal injury courts; whether they will sit (a) in rotation or (b) simultaneously and what information it has regarding how many have had specific experience of personal injury cases.","AnswerText":"This question relates to operational matters that are the responsibility of the Scottish Courts Service (SCS) corporate body. The question has been passed to the Chief Executive of the SCS who will reply in writing within 20 days.","AnswerDate":"2015-09-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306242,"EventID":"S4W-27483","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-14T17:02:49.493","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-11T17:23:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government for what reason the alleged victims in personal injury cases will have to pay more for access to the same service in a lower tier court than was the case previously.","AnswerText":"Before 22 September 2015, those raising a personal injury action for any amount could do so in a local sheriff court or, if the claim was for more than £5,000, in the Court of Session.\r\nFrom 22 September 2015, there will be greater choice for those with personal injury claims. A personal injury claim for any amount can be raised in a local sheriff court. Claims below £100,000 cannot be raised in the Court of Session. A personal injury claim for more than £5,000 or more than £1,000 for workplace-related personal injury actions can be raised in the Sheriff Personal Injury Court. Workplace-related personal injury claims under £1,000 can be remitted to the Sheriff Personal Injury Court by a sheriff if the sheriff has certified that the importance or difficulty of the proceedings makes it appropriate to transfer them to that court. \r\nBefore 22 September 2015, court fees were provided for in the Sheriff Court Fees Amendment Order 2012 and the Court of Session etc. Fees Amendment Order 2012. After that date, they are those in the Sheriff Court Fees Order 2015 and the Court of Session etc. Fees Order 2015. \r\nThe court fees in the sheriff court and the Court of Session were raised on \r\n22 September 2015 by a small initial increase of 2% as the Scottish Government’s policy is to move toward fees which reflect the full cost of the processes involved, with a well-targeted system of fee exemptions to protect access to justice. There is a further 2% increase for inflation (plus further increases for inflation on 1 April 2016 and 1 April 2017). The fees in the Sheriff Personal Injury Court have been set, in the main, at the same level as those in the Court of Session. This is because the Sheriff Personal Injury Court is a dedicated personal injury all-Scotland court with cases heard by sheriffs who are specialists in the personal injury field. In addition, this court makes available e-motions and jury trials.\r\nCourt fees represent only a small proportion of the cost of going to court and those claimants using the Sheriff Personal Injury Court rather than the Court of Session will have the potential for reducing their legal fees by using solicitors rather than counsel (advocates or solicitor advocates), in addition to solicitors, as is obligatory in the higher court. Sanction for counsel in the sheriff court is available according to the test set out in section 108 of the Courts Reform (Scotland) Act 2014 to ensure ‘equality of arms’ in the event the other party employs counsel.","AnswerDate":"2015-09-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Paul Wheelhouse","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306243,"EventID":"S4W-27484","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-14T17:02:50.477","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-11T17:23:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it will monitor the performance of the new personal injury courts, and whether it will publish the results.","AnswerText":"The progress and implementation of the measures in the Courts Reform (Scotland) Act 2014 are regularly monitored through the Making Justice Work Programme 1 Board – Effective Courts and Tribunals Programme, including the Scottish Government, the Scottish Courts and Tribunals Service (SCTS) and the Scottish Legal Aid Board.\r\nThe Judiciary and Courts (Scotland) Act 2008 places responsibility for preparing an annual report on the SCTS. Section 67 of that Act requires that:\r\n“As soon as practicable after the end of each financial year, the Scottish Courts and Tribunals Service must—\r\n(a) prepare and publish a report on the carrying out of its functions during that year.”\r\nThat report is sent to the Scottish ministers, and a copy is laid before the Scottish Parliament. \r\nThe SCTS annual report for the latest financial year (2014-15) was laid in Parliament on 29 September 2015, and published on the SCTS website on the same day. The annual reports for all future years are expected to be published within a similar timeframe of six to seven months of each financial year end.","AnswerDate":"2015-09-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Paul Wheelhouse","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306244,"EventID":"S4W-27485","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-14T17:02:51.52","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-14T12:46:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it will reach a decision on whether to endorse the proposed closure of the Inverness Surveillance Veterinary Centre by the Scottish Rural Affairs College.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is awaiting an update from the Scottish Rural Affairs College (SRUC) on their proposals on the change to the network of veterinary disease surveillance centres and the future of their private business.\r\nThese proposals will be considered by Scottish Government to ensure that the different surveillance activities and the technical requirements we fund through the service SRUC provides can still be delivered.","AnswerDate":"2015-10-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Richard Lochhead","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306245,"EventID":"S4W-27486","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-14T17:02:52.427","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-14T12:46:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to ensure the (a) recruitment and (b) retention of vets in Highlands and Islands practices.","AnswerText":"Veterinary practices in the Highlands and Islands, as elsewhere in Scotland, are private businesses. As such, their recruitment policies will be determined by them in terms of the current and potential clients that they attract.\r\nThe Scottish Government incentivises the provision of veterinary services in the rural and remote rural areas of the Highlands and Islands through the Highlands and Islands Veterinary Services Scheme. That scheme ensures the provision of an adequate veterinary service to prevent and eradicate animal diseases for all animals kept for agricultural purposes and belonging to crofters and others of like economic status, where no other provisions are available on the market. However, the Chief Veterinary Officer for Scotland recently visited veterinary practices in the scheme and assisted with the recruitment of a veterinarian surgeon on Tiree.\r\nAs reported to the Scottish Parliament on 16 September 2015, in response to S4W-27165 from Tavish Scott MSP, the annual budget for the Highlands and Islands Veterinary Services scheme is £760,000. There are no plans to reduce this.\r\nAll answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at: \r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.","AnswerDate":"2015-09-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Richard Lochhead","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306246,"EventID":"S4W-27487","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-14T17:02:53.237","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-14T12:46:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with the veterinary schools regarding the number of vets in practices in the Highlands and Islands.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has no locus to discuss the number of vets in practices in the Highlands and Islands with the veterinary schools. That is a matter for the veterinary practices, as private businesses, to discuss with potential employees.","AnswerDate":"2015-09-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Richard Lochhead","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306247,"EventID":"S4W-27488","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-14T17:02:53.987","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-14T12:46:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will designate porcine epidemic diarrhoea (PED) as a notifiable disease.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is currently working with stakeholders to address the implications and practicalities of designating porcine epidemic diarrhoea as a notifiable animal disease.","AnswerDate":"2015-09-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Richard Lochhead","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306248,"EventID":"S4W-27489","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-14T17:02:54.58","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-14T12:46:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what agency or body is responsible for labelling meat as non-stun.","AnswerText":"There is currently no agency responsible for labelling meat as non-stun.\r\nThe labelling of meat for human consumption is governed by European Commission Regulation 1169/2011 on the provision of food information to customers. Meat producers must provide information to customers which conforms with that Regulation. At present, there is no requirement for member states to require the inclusion of information on non-stunning of animals, and any such labelling would be a commercial matter for food business operators, retailers and their assurance schemes.\r\nFollowing an EU consultation exercise published on 28 May 2015, the European Parliament and Council of ministers will further consider the labelling of meat slaughtered without stunning as part of the discussion on the EU Strategy for the Protection and Welfare of Animals 2012-2015.","AnswerDate":"2015-09-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Richard Lochhead","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306249,"EventID":"S4W-27490","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-14T17:02:55.203","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-14T13:27:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, given that the application period closes on 16 October 2015, when full details on eligibility will be available to agricultural units wishing to apply to the Scottish Upland Sheep Support Scheme.","AnswerText":"I announced details of the Scottish Upland Sheep Support Scheme when I delivered details of my decisions on Common Agricultural Policy reform to the Scottish Parliament in June 2014. I subsequently wrote to all Scotland’s farmers in July 2014 with basic details of the arrangements and full details of the scheme have been available on the Rural Payments and Services website since 27 October 2014. In addition, my officials are in the process of writing to 8,000 farmers likely to be eligible under the scheme, drawing their attention to this important source of potential support.","AnswerDate":"2015-09-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Richard Lochhead","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306250,"EventID":"S4W-27491","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-14T17:02:55.717","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-14T13:27:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether crofters with a common grazings share are eligible for the Scottish Upland Sheep Support Scheme.","AnswerText":"The scheme is open to all eligible farmers with sheep, whether crofters or not and whether they have common grazing shares or not. If crofters apply and they have shares in common grazings, we will use this information to assess eligibility.","AnswerDate":"2015-09-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Richard Lochhead","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306251,"EventID":"S4W-27492","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-14T17:02:56.67","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-14T13:27:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government for what reason the proposed retention period under the Scottish Upland Sheep Support Scheme is six months.","AnswerText":"The aim of the scheme is to support active farmers working some of our most challenging land. It must not be a source of support to large inactive landowners, which is why eligibility rests on home-bred ewe hoggs. As Mr Scott will know from his background in farming, these are the animals that the eligible businesses will retain to maintain and enhance their flocks so the active businesses will have nothing to fear from the retention period. A retention period of six months is necessary to prevent the artificial creation of eligibility by those who can be described as slipper farmers as opposed to active farmers.","AnswerDate":"2015-09-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Richard Lochhead","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306252,"EventID":"S4W-27493","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2029,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":145,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-14T17:02:57.293","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-14T13:46:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to ensure that Disclosure Scotland will have the resources required to ensure that the checks to be carried out on people planning to offer a space in their home to refugees are carried out expediently, and whether it plans to issue guidelines to (a) Disclosure Scotland and (b) local authorities about the process. ","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is committed to the provision of quality housing for all our residents, including refugees who come to Scotland.\r\nDisclosure checks may be required on individuals with whom unaccompanied children are placed. We will monitor impact on Disclosure Scotland and assess requirements on an ongoing basis.\r\nThe taskforce will provide leadership in this area and will work over the coming weeks and months to ensure Scotland provides a welcome to a proportionate share of the refugees who come to the UK.","AnswerDate":"2015-09-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306253,"EventID":"S4W-27495","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2029,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":145,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-14T17:02:57.793","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-14T13:47:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what information it has regarding what the additional cost will be to local authorities to house refugees and what (a) support and (b) other resources it will provide to help them meet this.","AnswerText":"The First Minister has established the refugee taskforce, which brings together Scottish Government ministers, Scottish and UK Government officials, COSLA, local government and a range of key stakeholders to coordinate and establish Scotland’s capacity in a range of matters such as housing, language support, social services and health services, including psychological support.\r\nUnder the existing Vulnerable Persons Relocation Scheme, through which Syrian refugees have already been brought into the UK, the Home Office has met a range of costs associated with settling refugees, including some housing and associated costs. To date these costs have been agreed directly between the Home Office and the local authorities contracted under the scheme. Ongoing housing costs are met by the refugees themselves who are eligible for employment and for mainstream social security benefits.\r\nThe refugee taskforce will continue to consider the costs to local authorities of accommodating refugees and how these should be met.","AnswerDate":"2015-09-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Burgess","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306254,"EventID":"S4W-27496","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3806,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-14T17:02:58.213","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-14T14:26:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will allocate any Barnett consequentials from vehicle excise duty to (a) trunk road construction and (b) the integration of sustainable transport modes and, if so, how much.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-27388 on 18 September 2015. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.","AnswerDate":"2015-10-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306255,"EventID":"S4W-27498","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3806,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-14T17:02:58.807","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-14T14:26:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much funding is needed to complete its plans for trunk road construction.","AnswerText":"Investment on the trunk road network will be required on a continuing basis to ensure the network is improved and maintained.\r\nA total of £6 billion has been invested since 2007 to maintain and improve the trunk road network. Current investment plans total approximately £8 billion and include the new Queensferry Crossing, the dualling of the A9 between Perth and Inverness, the Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route project and the M8 M73 M74 Motorway Improvements Project as well as ongoing maintenance activity.","AnswerDate":"2015-09-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306256,"EventID":"S4W-27499","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3806,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-14T17:02:59.32","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-14T14:26:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to allocate additional funds to support trunk road construction and, if so, (a) how it plans to raise this and (b) what impact it will have on the support that it provides to sustainable modes of transport.","AnswerText":"The UK Spending Review will not be published until 25 November 2015 and we will therefore not know what block grant is available in future to Scottish Ministers and delivery partners until that date. \r\nUnder the current devolution settlement around 80% of the Scottish budget is directly determined by decisions taken in Westminster and the application of the Barnett formula. This means that we have no alternative but to await the outcome of the UK Spending Review before publishing future spending plans for Scotland. Our spending plans will support the strategic priorities established in the Programme for Government including maintaining our programme of investment in roads and sustainable transport alternatives.","AnswerDate":"2015-09-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306257,"EventID":"S4W-27500","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3806,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-14T17:02:59.837","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-14T14:26:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what analysis it has carried out of the possible impact of its plans for trunk road construction on the level of emissions from traffic, and what action it will take in light of this.","AnswerText":"Each trunk road scheme is assessed for its potential to result in traffic emissions from construction and operation. The assessment involves the iterative design, assessment and identification of measures that could be taken to avoid or reduce adverse impacts or enhance the positive environmental performance of the scheme.","AnswerDate":"2015-09-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306258,"EventID":"S4W-27501","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4940,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-14T17:03:00.333","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-14T14:15:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what it is doing to promote scientific subjects to women and girls.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is committed to ensuring that both young women and men are encouraged to aspire to the full range of rewarding careers on offer to them in the STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) sectors of the economy. We are taking specific action in relation to physics and computing in our schools, as these are subjects where gender balance is in serious need of improvement. The multi-channel Digital World marketing campaign, due to launch at the end of September 2015, is aimed at attracting more women to pursue relevant qualifications and jobs in the digital sector. And, with the support of Skills Development Scotland and the Institute of Physics, we are providing practical support for primary and secondary schools to arrange activities for students to implement “whole school” approaches to tackling gender stereotyping in STEM subjects.\r\nOur Developing the Young Workforce strategy aims to prioritise STEM courses in colleges and we are also working with our universities to improve the gender balance in academia. Fuller details of this activity can be found in S4W-26983 on 25 August 2015. Indeed, in August 2015, the Cabinet Secretary for Education and Lifelong Learning wrote to all university principals encouraging the university sector to take further action to address the gender imbalance at senior academic levels in our institutions. In addition, we have targeted investment in making women aware of the opportunities available in industries where they are traditionally under-represented. Through Equate Scotland we are delivering the CareerWISE programme to make women aware of STEM Modern Apprenticeships and are also offering paid work placements for female undergraduates to encourage them to consider STEM careers.\r\nTo enhance the work ongoing in formal education, we also directly fund science engagement in the four Scottish Science Centres as well as the science festivals in recognition of the role played by the informal science learning sector in providing positive role models for girls and young women, supporting STEM learning, and making science accessible to a wide public audience. On 17 September 2015, the Cabinet Secretary for Education and Lifelong Learning met with leading women in the science engagement sector to explore whether the wider science base could learn from the better gender balance which exists in that sector. She also asked meeting attendees to consider what further action might be taken.\r\nAll answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at: \r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.","AnswerDate":"2015-09-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alasdair Allan","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306259,"EventID":"S4W-27502","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-14T17:03:00.74","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-14T14:48:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the number of people with allergic disorders, and how many of these are (a) severe or (b) life-threatening.","AnswerText":"Information on the number of people with allergic disorders has been published at http://www.scotpho.org.uk/health-wellbeing-and-disease/allergic-conditions/key-points. Information on the severity of the allergic conditions is not held centrally.","AnswerDate":"2015-09-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306260,"EventID":"S4W-27503","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-14T17:03:01.833","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-14T14:48:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many anaphylactic (a) shocks and (b) deaths have been recorded in each year since 2009-10.","AnswerText":"Information on the total number of cases of anaphylactic shock is not available centrally. At this link http://www.scotpho.org.uk/health-wellbeing-and-disease/allergic-conditions/data/secondary-care-data there is a table which shows the number of hospital discharges following admission with a diagnosis of anaphylactic shock. These figures do not include cases which might have been treated in other settings such as accident and emergency departments or in primary care and which did not result in hospital admission. \r\nThe information requested on deaths is given in the following table. The National Records of Scotland (NRS) categorises the causes of each death registered in Scotland using the codes which are given in the International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems, 10th Revision (ICD-10). A death may have a number of causes. Normally, deaths are counted on the basis of the underlying cause of death (that is the disease or injury which initiated the chain of morbid events leading directly to death, or the accident or act which produced the fatal injury). However, the implantable International Classification of Diseases rules do not allow anaphylactic shock (or various other consequences of certain other causes of death) to be counted as the underlying cause of death. Therefore, the table gives the numbers of deaths for which anaphylactic shock was recorded as being a contributory factor to the death.\r\nDeaths for which anaphylactic shock was a contributory factor*, by year of registration:\r\n2009 – 5\r\n2010 – 6\r\n2011 – 6\r\n2012 – none\r\n2013 – 4\r\n2014 – 1 \r\n*Deaths for which the ICD-10 codes for the causes of the death included one or more of the following: T78.0, T78.2, T80.5 and T88.6. \r\nAs in other statistics published by NRS, deaths are counted on the basis of the calendar years in which they were registered, not on the basis of financial years.","AnswerDate":"2015-09-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306261,"EventID":"S4W-27504","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-14T17:03:02.863","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-14T14:48:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many (a) GP consultations and (b) hospital admissions have been attributed to allergic disease in each year since 2009-10.","AnswerText":"The table at the following link: http://www.scotpho.org.uk/health-wellbeing-and-disease/allergic-conditions/data/secondary-care-data shows the number of hospital discharges following admission with a diagnosis of any allergic condition. The figures include asthma within the total. \r\nPrimary care data relating to allergic conditions are available at \r\nhttp://www.scotpho.org.uk/health-wellbeing-and-disease/allergic-conditions/data/primary-care-data which shows “Patients in Scotland consulting a GP or Practice Nurse at least once in the year: rates per 10,000 population for anaphylaxis from 2004-5 to 2012-13.”","AnswerDate":"2015-09-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306262,"EventID":"S4W-27505","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-14T17:03:03.907","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-14T14:48:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many regional allergy centres there are.","AnswerText":"Consultant-led adult immunodeficiency and allergy services in Scotland are provided by Grampian, Tayside and Greater Glasgow and Clyde NHS boards. A service is expected to be available in NHS Lothian by spring 2016 following the appointment of a consultant immunologist.\r\nPaediatric allergy services are organised through the Children’s and Young People’s Allergy Network Scotland, which is a National Managed Clinical Network that focuses on improving health service provision for children and young people with allergies in Scotland.","AnswerDate":"2015-09-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306263,"EventID":"S4W-27506","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-14T17:03:05.03","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-14T14:48:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many dedicated (a) consultant allergists, (b) nurse allergy specialists and (c) paediatric allergy consultants there are, and what assessment it has undertaken of whether there are sufficient numbers of each. ","AnswerText":"Information Services Division does not record this as a separate specialty, but we are aware that there is medical consultant input into allergy management from a number of other medical specialties, including immunology, anaesthesia and others.","AnswerDate":"2015-09-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306264,"EventID":"S4W-27507","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-14T17:03:06.45","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-14T14:48:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many patients with allergic conditions have been referred to healthcare services elsewhere in the UK for treatment in each year since 2009-10.","AnswerText":"The information requested is not held centrally.","AnswerDate":"2015-09-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306265,"EventID":"S4W-27508","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-14T17:03:07.65","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-14T14:48:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what steps it has taken to improve training and education on allergy among (a) general practitioners, (b) nurses, (c) dieticians and (d) pharmacists since 2009-10.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government provides policies, frameworks and resources to NHS boards to allow them to deliver services that meet the needs of their local populations. All healthcare professionals receive high quality training and education on conditions such as allergy, as part of their respective curriculums, which are developed and informed by professional organisations, and approved and overseen by the respective regulators of each profession, as follows:\r\na) General Practice Specialty Training is based on the Royal College of GP’s curriculum which is the educational framework that defines and sets the standards for independent general practice, and competency in meeting the standards is subject to regular assessment, including knowledge and skills in allergy. Training for the care of people with allergy problems is covered in the curriculum statements 3.15 and 3.19, and all components of the assessment system must be successfully completed before a Certificate of Completion of Training can be awarded.\r\nb) All nursing and midwifery students have to complete a three year undergraduate pre-registration programme, including training on allergies, in order to practice as a nurse or midwife to the standards set by their regulator.\r\nc) The dietetic workforce in Scotland continues to experience education within their pre-registration degree courses that provides underpinning knowledge relevant to allergy and specifically food allergy. The Food Allergy Specialist Group also holds study days supporting post-registration education for dieticians and others involved in food allergy.\r\nd) Allergy is an important core condition that is taught both throughout the undergraduate pharmacy course, in the pre-registration year and then offered as continuous professional development (CPD) to pharmacists after registration. NHS Education for Scotland provides a range of CPD training materials for pharmacists in these areas, for example the ‘Responding to Minor Ailments Distance Learning Pack’ has been distributed to all community pharmacies in Scotland, and a national webinar was run on the ‘Drug Therapy for Allergy’ which is now available as a teaching webcast.","AnswerDate":"2015-09-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306266,"EventID":"S4W-27509","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-14T17:03:08.79","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-14T14:48:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what guidelines the Scottish Intercollegiate Guideline Network has developed in relation to allergies.","AnswerText":"Allergy is covered extensively in Scottish Intercollegiate Guideline Network (SIGN) guideline 141 – British Guideline on the Management of Asthma and also in SIGN guideline 125 – Management of Atopic Eczema in Primary Care.","AnswerDate":"2015-09-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306267,"EventID":"S4W-27510","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-14T17:03:10.083","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-14T14:48:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what data it collects on allergy-related waiting times.","AnswerText":"Information is collected centrally in relation to waits for a first outpatient consultation, inpatient and day case treatment and for the whole journey 18 weeks referral to treatment standard at specialty level only. Most patients requiring hospital care for allergies are likely to be recorded under specialties such as dermatology and respiratory medicine. However, a small number of patients in the Greater Glasgow and Clyde area have been recorded under the specialty of allergy; this is likely to reflect patients who have been seen in a dedicated allergy clinic.","AnswerDate":"2015-09-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306268,"EventID":"S4W-27511","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-14T17:03:11.13","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-14T14:48:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what guidance it has published for NHS professionals in relation to allergy services since 2007.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government provides policies, frameworks and resources to NHS boards to allow them to deliver services designed to meet the needs of their local populations.","AnswerDate":"2015-09-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306269,"EventID":"S4W-27512","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-14T17:03:12.253","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-14T14:48:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it has taken to improve allergy services in response to the Working Group of the Scottish Medical and Scientific Advisory Committee report, Review of Allergy Services in Scotland, published in June 2009.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-27505 on 23 September 2015.\r\nIn addition, CYANS, the Children’s and Young People’s Allergy Network Scotland, is a National Managed Clinical Network that focuses on improving health service provision for children and young people with allergies in Scotland. CYANS was developed as a result of a review of allergy services in Scotland and was established in June 2011 with a remit to lead improvements in allergy care with a focus on severe allergy, to establish the evidence base that underpins sustainable coordinated development and delivery of allergy care. \r\nTo improve allergy care for children and young people CYANS has: created a website to provide easily accessible and reliable information for children, young people and their families as well as clinicians; developed and agreed clinical recommendations for the management of anaphylaxis and food allergy to promote consistency in allergy care throughout NHS Scotland; developed and successfully piloted an allergy training package for primary care clinicians, and developed an allergy database to support future service planning, quality improvement and allergy research.\r\nThe Scottish Government committed £32 million over three years to improve priority specialist children’s services, which treat some of our most vulnerable young people. The National Delivery Plan was a three year plan (2009-11) with 55 commitments to enable the improvement in priority specialist children’s services. Funding of £32 million was provided by the Scottish Government with recurring investment of £19.5 million from 2011-12 to ensure that services continue to improve.\r\nAll answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at: \r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.","AnswerDate":"2015-09-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306270,"EventID":"S4W-27513","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-14T17:03:13.22","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-14T14:48:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what reviews of allergy service developments it has undertaken since 2009-10.","AnswerText":"It is a matter for NHS boards to plan and deliver the services required to meet the assessed needs of their residential populations, taking into account international and other evidence and operating within the policies and frameworks set out by the Scottish Government as well as within their annual funding allocations.","AnswerDate":"2015-09-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306271,"EventID":"S4W-27514","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-14T17:03:14.28","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-14T16:07:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government who the members are of the Stakeholder Advisory Group set up to consider future management options for the Crown Estate.","AnswerText":"The first meeting of the Stakeholder Advisory Group on the Crown Estate, chaired by myself, was held on Wednesday 16 September 2015.\r\nThe group provides a forum for a range of stakeholders to outline their views on the development of a new framework for management of Crown Estate assets in Scotland. The current membership of the group is as follows:\r\nAssociation of Scottish Shellfish Growers\r\nBritish Marine Federation Scotland\r\nComhairle nan Eilean Siar\r\nCommunity Land Scotland\r\nCOSLA\r\nCrown Estate Commissioners (by personal invitation)\r\nHighlands and Islands Enterprise\r\nNFU Scotland\r\nOil and Gas UK\r\nOrkney Islands Council\r\nRoyal Town Planning Institute\r\nRoyal Yachting Association Scotland\r\nScottish Enterprise\r\nScottish Land and Estates\r\nScottish Local Government Partnership\r\nScottish Ports Committee\r\nScottish Renewables\r\nScottish Salmon Producers’ Organisation\r\nScottish Tenant Farmers Association\r\nShellfish Association of Great Britain\r\nShetland Islands Council\r\nSubsea Group UK\r\nUK Major Ports Group Limited\r\nWest Highland Anchorages and Moorings Association\r\nWest Highland and Tobermory Harbour Association","AnswerDate":"2015-09-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Richard Lochhead","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306288,"EventID":"S4W-27442","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-15T17:11:22.073","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-10T15:49:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what legal or other advice it has received in the context of the habitats directive in relation to its management of Atlantic salmon and whether it will publish this. ","AnswerText":"As part of the formulation and development of Scottish Government policy, ministers are advised on a regular basis about the various requirements of the Habitats Regulations, including the management of Atlantic salmon.","AnswerDate":"2015-09-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen McLeod","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306289,"EventID":"S4W-27443","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-15T17:11:23.913","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-10T15:49:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government for what conservation reasons it has introduced a system under which salmon can only be killed by anglers under licence.","AnswerText":"The introduction of a kill licence was a key recommendation of the independent Wild Fisheries Review published in 2014. The review called for this issue to be given immediate consideration given the conservation status of wild salmon. The revised proposals recently published by Scottish ministers details a system which provides a mechanism to control fishing activity. The killing of salmon will be managed on an annual basis by categorising fishery districts and Special Areas of Conservation in relation to their conservation status.","AnswerDate":"2015-09-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen McLeod","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306290,"EventID":"S4W-27444","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-15T17:11:25.677","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-10T15:49:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether there is a national shortage of spawning salmon; whether this has resulted in a reduction in juvenile salmon in Scottish rivers, and whether it will publish the statistical evidence in this regard.","AnswerText":"Using best available evidence, there is a shortage of spawning salmon in some parts of Scotland but not others. Marine Scotland Science has published evidence of reduced levels of juvenile production in two tributaries on the Aberdeenshire River Dee (http://www.gov.scot/Topics/marine/Salmon-Trout-Coarse/Freshwater/Monitoring/Traps).","AnswerDate":"2015-09-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen McLeod","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306291,"EventID":"S4W-27445","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-15T17:11:27.363","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-10T15:49:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government for what reason it considers that its proposed controls on salmon spawning could have a significant effect on numbers, given that it is understood that up to 90% of salmon in Scottish rivers escape to spawn elsewhere.","AnswerText":"It is believed that most wild Scottish salmon return to spawn in the river where they were themselves spawned. Below a critical level of spawning adults, the production of smolts depends not on how many juveniles can be supported by the river habitat, but rather by the number of eggs deposited. In this circumstance, an increase in spawning fish by reducing numbers killed by a fishery can be expected to increase the number of smolts produced and increase population strength.","AnswerDate":"2015-09-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen McLeod","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306292,"EventID":"S4W-27515","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-15T17:11:28.983","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-15T06:17:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what involvement local procurators fiscal have in discussions about potential diversions from prosecution and whether they are involved in every such decision.","AnswerText":"Examples of diversions from prosecution include the referral of an accused to the supervision of a social worker, psychiatrist, psychologist or mediator for the purposes of support, treatment or other action as an alternative to prosecution. The use of diversion schemes by prosecutors will depend on the availability locally of a suitable diversion scheme. Prosecutors will work together with local service providers to create, operate and monitor diversion schemes. These schemes are designed to prevent the re-occurrence of offending through early or intensive intervention outwith court.\r\nDecisions to refer an accused to a diversion scheme are taken by prosecutors after full consideration of the facts and circumstances of the case reported by the Police. There are other statutory alternatives to prosecution including fiscal fines and fiscal work orders which are similarly considered by prosecutors on a case by case basis.","AnswerDate":"2015-09-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Frank Mulholland QC","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306293,"EventID":"S4W-27517","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-15T17:11:30.013","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-15T06:17:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what changes have been introduced since 2011 to the process for considering diversions from prosecution.","AnswerText":"The Prosecution Code of the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service sets out the criteria for decision making and the range of options available to prosecutors dealing with reports of crime (http://www.crownoffice.gov.uk/images/Documents/Prosecution_Policy_Guidance/Prosecution20Code20_Final20180412__1.pdf). The process for considering diversion from prosecution is a matter for prosecutors considering the full facts and circumstances of a case and the availability locally of a suitable diversion scheme. There has been no change in process for prosecutors since 2011.\r\nIn appropriate cases, prosecutors will also consider statutory alternatives to prosecution including fiscal fines and fiscal work orders.","AnswerDate":"2015-09-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Frank Mulholland QC","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306294,"EventID":"S4W-27518","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-15T17:11:31.027","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-15T06:17:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many diversions from prosecution have been agreed in each year since 2011 and what percentage of the number proposed this represents.","AnswerText":"Table 2 of the bulletin Criminal Justice Social Work Statistics in Scotland, 2013-14 (http://www.gov.scot/Resource/0047/00474323.pdf, page 24) contains figures for the years 2009-10 to 2013-14 on the number of referrals, assessments and cases commenced for diversion from prosecution, as reported by local authority social work departments. It should be noted that referrals and assessments may not be made in the same year as the year in which the case commenced.","AnswerDate":"2015-09-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306295,"EventID":"S4W-27519","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-15T17:11:31.963","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-15T07:58:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the consequences for jobs and revenue in the North Sea oil and gas sector of Goldman Sachs predicting a fall in the price of oil to $20 a barrel.","AnswerText":"There are a wide range of oil price forecasts. For example, HM Treasury publishes a monthly summary of independent oil price forecasts for 2016. In the latest publication, the highest oil price forecast is $80 and the lowest is $51.3. \r\nThis time last year the majority of independent forecasters did not predict current oil prices. However, industry is now embracing change and taking action to become more competitive in a lower price environment.\r\nThe Scottish Government has also taken action. The First Minister launched the Energy Jobs Taskforce in January 2015 to deliver a co-ordinated response to the issues being faced by the industry, with partners working across the sector both to maintain jobs and to mitigate the potential impact of any losses. \r\nThe Energy Jobs Taskforce has engaged directly with more than 1,700 individuals and over 100 companies to better help those affected move forward into new employment, new ventures, training or education. \r\nThe taskforce progress report was published on 17 September 2015 and provides a summary of the progress to date and the key activities delivered by taskforce members and their respective organisations. The report is available at the following link: http://www.gov.scot/Resource/0048/00485317.pdf","AnswerDate":"2015-10-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306296,"EventID":"S4W-27520","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3751,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":108,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-15T17:11:33.523","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-15T12:49:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-26951 by John Swinney on 31 July 2015, whether it will provide an update on the progress that is being made with regard to the EU accounting requirements, and what information it has regarding when funding will be released for the Newbattle High School project.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4O-04551 on 9 September 2015 which is available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/report.aspx?r=10070","AnswerDate":"2015-09-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306297,"EventID":"S4W-27521","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4080,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-15T17:11:34.973","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-15T13:35:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-26131 by John Swinney on 7 July 2015, on what date it will (a) publish an analysis of responses to the consultation on proposed amendments to the NHS Central Register (Scotland) Regulations 2006 and (b) set out how it intends to proceed, and what discussions it has had regarding these matters.","AnswerText":"We will provide an analysis of responses and how we intend to proceed to Parliament in due course.\r\nAs part of our considerations, discussions have taken place with the Information Commissioner’s Office, and with the Open Rights Group accompanied by Patrick Harvie MSP. Discussions continue to take place with the relevant public sector bodies.","AnswerDate":"2015-09-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306319,"EventID":"S4O-04608","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":1892,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":134,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-16T13:29:29.34","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-15T15:09:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will review the decision-making processes of the Scottish Medicines Consortium following its decision not to reimburse Vimizim for people with Morquio A syndrome.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-09-23T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306320,"EventID":"S4O-04609","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":1814,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":77,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-16T13:29:30.26","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-14T12:04:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what discussion it has had with NHS Lanarkshire since its interim service model for out-of-hours GP services was implemented on 1 July 2015.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-09-23T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306321,"EventID":"S4O-04610","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":2603,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-16T13:29:31.197","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-16T09:26:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what support it is providing to NHS Grampian to help recruit and retain staff.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-09-23T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306322,"EventID":"S4O-04611","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-16T13:29:32.087","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-14T13:31:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether robotic radical prostatectomy is available from the NHS.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-09-23T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306323,"EventID":"S4O-04612","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":3751,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":108,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-16T13:29:33.333","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-15T10:20:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on the Court of Session's recent decision not to overturn NHS Lothian’s withdrawal of prescriptive homeopathic medicine to a Midlothian resident.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-09-23T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306324,"EventID":"S4O-04613","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":1853,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":86,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-16T13:29:34.02","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-14T12:04:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what support it provides to so-called deep end GP practices in the most socio-economically deprived populations.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-09-23T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306325,"EventID":"S4O-04614","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":2108,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":141,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-16T13:29:35.177","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-14T12:04:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it is experiencing difficulties in recruiting for the four-year GP training programme.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-09-23T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306326,"EventID":"S4O-04615","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":3763,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-16T13:29:36.127","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-14T12:04:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it last met the chief executive of NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-09-23T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306327,"EventID":"S4O-04616","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":2678,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-16T13:29:36.89","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-15T11:35:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it expects to receive the interim conclusions of the independent review into polypropylene mesh implants and what progress the expert group has made in developing pathways of care for women experiencing complications.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-09-23T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306328,"EventID":"S4O-04617","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":4951,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-16T13:29:37.483","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-16T10:11:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what measures it is taking to address the shortage of GPs.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-09-23T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306329,"EventID":"S4O-04618","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":4080,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-16T13:29:38.047","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-16T10:20:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on progress in filling GP vacancies across the north east.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-09-23T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306330,"EventID":"S4O-04619","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":4964,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":119,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-16T13:29:38.763","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-16T09:08:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it is supporting primary care in Aberdeen.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-09-23T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306331,"EventID":"S4O-04620","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":2876,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-16T13:29:39.433","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-15T16:38:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on the Royal Environmental Health Institute of Scotland’s reported concerns regarding the capacity of the environmental health workforce in local authorities.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-09-23T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":true},{"UniqueID":306332,"EventID":"S4O-04621","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":5034,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-16T13:29:40.12","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-14T12:04:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what it is doing to alleviate the problems in recruiting GPs across the country.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-09-23T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306333,"EventID":"S4O-04622","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":2675,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":93,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-16T13:29:40.683","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-14T12:04:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what evidence it has that orthopaedic specialisms are meeting the needs of patients.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-09-23T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306334,"EventID":"S4O-04623","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":3743,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":123,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-16T13:29:41.43","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-14T12:04:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what help it is providing for people with blood conditions acquired from infected NHS blood.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government provides funding to support those people infected with hepatitis C via NHS blood and blood products in Scotland. We have provided £32 million in total since 2004.\r\nFollowing the publication of the Penrose Inquiry report on 25 March 2015 we are now reviewing the financial support arrangements for those infected as a matter of priority, working with a group of infected people and their family members to do so.\r\nWe expect to make a decision on the future of the schemes in early 2016.","AnswerDate":"2015-09-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-09-23T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306335,"EventID":"S4O-04624","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":4938,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-16T13:29:42.07","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-16T11:33:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to tackle childhood obesity.","AnswerText":"In 2010 the Scottish Government published Preventing Overweight and Obesity in Scotland: A Route Map Towards Healthy Weight which sets out both national and local governments’ respective long-term commitment.\r\nThe Scottish Government remains committed to addressing obesity in Scotland but there is no simple solution and we have to maintain activity across a broad front that makes it easier for people including children and their families to be more active, to eat less, and to eat better.","AnswerDate":"2015-09-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-09-23T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306336,"EventID":"S4O-04625","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":2010,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":137,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-16T13:29:42.633","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-14T12:04:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what impact it considers the UK Government’s welfare reforms have had on health and wellbeing in Scotland.","AnswerText":"I am extremely concerned about the wide-sweeping and negative impacts that the UK Government’s welfare benefits are having, and will continue to have, for some of the most vulnerable people in Scotland.\r\nWe know that pushing the poorest people in society in to deeper poverty can only make things worse for their health and wellbeing, particularly for the 100,000 extra children that the Institute for Fiscal Studies estimate will have to grow up on poverty as a consequence of welfare reforms, and this does not take account of latest changes announced in the summer budget.\r\nThe Scottish Public Health Observatory has established a set of measures to allow us to monitor the impact of welfare reform and continuing austerity on the health of Scotland’s population. I expect an update on the indicators to be published later in 2015.","AnswerDate":"2015-09-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-09-23T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306337,"EventID":"S4O-04626","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":5042,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-16T13:29:43.333","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-14T12:04:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on the removal of old age psychiatry beds from Coathill Hospital and the impact on people using public transport to visit.","AnswerText":"This was a decision for NHS Lanarkshire to make. Only proposals which constitute major service change are subject to ministerial approval. Nonetheless, the associated public engagement process undertaken by the health board was consistent with national guidance, in the view of independent Scottish Health Council.\r\nThe health board recognises that, for some patients and relatives, the changes will result in additional travel. NHS Lanarkshire has provided assurances that they are actively working with Strathclyde Partnership for Transport and engaging with community transport operators to develop opportunities to improve local transport links.","AnswerDate":"2015-09-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-09-23T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306338,"EventID":"S4O-04627","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":2826,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":84,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-16T13:29:43.88","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-15T10:59:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with the SFA regarding football clubs, including Queen’s Park Football Club, that are helping to support health, wellbeing and addiction advice services in communities.","AnswerText":"We have had no contact with the SFA on this specific issue but we do have ongoing engagement with the Scottish Professional Football League Trust on their support of clubs with health and wellbeing initiatives for their local communities. This is exemplified by the Football Fans in Training Project which has won international recognition for its work with communities to tackle obesity. The Football Fans in Training is supported by £275k from the Scottish Government in 2015-16.","AnswerDate":"2015-09-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-09-23T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306339,"EventID":"S4O-04628","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":4947,"Party":"Independent","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-16T13:29:44.397","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-16T09:17:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with the Home Office regarding proposals in the forthcoming Immigration Bill for landlords to carry out checks of tenants’ immigration status and evict undocumented migrants. ","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-09-24T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306340,"EventID":"S4O-04629","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":2123,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":103,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-16T13:29:45.003","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-14T12:05:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will extend the planning moratorium on fracking to include onshore underground coal gasification installations.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-09-24T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306341,"EventID":"S4O-04630","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":1741,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-16T13:29:45.643","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-14T12:05:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its medium-term strategy is for higher education.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-09-24T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306342,"EventID":"S4O-04631","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":2892,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-16T13:29:46.33","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-14T12:05:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what work it has undertaken in the last year on the currency options for Scotland, either in the current constitutional context or in the future.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-09-24T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306343,"EventID":"S4O-04632","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":5059,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-16T13:29:47.063","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-16T10:47:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to increase the availability of rail travel in the West Scotland region. ","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-09-24T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306344,"EventID":"S4O-04633","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":5107,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":124,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-16T13:29:47.657","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-14T12:05:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to address the issue of new psychoactive substances.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-09-24T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306345,"EventID":"S4O-04634","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":2673,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":114,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-16T13:29:48.483","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-16T11:43:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what steps it can take to improve the safety of passengers on trains.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-09-24T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306346,"EventID":"S4O-04635","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":1943,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-16T13:29:49.293","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-16T09:08:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update regarding Prestwick’s bid to be the UK’s first spaceport.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-09-24T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306347,"EventID":"S4O-04636","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":1759,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-16T13:29:49.857","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-16T09:51:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many small businesses have successfully bid for local authority contracts in the last year.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-09-24T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306348,"EventID":"S4O-04637","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":2633,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-16T13:29:50.433","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-16T09:03:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it is having with local authorities regarding the impact on their workforce of the proposals in the UK Government's trade union Bill.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-09-24T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306349,"EventID":"S4W-27522","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-16T13:29:51.447","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-15T16:42:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-27250 by Paul Wheelhouse on 8 September 2015, for what reason funding for award has been reduced from £220,000 in 2012-13 to £100,000 in 2015-16.","AnswerText":"The Mark Scott Leadership for Life Award is run by the Outward Bound Trust. The Scottish Government worked in partnership with the Outward Bound Trust to agree a package of funding for the award between 2012-15. As part of this agreement the funding was structured to reduce annually over the three year period while still enabling the Outward Bound Trust to expand the award in line with the business plan they had submitted to the Scottish Government.\r\nThrough discussions with the Scottish Government, it was agreed that £100,000 in 2015-16 would enable the trust to continue to deliver, maintain the expansion and meet the costs of the award detailed in their business plan. The Scottish Government is fully committed to supporting young people to fulfil their potential and I am delighted to confirm, based upon information provided to the Scottish Government, that the Outward Bound Trust is on track to meet its agreed objectives.","AnswerDate":"2015-09-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Paul Wheelhouse","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306350,"EventID":"S4W-27523","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-16T13:29:52.693","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-15T17:05:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it (a) has had and (b) plans to have with ScotRail regarding increasing capacity on the Borders rail link and what plans it has to work in conjunction with the operator to increase capacity.","AnswerText":"Transport Scotland has had regular meetings with ScotRail since the construction of the Borders Railway began in 2013, through the delivery of the project and since services were reintroduced on Sunday 6 September 2015. ScotRail is well aware of the issues with busy services and has put plans in place to reduce pressures by adding extra carriages, in some cases doubling the number on some Borders services.\r\nScotRail will continue to closely monitor passenger numbers to ensure there is sufficient capacity on scheduled services.","AnswerDate":"2015-09-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306351,"EventID":"S4W-27529","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2678,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-16T13:29:54.24","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-16T11:23:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many consultant posts are being advertised, broken down by (a) speciality and (b) NHS board.","AnswerText":"This information is not held centrally.\r\nIt is for each NHS board to determine advertising and recruitment of staff at a local level. Boards are required to have the correct staff in place to meet the needs of the service and ensure high quality patient care. The Scottish Government work closely with boards to support their staff recruitment efforts.","AnswerDate":"2015-09-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306352,"EventID":"S4W-27530","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2678,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-16T13:29:54.927","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-16T11:23:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many (a) consultant and (b) senior consultant vacancies there are, broken down by (i) speciality and (ii) NHS board.","AnswerText":"We currently have the highest medical staffing levels ever, with record numbers of consultants. Under this government, consultant numbers across Scotland have increased by 1,387.8 whole time equivalent (WTE), or 38.2%, from 3,636.5 WTE in September 2006 to 5,024.3 WTE in June 2015.\r\nThe number of vacant consultant posts broken down by (i) specialty, and (ii) NHS Scotland board as at June 2015 is published by Information Services Division Scotland at:\r\nhttps://www.isdscotland.org/Health-Topics/Workforce/Publications/2015-09-01/Medical_Trend_J2015.xls.\r\nAny fluctuation in consultant vacancies is linked to our efforts to increase capacity by recruiting even more staff. Information on the number of senior consultant vacancies is not held centrally.","AnswerDate":"2015-09-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306353,"EventID":"S4W-27532","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2678,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-16T13:29:55.563","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-16T11:23:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what information it has on the number of consultants who now practice abroad after being trained in Scotland in each of the last five years, broken down by speciality.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government does not hold information on the numbers of consultants who practice abroad after being trained in Scotland.","AnswerDate":"2015-09-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306365,"EventID":"S4W-27525","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-16T16:56:04.777","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-15T17:21:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it was made aware of the decision to remove the blood pressure clinic from the Vale of Leven Hospital.","AnswerText":"NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde confirmed changes to the blood pressure clinic at the Vale of Leven Hospital in September 2015. The changes reflect the diminishing level of demand for the clinic which moved from weekly to fortnightly in 2014. NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde has confirmed that, since the start of 2015, demand has dropped further again (to, on average, two patients per week) and the clinic has been run monthly. However, the health board has been clear that the vast majority of local people will continue to be seen in either the general medical clinics at the hospital or via their local GP surgery. Only those requiring specialist treatment, estimated by the health board to be around one person from the local area per month, will be seen at the hypertension clinic provided jointly with the University of Glasgow at the new Queen Elizabeth University Hospital. This reflects the position for all patients in Greater Glasgow and Clyde.\r\nWhen this government ended a decade of damaging uncertainty by approving the Vision for the Vale in 2009, we were clear that as much planned care activity as possible should be provided locally. NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde remains committed to this and continues to review opportunities to repatriate services, where it is safe and appropriate to do so. By 2014-15, 65% of all local patients’ day case procedures, 63% of all local patients’ outpatient appointments, and 30% of all local patients’ elective procedures took place at the Vale. In terms of overall patient activity: inpatient activity has increased by 37% when compared with the 2009-10 position and day case activity has increased by 29% (an increase of over 1,000 cases) when compared with 2009-10.","AnswerDate":"2015-09-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306366,"EventID":"S4W-27526","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-16T16:56:06.327","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-15T17:21:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it considers the removal of the blood pressure clinic from the Vale of Leven Hospital to be consistent with the aims and objectives of the Vision for the Vale.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-27525 on 28 September 2015. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.","AnswerDate":"2015-09-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306367,"EventID":"S4W-27527","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-16T16:56:07.567","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-15T17:21:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to prevent the removal of the blood pressure clinic from the Vale of Leven Hospital.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-27525 on 28 September 2015. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.","AnswerDate":"2015-09-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306368,"EventID":"S4W-27528","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-16T16:56:09.027","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-15T17:22:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government for what reason the blood pressure clinic at the Vale of Leven hospital is being removed.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-27525 on 28 September 2015. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.","AnswerDate":"2015-09-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306369,"EventID":"S4W-27533","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-16T16:56:10.597","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-16T11:48:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what provisions have been made for cycle paths in proposals to dual parts of the A96.","AnswerText":"Suitable provision for non-motorised users, including cyclists, is an important part of the A96 dualling programme. The preferred option for the A96 Inverness to Nairn (including Nairn Bypass) was announced on 3 October 2014. Non-motorised user facilities on this section are currently being developed as part of the design development of the preferred option. Transport Scotland has set up community council and non-motorised user forums to provide updates on emerging proposals and also to seek vital feedback. Draft Orders for this section are expected to be published in 2016 for formal comment.\r\nFor the remaining sections of the A96 dualling from east of Nairn to Aberdeen, Transport Scotland has recently published a timetable for the next stage of the design process with more detailed route option assessment work to begin in 2016 following the procurement of consultants. Non-motorised user facilities will be developed as the dualling programme moves forward to more detailed stages of design development, in consultation with local communities and interest groups.","AnswerDate":"2015-09-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306370,"EventID":"S4W-27534","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1860,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-16T16:56:11.887","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-16T12:01:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what developments there have been regarding Equally Safe: Scotland's Strategy for Preventing and Eradicating Violence against Women and Girls since March 2015.","AnswerText":"Since March 2015, we have been taking forward a range of commitments in Equally Safe. These include record levels of investment to prevent and eradicate all forms of violence against women and girls: £11.8 million in 2015-16, and a further £20 million from the Justice portfolio over 2015-18. As announced in the recent Programme for Government, we are developing legislative proposals to tackle abusive behaviour and sexual harm, and plan to consult on a specific offence around coercive control in November 2015. With Police Scotland, we have completed a pilot Domestic Abuse Disclosure Scheme and taken the decision to roll the scheme out nationally later in 2015. We are consulting on a draft National Action Plan to end female genital mutilation. These, and a number of other measures, will continue to be progressed as part of the government’s strong commitment to preventing and eradicating all forms of violence against women and girls.","AnswerDate":"2015-09-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306371,"EventID":"S4W-27535","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1860,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-16T16:56:12.967","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-16T12:01:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when the violence against women joint strategic board has met; who chairs the board; who the members are, and when it will report its recommendations.","AnswerText":"The Violence against Women and Girls Joint Strategic Board will hold its first meeting in November 2015. The board will be co-chaired by myself and Councillor Harry McGuigan in his capacity as Convention of Scottish Local Authorities lead for Health and Wellbeing. The membership is in the process of being finalised, and we will announce this soon. The role of the board is to oversee progress, approve work stream membership and terms of reference, identify emerging issues and ratify the action plans developed through the work streams.","AnswerDate":"2015-09-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306372,"EventID":"S4W-27536","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1860,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-16T16:56:14.017","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-16T12:01:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what progress it has made on creating the four violence against women strategy working groups; when each of these groups has met; who chairs each group; who the members are; when they will report on progress, and when they will report their recommendations to the violence against women joint strategic board.","AnswerText":"Four expert groups focused on primary prevention, capability and capacity, justice and accountability are in the process of being established, and the membership and terms of reference will be agreed by the joint strategic board in due course. Those expert groups have been mandated to produce action plans which will be considered and approved by the joint strategic board.","AnswerDate":"2015-09-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306373,"EventID":"S4W-27537","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1860,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-16T16:56:14.977","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-16T12:01:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government to whom the (a) Equality Fund, (b) Violence Against Women and Girls Fund, (c) Children's Services Women's Aid Fund and (d) Rape Crisis Specific Fund awarded funding for 2015-16.","AnswerText":"This information is available on the Scottish Government website at http://www.gov.scot/Topics/People/Equality/Funding.","AnswerDate":"2015-09-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306374,"EventID":"S4W-27538","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1860,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-16T16:56:15.917","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-16T12:01:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what changes it has made to the funding arrangements from 2016 for the (a) Equality Fund, (b) Violence Against Women and Girls Fund, (c) Children's Services Women's Aid Fund and (d) Rape Crisis Specific Fund.","AnswerText":"The UK Spending Review will not be published until 25 November 2015 and we will therefore not know what block grant is available to Scottish ministers and delivery partners until that date. As a result, we are unable to publish a draft budget until after that date. Details of funding arrangements for 2016-17 will follow in due course.","AnswerDate":"2015-09-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306375,"EventID":"S4W-27539","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1860,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-16T16:56:16.957","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-16T12:01:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government who has been awarded funding from the extra £20 million announced to help tackle violence against women.","AnswerText":"Awards from the additional £20 million resource have been made to Police Scotland (in connection with the Disclosure Scheme for Domestic Abuse); Rape Crisis Scotland, Women’s Aid through the Edinburgh Domestic Abuse Courts Service, to ASSIST, to the Scottish Courts and Tribunal Service and to the Violence Reduction Unit.\r\nWorking with the courts and Crown Office, the additional funds are ensuring that cases involving domestic abuse and sexual offences are being heard more quickly, reducing inconvenience and distress for victims. The funds are also supporting specialist advocacy and support services for victims, including in rural and island locations, as well as training professionals to help identify the signs of abuse and initiatives in schools to address the attitudes and behaviours in our society that give rise to abuse.\r\nThe work of the justice expert group will inform further funding decisions in line with the violence against women and girls work stream priorities, within the context of the Equally Safe Strategy.","AnswerDate":"2015-09-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306376,"EventID":"S4W-27540","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2029,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":145,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-16T16:56:17.987","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-16T13:51:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-27406 by Derek Mackay on 16 September 2015, for what reason the National Entitlement Card can be used for the Citylink service between Glasgow and Edinburgh but cannot be used on the Citylink service between Glasgow and Edinburgh Airport.","AnswerText":"The National Entitlement Card is valid for use on both the Citylink bus service between Glasgow and Edinburgh and Citylink’s Glasgow to Edinburgh Airport bus service (Citylink Air). The Citylink Air service became an eligible service under the National Concessionary Bus Travel Scheme for Older and Disabled People from 19 May 2014. National Entitlement Cards have, therefore, been valid for use on that service from that date.","AnswerDate":"2015-09-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306377,"EventID":"S4W-27541","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4016,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":133,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-16T16:56:18.717","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-16T14:34:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what it is doing to improve safety and traffic flow during peak times on the A1 at the junction with the A720.","AnswerText":"Transport Scotland is working with East Lothian and other councils in the South East of Scotland to determine what is needed at the A1/A720 Old Craighall Junction to support development in the area and improve road safety and traffic flow.","AnswerDate":"2015-09-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306378,"EventID":"S4W-27542","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-16T16:56:19.327","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-16T14:57:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what support it provides to people with learning disabilities in the 20% most deprived areas.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is committed to improving the lives of people with learning disabilities, their families and carers through the implementation of The keys to life in Scotland. The focus of the keys to life strategy is to reduce the significant health and social inequalities faced by people who have learning disabilities. Specifically the strategy aims to reduce the significant health inequalities and early mortality of the population.\r\nThe government has several approaches to supporting people living in deprived neighbourhoods. Additionally, it accepts that with regards specifically for people with learning disabilities, they have substantial needs wherever they live (not only people living in deprived neighbourhoods), depending upon their health and the quality and quantity of support they receive both personally and within their community. That is why the keys to life implementation framework outlines how the government aims to address the needs of all people with learning disabilities. The framework can be found in the following link: http://keystolife.info/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/The-Keys-to-Life-Implementation-Framework-and-Priorities.pdf\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-09-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306379,"EventID":"S4W-27543","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-16T16:56:21.007","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-16T14:57:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on the Global Burden of Disease Study 2013, which found that Scotland has the highest mortality rate among all the UK regions compared in the study and 84 deaths more than the UK average.","AnswerText":"Overall, health in Scotland is improving, but health inequalities between our more affluent and more deprived communities still exist. We continue to address these long-standing problems by taking significant action to cut alcohol consumption, reduce smoking rates, encourage active living, healthy eating, and promote positive mental health.\r\nEqually Well, the report of the Ministerial Task Force on Health Inequalities, shifted the emphasis of our approach from dealing with the consequences of health inequalities to tackling the underlying causes such as poverty, employment, support for families and improving physical and social environments. This has been reflected in the latest Programme for Government published at the beginning of September 2015.\r\nWe have also made a fundamental shift to focus on preventative spending, while our Early Years Framework and Getting it Right for Every Child approach places a strong emphasis on giving children, particularly those who are most disadvantaged, the best possible start in life to make a real difference to their future health and life chances.\r\nHowever, most of the main levers for tackling poverty lie with the UK Government – not least the welfare system. That it is why we have voiced our concern at Westminster’s drastic welfare cuts, which will have the biggest impact on our most vulnerable groups, including those children who are in most need of support.","AnswerDate":"2015-09-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306380,"EventID":"S4W-27544","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-16T16:56:22.687","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-16T14:57:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on the finding in the Scottish Consortium for Learning Disability report, Learning Disability Statistics Scotland, 2014, that 52.8% of adults with learning disabilities for whom the Scottish Index of Multiple Deprivation information is known live in the 40% most deprived areas in Scotland.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government works in partnership with the Scottish Consortium for Learning Disabilities in the collection of statistics about adults with learning disabilities who are known to local authorities in Scotland.\r\nThe Scottish Government is committed to improving the lives of people with learning disabilities, their families and carers through the implementation of The keys to life in Scotland. The focus of the keys to life strategy is to reduce the significant health and social inequalities faced by people who have learning disabilities. Specifically the strategy aims to reduce the significant health inequalities and early mortality of the population.\r\nA strategic framework with identified outcomes has been developed to support the delivery of the keys to life. This will concentrate on outcomes and key activities to support their achievement, including supporting the development of effective physical activity interventions and facilitating innovative social connectedness and employment opportunities for people with learning disabilities. The framework can be found in the following link: http://keystolife.info/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/The-Keys-to-Life-Implementation-Framework-and-Priorities.pdf","AnswerDate":"2015-09-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306381,"EventID":"S4W-27545","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-16T16:56:24.827","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-16T14:57:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many speech and language therapists each NHS board has employed in each year since 2007.","AnswerText":"The information is published on Information Services Division’s website at:\r\nhttps://www.isdscotland.org/Health-Topics/Workforce/Publications/2015-09-01/Non-Medical_Trend_J2015.xls.","AnswerDate":"2015-09-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306382,"EventID":"S4W-27546","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2610,"Party":"Independent","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-16T16:56:26.817","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-16T15:14:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it will mitigate the effect of a reduction in tax credits and in-work support in order to prevent further increases in in-work poverty.","AnswerText":"The announced reduction in income thresholds in tax credits and work allowances in Universal Credit, along with the increase in the tax credits taper rate will affect between 200,000 and 250,000 households in Scotland.\r\nWe have taken action to mitigate this and other welfare changes within the limited powers we currently have. For example we are spending £104 million in 2015-16 to mitigate the worst aspects of welfare reform. And as an Accredited Living Wage Employer we are making a decisive long term commitment to those on the lowest incomes. The Scottish Living Wage Accreditation Initiative has now signed up over 330 employers.","AnswerDate":"2015-09-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Roseanna Cunningham","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306394,"EventID":"S4W-27547","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2678,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-17T13:44:37.577","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-16T16:32:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-27186 by Shona Robison on 25 August 2015, in light of the reported decline in performance in the three weeks up to 6 September 2015, whether the support team (a) has completed its work and (b) is still at the hospital.","AnswerText":"Like all sites across Scotland the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital (QEUH) can expect performance to fluctuate from week to week, especially as we head towards winter. However, I remain confident that the staff continue to work hard to ensure the level of improvement we have seen since the support team were on site in June 2015 will be maintained and improved upon.\r\nPerformance against the four hour A&E target at the QEUH in the week ending \r\n13 September 2015 was 94.9%, compared to 78.6% in the week ending 14 June 2015 – an overall improvement of over 16 percentage points. While the support team formally disengaged from the site on 26 June 2015 the local teams continue to build upon actions and recommendations made while the support team were on site. \r\nAdditionally, since the launch of the new six essential actions approach in May 2015 we have progressed a number of actions. For example, we have: \r\nRecruited the national team in June and July 2015. They have a range of skills and professional expertise to work with local team across Scotland;\r\nFunded NHS boards to recruit local teams dedicated to implementing the six essential actions on each site;\r\nImplemented appropriate site management structure – in essence there is a single manager responsible for all emergency and elective services and targets; \r\nStrengthened structured planning and hospital safety huddles to ensure a whole system focus;\r\nEnhanced use of discharge lounges and discharge hub facilities.\r\nThe national team maintain close relationships with the locally appointed teams across Scotland. Amongst other sites, the national team are currently working with staff at the QEUH to help embed the six essential actions, which complements the work of the support team, to ensure sufficient capacity is in place to support flow throughout the hospital as we head into winter. \r\nThis is a two year programme that will take time to bring about sustainable benefits across Scotland.","AnswerDate":"2015-09-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-10-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306395,"EventID":"S4W-27548","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-17T13:44:38.17","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-17T09:43:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government under what circumstances former staff at a care home can be investigated for suspected wilful neglect and abuse.","AnswerText":"A former staff member could be investigated by the police if there is alleged criminality or by a workforce regulator such as the Scottish Social Services Council or Nursing and Midwifery Council if there is an alleged breach of professional conduct. The Care Inspectorate can investigate the quality of care provided in a registered care service, even if a staff member accused of wrongdoing has left.\r\nThere are offences of wilful neglect and ill-treatment set out in the Mental Health (Care and Treatment) (Scotland) Act 2003 and the Adults with Incapacity (Scotland) Act 2000. These offences deal with the neglect or ill-treatment of mentally disordered people and adults with incapacity. On investigation, the police may decide that there is sufficient evidence to submit a report to the Procurator Fiscal. In the course of such an investigation, the police have the power to question anyone they thought relevant, including former staff.\r\nThe Health (Tobacco, Nicotine etc. and Care) (Scotland) Bill, introduced to Parliament on 4 June 2015, includes provisions to create criminal offences of ill-treatment or wilful neglect of adults receiving care or treatment in health and social care settings, regardless of mental illness or capacity.","AnswerDate":"2015-09-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-10-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306396,"EventID":"S4W-27549","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2134,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":82,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-17T13:44:39.01","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-17T10:33:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many appeals on planning applications of (a) national and (b) local importance Scottish ministers have determined since 2011.","AnswerText":"Appeals can be ‘recalled’ where issues raise matters of genuine national importance or where there is a connection with another ministerial case, for example a Section 36 energy consent application. \r\nI attach a list of appeals on planning applications, which Scottish ministers have determined since 2011, and the reasons for recall.\r\n1. Electricity sub-station at Beauly – “because it relates to the Beauly to Denny 400kv transmission line and other cases relating to this line have been determined by ministers”\r\n2. Vary a condition – electricity sub-station at Beauly – “in order for this proposal to be considered jointly with a related case being determined by Scottish ministers”\r\n3. Wind farm at Tom nan Clach, Tomatin – “to be considered jointly with the proposed wind farm at Glenkirk, which is also to be determined by Scottish Ministers”\r\n4. Waste to energy facility at Shore Road, Perth – “because of the significant public interest and potential environmental implications of the development proposal”\r\n5. Urban village at former Broadford Works, Aberdeen – “in view of the potential implications for the future use of the important listed buildings on the site and the potential economic impacts”\r\n6. Supermarket at Hamilton Road, Motherwell – “because of the scale and significance of the development and potential cross-boundary impacts”\r\n7. Wind turbines at Pearie Law, West Calder – “there are common issues with regard to the three nearby wind farms at Pearie Law, Fauch Hill and Harburnhead. Scottish ministers have decided to recall the Pearie Law appeal in order that this proposal can be considered together with the other two proposed wind farms”\r\nResidential developments:\r\n8. Saddlers Brae Farm, Kikintilloch\r\n9. Burghmuir, Linlithgow\r\n10. Clarendon Farm, Linlithgow\r\n11. Old Dalkeith Road, Edinburgh\r\n12. Cammo, Edinburgh \r\n“because ministers consider the delivery of appropriate housing developments, particularly in growth areas, and in accordance with the recently issued Scottish Planning Policy, to be an issue of national significance”\r\n\r\n13. Expansion of Mossend Railhead - \"because Ministers recognise the importance of this interchange site in the 3rd National Planning Framework and, therefore, consider the proposals to be of national significance\"","AnswerDate":"2015-09-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-10-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306397,"EventID":"S4W-27551","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2134,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":82,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-17T13:44:39.667","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-17T10:33:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many appeals on planning applications of (a) national and (b) local importance reporters have determined since 2011.","AnswerText":"The Planning etc. (Scotland) Act 2006 introduced a hierarchy for planning developments into primary legislation. The hierarchy was designed to help deliver Scottish ministers’ aim that the planning system should respond in a more proportionate way to proposed developments. It ensures that applications are dealt with in an appropriate way to their scale and complexity, allowing decisions to be made at the appropriate level. The three categories in the hierarchy of development to which all developments are allocated are national development, major development and local development. National developments are classed as developments that are designated in the National Planning Framework. Further information on what constitutes major and local development can be found in Scottish Planning Series Circular 5 2009.\r\nNot all developments are dealt with under the planning consent regime and Scottish ministers have made decisions, following submission of a report and recommendations by a reporter from the Planning and Environmental Appeals Division (DPEA), on national proposals including compulsory purchase orders in connection with the Forth Bridge Crossing, high voltage direct current subsea cabling from Scotland to the south and the Glasgow Commonwealth Games; the Rosyth Harbour Revision Order dealing with freight capacity on the Forth; proposals to increase the baseload capacity at Cockenzie Power Station; electricity grid reinforcements relating to the Beauly to Denny power line, and applications for wind farms over 50 mega-watts under the Electricity Act.\r\nIn the vast majority of planning appeals a reporter from the DPEA of the Scottish Government is appointed to determine the appeal. DPEA has been recording what developments within this hierarchy have been dealt with on appeal to Scottish ministers since December 2013, following the roll-out of a new case handling system that allowed this information to be recorded.\r\nIn addition to the above, since December 2013 reporters from DPEA have made decisions on 68 major and 305 local planning proposals.","AnswerDate":"2015-09-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-10-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306398,"EventID":"S4W-27553","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-17T13:44:40.12","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-17T12:53:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on the introduction of a tax on food with a high sugar content and what action it has taken to consider the evidence relating to the effect of food taxes in improving dietary choices.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has no current plans to introduce a sugar tax at this time. Furthermore, the creation of new taxes is broadly reserved to Westminster, and while the Scotland Act 2012 does give the Scottish Parliament the power to create new taxes, a sugar tax would require the approval of the UK Parliament.\r\nThree Cochrane reviews on the health effects of taxes on unsaturated fat, sugar and sugar-sweetened beverages are currently underway. Scottish Ministers await the outcome of those reviews, due in 2016, with interest. \r\nThe Scottish Government is taking a range of action to improve diet. We are spending over £10 million in the four years to 2016 on projects to encourage healthy eating. These include the Healthy Living Award, the Healthy Living Programme, the Healthier Scotland Cooking Bus and Community Food and Health Scotland. The Scottish Government is also engaging with the food and drink industry through our Supporting Healthy Choices Voluntary Framework, to support consumers to make healthier choices and press for action to reduce sugar intake. Key areas for action are around labelling, rebalancing promotions, responsible marketing of food and drink and reformulation of products, including a focus to reduce calories, salt, fats and added sugar in foods.","AnswerDate":"2015-09-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-10-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306410,"EventID":"S4W-27557","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":2,"MSPID":4940,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-17T14:46:42.91","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-17T14:41:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what impact recent announcements by the UK Government in relation to the Green Deal will have on action to improve the energy efficiency of Scotland’s homes.","AnswerText":"The UK Government’s recent announcement to cease funding for the Green Deal Finance Company and Green Deal Home Improvement Fund has caused further uncertainty in a sector still recovering from the sudden changes made to the Energy Company Obligation by the UK Government in December 2013. It is one of a string of attacks on support for climate change and energy efficiency measures made by the UK Government. This announcement effectively ended the availability of Green Deal Finance further reducing support available to Scottish households. Furthermore, the closure of the Green Deal Home Improvement Fund a year early will reduce the resources available to the Scottish Government for energy efficiency in 2016-17 by £15 million as we will no longer receive the consequential funding expected.\r\nDespite the uncertainty caused by Westminster, this government remains committed to improving the energy efficiency of Scotland’s homes to help tackle fuel poverty and reduce carbon emissions. This year we are investing unprecedented levels and have allocated £119 million to our fuel poverty and energy efficiency programmes. Since 2009 we have invested more than half a billion pounds, benefiting nearly one in three homes in Scotland.\r\nThe UK Government has stated that it will work with stakeholders to develop an alternative for Green Deal Finance alongside a new Energy Company Obligation, but has not yet set out formal plans or timescales and has not indicated what level of funding will be made available. Due to the increased and ongoing uncertainty around support for household energy efficiency stemming from the recent UK Government announcements we cannot meaningfully consult with the public on proposals for regulation of energy efficiency in private sector homes this year as originally planned. Whilst I must, reluctantly, announce today (18 September 2015) a delay to the planned consultation, this government is committed to taking forward the consultation in the next parliamentary session.\r\nIn addition, given that the UK Government will no longer provide the £15.1 million in consequential funding, I must also announce that we will no longer be able to provide funding for our HEEPS: Cashback scheme for the next financial year – 2016-17.\r\nI am today writing to Amber Rudd highlighting Scottish Ministers’ concerns at the impact of the UK Government’s recent actions and overall approach to improving energy efficiency. I have also today written to the conveners whose committees have an interest in energy efficiency and fuel poverty to inform them of the delay to the consultation and changes to funding.","AnswerDate":"2015-09-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-10-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Burgess","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306417,"EventID":"S4W-27554","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5060,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-17T16:48:26.417","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-17T14:20:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-27337 by Michael Matheson on 17 September 2015, in light of the information not yet being made publicly available on its website, whether it will confirm on what dates since 30 May 2015 the First Minister has met the chief constable.","AnswerText":"The First Minister has not had a formal meeting with the Chief Constable in the period following 30 May 2015. However, Ms Sturgeon met the Chief Constable when they both attended an event to launch Police Scotland’s Disclosure Scheme for Domestic Abuse in Scotland, also known as Clare’s Law, on 1 July 2015.","AnswerDate":"2015-10-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-10-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306418,"EventID":"S4W-27555","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4940,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-17T16:48:27.057","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-17T14:42:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much it has spent on (a) energy efficiency initiatives and (b) tackling fuel poverty in each year since 2007-08, and how much it plans to spend in (i) 2015-16 and (ii) 2016-17.","AnswerText":"Figures for spend on energy efficiency initiatives and fuel poverty from all Scottish Government portfolios are not currently available and will take longer to provide. The following figures represent spend covering heat and energy efficiency and fuel poverty for the period requested.\r\nFuel Poverty\r\nThe annual spend for domestic energy efficiency in order to tackle fuel poverty since 2007-8 is set out in the following table.\r\nYear\r\n£ million\r\n2007-08\r\n55.6\r\n2008-09\r\n55.9\r\n2009-10\r\n66.3\r\n2010-11\r\n68.5\r\n2011-12\r\n58.0\r\n2012-13\r\n67.2\r\n2013-14\r\n66.3\r\n2014-15\r\n99.0\r\nThe 2014-15 figures include sponsorship of Home Energy Scotland which was previously shared between the two divisions.\r\nIn 2015-16 £119 million has been made available to tackle fuel poverty and improve the energy efficiency of the housing stock. The 2016-17 budget will be determined following the spending review.\r\nHeat and Energy Efficiency\r\nThe cumulative investment since 2007 to support businesses and organisations finance the implementation of energy efficiency and home renewable measures and for the development of district heating schemes is over £60 million.\r\nScheme\r\nTotal Amount invested by the Scottish Government since 2007\r\nSalix\r\n£14,300,000.00\r\nResource Efficient Scotland SME Loans Scheme\r\n£14,390,000.00\r\nDistrict Heating Loan Fund\r\n£14,000,000.00\r\nHome Renewable Loans (April 2011 to March 2016)\r\n£14,748,251\r\nHome Loan Scheme (2009-11)\r\n£3,340,040\r\nTotal\r\n£60,77878,291.00\r\nFigures for spend covering heat and energy efficiency do not include funding for the provision of energy efficiency advice.\r\nThe 2016-17 budget will be determined following the spending review.","AnswerDate":"2015-09-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-10-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Burgess","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306419,"EventID":"S4W-27556","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4940,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-17T16:48:27.617","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-17T14:43:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much it is spending on social housing per head of population, and what information it has regarding how this compares with expenditure in (a) England, (b) Wales and (c) Northern Ireland.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government does not hold information on spend by other UK countries on social housing. However, HM Treasury publishes an analysis of public spending by UK country by function, in the Public Sector Statistical Analysis (PESA).\r\nThe following table presents identifiable spend on housing development (comprising local authority housing and other social housing) by the public sector as a whole (i.e. including local authorities), on a per capita basis, for the most recent fiscal year available in PESA:\r\n£ per head, 2013-14 (outturn)\r\nScotland\r\n182\r\nEngland\r\n97\r\nWales\r\n103\r\nNorthern Ireland\r\n154\r\nSource: HM Treasury, PESA 2015, https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/public-expenditure-statistical-analyses-2015, Tables 10.5 – 10.8","AnswerDate":"2015-09-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-10-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306420,"EventID":"S4W-27558","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-17T16:48:28.24","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-17T14:45:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, in light of kinship care allowances being raised to the same level as foster care allowances, what plans it has to introduce a national minimum fostering allowance and by what date.","AnswerText":"As part of the Scottish Government’s response to the Foster Care Review in January 2013, we agreed to take forward further research in relation to fostering allowances. The Scottish Government recently agreed with COSLA to provide £10.1 million a year of funding to improve financial support to kinship carers. Once these payments commence we plan to bring together a working group to develop a sustainable and fair national minimum allowance rate that local authorities can use to financially support all looked after children including those living in both foster and kinship care placements. Any date to introduce a national scheme will need to be agreed with local partners.","AnswerDate":"2015-10-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-10-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen Campbell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306421,"EventID":"S4W-27560","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5041,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-17T16:48:29.473","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-17T15:21:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether the non-profit distribution method of using private contractors to fund new buildings and roads increases (a) overall costs, (b) public-sector debt and (c) private-sector control of the schemes for the lifetime of every project.","AnswerText":"The non-profit distributing model is delivering additionality in the infrastructure programme at a time when conventional capital budgets have been significantly reduced as a result of the UK Government’s approach to the public finances. All projects are subject to rigorous value for money considerations as part of their development and procurement.","AnswerDate":"2015-09-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-10-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306422,"EventID":"S4W-27561","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5041,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-17T16:48:30.19","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-17T15:21:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether (a) it or (b) the Scottish Futures Trust will pay compensation for the estimated £10 billion of future unitary charges on local authorities, colleges, NHS boards and Transport Scotland until 2048 as a result of delays to publicly funded building programmes arising from recent changes in EU rules on measuring state spending.","AnswerText":"The quoted figures relate to estimates of the total unitary charges attached to revenue funded projects being delivered through government programmes. Current activity to address classification issues has no bearing on these estimates.","AnswerDate":"2015-09-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-10-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306423,"EventID":"S4W-27562","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5041,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-17T16:48:30.957","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-17T15:21:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the impact on Scottish Futures Trust hub projects arising from recent changes in EU rules on measuring state spending, whether each 20% stake previously held by public sector partners will be transferred to a new private sector charity resulting in private contractors having the right to increase their shares from 60% to 80% in the new companies set up to deliver each project.","AnswerText":"A 20% stake will be held by a charitable foundation with a corresponding reduction in the relevant public sector participants’ stake from 40% to 20%. Relevant private sector development partners will have a 60% stake. There will therefore be no change as a result of this to private sector development partners’ stakes.","AnswerDate":"2015-09-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-10-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306424,"EventID":"S4W-27563","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5041,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-17T16:48:31.563","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-17T15:21:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether the Office of the Scottish Charity Regulator has approved the proposed private company charity model.","AnswerText":"The charitable body proposed by the Scottish Futures Trust, which will form part of the hub programme delivery arrangements, is still being considered by the Office of the Scottish Charity Regulator.","AnswerDate":"2015-12-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-10-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306425,"EventID":"S4W-27564","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5041,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-17T16:48:32.22","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-17T15:21:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, in light of recent changes to EU rules on measuring state spending, how much additional borrowing will be required for all Scottish Futures Trust hub projects that have already been built or have been authorised. ","AnswerText":"There will be no impact on hub projects which have completed or are under construction.","AnswerDate":"2015-09-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-10-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306426,"EventID":"S4W-27565","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4014,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-17T16:48:32.873","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-17T15:55:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to the A92 action plan submitted by Fife Council.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is committed to working with Fife Council to ensure that the most comprehensive approach possible is taken to the safety of roads in the area, including the A92.\r\nTransport Scotland received the A92 action plan in mid-August 2015 and is currently reviewing the suite of proposals which the council and local community groups would like to see made to the route in the short, medium and longer term. Once this work has completed, I will meet with the council and other local representatives to discuss the next steps.","AnswerDate":"2015-09-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-10-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306427,"EventID":"S4W-27566","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4014,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-17T16:48:33.5","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-17T15:55:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the number of unadopted roads.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has made no assessment of the number of private or unadopted roads in Scotland. Under Part 2 of the Road (Scotland) Act 1984, a local road authority has powers, in certain circumstances, over private or unadopted roads in its area. It would be for a local road authority to consider what assessment it should carry out on these roads.","AnswerDate":"2015-09-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-10-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306428,"EventID":"S4W-27567","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4014,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-17T16:48:34.107","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-17T15:55:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when differential speed limits on the A85 will be brought into place.","AnswerText":"The Speed Limit Review recommended five separate reductions to speed limits on the A85. An update on each of these proposals is provided below:\r\nCrieff to Comrie – Draft road orders were published in November 2014 and a number of objections to this proposal have been received. Transport Scotland met with the objectors on 16 June 2015 to discuss the concerns raised and we are now actively considering these representations. The timeframe for the delivery of a speed limit reduction is subject to the satisfactory conclusion of this process.\r\nComrie to Fillans – Draft road orders were published in September 2015 inviting comments from members of the public on this proposal. This period of consultation is ongoing and the delivery of this speed limit reduction is subject to the outcome of this process.\r\nLochearnheadside – Draft road orders will be published later in 2015 inviting comments from members of the public on this proposal. The delivery of this speed limit reduction is subject to the outcome of this process. \r\nEast Huntingtower to Lochty – The statutory process to promote and consult on this speed limit reduction has been completed. We have instructed our operating company to install the required signage and it is programmed that the new speed limit will come into force during October/November 2015.\r\nLochearnhead to Lixtoll – The statutory process to promote and consult on this speed limit reduction has been completed. We have instructed our operating company to install the required signage and it is programmed that the new speed limit will come into force before the end of November 2015.","AnswerDate":"2015-09-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-10-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306429,"EventID":"S4W-27568","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4014,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-17T16:48:34.717","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-17T15:55:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many fines have been issued and how much has been raised as a result of average speed cameras since 1999, broken down by local authority area.","AnswerText":"This information is not held by the Scottish Government. This is a matter for Police Scotland.","AnswerDate":"2015-10-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-10-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306430,"EventID":"S4W-27570","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2610,"Party":"Independent","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-17T16:48:35.34","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-17T16:14:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4F-02949 by the First Minister on 17 September 2015 (Official Report, c. 15), with which (a) environmental NGOs, (b) community groups, (c) industry bodies and (d) councillors or local government officials it has had meetings; when they took place, and what was discussed.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-26272 on 27 July 2015. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-09-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-10-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306433,"EventID":"S4W-27559","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-18T15:34:18.393","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-17T15:21:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4O-04599 by John Swinney on 17 September 2015 (Official Report, c.3), what projects have been delayed as a result of the transition to the European System of Accounts 2010 (ESA 10).","AnswerText":"A wide range of factors can have an impact on the delivery timetable for infrastructure projects. Twelve projects being delivered through the hub programme are working to delivery timetables that are affected by current consideration of classification issues: Lothian Health Centre Bundle; Inverclyde Care Home; Kelso High School; Newbattle High School; Baldragon Academy; Elgin High School; Dalbeattie Learning Campus; Barrhead High School; Our Lady and St Patrick’s High School; Ayr Academy; Campbeltown Grammar and Oban High School, and East Ayrshire Learning Campus (Kilmarnock Academy).","AnswerDate":"2015-10-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-10-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306434,"EventID":"S4W-27571","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5057,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-18T15:34:19.407","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-17T17:02:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many grants were made under the Emergency Food Action Plan between 11 April 2014 and 31 August 2015; to whom they were made, and what the value of each grant was. ","AnswerText":"There have been 27 grant offer agreements made between 11 April 2014 and 31 August 2015 in connection with the Emergency Food Action Plan. The details of the grant offer agreements are contained in the following table:\r\n\r\nOrganisation\r\nTotal Grant 2014-15\r\nand 2015-16\r\nFareshare\r\n£500,000\r\nBarlornock East Residents Association/Maryhill Foodbank\r\n£39,700\r\nCitizens Advice Edinburgh\r\n£49,500\r\nCommunity Food Moray\r\n£43,500\r\nCouncil of Voluntary Organisations\r\n£48,400\r\nDumfries and Galloway Citizens Advice Service\r\n£45,400\r\nDundee Foodbank\r\n£42,700\r\nLanarkshire Community Food and Health Partnership\r\n£33,500\r\nWheatley Group\r\n£50,000\r\nApex Scotland\r\n£3,200\r\nBethany Christian Trust\r\n£10,000\r\nCalderbank Parish Church \r\n£10,000\r\nCalman Trust\r\n£9,900\r\nCentral and West Integration Network\r\n£15,200\r\nCommunity Links\r\n£10,000\r\nEast Lothian Foodbank\r\n£10,100\r\nENeRGI\r\n£10,000\r\nFalkirk Foodbank\r\n£10,000\r\nFersands and Fountain Community Project\r\n£8,600\r\nGlasgow NE Foodbank\r\n£3,800\r\nGlasgow NW Foodbank\r\n£9,800\r\nInstant Neighbour\r\n£9,900\r\nInverclyde Foodbank\r\n£10,000\r\nMidlothian Foodbank\r\n£10,000\r\nNorth Ayrshire Foodbank\r\n£9,300\r\nThe Gate Charity\r\n£9,600\r\nThe Rock Trust\r\n£10,000\r\nTotal\r\n£1,022,100\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-09-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-10-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306435,"EventID":"S4W-27572","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5057,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-18T15:34:19.89","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-17T17:02:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much was distributed under the Scottish Welfare Fund in (a) 2013-14 and (b) 2014-15.","AnswerText":"The local authority budget allocation for the Scottish Welfare Fund was £32,995,240 for 2013-14 and £32,995,240 in 2014-15.\r\nFollowing the first two years of operation, as at 31 March 2015, a total of £64,695,089 had been distributed by the fund (£28,915,060 in 2013-14 and £35,780,029 in 2014-15).\r\nThe most recent annual statistics are available at:\r\nhttp://www.gov.scot/Topics/Statistics/Browse/Social-Welfare/swf.","AnswerDate":"2015-09-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-10-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306436,"EventID":"S4W-27573","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5057,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-18T15:34:20.343","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-17T17:03:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with the UK Government regarding the allocation in Scotland of the Fund for European Aid to the Most Deprived.","AnswerText":"In May 2013 the then Cabinet Secretary for Finance, Employment and Sustainable Growth Mr John Swinney MSP wrote to the UK Minister for Employment Mark Hoban about the fund and the UK Government’s wish to block the proposal on budgetary grounds as the Scottish Government is committed to increasing overall incomes and reducing inequality as part of its Economic Strategy.\r\nHowever, the European Commission rules regarding the fund means that any member state participating would have its European Structural and Investment Funds reduced accordingly – specifically the European Social Fund allocation. Therefore, accessing the fund for aid for the most deprived means reducing other elements and redirecting existing funds into this more constrained area.\r\nThe Scottish Government expects to shortly announce significant funding to tackle poverty and social inclusion as part of the European Social Fund 2014-2020 programmes.","AnswerDate":"2015-10-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-10-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306437,"EventID":"S4W-27577","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5059,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-18T15:34:20.793","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-18T11:47:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many looked after children there are with a parent in prison.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government does not gather this data centrally.","AnswerDate":"2015-10-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-10-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen Campbell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306440,"EventID":"S4T-01109","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":9,"MSPID":4080,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-21T12:23:10.817","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-21T09:53:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to reports that Police Scotland has breached the Regulation of Investigatory Powers (Scotland) Act 2000 on multiple occasions.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-22T00:00:00","MeetingDate":"2015-09-22T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306441,"EventID":"S4F-02958","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":5009,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-21T12:23:37.79","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-18T11:57:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister what issues will be discussed at the next meeting of the Cabinet.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":"2015-09-24T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306442,"EventID":"S4F-02959","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":4976,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-21T12:23:38.26","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-21T09:21:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister when she will next meet the Secretary of State for Scotland. ","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":"2015-09-24T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306443,"EventID":"S4F-02960","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":4014,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-21T12:23:38.617","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-21T09:33:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister what discussions the Scottish Government has had with the Scottish Rugby Union about the safety of pupils playing rugby in schools.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":"2015-09-24T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306444,"EventID":"S4F-02962","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":2673,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":114,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-21T12:23:39.54","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-21T10:24:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister what the Scottish Government is doing to assist research into dementia.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":"2015-09-24T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306445,"EventID":"S4F-02966","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":3812,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-21T12:23:41.36","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-21T10:58:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister what engagements she has planned for the rest of the day. ","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":"2015-09-24T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306446,"EventID":"S4F-02973","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":5556,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":111,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-21T12:23:53.303","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-21T11:54:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister what the Scottish Government's response is to the recent report by Action for Children that one in every six foster children in Scotland moves homes two or more times a year.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":"2015-09-24T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306447,"EventID":"S4W-27578","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5057,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-21T14:02:35.043","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-18T16:56:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government at what stage potential windfarm developers must obtain a licence to export power to the grid.","AnswerText":"Under the Electricity Act 1989 certain activities concerning electricity may only be carried out with a licence (or under a relevant exemption or exception). It is the responsibility of Ofgem to determine the content of electricity licences, and to grant licences to successful applicants. \r\nFor further information about this process and associated timescales please see http://www.ofgem.gov.uk/Licensing/Work/Documents1/SupplementaryAppendix2-Guidanceforgasnd0electricityapplications.pdf.","AnswerDate":"2015-10-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-10-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306448,"EventID":"S4W-27579","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4939,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":78,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-21T14:02:35.527","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-20T16:23:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-21092 by Keith Brown on 27 May 2014, which (a) ports and (b) vessels in the CalMac fleet now have a wi-fi connection available to passengers.","AnswerText":"At present, CalMac Ferries Ltd provides public wi-fi on the Wemyss Bay to Rothesay route, which covers those two ports and the MV Argyle and MV Bute. The service has been available on this route since February 2015.\r\nThe rollout of wi-fi across the Clyde and Hebrides network has been challenging due to the requirement to install high bandwidth connections, radio masts across challenging terrain and cabling to the ports and vessels.\r\nCalMac Ferries Ltd remains committed to providing wi-fi across the ports and vessels and is working with the suppliers to make sure that this will happen as soon as possible. The programme of works is being developed with an anticipated completion date of spring 2016.","AnswerDate":"2015-10-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-10-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306449,"EventID":"S4W-27580","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-21T14:02:35.98","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-20T15:11:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what information it has on what other countries have an independent fiscal scrutiny body of which the members both advise and scrutinise government.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Fiscal Commission Bill introduced to the Scottish Parliament on 28 September 2015 provides for an independent commission to assess the reasonableness of devolved fiscal forecasts and estimates prepared by the Scottish Government. The Bill reflects the responses received to the Scottish Government’s consultation on the Scottish Fiscal Commission and international best practice, including the OECD Principles for Independent Fiscal Institutions. The Bill does not provide for any advisory role for the Scottish Fiscal Commission.","AnswerDate":"2015-09-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-10-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306450,"EventID":"S4W-27581","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-21T14:02:36.837","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-20T15:11:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what information it has on what other countries have an independent fiscal scrutiny body and economic forecasts are done solely by the government.","AnswerText":"OECD analysis of the roles and responsibilities of independent fiscal institutions shows that the fiscal institutions in Austria, Belgium, Finland, France, Ireland, Portugal, Slovenia and Sweden assess official forecasts.\r\nThis analysis is published at: \r\nhttp://www.oecd-ilibrary.org/docserver/download/4213201ec031.pdf?expires=1443169703&id=id&accname=guest&checksum=BE88F84C9F38B9E09B70DF7BDD58B396","AnswerDate":"2015-09-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-10-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306451,"EventID":"S4W-27582","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-21T14:02:37.79","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-20T15:11:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what material changes it will make to its proposals for a Scottish Fiscal Commission in light of the responses received to its consultation.","AnswerText":"The Policy Memorandum published alongside the Scottish Fiscal Commission Bill summarises the policy changes which the Scottish Government has made to the Bill prior to introduction to address issues raised by respondents to our consultation on the Scottish Fiscal Commission.\r\nIn particular, the Bill provides for an additional function which allows the Scottish Fiscal Commission to prepare such other reports as it considers appropriate. This change in policy is intended to further strengthen the legislative safeguards for the structural and operational independence of the commission by allowing the commission the freedom to determine its own programme of work.","AnswerDate":"2015-09-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-10-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306452,"EventID":"S4W-27583","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-21T14:02:38.553","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-20T15:11:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the recommendations of the International Monetary Fund are on independent fiscal scrutiny bodies and how the proposals for a Scottish Fiscal Commission (a) meet and (b) fail to meet these.","AnswerText":"The International Monetary Fund report The Functions and Impacts of Fiscal Councils (July 2013) highlights a number of features of effective sovereign fiscal councils and recognises that the design of a fiscal council should “reflect country-specific characteristics”.\r\nThe Scottish Government has fully considered international best practice in formulating legislative proposals for the Scottish Fiscal Commission, including the work of the International Monetary Fund and the OECD. The Policy Memorandum published alongside the Scottish Fiscal Commission Bill demonstrates how the Scottish Government has applied the OECD’s Principles for Independent Fiscal Institutions in developing legislative proposals for the Scottish Fiscal Commission.","AnswerDate":"2015-09-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-10-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306453,"EventID":"S4W-27584","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-21T14:02:39.473","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-20T15:11:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it will agree the block grant adjustment for 2015-16 with the UK Government.","AnswerText":"The block grant adjustment with respect to the fully devolved taxes for 2015-16 was set out in correspondence to the Finance Committee in January 2015. This saw the Scottish budget reduced by £494 million. The correspondence also noted that any forestalling effect would be assessed so that the Scottish Government would not be adversely affected by the UK government change to Stamp Duty and Land Tax announced in December 2014.","AnswerDate":"2015-10-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-10-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306454,"EventID":"S4W-27585","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-21T14:02:40.177","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-20T15:11:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when the Cabinet Secretary for Finance, Constitution and Economy will make a statement on capital projects delayed as a result of the transition to the European System of Accounts 2010 (ESA10).","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4O-04551 on 9 September 2015 which is available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at: \r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/report.aspx?r=10070","AnswerDate":"2015-10-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-10-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306455,"EventID":"S4W-27591","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1853,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":86,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-21T14:02:41.017","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-21T09:50:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on bus operators being required to take into account the effect on communities of decisions they are considering regarding the operation of routes.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government expects bus operators, as responsible businesses, to take account of the impacts of their operational decisions on users and communities. To facilitate this, we will shortly introduce legislation to amend the process for registering changes to bus services, providing extra time for operators to engage with local transport authorities in order to enable potential problems to be identified in advance and where possible avoided or mitigated.","AnswerDate":"2015-10-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-10-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306456,"EventID":"S4W-27592","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1853,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":86,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-21T14:02:41.783","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-21T09:50:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on introducing legislation that would lead to the re-regulation of bus services.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government looks to work in partnership with bus operators and local transport authorities to improve bus services and has no plans for wholesale re-regulation.\r\nWe are, however, looking at the range of existing powers available to authorities to influence services, including quality partnerships and quality contract schemes (or franchising), to see whether these can be improved. As an early step, we will shortly introduce legislation amending the process for registering changes to bus services in order to enable better engagement between operators and authorities to identify and mitigate adverse affects on users.","AnswerDate":"2015-10-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-10-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306465,"EventID":"S4W-27593","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-21T17:07:49.35","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-21T12:04:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the recommendations of the Finance Committee in its 12th report 2015, Scotland's Fiscal Framework, what discussions it has had with UK ministers regarding establishing an independent body to advise on the calculation of the block grant, and what the outcome was.","AnswerText":"We are discussing a number of issues through the negotiating of a fiscal framework and I will give an update in due course.","AnswerDate":"2015-10-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-10-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306466,"EventID":"S4W-27594","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-21T17:07:50.457","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-21T12:04:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-25949 by John Swinney on 16 June 2015, to what specific projects it will allocate the £304 million.","AnswerText":"As outlined in the Draft Budget in 2015-16, we plan to use up to £304 million of borrowing to maximise our infrastructure investment in 2015-16. The borrowing will support the overall capital infrastructure programme rather than be allocated on an individual project basis.","AnswerDate":"2015-10-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-10-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306489,"EventID":"S4W-27586","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2108,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":141,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-22T13:57:12.857","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-20T22:16:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it will take to protect investment in Scottish onshore wind projects already in the planning pipeline in the event that the Renewables Obligation scheme is ended a year early.","AnswerText":"Since the UK Government’s announcement, the Scottish Government hosted a summit to hear industry concerns, and followed this up with a letter to Amber Rudd, Secretary of State, seeking a flexible approach to the Renewables Obligation (RO) grace period criteria. This issue was also raised during a face to face meeting over the summer. We asked that those projects in the planning system who have not yet had planning approval or those with approval after 18 June 2015 should fall within the grace period as these had already invested heavily in anticipation they would receive the RO.","AnswerDate":"2015-10-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-10-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306490,"EventID":"S4W-27587","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2108,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":141,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-22T13:57:13.54","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-20T22:16:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what estimate it has made of the potential lost (a) jobs and (b) investment in onshore wind energy in Scotland arising from the proposed early ending of the Renewables Obligation scheme and what it can do to protect projects adversely affected.","AnswerText":"Figures published by the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills estimate that in 2013, the onshore wind sector in Scotland supported approximately 5,400 jobs. \r\nScotland has 8.2 GW of renewable generation projects consented, with a further 4.3 GW in planning. While a number of these projects will meet the grace period criteria or have contract for difference (CfD) contracts, many more have no clear route to market due to the changes to the Renewable Obligation and the continuing uncertainty surrounding future CfD allocation rounds. \r\nThe Scottish Government will continue to engage with industry to see how we can support them over the coming months.","AnswerDate":"2015-10-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-10-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306491,"EventID":"S4W-27588","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2108,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":141,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-22T13:57:14.18","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-20T22:16:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what estimate it has made of the impact of the early ending of the Renewables Obligation scheme on its targets for growing renewable energy and the ability of generators in Scotland to access markets throughout the UK for their output (a) now and (b) after March 2017.","AnswerText":"Recent provisional figures published by the Department of Energy and Climate Change (24 September 2015) show Scotland has generated a record 49.6% of Scotland’s gross electricity consumption in 2014, well on course to meet our interim target of 50% by 2015. \r\nOur ability to meet our targets relies on a mix of renewable energy, not simply onshore wind, but recent changes to support for other technologies will see our ability to meet our targets a much larger challenge than we had anticipated. We have called on the UK government to provide clarity to enable the necessary investment to be made.","AnswerDate":"2015-10-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-10-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306492,"EventID":"S4W-27589","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2108,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":141,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-22T13:57:14.867","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-20T22:16:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Sottish Government whether it will use its existing powers to set a level for Scottish Renewables Obligation (RO) certificates for onshore wind generation in the interim period if the UK Government ends the RO scheme early.","AnswerText":"Scottish Ministers’ existing powers to set a level for Scottish Renewable Obligation Certificates for onshore wind generation are being removed by UK legislation. \r\nThe Energy Bill 2015 proposes an amendment to the Electricity Act 1989 to the effect that no Renewable Obligation Certificates can be issued under a Renewable Obligation Order, whenever made, for onshore wind farms after 31 March 2016. This includes orders made by Scottish Ministers and approved by the Scottish Parliament. \r\nThe Scottish Government have not made any estimate of how much it would cost to maintain the Renewables Obligation scheme in the event the UK Government ends it early on the basis that we do not have powers to keep the Renewables Obligation scheme open.","AnswerDate":"2015-10-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-10-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306493,"EventID":"S4W-27590","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2108,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":141,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-22T13:57:15.43","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-20T22:16:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what estimate it has made of the cost of using its existing powers through the maintenance of a Scottish Renewables Obligation (RO) in the event that UK Government ends the RO early.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-27589 on 1 October 2015. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at: \r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.","AnswerDate":"2015-10-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-10-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306494,"EventID":"S4W-27595","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1895,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":121,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-22T13:57:18.813","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-21T15:00:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on progress with the upgrading of the A96 at Inveramsay. ","AnswerText":"Construction of the A96 Inveramsay Bridge Improvements is well underway and completion remains on target for spring 2016.","AnswerDate":"2015-09-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-10-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306495,"EventID":"S4W-27596","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1895,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":121,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-22T13:57:19.33","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-21T15:01:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what benefits it expects the completion of the 1.5 km section of the A96 at Inveramsay will bring to communities along the A96 corridor.","AnswerText":"The Inveramsay Bridge improvements will bring huge benefits to local communities through reduced congestion and improved journey time reliability by avoiding the existing bridge and enabling the free flow of traffic.","AnswerDate":"2015-09-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-10-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306496,"EventID":"S4W-27597","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-22T13:57:19.75","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-21T16:52:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the average waiting time is for people to commence treatment for hepatitis C, broken down by NHS board.","AnswerText":"The specific information requested is not held centrally. Waiting time data is collected by specialism only and not by condition, although most patients with hepatitis C requiring hospital care will be seen within the specialty of gastroenterology and are likely to receive their treatment at an outpatient clinic. Any patient who requires inpatient and day case treatment would be covered by the 12 week legal treatment guarantee.","AnswerDate":"2015-10-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-10-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306497,"EventID":"S4W-27598","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-22T13:57:20.75","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-21T16:52:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with each NHS board regarding the average waiting times for people to commence treatment for hepatitis C.","AnswerText":"Scottish Government officials meet regularly with individual boards to discuss waiting times for treatment. The discussions will include waits in the specialty of gastroenterology – this is the specialty where most patients with hepatitis C would be treated. In addition, the Scottish Government is a member of the Scottish Viral Hepatitis Lead Clinicians Network, which also regularly discusses issues of treatment of hepatitis C.","AnswerDate":"2015-10-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-10-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306498,"EventID":"S4W-27599","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-22T13:57:21.873","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-21T16:52:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the timetable is for implementing the introduction of opt-out blood borne virus testing in prisons.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government will work with NHS boards and the Scottish Prison Service to set appropriate timetables according to each board’s specific circumstances. Currently, no timetable has been set.","AnswerDate":"2015-09-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-10-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306499,"EventID":"S4W-27600","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2108,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":141,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-22T13:57:22.853","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-22T10:13:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to its news release of 17 September 2015, Independent review for planning in Scotland, when the panel will first meet; whether it will take written and oral evidence from the public and stakeholders; by what date it will publish its report, and how much (a) financial and (b) administrative support it will be given.","AnswerText":"The independent panel will first meet on 13 October 2015. At that point the panel will finalise the review procedure, including appropriate opportunities for taking written and oral evidence from stakeholders. The review webpage will carry up to date information on the review and process leading to recommendations from the panel in late spring 2016 – see http://www.gov.scot/Topics/Built-Environment/planning/Review-of-Planning for further information.\r\nPanel members will be paid a daily rate in accordance with the daily fee framework contained in the Public Sector Pay Policy for Senior Appointments and appropriate travel and associated costs. Secretariat support will be provided by a team within the Planning and Architecture Division of the Scottish Government.","AnswerDate":"2015-09-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-10-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306500,"EventID":"S4W-27603","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-22T13:57:23.447","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-22T11:30:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it promotes better mental health in looked-after young people as part of its corporate parenting responsibilities.","AnswerText":"The corporate parenting responsibilities in Part 9 of the Children and Young People (Scotland) Act 2014 commenced in April 2015. The Act extends the eligibility for aftercare to age 25 – ensuring that all care leavers are entitled to have their needs assessed by local authorities for support from all appropriate corporate parents. Under these duties, if assessments show support is required, it must be provided.\r\nAlso, more specifically in relation to health, the Children and Young People (Scotland) Act 2014 requires every corporate parent (including health boards) to:\r\nBe alert to matters which, or which might, adversely affect the wellbeing of looked after children, young people and care leavers under the age of 26;\r\nAssess the needs of those children and young people for the support and services it provides; \r\nCollaborate with each other when exercising their responsibilities in relation to looked after children and young people;\r\nPromote the interests of those children and young people;\r\nSeek to provide those children and young people with opportunities to participate in activities designed to advance their wellbeing;\r\nTake action it considers appropriate to help those children and young people to access opportunities and support and make use of the services it provides, and\r\nTake any other action as it considers appropriate for the purposes of improving the way in which it exercises its functions in relation to those children and young people.\r\nThis means that corporate parents are required to collaborate with each other when exercising their corporate parenting responsibilities. They are currently undergoing training from the Centre for Excellence for Looked After Children in Scotland on how to prepare, consult on and publish a corporate parenting plan and keep this under review. From April 2018 they will be required to report to Scottish Ministers on how they are exercising their corporate parenting duties.\r\nStatutory guidance on Part 9 of the Act (Corporate Parenting) was published on 14 August 2015 and is available at:\r\nhttp://www.gov.scot/Publications/2015/08/5260","AnswerDate":"2015-10-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-10-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen Campbell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306501,"EventID":"S4W-27604","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-22T13:57:24.54","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-22T11:30:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what (a) information it has and (b) research it has commissioned on the mental health of children and young people in care, and what its position is on launching an inquiry on this issue.","AnswerText":"a) Scottish health boards are required to provide a health assessment to looked after children within four weeks of notification. In May 2014 the Scottish Government published Guidance on Health Assessments for Looked After Children and Young People in Scotland. This guidance recommended that health boards put procedures in place to offer a mental health screen to every looked after child or young person by 2015 and recommended a number of suitable screening tools for this assessment.\r\nb) There has been no centrally commissioned research into the mental health of looked after children and young people.\r\nThe first Mental Health and Learning Disability Inpatient Bed Census, carried out by the Scottish Government and NHS boards, was published in October 2014. The report provides evidence for Commitment 26 of the Mental Health Strategy for 2012 to 2015, but also enhances the Scottish Government’s and NHS Scotland’s understanding of mental health, addiction and learning disability services, and about the patients who use these services. A copy of this report is available on the Scottish Government website at: http://www.gov.scot/Publications/2015/06/7555/0.\r\nThe Minister for Sport, Health Improvement and Mental Health is considering what will follow the current mental health strategy and is considering the priorities for any next mental health strategy. Any future strategy will be launched in 2016. The progress on each commitment is updated where appropriate on our website. We will report the status of each commitment on this website by spring 2016, after the completion of the strategy’s timeframe.","AnswerDate":"2015-10-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-10-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen Campbell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306502,"EventID":"S4W-27607","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-22T13:57:25.693","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-22T11:30:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what research it has commissioned since 2007 regarding the therapeutic benefits of care for children and young people. ","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has not commissioned specific research on the therapeutic benefits of being looked after on children and young people since 2007. However, as a result of direct consultation with care experienced young people, a number of relationship focussed practices are being taken forward. For example, the national mentoring scheme for looked after children and young people will provide free individual mentoring, and associated group events, for looked after children and young people across Scotland. Also, the Scottish Government is currently consulting on secondary legislation proposals under Part 12 of the Children and Young People (Scotland) Act 2014 for provisions on services in relation to children at risk of becoming looked after, which may include family group decision making.","AnswerDate":"2015-10-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-10-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen Campbell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306503,"EventID":"S4W-27608","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-22T13:57:26.723","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-22T11:30:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what percentage of children and young people in care has accessed mental health services in each year since 2010. ","AnswerText":"Data on the percentage of children and young people in care who have accessed mental health services in each year since 2010 is not provided to the Scottish Government as a matter of course.","AnswerDate":"2015-10-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-10-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306504,"EventID":"S4W-27609","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-22T13:57:27.673","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-22T11:30:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what emotional and psychological support it provides for children and young people in care environments. ","AnswerText":"The mental health of looked after children and young people is the direct responsibility of local authorities and health boards. Scottish health boards are required by the Scottish Government to provide a health assessment to all children who become looked after within four weeks of notification. In May 2014 the Scottish Government published Guidance on Health Assessments for Looked After Children and Young People in Scotland. This guidance recommended that health board works with placing authorities in its area to ensure that procedures are in place for the health board to offer a mental health screen to every looked after child or young person by 2015. It also recommended a number of suitable screening tools for this assessment (Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Wellbeing Scale, Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire, emotional and behavioural wellbeing profile).\r\nChief Executive Letter 16 (CEL16) of April 2009 placed a responsibility on each NHS board to assess the physical, mental and emotional health needs of all looked after children and young people for whom they have responsibility and put in place appropriate measures which take account of these assessments. They ensure that all health service providers work to make their services more accessible to looked after children and young people, and to those in the transition from care to independence.","AnswerDate":"2015-10-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-10-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen Campbell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306505,"EventID":"S4W-27610","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-22T13:57:28.69","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-22T11:30:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on consulting care leavers regarding how children and young people parented by the state could be better supported in recovering from an early childhood trauma that was experienced in care.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government takes every opportunity to consult with all stakeholders on policies that affect them. To date we have benefitted greatly from the valuable insight and input offered by looked after children and young people and care leavers. We will continue to seek the views of care leavers when improving current policies or developing new ones.","AnswerDate":"2015-10-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-10-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen Campbell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306506,"EventID":"S4W-27611","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-22T13:57:29.86","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-22T11:30:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what information it has regarding how the mental health of children and young people in care compares with those who are not care-experienced.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government are overseeing a research project on how the wellbeing of children in different areas is being met by local areas, including the emotional wellbeing of looked after and non-looked after children. The project is currently ongoing. Data analysis and reporting on the first three Community Planning Partnership areas will be undertaken in May 2016.\r\nThe 27-30 month review data which data published by Information Services Division Scotland \r\n(https://isdscotland.scot.nhs.uk/Health-Topics/Child-Health/Publications/2014-12-16/2014-12-16-Child-Health-27m-review-Summary.pdf?278872252) records if children have social, emotional and behavioural concerns/disorders. The preliminary data not including information on whether children were looked after was published in December 2014. This may be a source of comparable wellbeing data for looked after and non-looked after children in future.","AnswerDate":"2015-10-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-10-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen Campbell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306507,"EventID":"S4W-27613","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5047,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-22T13:58:05.73","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-22T12:05:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to help Pollok House in Glasgow to finance the required repairs.","AnswerText":"Glasgow City Council has indicated that they intend to lodge a formal application for Historic Scotland grant support. In the circumstances, it would not be appropriate to comment further on this application.","AnswerDate":"2015-10-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-10-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fiona Hyslop","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306508,"EventID":"S4W-27615","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2135,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":92,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-22T14:02:23.99","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-22T12:45:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body what its policy is regarding the use of electronic devices for accessing committee papers during committee meetings.","AnswerText":"The conduct and management of committee meetings (including the use of electronic devices) is a matter for the relevant committee convener. \r\nHowever, the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body is very supportive of the move towards increased digital working which allows Members easier and more efficient ways to access information, saves on print costs and supports our environmental strategy. The Digital Parliament Programme is looking at further changes to support members who wish to work digitally to do so.","AnswerDate":"2015-10-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Liz Smith","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306509,"EventID":"S4W-27616","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2135,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":92,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-22T14:02:24.98","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-22T12:45:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body what support it provides to members who wish to use electronic devices for accessing committee papers in order to stop using printed materials. ","AnswerText":"The Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body is very supportive of the moves towards increased digital working and in particular the Parliament’s Digital Parliament Programme whose aim is to improve the organisation’s capability to work digitally. As a result of this programme, all electronic versions of committee papers are now issued to members as digital packs which can be accessed using smartphones and tablets as well as on desktop PCs and laptops. The pack provides navigation menus to allow easier and quicker access to and between papers. It also allows members to annotate and highlight text in advance of, or during, a meeting.\r\nThese digital packs are available via the Members’ Portal and are also emailed to committee members.\r\nA further Digital Parliament project is underway which seeks to build on this work with the purpose of embedding a digital first approach to the creation, distribution, use and management of information for meetings (including committee meetings).","AnswerDate":"2015-10-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-10-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Liz Smith","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306510,"EventID":"S4W-27617","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2135,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":92,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-22T14:02:25.643","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-22T12:45:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body what guidance it provides to committee clerks regarding support for members of their committees who wish to access and use committee papers on electronic devices.","AnswerText":"In November 2013, the Conveners’ Group agreed that two committees would be involved in piloting the use of electronic committee packs and this pilot was subsequently extended to seven committees. Committee clerks provided support to members of the relevant committees in accessing and using papers electronically and as part of this process, sought feedback from members to determine whether any further improvements needed to be made.  All committee members now receive a digital committee pack and clerks and other officials can provide any assistance and guidance that members may require to enable them to work digitally.","AnswerDate":"2015-10-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-10-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Liz Smith","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306511,"EventID":"S4W-27618","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1845,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-22T17:08:49.887","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-22T12:09:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many GP surgeries have operated a restricted patient list in each year since 1999, broken down by NHS board.","AnswerText":"Circumstances will arise where a practice experiences capacity issues and is unable to routinely accept new patients onto its list. We expect health boards to work with practices as constructively and as flexibly as is appropriate to help manage the situation.","AnswerDate":"2015-10-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-10-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306512,"EventID":"S4W-27619","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1845,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-22T17:08:50.477","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-22T13:02:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to reduce child health inequalities, and what its position is on the finding in the Scottish Health Survey 2014 that children in deprived areas are more likely to have unhealthy eating habits and be overweight.","AnswerText":"Equally Well, the report of the Ministerial Task Force on Health Inequalities, shifted the emphasis of our approach from dealing with the consequences of health inequalities to tackling the underlying causes of poverty and employment while providing support for families to improve physical and social environments. This has been reflected in the latest Programme for Government published at the beginning of September 2015. More specifically for children the Government’s commitment is set out in our revised Child Poverty Strategy for Scotland which introduced a framework to measure progress against key outcomes.\r\nWe have also made a fundamental shift to focus on preventative spending with our Early Years Framework and the Getting it Right for Every Child approach places a strong emphasis on giving children, particularly those who are most disadvantaged, the best possible start in life to make a real difference to their future health and life chances and significant proportions of government programmes concerning healthy weight and diet are focused on our most deprived communities.","AnswerDate":"2015-10-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-10-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306513,"EventID":"S4W-27620","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1845,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-22T17:08:50.96","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-22T13:02:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to encourage healthy eating among children and young people, and what its position is on the findings in the Scottish Health Survey 2014 that 14% of children meet the recommended minimum daily fruit and vegetable consumption and 31% are at risk of becoming overweight.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government notes the 2014 Scottish Health Survey’s figures concerning children’s weight and diet.\r\nWe recognise the need for action and accordingly already have a broad range of actions underway including: statutory nutritional standards for food and drink in schools; the inclusion of food and health as a core topic with the Curriculum for Excellence; the extension of free school meals; the launch of Beyond the School Gate guidance for local authorities and other partners to improve food provision for young people in the vicinity of schools; the Eat Better Feel Better campaign to promote healthier eating messages with a specific focus on families from deprived areas, and the Healthier Scotland Cooking Bus which teaches practical cooking skills to children, teachers and local community groups across Scotland and the funding of child healthy weight intervention programmes.\r\nWe are also committed to support a pre-9pm ban on broadcast advertising of food high in fat, sugar and salt, to improve child public health. The Scottish Government has been clear that the advertising of unhealthy food should be restricted before the 9pm watershed, and that if the UK Government is unprepared to take this step, the power should be devolved to the Scottish Parliament. We believe that this step will help to rebalance promotions of food towards healthier options such as fruit and vegetables.","AnswerDate":"2015-10-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-10-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306514,"EventID":"S4W-27621","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2134,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":82,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-22T17:08:51.507","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-22T14:33:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what progress is being made by the Regulatory Review Group in reviewing Part 3 of the Fire (Scotland) Act 2005.","AnswerText":"The Regulatory Review Group has completed the evidence gathering stage of the review and is now progressing the report. The report and findings of the review will be published once finalised which is anticipated before the end of 2015.","AnswerDate":"2015-10-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-10-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306515,"EventID":"S4W-27622","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2134,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":82,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-22T17:08:51.99","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-22T14:33:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it has had discussions in the last year regarding the competence of fire risk assessors and, if so, (a) with whom, (b) when and (c) what the outcome was.","AnswerText":"On 29 October 2014, during a parliamentary debate, Roseanna Cunningham, then Minister for Community Safety and Legal Affairs, advised that she would write to the Regulatory Review Group (RRG) who were undertaking a review of Part III of the Fire Safety (Scotland) Act to request that the group extend the remit of the review to include the competency of persons who offer their services as fire risk assessors.\r\nRRG agreed to the request, and we understand that its report is expected to be published before the end of 2015. We will consider carefully all recommendations for Scottish Government arising from the review, including any on the competence of fire risk assessors.","AnswerDate":"2015-10-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-10-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Paul Wheelhouse","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306516,"EventID":"S4W-27623","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3745,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":122,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-22T17:08:52.46","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-22T14:45:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the A96 dualling programme.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has given a commitment to completing the dualling of the A96 between Inverness and Aberdeen by 2030. We are progressing with the programme to meet this ambitious target and have recently completed preliminary engineering and environmental assessment work along the route. A timetable has been published for the next stage of design with the route options assessment for the section between east of Nairn and east of Fochabers to commence early in 2016.\r\nIn addition we have announced a preferred option for the 30km Inverness to Nairn (including Nairn Bypass) section, are working towards publishing draft Orders for this section in 2016.\r\nFurther details on the A96 dualling programme are available on Transport Scotland’s website at: www.transportscotland.gov.uk/project/a96dualling","AnswerDate":"2015-09-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-10-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306517,"EventID":"S4W-27624","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2595,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-22T17:08:52.943","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-22T15:01:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government (a) how many and (b) what percentage of the UK's foreign direct investment jobs have been created in Scotland in each of the last 10 years.","AnswerText":"The Ernst and Young UK attractiveness survey provides an estimate of the number of jobs created by Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) projects. Estimates for Scotland for 2005 to 2014 are provided in the table below. The table shows that, in 2014, FDI created 3,532 jobs in Scotland or 11.3% of the UK’s FDI jobs; this share is higher than Scotland’s UK population share of 8.3% in 2014.\r\nNumbers of jobs recorded from FDI, Scotland, 2005 to 2014\r\nYear\r\nJobs recorded from FDI, Scotland\r\nScotland FDI jobs as a share of UK FDI jobs\r\n2005\r\n2,710\r\n9.8%\r\n2006\r\n4,511\r\n16.2%\r\n2007\r\n4,200\r\n17.4%\r\n2008\r\n1,614\r\n7.9%\r\n2009\r\n1,538\r\n7.7%\r\n2010\r\n4,071\r\n19.2%\r\n2011\r\n5,926\r\n19.8%\r\n2012\r\n4,867\r\n16.1%\r\n2013\r\n4,165\r\n14.9%\r\n2014\r\n3,532\r\n11.3%\r\nSource: Ernst and Young’s attractiveness survey – Scotland 2015:\r\nhttp://www.ey.com/Publication/vwLUAssets/2015_Scotland_Attractiveness_Survey/$FILE/EY-2015-Scotland-Attractiveness-Survey.pdf\r\nNote that the number of jobs created by specific FDI projects are not always announced, and – partly as a result – the figures on employment resulting from FDI projects can be volatile from year to year.","AnswerDate":"2015-10-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-10-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306518,"EventID":"S4W-27626","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2394,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-22T17:08:53.49","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-22T14:59:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the economic impact of it declaring Scotland to be GM-food free.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government’s decision to opt out of growing EU approved GM crops was taken to protect the clean, green image of Scotland’s multi-billion pound food and drink sector. As the latest official figures show, the sector generated a record £14.3 billion for our economy and accounts for around 20% of all Scotland’s exports. Food exports alone are up by 57% from 2007. This growth has occurred without the cultivation of GM crops in Scotland.\r\nThe Scottish Government’s long-standing policy takes account of the wider social and economic ramifications that growing GM crops might have for Scotland and our unique brand. We know, from a recent Bank of Scotland study, that over 78% of firms surveyed said that Scottish provenance has a good reputation in international markets. And many of our key export markets for potatoes ask for sight of a GM-free certificate. Scottish food and drink is valued at home and abroad for its natural, high quality and often attracts a premium price.","AnswerDate":"2015-10-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-10-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Richard Lochhead","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306519,"EventID":"S4W-27627","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2394,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-22T17:08:54.207","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-22T14:59:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what evidence it has to support the statement by the Minister for Business, Energy and Tourism on 17 September 2015 that the cost of providing sufficient electricity storage to deal with the intermittency issue arising from onshore wind power “will be far less than the enormous cost of the Hinkley Point nuclear power station” (Official Report, c. 62).","AnswerText":"Large hydro storage projects are an effective way of storing energy produced from onshore wind farms. The Department of Energy and Climate Change electricity generation statistics show that the pre-development and expected construction costs of this technology are far lower than nuclear. While the UK Government has made a commitment to provide a bespoke contract for difference for nuclear, there remain a number of barriers to investment in large scale pumped storage that have not been addressed through the Electricity Market Reform process.","AnswerDate":"2015-10-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-10-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306520,"EventID":"S4W-27628","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2610,"Party":"Independent","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-22T17:08:54.753","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-22T16:22:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it is having with North Lanarkshire Council regarding the decision to revise the plans for the Ravenscraig site.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government remains committed to working with North Lanarkshire Council and other parties on options for the further redevelopment of the Ravenscraig site.","AnswerDate":"2015-10-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-10-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306521,"EventID":"S4W-27614","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4947,"Party":"Independent","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-22T17:09:40.75","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-22T12:07:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body what assessment it has made of ethical investment funds with respect to the investment decisions of the Scottish Parliamentary Pension Scheme.","AnswerText":"I refer the Member to my answer to Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body (SPCB) question S4W-25996 on 17 June 2015 in which I advised that under the Scottish Parliamentary Pensions Act 2009 the fund trustees are responsible for the day to day management and administration of the Scottish Parliamentary Pension Scheme, including investment policy. Given their lead responsibility and the statutory position which requires them to operate independently of the SPCB, the Member might wish to raise this matter with the fund trustees.","AnswerDate":"2015-09-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-10-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Pentland","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306533,"EventID":"S4W-27631","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-23T13:53:44.317","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-23T08:23:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when the Joint Exchequer Committee has met in 2015 and what meetings are scheduled for the rest of the year.","AnswerText":"The Joint Exchequer Committee has met on 7 July, 4 September and 23 September 2015. The Joint Exchequer Committee will continue to meet with the intention of reaching agreement on Scotland’s fiscal framework during the autumn.","AnswerDate":"2015-10-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-10-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306534,"EventID":"S4W-27632","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-23T13:53:45.987","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-23T09:14:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will continue the Monitoring and Evaluation of Scotland's Alcohol Strategy after 2016-17.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is currently working on the next phase of the Alcohol Framework and as part of that work consideration will be given to which monitoring and evaluation arrangements will be most appropriate.","AnswerDate":"2015-10-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-10-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306535,"EventID":"S4W-27633","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5057,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-23T13:53:47.483","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-23T09:19:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many applicants to the Scottish Welfare Fund in (a) 2013-14 and (b) 2014-15 received (i) financial and (ii) other assistance, and how many applications to the fund were rejected.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Welfare Fund comprises of two types of grants – Community Care Grants and Crisis Grants. Community Care Grants are intended to enable people to live independently or continue to live independently, preventing the need for institutional care. A Crisis Grant aims to help people, typically on benefits, who are in crisis because of a disaster or an emergency.\r\nThe following table shows the number of applications from each part of the fund who were awarded a grant and the number who were rejected. Those awarded are broken down into those where the award was:\r\nFinancial assistance (defined as payment into bank, cash or cheque);\r\nThose where the award was made via another form (travel warrants, store voucher, purchase card, goods provided-new, goods provided- re-use or other), or\r\nThose where the award was a mixture of both.\r\n\r\nCommunity Care Grants\r\n\r\nRejected\r\nAwarded\r\nFinancial year of Community Care Grant final decision\r\nNo payment\r\nOther assistance\r\nFinancial assistance only\r\nBoth financial and other assistance\r\nTotal applications decided\r\n2013-14\r\n17,500\r\n23,300\r\n9,100\r\n3,600\r\n53,600\r\n2014-15\r\n25,800\r\n35,100\r\n9,900\r\n2,600\r\n73,400\r\n\r\nCrisis Grants\r\n\r\nRejected\r\nAwarded\r\nFinancial year of Crisis Grant final decision\r\nNo payment\r\nOther assistance\r\nFinancial assistance only\r\nBoth financial and other assistance\r\nTotal applications decided\r\n2013-14\r\n31,100\r\n28,300\r\n38,800\r\n14,900\r\n113,100\r\n2014-15\r\n40,700\r\n43,400\r\n43,100\r\n16,500\r\n143,700\r\nNotes:\r\nAll figures have been rounded to the nearest 100. \r\nTotals may not sum due to rounding.\r\nSource: SWFQ dataset as at 28 September 2015","AnswerDate":"2015-10-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-10-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Burgess","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306536,"EventID":"S4W-27634","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-23T13:53:48.077","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-23T09:23:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-27205 by Humza Yousaf on 17 September 2015, whether, in light of Mr Yousaf's statement on Good Morning Scotland on 8 September 2015 that the UK Government should share international and security information with party leaders, it will share with Scottish party leaders information on whether the case of Shaker Aamer was raised at the meeting between the First Minister and the US Deputy Secretary of State.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to S4W-26869 on 24 August 2015. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.","AnswerDate":"2015-10-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-10-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306537,"EventID":"S4W-27635","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-23T13:53:49.263","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-23T09:23:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-27205 by Humza Yousaf on 17 September 2015, which sub-sections of section 32 of the Freedom of Information Act (Scotland) 2002 it considers allow it to refuse to confirm or deny whether the case of Shaker Aamer was raised at the meeting between the First Minister and the US Deputy Secretary of State.","AnswerText":"Scottish Ministers apply the principle that some conversations with overseas governments should remain private where circumstances are relevant. I referred to provisions in the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002 as an illustration of the general acceptance that such a principle exists.","AnswerDate":"2015-10-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-10-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306538,"EventID":"S4W-27636","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-23T13:53:50.247","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-23T09:23:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-27205 by Humza Yousaf on 17 September 2015, what details of the meeting between the First Minister and the US Deputy Secretary of State it has reported to the UK Government.","AnswerText":"A report of the meeting was not sent to the UK Government. The British ambassador attended the meeting.","AnswerDate":"2015-10-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-10-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306539,"EventID":"S4W-27637","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-23T13:53:51.367","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-23T09:23:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-27206 by Humza Yousaf on 17 September 2015, whether ministers will reconsider their decision to withhold from parliamentary answers information about whether case of Shaker Aamer was raised at the meeting between the First Minister and the US Deputy Secretary of State, given the UK Government’s confirmation that the Foreign Secretary raised the case with the US authorities in November 2010.","AnswerText":"No. I refer the member to the answer to S4W-26869 on 24 August 2015. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.","AnswerDate":"2015-10-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-10-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306540,"EventID":"S4W-27638","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-23T13:53:52.71","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-23T09:23:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-27206 by Humza Yousaf on 17 September 2015, whether it has asked the UK Government if it would assist it in securing the release of Shaker Aamer if Scottish ministers informed MSPs in parliamentary answers whether the case was raised by the First Minister at her meeting with the US Deputy Secretary of State.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has made no such approach to the UK Government.","AnswerDate":"2015-10-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-10-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306541,"EventID":"S4W-27639","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-23T13:53:53.973","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-23T09:23:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-27206 by Humza Yousaf on 17 September 2015, whether it has had discussions with the charity, Reprieve, about whether the case of Shaker Aamer was raised by the First Minister at her meeting with the US Deputy Secretary of State.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has had no discussions with Reprieve about the meeting.","AnswerDate":"2015-10-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-10-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306542,"EventID":"S4W-27640","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1895,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":121,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-23T13:53:55.02","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-23T11:18:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what economic benefits it expects the improvement works to the Aberdeen to Inverness main line will bring to the communities served by it.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government recognises the importance of an effective transport network for economic growth in the north east of Scotland. That is why we are investing £170 million in the line between Aberdeen and Inverness which will deliver significant journey time improvements and greater connectivity for both passenger and freight services operating on this corridor. \r\nAs well as the clear benefits to passengers, this investment will support employment and growth by improving access to job opportunities and education facilities providing an economic boost to the communities along the entire length of the route. Furthermore, it will open up access to Inverness Airport and the adjacent development sites, acting as a catalyst for inward investment.","AnswerDate":"2015-10-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-10-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306553,"EventID":"S4O-04656","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":1759,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-23T14:38:57.473","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-22T13:41:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on its position in supporting Palestinian refugees.","AnswerText":"Scotland has a strong record in welcoming, supporting and integrating refugees from across the globe. Our strategy New Scots: Integrating Refugees in Scotland’s Communities provides the framework for supporting refugees who have made a home in Scotland.\r\nIn July 2014 I wrote to the Home Secretary calling on the UK to help ease the refugee crisis in Gaza and the West Bank at that time, and confirming that Scotland would be willing to accept Palestinian refugees.","AnswerDate":"2015-09-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-09-30T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306554,"EventID":"S4O-04642","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":1860,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-23T14:38:57.847","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-23T09:13:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with the Scottish Futures Trust about the completion of the new Elgin High School.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-09-30T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306555,"EventID":"S4O-04648","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":1866,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-23T14:38:58.327","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-23T11:06:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what recent discussions regarding new cultural investment it has had with the City of Edinburgh Council.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-09-30T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306556,"EventID":"S4O-04662","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":1882,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":129,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-23T14:38:59.223","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-21T12:04:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what recent discussions it has had with the UK Government on the restoration of opencast coal sites.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-10-01T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306557,"EventID":"S4O-04658","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":1943,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-23T14:38:59.77","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-23T10:15:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what contingency plans it has to support Scottish food and drink exports to the rest of Europe.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-10-01T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306558,"EventID":"S4O-04638","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":2029,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":145,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-23T14:39:00.107","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-23T11:55:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to invest in the road network in Renfrewshire South, including access to and from Glasgow Airport.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-09-30T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306559,"EventID":"S4O-04653","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":2059,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":91,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-23T14:39:00.537","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-21T12:03:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government for what reason it provided financial assistance to T in the Park 2015.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-09-30T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306560,"EventID":"S4O-04657","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":2159,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":88,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-23T14:39:00.907","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-21T12:03:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what it considers the value of BBC Scotland is to Glasgow’s creative industries and economy.","AnswerText":"We recognise that BBC Scotland, employing over 1,000 people across the nation, brings significant value to Glasgow’s creative industries while contributing to the wider economy. BBC Scotland’s location at Pacific Quay is a key ingredient to the development of the wider creative cluster in Glasgow, positively impacting on the productive capacity of creative sector in the city and across Scotland. The Scottish Government believes that this impact could be further enhanced and as part of our role in the renewal of the BBC Charter we have set out its proposals for greater autonomy and commissioning power for BBC Scotland.","AnswerDate":"2015-09-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-09-30T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"Fiona Hyslop","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306561,"EventID":"S4O-04646","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":2394,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-23T14:39:01.303","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-22T17:45:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what it is doing to minimise disruption to local residents and motorists during the A9 dualling. ","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-09-30T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306562,"EventID":"S4O-04664","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":2615,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":143,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-23T14:39:01.763","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-21T12:04:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how the planned changes to subsidies for onshore windfarms will affect developments in Scotland.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-10-01T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306563,"EventID":"S4O-04661","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":2633,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-23T14:39:02.073","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-23T11:00:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when the Cabinet Secretary for Fair Work, Skills and Training will meet the UK skills minister.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-10-01T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306564,"EventID":"S4O-04667","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":2673,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":114,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-23T14:39:02.547","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-23T11:25:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it can support grassroots development of rugby.","AnswerText":"sportscotland is providing £774,500 of funding to the Scottish Rugby Union in 2015-16. Scottish Rugby will submit a four year business plan next year covering the period 2016-20.\r\nScottish Rugby also benefits from our Proceeds of Crime Cashback Programme with £5.9 million having been awarded by 2017 to deliver a wide range of opportunities at grass roots level.","AnswerDate":"2015-10-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-10-01T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306565,"EventID":"S4O-04651","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":2675,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":93,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-23T14:39:02.917","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-21T12:03:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how Scotland’s traditional arts are funded.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-09-30T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306566,"EventID":"S4O-04666","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":2678,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-23T14:39:03.47","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-22T13:48:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on Alzheimer’s Research UK's prediction that one in three people born in 2015 will develop the disease, and what impact this will have on future dementia treatment and care policy.","AnswerText":"Alzheimer Research UK’s latest prediction on the scale of the challenge we face across the world on dementia presumes increasing prevalence of dementia over time primarily because more people are living longer.\r\nOther research, such as by the Medical Research Council in 2013, finds a lower number of people with dementia and concludes that rates of dementia across the UK are falling due in part to a decline in the rates of vascular dementia as a result of improvements in the primary prevention and better management of chronic conditions such as diabetes.\r\nBoth factors are in play, meaning it is difficult to accurately forecast what the position on dementia prevalence will be in 80 to 100 years. Irrespective of variable predictions on scale, there is no doubt that dementia is one of the foremost public health challenges world-wide and in Scotland our national work on dementia and health and social care integration is supporting local service re-design to meet that challenge, now and in the future.","AnswerDate":"2015-10-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-10-01T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306567,"EventID":"S4O-04659","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":3743,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":123,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-23T14:39:03.89","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-23T10:04:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what consideration it has given to improving regulation of severance payments in the public sector.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-10-01T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306568,"EventID":"S4O-04645","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":3745,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":122,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-23T14:39:04.437","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-22T14:14:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with the Scottish Futures Trust about progress being made on the Alford Community Campus.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-09-30T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306569,"EventID":"S4O-04663","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":3751,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":108,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-23T14:39:04.83","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-21T13:06:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what changes it expects to make to personal independence payments following their devolution.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-10-01T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306570,"EventID":"S4O-04660","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":3771,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-23T14:39:05.267","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-21T12:04:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it is encouraging young people in Glasgow from disadvantaged backgrounds to participate in physical activity and sports.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-10-01T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306571,"EventID":"S4O-04650","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":3907,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":135,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-23T14:39:05.697","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-21T12:03:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on its response to the refugee crisis.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-09-30T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306572,"EventID":"S4O-04649","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":4080,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-23T14:39:06.09","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-23T09:37:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it last discussed the refugee crisis with the UK Government.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-09-30T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306573,"EventID":"S4O-04644","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":4939,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":78,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-23T14:39:06.523","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-21T12:03:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it will ensure that its Infrastructure Investment Plan will help to deliver a low-carbon Scotland.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-09-30T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306574,"EventID":"S4O-04655","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":4955,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":105,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-23T14:39:06.92","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-21T12:03:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the progress of its refugee task force.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government refugee taskforce, chaired by myself and bringing together a wide range of stakeholders to co-ordinate Scotland’s humanitarian and practical response, has now met three times, most recently last week (Wednesday 23 September 2015).\r\nThe taskforce has established two subgroups which met for the first time last Tuesday. The accommodating refugees subgroup is jointly chaired by the Minister for Housing and Welfare and Cllr Harry McGuigan, COSLA Spokesperson for Community Wellbeing. The integration subgroup is chaired by John Wilkes, Chief Executive, Scottish Refugee Council.\r\nThe response from local authorities has been positive and we are ready to assist refugees as soon as they arrive.","AnswerDate":"2015-09-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-09-30T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306575,"EventID":"S4O-04641","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":4964,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":119,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-23T14:39:07.367","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-22T15:16:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the progress of the Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-09-30T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306576,"EventID":"S4O-04652","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":5034,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-23T14:39:07.993","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-21T12:03:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether the V&A project in Dundee will be audited by Audit Scotland.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-09-30T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306577,"EventID":"S4O-04665","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":5038,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-23T14:39:08.393","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-22T11:02:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the impact would be on employment trends in Scotland of more people being paid at least the living wage.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has long championed payment of the living wage. There are now over 330 Scots-based Living Wage Accredited Employers and workers across Scotland are benefitting from the substantial progress we are making.\r\nIn May 2015 we published a report on payment of the living wage in Scotland, which provided insights into a number of employment trends. It cited evidence from interviews with employers who highlighted improved productivity and an enhanced company reputation as key benefits of organisations implementing the living wage. And it suggested that increased productivity is also likely to outweigh the higher wage for many firms with increased pay creating a ‘feel good factor’ in the workplace.\r\nI am looking forward to discussing these benefits with employers at tomorrow’s Living Wage Expo, when I am sure I will hear many success stories from organisations across all areas of Scotland who are reaping the benefits of paying the living wage.","AnswerDate":"2015-10-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-10-01T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"Roseanna Cunningham","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306578,"EventID":"S4O-04647","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":5041,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-23T14:39:08.767","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-21T12:03:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what assurances it can provide to residents in East Falkirk and West Lothian that affected communities will be fully consulted on any further proposals for an additional flight path at Edinburgh Airport before any decisions are taken.","AnswerText":"As the Minister for Transport and Islands explained in the recent ‘Edinburgh Airport Flight Path Trial’ Member’s debate, the Scottish Government has no decision-making role in this issue which is reserved to the UK Government. Such a role is a matter for the Civil Aviation Authority. However, we would expect that Edinburgh Airport and the Civil Aviation Authority will engage fully with stakeholders and communities as they consider the next steps in the process. As Members may know, following the intervention of the Minister for Transport and Islands, Edinburgh Airport announced on 16 September 2015 that the current trial will end in October 2015, rather than December 2015 as originally planned. This was a helpful response to the concerns expressed by a number of members and we would encourage the airport to act in a similarly constructive way when conducting its future consultations with the local community.","AnswerDate":"2015-09-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-09-30T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306579,"EventID":"S4O-04654","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":5042,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-23T14:39:09.123","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-21T12:03:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it last met representatives of the European Commission.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government regularly meets with representatives of the European Commission. For example, Deputy First Minister John Swinney was in Brussels on Monday 21 September 2015 where he met with Commissioners Pierre Moscovici and Jonathan Hill and discussed key elements of Scotland’s Economic Strategy and EU policy.","AnswerDate":"2015-09-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-09-30T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306580,"EventID":"S4O-04643","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":5060,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-23T14:39:09.493","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-21T12:03:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it plans to improve public transport links in the West Scotland region.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-09-30T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306581,"EventID":"S4O-04639","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":5074,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":104,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-23T14:39:09.947","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-21T12:03:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to encourage rail freight transport.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-09-30T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306582,"EventID":"S4W-27629","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-23T16:48:13.78","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-22T19:54:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what increase in the number of civil servants there has been in (a) the total devolved civil service and (b) its core directorates, in what sections and at what cost, in each year since 2007.","AnswerText":"Normally, the Office for National Statistics’ Quarterly Public Sector Employment Survey series (QPSES) is used to provide numbers on public sector staffing in Scotland and those working for the Scottish Government. However, given the question covers both staff number and costs, the Scottish Government annual consolidated accounts provide a more complete source of information1.\r\nNote 2 of the Scottish Government’s consolidated accounts contains information on whole time equivalent staffing numbers and costs by ministerial portfolio. Providing data by ministerial portfolio makes comparison over time more reliable. Organisational structures are flexible and change year on year which undermines comparison at a directorate level.\r\nAccounts for each year since 2007-08 are available on the Scottish Government website via the links below:\r\n2014-15 http://www.gov.scot/Publications/2015/10/3786\r\n2013-14 http://www.gov.scot/Publications/2014/10/7433/19\r\n2012-13 http://www.gov.scot/Publications/2013/09/2320\r\n2011-12 http://www.gov.scot/Publications/2012/09/1505\r\n2010-11 http://www.gov.scot/Publications/2011/09/29132216/24\r\n2009-10 http://www.gov.scot/Publications/2010/09/27130425/23\r\n2008-09 http://www.gov.scot/Publications/2009/10/01085501/0\r\n2007-08 http://www.gov.scot/Publications/2008/09/29130020/18\r\n2006-07 http://www.gov.scot/Publications/2007/10/30102402/33\r\nNote:\r\n1. The annual accounts give an average over the year, whereas QPSES provides a snapshot of employee numbers. The annual accounts include all staff, whereas QPSES only includes directly employed staff.","AnswerDate":"2015-10-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-10-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306583,"EventID":"S4W-27630","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-23T16:48:14.96","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-22T19:54:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-27233 by Fergus Ewing on 22 September 2015, what its direct annual spend on tourism has been in each year since 2007-08.","AnswerText":"Direct annual expenditure on tourism since 2007-08, by VisitScotland (VS), Scottish Enterprise (SE) and Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) is shown in the following tables:\r\nVS Annual Expenditure\r\n2007-08\r\n2008-09\r\n2009-10\r\n2010-11\r\n2011-12\r\n2012-13\r\n2013-14\r\n2014-15\r\n£ million\r\n£ million\r\n£ million\r\n£ million\r\n£ million\r\n£ million\r\n£ million\r\n£ million\r\n69.4\r\n67.9\r\n66.0\r\n62.8\r\n58.3\r\n62.2\r\n59.8\r\n62.6\r\nNotes:\r\n(1) Data from annual accounts except for 2014-15, which is anticipated spend from the three year corporate plan revised in 2015. The 2014-15 annual report and accounts is yet to be released.\r\n(2) Above figures exclude ring-fenced DEL (non-cash) and Annually Managed Expenditure (AME).\r\nSE Annual Expenditure on Tourism\r\n2009-10\r\n2010-11\r\n2011-12\r\n2012-13\r\n2013-14\r\n2014-15\r\n£ million\r\n£ million\r\n£ million\r\n£ million\r\n£ million\r\n£ million\r\n20.0\r\n12.9\r\n4.5\r\n5.1\r\n4.7\r\n4.0\r\nNotes:\r\n(1) All data from annual accounts.\r\n(2) Complete figures for 2007-08 and 2008-09 are unavailable as SE’s systems did not have full industry tagging available in those years.\r\n(3) Expenditure on tourism from 2009-10 until 2012-13 included investments made towards the Queens Dock project: £12 million in 2009-10, £7 million in 2010-11, and £1 million in 2012-13.\r\n(4) Above figures exclude ring-fenced DEL (non-cash) and AME.\r\nHIE Annual Expenditure on Tourism\r\n2007-08\r\n2008-09\r\n2009-10\r\n2010-11\r\n2011-12\r\n2012-13\r\n2013-14\r\n2014-15\r\n£ million\r\n£ million\r\n£ million\r\n£ million\r\n£ million\r\n£ million\r\n£ million\r\n£ million\r\n2.5\r\n4.6\r\n5.4\r\n6.8\r\n5.5\r\n5.9\r\n6.4\r\n7.2\r\nNotes:\r\n(1) Data from annual accounts except for 2014-15, which is estimated. The 2014-15 annual report and accounts is yet to be published.\r\n(2) Above figures exclude ring-fenced DEL (non-cash) and AME.\r\nIn addition to the above it should be noted that, other Scottish Government policy areas also provide funding and support, which supports tourism in Scotland.","AnswerDate":"2015-10-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-10-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306584,"EventID":"S4W-27652","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2029,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":145,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-23T16:48:15.95","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-23T14:28:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the forthcoming devolution of some tax powers, where income tax will be collected for a person who is in receipt of a (a) Scottish public sector pension but is resident elsewhere in the UK and (b) rest of the UK public sector pension but is resident in Scotland.","AnswerText":"The Scotland Act 2012 defines who will be a Scottish taxpayer for the purposes of the Scottish rate of income tax which is being introduced in April 2016. The definition of a Scottish taxpayer is focused on where an individual lives, or resides, in the course of a tax year and not where they work or the source of their pension.\r\nHMRC has published detailed draft technical guidance on Scottish taxpayer status which can be found at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/scottish-rate-of-income-tax-technical-guidance-on-scottish-taxpayer-status/scottish-rate-of-income-tax-technical-guidance-on-scottish-taxpayer-status. Final guidance is due to be published shortly.","AnswerDate":"2015-10-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-10-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306585,"EventID":"S4W-27653","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2029,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":145,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-23T16:48:16.54","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-23T14:28:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4T-01109 by Michael Matheson on 22 September 2015 (Official Report c. 3), in light of the cabinet secretary's comment that he has \"no idea\" whether Police Scotland or any predecessor force monitored the activities of political activists, trade unionists and environmental campaigners, whether it has asked Police Scotland for this information, and what the reasons are for its position on this matter.","AnswerText":"The authorisation of police surveillance is an operational matter for the Police Service of Scotland. Scottish ministers have no role. Surveillance activity is overseen by the independent, judicially-led Office of Surveillance Commissioners (OSC). The OSC carries out regular inspections of the relevant public authorities and makes annual reports which are laid in the Parliaments at Holyrood and Westminster.","AnswerDate":"2015-10-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-10-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306586,"EventID":"S4W-27654","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2394,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-23T16:48:17.06","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-23T15:07:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the timetable is for announcing a decision on the future of beavers in Scotland.","AnswerText":"A decision on the future of beavers in Scotland will be announced in due course. Ministers are carefully considering the Scottish Natural Heritage report Beavers in Scotland and meeting stakeholders to hear their views.","AnswerDate":"2015-10-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-10-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen McLeod","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306587,"EventID":"S4W-27655","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2394,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-23T16:48:17.83","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-23T15:08:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether the decision on the permanent reintroduction of beavers will be (a) a decision in principle to retain or remove, followed by a further period of time to establish the necessary legal and practical detail to deliver this or (b) a fully considered legal and funded proposal that is ready to be implemented right away.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Natural Heritage report Beavers in Scotland sets out four possible scenarios for the future of beavers in Scotland. Any decision is likely to be based on these options. Furthermore, any announcement would need to provide information on how the preferred scenario would be achieved and what management framework would be envisaged.","AnswerDate":"2015-10-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-10-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen McLeod","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306588,"EventID":"S4W-27658","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2595,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-23T16:48:18.53","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-23T15:30:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what percentage of people completing the Youth Employment Scotland Fund are still in employment.","AnswerText":"Following the launch of the Youth Employment Scotland Fund (YESF) in June 2013, the Scottish Government has now allocated the 10,000 employer recruitment placements to local authorities.\r\nWe have recently awarded the contract for an evaluation of the programme and this will include details of the positive outcomes of YESF. It is envisaged that the evaluation will be completed by the end of 2015.","AnswerDate":"2015-10-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-10-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Annabelle Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306589,"EventID":"S4W-27659","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2595,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-23T16:48:19.25","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-23T15:30:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many places it planned for the first year of the Youth Employment Scotland Fund.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government launched the Youth Employment Scotland Fund in June 2013 and through agreement with the Scottish Local Authority Economic Development and COSLA made a commitment to support 10,000 job opportunities for young people. The number of places supported in year one was dependent on the progress made by local authorities towards this target.","AnswerDate":"2015-10-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-10-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Annabelle Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306590,"EventID":"S4W-27660","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2595,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-23T16:48:19.78","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-23T15:30:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many places were delivered by the Youth Employment Scotland Fund in (a) 2013-14, (b) 2014-15 and (c) 2015-16.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has allocated the 10,000 employer recruitment placements to local authorities. The final figure for delivered places in each year will not be finalised until audit and compliance procedures have been completed.","AnswerDate":"2015-10-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-10-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Annabelle Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306591,"EventID":"S4W-27661","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2595,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-23T16:48:20.37","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-23T15:30:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the cost was of the Youth Employment Scotland Fund in (a) 2013-14, (b) 2014-15 and (c) 2015-16.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government made a commitment to create a package of support up to £25 million, based on Scottish Government funding of £15 million matched by £10 million from the European Social Fund, to support 10,000 job opportunities, through the Youth Employment Scotland Fund (YESF). \r\nAny underspend associated with the £15 million Scottish Government budget in years 2013-14 and 2014-15 was fully carried forward to be applied to YESF and merely reflected timing differentials associated with take-up of the 10,000 places.\r\nThe final costs for each year will not be known until audit and compliance procedures have been completed.","AnswerDate":"2015-10-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-10-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Annabelle Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306592,"EventID":"S4W-27662","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2595,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-23T16:48:21.01","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-23T15:30:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many people completing a placement funded by the Youth Employment Scotland Fund were in employment (a) six months and (b) one year after completing the scheme.","AnswerText":"We have recently awarded the contract for an evaluation of the programme and it is envisaged that the evaluation will include details of the positive outcomes of Youth Employment Scotland Fund. It is envisaged that the evaluation will be completed by end of 2015.","AnswerDate":"2015-10-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-10-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Annabelle Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306593,"EventID":"S4W-27666","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-23T16:48:21.61","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-23T16:21:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much of the £146 million superfast broadband budget it has spent on upgrading broadband in Orkney.","AnswerText":"The Highlands and Islands Digital Scotland Superfast Broadband contract is geared towards maximising coverage across the region, rather than having specific amounts allocated to each local authority area. Therefore there is no budget allocation for Orkney and the budget is not broken down by local authority area.\r\nBy the end of September 2015, Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) will have paid £65 million of the project’s total £146 million budget, which can be broken down to £49.7 million on backhaul and £15.3 million on access. These figures take account of the £29.6 million spend on subsea cabling which includes the cable to Westray.\r\nThe project will reach at least 84% of premises in the HIE region by the end of 2016. This includes at least 75% of premises in Orkney. Without the intervention of the project, only 21% of premises in the HIE region would have been covered by the commercial market, with no planned commercial coverage at all in Orkney.","AnswerDate":"2015-10-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-10-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306601,"EventID":"S4W-27642","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2108,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":141,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-24T14:14:15.077","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-23T12:45:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it is aware of findings from a number of press investigations that sunbed operators are continuing to allow children to use their salons.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is aware of claims that some sunbed operators allow children to use their salons. Responsibility for enforcing the provisions of the Public Health etc. (Scotland) Act 2008 (Sunbed) Regulation 2009 lies with local authorities. The legislation prohibits the use of sunbeds by children, and any operators who are found to have committed an offence under this legislation can be issued with a fixed penalty notice by the local authority and could face further prosecution.","AnswerDate":"2015-10-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-10-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306602,"EventID":"S4W-27643","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2108,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":141,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-24T14:14:16.543","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-23T12:45:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it has carried out an assessment of the impact of the Public Health etc. (Scotland) Act 2008 (Sunbed) Regulations 2009 on the use of sunbeds.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government commissioned Health Protection Scotland to undertake a survey in 2011 to review effectiveness of the regulations. The survey captured the views of both local authority regulators and of a sample of sunbed premises operators.\r\nThe majority of regulator respondents reported that the legislation had proven to be effective, in particular the provisions which require proof of age and the prohibition of use by under-18s. In addition, it found that environmental health teams in local authorities were proactive in monitoring sunbed premises and also concluded that the majority of enforcing authorities had not determined formal enforcement to be necessary in ensuring compliance.","AnswerDate":"2015-10-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-10-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306603,"EventID":"S4W-27644","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2108,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":141,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-24T14:14:17.557","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-23T12:45:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to (a) raise awareness of the dangers of skin cancer and (b) discourage tanning, especially among young people.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government publishes advice for the public on sun safety and the use of sunbeds on the NHS Inform website. The advice stresses that over-exposure to ultraviolet radiation from the sun or sunbeds increases the risks of malignant melanoma and notes that this is the sixth most common cancer in Scotland. The advice also highlights the advice of the British Association of Dermatologists that people should not use sunbeds or sunlamps.\r\nWe also work with various organisations and charities to raise awareness on the risks of unsafe tanning, focussing on helping to protect those who are most vulnerable, the young and impressionable, and leaving others in no doubt as to the health risks involved.","AnswerDate":"2015-10-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-10-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306604,"EventID":"S4W-27645","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2108,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":141,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-24T14:14:18.477","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-23T12:45:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether the incidence of skin cancer in Scotland is continuing to rise.","AnswerText":"Information on the number of new cases and incidence rate of malignant melanoma of the skin and non-melanoma skin cancer by year of diagnosis is published on the Information Services Division Scotland website under the cancer statistics topic area via the following link: https://isdscotland.scot.nhs.uk/Health-Topics/Cancer/Publications/2015-04-28/i_cancer_skin.xls.","AnswerDate":"2015-10-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-10-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306605,"EventID":"S4W-27646","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2108,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":141,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-24T14:14:20.66","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-23T12:45:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to review the effectiveness of its health prevention messages on skin cancer.","AnswerText":"Our advice on the dangers of ultraviolet (UV) sun exposure and use of sunbeds is continually under review. We also work with charities and other organisations to identify further opportunities, where possible, to promote these key health prevention messages and to work to change attitudes amongst young people to the use of sunbeds and raise awareness of the dangers of UV radiation.","AnswerDate":"2015-10-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-10-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306606,"EventID":"S4W-27647","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2108,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":141,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-24T14:14:22.673","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-23T12:56:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the outcome was of the Scottish onshore wind sector emergency summit in Glasgow on 9 July 2015 to discuss the impact of the UK Government’s decision to end the Renewable Obligation scheme early, in April 2016, and what action the Scottish Government (a) has taken and (b) plans to take following the ending of the scheme.","AnswerText":"The onshore wind summit held on 9 July 2015 was attended by over 200 representatives from the onshore wind sector and provided an opportunity to hear first-hand the many concerns and impacts the UK Government proposals will have on businesses and communities in Scotland. Feedback from the summit highlighted a number of important actions which the UK Government should take. These included providing developers and investors with the necessary certainty ahead of the Energy Bill receiving Royal Assent and a Renewables Obligation grace period extending to community owned projects and projects in planning. I have raised matters these directly with the Secretary of State. \r\nThe Scottish Government will continue to press the UK Government to provide the required clarity on the long-term policy for the renewables sector to ensure investment in renewable energy projects, including onshore wind, can continue. This includes resolving uncertainty caused by proposals to close the Renewables Obligation early, clarity on Contracts for Difference and market signals beyond 2020.","AnswerDate":"2015-10-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-10-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306607,"EventID":"S4W-27648","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2108,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":141,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-24T14:14:26.807","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-23T12:56:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much it has budgeted for support for the onshore wind energy sector in (a) 2015-16 and (b) 2016-17.","AnswerText":"Expenditure on policies to support renewables, including onshore wind, is paid for through UK consumers’ energy bills and governed by the Levy Control Framework cap set by HM Treasury. The Scottish Government does not have any budget that would enable us to pay additional support for reserved matters.","AnswerDate":"2015-10-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-10-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306608,"EventID":"S4W-27649","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2108,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":141,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-24T14:14:28.587","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-23T12:56:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the First Minister's statement at Glenboig Community Centre on 14 September 2015, what the annual cost is of the Warmer Homes Scotland scheme; how it calculated the \"over half a billion pounds\" that it has allocated since 2009 \"to make Scotland's homes more energy efficient\"; whether it will provide a breakdown of this figure by programme for each year since 2009; whether it will provide a breakdown by (a) local authority and (b) year of the \"700,000 households\" whose fuel bills have been reduced as a result, and what the average cash saving has been by household.","AnswerText":"HEEPS: Warmer Homes Scotland\r\nWarmer Homes Scotland has a contract value of £16-32 million per year with the Scottish Government committed to making at least £16 million available per year. The contract is for five years with the potential to extend to seven years.\r\nSpend on Fuel Poverty since 2009\r\nThe following table sets out Scottish Government domestic fuel poverty budgets since 2009. These figures relate to the Scottish Government’s fuel poverty budget line and cover spend against those lines in the financial year. They may not match spend figures in the Home Energy Scotland Outcomes Reports which tie annual budgets to work done and can give a more accurate picture of the outcomes delivered in a given year, but which may have been supported by funding from different financial years.\r\nDomestic Fuel Poverty Budgets By Programmes (£ million)\r\nYear\r\n09-10\r\n10-11\r\n11-12\r\n12-13\r\n13-14\r\n14-15\r\n15-161\r\nTotal \r\n(£ million)\r\nSocial Sector Stage 3\r\n5\r\n3.7\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nCentral Heating Programme\r\n14.8\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nEnergy Assistance Package: Stage 42\r\n31.1\r\n44.4\r\n39.3\r\n33.1\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nUniversal Home Insulation Scheme\r\n\r\n9.8\r\n13.3\r\n23.2\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nHome Insulation Scheme\r\n15\r\n9.5\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nBoiler Scrappage Scheme\r\n\r\n1.1\r\n5.4\r\n9\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nNational Retrofit Programme Pathfinders\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n1.9\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nHEEPS: Area Based Schemes\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n56.6\r\n59.9\r\n65\r\n\r\nHEEPS: Energy Assistance Scheme\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n11.83\r\n16\r\n16\r\n\r\nHEEPS: Cashback4\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n14.9\r\n15.1\r\n\r\nHEEPS: Loans\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n14\r\n\r\nAdvice and Support5\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n3\r\n3\r\n9\r\n\r\nTotal\r\n66.3\r\n68.5\r\n58\r\n67.2\r\n71.4\r\n93.8\r\n119.1\r\n544.3\r\nBreakdown of households assisted\r\nIt is not possible to deliver a breakdown of all households assisted by local authority and year. Many of these households received assistance through energy company obligation schemes such as the Carbon Emissions Reduction Target (CERT) and Community Energy Savings Programme (CESP), which were administered by Ofgem. Figures provided by Ofgem indicate that 545,000 dwellings in Scotland received either loft or cavity wall insulation (or both) through CERT6. Ofgem figures also indicate that 23,388 dwellings in Scotland received measures via CESP7. Energy company activity in Scotland was augmented by Scottish Government programmes, with funding designed to attract as much investment north of the border as possible.\r\nAnalysis of Scottish Government programmes since 2009 is available by local authority and year and is published on the Energy Saving Trust’s (EST) website here. These figures demonstrate that over 230,000 households received energy efficiency measures through our schemes since 2009. Cumulatively, therefore, since 2008, when CERT and CESP were introduced, over 700,000 thousand households in Scotland have received assistance to improve the energy efficiency of their home.\r\nIt is likewise not possible to determine the average cash saving per household as some were assisted through CERT or CESP. We can estimate however that, as a result of measures installed through Scottish Government programmes since 2009, there has been a net gain in household incomes of almost £1.3 billion over the lifetime of the measures installed. This equates to an average saving of £5,529 per household over the lifetime of the measure.\r\nNotes:\r\n1. Figures for 2015-16 are based on budgets rather than outturn.\r\n2. The Energy Assistance Scheme was replaced by Warmer Homes Scotland on 1 September 2015.\r\n3. The final outturn for this year does not reflect the substantial accrual from the Energy Assistance Package which resulted in a total spend of nearly £30 million.\r\n4. HEEPS Cashback was previously Green Homes Cashback and transferred to the fuel poverty budget from the Heat and Energy Efficiency budget in September 2014.\r\n5. The increase in this budget in 2015/16 reflects the transfer of responsibility between directorates within Scottish Government who had previously jointly funded this.\r\n6. http://researchbriefings.files.parliament.uk/documents/SN06196/SN06","AnswerDate":"2015-10-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-10-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Burgess","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306609,"EventID":"S4W-27650","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2108,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":141,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-24T14:14:30.567","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-23T13:03:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what information it has on how much it would cost to pay the living wage throughout the care sector in Scotland.","AnswerText":"We have met with COSLA and other stakeholders and are currently undertaking analysis to better understand the cost implications of making progress towards the living wage in the social care sector.","AnswerDate":"2015-10-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-10-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306610,"EventID":"S4W-27651","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2108,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":141,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-24T14:14:31.643","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-23T13:03:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it has acted on the recommendation of the Task Force for the Future of Residential Care in Scotland to carry out financial modelling of the costs of paying the living wage throughout the care sector.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government accepts the main recommendations of the Task Force for the Future of Residential Care in Scotland report in principle and has been working with COSLA and the other stakeholders on implementing many of those recommendations.\r\nWe are committed to improving the quality of care in Scotland and believe that attracting the right people and raising the status and public image of social care as a profession is key to delivering this.\r\nWe have met with COSLA and other stakeholders and are currently undertaking analysis to better understand the costs of making progress towards the living wage in the social care sector.","AnswerDate":"2015-10-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-10-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306611,"EventID":"S4W-27656","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-24T14:14:32.593","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-23T15:25:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many people were employed each year through its Youth Employment Scotland Fund, and what information it has regarding how many were paid at a rate lower than that year’s (a) national minimum and (b) living wage.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has allocated the 10,000 employer recruitment placements to local authorities. The final figure for delivered places in each year will not be known until audit and compliance procedures have been completed.\r\nThe programme was set up to support employers at the national minimum wage, through agreement with Scottish Local Authority Economic Development and COLSA. Local authorities and employers could, however, optionally supplement this, including paying the living wage.","AnswerDate":"2015-10-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-10-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Annabelle Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306612,"EventID":"S4W-27663","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2595,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-24T14:14:33.577","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-23T16:08:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what analysis it has carried out regarding what the potential financial impact could be on higher education institutions of an Office for National Statistics' reclassification of Scotland's universities, and whether it will publish this.","AnswerText":"An analysis of the risk of such a re-classification, linked to implementation of the provisions in the Higher Education Governance (Scotland) Bill, has been undertaken. This focused on examination of each provision against what the European System of Accounts guidance from 2010 sets out as indicators of government control. This guidance is referred to by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) in making classification determinations. It is the view of the Scottish Government that the content of the Bill is compliant with the indicators of control.\r\nTherefore, the Scottish Government has not conducted specific analysis of what the theoretical financial impact could be on Scottish higher education institutions of an ONS re-classification of our institutions as public bodies.","AnswerDate":"2015-10-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-10-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306613,"EventID":"S4W-27664","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2595,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-24T14:14:34.607","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-23T16:08:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what analysis it has carried out regarding how the Higher Education Governance (Scotland) Bill could impact on the possibility of an Office for National Statistics' reclassification of Scotland's universities, and whether it will publish this.","AnswerText":"Analysis of the risk of such a re-classification, linked to implementation of the provisions in the Higher Education Governance (Scotland) Bill, has been undertaken. This focused on examination of each provision against what the European System of Accounts guidance (2010) sets out as being ‘indicators of government control’. This guidance is referred to by the Office for National Statistics in making classification determinations. It is the view of the Scottish Government that the content of the Bill is compliant with the indicators of control.\r\nI know that the Member made a request during the Finance Committee Session on 16 September 2015 about this Bill, asking to see some of the Scottish Government’s analysis. That request was noted at the time, and I subsequently wrote to the Convenor of the Finance Committee on the matter on 5 October 2015.","AnswerDate":"2015-10-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-10-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306614,"EventID":"S4W-27667","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2610,"Party":"Independent","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-24T14:14:35.463","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-23T16:30:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-27546 by Roseanna Cunningham on 23 September 2015, whether it will provide a breakdown of how the £104 million will be allocated.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-23791 on 20 January 2015. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-10-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-10-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306615,"EventID":"S4W-27668","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-24T14:14:36.197","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-23T16:39:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what assistance it is giving to remote communities in Orkney to ensure that they have access to improved mobile network coverage and fibre broadband.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government and our partners are investing £146 million through the Digital Scotland Superfast Broadband (DSSB) programme which is extending fibre broadband infrastructure into non-commercial areas. Substantial progress has been made in Orkney, including the laying of subsea cabling to connect the islands. The project will see fibre broadband coverage extended to 75% of premises in Orkney. No commercial roll out was planned.\r\nCommunity Broadband Scotland is actively engaged with a number of community groups in Orkney with a view to developing and delivering an aggregated broadband solution to areas ultimately outwith the scope of DSSB. Local scoping work is underway with expectations that an aggregated project should progress during early 2016. The Scottish Government is also supporting a trial of TV Whitespace technology in Orkney, through our Demonstrating Digital programme.\r\nImproving mobile coverage in Scotland is an integral part of the Scottish Government’s world class digital ambitions. We are collaborating with industry to improve mobile coverage across Scotland. An example of this is our pilot project on the Isle of Coll, a partnership with Vodafone which has extended 3G and 4G services to the island utilising a community-owned mast. We are currently working with industry and local stakeholders, including the Our Islands Our Future group, to determine whether this model could be used to extend coverage to other island communities in future.","AnswerDate":"2015-10-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-10-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306616,"EventID":"S4W-27669","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-24T14:14:37.197","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-23T16:39:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what progress it has made on securing alternative technology that will supply broadband to the projected 16% of Highlands and Islands premises not covered in the Digital Scotland Superfast Broadband programme.","AnswerText":"Community Broadband Scotland is supporting a range of communities across the Highlands and Islands to develop broadband schemes using alternative technologies, notably fixed wireless solutions. The Scottish Government is also supporting a trial of TV Whitespace technology on Orkney, which could be used to deliver broadband in future. \r\nNew technologies can also be incorporated into delivery of the Digital Scotland Superfast Broadband (DSSB) programme. BT is currently trialling wireless to the cabinet and fibre to the remote node technologies which could potentially be used to extend the reach of the DSSB programme in future.","AnswerDate":"2015-10-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-10-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306617,"EventID":"S4W-27670","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-24T14:14:38.32","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-23T16:40:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what broadband speeds remote island communities can expect on completion of the superfast broadband rollout in 2020.","AnswerText":"The Digital Scotland Superfast Broadband programme will have a transformational impact in remote island communities, extending fibre broadband access to at least 75% of premises in Orkney, 77% in Shetland and 70% in the Western Isles. No commercial coverage was planned in these areas. The vast majority of premises will receive speeds in excess of 24 megabits per second. ","AnswerDate":"2015-10-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-10-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306618,"EventID":"S4W-27671","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-24T14:14:39.223","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-23T16:41:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much of the £146 million superfast broadband budget it has spent on remote communities that are experiencing no internet connection.","AnswerText":"The aim of the Digital Scotland Superfast Broadband (DSSB) programme is to extend fibre broadband infrastructure as widely as possible across the Highlands and Islands. As the core network grows, and backhaul becomes more readily available, it will become easier to provide alternative solutions to remote communities that will not directly benefit from DSSB roll-out.\r\nCommunity Broadband Scotland is working with a number of these communities to help them design and implement robust, sustainable broadband solutions.","AnswerDate":"2015-10-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-10-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306619,"EventID":"S4W-27672","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-24T14:14:40.143","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-23T16:41:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much of the £146 million superfast broadband budget it has spent on upgrading broadband in Orkney.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-10-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306620,"EventID":"S4W-27673","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5079,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-24T14:14:41.173","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-24T09:39:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether the conclusions of the National Marine Plan Habitats Regulations Appraisal (HRA) is dependent on a completed sectoral marine plan and its own associated HRA.","AnswerText":"The National Marine Plan sets a framework for sustainable development and use of the marine environment. The Habitats Regulation Appraisal of the National Marine Plan has been undertaken following the guidance on HRA produced by Scottish Natural Heritage, and has indicated that the objectives and policies of the plan are general in nature, in that they do not direct project level development and/or use to a specific location. Therefore it is not possible to identify where development and/or use may be located or where effects may occur or which Natura sites may be affected. In accordance with the guidance, such policies are considered not likely to have a significant effect on a European site. Policies which refer to the sectoral plan process are included in the National Marine Plan HRA. Sectoral plans set more detailed policies relating to specific sectors and these are subject to their own HRA process. Any specific proposal for development would also be subject to licensing and consenting processes including HRA.","AnswerDate":"2015-10-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-10-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Richard Lochhead","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306621,"EventID":"S4W-27674","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5079,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-24T14:14:41.953","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-24T09:39:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the reason is for delay in the consultation on 14 marine special protection areas; what impact this will have on the UK meeting its requirement under the OSPAR Convention to establish an ecologically coherent and well-managed network of marine protected areas across the North-east Atlantic by 2016, and when the consultation will take place.","AnswerText":"Pre-consultation discussions have taken place with a broad range of stakeholders. This has resulted in some scientific issues being identified. Marine Scotland is now working with Scottish Natural Heritage and the Joint Nature Conservation Committee to resolve these issues. Once that process is completed the timing of the public consultation will be determined. There is currently no impact on our commitment to deliver a well-managed marine protected area network in Scotland’s seas by the end of 2016.","AnswerDate":"2015-10-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-10-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Richard Lochhead","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306622,"EventID":"S4W-27677","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5079,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-24T14:14:42.673","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-24T09:39:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the timeline is for finalising the sectoral marine plans and their habitats regulations appraisal under the National Marine Plan.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government intends to finalise the Sectoral Marine Plans, the related post-adoption statement, and appropriate assessment during winter 2015-16.","AnswerDate":"2015-10-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-10-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Richard Lochhead","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306623,"EventID":"S4W-27681","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4934,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-24T14:14:43.513","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-24T12:24:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on land classified by the Coal Authority as a high risk development area being identified by a local authority as a preferred option for housing development under a local development plan.","AnswerText":"Planning authorities would need to be confident that the land can be brought forward for development within the plan period, taking account of the Scottish Government’s advice on effective land supply in Planning Advice Note 2/2010. Subsequent development management and Coal Authority procedures provide the necessary safeguards to ensure that all legacy mining issues are properly assessed so that future problems will not occur.","AnswerDate":"2015-10-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-10-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306624,"EventID":"S4W-27682","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4934,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-24T14:14:44.09","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-24T12:24:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on the Coal Authority requiring near-surface coal reserves to be removed through opencast mining from land identified by a local authority as a preferred option for housing development under a local development plan, prior to development being undertaken.","AnswerText":"Scottish Planning Policy states:\r\n“Local development plans should identify areas of search where surface coal extraction is most likely to be acceptable during the plan period and set out the preferred programme for the development of other safeguarded areas beyond the plan period, with particular emphasis on protecting local communities from significant cumulative impacts. Where possible, plans should secure extraction prior to permanent development above workable coal reserves.”\r\nThe Coal Authority’s position is not an absolute requirement and is a matter for consultation between the Coal Authority and the planning authority.","AnswerDate":"2015-10-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-10-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306644,"EventID":"S4W-27685","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":2,"MSPID":3771,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-24T15:03:53.013","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-24T14:59:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much funding it is providing to NHS to meet increased demand due to the winter.","AnswerText":"We are investing over £10.7 million of additional funding this year (2015-16) to support NHS boards manage winter pressures. This funding will be used to help boards improve weekend discharge, increase staffing over the festive period, provide more patient transport and improve outpatient performance.\r\nThis is on top of £44 million of funding, linked to winter resilience, that has already been allocated to NHS boards this year which includes:\r\nOver £30 million for 2015-16 from the £100 million investment over three years to tackle delays in patients being discharged from hospital;\r\n£9 million from the £50 million Unscheduled Care Fund which NHS boards are using to implement the six essential actions for A&E this winter;\r\n£5 million from the performance fund to support NHS Greater and Clyde to manage resilience and capacity over the first winter following the opening of the new Queen Elizabeth University Hospital and other linked acute service changes.\r\nIn addition to the Scottish Government’s investment, NHS boards will also be allocating funding from their own budgets to support winter resilience.","AnswerDate":"2015-09-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-10-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306645,"EventID":"S4W-27678","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-24T16:47:09.21","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-24T11:25:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many people have been subject to a (a) summary conviction and (b) imprisonment for an offence under the legislation and guidance introduced to control the spread of giant hogweed in each year since 2009.","AnswerText":"The Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 (amended most recently by the Wildlife and Natural Environment (Scotland) Act 2011) is the principal piece of legislation that deals with the issue of non-native species. It prohibits the planting or causing to grow of non-native plants in the wild. There have been no prosecutions over the last ten years for these offences or for the release and planting offences that pre-dated them.","AnswerDate":"2015-10-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-10-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen McLeod","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306646,"EventID":"S4W-27679","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-24T16:47:10.1","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-24T11:26:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many offences regarding (a) the planting and growing of weeds, (b) giant hogweed and (c) Japanese knotweed have been recorded in each year since 2009.","AnswerText":"Information on offences relating to the planting and growing of weeds, giant hogweed or Japanese knotweed is not held centrally at this level of detail.","AnswerDate":"2015-10-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-10-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen McLeod","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306647,"EventID":"S4W-27680","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-24T16:47:10.973","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-24T11:27:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many landowners have failed to comply with a formal notice issued under its Weeds Guidance in each year since 2009.","AnswerText":"Since 2009 one tenant, but no landowners, has failed to comply with a notice issued using the powers set out in the Weeds Act 1959.","AnswerDate":"2015-10-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-10-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen McLeod","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306648,"EventID":"S4W-27683","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-24T16:47:11.643","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-24T14:37:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether the Scottish Qualifications Agency will meet its target of achieving self-financing status by 2015-16 and what the reasons are for its position on this matter.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) has an objective in its 2015-18 corporate plan, agreed with ministers, to “continue to pursue a business model that would enable SQA to achieve self-financed status, and invest in and improve the Education and Skills system”, although this is not related to a specific date.\r\nThe SQA’s income is largely derived from charges levied on customers, the majority of whom are publicly funded organisations (local authorities and colleges). Because of the nature of its work, SQA is also able to generate other income through the provision of services outside Scotland. Currently, SQA’s total income does not fully cover its costs and the remaining funding requirement is met through Scottish Government grant.\r\nWhile it is important for the SQA to minimise the funding requirement it places on the public purse, ministers recognise that the SQA must primarily ensure the safe and stable delivery of its statutory functions. These include the successful development and implementation of new national qualifications and the continued provision of qualifications to support learners in colleges and training providers. Progress towards self-financing will therefore be achieved at a pace consistent with this approach.","AnswerDate":"2015-10-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-10-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alasdair Allan","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306649,"EventID":"S4W-27699","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-24T16:47:12.44","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-24T15:12:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on the finding in the Mental Commission for Scotland report, Young Person Monitoring 2014/15, that the number of young people admitted to adult psychiatric wards increased from 149 in 2008-09 to 207 in 2014-15. ","AnswerText":"Children and young people referred to Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) will generally be treated in the community. There may be times when it is necessary to admit them to hospital for specialist treatment. Should this be the case they would be admitted to one of the three regional CAMHS inpatient units. There are however occasions when a young person is admitted to an adult ward. This may happen for example when it may be clinically judged to be more appropriate to admit that young person to an adult ward or the young person and their family have a preference for an admission to a local adult ward. Most of these admissions will be young people aged 16 or 17.\r\nThe Mental Welfare Commission news release noted about the increase in admissions of young people to adult wards that:\r\nThe number of admissions of young people under 18 in Scotland with mental ill health to non-specialist – mainly adult – wards increased slightly last year, from 202 to 207.\r\nDue to repeat admissions, the number of young people involved in those admissions reduced slightly, from 179 to 175.","AnswerDate":"2015-10-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-10-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306650,"EventID":"S4W-27700","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-24T16:47:13.11","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-24T15:11:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government for what reason there is no inpatient bed provision north of Dundee for children with mental health problems. ","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government provided funding to allow the North of Scotland region to increase the number of beds available at Dudhope House, Dundee, for children and young people with mental health problems, from the six beds to twelve beds, which has increased the national bed base from 42 to 48, and improved the quality of the estate.\r\nThe new unit provides a 12 bed inpatient unit, including family accommodation for parents/carers. It provides specialist care for young people across the north of Scotland. All bedrooms have en-suite bathrooms and there is a private outdoor space, educational facility and a gym.\r\nThe new unit is a partnership between NHS Tayside, NHS Grampian, NHS Highland, NHS Orkney and NHS Shetland, who have come together to form the North of Scotland regional child and adolescent mental health service project by working together the five boards have developed a specialist network for young people with mental health problems.\r\nWhen it was decided that there was a need to increase the provision of inpatient beds, an extensive consultation took place which considered the merits of basing a unit in Aberdeen, Inverness and the current facility at Dudhope House. These consultation events involved the professionals, patients, families and carers from all of the north of Scotland including the island boards.\r\nThere were a number of issues considered prior to the final decision being made and these included access to transport links, knowledge of inpatient care in the area, the ability to recruit additional staff, provision of on call psychiatry, views of local clinicians, potential bed usage relationships with local social care and education departments.\r\nAfter careful consideration and discussion with the families who were particularly keen to retain the current site, because of its therapeutic value in terms of environment, it was decided that the unit at Dudhope continue to be the inpatient facility for the North of Scotland.","AnswerDate":"2015-10-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-10-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306651,"EventID":"S4W-27701","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-24T16:47:13.86","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-24T15:11:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to provide secure accommodation for children with mental health issues.","AnswerText":"We are working with NHS directors of planning to determine the most appropriate and clinically effective and safe model of secure Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services inpatient care in Scotland.","AnswerDate":"2015-10-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-10-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306652,"EventID":"S4W-27702","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-24T16:47:14.513","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-24T15:11:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many children (a) requiring access to forensic mental health services, (b) with challenging behaviour and (c) with learning disorders have been sent to the rest of the UK for treatment in each of the last seven years.","AnswerText":"NHS National Services Scotland (National Services Division) funds placements of children and young people with mental health problems who require secure inpatient care, and have collected data since 2011-12.\r\nDue to the small numbers concerned and to protect patient confidentiality we are unable to provide the data requested.","AnswerDate":"2015-10-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-10-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306653,"EventID":"S4W-27703","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5042,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-24T16:47:15.187","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-24T15:23:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when the Cabinet Secretary for Education and Lifelong Learning last met Universities Scotland to discuss the Higher Education Governance (Scotland) Bill.","AnswerText":"I last met with Professor Sir Pete Downes, Principal of University of Dundee and Convener of Universities Scotland and Alastair Sim, Director of Universities Scotland to discuss the Higher Education Governance (Scotland) Bill on 20 May 2015. This is only one of a number of meetings which I, and my officials, have undertaken on this Bill. These have included meetings with Chairs of university courts, rectors and former rectors, principals, and trade union and student representatives.\r\nAll stakeholders were given an opportunity to provide their views on the Bill through the Consultation Paper on a Higher Education Governance Bill. All views and ideas offered by stakeholders on the provisions for the Bill were carefully considered and informed the shape of the Bill at introduction.\r\nI will continue to listen carefully to the views put to me in the many meetings I have had relating to this Bill, and will consider all constructive suggestions that are raised in evidence and as we debate the detail of the Bill in Parliament.","AnswerDate":"2015-10-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-10-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306654,"EventID":"S4W-27705","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5057,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-24T16:47:15.623","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-24T15:28:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what percentage change there has been to the revenue budget of the (a) Scottish Courts Service and (b) Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service in each year since 2010-11, expressed in both (i) cash and (ii) real terms.","AnswerText":"Please see the requested information in the following table:\r\nRDEL\r\n2011-12\r\n2012-13\r\n2013-14\r\n2014-15\r\n2015-16\r\n10-11 to \r\n14-15\r\n10-11 to \r\n15-16\r\nScottish Court Service\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nCash\r\n-5.1%\r\n-1.4%\r\n-1.2%\r\n-3.5%\r\n5.4%\r\n-10.8%\r\n-6.0%\r\nReal\r\n-6.7%\r\n-3.0%\r\n-3.2%\r\n-4.9%\r\n4.3%\r\n-16.6%\r\n-13.1%\r\nCrown Office\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nCash\r\n-5.0%\r\n-0.9%\r\n0.0%\r\n0.6%\r\n3.2%\r\n-5.3%\r\n-2.3%\r\nReal\r\n-6.6%\r\n-2.5%\r\n-2.0%\r\n-0.8%\r\n2.2%\r\n-11.5%\r\n-9.6%\r\n*Based on Draft Budget publications\r\n**For comparison purposes the Scottish Court Service’s (SCS) figure for 2015-16 excludes the Scottish Tribunals Service (STS) budget, following its amalgamation on 1 April 2015\r\nThe budget allocations to the Scottish Court Service (SCS) and Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS) have been reflected within the draft budgets published since 2010-11. Final allocations have been approved by the Scottish Parliament. The real terms reductions in the initial budgets reflect the impact of overall cuts imposed by the Westminster government, but also efficiencies and reduced costs achieved by the SCS and COPFS to maintain and improve access to justice for those who rely on their services.\r\nThe figures in the table reflect the initial budget allocations. Additionally, in-year adjustments have been made, and approved by Parliament, to reflect specific in-year costs. This includes the allocation of an additional £1.47 million in 2014-15 and £2.4 million in 2015-16 to help speed up access to justice including, in particular during 2015-16, for cases involving domestic abuse and sexual offences. \r\nOn 1 April 2015 the SCS and STS merged to form the Scottish Courts and Tribunals Service. To allow for comparability, the 2015-16 resource figure excludes the STS resource budget element of £11.1 million.","AnswerDate":"2015-10-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-10-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306655,"EventID":"S4W-27706","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5057,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-24T16:47:16.12","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-24T15:28:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the revenue budget has been for the (a) Scottish Courts Service and (b) Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service in each year since 2010-11, expressed in both (i) cash and (ii) real terms.","AnswerText":"Please see the requested information in the following table:\r\nRDEL\r\n2010-11\r\n2011-12\r\n2012-13\r\n2013-14\r\n2014-15\r\n2015-16\r\n\r\n£ million\r\n£ million\r\n£ million\r\n£ million\r\n£ million\r\n£ million\r\nScottish Court Service\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nCash\r\n73.2\r\n69.5\r\n68.5\r\n67.7\r\n65.3\r\n68.8\r\nReal\r\n78.3\r\n73.1\r\n70.9\r\n68.6\r\n65.3\r\n68.1\r\nCrown Office\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nCash\r\n111.0\r\n105.5\r\n104.5\r\n104.5\r\n105.1\r\n108.5\r\nReal\r\n118.8\r\n110.9\r\n108.1\r\n106.0\r\n105.1\r\n107.4\r\n* Based on Draft Budget publications\r\n** For comparison purposes the Scottish Court Service’s (SCS) figure for 2015-16 excludes the Scottish Tribunals Service (STS) budget, following its amalgamation on 1 April 2015.\r\nThe budget allocations to the SCS and Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS) have been reflected within the draft budgets published since 2010-11. Final allocations have been approved by the Scottish Parliament. The real terms reductions in the initial budgets reflect the impact of overall cuts imposed by the Westminster government, but also efficiencies and reduced costs achieved by the SCS and COPFS to maintain and improve access to justice for those who rely on their services.\r\nThe figures in the table reflect the initial budget allocations. Additionally, in-year adjustments have been made, and approved by Parliament, to reflect specific in-year costs. This includes the allocation of an additional £1.47 million in 2014-15 and £2.4 million in 2015-16 to help speed up access to justice including, in particular during 2015-16, for cases involving domestic abuse and sexual offences. \r\nOn 1 April 2015 the SCS and STS merged to form the Scottish Courts and Tribunals Service. To allow for comparability, the 2015-16 resource figure excludes the STS resource budget element of £11.1 million.","AnswerDate":"2015-10-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-10-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306668,"EventID":"S4W-27713","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-25T13:49:38.477","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-24T17:19:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether people living in Scotland will be required to advise HMRC where they are resident for tax purposes.","AnswerText":"Scottish taxpayers will be identified by the address that HMRC holds for them and will be written to directly by HMRC to advise them that they are considered to be a Scottish taxpayer. The addressee will only need to contact HMRC if they disagree with this assessment.\r\nHMRC has planned activity to encourage people to ensure that HMRC holds their up to date address and will have in place enforcement and compliance processes to support the collection of the Scottish rate of income tax from April 2016.","AnswerDate":"2015-10-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-10-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306669,"EventID":"S4W-27714","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-25T13:49:40.587","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-24T17:19:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government which body is responsible for financing communications and publicity associated with the introduction of the Scottish rate of income tax.","AnswerText":"Scottish Government is meeting all the costs of HMRC’s implementation programme for the introduction of the Scottish rate of income tax, which includes those associated with communications and publicity related activity.","AnswerDate":"2015-10-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-10-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306670,"EventID":"S4W-27715","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-25T13:49:42.107","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-24T17:19:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will reconsider the decision not to show the Scottish rate of income tax separately on P60s and payslips in light of evidence submitted to the Finance Committee.","AnswerText":"The Scottish rate of income tax will be clearly shown on an individual’s annual tax summary to provide transparency for all Scottish taxpayers while minimising the impact on employers.\r\nI set out the rationale for this decision in my letter of 9 June 2015 to the Convener of the Finance Committee. This can be found at:\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/S4_FinanceCommittee/General%20Documents/2015_06_11_Cab_Sec_to_Finance_Committee.pdf.","AnswerDate":"2015-10-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-10-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306671,"EventID":"S4W-27716","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-25T13:49:43.347","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-24T17:19:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it will set the Scottish rate of income tax.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government will propose a Scottish rate of income tax for the consideration of the Scottish Parliament within its draft budget for 2016-17.","AnswerDate":"2015-10-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-10-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306672,"EventID":"S4W-27717","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-25T13:49:44.647","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-24T17:19:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the risk of being unable to identify all Scottish taxpayers by April 2016.","AnswerText":"It is the responsibility of HMRC to identify the Scottish taxpayer population as part of its implementation programme for the Scottish rate of income tax. The Scottish Government is represented on HMRC’s project and programme boards.\r\nThe level of risk associated with the identification of Scottish taxpayers is monitored and managed as part of the ongoing programme and project management procedures in place for the implementation of the Scottish rate of income tax by HMRC.","AnswerDate":"2015-10-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-10-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306673,"EventID":"S4W-27718","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-25T13:49:45.977","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-24T17:19:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government (a) how and (b) when it will advertise the coming into force of the Scottish rate of income tax to (i) taxpayers and (ii) employers.","AnswerText":"It is the responsibility of HMRC to implement the Scottish rate of income tax. HMRC have provided an outline of its communications strategy for the Scottish rate of income tax to the Finance Committee.","AnswerDate":"2015-10-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-10-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306674,"EventID":"S4W-27719","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-25T13:49:47.377","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-24T17:19:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government (a) how and (b) when it will advertise the level that the Scottish rate of income tax has been set at to (i) taxpayers and (ii) employers.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government will propose a Scottish rate of income tax for the consideration of the Scottish Parliament within its draft budget for 2016-17.","AnswerDate":"2015-10-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-10-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306675,"EventID":"S4W-27720","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-25T13:49:48.797","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-24T17:19:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what budget is available to advertise the Scottish rate of income tax in light of the comment of Charlotte Barbour of the Institute of Chartered Accountants to the Finance Committee on 23 September 2015 that \"there may be restrictions on the budget for advertising the change and questions around who is paying for all of that”.","AnswerText":"HMRC is responsible for the implementation of the Scottish rate of income tax. In the UK Government’s Third Annual Report on the Implementation and Operation of Part 3 (Financial Provisions) of the Scotland Act 2012, the breakdown of the estimated costs for the lifetime of the implementation programme allocated £4.2 million for communications and publicity related activity.","AnswerDate":"2015-10-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-10-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306676,"EventID":"S4W-27708","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-25T13:49:50.007","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-24T16:51:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it will take in light of the finding in the Mental Health Commission for Scotland report, Mental Health Act Monitoring 2014/15, that the number of new episodes of mental health compulsory treatment has increased to its highest-ever recorded level.","AnswerText":"Use of emergency detention is appropriate where it is necessary as a matter of urgency to detain the patient in hospital in order to determine what medical treatment should be provided to the patient for the suspected mental disorder, there would be a significant risk to the health, safety or welfare of the patient or to the safety of another person if the patient were not detained in hospital, and making arrangements with a view to granting a short-term detention certificate would involve undesirable delay.\r\nThe statutory guidance in the Code of Practice for the Mental Health (Care and Treatment) (Scotland) Act 2003 makes clear that a short-term detention certificate should be granted in preference to an emergency detention certificate where this is practicable and the relevant criteria met.\r\nThe use of orders or certificates for compulsory treatment is regulated by strict criteria as set out in legislation. A number of safeguards are available such as a named person to represent the patient’s interests, the right to support from an independent advocate, and in the case of certificates and orders lasting more than 72 hours, an efficient appeals system to the Mental Health Tribunal.\r\nThe Mental Welfare Commission notes that the reason for the rise in compulsory treatment is unclear but could reflect greater awareness of human rights and of unlawful deprivation of liberty.\r\nWe will continue to work with the commission and stakeholders to promote patients’ rights, including through implementation of the Mental Health (Scotland) Act 2015, which contained provisions to strengthen the use of advocacy and advance statements to promote patients’ involvement in their care and treatment.","AnswerDate":"2015-10-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-10-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306677,"EventID":"S4W-27709","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-25T13:49:51.167","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-24T16:52:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on the finding in the Mental Health Commission for Scotland report, Mental Health Act Monitoring 2014/15, that, over the last three years, the use of emergency detention for mental health patients has increased by 12%.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-27708 on 8 October 2015. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at: www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.","AnswerDate":"2015-10-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-10-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306678,"EventID":"S4W-27710","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-25T13:49:52.297","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-24T16:53:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many people subject to an emergency detention order in 2014-15 did not have the consent of a mental health officer.","AnswerText":"Information on the number of people subject to an emergency detention certificate in 2014-15 which did not have the consent of a mental health officer is contained in Table 2 of the Appendix MHA Monitoring Report 2014-15. This is available on the Mental Welfare Commission for Scotland website: http://www.mwcscot.org.uk/media/240686/appendix_mha_monitoring_2014-15_tables.pdf","AnswerDate":"2015-10-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-10-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306679,"EventID":"S4W-27711","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-25T13:49:53.487","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-24T16:54:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on the finding in the Mental Health Commission for Scotland report, Mental Health Act Monitoring 2014/15, that, over the last year, the overall number of new episodes of compulsory treatment orders increased by 7.1%.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-27708 on 8 October 2015. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at: www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx. ","AnswerDate":"2015-10-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-10-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306680,"EventID":"S4W-27712","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-25T13:49:54.617","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-24T16:55:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on the finding in the Mental Health Commission for Scotland report, Mental Health Act Monitoring 2014/15, that, over the last year, the number of new episodes of compulsory treatment orders for people aged 65 and over increased by 21%.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-27708 on 8 October 2015. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at: www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.","AnswerDate":"2015-10-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-10-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306681,"EventID":"S4W-27732","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1860,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-25T13:49:55.757","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-25T11:56:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to complete major capacity and speed improvements to the Highland Main Line before 2025.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is absolutely committed to delivering journey time improvements and greater connectivity for both passenger and freight services operating between Inverness and the Central Belt. That commitment is being delivered in phases. From December 2011 two extra services were introduced each way per day, and journey time improvements of up to 18 minutes were delivered on some services from December 2012.\r\nPhase two of the project will deliver further journey time improvements averaging around 10 minutes, an hourly service between Perth and Inverness, extended to either Glasgow or Edinburgh, and increased opportunities for freight by March 2019. In addition, the introduction of high speed trains on the route in December 2018 will provide more seating capacity and better on board passenger facilities. \r\nFuture phases will aim to deliver further journey time savings by 2025 to ensure that rail is competitive with road travel.","AnswerDate":"2015-10-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-10-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306682,"EventID":"S4W-27733","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1860,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-25T13:49:58.117","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-25T11:56:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to complete major capacity and speed improvements to the Highland Main Line with electrification before 2030.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is absolutely committed to delivering journey time improvements and greater connectivity for both passenger and freight services operating between Inverness and the Central Belt. That commitment is being delivered in phases. From December 2011 two extra services were introduced each way per day, and journey time improvements of up to 18 minutes were delivered on some services from December 2012.\r\nPhase two of the project will deliver further journey time improvements averaging around 10 minutes, an hourly service between Perth and Inverness, extended to either Glasgow or Edinburgh, and increased opportunities for freight by March 2019. In addition, the introduction of high speed trains on the route in December 2018 will provide more seating capacity and better on board passenger facilities. Future phases will aim to deliver further journey time savings by 2025 to ensure that rail is competitive with road travel.\r\nWith regard to electrification, we recognise the key benefits electrification can bring in terms of improved journey times and connectivity, as well as environmental benefits and reduced industry costs – particularly on the intercity network, including north of Perth to Inverness. We are developing an electrification strategy that will set out our priorities for a continuation of the rolling programme of electrification, from 2019 and beyond. The outcome of this work will be announced in due course.","AnswerDate":"2015-10-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-10-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306683,"EventID":"S4W-27721","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2394,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-25T13:49:58.977","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-25T10:45:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on tail docking for working dogs.","AnswerText":"I can confirm that since the publication of the Glasgow University research on tail docking in 2015, and the collection of further evidence about the experience of applying exemptions from the ban on docking for working dogs in other countries, over the last few months I have been carefully considering the strongly held views on both sides of the argument about the possibility of allowing tail docking of working dogs in Scotland.\r\nI have concluded, after discussions with the Rural Affairs, Climate Change and Environment Committee, that the Scottish Government should seek views on a tightly defined exemption to the ban on tail docking of working dogs. It is planned that this consultation will issue in February 2016.","AnswerDate":"2016-01-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-10-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Richard Lochhead","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306684,"EventID":"S4W-27722","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2394,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-25T13:49:59.847","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-25T10:46:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what evidence it has taken in the last six months on tail docking.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-27721 on 18 January 2016. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-01-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-10-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Richard Lochhead","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306685,"EventID":"S4W-27723","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2394,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-25T13:50:00.677","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-25T10:46:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-26902 by Richard Lochhead on 28 August 2015, when it will inform the Rural Affairs, Climate Change and Environment Committee of the findings of its research on tail docking.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-27721 on 18 January 2016. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.","AnswerDate":"2016-01-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-10-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Richard Lochhead","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306686,"EventID":"S4W-27724","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2394,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-25T13:50:01.607","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-25T10:46:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to introduce an exemption to tail docking for working dogs, following the research that it commissioned from the University of Glasgow that was published in Veterinary Record in April 2014.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-27721 on 18 January 2016. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-01-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-10-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Richard Lochhead","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306687,"EventID":"S4W-27686","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3806,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-25T13:50:02.567","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-24T15:06:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the impact on employment for Scottish seafarers in the oil and gas supply sector of wage rates for seafarers working in the North Sea on vessels registered with the Norwegian International Ship Register, and whether it has raised the matter with the UK Government.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has not discussed this matter with the UK Government. However, we have taken action to mitigate the worst effects of the downturn by setting up the Energy Jobs Taskforce, which was convened by the First Minister in January 2015. The taskforce brings together the industry, government, public sector and unions (including the RMT union) and regularly considers employment matters, which is being done in conjunction with the trade unions to ensure a comprehensive look across the sector is captured.\r\nWe have also called upon the UK Government to consult on further measures that will support exploration, critical infrastructure and decommissioning.","AnswerDate":"2015-10-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-10-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306688,"EventID":"S4W-27688","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3806,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-25T13:50:03.437","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-24T15:06:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will ensure that the Energy Jobs Taskforce makes recommendations to the UK Government to ameliorate the effect on Scottish seafarers of the downturn in oil prices.","AnswerText":"The remit of the Energy Jobs Taskforce is to support jobs across the energy sector, with an initial focus on oil and gas given the current challenges faced by the industry. The taskforce brings together key stakeholders, including industry, government, the public sector and unions to protect and sustain employment. The UK Government is represented on the taskforce.\r\nThe Scottish Government has also called upon the UK Government to do more to secure a long term sustainable future for the North Sea and we continue to press for the introduction of further measures to support exploration, critical infrastructure and decommissioning.","AnswerDate":"2015-10-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-10-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306689,"EventID":"S4W-27692","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3806,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-25T13:50:04.237","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-24T15:06:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with the UK Government regarding the causes of the decline in (a) wage rates and (b) employment for Scottish workers in the oil and gas supply sectors.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is clear that more needs to be done to help the oil and gas industry during these challenging times. We have called on the UK Government to consult on what further measures can be taken to support exploration, critical infrastructure and decommissioning.\r\nWhere we have devolved powers to act, we have acted decisively. The First Minister set up the Energy Jobs Taskforce in January 2015, which is working to protect and sustain employment in the oil and gas industry. The UK Government is represented on the taskforce.","AnswerDate":"2015-10-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-10-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306690,"EventID":"S4W-27694","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3806,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-25T13:50:05.087","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-24T15:06:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the effect on Scottish seafarers in the oil and gas supply sector of Gulfmark’s reported demand for a 15% pay reduction.","AnswerText":"While this is ultimately a matter for the company, we would call on them to work constructively with unions to ensure cost reductions in the industry are managed in a fair and effective manner, and in a way that looks to sustain and protect as many employees as possible.\r\nThe Energy Jobs Taskforce is looking at the issue of cost efficiencies in the North Sea oil and gas industry as part of its work programme, which involves industry working with unions and other stakeholders to develop solutions that will result in a more sustainable and efficient industry going forward.","AnswerDate":"2015-10-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-10-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306691,"EventID":"S4W-27695","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3806,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-25T13:50:05.877","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-24T15:06:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what representations it has made to the UK Government regarding the impact on employment in Scotland of the policies of oil and gas companies and contractors.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is clear that more needs to be done to protect and sustain employment in the oil and gas industry, which is why the First Minister launched the Energy Jobs Taskforce in January 2015. The UK Government is represented on the taskforce.\r\nWe have called on the UK Government to consult on further measures to support exploration, critical infrastructure and decommissioning, which are necessary to secure a viable and sustainable future for the industry.","AnswerDate":"2015-10-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-10-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306692,"EventID":"S4W-27697","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3806,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-25T13:50:06.727","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-24T15:06:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with the UK Government regarding the impact on employment in Scotland of decommissioning offshore oil and gas assets.","AnswerText":"A key aim of the Scottish Government is to ensure there is no premature cessation of production in the North Sea and we have called upon the UK Government to consult on further measures to support exploration, critical infrastructure and decommissioning.\r\nHowever, where decommissioning opportunities in the North Sea arise, we will work with the UK Government and the Oil and Gas Authority to ensure the maximum economic benefit can be secured for Scottish and UK supply chain companies. Scottish Enterprise and Highlands and Islands Enterprise are also working to understand the supply chain opportunities that may arise from decommissioning, including an assessment of the capability of our ports and harbours to service this work.","AnswerDate":"2015-10-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-10-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306693,"EventID":"S4W-27698","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3806,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-25T13:50:07.527","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-24T15:06:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what discussions the Energy Jobs Taskforce has had regarding jobs in Scotland in decommissioning offshore oil and gas assets.","AnswerText":"The Energy Jobs Taskforce has discussed decommissioning and recognises the potential for employment opportunities. Its primary focus is on working with industry and the unions to ensure that there is no premature cessation of production and unnecessary early decommissioning.\r\nBut where decommissioning opportunities arise, we are working primarily through our enterprise agencies and Decom North Sea to ensure that the supply chain captures the maximum possible opportunity from any activity including ensuring that our ports and harbours have the capabilities they need.","AnswerDate":"2015-10-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-10-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306694,"EventID":"S4W-27725","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5556,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":111,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-25T13:50:08.317","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-25T11:22:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many businesses in the constituency of Dunfermline are in receipt of the small business bonus scheme.","AnswerText":"Published official statistics, collected at a local authority level, estimate that 5,995 properties in Fife paid zero or reduced rates under the small business bonus scheme in 2014-15, which will include business premises in Dunfermline.","AnswerDate":"2015-10-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-10-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306700,"EventID":"S4W-27726","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1759,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-25T15:43:26.157","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-25T11:52:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it takes to analyse the number of deaths each year that are attributable to (a) nitrogen dioxide and (b) other sources of particulate matter; what the latest information is; how much funding it provides to tackle this, and, in light of evidence to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs that the number of annual deaths across the UK could be double previous estimates, whether it plans to increase this funding and, if so, by how much.","AnswerText":"For reasons of statistical quality, sub-UK statistics as to mortality caused by air quality are not routinely collected.\r\nThe Scottish Government provides funding totalling £2 million a year to support local authorities in undertaking their statutory air quality responsibilities, which focus on improving human health through better air quality. Work undertaken directly by the Scottish Government and partner organisations such as Transport Scotland, the Scottish Environment Protection Agency and Health Protection Scotland also contributes to tackling the impacts of air pollution on health. These specific schemes are in addition to other policies and initiatives, such as active travel, that contribute to promoting air quality. \r\nFuture funding plans will be considered in the context of future budget decisions.","AnswerDate":"2015-10-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-10-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen McLeod","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306701,"EventID":"S4W-27727","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1759,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-25T15:43:26.737","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-25T11:55:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4O-04596 by Aileen McLeod on 16 September 2015, whether the final Low Emission Strategy will include (a) a timetable for key actions, (b) estimates of each planned improvement to air quality and (c) details of how much money will be needed to fund low-emission zones in each local authority area.","AnswerText":"The final Low Emission Strategy will include a timetable for key actions. The contribution of each action to air quality improvements cannot be estimated in isolation as there is a strong degree of complex interaction between the various actions. As the process of implementing the actions proceeds, ways in which this can be meaningfully related to air quality improvements in specific areas will be considered.\r\nDetailed assessment of the requirements for low emission zones in specific areas will be required before any estimates of monetary costs can be made as any zone will need to be designed and developed in terms of the specific issues that are causing any air quality concerns. This work will commence following the launch of the strategy which will set out the low emission zone framework. The creation of any low emission zone will be a decision for individual local authorities.","AnswerDate":"2015-10-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-10-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen McLeod","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306702,"EventID":"S4W-27730","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1759,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-25T15:43:27.483","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-25T11:55:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government for what reason its recently-launched consultation on air quality plans to meet EU limit values for nitrogen dioxide does not include scrutiny of the Low Emission Strategy.","AnswerText":"The Low Emission Strategy is an important element of Scotland’s contribution to the overall UK air quality action plan for securing compliance with the EU limit values for nitrogen dioxide. It has already been subject to extensive stakeholder input and scrutiny during its development. In particular the Scottish Government has worked closely on this development with Transport Scotland, the Scottish Environment Protection Agency, local authorities and a wide range of other organisations in the public and private sectors, including members of the Scottish Transport Emissions Partnership and the Scottish Urban Air Quality Group.\r\nIn addition to formal consultation the process has involved a series of collaborative workshops to help inform content of the draft strategy, a formal consultation on this draft, establishment of several expert working groups focusing on key areas of the strategy, a series of telephone interviews with targeted individuals and organisations to gather in depth views and an online questionnaire for those who wished to contribute in a less formal way. \r\nPost consultation, the draft strategy has been extensively redeveloped and, at each stage of this process, many of those organisations which contributed to the earlier stages have provided further feedback. The final strategy will be published before the end of 2015.","AnswerDate":"2015-10-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-10-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen McLeod","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306703,"EventID":"S4W-27734","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5556,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":111,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-25T15:43:28.2","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-25T14:51:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what information it has on how many 16 to 24-year-olds have (a) been employed on zero-hours contracts, (b) been registered as self-employed, (c) registered as sole traders and (d) registered a limited company in (i) Dunfermline and (ii) Fife, in each year since 2007.","AnswerText":"(a) Official estimates for the number of employees on zero-hour contracts come from the Labour Force Survey. Estimates for 16 to 24 year olds at local authority area level on zero-hours contracts are not available as the sample sizes for this group are too small. \r\n(b) Official estimates for the number of 16 to 24 year olds who were self-employed come from the Annual Population Survey. Estimates for the number of 16 to 24 year olds who were self-employed in both Dunfermline and Fife are not available as the sample sizes for this group are too small.\r\n(c) and (d) The official source for statistics on sole traders and limited companies in Scotland is the Businesses in Scotland publication. These figures, ultimately sourced from the Office for National Statistics Inter-Departmental Business Register, cannot be broken down by the age of the business owner.","AnswerDate":"2015-10-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-10-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Roseanna Cunningham","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306704,"EventID":"S4W-27737","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5556,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":111,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-25T15:43:30.34","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-25T14:51:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much financial assistance it has provided to people aged 16 to 24 in (a) Dunfermline and (b) Fife who have started businesses and what average (i) grant or (ii) loan it awarded, in each year since 2007.","AnswerText":"The information requested is not held centrally nor available in the format asked and could only be collated from the range of public sector organisations funded through the Scottish Government and through local authorities providing start up support to young people at disproportionate cost.\r\nThe Scottish Government, through Scottish Enterprise and the Scottish Funding Council, supports a range of start-up provision for young people, provided through, for example, the Scottish Institute for Enterprise – helping a range of academic institutions in Scotland to offer business advisor provision to students. The Scottish Government also contributes to the Princes Scottish Youth Business Trust, helping them to support aspiring young entrepreneurs aged up to 30 to access loans (up to £7,500) and grants (up to £1,000) made available through the Prince’s Trust Scotland Enterprise programme.\r\nThe Scottish EDGE fund includes a Youth EDGE award where up to £10,000 of funding per business can be achieved by young people in the 18-30 age group.\r\nIn Fife, Fife Council, which is responsible for delivering start up support locally, including through Business Gateway Fife, advises it has helped 780 businesses start-up in Fife in 2014-15, 131 of which were young person-led businesses and of those 31 were started in Dunfermline.","AnswerDate":"2015-10-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-10-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306706,"EventID":"S4W-27746","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-28T13:51:10.377","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-26T21:24:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government for what reason there has been a nine-month delay in announcing the name of the company that it is awarding the £350 million contract to for the supply of water to the public sector and, in light of the deadline being 30 September 2015, whether it will (a) extend the deadline or (b) confirm the successful bidder.","AnswerText":"There is no such contract for the supply of water to the public sector. Scottish Water currently delivers 96.5% of all mains water in Scotland and will continue to do so once this contract is awarded. The contract in question is for water billing services and does not change the supply of mains water in Scotland. The successful tenderer was Anglian Water which offered the best bid on the combined balance of quality and cost.\r\nFollowing the announcement of tender evaluation, public bodies have to observe a ‘standstill period’, during which bidders can raise queries about process. During the tender process, we received queries and had to investigate these thoroughly before moving to contract award.","AnswerDate":"2015-10-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-10-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306707,"EventID":"S4W-27747","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-28T13:51:11.997","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-26T21:24:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government which company was the lead bidder in the tendering process for the £350 million contract for the supply of water to the public sector.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-27746 on 26 October 2015. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.","AnswerDate":"2015-10-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-10-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306708,"EventID":"S4W-27749","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-28T13:51:13.517","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-26T21:24:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what compensation Anglian Water will receive if it is not awarded the £350 million contract for the supply of water to the public sector.","AnswerText":" I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-27746 on 26 October 2015. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.","AnswerDate":"2015-10-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-10-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306709,"EventID":"S4W-27750","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-28T13:51:14.847","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-26T21:24:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it experienced problems with the tendering process for the £350 million contract for the supply of water to the public sector and, if so, what.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-27746 on 26 October 2015. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.","AnswerDate":"2015-10-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-10-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306710,"EventID":"S4W-27751","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-28T13:51:16.157","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-26T21:24:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the key differences were between the bids from Anglian Water and Scottish Water for the £350 million contract for the supply of water to the public sector.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-27746 on 26 October 2015. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.","AnswerDate":"2015-10-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-10-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306711,"EventID":"S4W-27753","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-28T13:51:17.427","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-26T21:24:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with the (a) Water Industry Commissioner and (b) EU officials regarding the £350 million contract to supply water for the public sector.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-27746 on 26 October 2015. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.","AnswerDate":"2015-10-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-10-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306712,"EventID":"S4W-27754","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-28T13:51:18.947","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-26T21:24:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will publish the (a) legal and (b) other advice it has received regarding the £350 million contract for the supply of water to the public sector.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-27746 on 26 October 2015. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.","AnswerDate":"2015-10-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-10-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306713,"EventID":"S4W-27755","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-28T13:51:20.447","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-26T21:24:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what meetings it has had with representatives of Anglian Water in the last year and what was discussed.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government held one meeting with Anglian Water Business in the past year, on 24 February 2015. The discussion regarded Anglian Water Business’ intentions for implementing the contract and how these would be supported by their business structure.","AnswerDate":"2015-10-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-10-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306714,"EventID":"S4W-27743","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-28T13:51:21.737","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-25T16:04:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what recent (a) discussions and (b) correspondence it has had with Loganair regarding the reliability of flights between Orkney and mainland Scotland.","AnswerText":"Scottish Government officials met with Loganair on 17 August 2015 and I met with Loganair on 15 September 2015. The reliability of flights was discussed at both meetings. The Scottish Government corresponds regularly with Loganair about a variety of issues including service reliability.","AnswerDate":"2015-10-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-10-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306715,"EventID":"S4W-27774","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-28T13:51:22.697","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-28T12:11:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-25516 by Jamie Hepburn on 21 May 2015, when it will publish the follow-up report to National Mental Health Services Assessment, Towards implementation of the Mental Health (Care and Treatment) (Scotland) Act 2003 Final Report (the Sandra Grant Report) and for what reason this was not published in the summer.","AnswerText":"We commissioned the Mental Health Foundation and Voices of Experience to undertake the 10 year follow up review of the state of mental health services in Scotland. We are working with the Mental Health Foundation to address the delays in publishing and to ensure publication of the final report as soon as possible.","AnswerDate":"2015-10-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-10-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306716,"EventID":"S4W-27775","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-28T13:51:24.307","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-28T12:11:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what (a) mandatory and (b) statutory requirements there are for GPs to undertake mental health training. ","AnswerText":"There is not a dedicated training course for mental health however GPs undergo mental health training as part of their generic training. It is part of an individual GP’s responsibility to ensure they keep up to date with any new disorders/illnesses.","AnswerDate":"2015-10-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-10-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306717,"EventID":"S4W-27776","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-28T13:51:25.877","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-28T12:11:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much it has spent on research into the mental health of children in care since 2010.","AnswerText":"There has been no centrally commissioned research into the mental health of looked after children and young people.\r\nThe first Mental Health and Learning Disability Inpatient Bed Census, carried out by the Scottish Government and NHS boards, was published in June 2015. The report provides evidence for Commitment 26 of the Mental Health Strategy for Scotland: 2012-2015, but also enhances the Scottish Government’s and NHS Scotland’s understanding of mental health, addiction and learning disability services, and about the patients who use these services. A copy of this report is available on the Scottish Government website at: http://www.gov.scot/Publications/2015/06/7555/0.","AnswerDate":"2015-10-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-10-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306718,"EventID":"S4W-27742","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5079,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-28T13:51:27.503","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-25T15:52:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-23258 by Shona Robison on 27 November 2014, how many people were (a) treated and (b) refused treatment by the national transcatheter aortic valve implantation service in 2014-15, broken down by NHS board.","AnswerText":"The information requested is provided in the following table:\r\nTable 1: National Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation (TAVI) Service 2014-15\r\nNHS board\r\nPatients not suitable or who do not wish to undergo TAVI\r\nTAVI\r\nGreater Glasgow and Clyde\r\n17\r\n25\r\nLanarkshire\r\n8\r\nLess than 5\r\nAyrshire and Arran\r\nLess than 5\r\n7\r\nDumfries and Galloway\r\n0\r\n0\r\nLothian\r\n15\r\n21\r\nTayside\r\nLess than 5\r\n10\r\nFife\r\nLess than 5\r\n7\r\nForth Valley\r\nLess than 5\r\nLess than 5\r\nBorders\r\n0\r\nLess than 5\r\nGrampian\r\nLess than 5\r\n6\r\nHighlands\r\nLess than 5\r\nLess than 5\r\nIslands\r\n0\r\nLess than 5\r\nSource: National TAVI Service, October 2015\r\nNote: Numbers less than five have been withheld to maintain patient confidentiality.\r\nThe national TAVI service provides treatment for all suitable patients in Scotland. Patients referred to the service may not have TAVI for the following reasons: \r\nThe patient does not wish to undergo TAVI following referral to the service;\r\nThe patient may be considered suitable for surgery as an alternative;\r\nThe patient has significant co-morbidities which prejudice the successful outcome of TAVI e.g. severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, extreme frailty, cancer; or,\r\nThe patient does not have severe aortic stenosis.","AnswerDate":"2015-10-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-10-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306723,"EventID":"S4F-02975","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":3812,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-28T12:48:17.6","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-24T15:48:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister what engagements she has planned for the rest of the day. ","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-10-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":"2015-10-01T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306724,"EventID":"S4F-02976","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":5009,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-28T12:48:18.067","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-25T14:25:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister what issues will be discussed at the next meeting of the Cabinet.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-10-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":"2015-10-01T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306725,"EventID":"S4F-02977","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":4976,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-28T12:48:18.49","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-28T08:59:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister when she will next meet the Prime Minister. ","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-10-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":"2015-10-01T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306726,"EventID":"S4F-02978","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":2033,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":132,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-28T12:48:18.91","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-28T10:17:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister what the Scottish Government’s response is to the findings in UNISON Scotland's college staff survey report, Learning the Hard Way. ","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-10-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":"2015-10-01T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306727,"EventID":"S4F-02982","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":4964,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":119,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-28T12:48:21.5","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-28T11:12:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister what steps the Scottish Government is taking to increase business innovation. ","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-10-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":"2015-10-01T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306728,"EventID":"S4F-02990","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":3759,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":80,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-28T12:48:25.43","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-28T11:55:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister what progress the Scottish Government is making in implementing the so-called Clare’s Law.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-10-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":"2015-10-01T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306729,"EventID":"S4T-01128","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":9,"MSPID":1768,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":131,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-28T12:48:48.693","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-28T11:51:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it can take in relation to the reported shortage of trading standards officers in Scotland.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":"2015-09-29T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306730,"EventID":"S4T-01130","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":9,"MSPID":2892,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-28T12:48:49.847","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-28T12:00:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on the option of allowing mixed-sex couples to form civil partnerships.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-09-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":"2015-09-29T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306731,"EventID":"S4W-27744","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-28T16:42:00.583","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-26T09:10:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether every NHS board has carried out a privacy impact study and, if so, whether these are publicly available.","AnswerText":"Boards should routinely undertake privacy impact assessments and/or information risk assessments as outlined in the NHSS Information Security Policy Framework. The Scottish Government does not compile these and there is no central list. It is a matter for each board to decide how it publishes such documentation.","AnswerDate":"2015-10-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-10-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306732,"EventID":"S4W-27745","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-28T16:42:01.663","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-26T09:29:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what steps it will take to protect patients' privacy and ensure that apps promoted as NHS Apps are safe.","AnswerText":"The applications designed specifically for mobile devices used in NHS boards are treated no differently from any other application or service and should be risk assessed and tested at board level or nationally prior to being officially released. The apps presenting the highest risk for patient safety are classed as medical devices. The regulation and certification of medical devices is a reserved responsibility of the UK Government. A clear distinction needs to be made between these official applications and any other application which a healthcare worker may choose to use on their personally owned device. The Scottish Government makes clear in its Information Governance guidance to boards that patient-identifiable data should only be stored and accessed from approved applications and devices.","AnswerDate":"2015-10-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-10-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306749,"EventID":"S4W-27781","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1768,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":131,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-29T13:46:48.48","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-28T17:05:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what rights a landlord has to change the locks on their property if a tenant has moved out but has kept the keys to the landlord’s property.","AnswerText":"If the tenancy has been ended lawfully there is nothing to stop the landlord changing the locks. However, if the tenant still has a right to occupy the property, the landlord cannot change the locks without first obtaining an eviction order through the courts.","AnswerDate":"2015-10-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-10-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Burgess","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306750,"EventID":"S4W-27782","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1768,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":131,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-29T13:46:49.383","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-28T17:05:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it is examining the possibility of extending the Borders Railway to Carlisle.","AnswerText":"As co-signatory to the Borders Railway Blueprint document we are committed to feasibility work to extend the Borders Railway line towards Hawick and Carlisle. This work is being managed by Sestrans, the Regional Transport Partnership for the area. Transport Scotland is working with and providing advice to Sestrans to ensure feasibility work is as meaningful as possible by highlighting the further work that will be required post feasibility, to prepare an appraisal/strategic business case to satisfy current transport appraisal guidance.","AnswerDate":"2015-10-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-10-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306751,"EventID":"S4W-27756","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-29T13:46:50.01","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-27T14:31:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-24246 by John Swinney on 2 February 2015, how many other projects did not reach financial close in 2014-15, and whether it will provide an update for 2015-16. ","AnswerText":"The information provided in the answer given to question S4W-24246 in relation to eight hub projects that had been due to reach financial close by 31 March 2015 remains up to date.\r\nIn relation to 2015-16, the Scottish Government has already advised Parliament that twelve hub projects are currently affected by the need to consider classification issues, including six of the projects referred to in the answer to question S4W-24246.","AnswerDate":"2015-10-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-10-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306752,"EventID":"S4W-27757","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-29T13:46:50.743","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-27T14:31:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-26442 by John Swinney on 31 July 2015, whether it will provide details of all of the projects delayed for each year, also broken down by (a) the length of delay and (b) what the additional cost will be.","AnswerText":"The length and cost for projects of any delay will only be known when contracts are signed.","AnswerDate":"2015-10-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-10-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306753,"EventID":"S4W-27758","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-29T13:46:51.647","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-27T14:31:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-26452 by John Swinney on 31 July 2015, whether it will provide details of each project expected to have a financial close in each month from July 2015 to March 2016.","AnswerText":"Detailed information about all projects being delivered through the hub programme is available on the Scottish Futures Trust website at: www.scottishfuturestrust.org.uk.","AnswerDate":"2015-10-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-10-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306754,"EventID":"S4W-27759","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-29T13:46:52.503","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-27T14:31:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-26449 by John Swinney on 31 July 2015, when it will provide an assessment of the additional costs.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S4W-27757 on 27 October 2015. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at: www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.","AnswerDate":"2015-10-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-10-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306755,"EventID":"S4W-27760","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-29T13:46:53.52","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-27T14:31:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-26441 by John Swinney on 31 July 2015, whether all projects with a financial close date of after September 2014 have been affected by the Eurostat change.","AnswerText":"Project timetables can be affected by a wide range of factors. Twelve hub projects are considered to be in a position where they would be likely to be able to move to financial close now should current classification issues be resolved. Other hub projects in the pipeline are scheduled to reach financial close later in 2015.","AnswerDate":"2015-10-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-10-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306756,"EventID":"S4W-27761","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-29T13:46:54.563","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-27T14:31:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answers to questions S4W-26469 and S4W-26470 by John Swinney on 31 July 2015, whether the private sector can invest subordinated debt beyond its 60% shareholding.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S4W-26469 on 31 July 2015. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at: www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.","AnswerDate":"2015-10-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-10-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306757,"EventID":"S4W-27762","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-29T13:46:55.563","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-27T14:31:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-26468 by John Swinney on 31 July 2015, in light of the reported public interest in the matter, whether it will publish the advice.","AnswerText":"The relevant legal advice was provided on a confidential basis.","AnswerDate":"2015-10-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-10-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306758,"EventID":"S4W-27763","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-29T13:46:56.39","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-27T14:31:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-26543 by John Swinney on 31 July 2015, whether it will publish details of the limited contractual adjustments made for each project.","AnswerText":"Publication of contracts would be a matter for relevant procuring authorities.","AnswerDate":"2015-10-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-10-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306759,"EventID":"S4W-27764","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-29T13:46:57.543","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-27T14:31:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-26450 by John Swinney on 31 July 2015, whether it will provide the information that was requested regarding how much it paid Pinsent Masons for advice and consultancy services.","AnswerText":"Pinsent Masons was appointed by the Scottish Futures Trust and not the Scottish Government.","AnswerDate":"2015-10-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306760,"EventID":"S4W-27765","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-29T13:46:58.37","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-27T14:31:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-26450 by John Swinney on 31 July 2015, for what reason it has not carried out an assessment of project costs or inflation impacts on the delayed projects.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S4W-27757 on 27 October 2015. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at: www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.","AnswerDate":"2015-10-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-10-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306761,"EventID":"S4W-27766","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-29T13:46:59.167","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-27T14:31:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-26461 by John Swinney on 31 July 2015, which projects where capital contributions are no longer being made are affected and, in these cases, what the unitary payments (a) were before and (b) are expected to be now.","AnswerText":"A list of projects where capital contributions are no longer being made is provided in the following table. Unitary payments for these projects will be confirmed when contracts are signed.\r\nHealth Design, Build, Finance and Maintain (DBFM) Projects\r\nProject Name\r\nTerritory\r\nProcuring Authority\r\nInverclyde Care Home\r\nWest\r\nNHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde\r\nNHS Lothian Bundle\r\nSouth East\r\nNHS Lothian\r\nPharmaceutical Special Services\r\nEast Central\r\nNHS Tayside\r\nStirling Care Village\r\nEast Central\r\nNHS Forth Valley\r\nGorbals/Woodside Health Centre\r\nWest\r\nNHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde\r\nSchools DBFM Projects\r\nProject Name\r\nTerritory\r\nProcuring Authority\r\nOban and Campbeltown High Schools\r\nNorth\r\nArgyll and Bute Council\r\nNewbattle High School\r\nSouth East\r\nMidlothian Council\r\nSouth of the City Academy\r\nNorth\r\nAberdeen City Council\r\nWest Calder High School\r\nSouth East\r\nWest Lothian Council\r\nBarrhead High School\r\nWest\r\nEast Renfrewshire Council\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-10-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-10-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306762,"EventID":"S4W-27767","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-29T13:46:59.993","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-27T14:31:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answers to questions S4W-26456, S4W-26457 and S4W-26460 by John Swinney on 31 July 2015, in light of control by the public sector being reduced from 40% to 20%, how the new structure will reinforce strong public sector representation.","AnswerText":"The public sector will hold a 20% stake in hub projects, split evenly between the Scottish Futures Trust and the procuring authority. The public interest will be represented by the Scottish Futures Trust on the boards of directors of the project companies established to deliver hub projects.","AnswerDate":"2015-10-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-10-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306763,"EventID":"S4W-27768","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-29T13:47:00.867","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-27T14:31:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-26458 by John Swinney on 31 July 2015, when the meeting with the Office of the Scottish Charity Regulator was arranged.","AnswerText":"The answer given to question S4W-26458 contained an error. The meeting referred to was held on 23 June 2015; this was arranged on 5 June 2015.","AnswerDate":"2015-10-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-10-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306764,"EventID":"S4W-27769","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-29T13:47:01.617","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-27T14:31:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what (a) independent legal and (b) financial advice regarding the Eurostat changes to the classification of capital projects (i) it and (ii) the Scottish Futures Trust has taken in each year since 2010.","AnswerText":"Legal and financial advice has been sought at various stages since 2010 by procuring authorities on projects and by the Scottish Futures Trust.","AnswerDate":"2015-10-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-10-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306765,"EventID":"S4W-27770","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-29T13:47:02.457","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-27T14:31:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-26471 by John Swinney on 31 July 2015, which of the capital projects that it has announced without firm timings are to be funded by the hub design-build-finance-maintain programme, which is subject to time delays.","AnswerText":"Detailed information about all projects being delivered through the hub programme is available on the Scottish Futures Trust website at: www.scottishfuturestrust.org.uk.","AnswerDate":"2015-10-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-10-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306766,"EventID":"S4W-27771","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-29T13:47:03.503","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-27T14:31:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-26467 by John Swinney on 31 July 2015, what the implications are for projects transferring to the new structure and, other than the schools referred to in the response, which projects will transfer.","AnswerText":"The intention is that all hub design-build-finance-maintain projects signed after the introduction of ESA10 in September 2014 will transfer to the new structure. Details about all projects in the hub programme are available on the Scottish Futures Trust website at: www.scottishfuturestrust.org.uk","AnswerDate":"2015-10-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-10-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306767,"EventID":"S4W-27772","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-29T13:47:04.377","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-27T14:31:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-26463 by John Swinney on 31 July 2015, whether it has discussed the revised structure for the proposed model with the Office for National Statistics and, if so, when.","AnswerText":"As I advised Parliament on 9 September 2015, the Scottish Futures Trust has submitted proposals for changing the hub model to the Office for National Statistics, which has indicated that it hopes to respond to these proposals in the course of November 2015.","AnswerDate":"2015-10-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-10-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306768,"EventID":"S4W-27773","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-29T13:47:05.25","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-27T14:31:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-26462 by John Swinney on 31 July 2015, what other capital projects will be subject to changes to staffing as a result of the transition to the European System of Accounts 2010 (ESA 10).","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer given to question S4W-26462 on 31 July 2015. There will be no change to the delivery or staffing of soft services under the revised hub structure.","AnswerDate":"2015-10-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-10-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306769,"EventID":"S4W-27787","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-29T13:47:06.093","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-29T11:51:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what recent (a) discussions and (b) correspondence it has had with Loganair regarding the reliability of flights between Shetland and mainland Scotland.","AnswerText":"Scottish Government officials met with Loganair on 17 August 2015 and I met with Loganair on 15 September 2015. The reliability of flights was discussed at both meetings. The Scottish Government corresponds regularly with Loganair about a variety of issues including service reliability.","AnswerDate":"2015-10-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-10-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306770,"EventID":"S4W-27777","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-29T13:47:06.733","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-28T17:24:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Government what action it has taken to promote its Statement of principles for parcel deliveries.","AnswerText":"In February 2013 I chaired a Parcel Delivery Summit which involved a range of stakeholders and built on a previous one held in November 2012. This led to the establishment of a short-life working group to develop a Statement of principles for parcel deliveries. The Scottish Government has regularly highlighted the statement in our own news releases, which have been taken up by news outlets. In addition, I wrote jointly with the Director for Scotland at Consumer Futures to the main internet retailers about the statement. The Scottish Government was pleased in 2014 when the UK Government announced that the principles had been adopted across the UK, and will continue to encourage the UK Government to do more to increase buy-in of the principles, as recommended by the Citizens Advice Scotland report of 8 September 2015 on parcel deliveries. This is vital as many internet retailers are based outside Scotland. The costs were absorbed in normal running costs.","AnswerDate":"2015-11-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-10-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306771,"EventID":"S4W-27778","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-29T13:47:07.263","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-28T17:24:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Government how much it has spent on promoting its Statement of principles for parcel deliveries.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-27777 on 2 November 2015. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-11-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-10-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306772,"EventID":"S4W-27779","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-29T13:47:07.903","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-28T17:34:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what information it has on what action has been taken to reduce the cost of parcel delivery to Scottish islands through delivery consolidation in the final miles.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is working closely with stakeholders to ensure that customers receive a better service for parcel deliveries, and in particular to consider what can be done to assist rural, remote and island communities to reduce the cost of parcel deliveries. One of the issues that will be looked at is whether there are opportunities to encourage final mile consolidation by delivery operators.","AnswerDate":"2015-11-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-10-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306773,"EventID":"S4W-27780","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-29T13:47:08.493","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-28T17:36:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what assistance it is giving to remote and island communities to reduce the cost of parcel deliveries.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-27779 on 2 November 2015. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-11-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-10-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306774,"EventID":"S4W-27738","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4947,"Party":"Independent","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-29T13:47:09.04","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-25T15:30:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it considers that the possible costs for people or organisations taking a judicial review on an environmental matter for the public good are consistent with article 7 of the Aarhus Convention relating to public participation concerning plans, programmes and policies relating to the environment.","AnswerText":"Public participation concerning plans, programmes and policies relating to the environment takes many forms, such as responding to consultations or participating in meetings.\r\nIn relation to plans, programmes and policies relating to the environment, there are opportunities for public participation e.g. for wind farm decisions and the early environmental assessment process.\r\nMany forms of public participation do not involve any costs e.g. responding to government consultations; attending meetings; participating in interactive planning workshops facilitated by planning colleagues (known as ‘charrettes’) which have been progressed in respect of a number of key development proposals.\r\nSeeking redress through the courts, including by judicial review, may involve costs. These possible costs are mitigated by the ability to apply for legal aid, if eligible, and for a protective expenses order in certain environmental cases.","AnswerDate":"2015-10-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-10-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Paul Wheelhouse","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306775,"EventID":"S4W-27739","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4947,"Party":"Independent","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-29T13:47:09.57","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-25T15:30:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how its land use strategy will be taken forward following the pilot projects in Aberdeenshire and the Borders.","AnswerText":"The land use strategy is currently being reviewed, including taking account of the experience and lessons from the two pilot projects in Aberdeenshire and the Scottish Borders. A public consultation on a draft revised land use strategy will be held later in 2015. An independent evaluation of the pilot projects is currently being concluded and will be published in due course. This will help inform how the revised strategy is taken forward.","AnswerDate":"2015-11-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-10-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen McLeod","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306776,"EventID":"S4W-27740","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4947,"Party":"Independent","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-29T13:47:10.087","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-25T15:30:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how the planning system and the land use strategy will be coordinated to take account of each other.","AnswerText":"The land use strategy aligns with other Scottish Government policy, including planning. The land use strategy provides a broad context for planning authorities on government policy relevant to land use and we expect all public bodies to have regard to the principles for sustainable land use in the strategy when taking significant decisions affecting the use of land. For planning authorities, this will primarily be when preparing development plans. Both National Planning Framework 3 and Scottish Planning Policy make reference to the land use strategy. The needs of the planning system will be fully considered as part of the review of the current land use strategy and the preparation of a revised strategy which is due to be published in 2016.","AnswerDate":"2015-10-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-10-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen McLeod","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306777,"EventID":"S4W-27741","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4947,"Party":"Independent","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-29T13:47:10.57","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-25T15:30:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether the independent panel looking at planning reform has been asked to consider whether the current system is fully compliant with the Aarhus Convention.","AnswerText":"Through the current system there are statutory frameworks in place to ensure that planning authorities comply with the terms of the Aarhus Convention, including through provisions set out in the Town and Country Planning (Environmental Impact Assessment) (Scotland) Regulations 2011, as amended.","AnswerDate":"2015-10-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-10-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306778,"EventID":"S4W-27789","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1845,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-29T17:01:23.19","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-29T15:03:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to the comment in the Citizens Advice Scotland report, The Cost of Saying Goodbye, that people trying to meet the cost of a burial or cremation face a “postcode lottery”; what recent discussions it has had with local authorities regarding these costs, and what its position is on introducing measures to control how much can be charged.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is aware of the ongoing concerns around the increasing cost of funerals in Scotland. I announced on 5 October 2015 that John Birrell, the chair of the Scottish Working Group on Funeral Poverty, will consider funeral costs with a view to making recommendations to tackle rising costs. The Scottish Government is also considering what can be done to raise awareness and help people better understand the cost of a funeral and how to plan for this expense.\r\n\r\nThe Burial and Cremation (Scotland) Bill was introduced in the Scottish Parliament on 8 October 2015. During the development of the Bill, officials met with representatives of local authorities to discuss all aspects of burial and cremation, including funeral costs. These discussions are reflected in the Bill, and will also inform the other strands of work being taken forward in relation to funeral costs.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-10-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-10-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306779,"EventID":"S4W-27794","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-29T17:01:23.73","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-29T16:03:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the take-up of domestic Renewable Heat Incentive installations up to July 2015 in each island local authority.","AnswerText":"Uptake of domestic Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) installations by local authority area is published monthly by UK Department of Energy and Climate Change. The most recent figures can be accessed from the following link:\r\nhttps://www.gov.uk/government/collections/renewable-heat-incentive-statistics\r\nThe Scottish Government commends all local authorities, local communities and social housing providers that have made efforts to promote or provide energy efficient homes and low carbon affordable heat supplies to local residents. The Scottish Government encourages local authorities to take a strategic approach to supporting affordable low carbon heat in their area through their local development plan, local housing strategy and any carbon, energy or heat strategy they have.\r\nThrough its grant funding of the Energy Saving Trust (EST), the Scottish Government has supported uptake of the domestic RHI in Scotland, through work on sustainable energy supply chain and specialist renewable energy advisors, both of which are contributing factors to the better than pro-rata uptake of the RHI. To date Scotland has done well from the RHI both for domestic and non-domestic installations, accounting for around 19% of accredited installations of both of these UK schemes.\r\nMore detail of the uptake of renewable heat in Scotland for 2014 was recently published by EST. The report shows that there has been a step change in renewable heat output in 2014 and can be found at the following link:\r\nhttp://www.energysavingtrust.org.uk/renewable-heat-report-2014\r\nIn addition, if you are not already aware, please find attached a link to a recent Scottish Government press release on the above noted 2014 data:\r\nhttp://news.scotland.gov.uk/News/Record-increase-for-renewable-heat-1e22.aspx\r\nThe Scottish Government would advise owner occupiers considering installing a renewable technology to contact the Scottish Government’s Home Energy Scotland advice centre (HESac) which is managed on our behalf by EST. Home Energy Scotland provides free and impartial advice on energy saving; renewable energy; sustainable transport; waste prevention; and more, to all householders in Scotland including advice on what schemes they may be eligible for. The HESac can be contacted on 0808 808 2282 and further information can be found at the following link:\r\nhttp://www.energysavingtrust.org.uk/improving-my-home","AnswerDate":"2015-11-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-10-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306780,"EventID":"S4W-27795","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-29T17:01:24.28","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-29T16:03:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on reports that the take-up of domestic Renewable Heat Incentive installations up to July 2015 was substantially higher in the Western Isles compared with Orkney and Shetland.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government would like to avoid comparisons of performance of local authorities based on the domestic Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI). Whilst the publicly available statistics provided by the UK Government’s Department of Energy and Climate Change provide a breakdown of uptake of the domestic RHI by local authority, a number of factors influence uptake. Such factors include the number of households and the availability of other low carbon heat sources supported through mechanisms other than the domestic RHI, such as district heating. \r\nThe Scottish Government is aware that one of the issues householders in both rural areas and the Scottish Islands face in participating in government schemes is the availability of accredited installers. In recognising that there can be barriers to uptake in remote rural and island areas the Scottish Government funded an analysis of the supply chain for such areas which included the Shetland Isles, Western Isles and Orkney Isles. A report of the findings, published in March 2015, can be found at the following link:\r\nhttp://www.energysavingtrust.org.uk/reports/supply-chain-analysis-remote-rural-and-island-areas-march-2015-full-report\r\nIn addition, the Microgeneration Strategy for Scotland published in 2012 and the setting up of the Scottish Government’s Microgeneration Task Group aims to work with industry and other stakeholders to remove the barriers to uptake of microgeneration technologies and ensure we have a skilled workforce to deploy microgeneration in all areas of Scotland. The Microgeneration Strategy for Scotland can be found at the following link:\r\nhttp://www.gov.scot/Publications/2012/06/9678\r\nThe Scottish Government continues to fund work to address supply chain barriers and details of up and coming events can be found at the following link:\r\nhttp://www.energysavingtrust.org.uk/businesses/supply-chain-events","AnswerDate":"2015-11-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-10-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306781,"EventID":"S4W-27792","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-29T17:01:24.98","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-29T15:22:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to raise awareness of tobacco as a risk factor for dementia.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government invests around £11 million per year in NHS tobacco control activity, including the delivery of smoking cessation services. There is evidence that healthy living behaviours, such as quitting smoking, better diet or physical activity, may reduce the risk of a person developing vascular dementia or delay its onset.\r\nWhile the Scottish Government does not run an awareness raising campaign around tobacco as a risk factor for dementia, its public health message does promote the benefits of leading a healthy lifestyle.\r\nWe will continue to encourage care professionals to reinforce the message that smoking and exposure to second-hand smoke have a number of health implications, and that help is available to support people to stop, including advice, behavioural support and referral pathways.","AnswerDate":"2015-10-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-10-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306782,"EventID":"S4W-27788","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5556,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":111,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-29T17:01:26","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-29T14:35:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what organisations it consulted when drafting the Children (Performances and Activities) (Scotland) Regulations 2014.","AnswerText":"The Children (Performances and Activities) (Scotland) Regulations 2014 were informed by the recommendations of a working group of relevant stakeholders including: the British Academy of Film and Television Arts, Barnardo’s Scotland, the BBC, BBC Scotland, the British Psychological Society, Chaperones & Tutors, Glasgow City Council, the Producers Alliance for Cinema and Television, Scottish Youth Theatre, Strange Town, and OFCOM.\r\nThe proposed amendments to the child performances licensing system were subject to a public consultation, which took place between 4 April and 6 June 2014. As part of the consultation process, the Scottish Youth Theatre and Strange Town also sought the views of over 220 children and 40 parents.\r\nThe non-confidential responses received and a consultation analysis are published on the Scottish Government website at the attached links: http://www.gov.scot/Resource/0047/00471862.pdf and http://www.gov.scot/Publications/2014/07/4746. ","AnswerDate":"2015-10-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-10-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen Campbell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306790,"EventID":"S4W-27803","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":2,"MSPID":3759,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":80,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-30T09:22:25.3","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-30T09:11:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what progress it has made in delivering Our Place in Time: The Historic Environment Strategy for Scotland and in establishing Historic Environment Scotland.","AnswerText":"I am pleased to report that today (1 October 2015) I can announce the launch of the first strategy annual report which sets out the remarkable progress there has been in delivering Our Place in Time to date. The report is available here: http://www.gov.scot/Topics/ArtsCultureSport/arts/Historic-environment/Strategy\r\nOf course the strategy also set the wider policy context for the creation of Historic Environment Scotland (HES) and I am also pleased to report that the new non-departmental public body assumed its full powers today. This includes taking on the functions delegated to it in relation to the properties in the care of Scottish ministers and the associated collections. As required under the Historic Environment Scotland Act 2014, the schemes of delegation which provide for this have been published on the Scottish Government website alongside the list of properties in the care of Scottish ministers.\r\nHES will be the lead public body for the historic environment sector in Scotland and one of its key tasks will be to enable and facilitate delivery of Our Place in Time over the coming years.","AnswerDate":"2015-10-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-10-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fiona Hyslop","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306791,"EventID":"S4W-27804","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":2,"MSPID":4951,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-30T10:48:25.237","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-30T10:43:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what progress is being made with the inquiry into the historic abuse of children in care.","AnswerText":"The Historical Child Abuse Inquiry has been launched today (1 October 2015). I welcome the announcement by the Chair Susan O’Brien QC outlining the work that she and her team have already begun and how they will take this momentous inquiry forward.\r\nIn particular I am pleased to see the commitment by the Chair that she is keen to ensure that survivors know that they will listen carefully to their experiences and that they will work hard to understand the lessons of the past in order to ensure that our children are kept safe in the future.\r\nI would like to reiterate my gratitude to all survivors and their supporters who have helped us reach this point and as I have said previously the inquiry will report back within four years of this start date.\r\nI now urge people to make initial contact, so that their views can be taken into account. This can be done by email to information@childabuseinquiry.scot or by post at Historical Child Abuse Inquiry, PO Box 24085, Edinburgh EH7 9EA. A dedicated inquiry website has also been launched and can be found at www.childabuseinquiry.scot\r\nIn July 2015 I also committed to establish a dedicated support fund for survivors of abuse who were placed in care by the state. Work on this is underway and we expect to tender for these services in the coming weeks, with appointments made shortly afterwards. More information can be found at www.survivorscotland.org.uk\r\nI also made it clear that it is the Justice Ministers’ intention to lift the three year time-bar on civil actions in cases of historical child abuse for cases after 1964. The consultation on this proposal recently closed and we are now reflecting on the responses.","AnswerDate":"2015-10-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-10-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306792,"EventID":"S4O-04696","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":1932,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":117,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-30T13:42:13.763","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-28T12:03:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what recent discussions it has had with Stirling Council regarding the provision of sporting facilities and opportunities.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-10-08T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306793,"EventID":"S4O-04680","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":1943,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-30T13:42:14.533","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-30T11:06:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it encourages the role that families can play in their children’s learning and what it is doing to increase the quality of early learning and childcare services.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-10-07T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306794,"EventID":"S4O-04676","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":2010,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":137,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-30T13:42:14.907","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-28T12:03:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what measures it is putting in place to improve early years education.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-10-07T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306795,"EventID":"S4O-04679","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":2134,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":82,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-30T13:42:15.603","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-28T12:03:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it last met the Scottish Funding Council and what issues were discussed.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-10-07T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306796,"EventID":"S4O-04677","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":2215,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":125,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-30T13:42:16.053","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-30T11:10:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what it is doing to address the reported teacher shortage in the north east.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-10-07T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306797,"EventID":"S4O-04684","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":2345,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":128,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-30T13:42:16.637","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-30T10:32:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what measures it will take to ensure the longevity and success of STEM courses and encourage female participation in them. ","AnswerText":"Colleges have long acknowledged the importance of responding to the need for STEM courses. We have already seen increases in the number of science, maths and engineering full-time-equivalent female students in our colleges since 2006-07. Our Developing Young Workforce strategy aims to prioritise STEM while also addressing gender imbalance in college courses, while colleges have been asked to review STEM provision in this academic year to inform regional STEM implementation plans.\r\nUniversity provision has also been strengthened by the Scottish Funding Council allocating an extra 1,200 places over the four year period to 2015-16 specifically for STEM subjects. And we have seen an increase in the number of entrants to first degree courses in STEM subjects at our universities since 2006-07.","AnswerDate":"2015-10-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-10-07T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306798,"EventID":"S4O-04670","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":2394,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-30T13:42:17.13","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-29T16:43:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how the Higher Education Governance (Scotland) Bill will maintain democracy in universities.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-10-07T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306799,"EventID":"S4O-04688","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":2615,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":143,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-30T13:42:17.787","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-28T12:03:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how its plans are progressing to build a national film studio.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-10-08T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306800,"EventID":"S4O-04669","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":2633,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-30T13:42:18.17","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-29T17:22:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it last met the University and College Union and what issues were discussed. ","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-10-07T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306801,"EventID":"S4O-04693","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":2673,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":114,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-30T13:42:18.737","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-29T16:06:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what it is doing to help increase take-up of the flu vaccination.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-10-08T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306802,"EventID":"S4O-04681","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":2674,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":99,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-30T13:42:19.153","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-28T12:03:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on the closure of rural schools and nurseries.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-10-07T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306803,"EventID":"S4O-04691","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":2675,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":93,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-30T13:42:19.533","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-28T12:03:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what progress Abellio has made on behalf of users of long-distance Scottish rail routes.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-10-08T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306804,"EventID":"S4O-04694","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":3743,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":123,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-30T13:42:20.05","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-30T10:50:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to improve the effectiveness of the planning system in cases where developers do not adhere to agreed plans or start work without permission.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-10-08T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306805,"EventID":"S4O-04675","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":3751,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":108,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-30T13:42:20.43","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-29T12:29:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it will work with further and higher education institutions to ensure that students in receipt of employment and support allowance will not find their education disrupted when universal credit is rolled out.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-10-07T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306806,"EventID":"S4O-04673","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":3763,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-30T13:42:20.913","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-28T12:03:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it last met Inverclyde Council to discuss education matters.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-10-07T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306807,"EventID":"S4O-04683","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":3824,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-30T13:42:21.397","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-30T11:14:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what progress it is making in appointing attainment officers in each local authority area.","AnswerText":"Attainment Advisors for the seven local authorities in phase one of the Attainment Challenge are in post. The recruitment of individuals and assignment of Education Scotland staff as Attainment Advisors to the remaining local authorities is ongoing and all 32 will be in place by the end of November 2015.","AnswerDate":"2015-10-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-10-07T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306808,"EventID":"S4O-04678","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-30T13:42:21.797","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-29T16:14:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with local authorities regarding the impact of the agreement to maintain teacher numbers.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-10-07T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306809,"EventID":"S4O-04682","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-30T13:42:22.41","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-28T12:03:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to the UNISON Scotland survey claiming that staff morale at colleges \"is at rock bottom with 79% of respondents saying staff felt negative or extremely negative\".","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-10-07T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306810,"EventID":"S4O-04697","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":4940,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-30T13:42:23.73","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-29T12:09:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what support it is giving to build the economy in the Central Scotland region.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-10-08T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306811,"EventID":"S4O-04671","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":4951,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-30T13:42:24.24","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-30T09:59:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it will next meet the head of Scotland's Rural College.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-10-07T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306812,"EventID":"S4O-04690","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":4955,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":105,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-30T13:42:24.63","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-28T12:03:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with Network Rail regarding the development of the rail investment programme beyond 2019.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-10-08T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306813,"EventID":"S4O-04689","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":5038,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-30T13:42:25.17","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-30T10:07:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to fill consultant vacancies in NHS Fife.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-10-08T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306814,"EventID":"S4O-04672","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":5041,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-30T13:42:25.547","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-28T12:03:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it considers that the recent reforms to the Protecting Vulnerable Groups Scheme are sufficient.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-10-07T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306815,"EventID":"S4O-04686","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":5079,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-30T13:42:25.963","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-30T11:50:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the number of compulsory redundancies there have been in colleges.","AnswerText":"I have made clear to the Scottish Funding Council (SFC) and colleges the government’s opposition to compulsory redundancies and I have urged them to do everything possible to avoid them. \r\nNotwithstanding our policy, I am aware the SFC wrote to you recently confirming 23 redundancies at North Highland College and seven at Fife College between 2011-12 to 2013-14. Subsequently, I have been advised that North Highland College plans another five. Given our position on compulsory redundancies, I have written to the college to express my extreme disappointment.","AnswerDate":"2015-10-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-10-07T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306816,"EventID":"S4O-04685","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":5080,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-30T13:42:26.51","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-29T15:52:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it will provide funding to Falkirk Council from the Attainment Scotland Fund for Langlees Primary School and how it will be spent.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-10-07T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306817,"EventID":"S4O-04687","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":5106,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":118,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-30T13:42:26.863","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-28T12:03:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it last met Aberdeen City Council to discuss education matters.","AnswerText":"I met with the Leader of Aberdeen City Council at the teachers’ summit held on 30 September 2015 in Aberdeen. I discussed with her and other local authority leaders from the north of Scotland issues relating to the recruitment and retention of teachers.\r\nThe government is already providing an additional £10 million on top of the existing £41 million to help all local authorities to maintain existing teacher numbers, and Aberdeen City Council has been allocated an appropriate share of that funding. We provided funding for the University of Aberdeen and its partner local authorities to develop and deliver a part-time distance learning initial teacher education programme, and Aberdeen City Council have employees on the programme training to be teachers. We have increased the numbers of student places in Initial Teacher Education and allocated extra places to the University of Aberdeen and the University of the Highlands and Islands. And we have recently launched a national promotional campaign to encourage even more talented young people to become teachers.","AnswerDate":"2015-10-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-10-07T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306818,"EventID":"S4O-04674","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":5107,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":124,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-30T13:42:27.343","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-28T12:03:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what evidence it is aware of that energy drink consumption by pupils during the school day may impact on classroom behaviour.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-10-07T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306819,"EventID":"S4W-27810","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":2,"MSPID":3771,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-30T15:59:58.573","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-30T15:57:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government on what date the independent review of transvaginal mesh implants will publish its interim report.","AnswerText":"The independent review has informed the Scottish Government that it will publish its interim report on 2 October 2015.","AnswerDate":"2015-10-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-10-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306820,"EventID":"S4W-27796","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-30T16:44:35.777","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-29T16:40:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what is being done to identify and support mental health issues during pregnancy.","AnswerText":"High quality, relationship based antenatal care with a strong focus on prevention, promotion of health, early intervention and support as early as possible in pregnancy is vitally important. In this respect, GPs, midwives, health visitors and obstetricians are trained in perinatal mental health education and deliver services and support to individuals according to their assessed needs and in line with clinical guidelines such as SIGN guideline 127 on the Management of Perinatal Mood Disorders.\r\nFor example, at booking appointments, midwives will ask women if they have any concerns regarding their mental health, or any previous history and this is documented in the Scottish Women-Held Maternity Record. Where any concerns are raised, we expect NHS boards to have the appropriate pathways in place to be able to support women and refer them onwards to the appropriate mental health service or specialist.\r\nIn September, NHS Education for Scotland launched a national resource – an on-line module in relation to perinatal mental health which will have open access for staff in any sector. This is in addition to any local education for staff that is offered.\r\nThe Scottish Government has also developed an antenatal access target that at least 80% of pregnant women in each Scottish Index of Multiple Deprivation quintile will have booked for antenatal care by the twelfth week of gestation by March 2015, which has been in place since April 2012.","AnswerDate":"2015-10-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-10-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306821,"EventID":"S4W-27797","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-30T16:44:36.587","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-29T16:40:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what is being done to identify and support people with mental health issues in the workplace. ","AnswerText":"See Me is Scotland’s national campaign to end mental health stigma and discrimination. Scottish Government provides £1 million per year in addition to £0.5 million from Comic Relief to support the See Me programme. See Me Workplace is part of the See Me anti stigma work to support the reduction of stigma and raise awareness in the workplace for people entering and retaining work in Scotland. See Me has recently launched a work programme which takes organisations through four specific steps from commitment and awareness through to practice transformation and becoming a See Me Work Partner: https://www.seemescotland.org/workplace/see-me-in-work/.\r\nFit for Work Scotland is a service recently established on a phased basis from December 2014. The service provides support for people in work to remain at work, or return to work following periods of long term sickness absence. It provides assessment and advice for employers and employees around interventions and actions which could facilitate a return to work. This service is not specifically for mental health and wellbeing, but incorporates it: \r\nhttp://www.FitforWorkScotland.scot.\r\nThe Scottish Government provides funding to NHS Health Scotland to deliver the Healthy Working Lives Scotland service. This is a comprehensive service offering advice and support to employers and their employees around health, safety and wellbeing. This is facilitated through advice lines and award schemes. The award schemes are from bronze to gold and the silver award specifically states the need to “Provide managers and supervisors with training to increase their knowledge and understanding of mental health, wellbeing and stress in the workplace. Ensure managers are aware of their responsibilities in relation to employee support.” (http://www.healthyworkinglives.com/).","AnswerDate":"2015-10-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-10-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306822,"EventID":"S4W-27798","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-30T16:44:37.367","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-29T16:40:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many schools-based mental health counsellors are employed by each local authority.","AnswerText":"This information is not held centrally.\r\nThe Schools (Health Promotion and Nutrition) Act (Scotland) 2007 places a number of duties on local education authorities including ensuring that schools are health promoting. This includes promoting physical, social, mental and emotional wellbeing by supporting pupils to make positive lifestyle choices in relation to their health and wellbeing.\r\nAll adults who work in schools have a responsibility to support and develop mental, emotional, social and physical wellbeing. It is for the local authority and schools to decide how to develop their own approaches to implement Curriculum for Excellence, based on local needs and circumstances. Whilst an authority may wish to provide access to school based counselling in their schools, in other areas, schools utilise the skills of their pastoral care or guidance staff and liaise with health services for specialist support when required.\r\nEvery school has a named contact in specialist Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service services who can be contacted for advice if they have any concerns about a pupil and can provide ongoing support.","AnswerDate":"2015-10-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-10-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alasdair Allan","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306823,"EventID":"S4W-27799","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-30T16:44:38.147","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-29T16:40:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what it is doing to increase the provision of social prescribing for all types of depression, including post-natal depression.","AnswerText":"Through the advisory group set up to support commitment 15 of the Mental Health Strategy 2012-2015, NHS Health Scotland is working to increase local knowledge of social prescribing opportunities. NHS Health Scotland has developed a paper offering advice to local area partnerships based on evidence and current practice on how to establish approaches to social prescribing for common mental health problems, including depression, as well as anxiety and stress. In addition a review of the evidence around what interventions work most effectively to improve mental health outcomes, a paper on how best to build capacity for social prescribing across services, equality guidance to ensure the approaches are inclusive to those most marginalised and least able to attend and case studies of practice showing social prescribing within a range of sectors and services will shortly be published on the Well Scotland website (http://www.wellscotland.info/) to further support the provision of social prescribing across a range of mental health conditions.\r\nHowever it remains that the provision of any treatment is a clinical decision and there is good evidence that GPs assess and treat depression appropriately. While we ensure those who need medication continue to receive it, we are also committed to improving access to psychological therapies that increase choice and best accommodate patient preference.","AnswerDate":"2015-10-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-10-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306824,"EventID":"S4W-27800","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-30T16:44:39.187","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-29T16:40:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what additional resources are being allocated to ensure support for women with post-natal depression.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government sets national direction of policy on mental health and provides funding to agencies, including NHS boards and local authorities, to support implementation of policy.\r\nThe management of local actions in implementing national policy, and decisions on local spending priorities are the responsibility of relevant local agencies. It is therefore the responsibility of NHS boards and local authorities to work with their partners and regularly review spending decisions to deliver fit for purpose services which respond to local needs.\r\nFunding on mental health promotion, early intervention and appropriate treatment for people with mental health problems, including postnatal depression, will continue to be drawn from the overall funds allocated to NHS Scotland and local authorities by the Scottish Government.\r\nWe are investing an additional £100 million in mental health over the next five years to further improve mental health services and we are currently working with our partners to ensure that we get maximum benefit from that investment.","AnswerDate":"2015-10-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-10-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306825,"EventID":"S4W-27801","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-30T16:44:40.017","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-29T16:40:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether all women with post-natal depression are offered the option of being admitted to hospital and bringing their babies, where this would be appropriate.","AnswerText":"We expect all women with postnatal depression to be offered care, services and support that responds appropriately to individually assessed needs and to be offered the option of being admitted to hospital with their child in line with the provisions of the Mental Health (Care and Treatment) (Scotland) Act 2003 where that is appropriate.","AnswerDate":"2015-10-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-10-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306826,"EventID":"S4W-27802","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-30T16:44:40.847","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-29T16:40:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what is being done to provide mental health services and support that focus on the mother-infant relationship.","AnswerText":" I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-26482 on 28 July 2015. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/Apps2?MAQASearch/QAndMSearch.aspx.","AnswerDate":"2015-10-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-10-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306827,"EventID":"S4W-27783","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1892,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":134,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-30T16:44:41.687","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-29T11:10:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what meetings it had had with representatives of (a) TOMRA and (b) other reverse vending companies since 2014.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has had no meetings with representatives of TOMRA or other reverse vending companies since 2014.","AnswerDate":"2015-10-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-10-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Richard Lochhead","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306828,"EventID":"S4W-27784","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1892,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":134,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-30T16:44:42.177","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-29T11:10:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to carry out (a) an equalities and (b) a business regulatory impact assessment in addition to the study on the prevention of litter through community engagement that it commissioned Eunomia to carry out. ","AnswerText":"Formal business and regulatory impact assessments and equality impact assessments are not usually carried out on studies that are intended to inform policy development. Assessments of this nature are carried out if policy proposals are brought forward.","AnswerDate":"2015-10-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-10-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Richard Lochhead","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306829,"EventID":"S4W-27805","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4014,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-30T16:44:42.617","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-30T14:01:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government on what date in July 2015 the letter from Malcolm Pentland, Head of Major Events, on behalf of the Scottish Government was sent to DF Concerts outlining the powers under section 23 of the National Heritage (Scotland) Act 1985 as they affected the conditions of the £150,000 grant provided to T in the Park.","AnswerText":"The letter from the Scottish Government offering DF Concerts and Events a one off grant of £150,000 to support the transition of the T in the Park event from Balado to Strathallan was sent on 2 July 2015. It was published by the Scottish Government on 28 September 2015 and can be viewed at\r\nhttp://www.gov.scot/Resource/0048/00486201.pdf. A copy of the letter has also been placed in Scottish Parliament Information Centre (Bib. number 57297).\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-10-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-10-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fiona Hyslop","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306830,"EventID":"S4W-27806","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4014,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-09-30T16:44:43.017","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-30T14:01:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government which ministers met Geoff Ellis of DF Concerts to discuss the £150,000 grant provided to T in the Park and on what dates.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-26910 on 14 August 2015. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-10-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-10-28T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fiona Hyslop","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306846,"EventID":"S4W-27807","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1756,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":136,"ApprovedDate":"2015-10-01T13:51:54.75","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-30T15:36:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government which sections of the Animal Health and Welfare (Scotland) Act 2006 have yet to come into force and when.","AnswerText":"The provisions of the Animal Health and Welfare (Scotland) Act 2006 that are yet to come into force are section 52 insofar as introducing paragraphs 6, 9(b), (d) (insofar as not already in force), (h) to (l), (n) and (p) of schedule 2 to that Act. These relate to powers provided to the Scottish Ministers for the revocation of existing legislation on the welfare of animals.\r\nThese powers will be used to present secondary statutory legislation for the approval of the Scottish Parliament when the Scottish Ministers consider it necessary, following the ongoing review of pet animal welfare.","AnswerDate":"2015-10-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-10-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Richard Lochhead","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306847,"EventID":"S4W-27808","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1756,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":136,"ApprovedDate":"2015-10-01T13:51:56.03","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-30T15:36:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on microchipping cats.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government encourages all owners to microchip their pets as the best way of being reunited with them should they be separated. This recommendation is included in the Scottish Government Code of Practice for the Welfare of Cats approved by the Scottish Parliament on 27 January 2010.\r\nThe Scottish Government does not consider compulsory microchipping to be required for cats.","AnswerDate":"2015-10-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-10-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Richard Lochhead","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306848,"EventID":"S4W-27839","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1845,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-10-01T13:51:57.17","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-10-01T11:39:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many people in each NHS board area are not registered with a GP.","AnswerText":"The information requested is not held centrally.\r\nThe Information Services Division of National Services Scotland produces practice population size reports every quarter. These can be accessed at the following website: http://www.isdscotland.org/Health-Topics/General-Practice/Workforce-and-Practice-Populations/Practices-and-Their-Populations/\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-10-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-10-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306849,"EventID":"S4W-27840","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1845,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-10-01T13:51:57.963","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-10-01T11:39:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the average waiting time is for a heart scan in each NHS board.","AnswerText":"The specific information requested is not held centrally. Waiting time data is collected by specialism only and not by condition, although most patients requiring a heart scan will be subject to a diagnostic test and are likely to receive their treatment at an outpatient clinic; any waits for these tests should be as short as possible and not exceed six weeks.","AnswerDate":"2015-10-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-10-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306850,"EventID":"S4W-27823","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-10-01T13:51:58.807","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-10-01T09:25:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it will provide an update on the progress of implementation of the Emergency Department Capacity Management Guidance.","AnswerText":"In partnership with the Royal College of Emergency Medicine in Scotland I launched the Emergency Department Capacity Management Guidance on 30 September 2015. This guidance, which aims to reduce and eliminate emergency department crowding by improving patient flow through the urgent and emergency care system, and through the hospital, complementing the six essential actions work already underway, will improve the quality and safety of care for patients and their families when they attend hospital.\r\nWhile implementation of the guidance is in its early stages, and therefore too early to offer a formal update on progress, I can advise that a second event has been arranged for 6 November 2015 in order to get an update from each site across NHSScotland; this will give us a baseline of current state of implementation and inform a timeline for full implementation in each site. Progress against the implementation of the guidance will be monitored through the national unscheduled care team.","AnswerDate":"2015-10-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-10-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306851,"EventID":"S4W-27824","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-10-01T13:52:00.523","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-10-01T09:25:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has put in place to implement the Emergency Department Capacity Management Guidance in advance of the winter months.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government's national unscheduled care team is working closely with all NHS boards across Scotland around the implementation of Emergency Department Capacity Management Guidance. An event has been arranged for 6 November 2015 in order to get an update from each site across NHSScotland; this will give us a baseline of current state of implementation and inform a timeline for full implementation in each site. Progress against the implementation of the guidance will be monitored through the national unscheduled care team.\r\nThis work will complement and build on the work of the six essential actions and our winter planning guidance, issued in August 2015, which asked boards to have in place strategies for staffing additional capacity and maintaining progress towards minimising delays in discharging patients – this will be supported through our additional winter investment of £10.7 million.","AnswerDate":"2015-10-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-10-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306852,"EventID":"S4W-27825","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-10-01T13:52:02.16","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-10-01T09:25:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what (a) financial and (b) other types of support it is providing for capacity planning as recommended in the Emergency Department Capacity Management Guidance.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has invested £9 million this year (2015-16) to support NHS boards across Scotland to implement the unscheduled care six essential actions. In the five months since the launch of the programme we have set up the basic essential elements that will ensure the continuous progress of the programme, for example, we have:\r\nRecruited a national team made up of experts with a range of professional expertise to work with local team across Scotland;\r\nSupported boards to recruit local teams dedicated to implementing the six essential actions.\r\nThe national team will support the local teams to roll out this guidance, which complements the six essential actions, and will monitor progress throughout the term of the two year programme. Additionally, the winter investment of £10.7 million, which will help ease pressure on Scotland's NHS across the winter months, will also support capacity planning.","AnswerDate":"2015-10-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-10-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306853,"EventID":"S4W-27826","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-10-01T13:52:03.77","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-10-01T09:25:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many instances of overcrowding in hospitals there have been in each month since 2012, broken down by NHS board.","AnswerText":"Emergency Department Capacity Management Guidance was issued in partnership with the Royal College of Emergency Medicine in September. The guidance recognises that there are many inter-related types of crowding, and that thresholds for crowding need to be agreed locally to take account of the different physical layouts and size of units. The Scottish Government has asked NHS boards to develop local measures of overcrowding, at board and hospital level, as part of a whole system approach to improving unscheduled care.","AnswerDate":"2015-10-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-10-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306854,"EventID":"S4W-27811","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5057,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-10-01T13:52:05.767","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-30T16:28:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many people have used the Victim Information and Advice service in each year since 2006-07.","AnswerText":"Statistics are not centrally held for the numbers of individuals within the cases which are referred who then use the Victim Information and Advice (VIA) service.\r\nFrom the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service records, the number of cases which have been referred to VIA service in each year is:\r\n2006-07\r\n27,559\r\n2007-08\r\n29,624\r\n2008-09\r\n34,393\r\n2009-10\r\n35,366\r\n2010-11\r\n36,000\r\n2011-12\r\n36,543\r\n2012-13\r\n34,251\r\n2013-14\r\n40,061\r\n2014-15\r\n40,009\r\nVIA may provide advice and information to more than one victim or witness in a case which is referred to them.","AnswerDate":"2015-10-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-10-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Frank Mulholland QC","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306855,"EventID":"S4W-27812","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5057,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-10-01T13:52:06.5","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-30T16:28:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many staff have been employed by the Victim Information and Advice service in each year since 2006-07, broken down by position, and what the service’s budget was in each of these years. ","AnswerText":"Figures for the total number of staff employed in the Victim Information and Advice (VIA) service in each year and for the VIA budget are published in the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service annual accounts.\r\nThe details of the positions which were held by those working in VIA are not recorded centrally. \r\nFor each year, the number of VIA staff is as follows:\r\nYear\r\nNumber of VIA Staff\r\n2006-07\r\n69\r\n2007-08\r\n62\r\n2008-09\r\n91\r\n2009-10\r\n95\r\n2010-11\r\n92\r\n2011-12\r\n88\r\n2012-13\r\n78\r\n2013-14\r\n86\r\n2014-15\r\n96\r\nThe VIA service is not allocated a separate budget. Indicative figures of the costs of the service can be found in our published annual accounts as follows:\r\nYear\r\n\r\n2006-07\r\n£1,924,000\r\n2007-08\r\n£1,805,000\r\n2008-09\r\n£2,586,000\r\n2009-10\r\n£2,846,000\r\n2010-11\r\n£2,933,000\r\n2011-12\r\n£2,773,000\r\n2012-13\r\n£2,743,000\r\n2013-14\r\n£2,786,000\r\n2014-15\r\n£2,857,000\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-10-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-10-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Frank Mulholland QC","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306856,"EventID":"S4W-27814","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5057,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-10-01T13:52:07.2","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-30T16:28:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on reports that approximately 2,500 drugs cases are awaiting analysis due to the Scottish Police Authority having a lack of forensic science capacity, and what impact this is having on sheriff courts.","AnswerText":"Scottish Police Authority Forensic Services has confirmed that they have 2,500 drugs cases in their current workload which includes cases being worked on and those yet to be started. The Crown Office has confirmed that there are no systemic issues of drugs cases being delayed or lost due to problems with drugs reports. Where issues are foreseen, Forensic Services is proactive in contacting local Procurators Fiscal to put a plan in place to ensure that essential timescales are met. Any fluctuations in workloads are monitored and managed with other justice partners.","AnswerDate":"2015-10-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-10-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306857,"EventID":"S4W-27817","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5057,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-10-01T13:52:07.857","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-30T16:28:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many prisoners have been prescribed methadone in each year since 2006-07, broken down by prison.","AnswerText":"\r\nData collected by Scottish Prison Service\r\nData collected by NHS\r\nDec-06\r\nDec-07\r\nDec-08\r\nDec-09\r\nDec-10\r\nSep-14\r\nApr-15\r\nPrison\r\nHM Prison Aberdeen¹\r\n62\r\n64\r\n68\r\n62\r\n80\r\nN/A\r\nN/A\r\nHM Prison Peterhead²\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\nN/A\r\nN/A\r\nHM Prison Grampian\r\nN/A\r\nN/A\r\nN/A\r\nN/A\r\nN/A\r\n82\r\n107\r\nHM Prison Addiewell³\r\nN/A\r\nN/A\r\n*\r\n159\r\n148\r\n149\r\n149\r\nHM Prison Barlinnie\r\n349\r\n304\r\n357\r\n286\r\n308\r\n265\r\n219\r\nHM Prison Castle Huntly4\r\n45\r\n69\r\n39\r\n39\r\n35\r\n20\r\n18\r\nHMP & YOI Cornton Vale\r\n75\r\n80\r\n104\r\n98\r\n104\r\n57\r\n66\r\nHM Prison Dumfries\r\n24\r\n26\r\n25\r\n28\r\n33\r\n31\r\n23\r\nHM Prison Edinburgh\r\n141\r\n141\r\n192\r\n159\r\n187\r\n192\r\n175\r\nHM Prison Glenochil\r\n96\r\n136\r\n178\r\n189\r\n137\r\n107\r\n87\r\nHM Prison Greenock\r\n48\r\n47\r\n47\r\n74\r\n64\r\n72\r\n81\r\nHM Prison Inverness\r\n*\r\n8\r\n17\r\n14\r\n*\r\n14\r\n10\r\nHM Prison Kilmarnock\r\n117\r\n202\r\n138\r\n154\r\n203\r\n119\r\n122\r\nHM Prison Low Moss5\r\n72\r\nN/A\r\nN/A\r\nN/A\r\nN/A\r\n168\r\n167\r\nHM Prison Perth\r\n40\r\n101\r\n143\r\n162\r\n180\r\n175\r\n174\r\nHMP & YOI Polmont\r\n*\r\n8\r\n*\r\n9\r\n*\r\n*\r\n*\r\nHM Prison Shotts\r\n142\r\n168\r\n170\r\n153\r\n145\r\n161\r\n180\r\nN/A - indicates where information isn't available due to prison not yet being open or prison closure \r\n* - indicates values that have been suppressed due to the potential risk of disclosure and to help maintain confidentiality.\r\n1. HM Prison Aberdeen closed in January 2014, merged with HM Prison Peterhead to become HM Prison Grampian which opened in March 2014.\r\n2. HM Prison Peterhead closed in December 2013, merged with HM Prison Aberdeen to become HM Prison Grampian which opened in March 2014.\r\n3. HM Prison Addiewell opened in December 2008.\r\n4. HM Prison Castle Huntly was merged with HM Prison Noranside to form HM Prison Open Estate. This prison opened in November 2011 at the Castle Huntly site. The figures provided from 2006-10 encompass those from both HMP Castle Huntly and HMP Noranside.\r\n5. HM Prison Low Moss closed in May 2007, re-opening in March 2012.","AnswerDate":"2015-10-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-10-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Paul Wheelhouse","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306858,"EventID":"S4W-27818","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5057,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-10-01T13:52:08.557","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-30T16:28:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many times prisoner appearances at court have been conducted via a closed-circuit television link in each year since 2011-12.","AnswerText":"The following figures show the number of court appearances conducted by video link between prisons and courts. It should be noted that legislation currently prohibits certain hearing types from being conducted via video link. The Scottish Government, via the Criminal Justice (Scotland) Bill, intends to amend the legislation to allow all hearings to be conducted via video link except those where evidence is to be led (i.e. trial diets). This will allow a greater number of hearings to be conducted by video link in future. \r\n2011-12 – Figure unavailable.\r\n2012-13 – 259\r\n2013-14 – 186\r\n2014-15 – 260\r\n2015-16 to date – 228","AnswerDate":"2015-10-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-10-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306859,"EventID":"S4W-27819","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5057,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-10-01T13:52:09.307","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-30T16:28:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many times solicitors have interviewed clients in custody via a closed-circuit link or other technology in each year since 2011-12.","AnswerText":"The following figures show the number of solicitor to client in custody consultations conducted by video link. It should be noted that in years 2013-14, 2014-15 and up until end of September 2015 the availability of video links to allow agent to client consultations has been limited as this has been a pilot project. The pilot phase has now successfully completed and with a rollout plan in place it is expected that the numbers of consultation via video link will increase over the next 2 years. \r\n2011-12 – 0 (pre pilot project)\r\n2012-13 – 0 (pre-pilot project)\r\n2013-14 - 216 \r\n2014-15 - 571 \r\n2015-16 to date 270 ","AnswerDate":"2015-10-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-10-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306860,"EventID":"S4W-27820","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5057,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-10-01T13:52:09.977","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-30T16:28:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much it has budgeted to finance closed-circuit television links between courts and prisons in each year since 2011-12.","AnswerText":"Funding has been allocated by the Scottish Government and relevant justice organisations for the improvement of the information and communications technology infrastructure in the courts and in prisons, including the installation of video technology for a variety of purposes, including solicitors consultations with clients in custody, family visits, video links to and from court rooms for vulnerable witnesses as well as links to allow those in custody to attend court hearings remotely. Because the new technology can be used for multiple purposes and has been funded as a consolidated package of work, there is not a discrete budget allocation for courts to prisons video links.","AnswerDate":"2015-10-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-10-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306861,"EventID":"S4W-27821","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5057,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-10-01T13:52:10.68","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-09-30T16:28:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to use tagging technology to track offenders on early release who have been identified as requiring closer supervision.","AnswerText":"Electronic monitoring has been in use in Scotland since 2002. radio frequency technology is currently used in Scotland to monitor individuals serving the whole or part of their sentence in the community. Radio frequency technology can be used to curfew an individual to or away from a particular address for set periods throughout the day or night.\r\nInternational evidence shows that electronic monitoring is most effective when used as part of a wider package of support. As well as providing an element of control, in line with public protection, electronic monitoring can help to build and maintain connections with a person’s family, their community and their employment, all of which can help reduce the likelihood of re-offending.\r\nWhile we do not currently have legislation in place to allow us to use GPS monitoring technology, I have tasked an expert group with considering how all forms of electronic monitoring, including GPS, can be used most effectively in the future. That group will make firm recommendations to me in Spring 2016.","AnswerDate":"2015-10-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-10-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306862,"EventID":"S4W-27827","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5057,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-10-01T13:52:11.333","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-10-01T10:16:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many Scottish Police Authority Forensic Services laboratories there are, where they are located and how many people are employed at each. ","AnswerText":"The information requested is a matter for the Scottish Police Authority. I have alerted the Chief Executive to your question and I have asked him to write to you.","AnswerDate":"2015-10-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-10-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306863,"EventID":"S4W-27828","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5057,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-10-01T13:52:11.99","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-10-01T10:16:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the budget has been for the Scottish Police Authority Forensic Services and its predecessor body in each year since 2006-07. ","AnswerText":"The information requested is a matter for the Scottish Police Authority. I have alerted the Chief Executive to your question and I have asked him to write to you.","AnswerDate":"2015-10-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-10-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306864,"EventID":"S4W-27829","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5057,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-10-01T13:52:12.723","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-10-01T10:16:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many people have been employed by Scottish Police Authority Forensic Services and what the backlog of cases has been in each of the last five years.","AnswerText":"The information requested is a matter for the Scottish Police Authority. I have alerted the Chief Executive to your question and I have asked him to write to you.","AnswerDate":"2015-10-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-10-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306865,"EventID":"S4W-27830","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5057,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-10-01T13:52:13.393","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-10-01T10:16:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many cases have been transferred for processing from one Scottish Police Authority Forensic Services laboratory to another in each year since 2011-12.","AnswerText":"The information requested is a matter for the Scottish Police Authority. I have alerted the Chief Executive to your question and I have asked him to write to you.","AnswerDate":"2015-10-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-10-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306866,"EventID":"S4W-27831","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5057,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-10-01T13:52:14.063","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-10-01T10:16:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many (a) cases have been processed by Scottish Police Authority Forensic Services and (b) days it has taken to process each case in 2014-15. ","AnswerText":"The information requested is a matter for the Scottish Police Authority. I have alerted the Chief Executive to your question and I have asked him to write to you.","AnswerDate":"2015-10-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-10-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306873,"EventID":"S4W-27847","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1793,"Party":"Independent","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-10-01T16:54:05.663","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-10-01T16:14:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether (a) farmers and (b) crofters will be required to provide regular soil samples in order to receive common agricultural policy payments under the new area-based support regime.","AnswerText":"There will be no requirement for farmers or crofters to provide soil samples in order to receive common agricultural policy (CAP) payments. We are awaiting commission approval to implement CAP ‘greening’ requirements though a national certification scheme from 2016. We have proposed to the commission that this will include a requirement for farmers to indicate how much fertiliser and lime they intend to apply on permanent grassland fields (excluding those fields which also contain arable land and also excluding Nitrate Vulnerable Zones areas). Through guidance, we will encourage farmers to use a soil pH test to inform these decisions, but there will be no requirement to do so in order to receive CAP payments.","AnswerDate":"2015-10-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-10-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Richard Lochhead","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306874,"EventID":"S4W-27849","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1793,"Party":"Independent","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-10-01T16:54:06.413","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-10-01T16:18:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether aerial photography is used to determine the payment region to which agricultural land is allocated and, if so, what information it holds regarding the age of the aerial photographs used, if not, what methodology is used.","AnswerText":"The payment region to which land is allocated was determined by its current vegetative cover and its Less Favoured Area Support Scheme grazing category. The principal sources of evidence used for vegetative cover were the crop code used to claim Single Farm Payment Scheme (SFPS) on the Single Application Form 2014 and Land Cover of Scotland 1988 (LCS88) data. Land parcels with either 40% or more SFPS eligible arable crops and rotational grass (excluding permanent grass) or 50% or more permanent grass and LCS88 smooth grassland were provisionally assessed as Payment Region 1. In cases where farmers or crofters were not satisfied with the provisional allocation of their land to payment regions, they were given an opportunity to provide additional evidence as to its current vegetative cover. This could, but need not necessarily, include aerial photography data, the age of which could vary from case to case. This methodology was discussed and agreed with industry stakeholders. In total Rural Payments and Inspections Division assessed over 400,000 land parcels covering some 26,000 holdings.","AnswerDate":"2015-10-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-10-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Richard Lochhead","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306875,"EventID":"S4W-27850","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1793,"Party":"Independent","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-10-01T16:54:07.1","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-10-01T16:18:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether maps produced by the Macaulay Land Use Research Institute have been used to allocate land in Shetland to payment regions and, if so, when they were produced.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government used objective criteria which took account of a land parcel’s Land Cover of Scotland 1988 (LCS88) data, Less Favoured Area Support Scheme grazing category, and the crop code used to claim Single Farm Payment Scheme (SFPS) on the Single Application Form (SAF) 2014. The 1988 LCS88 data came from the Macaulay Land Use Research Institute. Land parcels with either 40% or more SFPS eligible arable crops and rotational grass (excluding permanent grass) or 50% or more permanent grass and LCS88 smooth grassland were provisionally assessed as Payment Region 1. This methodology was discussed and agreed with industry stakeholders. In total Rural Payments and Inspections Division (RPID) assessed over 400,000 land parcels covering some 26,000 holdings.","AnswerDate":"2015-10-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-10-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Richard Lochhead","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306876,"EventID":"S4W-27851","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1793,"Party":"Independent","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-10-01T16:54:07.783","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-10-01T16:18:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it considers soil samples an effective means of demonstrating whether land has been maintained in good agricultural condition.","AnswerText":"The framework provided by the European Commission under which Good Agricultural and Environmental Condition (GAEC) has to be defined does not include the nutrient status of soils. Accordingly there is no requirement to carry out soil samples as a test of GAEC. However the Scottish Government still encourages crofters and farmers to use soil testing to inform their own decisions on the application of lime and fertilisers.","AnswerDate":"2015-10-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-10-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Richard Lochhead","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306877,"EventID":"S4W-27852","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1793,"Party":"Independent","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-10-01T16:54:08.47","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-10-01T16:18:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what evidence that crofting land that has been apportioned and improved has not since reverted is required for the purpose of allocating it to a payment region.","AnswerText":"If crofters were not satisfied with the payment region provisionally allocated to their land they could submit a request for a review. In seeking a review, they need to provide evidence of the status of the land in relation to the objective criteria (see replies to questions S4W-27849 and S4W-27850 on 20 October 2015) to justify any alternative allocation. This would include a detailed map with measurements of the relative areas of rough grazing and better quality permanent grazing, along with photographs to correlate with map measurements, and any additional evidence that may be available to them such as their own aerial photography. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.","AnswerDate":"2015-10-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-10-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Richard Lochhead","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306878,"EventID":"S4W-27853","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1793,"Party":"Independent","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-10-01T16:54:09.157","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-10-01T16:18:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many basic payment claimants submitted an environmental assessment for all or part of their land by 31 August 2015, and what the total area of land was for which such assessments were submitted, broken down by local authority area.","AnswerText":"Until the validation and processing of all claims has been completed the Scottish Government cannot provide this information.","AnswerDate":"2015-10-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-10-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Richard Lochhead","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306879,"EventID":"S4W-27854","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1793,"Party":"Independent","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-10-01T16:54:09.937","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-10-01T16:18:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide the name of the claimant and the area of land for which an environmental assessment was submitted for each basic payment claimant who is a legal rather than a natural person and who submitted such an assessment by 31 August 2015.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to S4W-27853 on 20 October 2015, the Scottish Government cannot provide any information of this sort until the validation and processing of all claims has been completed. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.","AnswerDate":"2015-10-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-10-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Richard Lochhead","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306880,"EventID":"S4W-27842","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2595,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-10-01T16:54:10.623","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-10-01T13:31:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-27660 by Annabelle Ewing on 1 October 2015, when the audit and compliance procedures will be completed and what action it will then take to make available the information that was requested.","AnswerText":"The audit and compliance procedures are due to be completed to allow final payments to local authorities by June 2016. A response to the information requested will be provided to you, when available.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-10-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-10-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Annabelle Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306881,"EventID":"S4W-27843","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2595,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-10-01T16:54:11.437","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-10-01T13:31:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-27661 by Annabelle Ewing on 1 October 2015, when the audit and compliance procedures will be completed and what action it will then take to make available the information that was requested.","AnswerText":"The audit and compliance procedures are due to be completed to allow final payments to local authorities by June 2016. A response to the information requested will be provided to you, when available.\r\n\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-10-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-10-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Annabelle Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306882,"EventID":"S4W-27833","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3806,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-10-01T16:54:12.34","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-10-01T12:26:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what recent representations it has made to the UK Government on the impact on Scottish ferry services of EU regulation 3577/92 on maritime cabotage.","AnswerText":"As noted in my statement to Parliament on 24 June 2015, it has been demonstrated that European law (Council Regulation (EEC) No 3577/92, applying the principle of freedom to provide services to maritime transport within member states (maritime cabotage), and the relevant provisions of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union) requires the Scottish Government to tender ferry services when public subsidy is being provided.\r\nThe previous contract for the Clyde and Hebrides Ferry Services (CHFS) was awarded in 2007, following a full tendering process carried out under the same requirements of European law. Subsequent to that, the European Commission carried out an in-depth investigation between 2008 and 2009 of Scottish ferry subsidies. Following that investigation, a decision was issued noting that state-aid payments for CHFS were allowable and proportionate. This positive outcome was based in part on the commission’s recognition that the contract had been awarded in compliance with the maritime cabotage regulation and associated guidance.\r\nKeith Brown, the then Minister for Transport, wrote in 2012 to the European Commission, seeking a review of the requirement to tender ferry services in Scotland. Commissioner Almunia, the then competition commissioner, made clear in his response that the commission strongly advocates the widest possible use of open and transparent tendering procedures when public authorities entrust companies with a public service obligation. Keith Brown, as Cabinet Secretary for Infrastructure, Investment and Cities, also met with senior commission officials in Brussels on 2 July 2015 to explore further the potential to avoid tendering the CHFS contract. The commission reiterated its position that the maritime cabotage regulation, in line with the principles of the EU treaty, requires non-discrimination between operators and that the best way to ensure this is an open and transparent competitive tendering exercise.\r\nWe continue to seek clarification from the commission about individual issues that arise in relation to publicly subsidised ferry services in Scotland.","AnswerDate":"2015-10-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-10-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306883,"EventID":"S4W-27834","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3806,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-10-01T16:54:13.353","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-10-01T12:26:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it last submitted a legal argument to the UK Government in favour of seeking a derogation for Scottish ferry services from EU regulation 3577/92 on maritime cabotage.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-27833 on 15 October 2015. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.","AnswerDate":"2015-10-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-10-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306884,"EventID":"S4W-27835","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3806,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-10-01T16:54:14.18","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-10-01T12:27:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it last reviewed its policy on the effect on Scottish ferry services of the tendering requirement in EU regulation 3577/92 on maritime cabotage.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-27833 on 15 October 2015. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.","AnswerDate":"2015-10-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-10-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306885,"EventID":"S4W-27836","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3806,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-10-01T16:54:14.993","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-10-01T12:27:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what progress it has made on completing the roll-out of the road equivalent tariff fares system for passengers on all Clyde and Hebrides ferry services and whether it expects this work to be completed by the end of October 2015.","AnswerText":"Road equivalent tariff (RET) fares have been rolled out as a series of pilots, beginning on routes to the Western Isles, Coll and Tiree in October 2008. RET for passengers, cars, small commercial vehicles and coaches was further rolled out on routes to Islay, Colonsay and Gigha in October 2012 and then Arran in October 2014. The final roll-out of RET on all remaining Clyde and Hebrides Ferry Services routes will take place on 26 October 2015.","AnswerDate":"2015-10-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-10-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306886,"EventID":"S4W-27837","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3806,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-10-01T16:54:15.927","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-10-01T12:27:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it expects Transport Scotland to complete its review of the fares structure applied to road freight and other commercial vehicles on the Scottish ferry network and when it plans to introduce a reformed fares structure for all passengers.","AnswerText":"Transport Scotland, under guidance of a working group of key stakeholders, is currently conducting a comprehensive review of ferry freight fares, with the aim of developing an overarching policy for freight fares across Scotland’s entire ferry network. This includes both the Northern Isles and Clyde and Hebrides ferry services.\r\nFollowing the publication of the Research and Analysis of Options for Ferry Freight Fares report on 23 June 2015, further analysis is being conducted to consider the favoured options identified in the research report and the potential impacts on economic development and future sustainability of the islands.\r\nThe freight fares review is expected to progress towards completion once further analysis of the results of the research report has been completed by Transport Scotland. The intention is that a new freight fares structure will be implemented during future Scottish Government ferry contracts, although the exact timing has yet to be decided.","AnswerDate":"2015-10-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-10-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306887,"EventID":"S4W-27838","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3806,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-10-01T16:54:16.787","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-10-01T12:27:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it expects to introduce the road equivalent tariff system for road freight and other commercial vehicles on (a) Northern Isles and (b) Clyde and Hebrides ferry services and, if so, on what date it plans to introduce the revised fare structure.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-27837 on 15 October 2015. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.","AnswerDate":"2015-10-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-10-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306888,"EventID":"S4W-27844","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3806,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-10-01T16:54:17.58","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-10-01T14:26:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-27314 by Derek Mackay on 16 September 2015, whether it will provide a breakdown of the £305,758 paid as compensation to passengers of CalMac since July 2012 by (a) reason for payment, (b) route, (c) month and (d) year.","AnswerText":"Details of the compensation by CalMac since January 2013 is available from the Scottish Parliament Information Centre (Bib. number 57263). Some of the information requested is not held. The information that has been provided is set out on a monthly and annual basis from January 2013 until August 2015. This follows the introduction of EU Passenger Rights Regulations 1177/2010 concerning the rights of passengers when travelling by sea and inland waterway. Claims amounting to £17,414 prior to this were paid by CalMac on a case by case basis.","AnswerDate":"2015-10-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-10-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306890,"EventID":"S4W-27859","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":2,"MSPID":2673,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":114,"ApprovedDate":"2015-10-02T11:19:59.38","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-10-02T11:14:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will match the UK Government’s introduction of lifetime pension awards for widows of police officers and firefighters killed in the line of duty.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government recognises the distinct risk that police officers and firefighters face each day in keeping our communities safe. The risk can regrettably result in the ultimate sacrifice being made and it is only right that there is a change to the pension rules to reflect the impact that sacrifice has on families.\r\nAlthough the 2006 and 2015 police and firefighter schemes allow for lifetime adult survivor pension awards, pensions paid to widows, widowers and civil partners under the older 1987 police and 1992 firefighter pension schemes are withdrawn on remarriage or entering a civil partnership. The Scottish Government has taken the decision that, going forward, pensions paid to survivors will no longer be subject to this particular rule where the police officer or firefighter is killed in the line of duty.\r\nThe Scottish Government will go further than the UK Government by also reinstating pensions previously withdrawn from survivors of officers and firefighters killed in the line of duty. Entitlement to these reinstated pensions will take effect from 1 October 2015.","AnswerDate":"2015-10-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-10-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306891,"EventID":"S4W-27855","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1769,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":75,"ApprovedDate":"2015-10-02T15:46:25.05","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-10-01T16:20:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many times in each year since 2005 the Scottish Health Council has (a) agreed and (b) not agreed that a proposal by an NHS board to (i) change and (ii) close a service constitutes a major service change.","AnswerText":"Since the Scottish Government’s CEL 04 (2010) guidance on ‘Informing, Engaging and Consulting people in Developing Health and Community Care Services’ issued in February 2010 there have been six service changes confirmed as ‘major’ service changes by the Scottish Government.\r\nThe Scottish Health Council (SHC) agreed those changes constituted ‘major’ service change in four of the six instances; in the case of the other two, these were confirmed as ‘major’ service changes at an early stage by the Scottish Government and so a view from SHC was not required to inform the decision. In none of these instances did the SHC disagree when an NHS board proposed major service change.\r\nFive out of the six major service changes undertaken involved elements of closure or transfer of services, with the sixth involving a new build facility with services transferring across.","AnswerDate":"2015-10-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-10-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306892,"EventID":"S4W-27856","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1769,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":75,"ApprovedDate":"2015-10-02T15:46:25.9","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-10-01T16:20:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the budget is of the Scottish Health Council, and how much it spends annually on (a) staffing, (b) office and (c) other costs.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Health Council budget for the current financial year is £2.3 million. Of that, £2.09 million relates to staff costs, the balance being for non-pay, office and other operational costs. The budget provides for the full range of Scottish Health Council activities supporting and monitoring the way NHS boards carry out their Patient Focus and Public Involvement responsibilities.","AnswerDate":"2015-10-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-10-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306893,"EventID":"S4W-27857","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1769,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":75,"ApprovedDate":"2015-10-02T15:46:26.41","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-10-01T16:20:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on whether MSPs should be able to access private talks regarding an NHS service change or closure that take place between NHS boards and the Scottish Health Council.","AnswerText":"NHS service change should be an open, transparent and inclusive process in which options are developed and discussed with the people and communities who are potentially affected. That engagement should be proportionate to the proposed service change, with major service changes subject to a wide-ranging public consultation where all reasonable steps are taken to take account of differences of view. Reaching a consensus view amongst stakeholders can frequently be difficult and the evidence finely balanced.\r\nResponsibility for decision making and accountability rests with the boards and they have clear guidance to follow. They are supported in what can be a complex and often controversial process of informing and involving people by the Scottish Council, which also quality assures the process in cases of “major” change. This will be an on-going dialogue, which usually takes the form of emails, phone calls and meetings. Where patients, members of the public and MSPs have expressed views as part of the engagement process, these views should be taken into account by both the board and the Scottish Health Council. Notes of meetings and related papers can be accessed on request.","AnswerDate":"2015-10-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-10-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306894,"EventID":"S4W-27845","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1866,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-10-02T15:46:26.91","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-10-01T15:22:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many protective expenses orders have been used in court cases in each of the last three years.","AnswerText":"In March 2013 court rules came into effect to allow protective expenses orders (PEOs) to be applied for in certain environmental cases in the Court of Session. Since then, there have been a number of applications for protective expenses orders. Data on the number of applications for PEOs applied for in the Court of Session is not currently able to be extracted. However, the Scottish Government is aware of at least nine opinions in cases involving PEOs in the Court of Session. The Scottish Government is currently in discussions with the Scottish Courts and Tribunals Service on a range of issues relating to data collection. ","AnswerDate":"2015-10-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-10-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Paul Wheelhouse","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306895,"EventID":"S4W-27846","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1866,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-10-02T15:46:27.56","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-10-01T15:22:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to change the level of fees for protective expenses orders.","AnswerText":"A protective expenses order may be granted by the Court of Session. The limits for a protective expenses order are set out in Chapter 58A of the rules of that court. The Scottish Government has no plans to change those limits. \r\nAn application for a protective expenses order is made by motion. There are fees for making a motion and for other stages of procedure. The Scottish Government consulted on court fees in February 2015. Court of Session fees are set out in tables in the Court of Session etc. Fees Order 2015 no. 261. Those tables apply from September 2015, from April 2016, and then from April 2017. Thereafter the level of fees may be reviewed.","AnswerDate":"2015-10-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-10-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Paul Wheelhouse","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306896,"EventID":"S4W-27864","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2394,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-10-02T15:46:28.15","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-10-02T14:14:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-27627 by Fergus Ewing on 1 October 2015, what Department of Energy and Climate Change electricity generation statistics it is referring to that demonstrate that the cost of providing sufficient electricity storage to deal with the intermittency issue arising from onshore wind power will be \"far lower than nuclear\".","AnswerText":"The statistics referred to in the previous question are from the Department of Energy and Climate Change's document, Electricity Generation Costs (December 2013) and can be found here:https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/269888/131217_Electricity_Generation_costs_report_December_2013_Final.pdf","AnswerDate":"2015-11-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-10-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306897,"EventID":"S4W-27865","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2394,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-10-02T15:46:28.72","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-10-02T14:14:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-27627 by Fergus Ewing on 1 October 2015, what capacity of hydro-storage projects it believes would be necessary in order to accommodate the intermittency issues arising from onshore wind power in order to equate to the baseload output from the Hinkley Point C nuclear power station.","AnswerText":"We have requested the UK Government and devolved administrations to form a group to examine these and other issues.","AnswerDate":"2015-10-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-10-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306898,"EventID":"S4W-27858","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2595,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-10-02T15:46:29.29","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-10-02T09:42:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4F-02982 by Nicola Sturgeon on 1 October 2015 (Official Report, c. 20), whether it will confirm how much of the (a) £31 million of European regional development funding and (b) £47 million of funding from Scottish Enterprise, Highlands and Islands Enterprise and the Scottish Further and Higher Education Funding Council is (i) new and (ii) existing money.","AnswerText":"Two weeks ago I announced £78 million to support business innovation in Scotland from now until December 2018. The £31 million from the European Regional Development Fund is a new allocation to Scotland – it did not feature in the Programme for Government and it has not previously been announced.\r\nThe remaining funding £47 million from Scottish Enterprise, Highlands and Islands Enterprise and the Scottish Funding Council comes from existing budgets and reflects their plans in terms of boosting business innovation in Scotland.\r\nThe Scottish Government is now working with the agencies to develop more detailed funding plans to ensure these deliver clear and long-term benefits for Scotland’s economy and Scottish businesses.","AnswerDate":"2015-10-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-10-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306899,"EventID":"S4W-27866","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-10-02T15:46:29.79","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-10-02T15:12:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what (a) statutory and (b) regulatory obligations regarding energy-efficient measures in new-build homes (i) local authorities and (ii) housing associations have had to implement since 2007.","AnswerText":"Local authorities and housing associations must ensure that new build homes meet the statutory requirements for energy efficiency set out within Scottish building regulations. These apply to all new homes regardless of tenure. Over the last ten years this aspect of building regulations was reviewed and improved in May 2007, October 2010 and, most recently, in October 2015.\r\nLocal authorities and housing associations must also ensure that all social rented homes have the energy efficiency measures and meet the minimum energy efficiency standards required in the regulatory Scottish Housing Quality Standard and, by 2020, meet the regulatory Energy Efficiency Standard for Social Housing.","AnswerDate":"2015-10-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-10-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Burgess","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306900,"EventID":"S4W-27867","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-10-02T15:46:30.75","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-10-02T15:12:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what housing options support it provides to prisoners prior to their release.","AnswerText":"I have asked Colin McConnell, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service, to respond. His response is as follows:\r\n“The Scottish Prison Service (SPS) enables housing providers to attend prisons either through regular surgeries or through visits so that they can provide housing advice and assistance to prisoners during their sentence and prior to release. Five establishments also have partnership agreements with third sector organisations to offer housing advice and support. SPS has also appointed a policy manager (housing and welfare) to review the current provision of housing services for prisoners across each establishment and to make recommendations about how to improve the housing outcomes for people leaving prison.”","AnswerDate":"2015-10-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-10-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306901,"EventID":"S4W-27868","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-10-02T15:46:31.73","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-10-02T15:12:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the progress of the Ministerial Group on Offender Reintegration.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government published The Report of the Ministerial Group for Offender Reintegration on 15 September 2015. The report outlines the start of a programme of work towards greater alignment across Scottish Government ministerial portfolios to the reintegration of those transitioning from custody back to our communities.","AnswerDate":"2015-10-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-10-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306902,"EventID":"S4W-27869","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-10-02T15:46:32.78","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-10-02T15:12:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to reduce homelessness in people released from prison. ","AnswerText":"The Ministerial Group on Offender Reintegration has identified a number of actions to help improve the housing outcomes for those serving short term sentences: the Prisoners (Control of Release) (Scotland) Act 2015 gives the Scottish Prison Service (SPS) discretion to release an individual from custody by up to two days before their release date, where it will assist them in accessing services such as housing or healthcare following their release; independent research has been commissioned by the Scottish Government to examine the importance of, and barriers to, securing stable accommodation. The report will be published in autumn 2015; a housing improvement project has been established at HMP Perth, to explore improvements to the interaction between SPS and housing providers and; SPS have appointed a housing and welfare manager to support the development of a housing pathway for both transition into prison, and return into the community.","AnswerDate":"2015-10-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-10-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306908,"EventID":"S4W-27870","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3763,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-10-05T14:00:25.983","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-10-02T16:57:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what recent discussions the Cabinet Secretary for Education and Lifelong Learning has had with Argyll and Bute Council regarding education provision at Hermitage Academy in Helensburgh.","AnswerText":"No recent discussions have taken place with Argyll and Bute Council regarding education provision at Hermitage Academy.","AnswerDate":"2015-10-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306909,"EventID":"S4W-27871","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3763,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-10-05T14:00:27.093","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-10-02T16:57:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what recent representations the Cabinet Secretary for Education and Lifelong Learning has received from trade union representatives regarding education provision at Hermitage Academy in Helensburgh.","AnswerText":"No recent representation has been made from trade union representatives regarding education provision at Hermitage Academy. I would be happy to discuss education matters with trade union representatives as they arise.","AnswerDate":"2015-10-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306910,"EventID":"S4W-27860","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4080,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-10-05T14:00:27.623","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-10-02T13:56:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4O-04650 by Humza Yousaf on 30 September 2015 (Official Report, c. 12), whether it has set a deadline for COSLA to have collated information on the agreed capacity of local authorities to receive refugees.","AnswerText":"COSLA is undertaking collation of the information on the agreed capacity of local authorities to receive refugees. We are working closely with COSLA and the Home Office to determine the best options for resettlement of refugees.","AnswerDate":"2015-10-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306911,"EventID":"S4W-27861","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4080,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-10-05T14:00:28.297","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-10-02T13:56:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4O-04649 by Humza Yousaf on 30 September 2015 (Official Report, c. 10), whether the minister provided the (a) Foreign Secretary or (b) minister with responsibility for Syrian refugees with an estimate of the current capacity in Scotland to receive refugees and, if so, what that estimate was.","AnswerText":"The Minister for Europe and International Development did not provide the Foreign Secretary or the minister with responsibility for Syrian refugees with an estimate of the current capacity in Scotland to receive refugees. However, he informed both ministers that there had been an overwhelmingly positive response from local authorities in Scotland.","AnswerDate":"2015-10-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306912,"EventID":"S4W-27862","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4080,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-10-05T14:00:28.867","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-10-02T13:56:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4O-04649 by Humza Yousaf on 30 September 2015 (Official Report, c. 10), whether COSLA requested that the minister withhold from parliamentary answers any estimates from local authorities of the current capacity in Scotland to receive refugees.","AnswerText":"COSLA has not requested that the Minister for Europe and International Development withholds estimates from local authorities of the current capacity in Scotland to receive refugees from parliamentary answers.","AnswerDate":"2015-10-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306913,"EventID":"S4W-27863","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4080,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-10-05T14:00:29.407","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-10-02T13:56:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4O-04649 by Humza Yousaf on 30 September 2015 (Official Report, c. 10), whether its estimate of the number of refugees that could currently be accommodated in Scotland is (a) between 1,000 and 2,000, (b) between 2,000 and 3,000 (c) between 3,000 and 5,000 or (d) more than 5,000.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has not made any such estimate of the number of refugees that could currently be accommodated in Scotland. The number of refugees that could be accommodated would depend on the needs of individual refugees accepted for resettlement and the types of accommodation and support services available in different local authority areas.","AnswerDate":"2015-10-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306916,"EventID":"S4T-01131","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":9,"MSPID":5057,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-10-05T12:57:13.857","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-10-02T15:49:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to ensure that people in Cumnock are not disadvantaged by the decision to close the Cumnock campus of Ayr College.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-10-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":"2015-10-06T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306917,"EventID":"S4T-01133","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":9,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2015-10-05T12:57:18.357","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-10-05T09:21:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when the Crown Office was first notified of the allegations of mortgage fraud against Christopher Hales.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-10-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":"2015-10-06T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306918,"EventID":"S4T-01136","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":9,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-10-05T12:57:21.137","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-10-05T10:58:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to the claim in the report, Affordable Housing Need in Scotland, that the need for affordable housing is double what is being delivered. ","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-10-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":"2015-10-06T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306919,"EventID":"S4F-02993","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":4976,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-10-05T12:56:44.043","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-10-01T14:30:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister when she will next meet the Secretary of State for Scotland.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-10-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":"2015-10-08T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306920,"EventID":"S4F-02997","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":4080,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-10-05T12:56:48.35","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-10-05T09:57:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister what the Scottish Government's response is to the findings of the first ever Scottish Police Authority and Police Scotland officer and staff opinion survey.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-10-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":"2015-10-08T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306921,"EventID":"S4F-03000","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":2394,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-10-05T12:56:50.667","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-10-05T10:22:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister what the Scottish Government's response is to reports from the Auditor General that it underspent its budget by almost £350 million in 2014-15.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-10-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":"2015-10-08T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306922,"EventID":"S4F-03003","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":5042,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-10-05T12:56:53.21","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-10-05T11:01:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister what the Scottish Government’s response is to the report by the Child Poverty Action Group, The Cost of the School Day.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-10-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":"2015-10-08T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306923,"EventID":"S4F-03004","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":3812,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-10-05T12:56:53.723","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-10-05T11:08:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister what engagements she has planned for the rest of the day.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-10-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":"2015-10-08T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306924,"EventID":"S4F-03008","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":2826,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":84,"ApprovedDate":"2015-10-05T12:56:57.29","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-10-05T11:41:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister whether she will provide an update on the Scottish Government’s response to the refugee crisis.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-10-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":"2015-10-08T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306925,"EventID":"S4W-27874","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1866,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-10-05T16:40:15.767","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-10-05T15:24:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to its news release of 4 October 2015, VW task force call, what response it has received from the UK Government to its call for a UK-wide taskforce to be set up to deal with the matters arising from Volkswagen Automobile Group's admission that it falsified some emissions details, and what analysis it has carried out of how the issue will impact on its climate targets.","AnswerText":"The UK Government has responded to the Scottish Government on Volkswagen (VW) issues. They have confirmed the position on a number of the points raised by the Scottish Government, for example that having defeat software fitted will not lead to an increase in Vehicle Excise Duty for current or subsequent owners of vehicles. On a range of other issues, including the setting up of a UK wide task force, no decision has yet been taken.\r\nThe Scottish Government has not carried out any analysis on the impact of the VW scandal on climate targets. There is simply no data available from potentially affected vehicles. In addition, the impact on targets is likely to be marginal, because, rather than relying on car performance statistics, emissions recorded in the inventory are calculated from actual fuel sales.","AnswerDate":"2015-10-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Richard Lochhead","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306926,"EventID":"S4W-27873","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4947,"Party":"Independent","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-10-05T16:40:16.917","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-10-05T14:46:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what measures there are to ensure that taxi and private hire car drivers are of good character. ","AnswerText":"Licensing authorities are obliged by the Civic Government (Scotland) Act 1982 to refuse an application where in their view the applicant is not a fit and proper person to be the holder of the licence. The legislation also requires them to make such reasonable enquiries as they see fit when considering an application. Police Scotland is a statutory consultee, and they are able to provide relevant information from across Scotland to the licensing authority. \r\nLicensing authorities have extensive powers available and we would expect them not only to refuse to licence drivers but also suspend those whom they believe may be a threat to the public. We would also expect licensing authorities together with Police Scotland, to take robust action against any existing licensed drivers who prove unsuitable.","AnswerDate":"2015-11-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306934,"EventID":"S4W-27882","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2015-10-06T13:42:11.333","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-10-05T18:16:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it will begin the next round of pay negotiations with the trade unions representing civil servants.","AnswerText":"The next pay review date for Scottish Government staff is 1 August 2016. Informal scoping discussions will begin soon with the recognised trade unions representing staff in the Scottish Government main and marine pay bargaining units. The formal negotiation process will begin in 2016 once public sector pay policy has been published and an approved pay negotiating remit is in place. I met the trade unions representing civil servants on 2 October 2015.","AnswerDate":"2015-10-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306935,"EventID":"S4W-27883","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2015-10-06T13:42:13.143","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-10-05T18:16:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it will publish the Scottish Ministers' pay remit guidance.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government will publish its pay policy alongside its draft budget, following the publication of the UK Government spending review.","AnswerDate":"2015-10-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306936,"EventID":"S4W-27884","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2015-10-06T13:42:15.183","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-10-05T18:16:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will relax some of the restrictions in the forthcoming pay remit guidance to allow employers to update and modernise their pay systems.","AnswerText":"Scottish Ministers' pay policy for 2016-17 which will be published alongside the draft budget. A range of options to provide some flexibility for employers to address local issues in their pay systems, whilst maintaining affordability, are being considered.","AnswerDate":"2015-10-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306937,"EventID":"S4W-27885","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2015-10-06T13:42:16.523","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-10-05T18:16:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government which (a) government agencies, (b) non-departmental public bodies and (c) other arm's-length government bodies have pay bargaining units; how many employees there are in each, and what the salary cost is.","AnswerText":"Government agencies are part of the Scottish Government Main pay bargaining unit. Each non-departmental public body and other arm's length body subject to Scottish ministers' pay policy submits an individual pay remit. Three smaller bodies choose to analogue to the Scottish Government Main pay remit.\r\nThe numbers employed and paybill (salary plus on-costs - NIC, pensions, allowances etc) for each body subject to the pay policy as at the beginning of 2015-16 are set out in the following table:\r\nList of Public Bodies\r\n2015-16\r\nBaseline Paybill\r\nStaff in Post\r\n£\r\nFull Time Equivalent\r\nScottish Government Main Total 1\r\n284,558,122\r\n6,708\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nThe Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service\r\n61,254,484\r\n1,513\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nExecutive Agencies \r\n\r\n\r\nHistoric Scotland\r\n33,433,460\r\n1,086\r\nScottish Prison Service\r\n157,031,175\r\n4,330\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nNon Ministerial Departments \r\n\r\n\r\nRegisters of Scotland\r\n33,324,662\r\n902\r\nScottish Court Service\r\n41,968,449\r\n1,378\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nPublic Corporations \r\n\r\n\r\nCaledonian Maritime Assets Ltd\r\n1,607,447\r\n23\r\nHighlands and Islands Airports Ltd\r\n24,410,749\r\n567\r\nPrestwick Airport \r\n8,749,000\r\n298\r\nScottish Canals\r\n7,981,816\r\n248\r\nScottish Water\r\n124,306,848\r\n3,298\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nExecutive NDPBs \r\n\r\n\r\nArchitecture and Design Scotland\r\n1,064,072\r\n24\r\nBòrd na Gidhlig\r\n846,024\r\n21\r\nNational Park Authorities \r\n7,583,971\r\n201\r\nCare Inspectorate \r\n26,720,982\r\n603\r\nChildren’s Hearings Scotland\r\n637,354\r\n17\r\nCreative Scotland\r\n4,335,373\r\n104\r\nHighlands and Islands Enterprise\r\n10,267,250\r\n216\r\nNational Galleries of Scotland\r\n9,858,826\r\n306\r\nNational Library of Scotland\r\n9,379,229\r\n271\r\nNational Museums of Scotland\r\n13,971,845\r\n405\r\nPolice Investigations and Review Commissioner\r\n2,026,168\r\n47\r\nQuality Meat Scotland\r\n925,186\r\n19\r\nRisk Management Authority\r\n569,721\r\n13\r\nRoyal Botanic Garden, Edinburgh\r\n7,442,107\r\n210\r\nRoyal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Scotland\r\n4,085,652\r\n103\r\nScottish Children’s Reporter Administration\r\n15,266,524\r\n390\r\nScottish Criminal Cases Review Commission\r\n535,075\r\n12\r\nScottish Enterprise\r\n56,811,327\r\n1,105\r\nScottish Environment Protection Agency\r\n52,479,750\r\n1,246\r\nScottish Funding Council \r\n5,139,314\r\n98\r\nScottish Legal Aid Board\r\n8,443,762\r\n279\r\nScottish Legal Complaints Commission\r\n1,698,826\r\n44\r\nScottish Natural Heritage\r\n28,095,424\r\n713\r\nScottish Qualifications Authority\r\n28,383,893\r\n770\r\nScottish Social Services Council\r\n7,131,682\r\n215\r\nSkills Development Scotland\r\n50,469,497\r\n1,138\r\nsportscotland\r\n13,009,174\r\n291\r\nVisitScotland\r\n18,140,000\r\n599\r\nWater Industry Commission for Scotland\r\n1,044,200\r\n16\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nThe Scottish Police Authority \r\n198,391,629\r\n5,729\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nTotal\r\n1,363,380,050\r\n35,555\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nIncludes Core Scottish Government, Accountant in Bankruptcy, Disclosure Scotland, Education Scotland, Scottish Public Pensions Agency, Student Awards Agency for Scotland, Transport Scotland, National Records of Scotland, Office of the Scottish Charity Regulator, Revenue Scotland, Scottish Housing Regulator, Crofting Commission, Mental Welfare Commission for Scotland, Scottish Roadworks Commissioner\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-11-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306938,"EventID":"S4W-27886","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2015-10-06T13:42:17.963","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-10-05T18:16:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether all government agencies, non-departmental public bodies and other arm's-length government bodies are expected to follow the public sector pay policy.","AnswerText":"All bodies listed in the attached link are required to follow the Scottish Government’s public sector pay policy: \r\nhttp://www.gov.scot/Topics/Government/public-sector-pay/staff-pay/public-bodies-covered.","AnswerDate":"2015-10-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306939,"EventID":"S4W-27887","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2015-10-06T13:42:19.243","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-10-05T18:16:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much has been in the trading fund operated by Registers of Scotland in each year since its inception; what its purpose is; what restrictions are placed on its use, and how it has been deployed.","AnswerText":"Registers of Scotland (RoS) delivers customer-focussed registration and information services that create value for Scotland. Operating as a trading fund since 1996, the fees paid by its customers must be sufficient to cover its expenditure, including cyclical downturns in the property market, compensation payments under the keeper’s warranty, and investment in the business.\r\nThe financial arrangements for RoS are set out in section 9 of Public Finance and Accountability (Scotland) Act 2000. This provides that the sums received by the Keeper of the Registers of Scotland are to be retained and applied to meet expenditure on the keeper’s functions, such as to maintain and improve the registers under the keeper’s control. In doing this, the keeper must operate within financial objectives set by Scottish Ministers, who also set the statutory fees that can be charged by RoS.\r\nAs an accountable public body, RoS lays its audited annual report and accounts before the Scottish Parliament. Their framework document and corporate plan are also held in SPiCe.\r\nThe annual retained profit and/or loss levels since RoS became a trading fund are displayed in the following table.\r\n\r\nProfit/(Loss) £ million\r\n1996-97\r\n(3.0)\r\n1997-98\r\n6.7\r\n1998-99\r\n5.9\r\n1999-00\r\n(4.7)\r\n2000-01\r\n5.4\r\n2001-02\r\n5.9\r\n2002-03\r\n9.5\r\n2003-04\r\n16.8\r\n2004-05\r\n21.8\r\n2005-06\r\n24.5\r\n2006-07\r\n29.2\r\n2007-08\r\n10.8\r\n2008-09\r\n(10.6)\r\n2009-10\r\n(24.7)\r\n2010-11\r\n(30.6)\r\n2011-12\r\n(10.3)\r\n2012-13\r\n(2.6)\r\n2013-14\r\n9.2\r\n2014-15\r\n7.5\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-10-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306940,"EventID":"S4W-27890","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2108,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":141,"ApprovedDate":"2015-10-06T13:42:20.493","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-10-06T11:54:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether legislation proposed by the UK Government placing a duty on private landlords to evict illegal immigrants will apply in Scotland and whether a legislative consent motion will be required to introduce this measure.","AnswerText":"The Immigration Bill as introduced applies the measures to restrict access to private rented accommodation in England only. The Bill includes regulation making powers which enable UK Government ministers to extend their application to Scotland (and Wales and Northern Ireland). \r\nI wrote to the Minister of State for Immigration, James Brokenshire to express several significant concerns about the impact of this Bill and also the ‘right to rent’ on Scotland. I also asked that the regulation making power be amended to require ministers to consult with the Scottish Parliament before extending these provisions to Scotland because they impact on housing matters that are fully devolved.\r\nMr Brokenshire’s reply has not provided the clarification or reassurance that I asked for on the UK Government’s intentions regarding these matters. Mr Brokenshire declined my request for a meeting, advising that “As immigration is a reserved matter, I do not believe that making provision with a similar effect for Scotland requires a legislative consent motion”.\r\nThe Scottish Government will continue to raise its concerns about the impact of these policies, which run contrary to the Scottish Government’s commitment to create a fairer Scotland, where we provide protection, safety and security to those who need it most.","AnswerDate":"2015-10-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306941,"EventID":"S4W-27876","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2117,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-10-06T13:42:21.253","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-10-05T16:32:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, in light of its consultation on non-domestic solar panels and domestic air source heat pumps (ASHP), what discussions it has had with stakeholders about the possibility of extending the Microgeneration Certification Scheme to cover non-domestic ASHPs.","AnswerText":"No discussions with stakeholders on this matter have taken place as the matter lies beyond the scope of the recent consultation. The partial Business and Regulatory Impact Assessment states our intention to undertake a post implementation review of the proposed regulations after a year. Should it be appropriate at that stage, we will discuss this matter with Gemserv Ltd who were appointed by the Secretary of State to administer the Microgeneration Certification Scheme on behalf of the Department of Energy and Climate Change.","AnswerDate":"2015-10-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306942,"EventID":"S4W-27877","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2117,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-10-06T13:42:22.223","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-10-05T16:32:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it has responded to the EU's Regulatory Fitness and Performance Programme (REFIT) review of the birds and habitats directive, either directly or via the UK Government, and whether it will publish its submission.","AnswerText":"In its capacity as the relevant member state government department, the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs coordinated and submitted a response on behalf of all of the UK administrations.\r\nResponses received from a range of organisations (including those member state authorities which participated) are available on the European Commission website via the following weblink:\r\nhttp://ec.europa.eu/environment/nature/legislation/fitness_check/evidence_gathering/index_en.htm","AnswerDate":"2015-10-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen McLeod","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306943,"EventID":"S4W-27878","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2117,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-10-06T13:42:23.273","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-10-05T16:32:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, in light of its consultation on non-domestic solar panels and domestic air source heat pumps, what plans it has to provide a definition of what constitutes a non-domestic building.","AnswerText":"The current definition of a non-domestic building (for the purposes of the installation of non-domestic microgeneration equipment) is a building other than a dwelling or a building containing a dwelling.","AnswerDate":"2015-10-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306944,"EventID":"S4W-27879","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2117,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-10-06T13:42:24.353","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-10-05T16:32:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, in light of its consultation on non-domestic solar panels and domestic air source heat pumps, what plans it has to review the planning process relating to non-domestic purpose-built solar panel arrays that are not attached to buildings.","AnswerText":"Non-domestic purpose built solar panel arrays that are not attached to buildings are outwith the scope of this consultation.","AnswerDate":"2015-10-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306945,"EventID":"S4W-27880","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2117,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-10-06T13:42:25.313","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-10-05T16:32:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether, in light of its consultation on non-domestic solar panels and domestic air source heat pumps (ASHP), it has considered a further relaxation of the number of permitted ASHPs on multi-flatted, multi-floor properties to allow all residents to benefit from the technology. ","AnswerText":"This issue has been raised in the consultation by some respondents. We are actively considering it at present. In finalising the approach, we will aim to balance the potential for cumulative noise impacts with maximising access to the technology.","AnswerDate":"2015-10-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306946,"EventID":"S4W-27881","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2117,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-10-06T13:42:26.853","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-10-05T16:32:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, in light of its consultation on non-domestic solar panels and domestic air source heat pumps (ASHP), what plans it has to review the cumulative impact arising from more than one ASHP on a building.","AnswerText":"For permitted development purposes the consultation paper proposes to allow for one air source heat pump on houses and flats. In response to question S4W-27880 on 27 October 2015, we have stated that we are actively considering relaxing this restriction and that cumulative noise impact is a key matter. The partial Business and Regulatory Impact Assessment states our intention to undertake a post implementation review of the proposed regulations after a year.\r\nAll answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at: \r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.","AnswerDate":"2015-10-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306947,"EventID":"S4W-27889","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2394,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-10-06T13:42:27.803","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-10-06T11:35:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide a breakdown of funds distributed by the Community Broadband Scotland Initiative for projects in (a) each local authority area and (b) each year since its inception in 2012.","AnswerText":"Community Broadband Scotland has awarded grants totalling £2,423,820 to 13 local authorities across Scotland, as of 23 October 2015. The breakdown is as follows:\r\n2013\r\n\r\nLocal Authority\r\nGrant Awarded\r\nArgyll and Bute\r\n£9,000\r\nHighland\r\n£234,259\r\nMoray\r\n£14,908\r\nShetland\r\n£15,000\r\nAberdeenshire\r\n£15,000\r\nDumfries and Galloway\r\n\r\nEast Lothian\r\n£17,000\r\nMidlothian\r\n\r\nFife\r\n\r\nPerth and Kinross\r\n£15,000\r\nScottish Borders\r\n£23,300\r\nSouth Lanarkshire\r\n£19,620\r\nStirling\r\n£21,000\r\nTotal\r\n£384,087\r\n2014\r\n\r\nLocal Authority\r\nGrant Awarded\r\nArgyll and Bute\r\n£59,000\r\nHighland\r\n£130,649\r\nMoray\r\n£5,000\r\nShetland\r\n\r\nAberdeenshire\r\n£21,000\r\nDumfries and Galloway\r\n£5,000\r\nEast Lothian\r\n£152,000\r\nMidlothian\r\n£5,000\r\nFife\r\n£400\r\nPerth and Kinross\r\n£66,000\r\nScottish Borders\r\n£5,866\r\nSouth Lanarkshire\r\n£13,387\r\nStirling\r\n£7,500\r\nTotal\r\n£470,802\r\n2015 to date\r\n\r\nLocal Authority\r\nGrant Awarded\r\nArgyll and Bute\r\n£1,037,479\r\nHighland\r\n£345,930\r\nMoray\r\n\r\nShetland\r\n\r\nAberdeenshire\r\n£1,000\r\nDumfries and Galloway\r\n\r\nEast Lothian\r\n\r\nMidlothian\r\n\r\nFife\r\n\r\nPerth and Kinross\r\n£110,078\r\nScottish Borders\r\n£67,444\r\nSouth Lanarkshire\r\n£7,000\r\nStirling\r\n\r\nTotal\r\n£1,568,931\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-10-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306959,"EventID":"S4W-27888","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2015-10-06T16:39:49.003","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-10-06T09:16:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when the Ministerial Advisory Group on Child Poverty last met, and what meetings are scheduled for the remainder of 2015-16.","AnswerText":"The Ministerial Advisory Group on Child Poverty met with officials on 15 September 2015, and discussed a number of issues related to child poverty in Scotland, including the future approach to tackling child poverty in Scotland in light of the changes being proposed by the UK Government to the Child Poverty Act 2010.\r\nThe Scottish Government has requested amendments to the proposed legislation. As soon as possible after those amendments are finalised, the advisory group will meet again to discuss next steps.","AnswerDate":"2015-11-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Burgess","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306960,"EventID":"S4W-27891","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2610,"Party":"Independent","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-10-06T16:39:50.723","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-10-06T13:09:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-26325 by Fergus Ewing on 13 July 2015, for what reason no update regarding fracking has been provided and what information is still being gathered by officials.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-24476 on 8 October 2015. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.","AnswerDate":"2015-10-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306961,"EventID":"S4W-27892","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2610,"Party":"Independent","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-10-06T16:39:51.413","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-10-06T13:09:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what it considers a reasonable time to provide a substantive answer to a written question that has received a holding response, and how it ensures that this timescale is adhered to. ","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is committed to ensuring that members receive prompt, accurate responses to their questions. The target time for parliamentary questions is 10 working days when the Parliament is sitting, and 20 working days during recess. Where this target is not met and a member receives a holding response, substantive answers are provided thereafter whenever the information requested is available. The length of time involved will depend on a number of factors.","AnswerDate":"2015-10-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Joe FitzPatrick","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306962,"EventID":"S4W-27893","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2610,"Party":"Independent","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-10-06T16:39:52.043","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-10-06T13:09:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to ensure that it will provide substantive answers before the end of the parliamentary session to all of the written questions regarding fracking that are in receipt of holding responses, and for what reason some questions that received such responses in March 2015 have yet to receive a written response.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-24476 on 8 October 2015. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.","AnswerDate":"2015-10-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306963,"EventID":"S4W-27895","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2610,"Party":"Independent","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-10-06T16:39:52.993","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-10-06T13:09:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on concerns that it is purposely withholding substantive answers to questions regarding fracking and what action it is taking to allay these concerns.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-24476 on 8 October 2015. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.","AnswerDate":"2015-10-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306964,"EventID":"S4W-27896","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2610,"Party":"Independent","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-10-06T16:39:53.903","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-10-06T13:09:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-26325 by Fergus Ewing on 13 July 2015, in light of the original questions receiving holding responses on 24 April 2015 and that the statement was made by the minister on 28 January 2015, by what date it will provide substantive answers to questions S4W-25126, S4W-25128 and S4W-25129 regarding fracking.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-24476 on 8 October 2015. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.","AnswerDate":"2015-10-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306965,"EventID":"S4W-27897","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3806,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-10-06T16:39:54.513","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-10-06T14:00:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what progress it has made in developing a pollinator strategy for Scotland; when it will be completed; who it has consulted in developing the strategy, and whether it will continue to consult them as it completes the strategy.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has identified the preparation of a pollinator strategy for Scotland as an important part of the priority project ‘Conservation of priority species’ in Scotland’s Biodiversity – a Route Map to 2020 which was published in June 2015.\r\nA draft pollinator strategy is being prepared by Scottish Natural Heritage and, as I stated in the answer to S4W-24775, I expect it to be ready for public consultation in 2015. As part of the consultation, I anticipate that discussions will be held with a range of interested parties, including the Bumblebee Conservation Trust and Buglife.","AnswerDate":"2015-10-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen McLeod","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306972,"EventID":"S4W-27929","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":2,"MSPID":3759,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":80,"ApprovedDate":"2015-10-07T09:14:57.83","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-10-07T08:49:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when a report providing details on the operation of Scotland’s Census 2011 will be available and what plans there are to consult users in relation to the next census.","AnswerText":"The Registrar General has today (8 October 2015) published Scotland’s Census 2011 General Report and it has been laid before Parliament (SG/2015/191). In addition, he is launching a consultation today seeking views and evidence on the topics which should be included in the next census in 2021.\r\nThe 2021 Census will be designed and managed in Scotland to best meet the needs of Scotland’s people. National Records of Scotland wants to hear from users to learn and understand these needs and this consultation is the first step in this process.\r\nMore information and links to the consultation are available from the Scotland’s Census website at: www.scotlandscensus.gov.uk/2021.","AnswerDate":"2015-10-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fiona Hyslop","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306973,"EventID":"S4W-27930","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":2,"MSPID":4964,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":119,"ApprovedDate":"2015-10-07T10:08:01.563","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-10-07T09:59:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on what action it is taking to implement the Renewable Heat Action Plan in order to deliver its target to meet 11% of heat demand from renewable sources by 2020.","AnswerText":"I am pleased to announce that I laid a report in Parliament today (9 October 2015) which provides an update on actions the Scottish Government is taking to help us towards our renewable heat target. Copies of the report are available on the Scottish Government website at: http://www.gov.scot/Publications/Recent\r\nIn addition the Energy Saving Trust published their report on Renewable Heat in Scotland for 2014 today. The report shows that there has been a step change in renewable heat output in 2014. During the calendar year 2014 renewable heat capacity increased by 42% and heat generated from renewable sources by 36% compared with 2013. In 2014 an estimated 3.7-3.8% of Scotland’s non-electrical heat demand was supplied by heat from renewable sources, indicating that Scotland continues to make progress towards meeting the renewable heat target by 2020. A copy of the Energy Saving Trust report is available at the following link: http://www.energysavingtrust.org.uk/renewable-heat-report-2014.","AnswerDate":"2015-10-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306974,"EventID":"S4W-27935","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2892,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-10-07T14:25:22.81","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-10-07T12:52:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many limited partnerships have been registered in each year since 2008, and what its position is on the trend.","AnswerText":"Figures for limited partnerships can be found in the Companies House annual publication Companies Register Activities 2014-2015. Please see Table E2 at the link below for figures from 2010-11 to 2014-15: https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/companies-register-activities-statistical-release-20142015\r\nFor figures prior to 2010-11, previous reports can be found at the link below: http://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/20141104103730/http://www.companieshouse.gov.uk/about/companiesRegActivities.shtml\r\nThe Scottish Government is aware that there has been a significant rise in the number of limited partnerships registered in Scotland.\r\nThe creation, operation, regulation and dissolution of business, are matters reserved to the UK Government.","AnswerDate":"2015-10-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306975,"EventID":"S4W-27936","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2892,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-10-07T14:25:24.04","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-10-07T12:52:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it takes to ensure that the transparency of the ownership of limited partnerships is sufficient, and what its position is on whether reform is necessary to (a) enhance this and (b) ensure that these partnerships cannot be used as vehicles for money laundering.","AnswerText":"The creation, operation, regulation and dissolution of business, and money laundering are matters reserved to the UK Government.\r\nThe Scottish Government believes corporate transparency has an important role to avoid the misuse of companies and to support good corporate governance, and is committed to disrupting and dismantling serious organised crime, wherever it is found in Scotland.","AnswerDate":"2015-11-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306976,"EventID":"S4W-27937","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2892,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-10-07T14:25:25.017","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-10-07T12:52:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on the report by the investigations company, Kroll, that all but one of the limited partnerships referred to in its recent report on Moldovan bank fraud and money laundering had a registered place of business in Scotland.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is committed to disrupting and dismantling serious organised crime, wherever it is found in Scotland.\r\nThe creation, operation, regulation and dissolution of business, and money laundering are however matters reserved to the UK Government.","AnswerDate":"2015-11-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306977,"EventID":"S4W-27940","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3806,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-10-07T14:25:26.037","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-10-07T13:03:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what proportion of the planned expenditure in Scottish Ferry Services: Ferries Plan (2013-2022) will be on (a) Northern Isles and (b) Clyde and Hebrides routes and what the total expenditure has been to date.","AnswerText":"The costs of the ferries plan proposals are not available in the format requested.\r\nThe following table details the actual spend by the Scottish Government in supporting ferry services in financial years 2013-14 and 2014-15. In addition, the current forecast outturn figures for 2015-16 are also outlined.\r\nAs the spending review for future years has still to be decided, budget and anticipated expenditure details are currently not available.\r\n\r\n2013-14\r\n2014-15\r\n2015-16\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n(forecast)\r\nClyde and Hebrides Ferry Services\r\n£85,522,390\r\n£101,071,419\r\n£115,958,000\r\nRoad Equivalent Tariff\r\n£3,889,000\r\n£5,034,000\r\n£10,000,000\r\nSub-total (Clyde and Hebrides Ferry Services Network)\r\n£89,411,390\r\n£106,105,419\r\n£125,958,000\r\nNorthern Isles Ferry Services\r\n£37,507,196\r\n£35,973,572\r\n£32,268,314\r\nOther Ferry Services\r\n£4,299,504\r\n£3,288,197\r\n£3,545,281\r\nTotal (Ferry Services)\r\n£131,218,090\r\n£145,367,188\r\n£161,771,595\r\nPiers and Harbours and Vessels\r\n£13,295,693\r\n£20,216,321\r\n£45,495,000\r\nTotal\r\n£144,513,783\r\n£165,583,509\r\n£207,266,595\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-10-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306978,"EventID":"S4W-27941","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3806,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-10-07T14:25:27.037","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-10-07T13:03:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many seafarer (a) cadets and (b) trainee ratings have been recruited by Serco NorthLink since July 2012 and how many of these traineeships have resulted in permanent employment.","AnswerText":"Serco NorthLink Ferries (SNF) has supported four officer cadets per year since July 2012. Consequently it has supported a total of 12 cadets over the last three years.\r\nSNF has also offered training places to three further officer cadets who required additional sea time over and above their initial industry support.\r\nThe first three officer cadets taken on at the start of the contract in July 2012 have recently completed their three year training phase and are either awaiting certification or final examinations. Permanent employment offers only follow the satisfactory completion of this process.\r\nSNF also continues to support ratings transferring from onboard service roles to deck and engine positions.","AnswerDate":"2015-10-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306979,"EventID":"S4W-27942","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3806,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-10-07T14:25:27.887","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-10-07T13:03:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many seafarer (a) cadets and (b) trainee ratings have been recruited by Caledonian MacBrayne since July 2006 and how many of these traineeships have resulted in permanent employment.","AnswerText":"Since January 2006, including the most recent intake from August/September 2015, CalMac Ferries Ltd has sponsored a total of 118 deck, engine and electro technical officer cadets, details of which are outlined in the following table:\r\n\r\nCurrent\r\nPrevious\r\nDeck Officer Cadets\r\n23\r\n42\r\nEngineer Officer Cadets\r\n24\r\n24\r\nElectro Technical Officer Cadets\r\n3\r\n2\r\n\r\n50\r\n68\r\nFor officer cadets, CalMac is in a tri-partite arrangement with Clyde Marine Training Limited and Northern Marine Management Limited. For the duration of their cadetship, officer cadets are employed by Clyde Marine Training Limited and sponsored by CalMac Ferries Ltd. The majority of the officer cadets’ sea phases are spent on deep sea voyages with Northern Marine Management Limited, in-filled with some time at sea with CalMac Ferries Ltd.\r\nOf the 68 previous officer cadets, 17 failed to complete their training. Of the remaining 51 officer cadets, six have been given permanent employment with CalMac Ferries Ltd. In addition, one officer cadet who did not complete his cadetship has been given permanent employment by CalMac Ferries Ltd, as a rating rather than an officer. Of the remaining 44 officer cadets, CalMac does not hold records of their current employment status.\r\nSince January 2006, CalMac Ferries Ltd has recruited a total of 26 deck and engine rating trainees, details of which are outlined in the following table:\r\n\r\n2006\r\n2010\r\n2013\r\n2014\r\nDeck Ratings Trainees\r\n4\r\n2\r\n6\r\n6\r\nEngine Rating Trainees\r\n0\r\n0\r\n4\r\n4\r\nPermanently Employed\r\n3\r\n2\r\n8\r\n0\r\nStill Completing Training \r\n0\r\n0\r\n1\r\n9\r\nOf the 26 trainees recruited, 13 have been given permanent employment, 10 are still completing their training and three have left the company. Of the three who moved on, two left after being given permanent employment elsewhere and one during the course of their training.","AnswerDate":"2015-10-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306980,"EventID":"S4W-27943","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3806,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-10-07T14:25:28.757","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-10-07T13:03:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government on what dates it received responses to the invitation to tender for the 2016-24 Clyde and Hebrides Ferry Services contract.","AnswerText":"Responses to the initial invitation to tender were received from Serco Caledonian Ferries Ltd on Thursday 17 September 2015 and from Calmac Ferries Ltd on Monday 21 September 2015.","AnswerDate":"2015-10-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306981,"EventID":"S4W-27944","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3806,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-10-07T14:25:29.787","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-10-07T13:03:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-27326 by Derek Mackay on 16 September 2015, whether it has discussed with officials from Caledonian Maritime Assets Ltd the development of a public sector comparator to estimate the cost of a directly purchased and owned vessel on the Northern Isles contract from 2018.","AnswerText":"I announced on 13 August 2015, during my visit to Shetland, that a comprehensive study of the Northern Isles ferry services would be carried out to inform the tender process for the next contract, due to commence in 2018. Vessel availability for the next contract will be one of the issues considered as part of that study.","AnswerDate":"2015-10-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306982,"EventID":"S4W-27945","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3806,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-10-07T14:25:30.687","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-10-07T13:03:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-27326 by Derek Mackay on 16 September 2015, whether it will apply collectively bargained pay rates to all seafarers working on ro-pax vessels chartered to work on Northern Isles ferry services from 2018.","AnswerText":"Details of the Northern Isles ferry services tender will be confirmed when the procurement process commences.","AnswerDate":"2015-10-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306983,"EventID":"S4W-27946","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3806,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-10-07T14:25:31.527","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-10-07T13:03:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-27326 by Derek Mackay on 16 September 2015, what steps it will take to ensure that the principles of the fair work framework will apply at the earliest opportunity to seafarers working on all ro-pax vessels chartered from Seatruck Ferries to work on Northern Isles ferry services from 2018.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government will ensure that the principles of the fair work framework are applied as appropriate during the tendering process for the next Northern Isles ferry services contract.\r\nDetails of the Northern Isles ferry services tender will be confirmed when the procurement process commences. As part of their tender proposals, bidders for the future contract will be invited to provide details of the vessels they plan to use.","AnswerDate":"2015-10-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306984,"EventID":"S4W-27948","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3806,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-10-07T14:25:32.557","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-10-07T13:03:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-27326 by Derek Mackay on 16 September 2015, what recent discussions it has had with Seatruck Ferries regarding the rate of pay for seafarers working on the ro-pax vessels chartered under the contract with Serco for Northern Isles ferry services.","AnswerText":"The Scottish ministers take very seriously the issue of the UK national minimum wage for staff paid both directly and indirectly by this government.\r\nScottish Government officials, and the current operators of the Northern Isles ferry services, Serco NorthLink Ferries (SNF) Limited, met most recently with Seatruck Ferries on 18 September 2015. A variety of issues were discussed including the rate of pay for seafarers working on the freight vessels chartered under the contract with SNF for Northern Isles ferry services.\r\nA satisfactory resolution on the two SNF freighters has still to be reached in relation to the rate of pay for seafarers. This is due to Seatruck Ferries’ reluctance to reach an agreement given their concerns regarding setting a precedent for elsewhere in their operation.\r\nResponsibility for payment and levels of the wages of the crew on its vessels lies with Seatruck as the employer. However, Scottish ministers will continue to press the matter with Seatruck Ferries. Our key aim is to ensure the affected workers on the vessels in question receive at least the minimum wage.","AnswerDate":"2015-10-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306985,"EventID":"S4W-27949","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3806,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-10-07T14:25:34.857","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-10-07T13:03:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-27326 by Derek Mackay on 16 September 2015, whether representatives of Seatruck Ferries are involved in those discussions and when ministers or officials last met representatives of Seatruck Ferries to discuss the charter terms for the MV (a) Hildasay and (b) Helliar from 2018.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-27948 on 29 October 2015. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx","AnswerDate":"2015-10-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306986,"EventID":"S4W-27950","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3806,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-10-07T14:25:36.867","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-10-07T13:03:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the annual (a) charter and (b) maintenance costs have been for the MV (i) Hildasay and (ii) Helliar on Northern Isles ferry routes since 2000.","AnswerText":"The MV Hildasay and the MV Helliar came into service on the Northern Isles ferry service (NIFS) contract in December 2009 and January 2011 respectively.\r\nThe annual charter costs and maintenance costs of these two freight vessels on the Northern Isles ferry services since they came into service is commercially sensitive to the current and previous operator of NIFS.\r\nThe MV Hildasay and MV Helliar have been time charted by Serco NorthLink Ferries from Seatruck since June 2012 and as such vessel maintenance costs are part of the time charter payment.","AnswerDate":"2015-10-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306987,"EventID":"S4W-27931","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-10-07T14:25:37.897","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-10-07T10:14:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many diversions from accident and emergency wards have taken place in each month since 2010 because of (a) bed shortages and (b) other non-clinical reasons, broken down by NHS board.","AnswerText":"This information is not held centrally, therefore we are unable to provide it.","AnswerDate":"2015-11-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306988,"EventID":"S4W-27932","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-10-07T14:25:39.587","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-10-07T10:14:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on reports that six people, one of whom was diagnosed with a stroke, have been diverted from the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital Glasgow because of bed shortages.","AnswerText":"The safety of patients and the quality of care they receive are key priorities for the Scottish Government. It is vital that patients have confidence that when they access healthcare, they will get the best possible care and treatment, which is why each NHS board has systems in place to cope with peaks in demand, such as diverting patients to other areas.\r\nNonetheless, I recognise diverting patients to other wards, or indeed another hospital, due to any reason other than for clinical reasons, is disruptive to the patient and I would expect NHS boards to have appropriate plans in place to manage peaks in demand that cause minimum disruption to patients.\r\nI also recognise that despite improvements over the summer, the level of variation in performance at the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital (QEUH) A&E is unacceptable. I have addressed this directly with the chair of the board and have set out that I expect any steps necessary to be taken to ensure the A&E is resilient as we go towards winter.\r\nA number of factors are contributing to the delays including the Immediate Assessment Unit (IAU) seeing a higher number of patients than initially predicted. But the board has provided reassurance that it is fully committed to tackling these issues and is putting in place a number of immediate steps to tackle the situation, for example creating additional capacity within the IAU and additional bed capacity by transferring some planned orthopaedic surgery to Gartnavel General Hospital.\r\nThe national unscheduled care team is also working closely with the local team and one of the areas they are focussing on includes looking at unscheduled patient flow into QEUH and reconfiguring patient pathways to ensure that patients unlikely to be admitted are streamed appropriately ensuring quality and timely patient care. They are also working with the teams to ensure alignment of and early implementation of the six essential actions.\r\nOfficials will maintain close liaison with the senior management team over the next few weeks and months to ensure that all appropriate actions are being progressed to ensure the best patient care.","AnswerDate":"2015-10-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306989,"EventID":"S4W-27933","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-10-07T14:25:41.337","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-10-07T10:14:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many diversions from the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital Glasgow there have been because of bed shortages.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-27932 on 29 October 2015. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility can be found at: http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-10-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":306990,"EventID":"S4W-27934","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-10-07T14:25:43.167","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-10-07T10:14:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether and, if so, for what reasons the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital Glasgow has diverted patients from its accident and emergency ward.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-27932 on 29 October 2015. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility can be found at:\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-10-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307003,"EventID":"S4W-27951","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1845,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-10-07T16:36:14.28","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-10-07T13:58:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will support the establishment of a network of neurological care coordinators.","AnswerText":" It is a matter for NHS boards to provide the services required to meet the assessed needs of their populations, including any networking arrangements that may be beneficial for patients. The Scottish Government has provided improvement funding of up to £210,000 in the year 2015-16, to support projects which drive improvement in treatment, services and care for people living with neurological conditions. This represents almost a threefold increase in funding compared to 2014-15.","AnswerDate":"2015-11-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307004,"EventID":"S4W-27953","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2135,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":92,"ApprovedDate":"2015-10-07T16:36:15.11","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-10-07T15:38:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the cost of travelling between the island and the mainland, what support it gives to Argyll and Bute Council to help ensure that (a) older and (b) disabled people on Bute can receive their care on the island.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has overall responsibility for health and community care policy in Scotland. It is however for local authorities to determine the level of services that are required to meet local care needs and to arrange an appropriate range of services to meet individual care needs.\r\nThe formula used in the distribution of the Scottish Government’s funding to local authorities takes into account a number of needs based factors including rurality and the additional cost of providing services to island communities. As a result Argyll and Bute Council is in receipt of a total package of funding of almost £220 million this year which includes funding for the care of older and disabled people and represents their share of the total local government finance settlement of over £10.85 billion. This represents the highest total funding per head of any council with a connection to mainland Scotland.\r\nIncluded within their allocation of £220 million Argyll and Bute Council is receiving an extra £2 million resulting from the Special Islands Needs Allowance which recognises the additional cost of providing services to island communities.","AnswerDate":"2015-10-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307005,"EventID":"S4W-27954","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2135,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":92,"ApprovedDate":"2015-10-07T16:36:16.21","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-10-07T15:38:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to ensure that people from all NHS board areas have equal access to treatment at the Glasgow Homoeopathic Hospital.","AnswerText":"Some of the therapies delivered at the Centre for Integrative Care are also provided locally by some NHS boards. It is open to NHS boards in Scotland to make such services available based on an assessment of needs within their respective areas.","AnswerDate":"2015-10-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307006,"EventID":"S4W-27955","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2135,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":92,"ApprovedDate":"2015-10-07T16:36:17.11","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-10-07T15:38:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what assistance it will provide to people wanting treatment at the Glasgow Homoeopathic Hospital if their NHS board refuses to pay for it.","AnswerText":"Some of the therapies delivered at the Centre for Integrative Care are also provided locally by some NHS boards. It is open to NHS boards in Scotland to make such services available based on an assessment of needs within their respective areas.","AnswerDate":"2015-10-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307007,"EventID":"S4W-27956","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2135,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":92,"ApprovedDate":"2015-10-07T16:36:18.08","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-10-07T15:38:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, in light of its reported refusal to allow people to be referred to the Glasgow Homoeopathic Hospital, whether it considers that NHS Highland is adhering to the principle of equal access to health treatment free at the point of need. ","AnswerText":"NHS Highland continues to make referrals to the Centre for Integrative Care to access a range of complementary and alternative therapies.","AnswerDate":"2015-10-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307008,"EventID":"S4W-27957","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2135,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":92,"ApprovedDate":"2015-10-07T16:36:19.08","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-10-07T15:38:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the cost of travelling between the island and the mainland, what its position is on Argyll and Bute Council's reported failure to provide appropriate residential care for (a) older and (b) disabled people on Bute.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has overall responsibility for health and community care policy in Scotland. It is however for local authorities to determine the level of services that are required to meet local care needs and to arrange an appropriate range of services to meet individual care needs.\r\nWe are working with NHS boards, local authorities, and other stakeholders to drive up quality in the community to ensure appropriate social care provision is available when required.","AnswerDate":"2015-10-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307009,"EventID":"S4W-27958","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2135,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":92,"ApprovedDate":"2015-10-07T16:36:19.96","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-10-07T15:38:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on (a) older and (b) disabled people from an island being placed in residential care in a location that might require them or their families to undertake (i) expensive ferry travel and (ii) journey times of at least an hour to travel to.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has overall responsibility for health and community care policy in Scotland. It is however, for local authorities to determine the level of services that are required to meet local care needs and to arrange an appropriate range of services to meet individual care needs.\r\nWe are working with NHS boards, local authorities, and other stakeholders to drive up quality in the community to ensure appropriate social care provision is available when required.","AnswerDate":"2015-10-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307010,"EventID":"S4W-27952","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-10-07T16:36:21.04","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-10-07T14:25:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to the question S4W-25516 by Jamie Hepburn on 21 May 2015, when it will publish the follow-up report to National Mental Health Services Assessment, Towards implementation of the Mental Health (Care and Treatment) (Scotland) Act 2003 Final Report (the Sandra Grant Report) and for what reason it was not published in the summer.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307011,"EventID":"S4W-27959","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-10-08T13:43:13.587","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-10-07T15:46:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many frontline firefighter jobs have been lost in each year since 2010.","AnswerText":"The number of fire fighters in the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service from 2010 to 2014 can be found in the Scottish Government statistical report: http://www.gov.scot/Resource/0047/00471950.pdf which was published on 24 February 2015.","AnswerDate":"2015-10-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Paul Wheelhouse","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307012,"EventID":"S4W-27960","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-10-08T13:43:14.737","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-10-07T15:46:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many retained firefighters there have been in each year since 2010.","AnswerText":"The number of retained fire fighters in the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service from 2010 to 2014 can be found in the Scottish Government statistical report: http://www.gov.scot/Resource/0047/00471950.pdf which was published on 24 February 2015. \r\nThe Scottish Fire and Rescue Service is currently conducting an on-going national recruitment exercise which began in March 2015 and to date more than 50 trainees have now attended training courses.","AnswerDate":"2015-10-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Paul Wheelhouse","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307013,"EventID":"S4W-27964","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5047,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-10-08T13:43:15.54","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-10-08T11:18:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to address the reported high levels of children living in poverty in Glasgow. ","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is committed to tackling the long term drivers of poverty and inequality through early intervention and prevention. This commitment is made clear in our 2015 Programme for Government and our national approach is articulated in the revised Child Poverty Strategy for Scotland 2014-15. This includes an innovative measurement framework that reflects both the wide range of drivers of poverty and the impacts poverty has on the lives of children and their families. This enables us track progress and inform our future actions.\r\nWe are doing what we can to tackle poverty with the resources and powers available. This includes the appointment of the Independent Advisor on Poverty and Inequality, who has the power to make recommendations on further actions to reduce poverty and inequality in Scotland. We are also investing around £296 million from 2013-14 to 2015-16 in anti-poverty measures to mitigate against the impact of welfare reform, contributing to the collective investment of over £274 million with local authorities, NHS and other partners in the Early Years Change Fund and the provision of free school meals for all primary 1 to 3 children which delivers a saving for families of around £380 per child per year. Of course, tackling child poverty is increasingly difficult in the face of the UK Government's £12 billion of annual welfare cuts, which have a significant and detrimental impact in Scotland.","AnswerDate":"2015-10-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Burgess","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307014,"EventID":"S4W-27961","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5556,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":111,"ApprovedDate":"2015-10-08T13:43:16.057","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-10-07T16:20:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what information it has regarding how many people under 25 in (a) Dunfermline and (b) Fife have (i) applied for and (ii) received discretionary housing payments in each of the last three years.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government does not collect information regarding the age of applicants for discretionary housing payments, which are administered by individual local authorities. The number of applications and awards for discretionary housing payments broken down by local authority area for the last three years is published on the Scottish Government’s website:\r\nhttp://www.gov.scot/Topics/Statistics/Browse/Social-Welfare/dhp","AnswerDate":"2015-10-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Burgess","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307015,"EventID":"S4W-27962","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5556,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":111,"ApprovedDate":"2015-10-08T13:43:16.453","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-10-07T16:20:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what support it gives to housing associations in (a) Dunfermline and (b) Fife to mitigate the impact of the so-called bedroom tax.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is making £35 million available to local authorities for discretionary housing payments in 2015-16 so that the bedroom tax in Scotland can again be fully mitigated for all households affected, including tenants of housing associations in (a) Dunfermline and (b) Fife.\r\nIn addition, under stream 2 of the Making Advice Work programme – which focuses specifically on advice for tenants of social landlords – we have invested around £400,000 in projects in Fife.","AnswerDate":"2015-10-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Burgess","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307016,"EventID":"S4W-27963","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5556,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":111,"ApprovedDate":"2015-10-08T13:43:16.793","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-10-07T16:20:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what information it has regarding how many people under 25 in (a) Dunfermline and (b) Fife have been or are affected by the so-called bedroom tax.","AnswerText":"This information is not held centrally. Benefit statistics, including housing benefit caseload details, are available from the Department for Work and Pensions statistical website Stat-Xplore: https://stat-xplore.dwp.gov.uk/","AnswerDate":"2015-10-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Burgess","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307028,"EventID":"S4W-27965","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1759,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-10-08T16:57:49.573","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-10-08T13:48:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government (a) how many and (b) what (i) nature conservation and (ii) land management orders have been made under chapters 2 and 3 of the Nature Conservation (Scotland) Act 2004, broken down by (A) site and (B) date made.","AnswerText":"(i) No land management orders have been made under the Nature Conservation (Scotland) Act 2004.\r\n(ii) Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) publishes details of nature conservation orders in force in its annual reports which are available online via the following web link:\r\nhttp://www.snh.gov.uk/publications-data-and-research/publications/search-the-catalogue/?q=annual%20report. \r\nInformation on revoked and retained orders can be found on SNH’s website at:http://www.snh.gov.uk/docs/A556205.pdf.","AnswerDate":"2015-11-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen McLeod","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307029,"EventID":"S4W-27966","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1759,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-10-08T16:57:50.227","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-10-08T13:48:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many sites of special scientific interest (SSSIs) there are in Scotland; how many natural features are notified for these SSSIs, and what percentage of those natural features has been considered to be in a favourable condition, in each of the last five years.","AnswerText":"The following table presents the requested information, as at the end of each of the last five financial years:\r\nDate\r\nNumber of SSSIs\r\nNumber of SSSI Features\r\nPercentage of Favourable SSSI Features\r\n31-03-2011\r\n1,447\r\n3,694\r\n79.3%\r\n31-03-2012\r\n1,440\r\n3,711\r\n79.4%\r\n31-03-2013\r\n1,429\r\n3,707\r\n80.5%\r\n31-03-2014\r\n1,425\r\n3,696\r\n80.8%\r\n31-03-2015\r\n1,423\r\n3,691\r\n81.4%\r\nSource: Scottish Natural Heritage","AnswerDate":"2015-11-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen McLeod","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307030,"EventID":"S4W-27967","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1759,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-10-08T16:57:50.837","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-10-08T13:48:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it has consulted Scottish Natural Heritage under section 12 of the Nature Conservation (Scotland) Act 2004; what action it has taken in response to any advice it received, and whether it will publish that advice.","AnswerText":"The following table shows the number of times the Scottish Government has consulted Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) under section 12 of the Nature Conservation (Scotland) Act 2004 in each of the last five financial years:\r\n2010-11\r\n2011-12\r\n2012-13\r\n2013-14\r\n2014-15\r\nTotal\r\n19\r\n11\r\n15\r\n4\r\n8\r\n57\r\nSource: SNH\r\nThe consultation requests were made by various parts of the Scottish Government and details are not held centrally, hence the other information requested, if still held, could only be obtained at disproportionate cost. The Scottish Government would, however, consider requests for details of actions taken in relation to specific cases or sites of special scientific interest.","AnswerDate":"2015-11-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen McLeod","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307031,"EventID":"S4W-27968","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1759,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-10-08T16:57:51.443","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-10-08T13:48:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many times Scottish Natural Heritage has been consulted under section 12 of the Nature Conservation (Scotland) Act 2004 in each of the last five years and by which public bodies.","AnswerText":"The following table presents the requested information for each of the last five financial years:\r\nPublic Body\r\n2010-11\r\n2011-12\r\n2012-13\r\n2013-14\r\n2014-15\r\nTotal\r\nAberdeenshire Council\r\n\r\n\r\n1\r\n4\r\n1\r\n6\r\nAngus Council\r\n\r\n\r\n2\r\n\r\n\r\n2\r\nCairngorms National Park Authority\r\n\r\n1\r\n\r\n\r\n2\r\n3\r\nCity of Edinburgh Council\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n1\r\n\r\n1\r\nCommunity Council\r\n\r\n1\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n1\r\nDumfries and Galloway Council\r\n\r\n\r\n2\r\n\r\n\r\n2\r\nEast Dunbartonshire Council\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n1\r\n\r\n1\r\nEast Renfrewshire Council\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n1\r\n\r\n1\r\nFife Council\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n1\r\n1\r\nForestry Commission England\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n1\r\n\r\n1\r\nGlasgow City Council\r\n\r\n\r\n1\r\n1\r\n\r\n2\r\nHighlands and Islands Airports Limited (Dundee Airport)\r\n1\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n1\r\nHighland Council\r\n\r\n1\r\n2\r\n2\r\n2\r\n7\r\nHighlands and Islands Enterprise\r\n1\r\n\r\n2\r\n\r\n\r\n3\r\nLocal authority (authority not specified)\r\n8\r\n6\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n14\r\nLoch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park Authority\r\n\r\n1\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n1\r\nMinistry of Defence\r\n6\r\n5\r\n2\r\n\r\n2\r\n15\r\nMoray Council\r\n\r\n\r\n1\r\n1\r\n2\r\n4\r\nNetwork Rail\r\n\r\n1\r\n1\r\n1\r\n3\r\n6\r\nNorthern Lighthouse Board\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n1\r\n\r\n1\r\nOrkney Islands Council\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n1\r\n1\r\nPerth and Kinross Council\r\n\r\n3\r\n\r\n1\r\n\r\n4\r\nRenfrewshire Council\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n1\r\n1\r\nRoyal Botanic Garden Edinburgh\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n1\r\n1\r\nScottish and Southern Energy\r\n1\r\n6\r\n4\r\n2\r\n2\r\n15\r\nScottish Canals\r\n2\r\n\r\n\r\n2\r\n\r\n4\r\nScottish Environment Protection Agency\r\n1\r\n1\r\n2\r\n\r\n2\r\n6\r\nScottish Gas\r\n\r\n\r\n1\r\n\r\n\r\n1\r\nScottish Government\r\n19\r\n11\r\n15\r\n4\r\n8\r\n57\r\nScottish Natural Heritage\r\n\r\n2\r\n\r\n1\r\n2\r\n5\r\nScottish Power\r\n1\r\n1\r\n\r\n2\r\n\r\n4\r\nScottish Water\r\n3\r\n4\r\n6\r\n2\r\n2\r\n17\r\nTotal\r\n43\r\n44\r\n42\r\n28\r\n32\r\n189\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-11-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen McLeod","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307032,"EventID":"S4W-27978","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2603,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-10-08T16:57:52.1","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-10-08T16:07:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government for what reason its news release on 7 October 2015, Economic Growth Continues: Scottish economy grows 1.9% in the year to Q2 2015 states, \"Today’s National Statistics show that the Scottish economy has grown for twelve consecutive quarters\" when the accompanying data table shows that it has grown for only 11 quarters.","AnswerText":"The observation of 12 consecutive quarters of growth is based on unrounded data. Data in the GDP bulletin is rounded to 1 decimal place but underlying estimates are produced at a full level of precision.\r\nUnrounded data are routinely published in the quarterly national accounts which follow the initial GDP estimates.\r\nFor the purposes of transparency unrounded figures were released to the Scottish Parliament Information Centre on the same day as publication and a summary is published at the link: \r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/Budget/GDP/GDP.html","AnswerDate":"2015-10-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307033,"EventID":"S4W-27969","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2610,"Party":"Independent","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-10-08T16:57:53.003","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-10-08T14:23:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-24476 by Fergus Ewing on 8 October 2015, whether it will provide details of the \"interested stakeholders\" it will be consulting with regard to (a) fracking, (b) unconventional oil and gas extraction and (c) unconventional coal gasification.","AnswerText":"For further details of meetings already held, I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-26272 on 27 July 2015. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.\r\nThe Scottish Government will continue to meet with as wide a range of stakeholders as possible as part of the consultation process.","AnswerDate":"2015-10-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307034,"EventID":"S4W-27979","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5057,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-10-08T16:57:53.613","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-10-08T16:12:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many restraint orders were issued under the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 and the Proceeds of Crime (Scotland) Act 1995 in each year from 2011-12 to 2014-15; how many of those orders were issued (a) ahead of and (b) following prosecution or conviction, and what the total value of assets restrained was.","AnswerText":"The number and value of restraint orders for the years 2011-12 to 2014-15 is as follows:\r\n2011-12 73 orders £13,927,350.00\r\n2012-13 65 orders £9,471,359.72\r\n2013-14 66 orders £9,630,181.29\r\n2014-15 81 orders £15,513,513.00\r\nThe information about which Act the restraint was sought under, or whether the restraint was ahead of or following prosecution or conviction is not information that is centrally recorded by Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS). This information could only be obtained at disproportionate cost to COPFS.","AnswerDate":"2015-10-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Frank Mulholland QC","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307042,"EventID":"S4W-27970","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2135,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":92,"ApprovedDate":"2015-10-09T15:37:40.51","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-10-08T15:53:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-27272 by Aileen McLeod on 14 September 2015, when it will publish the (a) reports from the 11 control programmes, (b) result of the survey of biodiversity action partnership and (c) strategic plans for non-native species regional groups, and what funding it has provided to (i) fisheries trusts, (ii) biodiversity action partnerships and (iii) regional groups with specific non-native species remits in connection with the control of giant hogweed. ","AnswerText":"The 11 control programmes are led by the Rivers and Fisheries Trusts of Scotland. They are evaluating those programmes and a draft of their evaluation is currently out for review. I have been advised that a report will be available toward the end of 2015.\r\nThe survey of Local Biodiversity Action Partnership officers was an informal information gathering exercise carried out by the local government representative on the non-native species action group. Eight local authority responses were received and are set out below:\r\nArgyll and Bute Council\r\nOn local authority property: giant hogweed is controlled when reported.\r\nOn private property: giant hogweed is the responsibility of the land owner.\r\nComments: the plant is not really an issue in Argyll and Bute but the local authority keep a watching brief in Mid-Argyll and Helensburgh and Lomond.\r\nAberdeen City Council\r\nOn local authority property: giant hogweed is controlled when reported.\r\nComments: grounds maintenance teams will spray giant hogweed only at a stage where spraying is appropriate and weather conditions allow. Some spraying of invasive non-native species is undertaken under contract as part of a city wide pavement/road gulley spraying programme.\r\nHighland Council\r\nThe response referred to two papers which can be found at annex 2 and 3 of the report by the Director of Planning and Development prepared for the 8 January 2014 meeting of the Planning, Environment and Development Committee: http://www.highland.gov.uk/download/meetings/id/20257/item7ped514pdf\r\nCity of Edinburgh Council\r\nOn local authority property: giant hogweed is controlled (although resources are very stretched and priority is therefore given to areas with public access).\r\nOn private property: procedures are in place to deal with reports of giant hogweed under public and environmental health legislation. \r\nComments: reports of giant hogweed on private land are initially passed to the property owner. If no action is taken, a statutory notice is served, contractors are appointed to undertake work and the cost passed on to the property owner. This process is carried out reactively, as resources allow.\r\nFife Council\r\nOn local authority property: treat giant hogweed (priority given to areas of concern from a public health perspective, for example near bus stops or along footpaths).\r\nComments: respondent not aware of reports that have not been dealt with due to lack of resources but suggested that this could be an increasing issue in coming years.\r\nGlasgow City Council\r\nOn local authority property: treat giant hogweed (only where there is a perceived risk to public health and there is public access).\r\nFalkirk Council\r\nOn local authority property: giant hogweed is controlled when reported. On private property: giant hogweed is the responsibility of the land owner.\r\nMoray Council\r\nOn local authority property: treat giant hogweed where it is adjacent to promoted footpaths.\r\nComments: also work closely with the River Nairn, Findhorn and Lossie Fisheries Board and Wild things! (an environmental education charity based in Findhorn) who have secured funding to tackle non-native species in the Forres and Findhorn Bay area.\r\nInformation on the plans of the regional groups listed in the answer to question S4W-27272 is not held by the Scottish Government. I will arrange for the relevant information to be collected and published on the Scottish Government non-native species webpages. \r\nA breakdown of relevant funding is given in the table below, including funding from the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA). This covers projects which are led by fisheries trusts, local authorities, community groups and others and which include some element of giant hogweed control. The majority of these projects also include control of other bankside plants such as Japanese knotweed, Himalayan balsam and rhododendron.\r\n\r\nSEPA (Water Environment Fund)\r\nScottish Natural Heritage\r\nScottish Rural Development Programme (SRDP) funding*","AnswerDate":"2015-11-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen McLeod","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307043,"EventID":"S4W-27971","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2135,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":92,"ApprovedDate":"2015-10-09T15:37:41.713","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-10-08T15:53:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what international research it has studied regarding optimum pupil-teacher ratios for immersive language education.","AnswerText":"We have made enquiries and are not aware of any examples of international research regarding optimum pupil-teacher ratios in immersive language education.","AnswerDate":"2015-11-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alasdair Allan","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307044,"EventID":"S4W-27972","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2135,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":92,"ApprovedDate":"2015-10-09T15:37:42.773","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-10-08T15:53:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on whether Gaelic medium education would benefit from clearer guidelines for pupil-teacher ratios. ","AnswerText":"Pupil teacher ratios are not stipulated either in legislation or in teachers' terms and conditions of service. Class size limits for P1-P3 are set in statute and all other class size limits are set in teachers' terms and conditions of service. Neither the legislation nor the terms and conditions of service differentiate between the class size limits that apply in Gaelic medium units and those that apply in mainstream English language primary schools. \r\nThe issue of lower class size limits for Gaelic medium was explored in the 2010 consultation on class size limits. Based on the outcome of that consultation ministers concluded that differential class size limits for Gaelic medium units should not be introduced. However, the government acknowledges a wider need for statutory guidance on Gaelic medium education, and this is currently being prepared.","AnswerDate":"2015-11-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alasdair Allan","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307045,"EventID":"S4W-27973","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2135,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":92,"ApprovedDate":"2015-10-09T15:37:44.113","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-10-08T15:53:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on establishing a minimum pupil-teacher ratio for Gaelic medium education.","AnswerText":"It is the responsibility of local authorities and individual head teachers to determine the size of individual classes within the limits set by legislation or terms and conditions of service. Accordingly, the relevant local authority and head teacher of a Gaelic medium unit can achieve as low a pupil-teacher ratio as they choose.","AnswerDate":"2015-11-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alasdair Allan","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307046,"EventID":"S4W-27974","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2135,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":92,"ApprovedDate":"2015-10-09T15:37:45.3","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-10-08T15:53:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on considering innovations that aim to see a greater uptake of places at rural schools by encouraging different approaches to transport and catchment areas, and whether it is aware of the Swedish scheme, Turn the School Bus Around.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is committed to protecting rural schools and supporting their role in preserving, supporting and developing rural communities.\r\nThe legislative responsibility for the provision of education in Scotland rests with individual local authorities, including decisions relating to catchment areas and the provision of school transport. In meeting these responsibilities, we would encourage authorities to take account of any national or international best practice that may be of benefit to the communities they serve, including initiatives such as Sweden's Turn the School Bus Around.","AnswerDate":"2015-11-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307047,"EventID":"S4W-27975","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2135,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":92,"ApprovedDate":"2015-10-09T15:37:46.47","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-10-08T15:53:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, in light of reports that the powers are sometimes abused, whether it will carry out an assessment of the use of powers of entry by (a) energy and (b) other private companies, and what its position is on imposing a requirement that any such action must only be carried out following the approval of a court.","AnswerText":"Any abuse of power by any company or organisation would be a matter of serious concern for the Scottish Government. The legal situation relating to powers of entry for energy companies is very clear: companies must have either the owner’s permission or an appropriate warrant from the courts. The only exception to this is in an emergency – where there is reasonable cause to believe that circumstances exist which are likely to endanger life or property.\r\nWe are not aware of any specific reports or instances relating to abuse of right of entry powers by energy companies. However anyone who does suspect such an abuse of these powers should contact the company concerned directly or raise the matter with the regulator Ofgem. Of course if any criminal activity is suspected, the matter should be reported to the police. \r\nIf the Member wishes to provide the Scottish Government with any more detailed information we would be happy to look into this further or facilitate contact with the relevant organisations as appropriate.","AnswerDate":"2015-11-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307048,"EventID":"S4W-27976","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2135,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":92,"ApprovedDate":"2015-10-09T15:37:47.703","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-10-08T15:53:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-27273 by Aileen McLeod on 14 September 2015, whether it will provide further details of the work of the action group, and whether it will ensure that the group’s activities will also monitor the spread of giant hogweed in all areas.","AnswerText":"Recent work undertaken by the Non-Native Species Action Group has included guidance for zoos and wildlife parks on preventing the escape of potentially invasive non-native species. The current focus of the group’s work is on determining management and prevention priorities for non-native species as regards Scotland.\r\nThe distribution of the plant is recorded in a number of ways. The Botanical Society of the British Isles periodically publishes a complete atlas of plant distribution, based on records gathered by volunteers. Records of giant hogweed are also collated and made available on the National Biodiversity Network and the Scottish Environment Protection Agency is developing a tool on Scotland’s Environment Web that will use that data to show changes in the distribution of invasive species over time. The group will put in place arrangements to ensure that these, and other records, are monitored regularly.\r\nA note of group meetings is available on the Biodiversity Scotland website\r\nhttp://www.biodiversityscotland.gov.uk/doing/scottish-biodiversity-governance/invasive-nonnative-species-group/.","AnswerDate":"2015-11-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen McLeod","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307049,"EventID":"S4W-27977","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2135,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":92,"ApprovedDate":"2015-10-09T15:37:49.03","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-10-08T15:53:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-27269 by Aileen McLeod on 14 September 2015, what its position is on introducing data coding for injuries arising from exposure to giant hogweed.","AnswerText":"There are many diverse environmental risks to health which may result in injury, including a number of garden plants, and it is not possible for all such types of injuries to be coded precisely. There are no plans to introduce coding for injuries caused by giant hogweed into the NHS Accident & Emergency data systems.","AnswerDate":"2015-11-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen McLeod","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307050,"EventID":"S4W-27980","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5119,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":110,"ApprovedDate":"2015-10-09T15:37:50.323","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-10-08T16:41:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many meetings it has had with the communications firm, Charlotte Street Partners, in each of the last five years, broken down by meetings organised by (a) it and (b) the firm, and how many were attended by (i) the First Minister, (ii) other ministers and (iii) officials.","AnswerText":"Information on ministerial meetings is routinely published on the Scottish Government website.","AnswerDate":"2015-10-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307051,"EventID":"S4W-27982","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5119,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":110,"ApprovedDate":"2015-10-09T15:37:50.963","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-10-08T16:43:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many contracts it has awarded to the communications firm, Charlotte Street Partners, in each year since 2007, also broken down the (a) duration and (b) value of each contract.","AnswerText":"No contracts have been awarded by the Scottish Government to Charlotte Street Partners since 2007.","AnswerDate":"2015-10-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307052,"EventID":"S4W-27983","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5119,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":110,"ApprovedDate":"2015-10-09T15:37:51.54","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-10-08T16:44:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many contracts it has awarded to organisations (a) represented by and (b) with an established link to the communications firm, Charlotte Street Partners, in each year since 2007, also broken down by the name of the organisation and the (i) duration and (ii) value of each contract.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government does not hold records of organisations being represented by, or with established links to, Charlotte Street Partners.","AnswerDate":"2015-10-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307053,"EventID":"S4W-27984","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5041,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-10-09T15:37:52.133","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-10-08T17:00:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether the Lord Advocate plans to publish further guidelines on the Offensive Behaviour at Football and Threatening Communications (Scotland) Act 2012.","AnswerText":"The Lord Advocate’s guidelines on the Offensive Behaviour at Football and Threatening Communications (Scotland) Act 2012 were recently updated in August 2015. That update clarified that it may be deemed appropriate to offer alternatives to prosecution, in certain cases involving charges under the Act. These alternatives will include schemes which will offer the offender education and rehabilitation.\r\nThe Lord Advocate regularly reviews his published guidance on the Offensive Behaviour at Football and Threatening Communications (Scotland) Act 2010 in light of decisions made by the Courts.\r\nA copy of the guidance can be found at:\r\nLord Advocate’s Guidelines on the Offensive Behaviour at Football and Threatening Communications (Scotland) Act 2012","AnswerDate":"2015-10-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Frank Mulholland QC","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307054,"EventID":"S4W-27985","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2015-10-09T15:37:52.727","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-10-08T17:22:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many fields are subject to reassessment under the common agricultural policy Basic Payment Scheme: revised provisional payment region scheme, broken down by Rural Payments and Inspections Directorate office area as at 30 September 2015.","AnswerText":"According to our database records approximately 16,300 fields (land parcels) out of over 400,000 land parcels on our Land Parcels Identification System have been subject to a request for reassessment of the payment region. The breakdown by area offices is set out in the following table:\r\nRural Payments and Inspections Directorate area office\r\nHoldings where review requested\r\nFields (land parcels) where review requested\r\nBenbecula\r\n128\r\n281\r\nDumfries\r\n439\r\n894\r\nElgin\r\n181\r\n376\r\nGalashiels\r\n519\r\n1023\r\nGolspie\r\n88\r\n197\r\nHamilton\r\n226\r\n459\r\nInverness\r\n361\r\n638\r\nInverurie\r\n711\r\n1044\r\nKirkwall\r\n229\r\n531\r\nLerwick\r\n469\r\n1493\r\nOban\r\n395\r\n1712\r\nPerth\r\n662\r\n1143\r\nPortree\r\n138\r\n176\r\nStornoway\r\n203\r\n430\r\nThurso\r\n174\r\n429\r\nTotal\r\n5726\r\n16325\r\n*Please note that figures for Ayr are not available.","AnswerDate":"2015-11-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Richard Lochhead","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307055,"EventID":"S4W-27986","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2015-10-09T15:37:53.647","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-10-08T17:22:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many (a) formal appeals and (b) submissions of documentary evidence including photographs by individual applicants are being processed under the common agricultural policy Basic Payment Scheme: revised provisional payment region scheme, broken down by Rural Payments and Inspections Directorate office area as at 30 September 2015.","AnswerText":"The answer to S4W-27985 on 20 November 2015 provides information on the requests for a review of the payment region that have been received. All customers submitting a request for a review were provided with an opportunity to provide supporting documentary information.\r\nThe following table gives detail of the outcome of the review process broken down by Rural Payment and Inspections Directorate (RPID) area office as requested:\r\nRPID Office\r\nNumber of reviews resulting in no change\r\nNumber of reviews resulting in a change to region allocation\r\nNumber of reviews currently deferred*\r\nBenbecula\r\n181\r\n86\r\n10\r\nDumfries\r\n251\r\n462\r\n27\r\nElgin\r\n16\r\n40\r\n14\r\nGalashiels\r\n301\r\n592\r\n125\r\nGolspie\r\n75\r\n103\r\n0\r\nHamilton\r\n100\r\n236\r\n31\r\nInverness\r\n163\r\n340\r\n71\r\nInverurie\r\n636\r\n297\r\n81\r\nKirkwall\r\n63\r\n396\r\n55\r\nLerwick\r\n523\r\n774\r\n116\r\nOban\r\n974\r\n431\r\n274\r\nPerth\r\n472\r\n489\r\n81\r\nPortree\r\n29\r\n91\r\n45\r\nStornoway\r\n260\r\n133\r\n0\r\nThurso\r\n135\r\n243\r\n33\r\nGrand Total\r\n8,202\r\n5,340\r\n1,150\r\n*Cases that are recorded as deferred are those requests which involve very complex map updates and are still being considered.\r\n*Please note that the figures for Ayr are unavailable.\r\nAdditionally, there are a number of review requests still being processed at this time and outcome is still to be determined. These cases have not been included in the above figures but are included in the figures given in the count included with the answer to S4W-27985.\r\n\r\nAll answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at: \r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.","AnswerDate":"2015-11-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Richard Lochhead","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307056,"EventID":"S4W-27987","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2015-10-09T15:37:54.597","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-10-08T17:22:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what spend it originally estimated under the common agricultural policy Basic Payment Scheme, broken down by Rural Payments and Inspections Division office area, and whether it has now made a new estimate.","AnswerText":"We explained during the common agricultural policy roadshows in the autumn of 2014 that we estimated that the combined budget for the Basic Payment Scheme, Greening, voluntary coupled support schemes, the young farmer supplement, and the National Reserve would be approximately 314.3 million. We indicated that we expected the budget would be split over the three payment regions as follows:\r\nRegion\r\nAmount (€ million)\r\nPercentage\r\n1\r\n265.23\r\n87%\r\n2\r\n27.44\r\n9%\r\n3\r\n12.19\r\n4%\r\nWe were not in a position then to provide a breakdown by Rural Payments and Inspections Division area office because of the number of variables that might affect the calculation, such as the amount of new land that might be claimed, or land currently on the system where the land manager might not meet the new eligibility requirements.\r\nThe latest estimate which we provided for the European Commission in June 2015 provides more information on the estimated breakdown in percentage terms over the period 2015-19 (presented in percentage terms as the final budgets are not yet known):\r\nYear\r\nRegion 1 Budget (%)\r\nRegion 2 Budget (%)\r\nRegion 3 Budget (%)\r\n2015\r\n74%\r\n17%\r\n9%\r\n2016\r\n77%\r\n15%\r\n8%\r\n2017\r\n80%\r\n13%\r\n7%\r\n2018\r\n84%\r\n11%\r\n5%\r\n2019\r\n87%\r\n9%\r\n4%\r\nWe need to complete all of our processing work before we can provide further breakdown to area office level.","AnswerDate":"2015-11-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Richard Lochhead","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307057,"EventID":"S4W-27988","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2015-10-09T15:37:55.503","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-10-08T17:22:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether individual crofting apportionments and improved pasture classified as code PGRS under Integrated Administration and Control System (IACS) submissions are being downgraded to region 3 payment under the common agricultural policy Basic Payment Scheme: revised provisional payment region scheme.","AnswerText":"There is nothing in the classification process which would automatically result in crofting apportionments or improved pasture classified as PGRS being classed as region 3 payment. The Scottish Government used objective criteria which took account of a parcel’s Land Cover of Scotland 1988 (LCS88) data, Less Favoured Area Support Scheme grazing category, and the crop code used to claim Single Farm Payment Scheme (SFPS) on the Single Application Form 2014. Land parcels with either 40% or more SFPS eligible arable crops and rotational grass (excluding permanent grass) or 50% or more permanent grass and LCS88 smooth grassland were assessed as payment region 1. This methodology was discussed and agreed with industry stakeholders.\r\nHowever, any crofter or other individual who feels that the payment region allocated to them was incorrect can of course seek a review. My officials are always willing to adjust the payment region classification when appropriate documentary evidence is provided to support an adjustment. In the case of Shetland 1,413 fields have been subject to a request for a review, with an adjustment to the payment region accepted for 774 fields, no change accepted for 523 fields, and reviews still to complete for the remaining 116 fields.","AnswerDate":"2015-11-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Richard Lochhead","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307058,"EventID":"S4W-27989","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2015-10-09T15:37:56.563","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-10-09T09:41:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the statement by a government spokesperson reported in The Press and Journal on 6 October 2015 that “Scottish councils already retain all of the business rates they collect”, whether this means that a Scottish local authority that increases the amount of business rates collected in its area will retain all of that revenue.","AnswerText":"With effect from 1 April 2011 all Scottish councils have retained all of the business rates they collect, with the balance of their guaranteed needs-based funding met by general revenue grant (GRG).\r\nFollowing the introduction of the Business Rates Incentivisation Scheme, on 1 April 2012, all councils are able to retain 50 per cent of any additional business rates income collected over and above an agreed target.\r\nIn practice, they retain 100 per cent of all business rates income with the 50 per cent balance of any additional income being recovered from their future GRG allocations.","AnswerDate":"2015-10-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307059,"EventID":"S4W-27990","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2015-10-09T15:37:57.53","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-10-09T09:41:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the statement by a government spokesperson reported in The Press and Journal on 6 October 2015 that “Scottish councils already retain all of the business rates they collect”, whether this is true for Glasgow City Council.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-27989 on 27 October 2015. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.","AnswerDate":"2015-10-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307060,"EventID":"S4W-27993","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4947,"Party":"Independent","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-10-09T15:37:58.53","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-10-09T12:03:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to support the replacement of inadequate facilities at Elgin High School.","AnswerText":"Under the Scottish Government's £1.8 billion Scotland's Schools for the Future programme, Moray Council has been awarded approximately £14.3 million towards the replacement of Elgin High School.","AnswerDate":"2015-10-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307061,"EventID":"S4W-27994","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5057,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-10-09T15:37:59.17","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-10-09T12:40:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-27337 by Michael Matheson on 17 September 2015, whether it will provide the minute of the meeting between the Cabinet Secretary for Justice and the Chief Constable on (a) 15 January 2015, (b) 18 February 2015, (c) 18 March 2015, (d) 23 April 2015 and (e) 28 May 2015.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government does not routinely release details of what was discussed in private meetings and has no plans to do so on this occasion.","AnswerDate":"2015-11-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307062,"EventID":"S4W-27995","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5057,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-10-09T15:37:59.777","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-10-09T12:41:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when the ministerial engagements for June 2015 will be available.","AnswerText":"All ministerial engagements are proactively published and updated on the Scottish Government website. Engagements for all ministers for the period including June 2015 can be found at:\r\nhttp://www.gov.scot/About/People/14944/Events-Engagements/MinisterialEngagements/MinisterialEngagements","AnswerDate":"2015-10-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Joe FitzPatrick","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307063,"EventID":"S4W-27997","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4955,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":105,"ApprovedDate":"2015-10-09T15:38:00.4","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-10-09T14:10:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether the target set by ScotRail for the update of smartcards is being met. ","AnswerText":"Scottish ministers have set ambitious targets in the new ScotRail franchise. These include clear contractual targets for delivery of smart ticketing on Scotland's rail network. ScotRail is currently working towards achieving 60% uptake and a 65% uptake for all passenger journeys made using Smartmedia, by 2019 and 2021 respectively.\r\nThe ScotRail smartcard is only available on selected routes, however, it will be made available across the network for the majority of ticket types by 2017. All ticket types will be made available on Smart by 2019, including some multi-modal tickets.","AnswerDate":"2015-10-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307064,"EventID":"S4W-27998","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4955,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":105,"ApprovedDate":"2015-10-09T15:38:01.18","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-10-09T14:10:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what progress it is making in developing integrated ticketing between the operators providing services to National Entitlement Card users.","AnswerText":"Transport Scotland's Smart and Integrated Ticketing Strategy was launched in 2012 and its long term vision is \"that all journeys on Scotland's bus, rail, ferry, subway and tram networks can be accessed using some form of smart ticketing or payment\".\r\nAll buses in Scotland are now equipped with electronic ticketing machines capable of reading smart tickets. 1.3 million smart National Entitlement Cards are now in use for those entitled to concessionary travel on buses. Discussions are currently underway between bus operators and the Scottish Government to roll out smart tickets compatible with National Entitlement Cards, as an option for all bus journeys across Scotland, using a system integrated with that on rail, ferries and the Glasgow Subway.\r\nThere is strong engagement with the bus industry and Transport Scotland is both supporting large operators like First and Stagecoach in delivering their commercial objectives and directly assisting smaller bus operators in developing and delivering smart and integrated ticketing.","AnswerDate":"2015-10-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307065,"EventID":"S4W-27999","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4955,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":105,"ApprovedDate":"2015-10-09T15:38:02.023","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-10-09T14:10:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many National Entitlement Card users receive (a) free and (b) reduced rate travel.","AnswerText":"The National Entitlement Card (NEC) is used as the platform to deliver the Scotland-wide Free Bus Travel Scheme for Older and Disabled Persons. It is also used to deliver Scotland-wide concessionary travel for young people ages 16-18 and young full-time volunteers.\r\nInformation available to Transport Scotland indicates that, as of 30 September 2015, there were (a) just over 1.3 million cardholders entitled to free bus travel on grounds of age or disability and (b) just over 153,000 cardholders aged 16-18 and young full time volunteers (up to age 25) entitled to concessionary bus and rail travel throughout Scotland.","AnswerDate":"2015-10-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307066,"EventID":"S4W-27996","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3806,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-10-12T15:10:56.893","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-10-09T13:57:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether the results of the 2014 cost-benefit analysis of the installation of fire suppression systems in new-build houses, flats, houses in multiple occupation and halls of residence have been published and, if so, where.","AnswerText":"The Research Project to Review the Cost Effectiveness of Sprinklers in Residential Properties was published on 29 May 2015 and is freely available on the Building Standards Division research section of the Scottish Government website at http://www.gov.scot/Resource/0047/00477895.pdf.","AnswerDate":"2015-11-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Burgess","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307067,"EventID":"S4W-28001","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-10-12T15:10:58.793","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-10-09T17:14:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the IT spend has been for the Registers of Scotland in each of the last 12 months, broken down by (a) temporary staff costs, (b) external fees, (c) equipment costs, (d) maintenance costs and (e) technical services costs.","AnswerText":"The amounts spent in the period October 2014 to September 2015 in the various areas requested are shown in the following table.\r\nAlthough not specifically referred to in this question, the costs of IT staff and capital expenditure on IT assets have also been shown for the period under review. This is to help provide a fuller picture and clarity when compared to previous responses on IT spend and investment at Registers of Scotland.\r\n\r\nTemporary Staff Costs (£000s)\r\nExternal Fees (£000s)\r\nEquipment Costs (£000s)\r\nMaintenance Costs (£000s)\r\nTechnical Services Costs (£000s)\r\nTotal\r\nOctober 2014\r\n45\r\n\r\n106\r\n\r\n66\r\n\r\n141\r\n\r\n554\r\n\r\n912\r\n\r\nNovember 2014\r\n87\r\n\r\n60\r\n\r\n71\r\n\r\n141\r\n\r\n456\r\n\r\n812\r\n\r\nDecember 2014\r\n90\r\n\r\n49\r\n\r\n49\r\n\r\n120\r\n\r\n557\r\n\r\n865\r\n\r\nJanuary 2015\r\n80\r\n\r\n52\r\n\r\n100\r\n\r\n125\r\n\r\n506\r\n\r\n863\r\n\r\nFebruary 2015\r\n156\r\n\r\n143\r\n\r\n75\r\n\r\n189\r\n\r\n489\r\n\r\n1,052\r\n\r\nMarch 2015\r\n269\r\n\r\n225\r\n\r\n39\r\n\r\n144\r\n\r\n413\r\n\r\n1,090\r\n\r\nApril 2015\r\n120\r\n\r\n19\r\n\r\n60\r\n\r\n139\r\n\r\n84\r\n\r\n422\r\n\r\nMay 2015\r\n182\r\n\r\n73\r\n\r\n84\r\n\r\n188\r\n\r\n216\r\n\r\n743\r\n\r\nJune 2015\r\n286\r\n\r\n94\r\n\r\n48\r\n\r\n182\r\n\r\n332\r\n\r\n942\r\n\r\nJuly 2015\r\n219\r\n\r\n134\r\n\r\n133\r\n\r\n175\r\n\r\n326\r\n\r\n987\r\n\r\nAugust 2015\r\n222\r\n\r\n105\r\n\r\n78\r\n\r\n175\r\n\r\n329\r\n\r\n909\r\n\r\nSeptember 2015\r\n266\r\n\r\n95\r\n\r\n76\r\n\r\n172\r\n\r\n521\r\n\r\n1,130\r\n\r\nTotal\r\n2,022\r\n1,155\r\n879\r\n1,891\r\n4,783\r\n10,730\r\n\r\n\r\nIT Staff Costs Excluding Temporary Staff (£000s)\r\nCapital Costs (£000s)\r\nOctober 2014\r\n144\r\n295\r\nNovember 2014\r\n169\r\n195\r\nDecember 2014\r\n187\r\n137\r\nJanuary 2015\r\n190\r\n309\r\nFebruary 2015\r\n183\r\n35\r\nMarch 2015\r\n238\r\n20\r\nApril 2015\r\n204\r\n22\r\nMay 2015\r\n196\r\n84\r\nJune 2015\r\n240\r\n24\r\nJuly 2015\r\n211\r\n180\r\nAugust 2015\r\n204\r\n0\r\nSeptember 2015\r\n220\r\n1,362\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-11-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307068,"EventID":"S4W-28014","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3806,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-10-12T15:10:59.7","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-10-12T13:53:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-26580 by Aileen McLeod on 21 July 2015, what information has been received from the Crofting Commission regarding the number of crofts that have been re-let (a) in the South Uist area and (b) elsewhere since April 2012 because (i) of an absentee landlord or (ii) they were not actively farmed. ","AnswerText":"As indicated in the response to S4W-26580, the information requested is not held centrally. The Crofting Commission administers the regulation of crofting on behalf of the Scottish Ministers and the chief executive of that organisation was asked to supply the information requested to you directly.\r\nThe Crofting Commission has indicated that it sent a letter to you containing this information on 20 July 2015. This letter noted that since April 2012 the Crofting Commission had terminated 24 tenancies, including one in South Uist. In each case the tenant was not fulfilling his or her crofting duties and, in most cases, cultivation and maintenance duties were not being fulfilled either. The reply also noted that 15 of the tenancies have since been re-let and measures were in hand to re-let the remaining tenancies. Since the Crofting Commission provided its original response, it has indicated that a further croft has been re-let, taking the total number to 16.","AnswerDate":"2015-11-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen McLeod","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307069,"EventID":"S4W-28015","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3061,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-10-12T15:11:00.353","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-10-12T14:22:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when the recommendations of its review of waste spreading will be published.","AnswerText":"Following the recent completion of the review of the storage and spreading of sewage sludge on land in Scotland I expect to announce the recommendations from the review in the very near future.","AnswerDate":"2015-11-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Richard Lochhead","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307084,"EventID":"S4W-28002","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2059,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":91,"ApprovedDate":"2015-10-13T15:20:29.733","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-10-12T09:51:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the First Minister understood was the basis for the Scottish Government grant to DF Concerts in respect of T in the Park 2015 when she considered the complaint by Willie Rennie MSP against the Cabinet Secretary for Culture, Europe and External Affairs under the Scottish Ministerial Code; whether she was aware that (a) the grant had originally been requested to support infrastructure and (b) following discussion on what the money could be used for, it was agreed to allocate it for venue hire and consultant costs.","AnswerText":"As set out in a letter to Willie Rennie MSP on 3 September 2015, having carefully considered the matter, including taking advice from the Permanent Secretary, the First Minister is satisfied that the decision taken by the Cabinet Secretary for Culture, Europe and External Affairs to award funding was based solely on the merits of the case following an objective assessment by Scottish Government officials. Neither the cabinet secretary’s decision nor the objective assessment undertaken by officials was in any way influenced by factors external to the merits of the case.","AnswerDate":"2015-11-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Joe FitzPatrick","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307085,"EventID":"S4W-28003","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2059,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":91,"ApprovedDate":"2015-10-13T15:20:32.137","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-10-12T09:51:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the evidence by the Cabinet Secretary for Culture, Europe and External Affairs to the Education and Culture Committee on 29 September 2015 (Official Report, c.11), whether the First Minister was aware of the cabinet secretary's meeting with Jennifer Dempsie and Geoff Ellis of DF Concerts at the SNP Conference in March 2015 when she considered the complaint from Willie Rennie MSP about the cabinet secretary under the Scottish Ministerial Code, and who else was present at that meeting.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-28002 on 10 November 2015. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.","AnswerDate":"2015-11-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Joe FitzPatrick","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307086,"EventID":"S4W-28004","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2059,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":91,"ApprovedDate":"2015-10-13T15:20:33.04","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-10-12T09:51:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether the First Minister was aware that Jennifer Dempsie was part of the team who worked for DF Concerts preparing the planning application for T in the Park 2015 when she considered the complaint by Willie Rennie MSP against the Cabinet Secretary for Culture, Europe and External Affairs under the Scottish Ministerial Code.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-28002 on 10 November 2015. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.","AnswerDate":"2015-11-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Joe FitzPatrick","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307087,"EventID":"S4W-28005","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2059,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":91,"ApprovedDate":"2015-10-13T15:20:33.79","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-10-12T09:51:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether the First Minister was informed that the Cabinet Secretary for Culture, Europe and External Affairs had had no relationship “as a friend or anything like that” (Official Report, c.13, 29 September 2015) with Jennifer Dempsie in the last six years when she considered the complaint by Willie Rennie MSP against the Cabinet Secretary under the Scottish Ministerial Code.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-28002 on 10 November 2015. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.","AnswerDate":"2015-11-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Joe FitzPatrick","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307088,"EventID":"S4W-28006","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2059,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":91,"ApprovedDate":"2015-10-13T15:20:34.477","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-10-12T09:51:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether the First Minister was aware of any member of her staff who might be close to Jennifer Dempsie and was involved in her consideration of any of the issues relating to T in the Park 2015 when she considered the complaint by Willie Rennie MSP against the Cabinet Secretary for Culture, Europe and External Afffairs under the Scottish Ministerial Code.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-28002 on 10 November 2015. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.","AnswerDate":"2015-11-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Joe FitzPatrick","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307089,"EventID":"S4W-28007","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2059,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":91,"ApprovedDate":"2015-10-13T15:20:35.163","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-10-12T09:51:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether the First Minister had seen the economic impact assessment commissioned by DF Concerts when she considered the complaint by Willie Rennie MSP against the Cabinet Secretary for Culture, Europe and External Affairs under the Scottish Ministerial Code.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-28002 on 10 November 2015. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.","AnswerDate":"2015-11-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Joe FitzPatrick","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307090,"EventID":"S4W-28008","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2059,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":91,"ApprovedDate":"2015-10-13T15:20:35.85","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-10-12T09:51:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether the First Minister was aware that, apparently, neither the Cabinet Secretary for Culture, Europe and External Affairs nor anyone from her office had read the full economic report commissioned by DF Concerts in relation to T in the Park 2015 or verified the briefing figures with the research consultants, EKOS, when she considered the complaint against the cabinet secretary under the Scottish Ministerial Code.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-28002 on 10 November 2015. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.","AnswerDate":"2015-11-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Joe FitzPatrick","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307091,"EventID":"S4W-28009","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2059,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":91,"ApprovedDate":"2015-10-13T15:20:36.52","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-10-12T09:51:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether the First Minister had seen a breakdown of how Scottish Government funding for T in the Park 2015 would be spent before it was approved.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-28002 on 10 November 2015. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.","AnswerDate":"2015-11-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Joe FitzPatrick","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307092,"EventID":"S4W-28010","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2059,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":91,"ApprovedDate":"2015-10-13T15:20:37.207","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-10-12T09:51:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether the First Minister was aware of the profitability of T in the Park when she considered the complaint by Willie Rennie MSP against the Cabinet Secretary for Culture, Europe and External Affairs under the Scottish Ministerial Code.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-28002 on 10 November 2015. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.","AnswerDate":"2015-11-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Joe FitzPatrick","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307093,"EventID":"S4W-28011","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2059,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":91,"ApprovedDate":"2015-10-13T15:20:37.923","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-10-12T09:51:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether the First Minister knew that the Cabinet Secretary for Culture, Europe and External Affairs was aware of the profits from previous T in the Park festivals before the decision was made to approve a grant to DF Concerts when she considered the complaint by Willie Rennie MSP against the cabinet secretary under the Scottish Ministerial Code. ","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-28002 on 10 November 2015. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.","AnswerDate":"2015-11-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Joe FitzPatrick","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307094,"EventID":"S4W-28012","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2059,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":91,"ApprovedDate":"2015-10-13T15:20:38.643","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-10-12T09:51:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether the First Minister was informed that DF Concerts had told the Cabinet Secretary for Culture, Europe and External Affairs that consideration was being given to reducing the event to “single-day, single-stage events, possibly in a city such as Glasgow” or “to move the festival away from Scotland” (Official Report, c.5, 29 September 2015), when she considered the complaint by Willie Rennie MSP against the cabinet secretary under the Scottish Ministerial Code.\r\n","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-28002 on 10 November 2015. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.","AnswerDate":"2015-11-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Joe FitzPatrick","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307095,"EventID":"S4W-28013","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2059,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":91,"ApprovedDate":"2015-10-13T15:20:39.297","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-10-12T09:51:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether the First Minister was aware that the amount of Scottish Government grant provided to DF Concerts in relation to T in the Park 2015 was agreed before a formal application was discussed and submitted when she considered the complaint by Willie Rennie MSP against the Cabinet Secretary for Culture, Europe and External Affairs under the Scottish Ministerial Code.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-28002 on 10 November 2015. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.","AnswerDate":"2015-11-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Joe FitzPatrick","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307096,"EventID":"S4W-28016","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2066,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-10-13T15:20:40","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-10-12T15:58:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what financial support Creative Scotland has provided to (a) Freight Books and (b) Cargo Publishing in each of the last four years, broken down by (i) what the support was for and (ii) when it was provided, and whether any other public sector funding was provided during this period and, if so, what the support was for and when it was provided.","AnswerText":"Creative Scotland has provided the following information about support Freight Books and Cargo Publishing:\r\na) Freight Books\r\nIn 2011-12, Creative Scotland awarded £2,000 towards the cost of publishing the debut short story collection Furnace by award-winning writer and poet Wayne Price, who lectures in English Literature at the University of Aberdeen, and a further £2,000 towards the publication of the debut novel Ramshackle by Elizabeth Reeder who lives and works in Glasgow.\r\nIn 2012-13, Creative Scotland awarded £14,500 in support for Gutter magazine and key parts of Freight Book’s publishing programme, £1,300 for publication of the debut poetry collection Fabulous Beast by award-winning poet Patricia Ace and £20,000 towards the editing and publishing of high quality Scottish and international literary fiction and poetry.\r\nIn 2013-14, Creative Scotland awarded £12,000 for financial support for key parts of Freight Books’ publishing programme for the second part of 2013.\r\nIn 2014-15, Creative Scotland awarded £40,000 in support for key parts of Freight Books’ publishing programme for the second part of 2014.\r\nIn 2015-16, Creative Scotland has awarded £69,889 in support for key parts of Freight Books’ publishing programme for 2015.\r\nb) Cargo Publishing\r\nIn 2012-13, Creative Scotland awarded £75,000 towards the 'Erebus' multimedia project, £9,000 towards Tales from the Mall by BAFTA award winning director Ewan Morrison, in paperback, Android and iPhone/iPad, and enhanced ebook, and £22,000 towards a four book collaboration with the Edinburgh International Book Festival and US publisher McSweeney's.\r\nIn 2013-14, Creative Scotland awarded £7,500 towards the publication of Some of Me & Others, the autobiography of Alasdair Gray.\r\nIn 2014-15, Creative Scotland awarded £40,000 towards support for Cargo's complete list of fiction and non-fiction for 2014, and £10,000 to support for an innovation trainee who had the opportunity to learn traditional publishing and digital publishing skills.\r\nIn addition, Scottish Enterprise provided advice and guidance historically to both companies, and Business Gateway met with Cargo Publishing in November 2014 to discuss the support available through their Growth Advisory Service.","AnswerDate":"2015-10-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fiona Hyslop","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307097,"EventID":"S4W-28017","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4080,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-10-13T15:20:40.793","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-10-13T09:48:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many people have died by suicide within two days of release from police custody in each year since 2013, broken down by division; whether each case was investigated by Police Scotland or the Police Investigations and Review Commissioner, and whether this data is routinely published.","AnswerText":"The information requested is a matter for Police Scotland. I have alerted the Chief Constable to your question and I have asked him to write to you.","AnswerDate":"2015-10-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307098,"EventID":"S4W-28018","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-10-13T15:20:41.45","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-10-13T09:42:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what it is doing to increase the availability of flu vaccines at local pharmacies.","AnswerText":"The extent to which vaccinations, including flu vaccines, can be administered on behalf of the NHS in community pharmacies is determined by existing primary legislation, the National Health Service (Scotland) Act 1978. This requires that arrangements for vaccination or immunisation may be made only with medical practitioners, either directly or by others acting under their direction.\r\nAs part of this year’s arrangements for the 2015-16 seasonal flu programme anyone eligible to receive the flu vaccine through the NHS programme can make arrangements to do so through their GP practice. As part of the childhood programme, children who are aged two to five (and not yet in school) will be offered it at their GP practice and all primary school children will be immunised in school.\r\nWe are in the process of undertaking a review of vaccination in Scotland, and this will include consideration of how we might make vaccines available in different ways in the future. As part of this we will give consideration to whether some vaccines might be available through community pharmacy or other providers, what the benefits of this might be, and what steps would be needed to make this happen.","AnswerDate":"2015-11-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307099,"EventID":"S4W-28019","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-10-13T15:20:42.51","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-10-13T10:54:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government from which departmental budget lines its £55 million loan to the Local Affordable Rented Housing Trust has been sourced, broken down by amount provided.","AnswerText":"The £55 million loan forms part of the housing budget that will be finalised as part of the spending review process.","AnswerDate":"2015-11-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Burgess","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307100,"EventID":"S4W-28020","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-10-13T15:20:44.18","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-10-13T10:54:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether its £55 million loan to the Local Affordable Rented Housing Trust includes Barnett consequentials and, if so, how much. ","AnswerText":"Any funds drawn down by the Local Affordable Rented Housing Trust during financial year 2015-16 will be sourced from the additional £125 million of financial transaction consequentials, which can only be used for investment in the private sector, allocated in October 2014 to the housing budget that will support ministers’ priority of delivering more affordable homes.","AnswerDate":"2015-11-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Burgess","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307101,"EventID":"S4W-28021","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1866,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-10-13T15:20:45.757","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-10-13T11:33:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will publish an updated national reporting framework that will map its sustainable development goals.","AnswerText":"Scotland’s aims and ambitions – such as tackling inequality, ensuring access to high quality education and healthcare – are already a key part of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). These aims and ambitions are enshrined in our National Performance Framework and Scotland’s National Action Plan for Human Rights. These will allow us to measure and report on progress in achieving the SDGs in Scotland.","AnswerDate":"2015-11-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307102,"EventID":"S4W-28022","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2015-10-13T15:20:46.66","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-10-13T11:50:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-27249 by Richard Lochhead on 1 October 2015, what information it has on what average profit is made by dairy farmers based on the price paid by (a) Sodexo and (b) the other public bodies.","AnswerText":"Information on individual producer incomes is not collected by the Scottish Government. The economic performance of individual dairy units is dependent on a number of factors including input costs, farmgate prices, husbandry skills and business acumen.","AnswerDate":"2015-12-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Richard Lochhead","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307110,"EventID":"S4W-27912","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-10-14T15:25:39.847","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-10-06T16:24:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will monitor patients to be confined to long-stay wards who, prior to June 2015, would have been eligible for continuing care in the community, who are seeking a transfer to England so that they can apply for continuing care in the community.","AnswerText":"England and Scotland have applied different systems for a number of years regarding NHS continuing healthcare and free personal care. The Scottish Government is not monitoring cross border movement in terms of NHS continuing healthcare neither is it monitoring movement to Scotland in order to take advantage of free personal care.\r\nAnyone eligible for NHS continuing healthcare prior to June 2015 will continue to receive this in any setting, as long as they remain eligible under the previous eligibility criteria contained in CEL 6 (2008). This is made clear in our new guidance DL (2015) 11 – Hospital Based Complex Clinical Care.","AnswerDate":"2015-10-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307111,"EventID":"S4W-27913","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-10-14T15:25:41.007","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-10-06T16:24:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it will announce the (a) remit and (b) chair of the review of aspects of the Mental Health (Care and Treatment) (Scotland) Act 2003.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government wants the review of the inclusion of learning disability and autism spectrum disorder within the definition of mental disorder under the Mental Health (Care and Treatment) (Scotland) Act 2003 to be genuinely participative and to involve stakeholders in shaping the remit and format of the review. To this end, we have asked the Mental Welfare Commission to work with the Scottish Consortium for Learning Disability on holding a stakeholder event to gather views on the remit and format. Announcements on the remit of the review will be made after these views and recommendations have been considered.","AnswerDate":"2015-10-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307112,"EventID":"S4W-27914","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-10-14T15:25:41.947","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-10-06T16:24:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it will apply Conclusion 2 of the interim report of the expert group on mesh implants to dealing with adverse events.","AnswerText":"The expert group on transvaginal mesh implants will work directly with medical directors to develop recording and reporting of adverse events and in addition will take account of the Scottish Government's work to consider alternative methods for the capture of adverse events.\r\nWork on adverse event reporting has already been taken forward and, in collaboration with NHS boards, Healthcare Improvement Scotland (HIS) has led in the development of the national approach to learning from adverse events. HIS is continuing to develop the national framework and is driving implementation through an improvement programme, which is supporting NHS boards and other organisations, to have a consistent approach to managing and learning from adverse events.","AnswerDate":"2015-10-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307113,"EventID":"S4W-27915","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-10-14T15:25:42.867","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-10-06T16:24:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it will bring forward a no-fault compensation scheme for medical injury.","AnswerText":"Since the answer given to question S4W-20593 on 4 April 2014 by the then Cabinet Secretary, Alex Neil MSP, we have been exploring the complexities of the scope, shape and development of a no-fault compensation scheme for Scotland. Careful consideration is being given to how such an approach might fit with recent developments such as: the proposed introduction of a statutory duty of candour (being pursued through Part 2 of the Health (Tobacco, Nicotine etc. and Care) (Scotland) Bill 2015), the National Framework for Learning from adverse events through reporting and review, the existing claims procedure and the current review of the NHS complaints process. We hope to be in a position to consult on specific draft proposals for a preferred way forward in the near future.\r\nAll answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.","AnswerDate":"2015-10-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307114,"EventID":"S4W-27916","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-10-14T15:25:43.887","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-10-06T16:24:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the codes and resulting requirements on the Scottish Ambulance Service are for interhospital transfers.","AnswerText":"An inter-hospital transfer (IHT) is defined as a request to move a patient from one hospital to another. In 2014-15, the Scottish Ambulance Service (SAS) handled 95,258 IHTs. Like all ambulance activity they are categorised into emergency, urgent and routine depending on the acuity as determined by the requesting clinician at the hospital. The majority of IHTs are urgent (58%), with 34% emergency and 8% routine (these proportions are for 2014-15 activity).\r\nSAS is actively reviewing how it manages inter-hospital transfers with a view to improving the interface between the SAS and NHS board colleagues and will implement any agreed changes.","AnswerDate":"2015-10-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307115,"EventID":"S4W-27918","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-10-14T15:25:44.797","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-10-06T16:24:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the remit is of the pharmacy posts that it announced would be made to support general practice.","AnswerText":"The primary role of the general practice based clinical pharmacist will be to work with patient groups identified by the health board as being a priority to support care pathways in the community. This will include patients with multiple and complex conditions who are prescribed multiple medicines and who have been identified as being at risk of hospital admission or readmission, such as the frail elderly.\r\nThese pharmacists will be allocated caseloads of patients by GPs within the practices in which they will work to deliver continuity of care and to get the best possible health outcomes from their medicines. They will carry out medicines reviews and support patients in the management of their long term conditions.\r\nTaken together this will help to free up GP time to spend with other patients making the best use of the skill mix across the primary care team.","AnswerDate":"2015-10-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307116,"EventID":"S4W-27919","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-10-14T15:25:46.117","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-10-06T16:24:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many places it has funded for NHS trained staff seeking to return to nursing and allied healthcare and medical professions in each of the last five years and where.","AnswerText":"In the last five years the Scottish Government has provided the following support for return to practice programmes:\r\nWe have recently announced investment of £450,000 over the next three years for nursing and midwifery return to practice programmes. This will bring around 75 former practitioners back into the NHS. Prior to this, support was available via the part-time fee grant. The following table sets out the number of students undertaking nursing and midwifery return to practice programmes in the past five years.\r\nYear**\r\nNursing Practice\r\nMidwifery Practice\r\n2008-9\r\n85\r\n4\r\n2009-10\r\n85\r\n5\r\n2010-11\r\n90\r\n2\r\n2011-12\r\n65\r\n5\r\n2012-13\r\n80\r\n4\r\n2013-14\r\n75\r\n0\r\n2014-15\r\n65\r\n16\r\n2015-16***\r\n57\r\n9\r\nNotes:\r\n*These figures are reported annually by NHS Education for Scotland (NES) in its Nursing and Midwifery Annual Statistical Supplement. \r\n**Year runs from 1 April to 31 March.\r\n***Data for 2015 intake is incomplete and is reported as “completed index form submitted at 19-10-15”.\r\nAllied Health Professions:\r\nAllied Health Professionals who have been out of practice for more than two years and who were previously registered with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) are required to undertake a period of updating their skills and knowledge before they can become re-registered with the HCPC.\r\nThe updating of their knowledge and skills can be made up of any combination of supervised practice, formal study or private study. The HCPC requires that any private study makes up no more than a maximum of half of the period. The period of updating should be completed within the 12 months before they apply for registration. The Scottish Government does not provide funding for this. \r\nMedical Professions:\r\nRegarding the support for GPs to return to practice, I refer the member to the question S4W-27299 answered on 17 September 2015. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.\r\nOn 27 October 2015, the First Minister announced further investment to increase the effectiveness of the existing GP returners’ scheme. NES also funds the placement of medical trainees seeking to return to training after being out of programme and requiring additional support, for example after long term illness, and in other categories of out of programme activities i.e. maternity leave, research, working abroad etc. In the former category, NES advises that on average around 15 to 20 do so each year, in the latter category, approximately 600 trainees per year are placed back into training placements on their return.","AnswerDate":"2015-10-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307117,"EventID":"S4W-27920","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-10-14T15:25:47.057","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-10-06T16:24:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many people it has funded to undertake graduate conversion courses to a medical degree.","AnswerText":"As part of its strategic approach towards achieving a high performing and sustainable NHSScotland, the Scottish Government is exploring a range of options to increase the medical workforce supply to meet the future needs of patients.","AnswerDate":"2015-11-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307118,"EventID":"S4W-27921","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-10-14T15:25:47.997","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-10-06T16:25:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many medical retainer posts have been (a) available, (b) funded and (c) filled in each of the last five years.","AnswerText":"The GP retainer scheme is intended to help doctors under the age of 55, with well-founded reasons for not making a substantive current commitment to working in general practice, to maintain the skills and confidence working within a practice to enable them to return to a more substantive post when circumstances permit.\r\nPractices have the ability to apply to employ a GP retainer and there is no cap on the number of practices that can apply. Recruitment is organised by the practice. The cost of employing the retainer is paid by the practice with partial subsidy from the health board.\r\nThe following table shows the number of GP retainers in post from 2010-14.\r\nYear\r\nNumber of GP \r\nretainers in post\r\n2010\r\n154\r\n2011\r\n153\r\n2012\r\n142\r\n2013\r\n126\r\n2014\r\n116\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-11-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307119,"EventID":"S4W-27922","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-10-14T15:25:48.937","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-10-06T16:25:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will conduct a workload survey of (a) general practice and (b) other primary care.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is actively considering workload as part of the Scottish GP contract negotiations for 2017.","AnswerDate":"2015-11-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307120,"EventID":"S4W-27923","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-10-14T15:25:49.947","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-10-06T16:25:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will require all NHS boards to undertake a comprehensive risk assessment of general practices.","AnswerText":"Every NHS board has a statutory duty to provide, or secure the provision of, primary medical services to meet their patient populations’ reasonable needs. Assessing the robustness and resilience of general practice already forms part of that on-going process and all 14 health boards have a primary care risk register in place.","AnswerDate":"2015-11-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307121,"EventID":"S4W-27924","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-10-14T15:25:50.967","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-10-06T16:25:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government (a) what sites, (b) what partnerships and (c) how many patients are involved in the pilot GP practice clusters that it has announced.","AnswerText":"A Stronger Scotland: The Government’s Programme for Scotland 2015-16 referred to 10 primary and community care test sites which will be used to inform service reform. Those sites specifically mentioned with the Programme for Government are examples of:\r\nWork in progress towards integrated services (such as Edinburgh Headroom and Govan Integrated Care and the work involving the merging of two GP practices in Tayside);\r\nInnovative plans in the early stages of implementation (Community Hub sites in Forth Valley and Fife);\r\nBeing Here test sites in Campbeltown, West Lochaber, Isle of Islay and Mid Argyll; and\r\nExisting examples of good practice, which include various types of community healthcare centres like the one in Clackmannanshire.\r\nAs each of these initiatives does not necessarily apply to all patients within each practice listed we are unable to provide numbers of patients involved.\r\nIn addition, we have supported the development of a cluster model as the basis for improving patient care within Aberdeen. This involves six practices across three Community Health Partnerships with practices in Aberdeen, Aberdeenshire and Moray with a combined patient population of around 60,000 working together to ensure a fully integrated approach to patient care.\r\nThe £20.5 million Primary Care Transformation Fund aims to build on existing good practice and will include more tests of change leading to the development of a broader set of well-evidenced changes. This will be allocated over three years and will prototype the new vision for the GP contract. The Scottish Government will shortly be inviting all health boards/Integration joint boards to develop proposals to test new ways of working in primary care. These projects together with those already being progressed will inform the future redesign of primary care.","AnswerDate":"2015-11-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307122,"EventID":"S4W-27928","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-10-14T15:25:51.967","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-10-06T17:02:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will publish a consultation on the proposed new GP contract before concluding a new agreement.","AnswerText":"The GP contract is formulated through a process of bilateral discussion, and agreement, between the Scottish General Practitioners Committee and the Scottish Government. As part of the wider transformation of primary care the Scottish Government is inviting everyone to have their say on what a healthier Scotland should look like in the next 10 to 15 years and the steps that could be taken to make this vision a reality.\r\nFrom August 2015 to spring 2016 the Scottish Government is holding a national conversation on improving the health of the population and the future of health and social care services in Scotland. What issues really matter to the people of Scotland to help then live well in future and what support do we need in Scotland to live healthier lives. This is providing an opportunity for constructive conversations around health and wellbeing which will form part of the dialogue on the future of health and social care in Scotland, with a clear focus on the need for new models of primary care.","AnswerDate":"2015-11-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307123,"EventID":"S4W-28024","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2015-10-14T15:25:52.957","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-10-14T09:42:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether the £150 billion of cumulative investment in public services it proposes in Options for the UK Fiscal Mandate was calculated on the same basis as the £165 billion of investment referred to in Increasing Public Spending: Comparison of Policy Costings.","AnswerText":"Both papers calculated the extra funds that would be available for investment in public services if the UK Government changed its policy of fiscal austerity and the impact of such a change on key fiscal aggregates.","AnswerDate":"2015-11-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307124,"EventID":"S4W-28025","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2015-10-14T15:25:54.057","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-10-14T09:42:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide a breakdown of the figures it used for the indicators for (a) public debt, (b) additional spending and (c) the UK current budget balance for each year from 2015-16 to 2019-20 in (i) Increasing Public Spending: Comparison of Policy Costings when it was (A) published and (B) updated after the March 2015 UK Budget and (ii) Options for the UK Fiscal Mandate. ","AnswerText":"Figures for (a) public debt and (b) additional spending contained in Increasing Public Spending: Comparison of Policy Costings are available on the Scottish Government website at: http://www.gov.scot/Resource/0047/00472778.pdf\r\nFigures were not produced for the current budget balance. This publication was not updated after the March 2015 Budget.\r\nFigures for (a) public debt, (b) additional spending and (c) the current budget balance contained in Options for the UK Fiscal Mandate are available on the Scottish Government website at: \r\nhttp://www.gov.scot/Topics/Economy/Publications/Options-for-the-UK-Fiscal-Mandate","AnswerDate":"2015-11-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307125,"EventID":"S4W-28026","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2015-10-14T15:25:54.917","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-10-14T09:42:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide a breakdown of the figures it used for each year to produce the charts in Options for the UK Fiscal Mandate, setting out (a) the proposed path for the UK current budget balance, (b) the proposed path for UK borrowing and debt and (c) additional spending on UK investment and public services compared with the UK Government’s current plans.","AnswerText":"Figures are published on the Scottish Government website at:\r\nhttp://www.gov.scot/Topics/Economy/Publications/Options-for-the-UK-Fiscal-Mandate","AnswerDate":"2015-11-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307126,"EventID":"S4W-28027","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-10-14T15:25:55.767","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-10-14T10:55:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the recommendation in the report, Review of Basic Medical Education in Scotland, for what reason it has not introduced a graduate medical course. ","AnswerText":"While some recommendations made in Sir Kenneth Calman's report have been implemented, including 55 extra medical undergraduate places in Scottish medical schools from 2007-08, introduction of a graduate entry course in Scotland was put on hold because of emerging concerns about potential medical workforce oversupply in Scotland, and in light of then planned consultation in response to the Tooke report on the future structure of postgraduate medical education, which would inform future medical workforce supply modelling in Scotland. \r\nAs part of developing our strategic vision for the future delivery of integrated care services, we are considering a range of options that will help contribute towards the future sustainability of the Scottish medical workforce.","AnswerDate":"2015-11-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307127,"EventID":"S4W-28028","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-10-14T15:25:56.847","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-10-14T10:55:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government by how much income from grants and fees for the Scottish Centre for Healthy Working Lives is expected to reduce in 2015-16; which of the centre's teams the budget reduction will impact on, and what assessment it has made of how this might impact on the support that the centre provides to (a) employers and (b) people in work.","AnswerText":"As a part of NHS Health Scotland the Scottish Centre for Healthy Working Lives is funded through the budget allocation provided by the Scottish Government. The centre does not derive income from grants or fees.","AnswerDate":"2015-10-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307128,"EventID":"S4W-28029","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-10-14T15:25:57.897","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-10-14T10:55:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the cessation of funding for NHS continuing care in the community, what transitional arrangements it put in place for patients applying for support before the funding ceased; what discussions it had with organisations representing people with long-term conditions who might have been previously eligible for support, and whether people in care homes who had been guaranteed such funding will continue to receive it if they return to their care home after an acute admission to hospital.","AnswerText":"NHS continuing healthcare has never been subject to a specific funding stream, and no funding has ceased as a consequence of our publication of new guidance. Patients did not \"apply\" for funding or support under previous arrangements – their needs were assessed according to guidance that has now been revised, and which applies to packages of care provided and solely funded by the NHS. Anyone assessed as eligible for NHS continuing healthcare under CEL 6 (2008), i.e. the criteria applied prior to 1 June 2015 will continue to receive this as long as they remain eligible as per CEL 6 (2008).\r\nThe independent review panel discussed NHS continuing healthcare with a range of stakeholders. The Scottish Government then discussed the recommendations and revised guidance with stakeholder representation, and held two engagement events in conjunction with the Health and Social Care Alliance.","AnswerDate":"2015-10-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307129,"EventID":"S4W-28030","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-10-14T15:25:59.057","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-10-14T10:55:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government (a) how many patients have received support from and (b) what funding it provided for NHS continuing care in the community in each year since 2005-06.","AnswerText":"NHS continuing healthcare has never been subject to a specific funding stream. Rather, healthcare is provided by NHS boards from their overall funding allocation as provided by the Scottish Government. Information on how many people received NHS continuing healthcare in the community is available on the Information Services Division website: http://www.isdscotland.org/Health-Topics/Health-and-Social-Community-Care/NHS-Continuing-Care/. Data collection started in 2008.","AnswerDate":"2015-10-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307130,"EventID":"S4W-28031","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-10-14T15:26:00.097","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-10-14T10:55:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the cessation of funding for NHS continuing care in the community, how much it will cost (a) it over the next five years to provide support to people who were given a guarantee of continuing funding and (b) annually for (i) local authorities, (ii) NHS boards and (iii) individuals or their families to pay for care for people who previously would have been eligible for support.","AnswerText":"NHS continuing healthcare has never been subject to a specific funding stream, and no funding has ceased as a consequence of our publication of new guidance. At the latest census (March 2015) there were 1,545 people in receipt of NHS continuing healthcare. 1,187 were in hospital and are unaffected by the publication of the revised guidance. The cost for the remaining 358 will continue to be borne by the NHS as long as they remain eligible under CEL 6 2008 criteria. There will be no cost for these individuals' care to the local authority or the individual. The estimated cost to the NHS will be around £11.17 million per year.","AnswerDate":"2015-10-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307131,"EventID":"S4W-28032","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-10-14T15:26:01.077","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-10-14T10:55:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the cessation of funding for NHS continuing care in the community, how many long-stay hospital beds it estimates will be occupied by people who would have formed the next cohort of those who would have been eligible for this support.","AnswerText":"NHS continuing healthcare has never been subject to a specific funding stream, and no funding has ceased as a consequence of our publication of new guidance. Estimates undertaken during the development of the revised guidance suggested that around 385 people each year become eligible for what was NHS continuing healthcare. Most of these people would be care for in a hospital setting under the new and previous guidance. Around 100 people who might have been eligible for NHS continuing healthcare and could be cared for outside of a hospital setting might be liable for their accommodation costs. We anticipate that long stay hospital usage will reduce.","AnswerDate":"2015-11-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307132,"EventID":"S4W-28033","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-10-14T15:26:02.057","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-10-14T10:55:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the cessation of funding for NHS continuing care in the community, whether patients receiving such support in England who wish to transfer to Scotland will lose their funding.","AnswerText":"NHS continuing healthcare has never been subject to a specific funding stream, and no funding has ceased as a consequence of our publication of new guidance. Scotland and England have always had different eligibility for NHS continuing healthcare. We simplified the system in Scotland with the guidance on Hospital Based Complex Clinical Care. Patients receiving support under English NHS continuing healthcare eligibility, and for whom the host authority agrees a move to Scotland, will have their care costs met by the NHS in England.","AnswerDate":"2015-10-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307133,"EventID":"S4W-28034","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-10-14T15:26:03.247","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-10-14T10:55:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it supports people in care homes who do not wish to move to hospital although (a) their condition is severe enough to require significant additional nursing care and (b) they require end of life care.","AnswerText":"Guidance on Hospital Based Complex Clinical Care issued in May 2015 and makes it clear that people should only receive care in a hospital if they cannot be cared for in a more appropriate place. This will require health and social care teams to work in an integrated way to provide more care in homely settings. Care home providers are working with us – as well as our partners in local government and the health service – to design cost-effective and flexible models of specialist residential care. \r\nThe Scottish Government is committed to ensuring that compassionate, high quality palliative and end of life care is provided for anyone who requires it. We are now working with all stakeholders across health and social care to develop a Palliative and End of Life Care Strategic Framework for Action. This will provide an additional focus and support the delivery of high quality palliative and end of life care, including in a residential care setting. This framework will be published towards the end of 2015.","AnswerDate":"2015-10-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307134,"EventID":"S4W-28035","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-10-14T15:26:04.267","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-10-14T10:55:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, in light of homes in England being contracted to provide such a service, what its position is on whether any care home in Scotland has the capacity or skills to provide high levels of care for people with advanced long-term or terminal conditions.","AnswerText":"Guidance on Hospital Based Complex Clinical Care issued in May 2015 and makes it clear that people should only receive care in a hospital if they cannot be cared for in a more appropriate place. This will require health and social care teams to work in an integrated way to provide more care in homely settings. Care home providers are working with us – as well as our partners in local government and the health service – to design cost-effective and flexible models of specialist residential care. This is in line with our 2020 vision to ensure that people are supported to be independent and remain at home, or in a homely setting, for as long as possible.\r\nOne type of care currently being developed is the Intermediate Care model of ‘step-up / step-down’ beds that support people to be cared for closer to home in a range of settings, including community hospitals and care homes. This was also a recommendation of the residential care task force and one that we will continue to work with partnerships to develop further.","AnswerDate":"2015-10-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307135,"EventID":"S4W-28036","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-10-14T15:26:05.277","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-10-14T10:55:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the cessation of funding for NHS continuing care in the community, what its position is on the reported concerns of the Parkinson's UK and other advocacy groups representing people with long-term deteriorating conditions that those requiring significant nursing care who were previously classified as being eligible for such support will be (a) admitted to or kept in hospital or (b) charged for care home support.","AnswerText":"NHS Continuing Healthcare has never been subject to a specific funding stream so no funding has ceased as a consequence of our publication of new guidance. Rather, healthcare is provided by NHS boards from their overall funding allocations as provided by the Scottish Government.\r\nNursing care is provided free of charge whatever the setting. People eligible to NHS Continuing Healthcare prior to June 2015 will continue to have their entire costs met by the NHS as long as they remain eligible under the previous guidance.","AnswerDate":"2015-11-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307136,"EventID":"S4W-28039","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-10-14T15:26:06.327","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-10-14T12:00:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will increase funding to local authorities to allow them to assist care homes and community care providers to meet the £7.20 per hour national minimum wage requirement from April 2016.","AnswerText":"The UK Government recently announced the national living wage and we are working with stakeholders to understand the impact of this to the care sector.\r\nWe are committed to improving the quality of care in Scotland and to working to promote social justice, including through the mechanism of addressing low pay in the care sector.\r\nIn April, we provided funding of £10 million per year, as part of a tripartite £20 million agreement with local authorities and providers to enable care providers to improve the quality of care in care homes for older people. This is part of our approach to tackle issues of recruitment and retention in the sector. We have, and will continue to work with COSLA, Scottish Care, Coalition of Care and Support Providers in Scotland and other key stakeholders to further progress fair work practices, including making progress towards paying the living wage, throughout the sector.","AnswerDate":"2015-11-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307137,"EventID":"S4W-28040","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-10-14T15:26:07.327","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-10-14T12:01:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what estimate it has made of the increased cost to personally funded community care clients and care home residents for service providers to meet the £7.20 per hour national minimum wage requirement from April 2016.","AnswerText":"The UK Government recently announced the national living wage and we are working with stakeholders to understand the impact of this to the care sector.\r\nCharges for non-residential care are determined by local authorities. Independent and third sector residential care providers are responsible for setting their own care home fees to self-funding residents.\r\nFree personal care is available for everyone aged 65 and over in Scotland who have been assessed by the local authority as needing it.\r\nIn April, we provided funding of £10 million per year as part of a tripartite £20 million agreement with local authorities and providers to enable care providers to improve the quality of care in care homes for older people. This is part of our approach to tackle issues of recruitment and retention in the sector. We have, and will continue to work with COSLA, Scottish Care, Coalition of Care and Support Providers in Scotland and other key stakeholders to further progress fair work practices, including making progress towards paying the living wage, throughout the sector","AnswerDate":"2015-11-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307138,"EventID":"S4W-28041","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-10-14T15:26:08.347","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-10-14T12:01:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will increase the level of free personal care allowance to meet the additional costs arising from the £7.20 per hour national minimum wage requirement from April 2016.","AnswerText":"The UK Government recently announced the national living wage and we are working with stakeholders to understand the impact of this to the care sector.\r\nThe Scottish Government has increased payments for Free Personal and Nursing Care in line with inflation annually since April 2008.\r\nIncreases in payments are calculated on the gross domestic product deflator.\r\nIn April, we provided funding of £10 million per year, as part of a tripartite £20 million agreement with local authorities and providers to enable care providers to improve the quality of care in care homes for older people. This is part of our approach to tackle issues of recruitment and retention in the sector. We have, and will continue to work with COSLA, Scottish Care, Coalition of Care and Support Providers in Scotland and other key stakeholders to further progress fair work practices, including making progress towards paying the living wage, throughout the sector.","AnswerDate":"2015-11-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307139,"EventID":"S4W-28042","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-10-14T15:26:09.337","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-10-14T12:01:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what representations it has made to the UK Government seeking an increase in attendance allowance to meet the £7.20 per hour national minimum wage requirement from April 2016.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is currently in active negotiation with the UK Government about the level of funding that will be transferred to the Scottish Parliament as a result of the Scotland Bill 2015. Attendance allowance is one of the benefits that will be devolved.\r\nFree personal care is available for everyone aged 65 and over in Scotland who have been assessed by the local authority as needing it. This policy currently benefits over 78,000 people, many of whom will also receive attendance allowance.","AnswerDate":"2015-11-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307140,"EventID":"S4W-28043","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-10-14T15:26:10.297","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-10-14T12:01:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with COSLA regarding the cost of meeting the £7.20 per hour national minimum wage requirement from April 2016.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government maintains regular contact with COSLA but, apart from discussions of the impact on the care sector, has not discussed the cost of meeting the national living wage from April 2016 with them. The Scottish Government is aware that Scottish local authorities have been paying their staff at least the Scottish national living wage of £7.50 per hour since April 2013.\r\nLocal authorities and their trade unions have agreed a pay deal for the period 1 April 2015 to 31 March 2017 which continues to exceed the requirement of the minimum wage. As of 1 April 2015, the Scottish Local Government Living Wage of £7.85 per hour will be applied, following which there will be an increase of 1.5% on all spinal column points.","AnswerDate":"2015-10-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307141,"EventID":"S4W-28044","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-10-14T15:26:11.247","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-10-14T12:01:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the impact on the care home sector in Scotland of the increased costs arising from the £7.20 national minimum wage and introduction of pension payments for employers with fewer employees.","AnswerText":" I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-28039 on 3 November 2015. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/Apps2/Business/PQA/Default.aspx.","AnswerDate":"2015-11-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307142,"EventID":"S4W-28045","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-10-14T15:26:12.137","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-10-14T12:02:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will update its guidance on the use of antipsychotic medication for patients with dementia or learning disability issued in 2006 to reflect current research.","AnswerText":"Guidelines on the prescribing of antipsychotic medications will be informed by best clinical practice and by national Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network (SIGN) guidelines: SIGN 86 for the management of dementia and SIGN 98 for Autism Spectrum Disorder. The current SIGN guideline for autism spectrum disorder is currently being updated to incorporate new evidence on pharmacological interventions. Publication is expected in the spring of 2016.\r\nThese guidelines are produced in collaboration with patients, carers and members of the public and requests for change can be addressed to the SIGN executive team within Health Care Improvement Scotland and can be made by anyone with an interest in dementia or learning disability.","AnswerDate":"2015-11-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307143,"EventID":"S4W-28047","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-10-14T15:26:13.027","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-10-14T12:02:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what information it has on whether any of the care homes that BUPA has put up for sale are in Scotland.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has no knowledge of any Bupa owned care homes in Scotland currently up for sale.","AnswerDate":"2015-10-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307144,"EventID":"S4W-28048","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-10-14T15:26:14.017","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-10-14T12:02:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what discussions (a) it or (b) the Care Inspectorate has had with Four Seasons Health Care regarding its financial viability and how many care homes the company (i) owns and (ii) operates in Scotland.","AnswerText":"The Care Inspectorate is in regular contact, and meets, with senior managers of Four Seasons Health Care. A range of issues are discussed including information relevant to financial viability. This information helps determine the level of risk, potential impact and any action that may be required in terms of contingency planning. Four Seasons Health Care has 57 care homes and one support service in Scotland and these are operated through 23 named providers from the Four Seasons group.","AnswerDate":"2015-10-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307145,"EventID":"S4W-28049","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-10-14T15:26:14.977","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-10-14T12:02:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what discussions (a) it or (b) the Care Inspectorate has had with HC-ONE regarding its financial viability and how many care homes it (i) owns and (ii) operates in Scotland that were previously operated by Southern Cross Healthcare.","AnswerText":"The Care Inspectorate is in regular contact, and meets, with senior managers of HC-One. Within these meetings, and out with, a range of issues are discussed including information which may call into question the financial viability of a care home or service. This information helps determine the level of risk, potential impact and any action that may be required in terms of contingency planning.\r\nHC-One has 42 care homes, two support services and one housing support service in Scotland and these are operated through one named provider HC–One Limited. All 45 services were previously operated by Southern Cross Healthcare.","AnswerDate":"2015-11-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307146,"EventID":"S4W-28050","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-10-14T15:26:15.867","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-10-14T12:03:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the real-terms weekly fees for state-funded care in care homes (a) was in 2007 and (b) is in 2015.","AnswerText":"The following table shows the weekly National Care Home Contract rates for 2007-08 and 2015-16.\r\nThe final column shows the 2007-08 values expressed in 2015-16 prices, based on the use of the UK GDP deflator series published by UK Treasury.\r\n\r\n2015-16\r\n2007-08\r\n2007-08\r\nexpressed in 2015-16 prices\r\n(rounded to nearest £ per week)\r\nWith nursing care\r\n£609.31\r\n£501.37\r\n£587\r\nWithout nursing care\r\n£524.67\r\n£435.30\r\n£510\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-11-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307147,"EventID":"S4W-28051","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-10-14T15:26:16.807","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-10-14T12:03:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to increase the number of doctors entering the GP retainer scheme.","AnswerText":"The GP retainer scheme is an initiative which is run by health boards and National Education Scotland, as such it is not a government run programme, however the improved GP retainer scheme will have greater educational input and direction than was possible under the previous arrangements.","AnswerDate":"2015-10-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307148,"EventID":"S4W-28052","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-10-14T15:26:17.747","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-10-14T12:03:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to increase the number of doctors returning to general practice and what support it offers to returnees.","AnswerText":"Over the next three years the Scottish Government will invest £50 million, as part of the Primary Care Fund, to address immediate workload and recruitments issues in primary care and put in place long-term, sustainable change to support GPs and improve access to services for patients.\r\nAs part of this, £2.5 million will be invested in work to explore with key stakeholders the issues surrounding GP recruitment and retention which can be particularly challenging in certain areas of the country. Additionally, the Scottish Government will continue its support for NHS Education for Scotland's Enhanced Returners Programme that was introduced in 2015-16.\r\nThe number of GPs working in Scotland has already increased under this administration’s term in office and the First Minister announced on 27 October 2015 that the number of training places for GPs will increase from 300 to 400 a year from next year, contributing towards a more sustainable future GP workforce by 2019.","AnswerDate":"2015-10-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307149,"EventID":"S4W-28053","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-10-14T15:26:18.757","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-10-14T12:03:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with the General Medical Council about easing the revalidation process for senior GPs as part of a strategy to increase retention instead of retirement.","AnswerText":"As part of the negotiations for the new Scottish GP contract we will be engaging with the General Medical Council. These contract negotiations must remain confidential between the negotiating parties, however recruitment and retention are key issues for discussion during the negotiations and revalidation will form part of these discussions. We will continue to work with the Scottish General Practitioners Committee to redesign the contract and will have this in place by April 2017.","AnswerDate":"2015-11-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307150,"EventID":"S4W-28054","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-10-14T15:26:19.647","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-10-14T12:03:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking or can take to reduce the cost of indemnity insurance for GPs who might wish to undertake limited sessional or locum work.","AnswerText":"Indemnity insurance is one of a range of issues that will be considered in the context of negotiating the new GP contract of 2017. These negotiations are on-going and their content must remain confidential between the negotiating parties, however we will continue to work with the Scottish General Practitioners Committee so that a new contract is in place by April 2017.","AnswerDate":"2015-10-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307151,"EventID":"S4W-28055","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-10-14T15:26:20.497","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-10-14T12:04:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what (a) discussions it has had and (b) agreement was reached with local authorities regarding additional funding required to meet the cost of (i) full community care and (ii) free personal care for those patients who would have been eligible for NHS continuing care funding before June 2015.","AnswerText":"COSLA supported the new guidance on Hospital Based Complex Clinical Care. Eligibility will remain a clinical decision with associated funding being the responsibility of new Integration Joint Boards. Taking funding decisions across health and social care, to improve outcomes by using the totality of available resources, is one of our key drivers for integration.","AnswerDate":"2015-10-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307152,"EventID":"S4W-28056","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-10-14T15:26:21.427","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-10-14T12:04:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many (a) standard and (b) code 9 complex case delayed discharge patients would have been eligible for NHS continuing care funding or were being assessed for such funding at the time of the cessation of funding in the community and what the outcome was for these patients.","AnswerText":"NHS continuing healthcare has never been subject to a specific funding stream, and no funding has ceased as a consequence of our publication of new guidance. Delayed discharge patients are awaiting discharge from the NHS. If a patient was eligible for NHS continuing healthcare guidance, or is eligible for Hospital Based Complex Clinical Care, then they are by definition not ready for discharge, and are not delayed.","AnswerDate":"2015-10-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307153,"EventID":"S4W-28057","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3806,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-10-14T15:26:22.407","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-10-14T12:12:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to review the boundaries of Cairngorms National Park.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has no plans to review the boundary of Cairngorms National Park.","AnswerDate":"2015-11-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Richard Lochhead","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307154,"EventID":"S4W-28059","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2610,"Party":"Independent","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-10-14T15:26:23.307","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-10-14T13:55:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it has taken to renegotiate PFI/PPP contractual payments to reduce the cost.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has commissioned the Scottish Futures Trust to examine potential ways of reducing existing PFI contract payments. In addition a review has been undertaken by the Scottish Futures Trust of a number of operational PPP contacts across Scotland to identify opportunities where, with further focussed work, significant savings could be achieved.\r\nFurther details of this work are included in the Scottish Futures Trust Business Plan for 2015-16, available at the following website: \r\nbusinessplan2015.scottishfuturestrust.org.uk/\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-10-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307155,"EventID":"S4W-28060","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2610,"Party":"Independent","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-10-14T15:26:24.297","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-10-14T13:56:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what research it has carried out on behalf of NHS boards into buying out PFI/PPP contracts.","AnswerText":"Buying out PFI contracts is often unaffordable. However, the Scottish Government is supporting NHS boards in looking at options for the future management of PFI healthcare facilities.\r\nIn order to improve the value for money of historical PFI contacts, and support improvements in the management of the contracts, the Scottish Government has established a specialist support team within Health Facilities Scotland, which is working collaboratively with NHS boards and Scottish Futures Trust. Improvement work has already delivered changes that will save over £20 million over the remaining life of contracts, with all savings being reinvested in NHS services.\r\nThe Scottish Government is eager to reduce the burden of PFI on the NHS in Scotland and would review the affordability and value for money of any proposal brought forward.","AnswerDate":"2015-10-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307156,"EventID":"S4W-28061","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2610,"Party":"Independent","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-10-14T15:26:24.897","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-10-14T13:56:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it would consider directing its current underspend into the early repayment of PFI/PPP contracts to reduce the burden on NHS boards.","AnswerText":"The fiscal DEL cash underspend for 2014-15 is being carried into the current financial year in full as planned to support the 2015-16 expenditure plans agreed by the Scottish Parliament in February 2015.","AnswerDate":"2015-11-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307157,"EventID":"S4W-28062","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2610,"Party":"Independent","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-10-14T15:26:25.577","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-10-14T13:57:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it would consider asking the International Monetary Fund for assistance in renegotiating PFI/PPP contracts in the health sector.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has no plans to do so. It has already commissioned the Scottish Futures Trust to take forward work in this area.","AnswerDate":"2015-10-27T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307158,"EventID":"S4W-28063","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3806,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-10-14T15:26:26.217","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-10-14T14:41:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on whether to include Lochindorb in the boundaries of Cairngorms National Park.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-28057 on 2 November 2015. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.","AnswerDate":"2015-11-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Richard Lochhead","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307164,"EventID":"S4W-28023","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4014,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-10-15T15:14:48.193","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-10-13T13:29:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it became aware that criminal charges had been brought against the Moray-based teacher and named person for pupils who was recently convicted for child sex offences.","AnswerText":"Scottish Ministers were not informed in advance that criminal charges would be laid against the teacher concerned. However, the teacher's employer and the General Teaching Council for Scotland were informed and took appropriate actions to suspend the individual and apply a temporary restriction order. Now that the case has been concluded, it will be considered by the next Investigating Panel convened by the General Teaching Council for Scotland.","AnswerDate":"2015-11-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307165,"EventID":"S4W-28064","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2117,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-10-15T15:14:48.793","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-10-15T13:48:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it had with NHS Grampian regarding the closure of the Brimmond GP practice, and what action it took to open the new practice and transfer the patients to this.","AnswerText":"I met with GPs, elected representatives and NHS Grampian to listen to those involved about the difficulties facing general practice in the area and discuss how best to support GPs to find new ways of working that address workload and staffing difficulties.\r\nThe provision of primary medical services is the contractual responsibility of the health board for that area and considerable work has been done by NHS Grampian to ensure service continuity following the closure of Brimmond GP practice.\r\nAberdeen Health and Social Care Partnership worked closely with the New Dyce Medical Practice. Crucially, patient registration with a GP practice continued throughout this complex process and all patients had access to a GP from the changeover date of 1 October 2015.","AnswerDate":"2015-11-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307166,"EventID":"S4W-28065","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2117,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-10-15T15:14:49.243","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-10-15T13:48:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-27401 by Michael Matheson on 22 September 2015, how many police (a) officers and (b) staff were working at the (i) 101 service centre in Bucksburn and (ii) the 999 control room at Queen Street in Aberdeen on 30 September 2015.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government does not hold this information.","AnswerDate":"2015-11-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307167,"EventID":"S4W-28066","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2117,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-10-15T15:14:49.693","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-10-15T13:48:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with the British Medical Association’s Scottish General Practitioners’ Committee regarding the new GP contracts that are scheduled to be introduced in 2017.","AnswerText":"The current contract negotiations must remain confidential between the negotiating parties, however, we continue to work with the Scottish General Practitioners Committee to redesign the contract and we will have the first version in place by April 2017. That is a timescale GP union leaders tell us is realistic, and negotiations on the detail will take place in 2016.","AnswerDate":"2015-10-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307168,"EventID":"S4W-28067","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2117,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-10-15T15:14:50.173","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-10-15T13:48:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with the British Medical Association's Scottish General Practitioners’ Committee regarding the six-month notice period for the closure of GP surgeries, and whether these have led to proposals being made to (a) extend or (b) amend the process.","AnswerText":"No discussions have taken place with British Medical Association's Scottish General Practitioners’ Committee regarding the six-month notice period for the closure of GP surgeries.\r\nWhen practices experience capacity issues, or any other issues affecting service provision, practices and their health boards are fully expected to work together as constructively and as flexibly as appropriate to manage the situation for the benefit of their patients.","AnswerDate":"2015-10-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307169,"EventID":"S4W-28068","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4080,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-10-16T14:33:02.867","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-10-16T08:41:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what issues relating to (a) disclosure of criminal records, (b) forensic samples, (c) police investigatory powers, (d) victims and community confidence, (e) the role of the children’s hearings system and (f) UN Convention on the Rights of the Child compliance it has identified in relation to changing the age of criminal responsibility, in light of the Cabinet Secretary for Justice's evidence to the Justice Committee on 8 September 2015 (Official Report, c.27).","AnswerText":"An advisory group will start work in November 2015 to address the issues involved in raising the minimum age of criminal responsibility, and to provide recommendations for public consultation in early 2016.\r\nThe Scottish Government wishes to promote an age and stage appropriate approach to harmful behaviour by children. If there is to be a change to the minimum age of criminal responsibility, we will still need an effective and evidence-based response to that behaviour, to its causes and to its impacts on people harmed.\r\nWe wish to ensure that safe processes are in place to respond effectively to the concerns posed by the small number of the most serious cases such as where a child under 12 is involved in a serious sexual or serious violent behaviours. \r\nThose processes both relate to action immediately after an incident to deal with the needs and deeds of the ‘offending’ child and the wider obligation to ensure appropriate levels of protection of the public.\r\nPoints (a) to (f) are interrelated and will be taken into account during the advisory group’s deliberations. \r\nThe specific issues to be considered include:\r\nPolice Scotland continuing to be able to thoroughly investigate allegations of all behaviour of that nature, to get to the truth of the matter, and to refer their concerns to the responsible agencies.\r\nPolice Scotland continuing to be able to retain the data imperative to their operational and intelligence requirements with a transparent, rights-compliant approach to the review and destruction of that material.\r\nA review, retention and destruction mechanism for forensic samples that is sensitive to the age and other characteristics of the ‘offending’ child at the time of the incident and their progress through adolescence, as well as ensuring a focus on the police’s ability to prevent and detect future crime.\r\nWhere the behaviour is so serious and the ongoing risks remain so acute that it may need to be disclosed to prospective future employers when an ‘offending’ child becomes an adult, especially where an employment role concerns vulnerable groups, there needs to be a rational, rights and risk-led approach to the extent and purposes of future disclosure.\r\nVictims currently receive information from the children’s reporter, through the Victim Information Service, about a child who has committed an offence against them. This information would not be available to victims should the child be referred on welfare grounds.\r\nAll of these issues will be considered in the context of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, with a balance to be struck between the rights of the ‘offending’ child and the rights of persons who have been, or who may yet be, harmed.\r\nThe membership of the advisory group and the scope of its work will ensure that all these key issues are covered.","AnswerDate":"2015-11-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307170,"EventID":"S4W-28069","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4080,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-10-16T14:33:03.523","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-10-16T08:41:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what (a) progress it has made in establishing an independent advisory group on age of criminal responsibility, (b) appointments have been made to it and (c) will be its scope.","AnswerText":"The advisory group on age of criminal responsibility is scheduled to meet for the first time on 16 November 2015. Four meetings are due to be held between November and February 2016.\r\nThe group will comprise senior representatives from organisations with responsibility for children and their rights and how those interact with Scotland’s justice system. Members will include the Children and Young People Commissioner Scotland, Police Scotland, Scottish Children’s Reporter Administration, Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service, COSLA, Social Work Scotland, Disclosure Scotland and Victim Support Scotland. Together Scotland, the alliance for children’s rights, has also been invited alongside children’s charities and other representatives of agencies on the Youth Justice Improvement Board.\r\nThe group’s role will be to consider the policy, legislative and procedural implications of raising the minimum age of criminal responsibility from 8 to 12 and bring forward proposals for consultation in 2016. In particular, the group will seek to address issues around the disclosure of criminal records, the taking and retention of forensic samples, police investigatory powers, and sustaining victim and community confidence should there be a change.\r\nThe terms of reference and membership will be published following the first meeting.","AnswerDate":"2015-11-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307175,"EventID":"S4W-28072","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2066,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-10-19T15:25:47.26","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-10-16T16:26:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will consider using money from the 2014-15 underspend to mitigate spending reductions faced by Argyll and Bute Council.","AnswerText":"I announced the Scottish Government's provisional outturn for 2014-15 in June 2015 and this position has not changed. The cash underspend for 2014-15 is being carried into the current financial year as planned to support the 2015-16 expenditure plans agreed by the Scottish Parliament in February 2015.\r\nOur approach means we manage budgets across more than one year and carry forward some spending into the next year, where needed, so such underspends do not reflect a missed opportunity to spend more on public services.\r\nThis approach represents sensible budgeting reflecting fluctuations in cost and demand across the spending review period and ensures there is no loss of spending power in Scotland.","AnswerDate":"2015-11-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307176,"EventID":"S4W-28073","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2066,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-10-19T15:25:53.11","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-10-16T16:26:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to the call from Argyll and Bute Council for extra funding support to help deal with a funding shortfall.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is already providing Argyll and Bute Council with its fair share of the total local government finance settlement which amounts to over £10.85 billion in 2015-16.\r\nArgyll and Bute Council’s share of this total settlement amounts to almost £220 million this year. In addition, they will receive their fair share of the £36.6 million which is still to be distributed in respect of the balance of both the Discretionary housing payments (£9 million) and the Teachers’ Induction Scheme (£27.6 million).\r\nIncluded within Argyll and Bute’s total settlement is additional funding of £1.970 million as a consequence of the Special Islands Needs allowance which recognises that it costs more to provide services to island communities. Argyll and Bute Council has also gained from the funding floor which protects council’s from a significant year-on-year reduction in funding which could be caused by a reduction in a councils needs based share of the total funding. The council gained almost £35 million from the floor over the three year period 2012-15 and this year they are in receipt of a further £15.556 million.\r\nOverall, as a result of these adjustments to their needs-based assessment Argyll & Bute Council is ranked the highest for revenue funding (£2,317 per head) and receives the highest total funding (£2,495 per head) of all mainland councils in 2015-16.\r\nLooking to the future, the Scottish Government currently does not have any budget allocation beyond 2015-16, with future allocations dependent upon the outcome of the UK Spending Review, which the Chancellor has confirmed will report on 25 November. We will then work with our local government partners to agree a local government finance settlement for 2016-17. Argyll and Bute Council will continue to receive its fair share of future local government settlement.","AnswerDate":"2015-11-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307177,"EventID":"S4W-28074","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2066,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-10-19T15:25:58.66","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-10-16T16:26:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on public concern in Argyll and Bute at possible council spending reductions over the next two years.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-28073 on 9 November 2015. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.","AnswerDate":"2015-11-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307178,"EventID":"S4W-28075","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3061,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-10-19T15:26:01.15","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-10-16T16:27:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when the Independent Living Fund Scotland will open to new users.","AnswerText":"The first phase of work to transfer the Independent Living Fund (ILF) to Scotland is now complete, with the establishment of ILF Scotland from 1 July 2015, and the regular payment of ILF support to 2,800 existing Scottish users. The second phase of work to open the fund to new users, in co-production with disabled people and their representative organisations and statutory partners is commencing now, and further detail will be announced shortly.","AnswerDate":"2015-11-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307179,"EventID":"S4W-28076","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2134,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":82,"ApprovedDate":"2015-10-19T15:26:05.85","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-10-19T09:45:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it began discussions with Fusion Assets regarding financial support for its project at Strathclyde Business Park in Bellshill and when the decision was taken to provide financial assistance.","AnswerText":"The funding for the project at Strathclyde Business Park was provided by SPRUCE (Scottish Partnership for Regeneration in Urban Centres). The SPRUCE fund was developed by the Scottish Government (SG) utilising the Joint European Support for Sustainable Investment in City Areas – which is an innovative way of using SG/European Structural Funds monies to lever in significant co-investment from public/private sectors; providing loans or equity investment to revenue generating projects.\r\nDecisions on projects to be supported are made by the Amber Infrastructure Group who adheres to the guidelines laid down in an agreed investment strategy. They were appointed by the European Investment Bank as the independent investment manager for the fund. The Scottish Government is not involved in discussions with applicants around potential investments and does not make decisions on whether or not to support projects.\r\nAmber has indicated that it was in regular discussions with Fusion Assets on this project since 2012 with a final investment decision made in August 2015","AnswerDate":"2015-11-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307180,"EventID":"S4W-28082","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2066,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-10-19T15:26:15.233","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-10-19T11:09:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether the steel for the Caledonian Maritime Assets Limited vessels that were announced on 16 October 2015 will be sourced in Scotland.","AnswerText":"The source of steel is a commercial responsibility of the contracted shipbuilder, Ferguson Marine Engineering Ltd (FMEL).\r\nFMEL is committed to evaluating local supply options as part of their sourcing strategy and Caledonian Maritime Assets Ltd will encourage FMEL to adhere to this strategy.\r\nThe result of this contracting exercise is unlikely to be known for a number of months.","AnswerDate":"2015-11-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307197,"EventID":"S4W-28077","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-10-20T15:16:11.183","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-10-18T16:25:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it has taken since 2007 to encourage a reduction in the levels of sugar in soft drinks and chocolate.","AnswerText":"Since 2007, the Scottish Government has taken a range of actions to encourage the reformulation of food and drink products and support consumers to reduce their sugar intake.\r\nMost recently, the Supporting Healthy Choices voluntary framework, published in June 2014, sets out the case for reformulation and the action we believe is necessary to reduce the amount of sugar, as well as calories, fats and salt, in food and drink products. This includes reformulation of products, reducing portion sizes and the development of healthier recipes. Soft drinks with added sugar and confectionery are highlighted as key targets for reformulation.\r\nThe introduction of front of pack labelling has also given consumers access to clear, easy to understand nutritional information at a glance to help them make healthier choices. On 2 November 2015, Food Standards Scotland launched their ‘Look at the Label’ campaign to help increase consumer use and awareness of food labels and help them choose healthier products.","AnswerDate":"2015-11-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307198,"EventID":"S4W-28078","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-10-20T15:16:14.49","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-10-18T16:25:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it is monitoring the impact of its £10 million programme in 2012-16 on projects that are aimed at encouraging healthy eating.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government uses independent evaluations alongside project specific monitoring arrangements to assess the impact of funded programmes of work. Food Standards Scotland (FSS) monitors overall impact on dietary intakes at a population level.\r\nAround three quarters of the £10 million programme is allocated to four key programmes: The Healthyliving Award, Community Food and Health (Scotland) (both administered by NHS Health Scotland), the Healthy Living Programme and the Healthier Scotland Cooking Bus. Evaluations for all four programmes are publicly available and demonstrate how each is helping to tackle the nation’s poor diet, especially in deprived communities.\r\nFSS undertakes a rolling programme of research and surveillance to monitor progress towards the Scottish Dietary Goals. This includes monitoring dietary intakes of foods (such as fruit and vegetables, oil-rich fish, confectionery, sugary drinks etc.) and nutrients (fats, sugar, fibre and salt). Progress is monitored annually predominantly to provide trends in dietary intakes including in relation to deprivation.","AnswerDate":"2015-11-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307199,"EventID":"S4W-28079","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-10-20T15:16:15.753","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-10-18T16:25:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it is measuring the impact of the Supporting Healthy Choices framework on encouraging (a) a rebalancing of promotional activities toward healthier choices, (b) the responsible marketing of food and drink and (c) the reformulation of products to limit levels of (i) salt, (ii) fats and (iii) sugar.","AnswerText":"Food Standards Scotland (FSS) monitors the overall impact of the Supporting Healthy Choices voluntary framework at a population level. FSS undertakes a rolling programme of research and surveillance to monitor progress towards the Scottish Dietary Goals. This includes monitoring dietary intakes of foods and nutrients (fats, sugar, fibre and salt).\r\nFSS tracks retail food and drink purchase in Scotland both into the home (supermarkets) and out of the home (cafes, restaurants etc.) using data from Kantar Worldpanel (KWP) and NPD Group respectively. KWP data allows progress on reformulation in relation to fats, sugar and salt to be monitored annually. This covers many food categories including sugar containing soft drinks, confectionery, savoury snacks, biscuits, cakes and pastries, including monitoring of price promotions for these categories.\r\nSupporting Healthy Choices is reviewed annually to consider the number of signatories to the voluntary framework, the strength of those commitments, whether those commitments have been met and what future measures are in place.\r\nThe action set out in Supporting Healthy Choices to support healthier diets is challenging and multifaceted. We are currently only a year into this process and want to fully explore what progress we can make through a voluntary approach. If we do not see sufficient progress in due course then we will consider alternative approaches.","AnswerDate":"2015-11-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307200,"EventID":"S4W-28080","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-10-20T15:16:17.453","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-10-18T16:25:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it is measuring the impact of the voluntary approach to supporting healthy choices in food and drink consumption, and what alternative approaches it has considered should it conclude that this has been unsuccessful.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-28079 on 4 November 2015. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.","AnswerDate":"2015-11-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307201,"EventID":"S4W-28083","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4934,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-10-20T15:16:19.043","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-10-20T10:15:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when the strategic transport appraisal guidance (STAG2) study into the reopening of the Levenmouth Rail Line will be completed.","AnswerText":"Fife Council, as the promoter of this project, are currently undertaking an appraisal in line with Scottish Transport Appraisal Guidance to determine the most appropriate transport intervention for the Levenmouth area. Transport Scotland officials have met with both Fife Council and their consultants to provide advice and support on the use of the guidance for the appraisal. We have been advised that it is scheduled to be completed in the near future.","AnswerDate":"2015-11-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307202,"EventID":"S4W-28084","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4934,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-10-20T15:16:20.107","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-10-20T10:15:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what (a) financial and (b) management obligations Network Rail has to maintain the rail network from Glenrothes with Thornton to Leven under the short term network change process.","AnswerText":"Under the Short Term Network Change process, Network Rail is required to maintain this line to a standard which is sufficient to enable it to be brought back into use within 12 months should such a request be received.","AnswerDate":"2015-11-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307203,"EventID":"S4W-28085","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4934,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-10-20T15:16:20.98","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-10-20T10:15:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what (a) financial and (b) management obligations Network Rail would have if a train operating company requested to operate a service on the rail line from Glenrothes with Thornton to Leven.","AnswerText":"Should there be a request for its use; Network Rail will be required to reinstate the line at its own cost within a 12 month period. This would be to its previous capability, which in this case is for a single freight service operating on the line at 20mph at any given time. Any work required to improve the capability of the line beyond this condition would require third party funding.","AnswerDate":"2015-11-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307217,"EventID":"S4O-04725","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":1759,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-10-21T13:29:00.613","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-10-19T12:08:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on its support for community transport initiatives in South Scotland.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-10-29T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307218,"EventID":"S4O-04712","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":1814,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":77,"ApprovedDate":"2015-10-21T13:29:01.033","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-10-19T12:07:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it last discussed the Trade Union Bill with the UK Government.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-10-28T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307219,"EventID":"S4O-04704","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":1845,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-10-21T13:29:01.753","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-10-19T12:06:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many council tenants it estimates would have exercised their right to buy but will no longer be able to after 1 August 2016.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-10-28T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307220,"EventID":"S4O-04720","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":1853,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":86,"ApprovedDate":"2015-10-21T13:29:02.263","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-10-19T12:08:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its views are on bus re-regulation.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-10-29T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307221,"EventID":"S4O-04708","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":1866,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-10-21T13:29:02.723","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-10-21T11:41:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when the Longannet Taskforce and PACE team will report on the interventions they have made with the workers and apprentices affected by the power station's closure.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-10-28T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307222,"EventID":"S4O-04716","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":1892,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":134,"ApprovedDate":"2015-10-21T13:29:03.423","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-10-21T11:26:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it is on target to create 30,000 apprenticeships a year by 2020.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-10-28T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307223,"EventID":"S4O-04723","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":2059,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":91,"ApprovedDate":"2015-10-21T13:29:04.063","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-10-19T12:08:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to protect steel jobs at Clydebridge and Dalzell.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-10-29T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307224,"EventID":"S4O-04727","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":2110,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":138,"ApprovedDate":"2015-10-21T13:29:04.633","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-10-19T12:08:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how the incidence of knife crime in North Ayrshire compares now with 2007.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-10-29T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307225,"EventID":"S4O-04699","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":2123,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":103,"ApprovedDate":"2015-10-21T13:29:05.273","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-10-19T12:06:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it considers that charities with social welfare objectives should make ethical investment decisions that are consistent with those objectives rather than seek to maximise income at all costs.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-10-28T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307226,"EventID":"S4O-04707","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":2159,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":88,"ApprovedDate":"2015-10-21T13:29:06.003","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-10-21T11:13:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to support pensioners' rights in Glasgow Provan.","AnswerText":"We have invested in services and initiatives designed to empower and improve the lives of older people, including almost £500,000 from the Equality Fund (2015-16).\r\nWe are committed to working with older people and older people’s organisations to ensure that the quality of life for older people in Scotland continues to improve.","AnswerDate":"2015-10-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-10-28T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307227,"EventID":"S4O-04702","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-10-21T13:29:06.553","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-10-21T10:39:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what progress it has made toward achieving its target that no person will live in fuel poverty by November 2016.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-10-28T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307228,"EventID":"S4O-04713","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":2595,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-10-21T13:29:07.313","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-10-19T12:07:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government in which month the evaluation of the Youth Employment Scotland Fund will be completed and whether it will publish the full evaluation.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-10-28T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307229,"EventID":"S4O-04721","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":2603,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-10-21T13:29:07.843","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-10-19T12:08:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to promote cultural events in the north east.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-10-29T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307230,"EventID":"S4O-04703","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":2615,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":143,"ApprovedDate":"2015-10-21T13:29:08.413","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-10-19T12:06:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how town centres could benefit from business rates being set by local authorities.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-10-28T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307231,"EventID":"S4O-04701","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":2633,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-10-21T13:29:08.873","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-10-19T12:06:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it last met Fife Council and what issues were discussed. ","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-10-28T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307232,"EventID":"S4O-04724","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":2673,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":114,"ApprovedDate":"2015-10-21T13:29:09.233","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-10-21T11:31:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it can encourage library usage by children.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-10-29T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307233,"EventID":"S4O-04706","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":2892,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-10-21T13:29:09.663","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-10-20T17:23:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how the independent review of planning will increase community participation in such decisions.","AnswerText":"I recognise the importance of community engagement in planning and asked that this is considered as part of the review. The independent panel have asked for views and evidence on this. I look forward to receiving their recommendations in the spring.","AnswerDate":"2015-10-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-10-28T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307234,"EventID":"S4O-04718","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":3751,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":108,"ApprovedDate":"2015-10-21T13:29:10.273","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-10-20T10:38:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what information it has regarding how many local authorities use the Water Direct scheme to deduct water and sewerage charges, and whether this includes Midlothian and East Lothian councils.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-10-29T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307235,"EventID":"S4O-04715","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":3907,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":135,"ApprovedDate":"2015-10-21T13:29:10.743","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-10-19T12:07:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it is supporting young people into employment in the Kilmarnock and Irvine Valley constituency.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-10-28T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307236,"EventID":"S4O-04698","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":4014,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-10-21T13:29:11.173","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-10-19T12:06:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with third sector organisations regarding changes to funding allocated under schemes such as the Community Innovation Fund.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-10-28T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307237,"EventID":"S4O-04722","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-10-21T13:29:11.643","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-10-19T12:08:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide a progress report on how the Borders rail link is operating.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-10-29T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307238,"EventID":"S4O-04726","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":4940,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-10-21T13:29:12.543","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-10-20T12:28:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the Cabinet Secretary for Justice's response is to reported concerns that some retail thefts are directly attributed to hunger.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-10-29T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307239,"EventID":"S4O-04705","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":4964,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":119,"ApprovedDate":"2015-10-21T13:29:13.143","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-10-19T12:06:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its plans are for carers allowance when it is devolved.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-10-28T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307240,"EventID":"S4O-04719","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":4965,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-10-21T13:29:13.793","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-10-19T12:08:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when the next review of the industry authority, Seafish, is scheduled to take place.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-10-29T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307241,"EventID":"S4O-04717","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":5038,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-10-21T13:29:14.653","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-10-20T14:21:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide support to local authorities to extend the living wage to all workers in the social care sector.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government fully supports the living wage and recognises the real difference it can make to the lives of the people of Scotland including people working in the care sector.\r\nWe have been working with stakeholders to produce statutory guidance which requires all public bodies to consider whether it is relevant and proportionate to include a question on fair work practices as part of the procurement process, including in procuring care services. The guidance was published on 6 October 2015.\r\nWe have, and will continue to work with COSLA, Scottish Care, Coalition of Care and Support Providers in Scotland and other key stakeholders to improve the quality of care in the care sector by jointly investing in improving fair work practices for care workers - which include paying, or making progress towards paying the living wage.","AnswerDate":"2015-10-28T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-10-28T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"Roseanna Cunningham","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307242,"EventID":"S4O-04714","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-10-21T13:29:15.353","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-10-19T12:07:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what discussions the Cabinet Secretary for Fair Work, Skills and Training has had with the Cabinet Secretary for Infrastructure, Investment and Cities regarding the impact of public sector procurement on employment policy.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-10-28T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307243,"EventID":"S4O-04700","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":5057,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-10-21T13:29:15.843","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-10-21T11:05:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the impact of local government budget reductions on poverty rates.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-10-28T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307244,"EventID":"S4O-04710","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":5059,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-10-21T13:29:16.323","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-10-21T11:57:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it is reducing youth unemployment in West Scotland.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-10-28T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307245,"EventID":"S4O-04711","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":5060,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-10-21T13:29:16.753","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-10-21T11:08:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what role it considers colleges play in providing skills and training opportunities for people in West Scotland. ","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-10-28T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307246,"EventID":"S4W-28093","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2066,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-10-21T13:50:50.007","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-10-20T15:31:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to reform the Special Islands Needs Allowance formula to increase the funding available and what discussions it has had with COSLA on this matter.","AnswerText":"In 2000 the Special Islands Needs Allowance (SINA) was reviewed and extended to all local authorities with significant island communities instead of applying only to the three wholly islands authorities. It was at this point that Argyll and Bute Council was included within these calculations and, as a result, is currently in receipt of an additional £1.970 million in funding.\r\nSINA has been reviewed on two further occasions (in both 2006 and 2009) and, although there are no current plans to reform or extend SINA, the local government finance distribution system is kept under constant review as part of the joint Scottish Government and COSLA Settlement and Distribution group.","AnswerDate":"2015-11-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307247,"EventID":"S4W-28094","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2066,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-10-21T13:50:51.267","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-10-20T15:31:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether and, if so, when Argyll and Bute Council will be included in the Island Local Authority Adjustment.","AnswerText":"Although there are no current plans to review the Island local Authority Adjustment, it should be noted that Argyll and Bute Council already benefits from additional funding of £1.970 million as a result of the Special Islands Needs allowance adjustment to their annual local government finance settlement in recognition of some of the significant challenges on providing services to rural and island communities.\r\nIn addition, Argyll and Bute Council received an extra £34.780 million from the local government finance funding floor for the three year period 2012-15 and they are receiving a further £15.556 million this year over and above their calculated needs based allocation.","AnswerDate":"2015-11-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307248,"EventID":"S4W-28095","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2066,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-10-21T13:50:51.897","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-10-20T15:31:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to calls for the local government funding settlement to be needs rather than population based.","AnswerText":"The formula used in the distribution of the Scottish Government’s local government funding settlement is needs based and, although the main factor is the different population age bands, it does take into account a number of other needs based factors including rurality, deprivation, road lengths and the additional cost of providing services to island communities.","AnswerDate":"2015-11-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307249,"EventID":"S4W-28096","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2394,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-10-21T13:50:52.627","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-10-20T15:40:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide alternative support services for the reported 167 patients on the Sandyford gender identity clinic waiting list and, if so, what these will be.","AnswerText":"NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde have advised that they are in the process of recruiting an additional consultant to increase their current capacity at the Sandyford Clinic and improve waiting times for patients. ","AnswerDate":"2015-11-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307250,"EventID":"S4W-28097","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2394,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-10-21T13:50:53.537","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-10-20T15:40:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, in light of reports that patients are being expected to wait 12 months for a first appointment, when it expects the Sandyford gender identity clinic to meet the referral to treatment target of 18 weeks.","AnswerText":"Gender reassignment services are not covered by the 18 weeks referral to treatment standard. This is because patients accessing these services are likely to undertake psychological therapy and significant counselling as part of their treatment and clearly it would not be possible for all of this treatment to be completed within the 18 weeks referral to treatment standard. The gender reassignment protocol sets out the patient pathway from the patient attending their GP right through to gender reassignment genital surgery treatment a copy of which can be found at the following link:http://www.sehd.scot.nhs.uk/mels/CEL2012_26.pdf. We expect boards to ensure that patients accessing gender reassignment services are seen as quickly as possible. In the case of the Sandyford clinic in Glasgow they are currently recruiting an additional consultant to address capacity issues.","AnswerDate":"2015-11-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307265,"EventID":"S4W-28091","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3763,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-10-21T15:26:21.04","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-10-20T15:01:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much funding (a) it and (b) sportscotland has given to Weightlifting Scotland in each year since 2007.","AnswerText":"The amount of sportscotland's funding direct to Weightlifting Scotland in each year since 2007 is shown in column 2 of the following table. In addition, and separate from the funding provided direct to Weightlifting Scotland, sportscotland has managed in-house the sport's performance programme, and invested the funding shown in column 3. The Scottish Government has not provided funding direct to Weightlifting Scotland.\r\nYear (1)\r\nsportscotland's funding direct to Weightlifting Scotland (2)\r\nsportscotland's internally managed programme (3)\r\nTotal award level by year (4)\r\n2007-08\r\n£0\r\n£0\r\n£0\r\n2008-09\r\n£0\r\n£0\r\n£0\r\n2009-10\r\n£0\r\n£0\r\n£0\r\n2010-11\r\n£0 \r\n£9,577\r\n£9,577\r\n2011-12\r\n£0\r\n£24,000\r\n£24,000\r\n2012-13\r\n£0\r\n£32,500\r\n£32,500\r\n2013-14\r\n£7,500*\r\n£52,500\r\n£60,000\r\n2014-15\r\n£0\r\n£52,500\r\n£52,500\r\n2015-16**\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nTotal Investment\r\n£7,500\r\n£171,077\r\n£178,577\r\n*Realigned 18 month investment to cover administration costs – £15,000 awarded but £7,500 removed due to governance concerns.\r\n**'Up to' planned award of £9,200 approved by sportscotland but not released due to on-going governance concerns.\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-11-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307267,"EventID":"S4W-28092","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3763,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-10-21T15:26:22.07","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-10-20T15:01:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what discussions regarding Weightlifting Scotland it has had with sportscotland since 2007.","AnswerText":"In recent months, there have been discussions with sportscotland about governance issues in Weightlifting Scotland.","AnswerDate":"2015-11-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307268,"EventID":"S4W-28098","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5106,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":118,"ApprovedDate":"2015-10-21T15:26:22.77","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-10-21T14:29:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it can confirm that organisations representing current sex workers will be contacted for their input at an early stage in its recently announced research into the Swedish model of legislation on sex work.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is undertaking a systematic evidence review specifically on the impacts of criminalisation of the purchase of sexual services alongside a desk-based review of published research evidence on prostitution in Scotland and to summarise up to date evidence on the scale and nature of prostitution in Scotland. We can confirm that organisations representing and supporting those involved in prostitution including men and women will be contacted for their input at an early stage as part of this work.","AnswerDate":"2015-10-29T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307269,"EventID":"S4W-28099","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5106,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":118,"ApprovedDate":"2015-10-21T15:26:23.76","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-10-21T14:29:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether, as part of its changes to the planning system, it will consider making the provision of 3D visualisations a requirement for developers who are involved in what it considers significant schemes.","AnswerText":"A review of planning is being carried out by an independent panel. It is for the panel to identify priority areas for action and they will make recommendations to the Scottish Ministers in Spring 2016. I would encourage all parties to submit their ideas and views in response to the call for written evidence, which closes on 1 December.","AnswerDate":"2015-11-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307270,"EventID":"S4W-28100","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5106,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":118,"ApprovedDate":"2015-10-21T15:26:24.49","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-10-21T14:29:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government for what reasons private student accommodation complexes are exempt from non-domestic rates.","AnswerText":"The responsibility for determining the classification of whether a property is either domestic or non-domestic in Scotland lies with the independent Scottish assessors.\r\nPrivate student accommodation is classed as domestic and therefore may be liable for council tax not non-domestic rates.","AnswerDate":"2015-11-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307271,"EventID":"S4W-28101","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5106,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":118,"ApprovedDate":"2015-10-21T15:26:25.28","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-10-21T14:29:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government for what reason the planning process exempts developers of private student accommodation complexes from providing car parking.","AnswerText":"Scottish Planning Policy (2014) sets out the Scottish Government’s policy on enabling the delivery of new homes. It defines national maximum parking standards for significant travel-generating uses such as retail, business and leisure developments. For residential developments, planning authorities should set locally-derived standards which take account of the characteristics of their area.","AnswerDate":"2015-11-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307272,"EventID":"S4W-28102","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5106,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":118,"ApprovedDate":"2015-10-21T15:26:26.18","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-10-21T14:29:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government for what reason the planning process exempts developers of private student accommodation from obligations to provide affordable housing.","AnswerText":"Scottish Planning Policy (2014) sets out the Scottish Government’s policy on enabling the delivery of new homes. It sets out that local authorities, through their development plans should address the supply of land for all housing. Development plans should identify any expected developer contributions towards delivery of affordable housing.","AnswerDate":"2015-11-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307273,"EventID":"S4W-28103","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5106,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":118,"ApprovedDate":"2015-10-21T15:26:27.31","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-10-21T14:29:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it will monitor the impact on (a) passenger safety and (b) adherence to licensing law of app-based hire car companies entering the Scottish market.","AnswerText":"Any individual or company operating in the taxi or private hire car trade is required to work within the existing licensing regime. For example all drivers, as well as vehicles, must be licensed otherwise they will be committing a criminal offence.\r\nWe will consult on the impact of modern technology such as smartphone apps, and if required amend the relevant legislation to address concerns over passenger safety and compliance.\r\nThe provisions included within the Air Weapons and Licensing (Scotland) Act 2015 will further strengthen the ability of local Licensing Authorities to address concerns, for example by allowing them to limit the number of private hire car vehicle licences in their area, and the creation of the role of Civic Licensing Standards Officer, to supervise compliance, provide information and mediation to resolve disputes.\r\nLicensing authorities have extensive powers available and we would expect them, together with Police Scotland, to take robust action regarding any failure to comply with the existing licensing law or public safety concerns. However, we will continue to liaise with them both to monitor the position.","AnswerDate":"2015-11-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307274,"EventID":"S4W-28086","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2135,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":92,"ApprovedDate":"2015-10-22T15:26:25.103","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-10-20T11:31:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will ensure that no proposal made by the Local Government Boundary Commission for Scotland regarding changes to the electoral wards in Argyll and Bute is accepted without taking (a) full account of local views and (b) the opportunity for local hearings to be held.","AnswerText":"Section 18(2) of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973 as amended requires the Local Government Boundary Commission for Scotland to carry out local consultations, and to take any representations made to it into consideration, in conducting any reviews of local government electoral arrangements. Such consultations will be conducted before the commission submits any proposals for change arising from such reviews to ministers.\r\nSection 19 of the 1973 Act provides that the commission may cause a local inquiry to be held in respect to any review carried out by it. Decisions on whether to hold any such inquiries are a matter for the commission. In addition, under section 210 of the 1973 Act as amended ministers may cause a local inquiry to be held before making any order arising from proposals submitted to them by the commission. A decision as to whether to hold such an inquiry in relation to proposals for Argyll and Bute or for any other area would only be taken by ministers after they had received any proposals for that area from the commission.","AnswerDate":"2015-11-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Marco Biagi","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307275,"EventID":"S4W-28087","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2135,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":92,"ApprovedDate":"2015-10-22T15:26:25.883","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-10-20T11:31:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it is aware of the extent of the opposition in Argyll and Bute to the proposals contained in the Local Government Boundary Commission for Scotland's Fifth Review.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is aware that concerns have been expressed by local community groups and others about the Local Government Boundary Commission for Scotland's proposals for Argyll and Bute. The final public consultation on the commission's proposals for Argyll and Bute and other Scottish local government areas ended on 22 October 2015. It will be for the commission to consider the representations it has received on those proposals before submitting any final proposals to ministers for consideration.","AnswerDate":"2015-11-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Marco Biagi","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307276,"EventID":"S4W-28088","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2135,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":92,"ApprovedDate":"2015-10-22T15:26:26.51","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-10-20T11:31:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will inform the Local Government Boundary Commission for Scotland of the concerns in Argyll and Bute at the proposed loss of the name, Cowal, as an electoral area.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has passed to the Local Government Boundary Commission for Scotland all concerns it has received about the commission's proposals for Argyll and Bute, including about the proposed loss of the name of Cowal for an electoral area.","AnswerDate":"2015-11-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Marco Biagi","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307277,"EventID":"S4W-28089","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2135,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":92,"ApprovedDate":"2015-10-22T15:26:27.227","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-10-20T11:31:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will ensure that the modern boundaries of a national park are not used by the Local Government Boundary Commission for Scotland to decide on ward boundaries rather than other links such as social cohesion, communications and historical connection.","AnswerText":"The Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973 as amended sets out how the Local Government Boundary Commission for Scotland is to conduct reviews of local government arrangements, including specifying matters to which the commission is required to have regard in conducting such reviews. Within that framework it is for the commission to decide how it will conduct reviews, including what matters they will take into account in producing any proposals arising from such reviews. Decisions on whether to implement proposals produced by the commission, including any proposed changes to ward boundaries, will be taken by the Scottish Ministers.","AnswerDate":"2015-11-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Marco Biagi","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307278,"EventID":"S4W-28090","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2135,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":92,"ApprovedDate":"2015-10-22T15:26:27.88","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-10-20T11:31:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will ensure that the Local Government Boundary Commission for Scotland provides reasons for what are considered radical changes, such as those proposed for Argyll and Bute in its Fifth Review, other than parity between numbers of voters in wards and roughly equal ratios of councillors to voters.","AnswerText":"The Local Government Boundary Commission for Scotland is independent of the Scottish Government. The commission has carried out a series of consultations on its proposals for changes to local government electoral arrangements in the 32 Scottish council areas, including Argyll and Bute. The last of those consultations, a public consultation on proposals for ward boundaries, closed on 22 October 2015. The commission will now consider the responses to those consultations and submit its proposals to ministers.","AnswerDate":"2015-11-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Marco Biagi","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307279,"EventID":"S4W-28104","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2135,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":92,"ApprovedDate":"2015-10-22T15:26:28.6","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-10-22T10:56:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what research it (a) has commissioned or plans and (b) is aware of regarding the impact of people recovering from operations being placed in small wards with disruptive patients who have dementia.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has not commissioned research on the impact on patients of being placed in small wards with disruptive patients who have dementia. Significant work has been undertaken to improve the care of people with dementia in acute hospitals as part of Scotland's second dementia strategy. This includes minimising and responding appropriately to stress and distress of patients with dementia.","AnswerDate":"2015-11-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307280,"EventID":"S4W-28105","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2135,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":92,"ApprovedDate":"2015-10-22T15:26:29.27","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-10-22T10:56:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on people recovering from operations being placed in small wards with disruptive patients who have dementia, and what guidance it has provided to NHS boards regarding this practice.","AnswerText":"The placement in wards of patients recovering from surgery is a matter for NHS boards. Whilst the Scottish Government has not produced any guidance on this matter it recognises the importance of patients being accommodated in wards where their recovery can best be enabled. In addition, the Scottish Government and NHS Education for Scotland work with NHS boards as part of Scotland's second dementia strategy and the ten dementia care actions in hospital to ensure that patients with dementia are not stigmatised and they are treated in a safe and therapeutic environment. Learning resources have also been produced on the prevention of, and response to, stress and distress of people with dementia.","AnswerDate":"2015-11-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307281,"EventID":"S4W-28108","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-10-22T15:26:29.847","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-10-22T11:33:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government in how many instances it has provided financial support to each NHS board in each year since 2011-12 and how much.","AnswerText":"The answer is publically available on page 13, exhibit 2 of the NHS in Scotland 2015 Audit Scotland report.\r\nhttp://audit-scotland.gov.uk/report/nhs-in-scotland-2015\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-11-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307283,"EventID":"S4W-28110","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-10-22T15:26:31.797","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-10-22T11:33:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what provisions there are for specialised support for people with dementia living in care homes.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is enhancing specialist support for people in dementia living in care homes and continues to invest around £500,000 per year in developing the dementia workforce which includes training and supporting staff providing specialist support for people with dementia living in care homes. To date over 800 Dementia Ambassadors are working in care homes, 70% of which are working in residential care and covering 350 services.\r\nThe Care Inspectorate regulates and inspects registered care homes and care services in Scotland to make sure that they meet the right standards – including specialised services such as mental health, learning disabilities and dementia. They are all care homes and can be more flexible about the services they offer. They can meet all aspects of accommodation, support and care including nursing and end-of-life care.","AnswerDate":"2015-11-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307284,"EventID":"S4W-28111","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-10-22T15:26:32.797","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-10-22T11:33:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what support it provides to adults with (a) learning disabilities and (b) mental health issues in care homes.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is continuing to support people with learning disabilities living in care homes through the implementation of The keys to life in Scotland, and the development of a strategic plan, with identified outcomes to support the delivery of The keys to life – the Scottish learning disabilities strategy. This will concentrate on outcomes and key activities to support their achievement including supporting work with partners to ensure that people with learning disabilities are protected from neglect, exploitation and abuse.\r\nNational health and social care policy in Scotland is placing increasing emphasis on supporting people at home wherever possible. This applies to adults with learning disabilities, including those with the most complex needs. However, it is recognised that residential care for people with learning disabilities is still a choice and in some circumstances the best option to meet their outcomes. There is however, a need to ensure that the quality and consistency of these care homes ensures good outcomes for the residents. That is why the Scottish Government has asked Scotland Excel to develop a national framework agreement for the procurement of residential care.\r\nWe also worked with the Care Inspectorate to ensure care homes for adults with learning disabilities, as part of their inspections, asked about their awareness of two important reports: the Scottish Government’s The keys to life strategy for people with learning disabilities and recommendations from the report into Winterbourne View Hospital. This work will enable the Care Inspectorate to develop a more detailed inspection focus area in future inspections.\r\nThe Scottish Government is enhancing specialist support for people in dementia living in care homes and continues to invest around £500,000 per year in up skilling the dementia workforce which includes training and supporting staff providing specialist support for people with dementia living in care homes. To date over 800 Dementia Ambassadors are working in care homes, 70% of which are working in residential care and covering 350 services.\r\n.","AnswerDate":"2015-11-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307285,"EventID":"S4W-28112","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-10-22T15:26:33.763","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-10-22T11:33:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to the findings in the Audit Scotland report, NHS in Scotland 2015, that the NHS will not be able to provide services in the way that it currently does, and for what reasons it considers that these findings were reached.","AnswerText":"Audit Scotland’s report mirrors the Scottish Government's own assessment on the need for our NHS to evolve to meet the changing needs of Scotland’s people.\r\nThe 2020 Vision for Health and Social Care sets out the challenges facing the NHS, which include demographic and economic pressures. Over the next 10 years the proportion of over 75s in Scotland’s population – who are the highest users of NHS services – will increase by over 25%. By 2033 the number of people over 75s is likely to have increased by almost 60%. There will be a continuing shift in the pattern of disease towards long-term conditions, particularly with growing numbers of older people with multiple conditions and complex needs such as dementia.\r\nDespite the cut to the Scottish Government's budget since November 2010, the report recognises that health resource spending has increased in real terms and highlights substantial progress including a record high workforce and continued advances in diagnosis, treatment and care. A national conversation is currently underway to seek a broad spectrum of views on how people can be supported to live healthier lives and on the future shape of health and social care services in Scotland.\r\nThis government has a clear vision for the future of our NHS and will take the right action to ensure we continue to have an NHS that Scotland can be as proud of in the future as we are today. This action includes an increase in the number of training places for GPs to contribute to a more sustainable future GP workforce, and investment of £200 million in the creation of a new network of elective treatment centres.","AnswerDate":"2015-11-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307286,"EventID":"S4W-28113","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-10-22T15:26:34.76","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-10-22T11:33:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what actions it will take to tackle problems in recruiting and retaining permanent staff in the NHS, as highlighted in the Audit Scotland report, NHS in Scotland 2015, and when.","AnswerText":"NHS Scotland boards are required to have the correct staff in place to meet the needs of the service locally and ensure high quality patient care. The Scottish Government works closely with all boards to support their staff recruitment efforts.","AnswerDate":"2015-11-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307298,"EventID":"S4W-28107","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2134,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":82,"ApprovedDate":"2015-10-23T14:48:29.243","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-10-22T10:11:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what information it has regarding how much was raised in Scotch whisky export duty in 2014-15.","AnswerText":"Information is available on the Scottish Government website at the following link:\r\nhttp://www.gov.scot/Topics/Statistics/Browse/Economy/GERS/queries/008.","AnswerDate":"2015-11-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307299,"EventID":"S4W-28115","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3763,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-10-23T14:48:30.383","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-10-22T15:21:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the impact of gambling on communities, what its position is on whether licensed betting shops should be included in the updated EU money laundering directive, and what discussions it has had with the UK Government regarding this matter.","AnswerText":"Gambling is a reserved matter and it is therefore for the UK Government to consider the regulation of betting shops. The Scottish Government would like to see substantive devolution of powers over gambling in order that it can regulate the industry effectively.\r\nWe have had no specific discussions with the UK Government on this matter.","AnswerDate":"2015-11-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307300,"EventID":"S4W-28117","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5106,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":118,"ApprovedDate":"2015-10-23T14:48:31.147","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-10-23T12:36:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it (a) last reviewed and (b) will next review the permitted noise levels set out in the Antisocial Behaviour (Noise Control) (Scotland) Regulations 2005.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government published a call for evidence to support a policy review of the noise regime under Part 5 of the Antisocial Behaviour (Scotland) Act 2004 on 7 May 2014. This included a review of the permitted noise levels.\r\nWe sought evidence from a wide range of people across Scotland. There was a broad consensus that the current permitted levels are appropriate. We will review them again if there is strong evidence to suggest alternatives.","AnswerDate":"2015-11-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen McLeod","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307301,"EventID":"S4W-28119","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5106,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":118,"ApprovedDate":"2015-10-23T14:48:31.85","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-10-23T12:36:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government under what circumstances it would consider varying the permitted noise levels or times as set out in the Antisocial Behaviour (Noise Control) (Scotland) Regulations 2005.","AnswerText":"The permitted noise levels and times that are specified in the Antisocial Behaviour (Noise Control) (Scotland) Regulations 2005 are based on robust research, produced in conjunction with environmental health officers from across Scotland. We would consider making changes to these levels and times if there was any new evidence to justify such a change.","AnswerDate":"2015-11-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen McLeod","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307302,"EventID":"S4W-28120","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5106,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":118,"ApprovedDate":"2015-10-23T14:48:32.427","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-10-23T12:36:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government under what circumstances it would consider setting permitted noise levels based on areas or descriptions of areas as set out in the Antisocial Behaviour etc. (Scotland) Act 2004.","AnswerText":"Part 5 of the Antisocial Behaviour etc. (Scotland) Act 2004 gives discretionary powers to local authorities to adopt the noise provisions for such times and for such areas they consider appropriate. The provisions complement noise nuisance enforcement legislation and complement police powers. There has been and continues to be consensus that these permitted levels should be the same across Scotland.","AnswerDate":"2015-11-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen McLeod","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307310,"EventID":"S4T-01142","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":9,"MSPID":1865,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":85,"ApprovedDate":"2015-10-26T12:33:49.08","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-10-23T11:40:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the Air Accident Investigation Branch report into the helicopter crash at the Clutha Vaults, what steps it can take to bring closure for the families involved.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-10-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":"2015-10-27T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307311,"EventID":"S4T-01144","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":9,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-10-26T12:33:51.407","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-10-26T09:40:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to the Audit Scotland report, NHS in Scotland 2015.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-10-27T00:00:00","MeetingDate":"2015-10-27T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307312,"EventID":"S4F-03012","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":5009,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-10-26T12:33:17.653","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-10-23T16:54:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister what issues will be discussed at the next meeting of the Cabinet.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-10-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":"2015-10-29T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307313,"EventID":"S4F-03015","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":3812,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-10-26T12:33:20.21","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-10-26T09:49:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister what engagements she has planned for the rest of the day.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-10-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":"2015-10-29T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307314,"EventID":"S4F-03016","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":5034,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-10-26T12:33:20.85","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-10-26T10:48:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister whether a reduction in the number of training places for nurses and midwives has contributed to the rise in agency nursing costs as highlighted by Audit Scotland.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-10-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":"2015-10-29T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307315,"EventID":"S4F-03019","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":4976,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-10-26T12:33:23.69","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-10-26T11:36:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister when she will next meet the Prime Minister.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-10-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":"2015-10-29T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307316,"EventID":"S4F-03020","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":2892,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-10-26T12:33:25.407","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-10-26T11:44:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister what proportion of the labour force has a secure job that pays at least the living wage.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-10-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":"2015-10-29T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307317,"EventID":"S4F-03023","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":4951,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-10-26T12:33:28.01","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-10-26T11:56:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister what correspondence the Scottish Government has had with the UK Government on its plans to reduce tax credits from April 2016.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-10-29T00:00:00","MeetingDate":"2015-10-29T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307330,"EventID":"S4W-28121","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3806,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-10-26T14:38:14.247","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-10-23T14:56:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many serious incidents meriting a firearms deployment armed police have responded to in the Highlands since October 2014.","AnswerText":"The information requested is a matter for Police Scotland. I have alerted the Chief Constable to your question and I have asked him to write to you.","AnswerDate":"2015-11-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307331,"EventID":"S4W-28122","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3806,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-10-26T14:38:15.067","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-10-23T14:57:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many crimes and offences armed response police officers have dealt with in the Highlands since October 2014. ","AnswerText":"The information requested is a matter for Police Scotland. I have alerted the Chief Constable to your question and I have asked him to write to you.","AnswerDate":"2015-11-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307332,"EventID":"S4W-28124","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-10-26T14:38:15.697","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-10-26T08:58:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide a list of the events over the last four years for which the PACE team has been deployed.","AnswerText":"Partnership Action for Continuing Employment (PACE) is the Scottish Government’s strategic framework initiative for responding to redundancy situations. PACE offers free and impartial advice and is available to all individuals affected by redundancy, no matter the size of the business or how many employees are involved.\r\nSkills Development Scotland delivers PACE on behalf of the Scottish Government in conjunction with other key partners including the Department for Work and Pensions. In addition to the National PACE Team, there are 18 local PACE teams across Scotland to ensure speedy and effective responses to redundancy situations.\r\nInformation on PACE interventions during the last four years is contained in the following table.\r\nYear\r\nUnique Employers Supported\r\nNumber of Employers' Branches\r\n2011-12\r\n365\r\n600\r\n2012-13\r\n297\r\n523\r\n2013-14\r\n298\r\n445\r\n2014-15\r\n252\r\n392\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-11-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307333,"EventID":"S4W-28125","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-10-26T14:38:16.267","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-10-26T08:58:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what criteria it uses to decide (a) when and (b) how to deploy the PACE team.","AnswerText":"Partnership Action for Continuing Employment (PACE) is the Scottish Government's initiative dedicated to helping individuals and employers with the advice and support they need when faced with redundancy. \r\nPACE support is available for all individuals affected by redundancy, no matter the size of the business nor how many employees are involved. PACE also works with insolvency practitioners to provide support where a business has gone into administration or liquidation.\r\nSkills Development Scotland delivers PACE on behalf of the Scottish Government in conjunction with other key partners including the Department for Work and Pensions. In addition to the National PACE Team, there are 18 local PACE teams across Scotland to ensure speedy and effective responses to redundancy situations. \r\nWhenever we become aware of individuals facing redundancy, PACE support is offered. Each PACE intervention is tailored to meet the needs of the employer and employees and may include on site delivery by PACE Partners.","AnswerDate":"2015-11-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307334,"EventID":"S4W-28126","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-10-26T14:38:16.747","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-10-26T08:58:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what budget has been (a) allocated to and (b) spent by the PACE team in each of the last eight years.","AnswerText":"Partnership Action for Continuing Employment (PACE) is the Scottish Government’s strategic framework initiative for responding to redundancy situations. The operation of PACE is overseen by the Ministerial PACE Partnership which is chaired by the Minister for Business, Energy and Tourism, Fergus Ewing MSP and comprises the Scottish Government together with 21 organisations to oversee a continuous improvement programme to enhance the operation of PACE.\r\nSkills Development Scotland delivers PACE on behalf of the Scottish Government in conjunction with other key partners including the Department for Work and Pensions. In addition to the National PACE team, there are 18 local PACE Teams across Scotland to ensure speedy and effective responses to redundancy situations. Other agencies also involved in PACE include HM Revenue and Customs, the STUC and its affiliated trade unions, Citizens Advice Bureaux, local training providers, colleges and universities. \r\nGiven that PACE is a framework which brings together various organisations to provide a co-ordinated approach to delivery of support for those facing redundancy, it is not possible to quantify a specific budget for PACE activity.","AnswerDate":"2015-11-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307335,"EventID":"S4W-28127","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-10-26T14:38:17.197","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-10-26T08:58:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what measures it uses to determine the success of the PACE team.","AnswerText":"Partnership Action for Continuing Employment (PACE) is the Scottish Government’s initiative for responding to redundancy situations. Through providing skills development and employability support, PACE aims to minimise the time individuals affected by redundancy are out of work.\r\nThe operation of PACE is overseen by the Ministerial PACE Partnership which is chaired by the Minister for Business, Energy and Tourism, Fergus Ewing MSP and comprises the Scottish Government together with 21 organisations to oversee a continuous improvement programme to enhance the operation of PACE.\r\nAs part of that continuous improvement programme, in order to gauge the influence of PACE and to consider the quality of provision of PACE support, we undertook a PACE Client Experience Survey in 2010, 2012 and most recently 2014. The 2014 survey found that PACE is perceived as having a positive influence on people’s ability to find work and that 72% of those surveyed who had received PACE support had gone into employment. T link to the research is below.\r\nhttp://www.gov.scot/Resource/0046/00460000.pdf.","AnswerDate":"2015-11-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307336,"EventID":"S4W-28128","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-10-26T14:38:17.93","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-10-26T08:58:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide a list of the occasions on which the PACE team has been deployed to assist public sector workers.","AnswerText":"PACE support is available for all individuals affected by redundancy, no matter the size of the business nor how many employees are involved. Whenever we become aware of individuals facing redundancy, PACE support is offered.\r\nWith regard to PACE support for public sector workers, many reductions in the public sector have been achieved on a voluntary basis. \r\nDuring this financial year, PACE support has been provided for employees from the following public sector agencies: Highland Council, Fife Council and HM Revenue and Customs.\r\nPACE support has also been offered to Angus Council and West Lothian Council but both authorities have advised that support was not required.\r\nWhen PACE support was offered to Falkirk Council and Edinburgh City Council, as consultations are continuing with employees, both authorities advised that support was not required at present.\r\nPACE chairs have made contact and offered PACE support and the response has been:\r\nNot required - Angus and West Lothian\r\nNot required at present - Discussion consultations ongoing with employees - Edinburgh and Falkirk\r\nColleges:\r\nNo PACE support has been provided to colleges during this financial year. No HR1s for colleges have been received by PACE this financial year.","AnswerDate":"2015-11-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307337,"EventID":"S4W-28129","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-10-26T14:38:18.39","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-10-26T08:58:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what actions the PACE team has taken to support (a) Police Scotland, (b) college and local authority staff.","AnswerText":"PACE support is available for all individuals affected by redundancy, no matter the size of the business nor how many employees are involved. Whenever we become aware of individuals facing redundancy, PACE support is offered.\r\nPACE support was provided for Police Scotland employees in Dumfries, Stirling and Glenrothes in January and February 2015 in relation to the relocation of Police Scotland control rooms. \r\nNo PACE support has been required by colleges during this or during the last financial year.\r\nPACE support has been provided to Highland Council and to Fife Council during this financial year and to Fife Council and to East Ayrshire Council during the last financial year.","AnswerDate":"2015-11-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307338,"EventID":"S4W-28130","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-10-26T14:38:18.863","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-10-26T09:12:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much money it has provided to the Voluntary Sector Gateway West Lothian over the last three years.","AnswerText":"West Lothian Voluntary Sector Gateway has been granted the following funding from Scottish Government Third Sector Unit:\r\n2012-13 – £187,200\r\n2013-14 – £187,200\r\n2014-15 – £187,200\r\nNo funding has been advanced to date for 2015-16.","AnswerDate":"2015-11-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307339,"EventID":"S4W-28131","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-10-26T14:38:19.473","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-10-26T09:12:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on the work of the Voluntary Sector Gateway West Lothian.","AnswerText":"The Third Sector Interfaces, including West Lothian Voluntary Sector Gateway, are expected to deliver on a variety of outcomes aimed at strengthening the role of the third sector in Scottish civic society. The Scottish Government has been actively engaging with the West Lothian Voluntary Sector Gateway in relation to its work and to seek to address a number of matters.","AnswerDate":"2015-11-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307340,"EventID":"S4W-28132","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-10-26T14:38:20.007","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-10-26T09:12:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government for what reason it has not provided financial support to the Voluntary Sector Gateway West Lothian for 2015-16.","AnswerText":"Following the commissioning of a report into the operation of the West Lothian Third Sector Interfaces, we have been working with the gateway to address a number of issues. Whilst that process has been ongoing no Scottish Government funding has been provided for 2015-16.","AnswerDate":"2015-11-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307341,"EventID":"S4W-28133","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-10-26T14:38:20.457","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-10-26T09:12:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on the investigation by the Office of the Scottish Charity Regulator into the Voluntary Sector Gateway West Lothian.","AnswerText":"The Office of the Scottish Charity Regulator is part of the Scottish Administration, however it is not under the control of Scottish Ministers. As such it would not be appropriate for the Scottish Government to comment on what is an operational matter for OSCR.","AnswerDate":"2015-11-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307342,"EventID":"S4W-28134","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-10-26T14:38:20.997","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-10-26T09:12:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it will publish the independent report that it has commissioned into the Voluntary Sector Gateway West Lothian.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has been actively engaging with the West Lothian Voluntary Sector Gateway to seek to address a number of matters, and a report was commissioned earlier in 2015 into the operation of Voluntary Sector Gateway. Whilst the process is on-going and whilst the Office of the Scottish Charity Regulator is considering matters relating to the charity, the report cannot be made publicly available.","AnswerDate":"2015-11-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307343,"EventID":"S4W-28150","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2610,"Party":"Independent","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-10-26T16:45:12.813","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-10-26T15:45:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what average fee has been set by local authorities for an application for a high hedge notice to be served, and what information it has regarding how many applicants are reimbursed.","AnswerText":"Information about fees set by local authorities is available in the answer to question S4W-27084, answered on 3 September 2015. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.\r\nInformation regarding the number of applicants who have been reimbursed is a matter for local authorities and is therefore not held centrally.","AnswerDate":"2015-11-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Marco Biagi","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307344,"EventID":"S4W-28151","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2610,"Party":"Independent","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-10-26T16:45:14.313","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-10-26T15:51:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it will publish the findings of the review of out-of-hours primary care services.","AnswerText":"Professor Sir Lewis Ritchie will submit his findings and recommendations from the national review of primary care out-of-hours services to me early this month (November 2015).","AnswerDate":"2015-11-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307345,"EventID":"S4W-28152","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2610,"Party":"Independent","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-10-26T16:45:15.153","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-10-26T16:23:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it has met or plans to meet any community council or tenants and residents associations in areas for which petroleum exploration and development licences have been issued for unconventional gas extraction and underground coal gasification.","AnswerText":"The comprehensive research programme announced on 8 October 2015 was informed by meetings with a broad range of stakeholders, and the Scottish Government will continue to meet with and listen to the widest possible range of views and voices as the process develops. We will ensure that there is ample opportunity for everyone, and in particular for those people living in areas of potential exploration, to share their views as part of the consultation.","AnswerDate":"2015-11-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307365,"EventID":"S4W-28137","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3806,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-10-27T13:47:17.247","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-10-26T15:35:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-27326 by Derek Mackay on 16 September 2015, whether it will list the local stakeholders it has had discussions with regarding the chartering arrangements for vessels in the next contract for Northern Isles ferry services.","AnswerText":"I announced on 13 August 2015, during my visit to Shetland, that a comprehensive study of the Northern Isles ferry services would be carried out to inform the tender process for the next contract, due to commence in 2018. Vessel availability for the next contract will be one of the issues considered as part of the study.\r\nWe are in the process of commissioning an external consultant to undertake this study. In our invitation to tender we make clear that vessels should be considered as part of the study, and that detailed engagement with appropriate key stakeholders is required. A key stakeholder working group involving Orkney Islands Council, Shetland Islands Council, Highlands and Islands Enterprise, HITRANS, ZetTrans and Transport Scotland will be established to oversee this study.","AnswerDate":"2015-11-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307366,"EventID":"S4W-28138","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3806,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-10-27T13:47:18.227","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-10-26T15:35:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it expects Transport Scotland to issue calls for further interim tenders for the (a) ferry services and (b) harbour operation component of the 2016-2024 contract for Clyde and Hebrides ferry services.","AnswerText":"The Clyde and Hebrides ferry services interim invitation to tender (ITT) has issued to both bidders and will be published today (3 November 2015) on Transport Scotland’s website together with the Independent Procurement Reference Panel’s report confirming the initial ITT process was open, fair and transparent.","AnswerDate":"2015-11-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307367,"EventID":"S4W-28139","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3806,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-10-27T13:47:19.117","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-10-26T15:35:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will ensure that there are no differences in the timetable for the (a) invitation for and (b) submission of further interim tenders for the (i) ferry services and (ii) harbour operation component of the 2016-24 contract for Clyde and Hebrides ferry services and whether it will bring forward the date of the invitation to submit a final tender.","AnswerText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will ensure that there are no differences in the timetable for the (a) invitation for and (b) submission of further interim tenders for the (i) ferry services and (ii) harbour operation component of the 2016-24 contract for Clyde and Hebrides ferry services and whether it will bring forward the date of the invitation to submit a final tender.\r\n\r\nS4W-28139\r\nDerek Mackay: After delays in issuing the initial invitation to tender, to allow full engagement with trade union interests following industrial action this summer, and after discussion with both bidders, a revised timetable has been put in place:\r\nTender\r\nInvitation from Transport Scotland\r\nSubmission by Tenderers\r\nInitial\r\n31 July 2015\r\n21 September 2015\r\nInterim\r\n2 November 2015\r\n4 January 2016\r\nFinal\r\n15 February 2016\r\n7 March 2016\r\nTo meet the requirements of a complex procurement exercise and ensure the continued provision of the Clyde and Hebrides lifeline ferry services from 1 October 2016, the procurement timeline currently anticipates the award of contract to be announced at the end of May 2016.","AnswerDate":"2015-11-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307368,"EventID":"S4W-28140","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3806,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-10-27T13:47:20.117","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-10-26T15:35:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what steps Transport Scotland has taken since 31 July 2015 to reduce the duration of the tendering period for the 2016-24 contract for Clyde and Hebrides ferry services in order to bring forward the announcement of the winning bidder to a date before the Scottish election on 5 May 2016.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-28139 on 5 November 2015. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.","AnswerDate":"2015-11-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307369,"EventID":"S4W-28141","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3806,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-10-27T13:47:20.99","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-10-26T15:35:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether the competitive procedure with negotiation used to procure an operator for the 2016-24 contract for Clyde and Hebrides ferry services allows it to bring forward the announcement of the winning bid for that contract to a date before the Scottish election on 5 May 2016.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-28139 on 5 November 2015. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.","AnswerDate":"2015-11-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307370,"EventID":"S4W-28142","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3806,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-10-27T13:47:22.02","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-10-26T15:35:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it has the legal power to discontinue the tendering process for Clyde and Hebrides ferry services at any stage without incurring legal liability for bidders’ costs.","AnswerText":"The discontinuance or suspension of the procurement process is covered by the initial invitation to tender documents, Volume 1, Section 5.4. This is published on Transport Scotland’s website http://www.transportscotland.gov.uk/ferries/clyde-and-hebrides.","AnswerDate":"2015-11-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307371,"EventID":"S4W-28143","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3806,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-10-27T13:47:23.25","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-10-26T15:35:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will make it policy to bring forward the date for the (a) invitation to submit a final tender, (b) deadline for submitting a final tender and (c) announcement of the winning bid for the 2016-24 contract for Clyde and Hebrides ferry services if Transport Scotland decides not to issue calls for further interim tenders for this contract.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-28139 on 5 November 2015. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.","AnswerDate":"2015-11-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307372,"EventID":"S4W-28144","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3806,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-10-27T13:47:24.327","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-10-26T15:35:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the earliest date is by which Transport Scotland can decide not to issue calls for further interim tenders for the 2016-24 contract for Clyde and Hebrides ferry services.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-28243 on 3 November 2015. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.","AnswerDate":"2015-11-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307373,"EventID":"S4W-28145","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3806,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-10-27T13:47:25.42","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-10-26T15:35:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the earliest date is by which Transport Scotland can issue an invitation to submit a final tender for the 2016-24 contract for Clyde and Hebrides ferry services.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-28139 on 5 November 2015. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.","AnswerDate":"2015-11-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307374,"EventID":"S4W-28146","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3806,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-10-27T13:47:26.497","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-10-26T15:35:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the earliest date is by which Transport Scotland can receive a final tender for the 2016-24 contract for Clyde and Hebrides ferry services.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-28139 on 5 November 2015. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.","AnswerDate":"2015-11-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307375,"EventID":"S4W-28147","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3806,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-10-27T13:47:27.73","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-10-26T15:35:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the earliest date is on which it can announce the winning bid for the 2016-24 contract for Clyde and Hebrides ferry services.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-28139 on 5 November 2015. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.","AnswerDate":"2015-11-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307376,"EventID":"S4W-28148","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3806,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-10-27T13:47:28.54","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-10-26T15:35:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what discussions Transport Scotland officials have had with representatives of the Electoral Commission since 1 July 2012.","AnswerText":"Transport Scotland officials have had no discussions with representatives of the Electoral Commission since July 2012.","AnswerDate":"2015-11-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307377,"EventID":"S4W-28149","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3806,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-10-27T13:47:29.32","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-10-26T15:35:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-27326 by Derek Mackay on 16 September 2015, what consultation it undertook with (a) local stakeholders and (b) trade unions in reaching the policy decision laid out in Scottish Ferry Services: Ferries Plan (2013-2022) to continue the Northern Isles vessel charter arrangement with RBS for another contract period from 2018.","AnswerText":"As indicated in the answer to question S4W-27326 we are discussing that possibility with RBS, but no policy decisions have been taken at this stage.\r\nI announced on 13 August 2015, during my visit to Shetland, that a comprehensive study of the Northern Isles ferry services would be carried out to inform the tender process for the next contract, due to commence in 2018. Vessel availability for the next contract will be one of the issues considered as part of that study.","AnswerDate":"2015-11-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307378,"EventID":"S4W-28153","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-10-27T13:47:30.13","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-10-27T12:35:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many people have (a) started and (b) completed a midwife training programme in each year since 2007-08.","AnswerText":"The following is a link to the Information Services Division (ISD) website which provides the relevant published data: \r\nhttps://www.isdscotland.org/Health-Topics/Workforce/Publications/2015-03-03/Student_intakes_and_students_in_training_S2014.xls\r\nThe following table summarises the analysis of midwifery students commencement and completion in each year since 2007:\r\nYear*\r\nCommencement**\r\nCompletion***\r\n2007\r\n209\r\n141\r\n2008\r\n231\r\n130\r\n2009\r\n196\r\n132\r\n2010\r\n203\r\n141\r\n2011\r\n101\r\n147\r\n2012\r\n107\r\n141\r\n2013\r\n143\r\n174\r\nSource: ISD, NHS Education for Scotland (NES)\r\n*Year runs 1 April to 31 March.\r\n**Intakes of student midwives commencing in financial year. Data sourced from NES’s Annual Statistical Supplement. Includes conversion students on first to first level and second to first level courses only.\r\n***Completions on all pre-registration courses (data received from NES. Data extracted 14 May 15).\r\nNB: Figures for 2014 and 2015 are not yet published. Available from 1 December 2015.","AnswerDate":"2015-11-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307379,"EventID":"S4W-28154","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-10-27T13:47:31.69","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-10-27T12:35:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it will ensure that a sufficient number of midwives is available.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has developed a world-leading suite of workforce and workload planning tools. These mandatory tools enable evidence-based decision making on workforce and staffing establishments and are used by NHS boards to determine the number of nurses or midwives needed for particular clinical areas through measurement of actual workload. This is part of a broader approach that incorporates nurses' professional judgment and quality measures to ensure we have the right person in the right place at the right time.\r\nOver the last three years we have recommended three consecutive increases in the number of pre-registration midwifery student places, from 100 in the academic year 2012-13 to 173 in 2015-16, representing an overall increase of 73%.\r\nEach year’s midwifery student intake is considered by a group which includes the Royal College of Midwives, higher education institutes and nurse directors. They apply professional judgment to recommended student numbers produced by an analytical model which is driven by health boards’ own projected staffing requirements. They are then able to make informed recommendations to ministers. This process ensures there will be sufficient supply of newly qualified midwives and nurses in five years’ time.","AnswerDate":"2015-11-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307380,"EventID":"S4W-28155","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-10-27T13:47:33.25","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-10-27T12:35:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its estimates are of the number of new midwives entering the profession in (a) 2015-16, (b) 2016-17 and (c) 2017-18.","AnswerText":"Historical supply side analysis shows around 80% completion from midwifery pre-registration programmes after three to four years. I refer the member to his previous question S4W-28153 on 10 November 2015, which provides information on completion rates since 2007. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.\r\nThe number of midwives entering employment in NHS Scotland in the coming years will be influenced by the mandatory workload and workforce planning tools for midwifery.","AnswerDate":"2015-11-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307381,"EventID":"S4W-28156","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-10-27T13:47:34.81","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-10-27T12:35:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many current (a) midwives have been in post and (b) midwife vacancies there have been for (i) up to and (ii) more than six months.","AnswerText":"Information on the number of midwifery staff in post and midwifery vacancies across NHSScotland is published by National Services Scotland, Information Services Division (ISD) and can be found in tables 1 and 2. Vacancy information is available for less than three months and three months and more. \r\nTable 1: Whole-time equivalent (WTE) of midwifery staff in post as at 30 June 2015\r\n\r\nJune 2015\r\nNumber of midwifery staff\r\n2,937.8\r\nSource: Scottish Workforce Information Standard System (SWISS), ISD Scotland\r\nTable 2: WTE of midwifery vacancies as at 30 June 2015\r\n\r\nVacant less than three months\r\nVacant three months or more\r\nTotal vacancies\r\nNumber of midwifery vacancies\r\n42.3\r\n12.6\r\n54.9\r\nSource: SWISS, ISD Scotland\r\nNote:\r\n1. For the time points June 2011 onwards, the establishment value is calculated as: establishment = staff in post + total vacancies (not including posts under review). The establishment value for all older time points is calculated as: establishment = staff in post + posts under review + total vacancies.\r\nFurther information on midwifery staff is published on the ISD website at: https://www.isdscotland.org/Health-Topics/Workforce/Publications/2015-09-01/Nursing_and_Midwifery_SIP_J2015.xls\r\nFurther information on midwifery vacancies is published on the ISD website at: https://www.isdscotland.org/Health-Topics/Workforce/Publications/2015-09-01/Nursing_and_Midwifery_Vacancies_J2015.xls","AnswerDate":"2015-11-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307382,"EventID":"S4W-28157","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-10-27T13:47:36.403","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-10-27T12:35:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many midwives were aged (a) up to 30, (b) from 31 to 40, (c) from 41 to 50 and (d) 51 and over as of 1 October 2015.","AnswerText":"Information on the number of midwifery staff in each age group across NHSScotland is published quarterly by National Services Scotland, Information Services Division (ISD). The latest information available is as at 30 June 2015 and can be found in the following table:\r\nWhole time equivalent of midwifery staff by age group\r\nAge group\r\n30 and under\r\n31-40\r\n41-50\r\n51 and over\r\nTotal\r\nMidwifery staff\r\n342.0\r\n597.6\r\n923.7\r\n1,074.6\r\n2,937.8\r\nSource: Scottish Workforce Information Standard System, ISD Scotland","AnswerDate":"2015-11-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307383,"EventID":"S4W-28158","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-10-27T13:47:37.963","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-10-27T12:35:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the cost of locum cover has been for (a) nursing and midwifery staff, (b) consultants, (c) surgical staff and (d) radiologists in each NHS board in each year since 2010-11.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government does not hold this information centrally, however for part (a) of the question, this information is publically available on the NHS Scotland Information Services Division (ISD) website:\r\nhttp://www.isdscotland.org/Health-Topics/Workforce/Nursing-and-Midwifery/\r\nFor parts (b), (c) and (d) of the question, this information is not held centrally, however further information on the medical and dental workforce is available on the NHS Scotland ISD website:\r\nhttp://www.isdscotland.org/Health-Topics/Workforce/Medical-and-Dental/","AnswerDate":"2015-11-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307384,"EventID":"S4W-28163","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-10-27T17:00:31.607","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-10-27T13:12:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what support it will provide to employees following the announcement by Kingfisher that the B&Q store in Livingston is to close.","AnswerText":"Through our initiative for responding to redundancy situations, Partnership Action for Continuing Employment (PACE), we will provide support for any employees who may be facing redundancy following the announcement by Kingfisher that the B&Q store in Livingston is to close.\r\nI understand that the closure will take place at a date still to be determined but that the closure will not take place before the end of February 2016.\r\nI can confirm that the local PACE chair has contacted the B&Q store in Livingston to offer support and that this approach will be followed up.","AnswerDate":"2015-11-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307385,"EventID":"S4W-28164","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4934,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-10-27T17:00:32.797","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-10-27T14:01:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-27164 by Aileen McLeod on 8 September 2015, when it will announce details of the (a) remit and (b) timetable for the review of the Protection of Wild Mammals (Scotland) Act 2002.","AnswerText":"I expect to be able to announce details of the remit, the timetable and who will be leading the review before the end of 2015.","AnswerDate":"2015-11-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen McLeod","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307386,"EventID":"S4W-28165","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2610,"Party":"Independent","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-10-27T17:00:33.477","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-10-27T15:12:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how Scottish Enterprise and others will assess the economic impact of mothballing the steel plants in Lanarkshire on the local supply chain and community.","AnswerText":"In response to the proposed mothballing of TATA Steel’s operations at Clydebridge and Dalzell, the First Minister established the cross-party, multi-agency Scottish Steel task force and I chaired its first meeting on 29 October 2015. We agreed the Task Force's overall remit and that its immediate priority was to secure an alternative commercial operator for the plants. Scottish Enterprise, together with North Lanarkshire Council and South Lanarkshire Council, is working closely with the supply chain to identify and address potential impacts. The task force is also working to assess the potential impact on communities and intend to explore in detail at a future meeting, in the event that an alternative operator cannot be found.","AnswerDate":"2015-11-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307387,"EventID":"S4W-28166","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2610,"Party":"Independent","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-10-27T17:00:34.127","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-10-27T15:18:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-27892 by Joe FitzPatrick on 27 October 2015, what the reasons were for the delay in answering question (a) S4W-25126, (b) S4W-25128 and (c) S4W-25129.","AnswerText":"In developing our comprehensive research programme we have listened to representations from a broad range of stakeholders and communities. We will continue to listen to the widest possible range of views and voices in progressing our precautionary, evidence-led approach to this issue.","AnswerDate":"2015-11-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307405,"EventID":"S4W-28123","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-10-28T13:43:30.92","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-10-23T14:34:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many people have been (a) prosecuted and (b) convicted each year under section 1(1) of the Emergency Workers (Scotland) Act (2005), broken down by actions against workers as defined in section 1(3) of the Act.","AnswerText":"Section 1(1) of the Emergency Workers (Scotland) Act 2005 refers to the “assaulting or impeding of certain providers of emergency services”. The number of people prosecuted and convicted in Scottish Courts for offences under the Emergency Workers (Scotland) Act 2005 Section 1(1) is given in the following table:\r\nPersons prosecuted and convicted in Scottish courts for offences under the Emergency Workers (Scotland) Act 2005 Section 1(1)1\r\nFinancial Year\r\n2011-12\r\n2012-13\r\n2013-14\r\n\r\nProsecuted\r\nConvicted\r\nProsecuted\r\nConvicted\r\nProsecuted\r\nConvicted\r\nEmergency Workers (Scotland) Act 2005 Section 1(1)\r\n164\r\n159\r\n152\r\n142\r\n135\r\n126\r\n1. Where the main offence\r\nSource: Scottish Government Criminal Proceedings Database\r\nIt is not possible to provide the detail requested regarding the type of emergency workers involved (under Section 1(3) of the Act), as this information is not held by the Scottish Government.","AnswerDate":"2015-11-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307406,"EventID":"S4W-28159","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2675,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":93,"ApprovedDate":"2015-10-28T13:43:31.997","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-10-27T12:30:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what Food Standards Scotland's position is on the maximum residue levels of glyphosate exposure to wheat and imported soya crops that has been set by the Food and Agricultural Organization of the United Nations.","AnswerText":"I have asked Geoff Ogle, Chief Executive of Food Standards Scotland (FSS) to respond. His response is as follows: “FSS considers that current levels of pesticide residues in food, including glyphosate levels, which are regulated by EU regulations, do not provide concern for food safety based on current information.”","AnswerDate":"2015-11-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307407,"EventID":"S4W-28160","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2675,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":93,"ApprovedDate":"2015-10-28T13:43:32.917","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-10-27T12:30:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what study Food Standards Scotland has conducted on the carcinogenic effects of glyphosate and its exposure levels in (a) imported soya for livestock consumption and (b) store-bought bread.","AnswerText":"I have asked Geoff Ogle, Chief Executive of Food Standards Scotland (FSS) to respond. His response is as follows: “FSS was established in April 2015 and has not commissioned any studies in this area. FSS is however advised by the Chemicals Regulation Directorate, which is the UK regulator on such matters, as well as the independent Committee on Toxicity of Chemicals in Food, Consumer Products and the Environment.”","AnswerDate":"2015-11-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307408,"EventID":"S4W-28161","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2675,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":93,"ApprovedDate":"2015-10-28T13:43:33.65","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-10-27T12:30:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what Food Standards Scotland's position is on the (a) World Health Organization classifying glyphosate as a carcinogen and (b) Soil Association's reported claim that glyphosate is found in 30% of all bread tested in the UK.","AnswerText":"I have asked Geoff Ogle, Chief Executive of Food Standards Scotland (FSS) to respond. His response is as follows: “The current approval for use of glyphosate in plant protection is being reviewed under the auspices of the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) and their conclusions, following that process, are likely to be published by the end of 2015. FSS will consider EFSA’s conclusions in line with competent authorities for food safety elsewhere in the UK and EU. \r\nFSS considers that current levels of pesticide residues in food, including glyphosate levels, which are regulated at an EU level, do not provide concern for food safety based on current information.”","AnswerDate":"2015-11-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307409,"EventID":"S4W-28162","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2675,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":93,"ApprovedDate":"2015-10-28T13:43:34.273","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-10-27T12:30:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what Food Standard Scotland's position is regarding the reported 400% increase in the use of glyphosate over the last 20 years, and whether the agency plans to limit its use on farms.","AnswerText":"I have asked Geoff Ogle, Chief Executive of Food Standards Scotland (FSS) to respond to the first part of this answer. His response is as follows: “FSS considers that current levels of pesticide residues in food, including glyphosate levels, which are regulated by EU regulations, do not provide concern for food safety based on current information.”\r\nFSS does not have powers to limit pesticide use on farms, however, pesticide products are strictly regulated by EU regulations, and can only be sold or used if authorised by the Chemicals Regulation Directorate of the Health and Safety Executive. There is a wide range of legislation and administrative controls governing authorisation, marketing, storage and use, in order to manage risks appropriately. An authorisation from the Health and Safety Executive will specify the crops and situations for its use, and the amounts which may be applied.","AnswerDate":"2015-11-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307410,"EventID":"S4W-28167","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5047,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-10-28T13:43:34.757","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-10-27T16:57:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much it spent on discretionary housing payments in 2014-15 and what proportion of payments were made to tenants in a property that was (a) privately-rented, (b) owned by a local authority and (c) owned by a housing association.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government provided local authorities in Scotland with £35.1 million to spend on discretionary housing payments in 2014-15 to allow them to fully mitigate the bedroom tax. The Scottish Government does not hold information on the proportion of payments made to tenants in a property that was (a) privately-rented, (b) owned by a local authority and (c) owned by a housing association.","AnswerDate":"2015-11-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Burgess","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307411,"EventID":"S4W-28168","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-10-28T13:43:35.147","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-10-27T18:05:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on the finding in Long-term Monitoring of Health Inequalities: October 2014 Report that healthy life expectancy at birth in the 10% most deprived areas in Scotland was 24.3 years lower than in the least deprived areas for men and 22.5 years lower for women.","AnswerText":"Overall, health in Scotland is improving, and people are living longer, healthier lives. Reducing the health gap between people in Scotland’s most deprived and affluent communities is one of our greatest challenges. The government recognises that this problem cannot be solved with health solutions alone and that it is caused by wider inequalities linked to deprivation.\r\nThe Ministerial Task Force on Health Inequalities highlighted the importance of providing the best possible start in life. Here the government is also working collaboratively with our partners to improve children's wellbeing and life chances with an aim to break inter-generational cycles of poverty, inequality and deprivation – demonstrated through the collective investment of over £274 million in the Early Years Change Fund to improve children’s life chances, which includes investing £18 million to further develop high quality, co-ordinated and accessible support for families.","AnswerDate":"2015-11-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307412,"EventID":"S4W-28169","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-10-28T13:43:36.193","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-10-27T18:05:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what explanation it can provide for the finding in Long-term Monitoring of Health Inequalities: October 2014 Report that adults in the most deprived areas were five times more likely to have below average mental wellbeing than those in the least deprived areas.","AnswerText":"The Ministerial Task Force on Health Inequalities was presented and accepted evidence that the fundamental causes of health inequalities are rooted in an unequal distribution of income, power and wealth, and that these causes influence the distribution of wider environmental influences on health such as the availability of good quality housing, work and education as well as access to services and social opportunities in an area. This wider environment shapes individual experiences resulting in unequal health outcomes.\r\nMental wellbeing is a complex phenomenon which can be influenced by a wide range of factors. It is difficult to attribute levels of wellbeing to particular circumstances or locations. However, it is already known that people living in the least deprived areas can be at risk of experiencing lower levels of mental wellbeing.\r\nThe Scottish Government is tackling mental wellbeing through the commitments set out in the mental health strategy and the suicide prevention strategy, as well as pursuing policies and practices to reduce the fundamental causes of health inequalities through wider action on improving housing, employability and infrastructure, for example our investment of £1.7 billion in affordable housing over the lifetime of this Parliament.","AnswerDate":"2015-11-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307413,"EventID":"S4W-28170","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-10-28T13:43:37.3","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-10-27T18:05:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what it has done in response to the conclusions of the Ministerial Task Force on Health Inequalities in 2012 that \"despite much commitment and resource, the scale of health inequalities had not reduced\".","AnswerText":"Overall, health in Scotland is improving, and people are living longer, healthier lives. Reducing the health gap between people in Scotland’s most deprived and affluent communities is one of our greatest challenges. The government recognises that this problem cannot be solved with health solutions alone and that it is caused by entrenched problems of poverty, educational under-attainment and worklessness.\r\nThe Scottish Government is pursuing policies and practices to reduce health inequalities in line with the evidence presented by Health Scotland. Actions we have taken include:\r\nThe £100 million Attainment Scotland Fund, a four year initiative which aims to drive forward improvements in educational outcomes in Scotland’s most disadvantaged communities;\r\nInvesting £329 million in expanding childcare;\r\nOver the lifetime of this Parliament, investment in affordable housing will exceed £1.7 billion;\r\nA council tax freeze and a council tax reduction to protect over 525,000 vulnerable households in Scotland from increased Council Tax liabilities; and\r\nContinued action on tobacco with the ban smoking outside hospitals and alcohol with minimum unit pricing.\r\nHowever our actions to tackle health inequalities and support Scotland's most vulnerable are at immediate risk from the UK Government’s welfare reform programme.","AnswerDate":"2015-11-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307414,"EventID":"S4W-28171","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-10-28T13:43:38.237","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-10-27T18:05:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it has taken to focus more resources and support on downstream activities rather than dealing with issues upstream, in light of the findings in Long-term Monitoring of Health Inequalities: October 2014 Report.","AnswerText":"The government recognises the need to take action upstream in line with the evidence to prevent health inequalities arising for example maximising household resources through the social wage continuing free personal care for the elderly, abolition of tuition fees, scrapping of bridge tolls and prescription charges, free eye examinations, freezing council tax and provision of concessionary bus passes. The government continues to treat the effects of health inequalities on people's health and support health behaviour changes through smoking cessation and alcohol reduction interventions.","AnswerDate":"2015-11-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307415,"EventID":"S4W-28179","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2029,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":145,"ApprovedDate":"2015-10-28T13:43:39.127","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-10-28T09:24:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many keyhole surgery procedures (a) were carried out in 2014-15 and (b) have been carried out in each month since 1 April 2015, broken down by NHS board.","AnswerText":"The number of keyhole surgery procedures performed during April, May and June 2015 by NHS board of treatment is shown in the following table:\r\nNHS Board of Treatment\r\nApril\r\nMay\r\nJune\r\nNHS Ayrshire and Arran\r\n204\r\n188\r\n197\r\nNHS Borders\r\n62\r\n46\r\n69\r\nNHS Dumfries and Galloway\r\n85\r\n81\r\n96\r\nNHS Fife\r\n267\r\n298\r\n361\r\nNHS Forth Valley\r\n131\r\n119\r\n127\r\nNHS Grampian\r\n369\r\n379\r\n375\r\nNHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde\r\n717\r\n780\r\n749\r\nNHS Highland\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\nNHS Lanarkshire\r\n265\r\n307\r\n232\r\nNHS Lothian\r\n602\r\n672\r\n666\r\nNHS Orkney\r\n15\r\n7\r\n6\r\nNHS Shetland\r\n*\r\n8\r\n7\r\nNHS Tayside\r\n233\r\n243\r\n232\r\nNHS Western Isles\r\n11\r\n18\r\n18\r\nGolden Jubilee National Hospital \r\n150\r\n133\r\n153\r\nNon-NHS Provider\r\n37\r\n41\r\n28\r\nNHS Scotland (excludes NHS Highland)\r\n3,138 \r\n3,320 \r\n3,316 \r\nSource: SMR01, ISD Scotland.\r\nPlease note that these figures should be regarded as provisional.\r\n* Indicates small numbers that have been suppressed to protect patient confidentiality.\r\n- Indicates that NHS Highland data has not been provided as data is\r\nestimated to be only 76% complete and therefore not sufficiently reliable to report.","AnswerDate":"2015-11-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307416,"EventID":"S4W-28181","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2029,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":145,"ApprovedDate":"2015-10-28T13:43:39.907","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-10-28T09:24:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what guidelines it has issued to NHS boards since 1 April 2015 regarding whether to carry out keyhole surgery procedures.","AnswerText":"Minimally invasive surgery, sometimes referred to as \"keyhole\" surgery, is the preferred method for carrying out a wide variety of surgical procedures across NHS Scotland, as is the case in many other countries. \r\nScottish Government is not responsible for the development and issue of clinical guidelines for NHS Scotland.\r\nAny guidelines on the use of \"keyhole\" surgery would be a matter for Healthcare Improvement Scotland, the body responsible for the development of evidence based guidelines/guidance for NHS Scotland. NHS boards and clinicians are expected to take into account relevant clinical guidelines and/or guidance in determining the most appropriate service provision to meet the assessed needs of their resident populations. \r\nInformation on the currently available guidelines/guidance can be found at www.healthcareimprovementscotland.org","AnswerDate":"2015-11-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307417,"EventID":"S4W-28182","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2029,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":145,"ApprovedDate":"2015-10-28T13:43:40.593","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-10-28T09:24:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it has instructed NHS boards to limit the use of keyhole surgery procedures and, if so, when. ","AnswerText":"Scottish Government has not issued any general instruction(s) to NHS boards \"to limit the use of keyhole surgery procedures\".\r\nMinimally invasive, sometimes called \"keyhole\" surgery is commonly used across NHS Scotland in a wide variety of surgical procedures, as it is in countries throughout the world. It is a matter for individual clinical decision in each case to determine the most appropriate surgical procedure.","AnswerDate":"2015-11-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307418,"EventID":"S4W-28183","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2029,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":145,"ApprovedDate":"2015-10-28T13:43:41.233","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-10-28T09:24:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it has raised concerns with NHS boards regarding the cost of keyhole surgery procedures and, if so, when.","AnswerText":"I am not aware of any concerns about the costs of keyhole surgery within NHS Scotland nor of any such concerns being raised with NHS boards. In general terms I am advised that minimally invasive surgery often requires a shorter stay in hospital and more rapid recovery time for patients.","AnswerDate":"2015-11-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307419,"EventID":"S4W-28184","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2134,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":82,"ApprovedDate":"2015-10-28T13:43:41.857","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-10-28T11:01:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it supports the decision by the reporter to uphold the appeal by Clean Powers Properties in relation to a planning application for an incinerator at Whistleberry Road, Hamilton.","AnswerText":"This appeal was decided by a reporter from the Planning and Environmental Appeals Division of the Scottish Government, acting under delegated powers. The reporter's decision on this appeal was issued on 14 August 2015 and was final, subject to the right of any interested party to appeal to the Court of Session within six weeks of the date of the decision. As the decision is final it would not be appropriate to comment on the merits of the decision.","AnswerDate":"2015-11-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Richard Lochhead","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307420,"EventID":"S4W-28186","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-10-28T13:43:42.697","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-10-28T11:54:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will to provide a breakdown of GP funding (a) in cash terms, (b) in real terms, also in the prices of the previous year and (c) as a percentage of the NHS budget in each year since 2007-08.","AnswerText":"The amount of expenditure on GP services in cash terms since 2007-08 and the percentage share of operating costs has been:\r\nCash Terms\r\n2007-08\r\n2008-09\r\n2009-10\r\n2010-11\r\n2011-12\r\n2012-13\r\n2013-14\r\nPrimary Medical Services\r\n704.61\r\n701.00\r\n729.31\r\n741.40\r\n747.07\r\n756.02\r\n767.09\r\nGP Out of Hours\r\n\r\n84.83\r\n75.53\r\n75.44\r\n75.27\r\n74.30\r\n78.77\r\nTotal Spend on GPs\r\n704.61\r\n785.83\r\n804.83\r\n816.84\r\n822.35\r\n830.32\r\n845.86\r\nOperating Costs\r\n8,774.8\r\n9,300.7\r\n9,728.0\r\n9,779.4\r\n10,028.4\r\n10,204.9\r\n10,450.5\r\nShare of Costs\r\n8.0%\r\n8.4%\r\n8.3%\r\n8.4%\r\n8.2%\r\n8.1%\r\n8.1%\r\nThe amount of expenditure on GP services in real terms since 2007-08 and the share of operating costs has been:\r\nReal Terms\r\n2007-08\r\n2008-09\r\n2009-10\r\n2010-11\r\n2011-12\r\n2012-13\r\n2013-14\r\nPrimary Medical Services\r\n816.77\r\n791.62\r\n804.56\r\n794.06\r\n787.90\r\n782.99\r\n778.07\r\nGP Out of Hours\r\n\r\n95.79\r\n83.32\r\n80.80\r\n79.39\r\n76.95\r\n79.90\r\nTotal Spend on GPs\r\n816.77\r\n887.41\r\n887.88\r\n874.86\r\n867.29\r\n859.94\r\n857.97\r\nOperating Costs\r\n10,171.5\r\n10,503.0\r\n10,731.7\r\n10,474.0\r\n10,576.5\r\n10,569.0\r\n10,600.1\r\nShare of Costs\r\n8.0%\r\n8.4%\r\n8.3%\r\n8.4%\r\n8.2%\r\n8.1%\r\n8.1%\r\nPrior to 2008-09, GP out of hours expenditure was recorded under primary medical services.\r\nAll figures are taken from the NHS Costs Book.","AnswerDate":"2015-12-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307421,"EventID":"S4W-28187","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-10-28T13:43:43.79","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-10-28T11:54:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government (a) what the budget has been and (b) how many people have applied for a (i) Rural Fellowship, (ii) Medical Education Fellowship, (iii) Health Inequality Fellowship and (iv) Occupational Medicine Fellowship in general practice through NHS Education for Scotland in each year since 2007-08.","AnswerText":"I have asked Caroline Lamb, Chief Executive of NHS Education for Scotland to respond directly in writing to the member with a detailed answer to these questions.","AnswerDate":"2015-11-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307422,"EventID":"S4W-28188","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-10-28T13:43:44.71","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-10-28T11:54:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether any so-called GP Deep End practices have taken up an NHS Education for Scotland Health Inequalities Fellowship.","AnswerText":"There has been a successful appointment to the West Region NHS Education for Scotland Health Inequalities Fellowship. The clinical component of this Fellowship takes place in the homeless practice, which is represented in the Deep End Group of practices, within Greater Glasgow and Clyde Health Board.\r\nThis appointment also involves undertaking a research project looking at the impact on GP trainees of having been trained in a Deep End practice.","AnswerDate":"2015-11-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307423,"EventID":"S4W-28189","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-10-28T13:43:45.647","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-10-28T13:05:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many daycare centres for disabled children there are in each local authority area, and what information it has regarding how many face possible closure because of budget reductions.","AnswerText":"There is no centrally held information on the number of day centres across Scotland.","AnswerDate":"2015-11-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307424,"EventID":"S4W-28190","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-10-28T13:43:46.74","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-10-28T13:05:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with East Renfrewshire Council regarding the local authority’s decision to close one of its daycare centres for disabled children; what its position is on the decision, and what support it will provide to the service users should the centre close.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has not had any discussions with East Renfrewshire Council regarding this as it is a matter for the local authority. It is the local authorities’ responsibility to set their own priorities in the delivery of local services. The Scottish Government, however, expects local authorities to consult with service users and carers when determining the resources to be allocated to centres for people with learning disabilities and other additional support needs.","AnswerDate":"2015-11-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307425,"EventID":"S4O-04747","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":1741,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-10-28T15:03:04.447","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-10-26T12:05:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to simplify the valuation and payment of non-domestic rates.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has no current plans to change the valuation and payment of non-domestic rates, but is keeping the rates framework under active review, building on our 20-point action plan to make improvements ahead of 2017 revaluation.","AnswerDate":"2015-11-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-11-04T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307426,"EventID":"S4O-04757","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":1814,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":77,"ApprovedDate":"2015-10-28T15:03:05.01","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-10-26T12:05:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it expects to receive the results of the National Review of GP Out-of-Hours Services.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-11-05T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307427,"EventID":"S4O-04742","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":1845,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-10-28T15:03:05.633","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-10-26T12:05:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what assessment the Cabinet Secretary for Finance, Constitution and Economy has made of the future funding formula for NHS boards.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-11-04T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307428,"EventID":"S4O-04750","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":1853,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":86,"ApprovedDate":"2015-10-28T15:03:06.163","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-10-26T12:05:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what support it provides to young people in Glasgow Maryhill and Springburn.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-11-05T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307429,"EventID":"S4O-04741","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":1943,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-10-28T15:03:06.727","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-10-28T11:17:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what plans the Cabinet Secretary for Finance, Constitution and Economy has to provide financial support for businesses in the social enterprise sector in the south of Scotland.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-11-04T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307430,"EventID":"S4O-04733","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":2029,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":145,"ApprovedDate":"2015-10-28T15:03:07.193","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-10-28T10:18:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether Renfrewshire Council or any local authority that decides to reduce its business rates would have to pay an equivalent amount to the Scottish Government.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-11-04T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307431,"EventID":"S4O-04734","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":2059,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":91,"ApprovedDate":"2015-10-28T15:03:07.787","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-10-26T12:05:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to protect jobs at the Dalzell and Clydebridge steel plants.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-11-04T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307432,"EventID":"S4O-04731","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":2123,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":103,"ApprovedDate":"2015-10-28T15:03:08.207","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-10-26T12:05:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with the Office for National Statistics regarding the implications of the European System of Accounts 2010.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-11-04T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307433,"EventID":"S4O-04745","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":2159,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":88,"ApprovedDate":"2015-10-28T15:03:08.893","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-10-28T08:16:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what progress it is making with the study into pub tenancies that it announced in May 2015.","AnswerText":"Following the debate in May 2015, I have been engaged in a series of meetings with stakeholders in order to discuss the most appropriate content of the study and my officials have carried out a public procurement exercise to select an appropriate research contractor. Following that procurement exercise, CGA Strategy Ltd was appointed on 12 October 2015 and will undertake the research, which should be completed by autumn 2016.","AnswerDate":"2015-11-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-11-04T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307434,"EventID":"S4O-04756","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":2215,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":125,"ApprovedDate":"2015-10-28T15:03:09.533","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-10-28T11:42:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what is being done to address domestic abuse incidents in the north east.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-11-05T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307435,"EventID":"S4O-04746","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":2345,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":128,"ApprovedDate":"2015-10-28T15:03:10.22","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-10-28T10:48:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the potential costs of tax avoidance if it was to increase income tax rates.","AnswerText":"Tax avoidance is not welcome in Scotland and this is demonstrated in our robust approach to tackling potential avoidance of the fully devolved taxes. The Scottish Government wants to encourage a culture of responsible taxpaying where people and companies pay their tax as Parliament intended.\r\nThe Scottish rate of income tax, however, is not a fully devolved tax. It remains part of the UK income tax system and as such HMRC is responsible for administering the Scottish rate of income tax, including ensuring that all tax revenues are collected in full.","AnswerDate":"2015-11-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-11-04T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307436,"EventID":"S4O-04732","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":2394,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-10-28T15:03:10.843","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-10-27T17:37:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much it has collected in Land and Buildings Transaction Tax.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-11-04T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307437,"EventID":"S4O-04740","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":2610,"Party":"Independent","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-10-28T15:03:11.407","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-10-27T15:16:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what meetings it has had with the UK Government regarding the devolution of onshore coal and gas extraction licensing.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-11-04T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307438,"EventID":"S4O-04736","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":2615,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":143,"ApprovedDate":"2015-10-28T15:03:11.967","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-10-26T12:05:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the rollout of superfast broadband.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-11-04T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307439,"EventID":"S4O-04748","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":2673,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":114,"ApprovedDate":"2015-10-28T15:03:12.373","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-10-28T11:44:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with the UK Government regarding the future use of Leuchars army station. ","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-11-05T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307440,"EventID":"S4O-04735","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":2674,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":99,"ApprovedDate":"2015-10-28T15:03:12.84","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-10-26T12:22:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what additional powers over tax it considers should be devolved.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-11-04T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307441,"EventID":"S4O-04753","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":2853,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":81,"ApprovedDate":"2015-10-28T15:03:13.293","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-10-26T12:05:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what contingencies are in place to  address NHS staffing shortages during winter.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-11-05T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307442,"EventID":"S4O-04738","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":3129,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":83,"ApprovedDate":"2015-10-28T15:03:13.887","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-10-26T12:05:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what analysis it has carried out of the possible impact on its finances of English votes for English laws.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-11-04T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307443,"EventID":"S4O-04739","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":3771,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-10-28T15:03:14.26","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-10-26T12:05:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when the Cabinet Secretary for Finance, Constitution and Economy last met the Chancellor of the Exchequer and what issues were discussed.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-11-04T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307444,"EventID":"S4O-04729","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":3907,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":135,"ApprovedDate":"2015-10-28T15:03:14.713","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-10-26T12:05:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action the Cabinet Secretary for Finance, Constitution and Economy is taking to help stimulate the housing market.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-11-04T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307445,"EventID":"S4O-04743","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":4014,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-10-28T15:03:15.167","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-10-26T12:05:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to establish a small business conciliation service.","AnswerText":"The UK Government intends to establish a Small Business Commissioner (which replaced their proposals for a small business conciliation service) as part of the provisions in the Enterprise Bill. The Scottish Government is discussing the provisions of the Enterprise Bill with the UK Government, including whether the Small Business Commissioner’s service should be extended to Scotland.","AnswerDate":"2015-11-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-11-04T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307446,"EventID":"S4O-04749","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":4938,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-10-28T15:03:15.633","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-10-26T15:01:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on enshrining the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child in Scots law.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-11-05T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307447,"EventID":"S4O-04752","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":4940,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-10-28T15:03:16.023","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-10-26T12:05:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what it is doing in Central Scotland to promote responsible driving.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-11-05T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307448,"EventID":"S4O-04751","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":4948,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-10-28T15:03:16.383","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-10-26T12:05:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what feedback it has received following its decision to increase the air discount scheme from 40% to 50%.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-11-05T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307449,"EventID":"S4O-04728","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":5034,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-10-28T15:03:16.82","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-10-26T12:05:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when the Cabinet Secretary for Finance, Constitution and Economy last discussed funding for public services with Dundee City Council.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-11-04T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307450,"EventID":"S4O-04754","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":5038,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-10-28T15:03:17.287","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-10-28T11:07:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the review of the National Standards for Community Engagement.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-11-05T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307451,"EventID":"S4O-04737","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":5042,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-10-28T15:03:17.63","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-10-26T12:05:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what support the PACE team can provide to unemployed professional footballers who have been released by their club.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-11-04T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307452,"EventID":"S4O-04755","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":5057,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-10-28T15:03:18.02","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-10-27T11:59:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the flooding incidents in the area in the last two winters, what its position is on the flood prevention measures in New Cumnock.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-11-05T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307453,"EventID":"S4O-04730","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":5080,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-10-28T15:03:18.487","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-10-27T12:12:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it is supporting sustainable economic growth in towns.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-11-04T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307454,"EventID":"S4O-04744","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":5110,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":89,"ApprovedDate":"2015-10-28T15:03:18.94","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-10-27T13:10:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what consideration it has given to setting the Scottish rate of income tax at a higher rate than the rest of the UK.","AnswerText":"From April 2016, UK income tax rates for Scottish taxpayers will be reduced by 10p and I therefore need to set a Scottish rate and will do this as part of the Draft Budget for 2016-17.\r\nIn reaching a proposal for a rate I will take a wide range of factors into consideration, including the lock-step nature of this rate-setting power.","AnswerDate":"2015-11-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-11-04T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307455,"EventID":"S4W-28192","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2015-10-28T16:33:09.473","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-10-28T15:56:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on the setting up of free schools outside local authority control.","AnswerText":"Schools in Scotland are operated by local councils to make them accountable to the communities they serve.\r\nWhilst we continue to be interested in discussing new ideas for improving our education system, we are clear that our approach to raising standards must be based on robust evidence of what works. We have seen little evidence to suggest that the free school model adopted by the UK Government should be replicated in Scotland. ","AnswerDate":"2015-11-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307456,"EventID":"S4W-28193","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2015-10-28T16:33:10.313","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-10-28T16:02:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with residents of East Dunbartonshire about setting up a new free school outside local authority control.","AnswerText":"Scottish Ministers met residents of East Dunbartonshire in March and September 2015 to discuss their request to establish and operate a community school outwith local authority control.","AnswerDate":"2015-11-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307457,"EventID":"S4W-28194","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2015-10-28T16:33:10.743","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-10-28T16:05:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much financial support it has provided to free schools outside local authority control.","AnswerText":"There are no free schools in Scotland and consequently no financial support is provided by the Scottish Government.","AnswerDate":"2015-11-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307463,"EventID":"S4W-28223","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":2,"MSPID":3129,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":83,"ApprovedDate":"2015-10-29T13:42:03.95","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-10-29T13:20:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to extend coverage of the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002 to registered social landlords.","AnswerText":"I have today (30 October 2015) laid the first report in the Scottish Parliament on the use of the powers to extend coverage of Freedom of Information (FOI) legislation to bodies carrying out public functions.\r\nThe report notes the strong opinions expressed by tenants, Registered social landlords (RSLs) and others on the issue of whether RSLs should be subject to FOI legislation. Therefore, in order to fully explore the complex issues involved, I intend to formally consult the RSL sector next year with a view to extending coverage of FOI legislation to RSLs – linked to the review of the Scottish Social Housing Charter.","AnswerDate":"2015-10-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Joe FitzPatrick","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307464,"EventID":"S4W-28191","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4939,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":78,"ApprovedDate":"2015-10-29T13:57:19.703","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-10-28T13:56:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much funding An Comunn Gàidhealach has received from (a) the Scottish Government and (b) Creative Scotland and its predecessor in each year since 2007.","AnswerText":"The funding which An Comunn Gidhealach has received from the Scottish Government and Creative Scotland is listed in the following tables:\r\nScottish Government\r\n2007-08\r\n2008-09\r\n2009-10\r\n2010-11\r\n2011-12\r\n2012-13\r\n2013-14\r\n2014-15\r\n2015-16\r\n0\r\n£1k\r\n£36k\r\n£31k\r\n£1k\r\n£71k\r\n£11k\r\n£51k\r\n£27,280k\r\nN.B. These sums include sponsorship of the annual Gaelic Ambassador of the Year award.\r\nCreative Scotland\r\n2012\r\nAn Comunn Gidhealach, Commemorative Concert\r\n£4,600\r\n2013\r\nRoyal National Mod: Fringe Events\r\n£15,000\r\nIn addition to this An Comunn Gidhealach has received funding from bodies such as Bòrd na Gidhlig, Event Scotland, Highlands and Islands Enterprise, Caledonian MacBrayne and the Scottish Qualifications Authority.","AnswerDate":"2015-11-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alasdair Allan","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307465,"EventID":"S4W-28196","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-10-29T13:57:20.273","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-10-28T17:29:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position on introducing speed awareness courses; whether it would consider using these as an alternative to prosecuting drivers for low-end speeding offences, and, if so, how it would encourage the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service to use it as a means of case disposal.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government supports the general principle of driver education as an alternative to prosecution, where appropriate. \r\nAt present, prosecutors may offer diversion from prosecution courses in relation to careless driving, but there is no equivalent diversion scheme in relation to speeding.\r\nWe are therefore working with key partners from our Road Safety Strategic Partnership Board – including Police Scotland and the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service – to assess whether speed awareness courses would make an effective additional contribution to road safety in Scotland.\r\nThe introduction of any such speed awareness courses in Scotland would require a robust evidence base and the approval of the Lord Advocate, who would also decide how they would be used in practice.","AnswerDate":"2015-11-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307466,"EventID":"S4W-28198","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-10-29T13:57:21.053","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-10-29T09:32:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government which GP practices have come under the control of their NHS board in each year since 2011-12, also broken down by reason.","AnswerText":"There are 43 GP practices run directly by health boards, making up a small percentage of the 987 practices across Scotland.\r\nArrangements under section 2(C) of The National Health Service (Scotland) Act 1978 which allows GP practices to be directly run by the NHS board, is a legitimate way in which boards can establish GP services which are more tailored to local needs. Health boards are responsible for the provision of primary medical services for their areas and they have a range of options at their disposal in ensuring appropriate service provision, of which direct provision of services, 2C, is one such option and is commonly used.\r\n2C arrangements are not indicative of the number or proportion of practices in difficulty, and it’s important to note that this number has changed very little over the past decade. It is a legitimate way in which boards can tailor services to meet local needs, for example to address the needs of homeless patients, who otherwise may have difficulty accessing health care.\r\nAlthough there is no agreed definition of difficulty, there is an increasing awareness of practices facing sustainability challenges across Scotland. The Scottish Government is aware that there are 11 practices currently receiving support from their respective boards. However the situation is a dynamic one and the number may increase or decrease.\r\nInformation on the reasons for changes in status is the responsibility of health boards, however Information Services Division of National Services Scotland produces practice reports that are updated quarterly. These can be accessed at the following website: \r\nhttp://www.isdscotland.org/Health-Topics/General-Practice/Workforce-and-Practice-Populations/Practices-and-Their-Populations/","AnswerDate":"2015-11-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307467,"EventID":"S4W-28199","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-10-29T13:57:22.133","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-10-29T09:32:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many GP practices in each NHS board have closed their patient lists to new patients in each year since 2011-12, also broken down by reason. ","AnswerText":"Circumstances will arise where a practice experiences capacity issues and is unable to routinely accept new patients onto its list. We expect health boards to work with practices as constructively and as flexibly as is appropriate to help manage the situation.","AnswerDate":"2015-11-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307468,"EventID":"S4W-28200","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-10-29T13:57:23.113","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-10-29T09:32:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many GP training places there have been in each NHS board since 2011-12 and where these were located, broken down by Scottish Index of Multiple Deprivation decile. ","AnswerText":"The information is not available in the format requested.\r\nNHS Education for Scotland is responsible for the training placements of GPs in Scotland but it does not hold information on the Scottish Index of Multiple Deprivation. It has provided the following information that shows the number of hospital based GP training posts by deanery from 2011-15 (tables one to five), as well as a breakdown of the number of GP training practices by region for 2015 (table six). There can be up to three trainees in one practice at a time.\r\nTable One:\r\nUpdate\r\n2011\r\nTotal Three and Four Year Programmes\r\nDeanery\r\nProgramme\r\nPosts\r\nEast\r\nEastward\r\n16\r\nWestward\r\n12\r\n\r\nTotal East of Scotland Posts\r\n28\r\nNorth\r\nGrampian\r\n32\r\nHighlands and Islands\r\n28\r\n\r\nTotal North of Scotland Posts\r\n60\r\nSouth East\r\n1 – Borders and Midlothian\r\n9\r\n2 – Fife and North Edinburgh\r\n10\r\n3 – West Lothian and West Edinburgh\r\n9\r\n4 – Edinburgh and East Lothian\r\n12\r\n5 – Edinburgh Central\r\n12\r\n\r\nTotal South East of Scotland Posts\r\n52\r\nWest\r\nAyrshire and Arran\r\n21\r\nDumfries and Galloway\r\n10\r\nForth Valley\r\n10\r\nGlasgow North East\r\n22\r\nGlasgow North West\r\n20\r\nGlasgow South\r\n24\r\nLanarkshire\r\n18\r\nRenfrew, Inverclyde, Dumbarton and Argyll\r\n22\r\n\r\nTotal West of Scotland Posts\r\n147\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nTotal Scotland Posts\r\n287\r\nTable Two:\r\nUpdate\r\n2012\r\nTotal Three and Four Year Programmes\r\nDeanery\r\nProgramme\r\nPosts\r\nEast\r\nEastward\r\n16\r\nWestward\r\n12\r\n\r\nTotal East of Scotland Posts\r\n28\r\nNorth\r\nGrampian\r\n20\r\nCaledonian\r\n22\r\nRural Track – Fort William\r\n2\r\nRural Track – Caithness\r\n2\r\nRural Track – Western Isles\r\n2\r\nRural Track – Orkney\r\n2\r\nRural Track – Shetland\r\n2\r\n\r\nTotal North of Scotland Posts\r\n52\r\nSouth East\r\n1 – Borders and Midlothian\r\n12\r\n2 – Fife and North Edinburgh\r\n12\r\n3 – West Lothian and West Edinburgh\r\n12\r\n4 – Edinburgh and East Lothian\r\n11\r\n5 – Edinburgh Central\r\n12\r\n\r\nTotal South East of Scotland Posts\r\n59\r\nWest\r\nAyrshire and Arran\r\n26\r\nDumfries and Galloway\r\n13\r\nForth Valley\r\n10\r\nGlasgow North East\r\n22\r\nGlasgow North West\r\n20\r\nGlasgow South\r\n25\r\nLanarkshire\r\n20\r\nRenfrew, Inverclyde, Dumbarton and Argyll\r\n21\r\n\r\nTotal West of Scotland Posts\r\n157\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nTotal Scotland Posts\r\n296\r\nTable Three:\r\nUpdate\r\n2013\r\nTotal Three and Four Year Programmes\r\nDeanery\r\nProgramme\r\nPosts\r\nEast\r\nEastward\r\n16\r\nWestward\r\n12\r\n\r\nTotal East of Scotland Posts\r\n28\r\nNorth\r\nGrampian\r\n26\r\nCaledonian\r\n26\r\nRural Track – Fort William\r\n2\r\nRural Track – Caithness\r\n2\r\nRural Track – Western Isles\r\n2\r\nRural Track – Orkney\r\n2\r\nRural Track – Shetland\r\n2\r\n\r\nTotal North of Scotland Posts\r\n62\r\nSouth East\r\n1 – Borders and Midlothian\r\n12\r\n2 – Fife and North Edinburgh\r\n14\r\n3 – West Lothian and West Edinburgh\r\n14\r\n4 – Edinburgh and East Lothian\r\n11\r\n5 – Edinburgh Central\r\n13\r\n\r\nTotal South East of Scotland Posts\r\n64\r\nWest\r\nAyrshire and Arran\r\n22\r\nDumfries and Galloway\r\n12\r\nForth Valley\r\n10\r\nGlasgow North East\r\n23\r\nGlasgow North West\r\n20\r\nGlasgow South\r\n24\r\nLanarkshire\r\n19\r\nRenfrew, Inverclyde, Dumbarton and Argyll\r\n20\r\n\r\nTotal West of Scotland Posts\r\n150\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nTotal Scotland Posts\r\n304\r\nTable Four:\r\nUpdate\r\n2014\r\nTotal Three and Four Year Programmes\r\nDeanery\r\nProgramme\r\nPosts\r\nEast\r\nEastward\r\n16\r\nWestward\r\n12\r\n\r\nTotal East of Scotland Posts\r\n28\r\nNorth\r\nGrampian\r\n24\r\nCaledonian\r\n21\r\nRural Track – Caithness\r\n2\r\nRural Track – Fort William\r\n2\r\nRural Track – Oban\r\n2\r\nRural Track – Orkney\r\n2\r\nRural Track – Shetland\r\n2\r\nRural Track – Western Isles\r\n2\r\n\r\nTotal North of Scotland Posts\r\n57\r\nSouth East\r\n1 – Borders and Midlothian\r\n11\r\n2 – Fife and North Edinburgh\r\n14\r\n3 – West Lothian and West Edinburgh\r\n14\r\n4 – Edinburgh and East Lothian\r\n13\r\n5 – Edinburgh Central\r\n11\r\n\r\nTotal South East of Scotland Posts\r\n63\r\nWest\r\nAyrshire and Arran\r\n28\r\nDumfries and Galloway\r\n9\r\nForth Valley\r\n10\r\nGlasgow North East\r\n22\r\nGlasgow North West\r\n20\r\nGlasgow South\r\n24\r\nLanarkshire\r\n16\r\nRenfrew, Inverclyde, Dumbarton and Argyll\r\n24\r\n\r\nTotal West of Scotland Posts\r\n153\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nTotal Scotland Posts\r\n301\r\nTable Five:\r\nUpdate\r\n2015\r\nTotal Three and Four Year Progra","AnswerDate":"2015-11-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307469,"EventID":"S4W-28201","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2892,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-10-29T13:57:24.113","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-10-29T10:27:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what progress it has made with the Scottish Smart Grid Sector Strategy since its launch in 2012.","AnswerText":"This is an operational matter for Scottish Enterprise. I have passed your question to Dr Lena Wilson, Chief Executive, Scottish Enterprise. Scottish Enterprise will provide an answer to you directly.","AnswerDate":"2015-11-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307470,"EventID":"S4W-28213","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-10-29T13:57:24.923","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-10-29T12:36:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many posts in the Scottish Courts and Tribunal Service attract a recruitment and retention allowance or other market-based pay supplement and whether it will provide a breakdown of staff in these posts by (a) age, (b) gender and (c) geographical area.","AnswerText":"This question relates to operational matters that are the responsibility of the Scottish Courts and Tribunals Service (SCTS) corporate body. The question has been passed to the Chief Executive of the SCTS who will reply in writing within 20 days.","AnswerDate":"2015-11-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307471,"EventID":"S4W-28214","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-10-29T13:57:25.533","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-10-29T12:36:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much Audit Scotland pays in recruitment and retention allowances or similar market-based pay supplements.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government does not have a role in relation to the staffing of Audit Scotland. Audit Scotland appoints its own staff and determines their terms and conditions of appointment. Some information about this will be available in Audit Scotland's annual accounts (http://www.audit-scotland.gov.uk/about/).","AnswerDate":"2015-11-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307472,"EventID":"S4W-28215","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-10-29T13:57:26.113","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-10-29T12:36:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many posts in Audit Scotland attract a recruitment and retention allowance or other market-based pay supplement and whether it will provide a breakdown of staff in these posts by (a) age, (b) gender and (c) geographical area.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government does not have a role in relation to the staffing of Audit Scotland. I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-28214. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.","AnswerDate":"2015-11-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307473,"EventID":"S4W-28216","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-10-29T13:57:26.633","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-10-29T12:36:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much Bòrd na Gàidhlig pays in recruitment and retention allowances or similar market-based pay supplements.","AnswerText":"Bòrd na Gidhlig does not currently pay any recruitment and retention allowances or similar market-based pay supplements.","AnswerDate":"2015-11-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alasdair Allan","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307474,"EventID":"S4W-28217","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-10-29T13:57:27.103","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-10-29T12:36:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many posts in Bòrd na Gàidhlig attract a recruitment and retention allowance or other market-based pay supplement and whether it will provide a breakdown of staff in these posts by (a) age, (b) gender and (c) geographical area.","AnswerText":"There are currently no posts at Bòrd na Gidhlig that attract a recruitment and retention allowance or any other market-based pay supplement.","AnswerDate":"2015-11-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alasdair Allan","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307475,"EventID":"S4W-28218","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-10-29T13:57:27.693","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-10-29T12:36:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much Highlands and Islands Airports Ltd pays in recruitment and retention allowances or similar market-based pay supplements.","AnswerText":"This information is not held centrally.","AnswerDate":"2015-11-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307476,"EventID":"S4W-28219","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-10-29T13:57:28.223","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-10-29T12:36:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many posts in Highlands and Islands Airports Ltd attract a recruitment and retention allowance or other market-based pay supplement and whether it will provide a breakdown of staff in these posts by (a) age, (b) gender and (c) geographical area.","AnswerText":"This information is not held centrally.","AnswerDate":"2015-11-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307477,"EventID":"S4W-28220","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-10-29T13:57:28.823","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-10-29T12:36:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much Highlands and Islands Enterprise pays in recruitment and retention allowances or similar market-based pay supplements.","AnswerText":"This is an operational matter for Highlands and Islands Enterprise. I have passed your enquiry to Alex Paterson, Chief Executive, Highlands and Islands Enterprise. Highlands and Islands Enterprise will respond to you directly.","AnswerDate":"2015-11-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307478,"EventID":"S4W-28221","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-10-29T13:57:29.303","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-10-29T12:36:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many posts in Highlands and Islands Enterprise attract a recruitment and retention allowance or other market-based pay supplement and whether it will provide a breakdown of staff in these posts by (a) age, (b) gender and (c) geographical area.","AnswerText":"This is an operational matter for Highlands and Islands Enterprise. I have passed your enquiry to Alex Paterson, Chief Executive, Highlands and Islands Enterprise. Highlands and Islands Enterprise will respond to you directly.","AnswerDate":"2015-11-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307479,"EventID":"S4W-28222","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-10-29T13:57:29.803","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-10-29T12:36:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much the Scottish Courts and Tribunal Service pays in recruitment and retention allowances or similar market-based pay supplements.","AnswerText":"This question relates to operational matters that are the responsibility of the Scottish Courts and Tribunals Service (SCTS) corporate body. The question has been passed to the Chief Executive of the SCTS who will reply in writing within 20 days.","AnswerDate":"2015-11-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307491,"EventID":"S4W-28202","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2892,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-10-29T16:57:51.907","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-10-29T11:38:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it (a) is taking and (b) plans to take in 2016-17 regarding the national infrastructure priority on energy efficiency.","AnswerText":"Scotland’s Energy Efficiency Programme will integrate action on domestic and non-domestic energy efficiency and will lie at the heart of the National Infrastructure Priority. We will work closely with stakeholders over the next two years to develop the programme, to ensure that it makes best use of the new powers set to be devolved and is tailored to the needs of householders, businesses and other property owners in Scotland.\r\nOver the next two years we will work with local authorities and other stakeholders to pilot and test integrated delivery approaches and expect to issue a call for pilots in 2016.\r\nIt is important that the new programme’s objectives are linked to the delivery of our climate change ambitions as well as tackling fuel poverty and supporting sustainable economic growth. We will be undertaking further analysis and assessment during the development of the third report on policies and proposals as required by the Climate Change (Scotland) Act in 2016.","AnswerDate":"2015-11-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Burgess","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307492,"EventID":"S4W-28203","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2892,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-10-29T16:57:53.483","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-10-29T11:38:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the comments by the Minister for Environment, Climate and Land Reform on 27 October 2015 (Official Report, c. 31), how it plans to work with the Committee on Climate Change to continue to investigate further abatement from measures that go beyond current policies.","AnswerText":"We are working closely with the Committee on Climate Change, who will be providing advice on the next set of greenhouse gas emission annual targets under the Climate Change (Scotland) Act for 2028-32 by the end of March 2016. This advice, together with the committee’s recommendations in the annual Scottish progress reports, will help to inform the scope for further abatement in Scotland and will be part of the evidence base that informs development of the third report on proposals and policies.","AnswerDate":"2015-11-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen McLeod","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307493,"EventID":"S4W-28204","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2892,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-10-29T16:57:54.84","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-10-29T11:38:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many times the Minister for Environment, Climate and Land Reform has met UK ministers to discuss each of the 2015 UN Framework Convention on Climate Change meetings that were held in Bonn.","AnswerText":"I met with UK ministers at the Environment Council in June and September 2015 and discussed the on-going United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change negotiations.","AnswerDate":"2015-11-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen McLeod","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307494,"EventID":"S4W-28205","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2892,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-10-29T16:57:56.12","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-10-29T11:38:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government who attended each of the 2015 UN Framework Convention on Climate Change meetings in Bonn on its behalf, and what their role was at the meetings.","AnswerText":"An official from the Scottish Government's Climate Change Division has attended each of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change negotiating sessions in 2015. Officials attend as part of the UK delegation to the negotiations and provide support to the UK delegation, while representing Scottish Government interests.","AnswerDate":"2015-11-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen McLeod","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307495,"EventID":"S4W-28206","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2892,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-10-29T16:57:57.007","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-10-29T11:38:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government who attended the July 2015 conference, Our Common Future Under Climate Change, on its behalf, and what their role was at the conference.","AnswerText":"The July 2015 conference 'Our Common Future Under Climate Change' was largely focused around the scientific and academic community. No Scottish Government official attended the conference, although we are aware several Scottish academics did attend.","AnswerDate":"2015-11-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen McLeod","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307496,"EventID":"S4W-28207","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2892,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-10-29T16:57:57.803","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-10-29T11:38:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what meetings with UK ministers regarding the 2015 UN conference in Paris on climate change the Minister for the Environment, Climate Change and Land Reform (a) has had and (b) plans, and what (i) activities and (ii) meetings the minister plans when attending the conference.","AnswerText":"I have met with UK ministers and discussed the upcoming UN Climate Conference in Paris, including a meeting during the EU Environment Council where the EU's formal negotiating position was adopted. I have confirmed that I will attend the UN climate conference in Paris, and during my visit will undertake a series of bilateral meetings, speaking engagements and events related to key Scottish themes promoting high ambition, the role of subnational governments and climate justice.","AnswerDate":"2015-11-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen McLeod","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307497,"EventID":"S4W-28209","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2892,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-10-29T16:57:58.787","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-10-29T11:38:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether the First Minister will be attending the 2015 UN conference in Paris on climate change.","AnswerText":"Climate change is an important issue for the First Minister. She has recently signed the Climate Change Leader’s Pledge with the other party leaders and provided a video address for the Climate Group during Climate Week NYC on Scotland’s commitment to tackling climate change and transitioning to a low carbon economy. The First Minister has championed climate justice issues in her speech to the Chinese Friendship Association and her commitment to the international Sustainable Development Goals. She has recorded a video message for Stop Climate Chaos Scotland's film promoting Scotland's climate action. The First Minister is committed to support efforts to secure an ambitious international climate agreement and officials are working on suitable opportunities for her involvement at COP21.","AnswerDate":"2015-11-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen McLeod","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307498,"EventID":"S4W-28211","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2892,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-10-29T16:57:59.583","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-10-29T11:39:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what impact the closure of Longannet power station will have on the (a) operation and (b) future development of the Stirling-Alloa-Kincardine rail line.","AnswerText":"Operationally, there will be a significant reduction in freight movements as a result of the Longannet power station closure although maintenance of this line will continue. The planned electrification of routes to Stirling, Dunblane and Alloa by 2019 remains unaffected.","AnswerDate":"2015-11-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307499,"EventID":"S4W-28212","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1775,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":146,"ApprovedDate":"2015-10-29T16:58:00.317","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-10-29T12:02:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether private nurseries that do not have a partnership with a council can attend the Early Years Collaborative.","AnswerText":"Yes, we will consider any request to attend the Early Years Collaborative learning session as they arise, however places are limited at each learning session. We will take into account whether an organisation or individual is delivering a relevant service to the early years, is interested in applying quality improvement methodology in their workplace (or is already doing so) and is interested in sharing their learning with other attendees.\r\nAs places are limited, we also liaise directly with community planning partnerships and national partners, who are allocated a set number of places for each learning session and receive priority places.","AnswerDate":"2015-11-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen Campbell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307520,"EventID":"S4W-28172","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2108,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":141,"ApprovedDate":"2015-10-30T15:37:53.257","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-10-28T09:08:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many of the lifetime homes standards are covered by Scottish building regulations.","AnswerText":"The Lifetime Homes Design Guide is a good practice document that sits out with a regulatory framework. The Domestic Technical Handbook is written in such a way that enables it to support minimum building regulations for Scotland. The changes made in 2007, to the Technical Handbook, for enhancing accessibility are very much founded on the principles set out in Housing for Varying Needs and the more recent publication Lifetime Homes. However, there is no direct ‘read across’ between Lifetime Homes and the Domestic Technical Handbook, in each document some measures are more prescriptive than others, but they follow the same intent.\r\nScottish building regulation standards and guidance cover:\r\nCar parking size and provision (both private and communal);\r\nAccess from road/pavement/car parking to homes (widths, surfaces and gradients);\r\nEntrances (common and private);\r\nCommunal stairs and lifts;\r\nCorridors and doorway sizes;\r\nCirculation (including bathrooms, kitchens, etc.);\r\nAccessible living/sleeping space (enhanced apartment), kitchen and toilet at the principal living level;\r\nFuture shower at the principal living level;\r\nWide stairs to accommodate future stair lift and parking;\r\nRobust walls for future grab rails in shower/bath rooms; and\r\nAccess to manual controls (including windows, electrical sockets, etc.)\r\nThe main principles not covered by the Domestic Technical Handbook (that feature in Lifetime Homes) are the potential for future fitting of:\r\nA through-floor vertical lift in a 2-storey home; and\r\nA support track and hoist.\r\nReasons covering the non-inclusion of these two measures are given in Scottish Government letters (dated 28 April and 28 October 2015) to the Scottish Parliament Public Petitions Committee (PE01554: Improve the provision of disabled-friendly housing).\r\nAlthough the building regulations are minimum standards, they set a good level of accessibility that applies to all new housing (including mass-market housing). They not only offer an ‘immediate’ level of accessibility and offer the opportunity for some future adaptation, they also allow people to live in their homes for longer as they get older. Over the last two years we have 'taken stock' of the accessibility measures that were introduced in 2007. As part of a wider 'better regulation' review, some of these measures were adjusted to better reflect the intent of the building standards and improve design flexibility, with no loss of amenity. In particular the opportunity was taken to improve the guidance to the standards, thereby supporting consistency of the approach to be taken throughout Scotland. There are no plans at present to carry out a further review of the accessibility standards and guidance in Scottish building regulations.","AnswerDate":"2015-11-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Marco Biagi","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307521,"EventID":"S4W-28173","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2108,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":141,"ApprovedDate":"2015-10-30T15:37:55.063","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-10-28T09:08:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the estimated cost to the NHS is of avoidable injuries associated with unsuitable or unadaptable housing.","AnswerText":"The information requested is not held centrally.","AnswerDate":"2015-11-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307522,"EventID":"S4W-28174","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2108,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":141,"ApprovedDate":"2015-10-30T15:37:56.127","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-10-28T09:08:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many people were discharged late from hospital in 2014-15 due to a lack of suitable or accessible housing.","AnswerText":"NHS Information Services Division publishes a census of patients delayed in hospital in Scotland. These showed the following delayed discharges in 2014-15:\r\nReason code\r\nApr 2014\r\nJul 2014\r\nOct 2014\r\nJan 2015\r\nAwaiting completion of social care arrangements – in order to live in their own home – awaiting procurement/delivery of equipment/adaptations fitted.\r\n12\r\n11\r\n8\r\n11\r\nAwaiting completion of social care arrangements for Specialist Housing provision.\r\n37\r\n28\r\n40\r\n37\r\nThe census is a snapshot taken on the fifteenth of the month.","AnswerDate":"2015-11-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307523,"EventID":"S4W-28175","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2108,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":141,"ApprovedDate":"2015-10-30T15:37:57.25","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-10-28T09:08:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the estimated cost to the economy is of inaccessible housing.","AnswerText":"The information requested is not held centrally.","AnswerDate":"2015-11-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Burgess","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307524,"EventID":"S4W-28176","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2108,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":141,"ApprovedDate":"2015-10-30T15:37:58.373","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-10-28T09:08:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to undertake a review of building regulations related to housing in light of the finding by Leonard Cheshire Disability that many of the current standards do not meet the needs of older and disabled residents.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-28172 on 11 November 2015. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.","AnswerDate":"2015-11-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Marco Biagi","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307525,"EventID":"S4W-28177","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2108,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":141,"ApprovedDate":"2015-10-30T15:37:59.247","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-10-28T09:08:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether and, if so, how it plans to improve building regulations to meet the needs of older and disabled people.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-28172 on 11 November 2015. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-11-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Marco Biagi","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307526,"EventID":"S4W-28178","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2108,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":141,"ApprovedDate":"2015-10-30T15:38:00.18","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-10-28T09:08:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it will ensure the provision of suitable housing for the 20,000 disabled people reportedly on local authority waiting lists.","AnswerText":"Addressing housing need is the responsibility of the local authority. \r\nA Housing Need and Demand Assessment (HNDA) will help the local authority understand current and future need for housing and housing related services, including for those with a disability. A local authority will use the HNDA evidence to develop a Local Housing Strategy that sets out their approach to providing suitable housing and housing related services, over the next five years. This will include the housing and services needed by those with a disability, taking into account those currently on the local authority waiting list.","AnswerDate":"2015-11-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Burgess","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307527,"EventID":"S4W-28210","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2015-10-30T15:38:01.21","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-10-29T11:39:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the commitment made at point 11.22 of the Scottish Ministerial Code, when it will publish on a quarterly basis the list of gifts received by ministers.","AnswerText":"All gifts received by ministers are proactively published and updated on the Scottish Government website. Gifts received for all ministers up to 30 September 2015 can be found at: \r\nhttp://www.gov.scot/About/People/14944/Events-Engagements/gifts/2015-2016Gifts.","AnswerDate":"2015-11-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307528,"EventID":"S4W-28224","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-10-30T15:38:02.99","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-10-29T14:20:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government further to the answer to question S4W-27774 by Jamie Hepburn on 22 October 2015, on what date it will publish the follow-up to the report, and for what reason it was not published in the summer.","AnswerText":"We commissioned the Mental Health Foundation and Voices of Experience to undertake the 10 year follow up report. We have been working with the Mental Health Foundation to address the delays in publishing and can now assure you this will be published by Christmas 2015. The delays are related to staffing resources and the complexity of the work.","AnswerDate":"2015-11-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307529,"EventID":"S4W-28225","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-10-30T15:38:04.643","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-10-29T17:17:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-27826 by Shona Robison on 28 October 2015, whether it will provide the data requested on the instances of overcrowding in hospitals.","AnswerText":"As there is currently no standard set of definitions for crowding, data on crowding, is not available.\r\nThe Emergency Department Capacity Management Guidance, issued in partnership with the Royal College of Emergency Medicine in September, will support NHS boards to develop local definitions, measures and thresholds appropriate to their different physical layouts and size of units.","AnswerDate":"2015-11-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307530,"EventID":"S4W-28226","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-10-30T15:38:06.953","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-10-29T17:43:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-26331 by Shona Robison on 13 July 2015, how many people referred outwith their local NHS board have been reimbursed for their travel expenses, broken down by (a) NHS board and (b) rate of reimbursement in each year since 2010-11.","AnswerText":"This is a matter for individual health boards, and the information is not held centrally by the Scottish Government.","AnswerDate":"2015-11-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307531,"EventID":"S4W-28227","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-10-30T15:38:08.607","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-10-29T17:43:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-26331 by Shona Robison on 13 July 2015, whether it will provide a breakdown of the patients admitted outwith their NHS board area by referring NHS board.","AnswerText":"The number of patients admitted to a hospital outwith their health board of residence broken down by health board of residence and year is shown in the following table. The figures below for out of area treatment includes patients treated at other hospitals such as the Golden Jubilee National Hospital, even if that hospital is within the local health board area:\r\nHealth Board of Residence\r\n2010\r\n2011\r\n2012\r\n2013\r\n2014\r\nNHS Ayrshire and Arran\r\n8,675\r\n7,853\r\n8,652\r\n8,601\r\n8,715\r\nNHS Borders\r\n3,207\r\n3,239\r\n3,230\r\n3,251\r\n3,509\r\nNHS Dumfries and Galloway\r\n2,626\r\n2,767\r\n2,566\r\n2,530\r\n2,860\r\nNHS Fife\r\n11,415\r\n11,634\r\n11,743\r\n11,577\r\n11,340\r\nNHS Forth Valley\r\n7,054\r\n6,684\r\n6,595\r\n6,883\r\n7,733\r\nNHS Grampian\r\n2,183\r\n2,400\r\n2,826\r\n3,141\r\n3,799\r\nNHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde\r\n9,114\r\n8,851\r\n8,958\r\n9,217\r\n9,566\r\nNHS Highland\r\n12,194\r\n12,119\r\n12,511\r\n12,325\r\n12,607\r\nNHS Lanarkshire\r\n26,541\r\n26,256\r\n26,685\r\n27,012\r\n28,436\r\nNHS Lothian\r\n3,985\r\n3,910\r\n5,724\r\n5,461\r\n6,122\r\nNHS Orkney\r\n1,017\r\n1,056\r\n1,074\r\n976\r\n967\r\nNHS Shetland\r\n988\r\n1,039\r\n1,095\r\n1,053\r\n1,107\r\nNHS Tayside\r\n2,342\r\n2,239\r\n2,415\r\n2,646\r\n2,440\r\nNHS Western Isles\r\n1,322\r\n1,363\r\n1,425\r\n1,316\r\n1,232\r\nNHS Scotland\r\n92,663\r\n91,410\r\n95,499\r\n95,989\r\n100,433\r\nSource: SMR01 Information Services Division Scotland.","AnswerDate":"2015-11-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307532,"EventID":"S4W-28228","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-10-30T15:38:10.18","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-10-29T17:43:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-26331 by Shona Robison on 13 July 2015, what information it has on how many (a) patients and (b) visitors travelled (i) up to 30, (ii) from 31 to 60 and (iii) more than 60 miles by road to reach the site outwith their local NHS board.","AnswerText":"The information requested is not collected centrally.","AnswerDate":"2015-11-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307533,"EventID":"S4W-28229","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4939,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":78,"ApprovedDate":"2015-10-30T15:38:11.663","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-10-29T18:27:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many carbon storage permits it has issued for the North Sea region.","AnswerText":"The Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change is the licensing authority for offshore storage except within the territorial sea adjacent to Scotland, for which Scottish ministers authorise.\r\nIn order to undertake a CO2 storage project on the continental shelf, a business needs (i) a grant of property rights from the Crown Estate and (ii) both a CO2 storage licence and permit from the Oil and Gas Authority (OGA).\r\nThe Crown Estate awards rights for CO2 storage through two sets of documents: a storage agreement for lease (AfL) followed by a storage lease, and the same for the pipeline (if necessary). The AfL grants to the holder a time limited exclusive option to proceed through to a pre-agreed lease once a number of conditions have been met. In the case of storage, the holder of an AfL requires a licence from either the OGA or the Scottish Government (depending on the location of the site) to undertake certain activities ahead of stepping into the lease. To conduct storage operations both a lease and a storage permit from the OGA or the Scottish Government are needed.\r\nThe OGA has issued no carbon storage permits to date however the Shell/SSE Peterhead carbon capture and storage project is currently going through the permitting process. ","AnswerDate":"2015-11-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307534,"EventID":"S4W-28230","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2135,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":92,"ApprovedDate":"2015-10-30T15:38:12.473","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-10-30T10:38:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to review the adults with incapacity legislation and, if so, what the timescale is and what consultation arrangements it is planning.","AnswerText":"We have committed to consulting on the Scottish Law Commission’s Report on Adults with Incapacity. The report covers compliance of the Adults with Incapacity (Scotland) Act 2000 with Article 5 of the European Convention on Human Rights, specifically in relation to deprivation of liberty issues. It is anticipated that a consultation paper will issue around the end of 2015, and it will be open to anyone with an interest to respond. Thereafter, a scoping exercise will follow in relation to a wider review of the adults with incapacity legislation.","AnswerDate":"2015-11-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Paul Wheelhouse","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307542,"EventID":"S4F-03031","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":3812,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-02T12:35:07.643","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-02T10:32:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister what engagements she has planned for the rest of the day.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":"2015-11-05T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307543,"EventID":"S4F-03027","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":4976,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-02T12:35:06.173","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-02T09:19:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister when she will next meet the Secretary of State for Scotland.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":"2015-11-05T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307544,"EventID":"S4F-03025","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":5009,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-02T12:35:05.143","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-10-29T13:39:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister what issues will be discussed at the next meeting of the Cabinet.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":"2015-11-05T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307546,"EventID":"S4W-28243","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":2,"MSPID":4948,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-02T13:33:42.827","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-02T13:09:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on progress with the Clyde and Hebrides ferry services procurement.","AnswerText":"The Clyde and Hebrides ferry services interim invitation to tender (ITT) has issued to both bidders and will be published today (3 November 2015) on Transport Scotland’s website together with the Independent Procurement Reference Panel’s report confirming the initial ITT process was open, fair and transparent.","AnswerDate":"2015-11-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307547,"EventID":"S4F-03029","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":5106,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":118,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-02T12:35:07.053","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-02T10:06:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister what the Scottish Government's position is on how the UK Government's latest amendments to the Scotland Bill could impact on the governance of Scotland.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":"2015-11-05T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307548,"EventID":"S4F-03036","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-02T12:35:10.583","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-02T11:41:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister whether the Scottish Government will provide assistance to families who lose tax credits as a result of the UK Government's proposals.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":"2015-11-05T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307549,"EventID":"S4F-03034","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":2394,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-02T12:35:09.443","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-02T11:25:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister at what level the Scottish rate of income tax will be set.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":"2015-11-05T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307550,"EventID":"S4T-01151","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":9,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-02T14:01:08.143","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-02T10:32:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on reports that nearly 5,000 children will be homeless or in temporary accommodation at Christmas.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":"2015-11-03T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307558,"EventID":"S4W-28232","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4939,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":78,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-02T15:04:51.62","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-10-30T22:06:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what recent discussions it has had with upstream oil and gas producers regarding minimising methane emissions to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from the energy sector by 2020, as recommended by the International Energy Agency.","AnswerText":"Gas flaring (and venting) on offshore oil and gas installations is regulated by the Oil and Gas Authority, which is committed to eliminating all unnecessary or wasteful flaring and venting of gas.\r\nEmissions occurring from offshore oil and gas exploration and production activities are included in the UK greenhouse gas inventory but are not currently attributed to the constituent countries of the UK. While efforts to reduce methane emissions in offshore oil and gas production will impact on UK and global emissions, it will not impact on Scottish emissions for the purpose of reporting progress against statutory emissions reduction targets set under the Climate Change (Scotland) Act 2009.","AnswerDate":"2015-11-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307559,"EventID":"S4W-28233","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3824,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-02T15:04:52.87","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-02T09:44:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many (a) recruitment and (b) other consultants Glasgow Prestwick Airport (i) is hiring and (ii) has hired since November 2013 and at what cost.","AnswerText":"Since November 2013 Glasgow Prestwick Airport has hired three consultants at a cost of £205,150 in support of the bid to locate the UK spaceport at Prestwick. It should be noted that £150,000 of this cost was met by South Ayrshire Council.\r\nThe airport has also engaged the services of an executive search agency to assist with the selection and recruitment of a new senior management team at a cost of £90,000.\r\nThey have hired 12 other consultants to support various business needs.\r\nExcluding the financial support provided by South Ayrshire Council, the total cost of all consultancy work since 2013 is £362,163.","AnswerDate":"2015-11-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307560,"EventID":"S4W-28235","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3824,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-02T15:04:53.493","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-02T09:44:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many staff Glasgow Prestwick Airport employs; how many are (a) on zero-hour contracts and (b) paid less than the living wage and how this compares with November 2013.","AnswerText":"Since the new board was put in place, substantial progress has been made in moving all the employees onto the living wage. Currently 41 employees are paid at below the living wage and by April 2016 all the employees of Glasgow Prestwick Airport will be paid at the living wage. While eight employees are on variable hours contracts, none are on zero-hour contracts. Glasgow Prestwick Airport currently employs 298 members of staff compared to 325 in November 2013.","AnswerDate":"2015-11-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307561,"EventID":"S4W-28236","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3824,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-02T15:04:54.163","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-02T09:44:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what progress has been made since November 2013 in securing additional routes for Glasgow Prestwick Airport. ","AnswerText":"The management team continues to pursue route development opportunities for passenger services. Although no new routes have been added since November 2013 some existing passenger services have seen frequencies increased. For example, Ryanair recently announced it will be providing 25 additional flights to Pisa in summer 2016. However, the future success of Glasgow Prestwick Airport is not solely predicated on scheduled passenger services. The airport’s management team are taking forward all potential business opportunities including developing freight, maintenance, repair and overhaul, fixed base operations, property and a proposal for locating the UK spaceport at Prestwick.","AnswerDate":"2015-11-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307562,"EventID":"S4W-28237","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3824,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-02T15:04:54.913","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-02T09:44:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much it has invested in Glasgow Prestwick Airport since November 2013 and when it expects the airport to move into profit.","AnswerText":"Since November 2013 the Scottish Government has provided Glasgow Prestwick Airport with £15.8 million in loan funding. We believe that the airport can be returned to profitability although this will take a long-term investment.","AnswerDate":"2015-11-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307563,"EventID":"S4W-28238","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-02T15:04:55.583","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-02T10:33:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to maintain the status of Forestry Commission Scotland as a non-departmental public body.","AnswerText":"Forestry Commission Scotland provides advice and support to Scottish ministers and is part of the Scottish Government’s Environment and Forestry Directorate. Although forestry was devolved under the 1998 Scotland Act and forestry policy in Scotland is determined by Scottish ministers, Forestry Commission Scotland is still part of the cross-border Forestry Commission, with the powers and duties in relation to the exercise of a range of forestry functions in Scotland, and the management of Scotland’s National Forest Estate, resting with the forestry commissioners.\r\nThe Scottish Government announced in June 2015 that it is time to complete the devolution of the arrangements for the management of forestry in Scotland, by working with the UK Government to agree a transfer of forestry commissioners’ powers and duties, as they relate to Scotland, to Scottish ministers. We are working jointly with the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs to consider options for taking forward this work.","AnswerDate":"2015-11-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Richard Lochhead","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307564,"EventID":"S4W-28239","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-02T15:04:56.3","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-02T10:33:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to maintain Forestry Commissioners' powers regarding the felling of trees.","AnswerText":"Powers to regulate the felling of trees are held by the forestry commissioners under the UK Forestry Act 1967. The Scottish Government announced in June 2015 that it is time to complete the devolution of the arrangements for the management of forestry in Scotland, by working with the UK Government to agree a transfer of forestry commissioners’ powers and duties, as they relate to Scotland, to Scottish ministers. We are working jointly with the Department for Food and Rural Affairs to consider options for taking forward this work.","AnswerDate":"2015-11-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Richard Lochhead","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307565,"EventID":"S4W-28240","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-02T15:04:57.003","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-02T10:33:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to establish an overarching land-use agency similar to Natural Resources Wales.","AnswerText":"There are no plans to establish an agency in Scotland similar to Natural Resources Wales.","AnswerDate":"2015-11-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Richard Lochhead","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307566,"EventID":"S4W-28241","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-02T16:59:53.643","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-02T12:39:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the reasons are for the difference between the success rates in meeting the 2015 target for achieving the Scottish Housing Quality Standard reported to the Scottish Housing Regulator by social landlords and those recorded by the Scottish House Condition Survey.","AnswerText":"The Scottish House Condition Survey (SHCS) is the Scottish Government’s official measure of house condition but it is the responsibility of the Scottish Housing Regulator (SHR) to monitor landlords’ performance against the Scottish Housing Quality Standard target. The Scottish Government considers that the difference between the two sets of reported success rates can be attributed to the following factors: the different methodologies used by SHCS and the SHR for collecting information; the timing of these assessments; the purpose of the two data collections; the potential for the condition of the stock to be reported differently in the two surveys; and the fact that landlords will be applying their wider knowledge of their stock in the SHR return and the provisions for stock to be exempted in the SHR return and not in the SHCS.","AnswerDate":"2015-11-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Burgess","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307567,"EventID":"S4W-28244","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1860,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-02T16:59:54.973","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-02T14:46:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what financial support it provides to crofting communities in the Highlands and Islands that are affected by extreme weather, and what plans it has to introduce additional measures.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government understands that weather conditions experienced during the spring and early summer of 2015 were challenging for some crofters and farmers. In order to get a better understanding of the issue and to see what might be done assist, a wet weather working group, jointly chaired by the Scottish Government and NFU Scotland, was established. This group’s membership comprised representatives from the sector, including the Scottish Crofting Federation.\r\nTo provide assistance in the short term, on 11 August 2015, the Scottish Government announced a £50,000 donation to RSABI, a charity that provides financial assistance and support to those people who have worked in Scotland in land-based occupations and who are suffering hardship.\r\nIn the longer term, the Scottish Government will continue to engage with the industry and other stakeholders to promote participation in national discussions about the future of Scottish agriculture which will include, amongst other things, discussion on the sector’s resilience to shocks and future challenges.","AnswerDate":"2015-11-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Richard Lochhead","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307568,"EventID":"S4W-28246","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1860,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-02T16:59:55.663","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-02T14:46:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to reform the crofting (a) compensation arrangements and (b) hardship funds, and what its response is to reports suggesting that people find these insufficient.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is firmly committed to the future of crofting and the role crofting has to play in helping to make rural communities socially, economically and environmentally sustainable. While there are no compensation arrangements or hardship funds available specifically for crofters, the Scottish Government provides a package of measures of support targeted at crofters. This includes:\r\nThe Crofting Agricultural Grant Scheme;\r\nThe Croft House Grant Scheme;\r\nThe Crofting Cattle Improvement Scheme.\r\nIn addition, crofters may also be able to apply to a number of other schemes under the Scottish Rural Development Programme, including the Less Favoured Areas Support Scheme and the Agri-Environment Climate Scheme, subject to meeting the relevant conditions. Crofters may also be eligible to apply for support under pillar 1 of the new Common Agricultural Policy.\r\nThe Scottish Government reviews support available for crofting on a regular basis. For example, at the request of stakeholders, a review of the Croft House Grant Scheme is currently underway with revised arrangements expected to be in place in spring 2016. This is expected to include an uplift in the level of individual grant payments.","AnswerDate":"2015-11-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen McLeod","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307569,"EventID":"S4W-28247","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-02T16:59:56.413","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-02T15:16:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government for what reason 768 Scottish Fire and Rescue Service jobs were lost between 2010 and 2014 and what risk assessment was done to underpin this loss.","AnswerText":"Staffing levels and resource allocation within the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service are operational matters for the Board of the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS). Prior to April 2013, it was the responsibility of the eight legacy fire and rescue services to determine their staffing needs against their priorities.\r\nWith the introduction of the SFRS, one of the priorities of the national service has been to reduce unnecessary duplication. From April 2013 any changes in SFRS staffing have been managed within a workforce plan and target operating model which has been designed to meet the needs of the national service, and is based on the risks that exist within the communities of Scotland.\r\nAs confirmed by Audit Scotland earlier in 2015, the creation of the SFRS was managed effectively, the merger had no impact on the public and SFRS’s performance is improving. As the SFRS continues to evolve, and works to consider how best to contribute to supporting community safety, the number of fire-fighters and support staff will continue to reflect the needs of communities and services priorities.\r\nHaving said all of the above, the Scottish Government has faced severe funding constraints since 2010, due to the austerity programme of the UK Government, which has created significant real terms reductions in both the Scottish Government’s resource and capital budgets. This funding pressure, alongside a desire to improve operational improvements, was a key driver for the creation of a single Scottish Fire and Rescue Service and the challenging financial position has constrained the ability of the Scottish Government to increase funding for SFRS. \r\nThis challenging financial climate has been exacerbated by the VAT treatment of SFRS by HM Treasury since the creation of SFRS, despite repeated challenges to Treasury policy by Scottish ministers.\r\nThe VAT position, where SFRS is the only rescue service in the UK that is charged VAT, results in some £10.3 million per annum, currently, in resources being taken as a windfall by HM Treasury, despite the Treasury providing for VAT exemptions for London Legacy and Highways England, in similar circumstances, since the passage of the Police and Fire Reform (Scotland) Act 2011.\r\nRestoration of a VAT exemption could relieve a significant amount of resource funding pressure on SFRS and could provide greater scope for recruitment of firefighters to fill vacancies that emerge and/or allow greater scope for capital investment. Scottish ministers continue to make the case for such a VAT exemption to be restored, given it would appear the decision not to do so, to date, is a political decision on the part of UK ministers, rather than a legal one.","AnswerDate":"2015-11-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Paul Wheelhouse","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307570,"EventID":"S4W-28249","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2029,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":145,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-02T16:59:57.643","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-02T16:00:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether people seeking gender reassignment are considered under the adult exceptional aesthetic referral protocol, and what the reasons are for its position on this matter.","AnswerText":"People requiring gender reassignment will go through the gender reassignment protocol which was issued in July 2012. A copy of the gender reassignment protocol can be accessed at: http://www.sehd.scot.nhs.uk/mels/CEL2012_26.pdf\r\nFor procedures not exclusive to gender reassignment and to ensure equity, any such procedures should be accessed via the adult exceptional aesthetic referral protocol.","AnswerDate":"2015-11-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307571,"EventID":"S4W-28250","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2029,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":145,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-02T16:59:58.413","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-02T16:00:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will investigate reports that keyhole surgery is being refused at Gartnavel General Hospital because it is too expensive. ","AnswerText":"NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde has confirmed that it does not know of anyone being advised that keyhole surgery was too expensive or should be avoided or minimised due to costs. The board has advised the Scottish Government that no concerns have been raised with staff in relation to the use or cost of keyhole surgery.","AnswerDate":"2015-11-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307579,"EventID":"S4W-28195","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5556,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":111,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-03T13:34:13.39","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-10-28T16:37:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its capital spend has been in Dunfermline in each year since 1999.","AnswerText":"A breakdown of the Scottish Government's capital spend in Dunfermline in each year since 1999 is not available.","AnswerDate":"2015-11-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307580,"EventID":"S4W-28248","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1943,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-03T13:34:14.263","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-02T15:57:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much VisitScotland has spent on (a) direct operations and (b) marketing tourism in (i) South, (ii) East and (iii) North Ayrshire in each of the last five years.","AnswerText":"This is an operational matter for VisitScotland.\r\nI have passed your query to Malcolm Roughead, OBE, the Chief Executive of VisitScotland, who will respond to you directly.","AnswerDate":"2015-11-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307581,"EventID":"S4W-28251","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4934,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-03T13:34:14.92","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-02T16:58:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide a breakdown of how the £200 million investment in new elective treatment centres that it announced on 17 October 2015 will be allocated across each centre.","AnswerText":"The final allocation for each of the centres will be determined once the final range of services to be provided at each site has been agreed.","AnswerDate":"2015-11-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307582,"EventID":"S4W-28252","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4934,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-03T13:34:15.433","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-02T17:15:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what actions it is taking to improve areas of degraded or damaged native and ancient woodland.","AnswerText":"Findings from the Native Woodland Survey of Scotland in 2014 have been used to inform the development of the Scottish Biodiversity Strategy and Scotland’s Biodiversity – A Route Map to 2020. In particular, ‘Priority Project 2: Restoration of Native Woodland’ in the route map aims to improve the condition and extent of existing native woodlands and further increase new woodland planting.\r\nSpecifically, this project aims to create 3,000 to 5,000 hectares of new native woodland creation per year and restore approximately 10,000 hectares of native woodland into satisfactory condition in partnership with woodland owners through deer management plans.\r\nIn addition, a working group consisting of governmental bodies, environmental groups and representatives from the forestry sector has also identified target areas for priority action to improve the condition of native and ancient woodland.\r\nOn the National Forest Estate, Forest Enterprise Scotland used the Native Woodland Survey of Scotland to refine its methodology to assess the ecological condition of semi-natural woodland. This methodology will be used to identify appropriate management operations for each woodland on the estate. Forest Enterprise Scotland has also begun the process of restoring over half of the plantations on ancient woodland sites to native woodland.\r\nIn addition, support for new woodland creation and the sustainable management of existing woodlands, including native woodlands, is available under the Forestry Grant Scheme, part of the Scotland’s Rural Development Programme. Improvement grants for woodland and habitats are available to land owners to improve and restore native woodland condition. £0.75 million is currently available each year under those improvement options.","AnswerDate":"2015-11-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen McLeod","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307583,"EventID":"S4W-28253","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4934,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-03T13:34:15.98","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-02T17:15:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how the Native Woodland Survey of Scotland has informed its policy on native and ancient woodland.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-28252 on 16 November 2015. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.","AnswerDate":"2015-11-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen McLeod","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307584,"EventID":"S4W-28260","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-03T13:34:16.543","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-03T09:30:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-26716 by Jamie Hepburn on 12 August 2015, in light of the minister's comment that an announcement regarding the priorities for the new funding of mental health would be made \"shortly\", by what date it will make this announcement and what the reason is for the delay.","AnswerText":"Proposals from local partnerships for the initial £15 million innovation/Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) funding have already been approved and resources allocated. \r\nThe next phase of investment we will announce will be further support for improving access to mental health services. This will include investment to increase capacity in NHS boards, workforce development to increase the supply of staff to deliver evidence-based psychological therapies and improvement support to deliver more efficient and effective services.\r\nPriorities for the additional £85 million are:\r\nContinue supporting faster access to treatment for people of all ages.\r\nDeliver a three year programme (£1 million) to support the CAMHS workforce, including further training and to train more specialised supervisors.\r\nSupport development of innovative approaches in mental health delivery, including the provision of support in community settings and improvements to wellbeing (through physical activity).\r\nWe have already announced that a minimum of £10 million over three years will be used to test new approaches to meeting the needs of people with mental health problems in primary care.","AnswerDate":"2015-11-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307585,"EventID":"S4W-28262","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2110,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":138,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-03T13:34:17.37","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-03T12:14:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to improve cyber security in the public infrastructure.","AnswerText":"The growth of the internet or online technologies has transformed the way we spend our leisure time and do business. It has also transformed how our public services, essential and national infrastructure operates.\r\nMany countries, including the UK, have put in place cyber security strategies aimed at reducing the vulnerabilities we are increasingly faced with. To build on this important foundation, the Scottish Government (SG) made a commitment in the 2015 Programme for Government to publish “Safe, Secure and Prosperous: A Cyber Resilience Strategy for Scotland”, which sets out the actions we need to take to make Scotland a cyber-resilient place to live, work and do business in. The strategy will be launched at the National Economic Forum in November 2015. Its strategic outcomes are: \r\nOur people are informed and prepared to make the most of digital technologies safely;\r\nOur businesses and organisations recognise the risks in the digital world and are well prepared to manage them;\r\nWe have confidence in and trust our digital public services;\r\nWe have a growing and renowned cyber resilience research community;\r\nWe have a global reputation for being a secure place to live and learn, and to set up and invest in business;\r\nWe have an innovative cyber security, goods and services industry that helps meet global demand.\r\nOfficials have been working collaboratively across the public sector to develop high level actions that are required to deliver the key strategic outcome of “We have confidence in and trust our digital public services”. Such activity is helping to create a unified approach across the sector to support cyber resilience as part of the drive to develop digital public services. SG has also developed a cyber incident management plan to enable us to effectively co-ordinate the government’s response to a significant cyber attack impacting on Scotland.","AnswerDate":"2015-11-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307611,"EventID":"S4W-28261","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-03T17:06:09.167","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-03T11:29:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many people appointed by ministers in each of the last five years to (a) NHS boards and (b) other public bodies have declared political activity, also broken down by what information it has on their party affiliation.","AnswerText":"The requested information is as follows:\r\na) NHS boards\r\nYear\r\nPolitical activity declared\r\nAffiliation: Conservative\r\nAffiliation: Labour\r\nAffiliation: Liberal Democrat\r\nAffiliation: SNP\r\nAffiliation: Independent/other\r\n2010\r\n1\r\n1\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n2011\r\n4\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n2\r\n2\r\n2012\r\n7\r\n1\r\n1\r\n4\r\n0\r\n1\r\n2013\r\n4\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n3\r\n1\r\n2014\r\n2\r\n1\r\n0\r\n0\r\n1\r\n0\r\n2015\r\n1\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n1\r\n0\r\nTotal\r\n19\r\n3\r\n1\r\n4\r\n7\r\n4\r\nb) Other public bodies\r\nYear\r\nPolitical activity declared\r\nAffiliation: Conservative\r\nAffiliation: Labour\r\nAffiliation: Liberal Democrat\r\nAffiliation: SNP\r\nAffiliation: Independent/other\r\n2010\r\n5\r\n2\r\n2\r\n1\r\n0\r\n0\r\n2011\r\n1\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n1\r\n0\r\n2012\r\n11\r\n1\r\n3\r\n2\r\n4\r\n1\r\n2013\r\n8\r\n0\r\n3\r\n2\r\n2\r\n1\r\n2014\r\n7\r\n0\r\n2\r\n2\r\n1\r\n2\r\n2015\r\n2\r\n0\r\n0\r\n1\r\n1\r\n0\r\nTotal\r\n34\r\n3\r\n10\r\n8\r\n9\r\n4\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-11-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307612,"EventID":"S4W-28266","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2394,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-03T17:06:10.323","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-03T13:44:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-27864 by Fergus Ewing on 2 November 2015, for what reason the answer quotes statistics that do not support the minister's statement on 17 September 2015 that the cost of providing sufficient electricity storage to deal with the intermittency issue arising from onshore wind power “will be far less than the enormous cost of the Hinkley Point nuclear power station” (Official Report c. 62), but demonstrate that the levelised cost estimates for new nuclear projects are lower than those for onshore wind (Tables 4 and 5).","AnswerText":"The Department of Energy and Climate Change highlights that levelised costs are subject to a number of uncertainties and are not the sole basis for setting the support given to low carbon generators. The first Contract for Difference allocation round highlighted that the bulk of onshore wind projects will deliver at £82.50 per megawatt hour in 2018-19 – and some onshore wind projects will deliver at £79.23. Contrast this with the strike price being given to Hinkley C of £92.50 per megawatt hour, with a contract length of 35 years in comparison to 15 years for onshore wind.","AnswerDate":"2015-11-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307613,"EventID":"S4W-28267","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2394,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-03T17:06:11.46","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-03T13:44:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-27864 by Fergus Ewing on 2 November 2015, as the minister has not produced evidence to support his statement on 17 September 2015 that the cost of providing sufficient electricity storage to deal with the intermittency issue arising from onshore wind power “will be far less than the enormous cost of the Hinkley Point nuclear power station” (Official Report c. 62), whether he will seek (a) to have the record corrected or (b) time in the Chamber to apologise for providing what appears to be incorrect information.","AnswerText":"The deployment of energy storage technologies – both established and emerging – is among the options available for delivering a more flexible and sustainable energy system. As indicated in the reply to S4W-27864, an increase in large scale hydro pumped storage is one such option, the costs of which compare favourably with those of new nuclear capacity according to the Electricity Generation Costs (2013) report from the Department of Energy and Climate Change, provided in the answer to question S4W-27627 on 1 October 2015. We therefore see no reason to either amend the Official Report or issue an apology for issuing incorrect information.\r\nAll answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.","AnswerDate":"2015-11-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307614,"EventID":"S4W-28268","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-03T17:06:12.537","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-03T15:16:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the cost is to it of money loaned by the Student Loans Company.","AnswerText":"Costs to the Scottish Government include those associated with supporting the student loan system to operate in Scotland, and those relating to the award of loans to individual students.\r\nTaking 2015-16 as an example, £302.1 million was set aside in the Scottish Government budget to cover costs linked to provision of the student loans system overall.\r\nIn 2015-16, the cost of net student loan advances to individuals was \r\n£468.3 million. The budget to support this, and the budget to support the student loans system overall can only be spent to support the system or advance individual awards.","AnswerDate":"2015-11-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307615,"EventID":"S4W-28269","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-03T17:06:13.473","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-03T15:17:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what average length of time a graduate takes to repay their student loan.","AnswerText":"Repayment of student loans owed by Scottish domiciled students is managed on behalf of the Scottish Government by the Student Loans Company (SLC).\r\nRepayment of Income Contingent Repayment (ICR) loans, offered to students from September 1998, are predicated upon students meeting an earning threshold. Repayment schedules and amounts are variable depending on each student's individual circumstances. Neither the Scottish Government nor the SLC hold information on the average time taken by graduates to repay their ICR student loan.\r\n‘Mortgage style’ student loans, offered to students prior to September 1998 and sold to Erudio Student Loans Limited in November 2013 were repayable over a fixed period regardless of the amount owed. Therefore, there is no average repayment period for these loans. ","AnswerDate":"2015-11-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307616,"EventID":"S4W-28270","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-03T17:06:14.44","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-03T15:18:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many deferral applications the Student Loans Company has received in each year of its operation, and what percentage this represents of all students due to make repayments.","AnswerText":"The Student Loans Company (SLC) holds details of the number of deferral applications received from academic year 2006-07 onwards. The amount of deferral applications received per academic year was:\r\n2006-07 426,554\r\n2007-08 329,620\r\n2008-09 311,731\r\n2009-10 277,305\r\n2010-11 261,638\r\n2011-12 252,248\r\n2012-13 252,180\r\n2013-14 214,267\r\n2014-15 91,861\r\n2015- to date 76,873\r\nThe ability to defer repayment is only available to individuals with ‘mortgage style’ student loans. As these were sold to Erudio Student Loans Limited in November 2013, the SLC reports that it is unable to provide the Scottish Government with details of what percentage of students due to make payments applied for deferral.","AnswerDate":"2015-11-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307617,"EventID":"S4W-28271","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-03T17:06:15.423","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-03T15:18:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the current real-term value is of the maximum student grant available in (a) 1979, (b) 1988, (c) 1997, (d) 2007 and (e) today.","AnswerText":"Two tables have been provided below which set out 1) the maximum bursary support available for students living at home; and 2) the maximum bursary support for students living away from home for years (a) 1979, (b) 1988, (c) 1997, (d) 2007. The figure for e) today is the same in both tables.\r\nThe maximum student bursary for each year prior to the current time was converted into 2015-16 (financial year) prices using the most recent HM Treasury deflators and guidance.\r\nStudents at home:\r\nYear\r\nMaximum student grant\r\nReal term value\r\n(Financial year 2015-16 prices)\r\n2015-16\r\n£1,875\r\n£1,875\r\n2007-08\r\n£1,550\r\n£1,815\r\n1997-98\r\n£1,290\r\n£1,904\r\n1988-89\r\n£1,500\r\n£3,169\r\n1979-80\r\n£985\r\n£3,952\r\nSources: HM Treasury GDP deflators (October 2015)\r\nNote: Converted to real terms based on the financial year the first payment of student grant issued\r\nStudents living away from home:\r\nYear\r\nMaximum student grant\r\nReal term value\r\n(Financial Year 2015-16 prices)\r\n2015-16\r\n£1,875\r\n£1,875\r\n2007-08\r\n£2,510\r\n£2,939\r\n1997-98\r\n£1,685\r\n£2,488\r\n1988-89\r\n£1,990\r\n£4,204\r\n1979-80\r\n£1,245\r\n£4,995\r\nSources: HM Treasury GDP deflators (October 2015)\r\nNote: Converted to real terms based on the financial year the first payment of student grant issued\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-11-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307618,"EventID":"S4W-28272","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-03T17:06:16.327","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-03T15:26:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the total cost of funding the road equivalent tariff has been since 2008, also broken down by each ferry network subsidy.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-25144 on 22 April 2015. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.\r\nI confirm that the final road equivalent tariff (RET) figure for financial year 2014-15 was £5,034 million.\r\nIn the financial year 2015-16, the estimated cost of RET is £7,938 million.","AnswerDate":"2015-11-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307619,"EventID":"S4W-28273","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5556,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":111,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-03T17:06:17.14","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-03T15:41:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much money it has given to Fife Council as part of the Schools for the Future programme in each of the last three years.","AnswerText":"Through the Scotland's Schools for the Future programme, the level of funding awarded to Fife Council in each of the last three years is as follows:\r\n2012-13: £18,085,647\r\n2013-14: £391,586\r\n2014-15: £0.","AnswerDate":"2015-11-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307620,"EventID":"S4W-28274","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5556,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":111,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-03T17:06:18.06","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-03T15:41:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much money it has given to Fife Council as part of its immediate support to local authorities for new and refurbished buildings in each of the last three years.","AnswerText":"The following table shows the amount of capital funding Fife Council has received as part of the Local Government Finance Settlement. It is a matter for each council how best it maximises the use of the resources and assets at its disposal including how much to allocate on new and refurbished buildings.\r\nGeneral Capital Grant\r\n2013-14\r\n£ Million\r\n2014-15\r\n£ Million\r\n2015-16\r\n£ Million\r\nFife Council\r\n23.330\r\n37.750\r\n40.212\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-11-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307621,"EventID":"S4W-28275","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5556,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":111,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-03T17:06:18.667","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-03T15:41:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much money it has given to Fife Council to provide improvements to the school estate in each of the last three years.","AnswerText":"Through the Scotland's Schools for the Future programme the level of funding awarded to Fife Council in each of the last three years to provide improvements to its school estate is as follows:\r\n2012-13: £18,085,647\r\n2013-14: £391,586\r\n2014-15: £0\r\nMoreover, the following table shows the amount of capital funding Fife Council has received as part the Local Government Finance Settlement. It is a matter for each council how best it maximises the use of the resources and assets at its disposal including how much to allocate to improvements to its school estates.\r\nGeneral Capital Grant\r\n2012-13\r\n£ Million\r\n2013-14\r\n£ Million\r\n2014-15\r\n£ Million\r\nFife Council\r\n23.301\r\n23.330\r\n37.750\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-11-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307622,"EventID":"S4W-28276","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5556,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":111,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-03T17:06:19.54","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-03T15:41:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much it has borrowed under its capital borrowing powers in each of the last three years.","AnswerText":"Capital borrowing powers for the Scottish Government under the Scotland Act 2012 came into force with effect from the current financial year 2015-16. As set out in the Draft Budget 2015-16, it is anticipated that up to £304 million will be borrowed.","AnswerDate":"2015-11-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307623,"EventID":"S4W-28277","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5556,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":111,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-03T17:06:20.383","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-03T15:41:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much money it has given to Fife Council for infrastructure investment in each of the last three years.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-28274 on 17 November 2015. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.\r\nIn addition the Scottish Government will encourage local authorities to follow the guidance available.","AnswerDate":"2015-11-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307624,"EventID":"S4W-28278","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5556,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":111,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-03T17:06:21.18","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-03T15:41:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many shovel-ready projects have completed the (a) planning and (b) procurement process stage in (i) Dunfermline, (ii) Fife and (iii) Scotland in each of the last three years.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-28279 on 14 December 2015. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.","AnswerDate":"2015-12-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307625,"EventID":"S4W-28279","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5556,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":111,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-03T17:06:22.257","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-03T15:41:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much money it has allocated to shovel-ready projects that have completed the (a) planning and (b) procurement process stage in (i) Dunfermline, (ii) Fife and (iii) Scotland in each of the last three years.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government initially provided the UK Government with a list of projects totalling £302 million on 2 March 2012. A further detailed list of projects totalling £820.8 million was subsequently provided on 23 November 2012. The majority of the projects within these lists have been taken forward despite significant cuts to our capital budgets. Some projects were subsequently taken forward which did not receive ‘shovel ready’ funding. Information relating to the projects provided to the UK Government is detailed in the following two tables.\r\nList of projects provided to the UK Prime Minister on 2 March 2012:\r\nProject name\r\n‘Shovel ready’ project funding requested (£ million)\r\nStatus\r\nFunding allocated (£ million)\r\nFunding allocated in Dunfermline (£ million)\r\nFunding allocated in Fife (£ million)\r\nUllapool Pier – Passenger access system, traffic management, new berthing dolphin and replacement linkspan \r\n4\r\nCompleted\r\n4\r\n-\r\n-\r\nGourock-Dunoon Pontoons \r\n2\r\nCancelled \r\n0\r\n-\r\n-\r\nKennacraig Phase 2 \r\n4\r\nCompleted\r\n4\r\n-\r\n-\r\nA75 Hardgrove to Kinmount \r\n10\r\nCompleted\r\n9\r\n-\r\n-\r\nA96 Threapland \r\n6\r\nStatutory procedures complete\r\n0\r\n-\r\n-\r\nA68 Pathhead to Tynehead Junction \r\n6\r\nStatutory procedures complete\r\n0\r\n-\r\n-\r\nA95 Lackgie \r\n4\r\nStatutory procedures complete\r\n0\r\n-\r\n-\r\nA702 Candymill Bend and Edmonstone Brae \r\n4\r\nStatutory procedures complete\r\n0\r\n-\r\n-\r\nA737 Head Street Roundabout \r\n1.5\r\nSuperseded by A737 Improvements at Beith project which is currently in preparation.\r\n0\r\n-\r\n-\r\nA876 Kincardine Bridge Refurbishment \r\n14\r\nCurrently being progressed as a number of smaller schemes over a period of 8 to 10 years\r\n1.2\r\n-\r\n1.2\r\nM8 M73 M74 Motorway Improvements: Advance Public Utilities \r\n37.8\r\nIn construction\r\n37.8\r\n-\r\n-\r\nTransport\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nHealth maintenance to ensure assets are safe, effective and patient centred \r\n50\r\nProjects which formed this inclusion are all completed.\r\n15.0 \r\n-\r\n-\r\nHealth\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nAccelerating Schools for the Future \r\n30.8\r\nFive projects formed this inclusion. One secondary school, three primary schools and one additional special needs school. All schools now complete and open to pupils.\r\n30.8 \r\n-\r\n-\r\nSchools\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nUniversity of Glasgow – Centre for Virology Research \r\n13\r\nCompleted \r\n\r\n0\r\n-\r\n-\r\nUniversity of Dundee – Phases 2 and 3 – refurbishment of Duncan of Jordanstone\r\n8\r\nCompleted \r\n\r\n0\r\n-\r\n-\r\nUniversity of Abertay / Dundee College – Dundee Academy of Sport \r\n6\r\nIn Preparation\r\n0\r\n-\r\n-\r\nUniversity of Edinburgh – Centre for Humanities and Social Sciences \r\n8\r\nCompleted\r\n0\r\n-\r\n-\r\nFurther and Higher Education\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nDundee Central Waterfront \r\n4.5\r\nIn construction\r\n0.0\r\n-\r\n-\r\nFife Energy Park - Site Development \r\n3.5\r\nIn construction\r\n0.0\r\n-\r\n-\r\nITREZ Technology Innovation Centre \r\n4\r\nCompleted\r\n2.4\r\n-\r\n-\r\nATOS Building – Forres Enterprise Park \r\n3\r\nCompleted\r\n3\r\n-\r\n-\r\nInverness Campus \r\n6\r\nCompleted \r\n6\r\n-\r\n-\r\nForres Enterprise Park – Extension of Roads \r\n2\r\nCompleted\r\n2\r\n-\r\n-\r\nForres Enterprise Park – Provide 2 Units \r\n3\r\nCompleted \r\n3\r\n-\r\n-\r\nEuropean Marine Science Park – Ground works \r\n3.5\r\nCompleted \r\n3.5\r\n-\r\n-\r\nCreative Clyde \r\n1.7\r\nNearing Completion\r\n0.0\r\n-\r\n-\r\nNational Renewable Infrastructure Plan – Hunterston Quay Upgrade \r\n2\r\nCancelled\r\n0.0\r\n-\r\n-\r\nEnterprise\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nPriority investments within local authority Strategic Housing Investment Plans \r\n15\r\nMajority of projects which formed this inclusion are completed.\r\n15\r\nFunding allocated to Local authorities across Scotland not to specific projects, all of which contribute to the overall supply of affordable housing.\r\nFunding allocated to Local authorities across Scotland not to specific projects, all of which contribute to the overall supply of affordable housing.\r\nHousing\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nClyde Gateway developments at Bridgeton Cross, Dalmarnock Cross, Rutherglen and Shawfield \r\n37\r\nFive projects formed this inclusion. Four are completed, and one is on hold.\r\n21.6","AnswerDate":"2015-12-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307626,"EventID":"S4W-28254","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-04T13:41:39.637","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-03T09:28:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many disabled people have taken part in the modern apprenticeship programme in each of the last five years.","AnswerText":"The numbers of people who have started a Modern Apprenticeship and declared a disability in the last five years is as follows:\r\n2014-15 - 103\r\n2013-14 - 92\r\n2012-13 - 63\r\n2011-12 - 74\r\n2010-11 - 60\r\nOther Modern Apprentices may have a disability but have chosen not to declare it.","AnswerDate":"2015-11-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Annabelle Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307627,"EventID":"S4W-28255","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-04T13:41:40.887","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-03T09:28:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many black and minority ethnic people have taken part in the modern apprenticeship programme in each of the last five years.","AnswerText":"The numbers of people starting a Modern Apprenticeship and reporting their identity as black and minority ethnicity over the past five years is as follows:\r\n2014-15 - 361\r\n2013-14 - 284\r\n2012-13 - 274\r\n2011-12 - 442\r\n2010-11 - 288","AnswerDate":"2015-11-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Annabelle Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307628,"EventID":"S4W-28256","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-04T13:41:41.68","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-03T09:28:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people have taken part in the modern apprenticeship programme in each of the last five years.","AnswerText":"This is an operational matter for Skills Development Scotland (SDS). I will ask the Chief Executive of SDS to write to you regarding the information you have requested.","AnswerDate":"2015-11-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Annabelle Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307629,"EventID":"S4W-28257","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-04T13:41:42.523","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-03T09:28:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many care leavers have taken part in the modern apprenticeship programme in each of the last five years.","AnswerText":"This is an operational matter for Skills Development Scotland (SDS). I will ask the Chief Executive of SDS to write to you regarding the information you have requested.","AnswerDate":"2015-11-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Annabelle Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307630,"EventID":"S4W-28258","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-04T13:41:43.367","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-03T09:28:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many (a) males and (b) females have taken part in the modern apprenticeship programme in each of the last five years.","AnswerText":"The numbers of (a) males and (b) females starting a Modern Apprenticeship in each of the last five years is as follows:\r\n2014-15 - (a)15,078 and (b)10,169\r\n2013-14 - (a)14,839 and (b)10,445\r\n2012-13 - (a)14,651 and (b)11,040\r\n2011-12 - (a)15,046 and (b)11,381\r\n2010-11 - (a)11,906 and (b)9,656","AnswerDate":"2015-11-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Annabelle Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307631,"EventID":"S4W-28259","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-04T13:41:44.6","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-03T09:28:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many people with a visual impairment have taken part in the modern apprenticeship programme in each of the last five years.","AnswerText":"This is an operational matter for Skills Development Scotland (SDS). I will ask the Chief Executive of SDS to write to you regarding the information you have requested.","AnswerDate":"2015-11-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Annabelle Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307632,"EventID":"S4W-28263","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-04T13:41:45.347","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-03T12:20:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much money it has provided to the Traditional Music and Song Association of Scotland in each of the last seven years.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government supports the traditional music sector through Creative Scotland, which disburses nearly two million pounds each year to organisations directly forming part of the traditional music sector.\r\nCreative Scotland awards have been for £50,000 in 2011-12, £10,000 in 2012-13 and £5,000 in 2014-15 to the Traditional Music and Song Association of Scotland (TMSA).\r\nCreative Scotland has also devolved £35k funding to Fèisean nan Gidheal to deliver the Traditional Arts Small Grants Fund which offers grants of up of £1,000 to organisations and individuals involved in Scottish traditional arts to support them to create, perform, tour and showcase work.\r\nIn 2008-09, the then Scottish Arts Council (SAC) made three awards of £64,757 to the TMSA. In 2009-10, the SAC made six awards totalling £84,690 and in 2010-11, the SAC made three awards totalling £48,000.\r\nIn addition, VisitScotland funded the TMSA in 2014 as part of Homecoming Scotland 2014 and special Homecoming Scotland 2014 sessions with £15,000 to help with musician costs and marketing.","AnswerDate":"2015-11-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fiona Hyslop","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307633,"EventID":"S4W-28264","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-04T13:41:46.703","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-03T12:21:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it has a ringfenced traditional arts budget to fund Scottish music and song.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government supports arts and culture primarily through Creative Scotland, and does not have its own ringfenced traditional arts budget. Creative Scotland and its predecessor body the Scottish Arts Council had a number of ringfenced funds for the traditional arts. Creative Scotland has now significantly simplified its funding model for applicants and all applicants apply directly to the regular or open funds, following feedback from the cultural sector. Since Open Project Funding was launched in October 2014, it has awarded £1.4 million to 156 individuals, organisations and projects whose work falls within the traditional arts, including support for Gaelic and Scots.\r\nThis includes writers, musicians, theatre makers, festivals and creative organisations across Scotland, such as major events like Heb Celt Festival and the Celtic Media Festival, arts organisations such as Proiseact nan Ealan, through to musicians such as Ross Ainslie and Breabach.\r\nCreative Scotland's portfolio of Regularly Funded Organisations, who receive funding over a period of three years, consists of many organisations who are active in the traditional arts, Gaelic and Scots or wholly focussed on this area of creative work. This includes Traditional Arts and Culture Scotland including the Scottish Storytelling Centre, Feisean nan Gaidheal, An Lanntair, Taigh Chearsabhagh Trust, The Gaelic Books Council, The National Piping Centre, Feis Rois, Celtic Connections, Hands up for Trad, the Scottish Poetry Library and other organisations whose work supports traditional artists working across Scotland.\r\nCreative Scotland has also devolved £35k funding to Fèisean nan Gidheal to deliver the Traditional Arts Small Grants Fund which offers grants of up of £1,000 to organisations and individuals involved in Scottish traditional arts to support them to create, perform, tour and showcase work.\r\nNow that they are no longer limited to a ringfenced fund, our traditional arts compete very strongly and are able to access greater funding and are having greater success in securing funding from Creative Scotland.","AnswerDate":"2015-11-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fiona Hyslop","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307634,"EventID":"S4W-28265","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-04T13:41:47.78","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-03T12:23:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much money it has provided to help fund the Royal National Mod in each of the last seven years.","AnswerText":"Since 2008, the Scottish Government has provided a total of £202,000 in direct funding towards the mod. The figures for each year are in the following table:\r\n2008-09\r\n2009-10\r\n2010-11\r\n2011-12\r\n2012-13\r\n2013-14\r\n2014-15\r\n£1,000\r\n£36,000\r\n£31,000\r\n£1,000\r\n£71,000\r\n£11,000\r\n£51,000\r\n£27,280 has been awarded in 2015-16.\r\nThe following agencies have also provided a range of support to the mod.\r\nVisitScotland has provided a total of £212,000 over the last seven years. The figures for each year are in the following table:\r\n2008-09\r\n2009-10\r\n2010-11\r\n2011-12\r\n2012-13\r\n2013-14\r\n2014-15\r\n£15,000\r\n£30,000\r\n£42,000\r\n£25,000\r\n£25,000\r\n£25,000\r\n£50,000\r\n£25,000 has been awarded in the 2015-16.\r\nThe Scottish Qualifications Authority, the Gaelic Books Trust and Education Scotland also offer support for the literature day at the mod.\r\nSince 2010, Creative Scotland has provided £29,600 to the mod. A breakdown is included in the following table:\r\n2011\r\n2013\r\n2015\r\n£4,600\r\n£15,000\r\n£10,000\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-11-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fiona Hyslop","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307635,"EventID":"S4W-28282","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1866,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-04T13:41:48.81","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-03T16:56:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether planning permission has been granted for any (a) test drilling and (b) borehole drilling for the purpose of core sampling for unconventional gas extraction, including fracking, coalbed methane and underground coal gasification.","AnswerText":"Information on individual planning permissions is not held centrally.\r\nBoreholes for test fracking or hydrocarbon flow testing are prohibited under the terms of the moratorium, and no applications for such activities have been made since the moratorium was announced.","AnswerDate":"2015-11-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307636,"EventID":"S4W-28283","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1866,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-04T13:41:49.637","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-03T16:56:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how exploration, which is prohibited under the terms of the moratorium on fracking, differs from drilling a borehole solely for the purpose of core sampling, and how it determines when such activity can proceed in its directions to the Scottish Environment Protection Agency and local authorities.","AnswerText":"Petroleum exploration and development licences have been issued in Scotland under a UK Government licensing regime. This regime divides oil and gas developments into four stages – exploration, appraisal, production and decommissioning.\r\nUnder the UK's licensing regime, exploratory drilling can include boreholes to extract core samples, and test fracking and hydrocarbon (oil and gas) flow testing.\r\nHowever, boreholes for test fracking or hydrocarbon flow testing are prohibited under the terms of the moratorium.\r\nIn line with the Scottish Government’s evidence-led approach to unconventional oil and gas, only boreholes to extract core samples are not included in the moratorium. Core sampling allows analysis of data including stratigraphy and rock properties. \r\nAny proposal for a borehole would also need to demonstrate that it will be undertaken in collaboration with an independent research body (such as the British Geological Survey) or academic institution. A company seeking to drill a borehole to acquire a core sample would also need to obtain all the necessary regulatory consents. These would include planning permission from a local planning authority and an environmental permit from the Scottish Environment Protection Agency. It would then be for regulators to determine whether or not the site is acceptable and whether drilling should be allowed. \r\nThe Scottish Government is committed to review planning guidance to ensure that borehole applications are subject to appropriate public scrutiny and that proposals satisfactorily address all the likely impacts on local communities and the environment.","AnswerDate":"2015-11-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307637,"EventID":"S4W-28284","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1866,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-04T13:41:50.307","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-03T16:57:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether the (a) moratorium on fracking that it announced and (b) directions to local authorities and the Scottish Environment Protection Agency that it issued in January 2015 prohibited test drilling including drilling for boreholes solely for the purpose of core sampling. ","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-24473 on 8 October 2015, which confirmed the Scottish Government’s position that boreholes drilled for the purpose of core sampling are not included in the moratorium. Boreholes for test fracking or hydrocarbon flow testing are not permitted. The directions issued on 8 October 2015 to planning authorities and the Scottish Environment Protection Agency established the mechanism by which this policy will take practical effect.\r\nAll answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.","AnswerDate":"2015-11-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307638,"EventID":"S4W-28285","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1866,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-04T13:41:51.04","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-03T16:57:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether test drilling for unconventional gas, including drilling a borehole solely for the purpose of core sampling, will (a) face restrictions over proximity to (i) groundwater and (ii) residential areas and (b) be limited to a certain depth.","AnswerText":"Only boreholes for the purposes of core sampling are not included in the moratorium.\r\nA company seeking to drill a borehole to acquire a core sample would need to obtain all the necessary regulatory consents. These would include planning permission from a local planning authority and an environmental permit from the Scottish Environment Protection Agency. It would then be for regulators to determine whether or not the site is acceptable and whether drilling should be allowed.\r\nThe Scottish Government has committed to review planning guidance to ensure that borehole applications are subject to appropriate public scrutiny and that proposals satisfactorily address all the likely impacts on local communities and the environment.","AnswerDate":"2015-11-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307639,"EventID":"S4W-28287","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1866,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-04T13:41:51.82","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-03T16:57:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it can confirm that no test drilling for unconventional gas will be permitted with the involvement or direction of any industry body.","AnswerText":"In line with the Scottish Government’s evidence-led approach to unconventional oil and gas, only boreholes to extract core samples are not included in the moratorium. Core sampling allows analysis of data including stratigraphy and rock properties. \r\nBoreholes for test fracking or hydrocarbon flow testing are not permitted.\r\nOnly companies who hold an onshore oil and gas licence can drill a borehole.\r\nA petroleum exploration and development licence has been issued in Scotland under a UK Government licensing regime. The UK Government has confirmed that no further onshore oil and gas licences will be issued in Scotland. In line with the recommendations of the Smith Commission, the Scotland Bill 2015 includes provisions to devolve responsibility for onshore oil and gas licensing to the Scottish Parliament.\r\nA licence holder seeking to drill a borehole to acquire a core sample would need to obtain all necessary regulatory consents, including planning permission from a local planning authority and an environmental permit from the Scottish Environment Protection Agency. It will then be for regulators to determine whether the site is acceptable and whether drilling should be allowed. \r\nAny proposal for a borehole would also need to demonstrate that it will be undertaken in collaboration with an independent research body (such as the British Geological Survey) or academic institution.\r\nA prospective operator would also need to reach agreement with the local landowner before bringing forward a proposal for the consideration of regulators.","AnswerDate":"2015-11-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307640,"EventID":"S4W-28288","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-04T13:41:52.587","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-04T08:55:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government which schools in West Lothian are being given support by the Attainment Scotland Fund schools programme; how much support they are receiving; what criteria were used for selecting them, and what support the programme can provide to the schools that were not chosen but were close to the selected schools in the Scottish Index of Multiple Deprivation rankings.","AnswerText":"The schools in West Lothian involved in the Attainment Scotland Fund Schools Programme are Bridgend Primary School and St Thomas Primary School. We are currently reviewing their improvement plans and once finalised their funding allocation will be made available. The schools were selected on the basis that over 70% of their pupils live in the 20% most deprived data zones in Scotland (Scottish Index of Multiple Deprivation).\r\nThe Scottish Attainment Challenge provides both the targeted support made through the Attainment Scotland Fund and universal support available across Scotland. This includes an attainment advisor, who will work collaboratively alongside local authority staff on agreed priorities, a national hub, which provides a virtual centre of educational expertise and incorporates a range of features to build collaborative learning and engage leaders and practitioners.","AnswerDate":"2015-11-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307641,"EventID":"S4W-28292","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1866,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-04T13:41:53.397","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-04T11:44:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it will make provision under section 153 of the Local Government etc. (Scotland) Act 1994 to take account of section 67 of the Climate Change (Scotland) Act 2009.","AnswerText":"We currently have no plans to make provision under section 153(3)(b) of the Local Government etc. (Scotland) Act 1994.","AnswerDate":"2015-11-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307642,"EventID":"S4W-28293","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1866,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-04T13:41:54.223","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-04T11:55:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-27874 by Richard Lochhead on 28 October 2015, what further action it is taking in light of recent reports that Volkswagen Automobile Group also falsified CO2 emission details.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is acting in a number of ways to address the Volkswagen scandal and wider air quality issues. We are engaging with other devolved administrations on how best to respond to the Volkswagen scandal. We have supported the UK Government's representations to the EU on Real Driving Emissions testing. And on 4 November 2015 we launched the Cleaner Air for Scotland strategy, which sets out how the Scottish Government and partner organisations propose to deliver further reductions in air pollution. We will continue to explore options to ensure that actions in response to the Volkswagen scandal address broader environmental concerns and the needs of individual consumers.","AnswerDate":"2015-11-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Richard Lochhead","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307653,"EventID":"S4O-04761","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":2110,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":138,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-04T14:42:53.593","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-02T12:02:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to reduce the spread of sewage sludge.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-11-11T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307654,"EventID":"S4O-04762","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-04T14:42:55.603","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-02T12:02:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on the impact on the environment of fracking.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-11-11T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307655,"EventID":"S4O-04763","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":2595,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-04T14:42:57.883","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-03T10:59:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government for what reason there was a £13 million underspend by the Rural Affairs, Food and Environment portfolio in 2014-15.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-11-11T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307656,"EventID":"S4O-04764","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":1932,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":117,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-04T14:42:59.593","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-02T12:02:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what progress it has made in promoting the Scottish dairy brand to international markets.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-11-11T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307657,"EventID":"S4O-04765","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":4965,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-04T14:43:01.673","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-02T12:02:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what contact it has had with the UK Government regarding the impact of the disruption at Calais on Scottish food exports.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-11-11T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307658,"EventID":"S4O-04766","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":3751,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":108,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-04T14:43:03.643","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-02T15:15:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the impact on its climate targets is of the UK Government’s energy policies.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-11-11T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307659,"EventID":"S4O-04767","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":5107,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":124,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-04T14:43:05.833","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-02T12:02:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what progress it is making in considering a tail docking exemption for working dogs.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-11-11T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307660,"EventID":"S4O-04768","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":1882,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":129,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-04T14:43:07.723","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-02T12:02:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what recent discussions it has had with the SRUC on the deployment of veterinary surveillance centres.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-11-11T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307661,"EventID":"S4O-04769","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":3743,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":123,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-04T14:43:09.693","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-02T12:02:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs, Food and Environment's response is to the recent figures on wildlife crime, which suggest that there was a 20% fall in 2013-14.","AnswerText":"I welcome the 20% reduction in recorded wildlife crime offences, and thank Police Scotland and the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service for their considerable efforts in recent years to improve the enforcement of wildlife crime legislation and the availability of relevant data.\r\nThere is no room for complacency though. Some of our native species continue to be under serious threat from wildlife crime and the Scottish Government will work closely with law enforcement bodies and other partners to bring about a long term reduction in these types of offence.","AnswerDate":"2015-11-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-11-11T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen McLeod","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307662,"EventID":"S4O-04771","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":2029,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":145,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-04T14:43:10.883","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-02T16:30:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what steps it has taken to determine whether Police Scotland or its predecessor forces have monitored the activities of political activists, trade unionists and environmental campaigners. ","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-11-11T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307663,"EventID":"S4O-04772","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":5556,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":111,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-04T14:43:12.363","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-02T12:02:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to encourage and expand the use of CCTV video links for prisoner appearances at court.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-11-11T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307664,"EventID":"S4O-04773","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":4940,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-04T14:43:13.433","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-02T12:02:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the Cabinet Secretary for Justice's response is to reported concerns that some retail thefts are directly attributed to hunger.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-11-11T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307665,"EventID":"S4O-04774","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":1814,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":77,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-04T14:43:15.203","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-02T12:02:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it last met the Scottish Police Federation and what was discussed.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-11-11T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307666,"EventID":"S4O-04775","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":5038,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-04T14:43:17.343","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-04T11:23:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it will take to reduce the reported £10 million that is lost in the Sheriff Court system by cases repeating stages unnecessarily.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-11-11T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307667,"EventID":"S4O-04776","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":1860,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-04T14:43:19.453","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-04T10:33:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what support is available through the justice system for the protection of children in families experiencing domestic abuse.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-11-11T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307668,"EventID":"S4O-04778","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":5042,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-04T14:43:21.783","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-02T12:02:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the average police response time is to reports of serious violent crime.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government does not hold information about police response times to reports of serious violent crime. Police Scotland Contact, Command and Control centres receive around 500,000 emergency (999) calls per annum. HMICS has recently provided assurance in its review of call handling that the grading, prioritisation and dispatch of officers for emergency calls is working well with a prompt response from officers.\r\nViolent crime has reduced by 55% since 2006-07 and clear-up rates for violent crime have increased to 84.1% – the highest since comparable records began in 1976. Crimes of handling and offensive weapon are down by 67% since 2006-07. Homicides are at their lowest level of any year on record. Fewer Scots are likely to become victims of crime and this is all supported by the 1,000 extra officers in our communities since 2007.","AnswerDate":"2015-11-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-11-11T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307669,"EventID":"S4O-04779","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":1759,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-04T14:43:23.933","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-02T12:02:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action the Cabinet Secretary for Justice will take in light of the postponement of designating a specific offence of domestic abuse.","AnswerText":"It is not correct to say that a specific offence of domestic abuse has been postponed. In our Programme for Government in November 2014 we committed to consult on the principle of creating a specific offence of domestic abuse. We consulted between March and June 2015. The views received to that consultation revealed broad support for the principle of having a domestic abuse offence, but no consensus on how such an offence should be developed.\r\nIn light of this, we committed in this year's Programme for Government to consult on a draft specific offence of domestic abuse. We consider the right approach is to listen to key stakeholders and take forward the development of such an important new offence informed by their views so that a consensus can be achieved. A draft offence will be shared with stakeholders in the next few weeks.","AnswerDate":"2015-11-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-11-11T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307670,"EventID":"S4O-04781","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":3129,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":83,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-04T14:43:26.073","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-02T12:02:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on the impact on employment in Glasgow of the city council's plans for its City Building subsidiary.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-11-12T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307671,"EventID":"S4O-04782","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":3907,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":135,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-04T14:43:28.163","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-02T12:02:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many people have graduated in computer science from Scottish universities this year, broken down by gender.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-11-12T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307672,"EventID":"S4O-04783","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":2080,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":87,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-04T14:43:30.343","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-02T12:02:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when the Cabinet Secretary for Infrastructure, Investment and Cities last met Glasgow City Council and what issues were discussed.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-11-12T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307673,"EventID":"S4O-04784","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":5059,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-04T14:43:31.683","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-04T09:58:13.9","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to improve fertility services in West Scotland.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-11-12T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307674,"EventID":"S4O-04785","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":2826,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":84,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-04T14:43:32.603","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-04T10:17:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what winter preparedness programmes it has put in place to protect vulnerable people. ","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-11-12T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307675,"EventID":"S4O-04786","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":2603,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-04T14:43:33.353","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-03T22:08:07.847","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to support the energy industry in the north east.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-11-12T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307676,"EventID":"S4O-04787","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":2033,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":132,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-04T14:43:34.653","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-02T12:02:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it will respond to the Commission for School Reform's challenge paper.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-11-12T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307677,"EventID":"S4O-04788","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":2123,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":103,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-04T14:43:35.753","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-02T12:02:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what progress it is making with the recruitment of additional specialist nurses.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-11-12T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307678,"EventID":"S4O-04789","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":2892,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-04T14:43:37.053","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-04T11:14:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much it plans to spend in 2016-17 on its national infrastructure priority on energy efficiency.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government will have confirmation of future budgets following the publication of the UK Spending Review on 25 November 2015. As the spending review for future years is still to be decided, budget and anticipated expenditure details for 2016-17 are currently not available.","AnswerDate":"2015-11-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-11-12T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307679,"EventID":"S4O-04790","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":4955,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":105,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-04T14:43:38.153","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-02T12:02:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what recent discussions it has had with the City of Edinburgh Council and NHS Lothian regarding delayed discharge from hospital.","AnswerText":"My officials have been having weekly discussions with the City of Edinburgh Council and NHS Lothian regarding delayed discharges.","AnswerDate":"2015-11-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-11-12T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307680,"EventID":"S4W-28280","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2029,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":145,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-04T16:39:20.94","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-03T16:17:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will commit to using existing powers and any additional powers to introduce a scheme of welfare benefit payments to mitigate any loss arising from reductions to tax credits.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4F-03036 on 5 November 2015. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s Official Report, the search facility for which can be found at: \r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/report.aspx?r=10179","AnswerDate":"2015-11-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Burgess","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307681,"EventID":"S4W-28281","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2029,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":145,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-04T16:39:23.047","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-03T16:17:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it remains its position, as stated by the First Minister on 30 September 2015 (Official Report, c. 8), that it “will not have the ability to do anything about the cuts to working tax credits”, given the comment of Iain Duncan Smith MP to the Work and Pensions Committee that the Scottish Government could make extra additional payments if it so wished.","AnswerText":"We proposed an amendment to the Scotland Bill to devolve tax credits to put beyond doubt our ability to mitigate impacts of all the tax credit changes proposed for all families impacted, including those losing their entitlement entirely. This would have been the most straightforward and efficient way to mitigate the impacts of the cuts but it was not passed by the UK Parliament on 9 November 2015. We welcome the new amendment tabled by the UK Government on 4 November 2015 and passed by the UK Parliament on 9 November 2015 which will provide the Scottish Parliament with the power to create new benefits as long as this is funded out of the Scottish Consolidated Fund.","AnswerDate":"2015-11-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Burgess","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307682,"EventID":"S4W-28296","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4984,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-04T16:39:25.06","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-04T13:42:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government for what reason the drug, Afinitor, is not available on the NHS in Scotland for the treatment of breast cancer.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307683,"EventID":"S4W-28297","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4984,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-04T16:39:27.04","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-04T13:43:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether (a) it and (b) the Scottish Medicines Consortium will review the decision not to make the drug, Afinitor, available on the NHS in Scotland for the treatment of breast cancer.","AnswerText":"The independence of Scottish Medicines Consortium (SMC) decisions on individual drugs is well established. We are advised that SMC is expecting to receive a resubmission from the pharmaceutical company for this drug.","AnswerDate":"2015-11-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307684,"EventID":"S4W-28299","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-04T16:39:29.07","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-04T15:00:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much money it has awarded for fringe events at the Royal National Mod in each year since 2008.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government funds the arts through Creative Scotland. Creative Scotland has not made any direct awards to fringe events at the mod but has awarded funding to artists to support their attendance.","AnswerDate":"2015-11-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fiona Hyslop","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307685,"EventID":"S4W-28300","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-04T16:39:30.487","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-04T15:01:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much money it has awarded to the World Pipe Band Championships in each year since 2008.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government funds the World Pipe Band Championships through a number of public bodies.\r\nScottish Enterprise contributed £150,000 to the World Pipe Band Championships in 2010-11.\r\nVisitScotland has provided a total of £437,000 over the last seven years for the World Pipe Band Championships. The figures for each year are set out in the following table:\r\n2009-10\r\n2010-11\r\n2011-12\r\n2012-13\r\n2013-14\r\n2014-15\r\n2015-16\r\n£25,000\r\n£50,000\r\n£50,000\r\n£50,000\r\n£50,000\r\n£112,000\r\n£100,000\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-11-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fiona Hyslop","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307686,"EventID":"S4W-28301","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5556,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":111,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-04T16:39:31.953","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-04T15:31:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government for what reason it was able to announce a moratorium on underground coal gasification on 8 October 2015 when it had previously stated that it did not have the power to do so.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has never stated that it could not use planning powers to introduce a moratorium on the onshore elements of any underground coal gasification development.\r\nI also refer the member to the answer to S4W-26231 on 17 July 2015, which set out the Scottish Government's position regarding planning decisions for onshore aspects of underground coal gasification developments.\r\nAll answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.\r\n\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-11-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307697,"EventID":"S4O-04758","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":3,"MSPID":1853,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":86,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-05T11:16:12.03","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-10-29T09:38:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body what consideration it has given to the implications for its employees of the proposals in the UK Government’s Trade Union Bill.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-11-12T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307698,"EventID":"S4O-04759","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":3,"MSPID":5034,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-05T11:16:12.843","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-10-29T12:58:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body how it ensures that pupils from deprived areas have equal access to visiting the Parliament.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-11-12T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307699,"EventID":"S4O-04760","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":3,"MSPID":4938,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-05T11:16:13.327","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-10-30T14:24:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body what its position is on the Scottish Parliamentary Pension Scheme investing a reported £2.1 million in fossil fuels while the Parliament is trying to move toward renewables.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-11-12T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307700,"EventID":"S4O-04791","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":3,"MSPID":1793,"Party":"Independent","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-05T11:16:13.763","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-04T11:01:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body what criteria it uses when selecting or accepting artwork for display.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-11-12T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307701,"EventID":"S4O-04792","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":3,"MSPID":4947,"Party":"Independent","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-05T11:16:14.107","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-04T13:47:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body how it promotes the Parliament, its values and its work.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-11-12T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307702,"EventID":"S4O-04793","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":3,"MSPID":2610,"Party":"Independent","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-05T11:16:14.637","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-04T15:05:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body what action it is taking to improve the speed of server access from members' regional offices.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-11-12T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307703,"EventID":"S4O-04794","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":3,"MSPID":2892,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-05T11:16:15.167","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-04T15:08:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body what action it takes to address staff welfare issues related to winter weather.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-11-12T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307704,"EventID":"S4W-28294","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3806,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-05T13:47:57.6","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-04T12:03:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what vessel will be deployed on the Mallaig to Armadale service when the Coruisk is removed from this route and whether it will be of a similar age and capacity as the Coruisk.","AnswerText":"The deployment of vessels on the Clyde and Hebrides Ferry Service network is a matter for CalMac as the ferry operator.","AnswerDate":"2015-11-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307705,"EventID":"S4W-28302","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-05T13:47:58.737","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-04T16:29:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it approved the University of the Highlands and Islands' £34 million contract with Cityheart to build student accommodation in Shetland.","AnswerText":"Universities are autonomous institutions and the Scottish Government has had no involvement in any associated tendering exercise or in approving the contract with CityHeart. The University of the Highlands and Islands’ Shetland student residencies projects have received no Scottish Government funding.","AnswerDate":"2015-11-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307706,"EventID":"S4W-28303","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-05T13:47:59.753","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-04T16:29:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government for what reason local contractors did not have the opportunity to tender for the University of the Highlands and Islands' £34 million contract to build student accommodation in Shetland.","AnswerText":"Universities are autonomous institutions, the Scottish Government has had no involvement in any any University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI) tendering exercise for student residencies. Furthermore the UHI’s Shetland student residencies projects have received no Scottish Government funding.","AnswerDate":"2015-11-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307707,"EventID":"S4W-28304","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2673,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":114,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-05T13:48:00.75","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-04T16:36:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what housing support it can provide for veterans and their families in light of the recommendations by the Scottish Veterans Commissioner in the document, Report on the Provision of Information on Housing for Service Leavers and Veterans in Scotland.","AnswerText":"The recommendations made by the Scottish Veterans commissioner in the document: Report on the Provision of Information on Housing for Service Leavers and Veterans in Scotland (August 2015) sets out recommendations and findings intended to help service-leavers and their families address their housing needs. The report emphasises the importance of providing service-leavers with easily accessible, good quality housing information.\r\nThe Scottish Government welcomes the report by the commissioner and shares the aims of his recommendations. We have taken significant steps to improve awareness of how best to access housing and made it easier for those leaving the services to secure a home suitable for them and their families. We are currently considering how best to implement the commissioner’s recommendations and build on the steps we have already taken to ensure all service-leavers and veterans receive appropriate housing support to help them achieve a smooth transition to civilian life for them and their families.","AnswerDate":"2015-11-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Burgess","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307708,"EventID":"S4W-28305","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-05T13:48:01.39","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-05T09:45:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when Scottish Natural Heritage completed its review of freshwater pearl mussel protection measures and of potential new areas to designate protected status, and when it will publish its response to the findings.","AnswerText":"Scottish Natural Heritage is finalising its report to the Scottish Government on the adequacy of the Scottish suite of Special Areas of Conservation for freshwater pearl mussel. Should any decisions be taken following receipt of the advice, they will be announced in the usual way.","AnswerDate":"2015-11-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen McLeod","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307709,"EventID":"S4W-28306","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-05T13:48:02.56","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-05T09:47:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government which rivers it is considering giving protected area status to in order to conserve freshwater pearl mussels.","AnswerText":"Any consideration will follow receipt of Scottish Natural Heritage's report.","AnswerDate":"2015-11-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen McLeod","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307710,"EventID":"S4W-28307","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5556,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":111,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-05T13:48:03.9","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-05T10:00:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government which schools in the Dunfermline constituency are receiving support from the Attainment Scotland Fund schools programme; how much they are receiving; what criteria were used for selecting them, and what support the programme can provide to the schools that were not chosen but were close to the selected schools in the Scottish Index of Multiple Deprivation rankings.","AnswerText":"The schools in Dunfermline involved in the Attainment Scotland Fund Schools Programme are St Serf’s RC Primary School and Inzievar Primary School. We are currently reviewing their improvement plans and once finalised their funding allocation will be made available. The schools were selected on the basis that over 70% of their pupils live in the 20% most deprived data zones in Scotland (Scottish Index of Multiple Deprivation).\r\nThe Scottish Attainment Challenge provides both the targeted support made through the Attainment Scotland Fund and universal support available across Scotland. This includes an attainment advisor, who will work collaboratively alongside local authority staff on agreed priorities, a national hub, which provides a virtual centre of educational expertise and incorporates a range of features to build collaborative learning and engage leaders and practitioners.","AnswerDate":"2015-11-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307726,"EventID":"S4W-28313","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2595,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-05T16:32:08.647","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-05T15:55:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether (a) Scottish Enterprise and (b) Scottish Development International has a plan in place to help Scottish companies trade via e-commerce and, if so, whether it is publicly available.","AnswerText":"Scottish Enterprise and Scottish Development International are fully committed to ensuring that e-commerce is incorporated into their wider digital support rather than having a stand-alone plan for e-commerce. This will help to accelerate the adoption of e-commerce across different companies and sectors and ensure that the right investments are made to improve the growth of the Scottish economy.\r\nRecent and current support for e-commerce includes:\r\nDelivery of the two-year E-commerce Scotland Programme of sector briefings and master classes in partnership with ScotlandIS;\r\nDelivery of the E-Commerce Scotland Forum event to over 220 delegates;\r\nDelivery of an international e-commerce workshop at multiple locations around Scotland;\r\nSupport of the E-commerce Club’s programme of e-commerce networking events in Scotland;\r\nDevelopment of a dedicated e-commerce theme within the China export programme;\r\nDelivery of the ‘Effective e-Commerce – Reaching New Markets Online’ conference;\r\nSupporting the University of Strathclyde Business School to investigate the feasibility of developing an MSc in e-commerce;\r\nDelivery of bespoke e-commerce and digital marketing advice to around 400 of Scotland's growth companies by ICT Advisors.","AnswerDate":"2015-11-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307727,"EventID":"S4W-28314","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2595,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-05T16:32:11.33","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-05T15:55:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the estimated value of e-commerce sales was in (a) 2013 and (b) 2014.","AnswerText":"Scottish Enterprise derives a Scottish estimate of the value of e-commerce sales on a biennial basis using only Office for National Statistics (ONS) data and therefore no estimate for 2013 has been calculated. An estimate for 2014 will be calculated following the ONS publication of their 2014 survey results which we anticipate to be in December 2015.","AnswerDate":"2015-11-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307728,"EventID":"S4W-28315","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2595,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-05T16:32:11.89","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-05T15:55:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it can provide a list of the 20 companies in Scotland with the largest e-commerce sales.","AnswerText":"There is no universally accepted definition for e-commerce. For strategic planning purposes, Scottish Enterprise has adopted the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) definition used by the Office for National Statistics and others to define e-commerce. The OECD defines an e-commerce transaction as “the sale or purchase of goods or services, conducted over computer networks by methods specifically designed for the purpose of receiving or placing of orders”. We are not aware of any currently available research that identifies the top 20 companies in Scotland by value of e-commerce sales using this definition.","AnswerDate":"2015-11-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307729,"EventID":"S4W-28316","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2595,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-05T16:32:12.407","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-05T15:55:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-20726 by John Swinney on 7 May 2014, whether the methodology for estimating the value of e-commerce sales has since changed.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has not undertaken any estimates of the value of e-commerce sales since our answer to S4W-20726.","AnswerDate":"2015-11-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307730,"EventID":"S4W-28317","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2595,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-05T16:32:12.953","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-05T15:55:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to produce an e-commerce strategy.","AnswerText":"Scotland’s Digital Future: A Strategy for Scotland sets out the ambition for Scotland to be at the forefront of the digital economy.\r\nThis strategy recommended that Scotland’s enterprise and skills agencies work collaboratively to enhance business support on digital issues through the Business Excellence Partnership (BEP), backed by an additional £13.6 million of Scottish Government funding. E-commerce is a recurring theme within the business support programme delivered for the BEP and led by Scottish Enterprise. This programme includes the digital voucher scheme supporting around 450 companies (with e-commerce as a key project focus); the Supplier Development Programme focused on stimulating public sector e-commerce via e-procurement; Digital Tourism Scotland featuring e-commerce as a theme, and the new National Digital Engagement Programme which will include e-commerce advice within a portfolio of digital support including workshops, one-to-one advice and digital health checks.\r\nThe Scottish Government has no current plans to produce a specific e-commerce strategy. However, Scottish Enterprise and Scottish Development International are fully committed to ensuring that e-commerce is incorporated into their wider digital support across all sectors. Details of the support provided are set out in the answer to S4W-28313 on 16 November 2015. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.","AnswerDate":"2015-11-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307731,"EventID":"S4W-28318","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2595,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-05T16:32:13.45","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-05T15:55:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the estimated value of e-commerce sales by companies account managed by Scottish Enterprise was in each of the last four quarters.","AnswerText":"Scottish Enterprise does not include questions about absolute values of online sales in its trends research for account managed companies. However, Scottish Enterprise recently undertook an analysis of account managed companies’ use of IT over a six-month period (October 2014 to March 2015) and the responses suggested that on average, their account managed firms currently conduct 18% of their sales online. They anticipate this to increase to 25% in the next two to three years.","AnswerDate":"2015-11-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307732,"EventID":"S4W-28319","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2595,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-05T16:38:39.313","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-05T15:55:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what information it has on how many training courses focused on e-commerce there are in Scotland.","AnswerText":"The cross-disciplinary nature of e-commerce means that the many courses in computing, business, marketing and web design will contribute to the skills pool supporting e-commerce. However, the granularity of available data does not allow for the relevance of specific programmes contributing to e-commerce to be confirmed with any certainty. It is also not typical for e-commerce to be demanded by businesses, or supplied by educational institutions, as a standalone discipline. The number of privately run training courses is unknown at this time.","AnswerDate":"2015-11-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307746,"EventID":"S4W-28308","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2108,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":141,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-06T15:40:47.043","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-05T15:36:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the reported health risks from problem gambling, what action it is taking to address the issue (a) generally and (b) in connection with fixed-odds betting terminals.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government believes that the effective regulation of gambling is a key means to reducing levels of problem gambling. However gambling legislation remains reserved to the UK Parliament.","AnswerDate":"2015-11-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307747,"EventID":"S4W-28309","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2108,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":141,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-06T15:40:47.903","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-05T15:36:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what data it collects regarding problem gambling and (a) risks to health and (b) suicide rates.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Health Survey (SHeS) uses two methods to assess problem gambling, the Gambling Severity Index (PGSI) and the Diagnostic and Statistics manual-IV (DSM-IV) screening tool. In 2014, 0.7% of the adult population were identified as problem gamblers according to the PGSI scale, where 0.8% were identified according to the DSM or PGSI. \r\nAlthough SHeS collects a range of data on health risks that can be linked to gambling status, the number of problem gamblers in the sample is too small to allow any robust analysis.\r\nIt is not possible to identify problem gambling from other health data due to the small numbers in the datasets.\r\nhttp://www.gov.scot/Topics/Statistics/Browse/Health/scottish-health-survey","AnswerDate":"2015-11-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307748,"EventID":"S4W-28310","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2108,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":141,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-06T15:40:48.433","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-05T15:36:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with the third sector regarding problem gambling and risks to health.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has had discussions with a range of stakeholders including third sector organisations over issues associated with gambling.","AnswerDate":"2015-11-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307749,"EventID":"S4W-28311","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2108,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":141,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-06T15:40:49.033","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-05T15:36:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on (a) limiting the number of and (b) setting the maximum stake to £10 for fixed-odds betting terminals when the power to do so is devolved.","AnswerText":"As currently drafted in the Scotland Bill, the power to limit the number of fixed odds betting terminals will relate only to new applications for betting premises. The large number of machines already in existence will not be affected nor will those machines in gambling premises other than betting shops. Clause 45 of the Scotland Bill does not devolve the power to set a maximum stake.\r\nOnce the power has been devolved then the Scottish Government will consider how best to use it and will consult before doing so.","AnswerDate":"2015-11-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307750,"EventID":"S4W-28321","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-06T15:40:49.843","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-05T16:18:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government for what reason it has not published its response to Meeting Scotland's Childcare Challenge: The Report of the Commission for Childcare Reform.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-28946 on 23 December 2015.\r\nAll answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at: \r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.","AnswerDate":"2015-12-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen Campbell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307751,"EventID":"S4W-28322","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1866,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-06T15:40:50.7","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-05T16:29:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the UK Government's consultation on whether fracking should take place in such areas, whether it will use the moratorium on unconventional gas extraction to consider whether it should be permitted (a) at surface level in and (b) below (i) national parks, (ii) natura sites and (iii) sites of special scientific interest.","AnswerText":"On 8 October 2015 the Scottish Government announced a timetable for a comprehensive programme of research and consultation on unconventional oil and gas. Through this process we will give full and careful consideration to the impact that this technology could have, wherever potential sites might be.\r\n In the meantime, the Scottish Government is clear that no fracking can or will take place whilst the moratorium announced on 28 January 2015 remains in force. ","AnswerDate":"2015-11-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307752,"EventID":"S4W-28323","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2108,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":141,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-06T15:40:52.67","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-06T09:09:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what dedicated services or support it provides for problem gamblers.","AnswerText":"In common with other behaviours that cause difficulties in people’s lives and contribute to their ill health, problem gambling is addressed as part of wider health issues that a person may be experiencing including mental health problems and substance misuse problems. Where a person is referred to a service for treatment, the clinical team will work with the person to identify the issues or problems that are important to support their recovery in a holistic person-centred way. Specialist psychological skills and competencies used in the management of alcohol and drug misuse have some applicability to some problem gamblers as do problem solving counselling skills.","AnswerDate":"2015-11-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307753,"EventID":"S4W-28324","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2108,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":141,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-06T15:40:54.69","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-06T09:09:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether problem gamblers in Scotland can access specialist treatment from the Responsible Gambling Trust.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government would encourage anyone who thinks they may have a gambling problem to seek help through their GP.\r\nWhether a person can access their specialist treatment is a matter for the Responsible Gambling Trust. Their website refers to the funding of services such as GamCare and the RCA Trust which both offer counselling services and are available in Scotland.","AnswerDate":"2015-11-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307754,"EventID":"S4W-28325","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1759,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-06T15:40:56.7","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-06T10:23:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is regarding publishing data that has been gathered for the purpose of (a) an environmental assessment and (b) meeting a requirement for planning or other consenting procedures, and whether biodiversity data must be entered in the National Biodiversity Network Gateway.","AnswerText":"Where information is submitted to a planning or other consenting authority a range of statutory procedures concerning the notification and publication of that information may apply, including The Environmental Information (Scotland) Regulations 2004 and, where relevant, The Town and Country Planning (Environmental Impact Assessment) (Scotland) Regulations 2011, as amended. The latter sets out the procedures for the notification and publication of Environmental Statements where these are required to be submitted as part of a planning application.\r\nThere is no statutory requirement for data collected under (a) or (b) to be submitted to the National Biodiversity Network Gateway, but it has been encouraged by the National Biodiversity Network Trust as a matter of good practice. The 2020 Challenge for Scotland’s Biodiversity recognises the importance of the National Biodiversity Network in ensuring that information on habitats and species is collected on a consistent basis.","AnswerDate":"2015-11-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307755,"EventID":"S4W-28326","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1759,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-06T15:40:58.69","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-06T10:23:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many sites of special scientific interest (SSSI) it has been notified of under the Nature Conservation (Scotland) Act 2004, also broken down by the number of natural features; how many of the (a) SSSIs and (b) natural features have unfavourable conditions due to (i) invasive non-native species, (ii) recreational use, (iii) overgrazing, (iv) undergrazing, (v) inappropriate burning, (vi) other agricultural operations and (vii) other reasons, and what action (A) it and (B) the farming community is taking to address this.","AnswerText":"1,423 sites of special scientific interest (SSSI), comprising 3,693 natural features, have been notified under the Nature Conservation (Scotland) Act 2004.\r\n434 of the SSSIs and 663 of the natural features have been assessed by Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) as being in ‘unfavourable no change’ or ‘unfavourable declining’ condition. Additionally, 184 of the SSSIs and 206 of the natural features have been assessed as being in ‘unfavourable recovering’ condition. A net total of 575 SSSIs have features with ‘unfavourable no change’, ‘unfavourable declining’ or ‘unfavourable recovering’ condition.\r\nThe following table provides information on pressures which might contribute to site condition. Sites and features can have more than one negative pressure, hence the totals in columns (a) and (b) are higher than the total numbers of SSSIs and natural features in unfavourable condition.\r\n\r\n(a) SSSI sites\r\n(b) SSSI features\r\n\r\nUnfavourable (no change or declining)\r\nUnfavourable (recovering)\r\nUnfavourable (no change or declining)\r\nUnfavourable (recovering)\r\n(i) Invasive non native\r\n98\r\n31\r\n113\r\n31\r\n(i)(b) Invasive other\r\n121\r\n46\r\n139\r\n48\r\n(ii) Recreation\r\n48\r\n8\r\n66\r\n9\r\n(iii) Overgrazing\r\n159\r\n64\r\n214\r\n68\r\n(iv) Undergrazing\r\n71\r\n23\r\n79\r\n25\r\n(v) Burning\r\n29\r\n12\r\n35\r\n13\r\n(vi) Other agricultural operations\r\n169\r\n42\r\n199\r\n46\r\n(vii) Other\r\n146\r\n30\r\n184\r\n30\r\n\r\nA wide range of data on the condition of Scotland’s natural features can be found at:\r\nhttp://www.environment.scotland.gov.uk/get-interactive/data/protected-nature-sites/\r\nThe Scottish Government and SNH are committed to working with land managers to address the causes of unfavourable condition of features which are highlighted through SNH’s Site Condition Monitoring programme. This may take the form of advice, funding support through the Scotland Rural Development Programme (SRDP) or SNH’s Management Agreement programme where more specialist management is required and, if necessary, enforcement action.\r\nThe SRDP Agri-Environment Climate Scheme supports land managers to undertake a wide range of environmentally-beneficial management options, many of which can be used to manage the natural features of SSSIs. ‘Enhancing the condition of designated features of SSSIs, Natura and Ramsar sites’ is one of the national priorities in the scoring system for the Agri-Environment Climate Scheme. This means that applications are awarded additional points if they include land on or adjacent to a SSSI (or other designated site) and if the proposed management is likely to benefit the features of the site.\r\nThe new SRDP Environmental Co-operation Action Fund is available to help facilitate landscape-scale projects that meet the Scottish Government’s environmental priorities. This will support the delivery of a range of environmental actions (such as deer management, control of invasive non-native species and restoration of degraded habitats) and can also be used to improve the condition of SSSI features.","AnswerDate":"2015-11-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen McLeod","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307756,"EventID":"S4W-28329","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4014,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-06T15:40:59.43","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-06T11:28:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many people are waiting for a hearing aid, broken down by NHS board.","AnswerText":"The number of patients on the waiting list for the fitting of hearing aids on 30 June 2015 by NHS board is provided in the following table:\r\nNHS Board\r\nNumber of Patients Waiting\r\nAyrshire and Arran\r\n945\r\nBorders\r\n246\r\nDumfries and Galloway\r\n165\r\nFife\r\n*\r\nForth Valley\r\n95\r\nGrampian\r\n623\r\nGreater Glasgow and Clyde\r\n958\r\nHighland\r\n226\r\nLanarkshire\r\n410\r\nLothian\r\n749\r\nOrkney\r\n3\r\nShetland\r\n15\r\nTayside\r\n665\r\nWestern Isles\r\n3\r\nNHSScotland\r\n5,103\r\nSource: Information Services Division Scotland\r\n*Hearing aid fitting is provided within one-stop clinics in NHS Fife – a one-stop clinic is where the patient see a consultant, undergoes a diagnostic test and the fitting of the hearing aid in one visit. It is therefore not possible to identify patients only waiting for the fitting of the hearing. ","AnswerDate":"2015-11-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307757,"EventID":"S4W-28330","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4014,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-06T15:41:00.21","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-06T11:28:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the average waiting time is to see a hearing specialist, broken down by NHS board.","AnswerText":"The average waiting time to see a hearing specialist is not available centrally as audiology data is collected from an aggregate return and not based on individual patient records. Information is available against the 18 weeks referral to treatment standard – delivery of which is 90%. The following table provides performance by board for the month of June 2015.\r\nThe three boards with performance below the level of which the Scottish Government would expect have been experiencing some short-term staffing issues during the last year. To reduce these waits the boards are providing additional clinics as well as employing additional staff and where appropriate locum consultants to improve waits for their audiology service. \r\nNHS Board\r\nPerformance (%)\r\nAyrshire and Arran\r\n58.8\r\nBorders\r\n86.0\r\nDumfries and Galloway\r\n90.2\r\nFife\r\n100\r\nForth Valley\r\n99.4\r\nGrampian\r\n78.6\r\nGreater Glasgow and Clyde\r\n99.9\r\nHighland\r\n95.4\r\nLanarkshire\r\n97.3\r\nLothian\r\n99.7\r\nOrkney\r\n100\r\nShetland\r\n97.8\r\nTayside\r\n96.4\r\nWestern Isles\r\n*\r\nNHSScotland\r\n93.5\r\nSource Information Services Division 18 weeks Referral to Treatment\r\n* Data unavailable due to local changes in reporting methodology.","AnswerDate":"2015-11-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307760,"EventID":"S4F-03043","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":4976,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-09T13:34:10.783","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-09T09:10:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister when she will next meet the Prime Minister. ","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":"2015-11-12T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307761,"EventID":"S4F-03053","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":2110,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":138,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-09T13:34:21.533","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-09T11:52:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister what the impact would be on the Scottish Government’s budget if the provisional agreement by the Treasury and the UK Government’s environment, local government and transport departments to reduce their budgets by 30% over the next four years is carried out.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":"2015-11-12T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307762,"EventID":"S4F-03058","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":1814,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":77,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-09T13:34:26.103","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-09T12:01:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister what action the Scottish Government considers needs to be taken to fully realise the objectives of the Equal Pay Act 1970.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":"2015-11-12T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307763,"EventID":"S4F-03042","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-09T13:34:08.797","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-09T09:08:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister for what reason the publication of the findings of the review of paediatric services in Lothian has been delayed.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":"2015-11-12T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307764,"EventID":"S4F-03057","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":5074,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":104,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-09T13:34:25.203","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-09T12:00:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister what impact the proposals in the Trade Union Bill could have on the Scottish Government’s commitment to fair work.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":"2015-11-12T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307765,"EventID":"S4F-03047","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":3812,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-09T13:34:14.693","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-09T09:56:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister what engagements she has planned for the rest of the day.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":"2015-11-12T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307766,"EventID":"S4T-01161","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":9,"MSPID":1893,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-09T13:51:31.403","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-09T11:38:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it has determined the number of homes that are immediately available to house refugees in Scotland.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":"2015-11-10T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307767,"EventID":"S4T-01155","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":9,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-09T13:51:27.643","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-09T09:49:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the awarding of the Saltire Prize for marine renewables.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":"2015-11-10T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307768,"EventID":"S4T-01160","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":9,"MSPID":3806,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-09T13:51:30.963","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-09T11:06:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what recent discussions it has had with Loganair regarding safety, reliability and maintenance.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":"2015-11-10T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307769,"EventID":"S4W-28332","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1853,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":86,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-09T15:09:25.4","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-09T08:57:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the Cabinet Secretary for Education and Lifelong Learning's letter dated 6 November 2015 indicating that she wished to change the Official Report for 5 November 2015, what the correct figure is for student support funds at Glasgow Kelvin College.","AnswerText":"The Glasgow college region will receive over £18 million in student support funding in 2015-16, which represents an increase of 17% in real terms since 2006-07. The distribution of this funding across the three colleges is still being discussed by the colleges and the Glasgow Colleges Regional Board. ","AnswerDate":"2015-11-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307770,"EventID":"S4W-28333","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2610,"Party":"Independent","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-09T15:09:26.69","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-09T11:25:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-28166 by Fergus Ewing on 9 November 2015, whether it will provide a breakdown of the (a) stakeholders, (b) communities and (c) others that it has had or is having discussions with.","AnswerText":"The unconventional oil and gas research and consultation timetable announced on 8 October 2015 will provide opportunities for stakeholder and community involvement at every stage. Stakeholders will be invited to participate in workshops to feed into the Public Health Impact Assessment process, as well as workshops at the outset of each of the research projects, and as part of our work on ensuring robust regulation.\r\nThe Scottish Government has also announced plans for an independent examination of the issues surrounding underground coal gasification, led by Professor Campbell Gemmell, which will ensure that stakeholders and communities are given every opportunity to contribute their views from an early stage.\r\nFor further details of meetings already held, I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-26272 on 27 July 2015. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.\r\nThe Scottish Government is committed to engaging on these issues, and we will continue to meet with and listen to the widest range of views and voices. 1","AnswerDate":"2015-11-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307779,"EventID":"S4W-28352","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":2,"MSPID":4964,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":119,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-09T15:45:37.067","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-09T15:23:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on plans for publishing the 2016-17 draft budget.","AnswerText":"The Chancellor of the Exchequer confirmed his intention to publish the UK Spending Review on 25 November 2015. \r\nGiven that around 80% of the Scottish budget continues to be directly determined by decisions taken in Westminster and the application of the Barnett formula, the Scottish budget cannot be announced until the UK Spending Review is published.\r\nIn response to the later than usual UK Spending Review publication date, I have today (10 November 2015) written to the Finance Committee to seek their agreement that the Scottish Government publish the draft budget on 16 December 2015.\r\nThis approach will give the Scottish Government and our partners as much time as possible to develop budget proposals and to have an approved Scottish budget in place for the start of the financial year while still allowing the longest possible opportunity for parliamentary scrutiny.","AnswerDate":"2015-11-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307789,"EventID":"S4W-28334","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4964,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":119,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-09T17:23:34.827","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-09T11:35:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what information it has regarding how many people are employed by organisations that have signed the Scottish Business Pledge.","AnswerText":"Statistical data from the Inter-Departmental Business Register indicates that the 151 businesses that have made a commitment to the Scottish Business Pledge have approximately 38,230 employees. This analysis will be updated quarterly and published on the Scottish Business Pledge website at www.scottishbusinesspledge.scot.","AnswerDate":"2015-11-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307790,"EventID":"S4W-28335","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4964,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":119,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-09T17:23:35.497","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-09T11:35:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what guidance is provided to NHS boards on providing appropriate training to enable doctors and midwives to support parents affected by miscarriage or stillbirth.","AnswerText":"We fully expect health professionals to provide tailored care and support to people who have sadly experienced miscarriage or stillbirth and there are a number of measures in place to help boards provide appropriate training to enable doctors and midwives to support parents at this vulnerable time. All medical professionals receive formal training to enable them to support parents affected by miscarriage or stillbirth. In addition there are a number of resources for continued professional development in this area including:\r\n1. Specialist training by the Stillbirth and Neonatal Death Society (Sands);\r\n2. The bereavement hub on the NHS Education Scotland website, which provides health professionals across Scotland with a range of e-learning resources on bereavement care, including a new e-learning resource on bereavement in maternity care.\r\n3. Following the success of the joint Scottish Government and Sands Scottish Stillbirth Seminar held in June 2013, a further event took place over two days in June 2015, which comprised a bereavement care day followed by a stillbirth day. Around 400 delegates heard about the latest research, evidence and audit from experts on stillbirth reduction, and about best practice when supporting bereaved parents.","AnswerDate":"2015-11-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307791,"EventID":"S4W-28336","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4951,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-09T17:23:36.047","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-09T12:00:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what work it is carrying out to improve transport connectivity (a) in Dumfries and Galloway and (b) between Dumfries and (i) Glasgow and (ii) Edinburgh.","AnswerText":"Since coming to Government in 2007, we have completed a number of improvements on the A75 and the A77. Work is also currently underway on the M8/M73/M74 Motorway Improvements Project which will improve connectivity between Dumfries and central belt conurbations.\r\nThe Scottish Government also continues to invest in the rail network and from December 2015, the Glasgow to Stranraer service will be improved offering enhanced journey opportunities and connectivity and from December 2017, the Glasgow/Dumfries service will benefit from additional services.","AnswerDate":"2015-11-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307792,"EventID":"S4W-28337","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4951,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-09T17:23:36.747","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-09T12:00:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what work it is carrying out to improve the frequency of rail passenger services between Glasgow and Carlisle via Dumfries on the Glasgow south-western line.","AnswerText":"ScotRail is committed to deliver an enhanced timetable on the Glasgow to Kilmarnock/Dumfries/Carlisle route from December 2017 when diesel rolling stock becomes available from within its existing fleet.\r\nThis is planned to deliver three additional through services, better connectivity, a more consistent service pattern, a reduction in the longest and average interval between trains plus a greater number of daytime connections at Kilmarnock and a more frequent Sunday service.","AnswerDate":"2015-11-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307793,"EventID":"S4W-28338","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4951,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-09T17:23:37.117","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-09T12:00:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will include Langholm in any feasibility study to extend the Borders Railway to Carlisle.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government remains committed to supporting the development of a feasibility study to extend the Borders Railway line towards Carlisle and is working with the local councils, the Regional Transport Partnership (SEStran) and Network Rail to make that initial feasibility work as meaningful as possible by highlighting the work that will be required post feasibility, to prepare an appraisal/strategic business case to satisfy current transport appraisal guidance. Current plans are that SEStran will appoint a contractor to undertake this study early in 2016 looking at high level connectivity to the network which will include Langholm.","AnswerDate":"2015-11-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307794,"EventID":"S4W-28340","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-09T17:23:37.517","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-09T13:39:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it considers its sale of student loan debt in 2013-14 to be privatisation.","AnswerText":"Following discussions initiated by the UK Government, the Scottish Government agreed to participate in the sale of ‘mortgage style' student loans in 2013, alongside the UK Government and the devolved administrations in Wales and Northern Ireland.\r\nDue to the increasing age of these loans it was becoming increasingly difficult to collect repayments, leading to reduced income and increased costs for the Student Loans Company related to the on-going administration of the loan book.\r\nThe sale of loans was conducted on the understanding that there would be no detrimental impact on those students who had taken out these loans.\r\nThe Scottish Government does not consider the sale of ‘mortgage style’ loans to be privatisation and has no plans to participate in any future sale of student loan debt.","AnswerDate":"2015-11-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307795,"EventID":"S4W-28341","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2117,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-09T17:23:38.097","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-09T14:06:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it has taken steps to integrate the different IT systems used by GP surgeries to allow for easier transfer of patient information.","AnswerText":"NHS National Services Scotland is preparing for the introduction of GP2GP, which will enable patients' electronic health records to be transferred directly and securely between GP practices. It will enable GPs to have full and detailed medical records available for each patient's first appointment on joining the practice. There are approximately 485,000 patient transfers in Scotland each year.\r\nDevelopment of the GP2GP functionality is nearing completion. User acceptance testing will commence in late November 2015, with a three month pilot planned to commence in April 2016.","AnswerDate":"2015-11-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307796,"EventID":"S4W-28342","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2117,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-09T17:23:38.717","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-09T14:06:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many different IT systems are currently in use by GP surgeries.","AnswerText":"All GP surgeries in Scotland use one of two clinical IT systems – InPS or EMIS. GP practices are linked into secondary care systems via Scottish Care Information (SCI) Gateway for onward referrals. SCI Store is locally hosted by each health board and can be accessed for test results. Other national systems available to GPs include Docman for scanned records, and ePharmacy.\r\nThe strategic technical approach in Scotland has been to facilitate information exchange between national strategic primary and secondary care applications, such as SCI Store, PACS, and CHI for access and use by professionals including GPs. Patient information summaries have been developed from the GP records (ECS, KIS, ePCS) for sharing with other care services. Ongoing clinical portal development by health boards will provide the gateway to a consistent and up-to-date view of information for relevant professionals, including GPs, and will in time provide the means to manage workflow across care organisations. Other work to progress a national patient portal will deliver access to GP information and services for patients.\r\nThe recently announced primary care digital services development fund of £6 million over three years, aimed at increasing online services offered by GPs to their patients, means that new, potentially national, applications are likely to be trialled over the next three years, for example in the area of online consultations, with the aims of increasing access for patients, while reducing administrative burden for staff.","AnswerDate":"2015-11-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307797,"EventID":"S4W-28343","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-09T17:23:39.167","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-09T14:15:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many patients the NHS has reimbursed for travel outwith (a) Scotland and (b) the UK for (i) cancer and (ii) prostate cancer treatments.","AnswerText":"This information is not held centrally. Travel costs are either paid for, or reimbursed, by NHS boards.","AnswerDate":"2015-11-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307798,"EventID":"S4W-28344","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-09T17:23:40.007","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-09T14:15:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many UK residents residing in Scotland have sought treatment for cancer outwith the UK in each year since 2006-07; how many of them applied for cost reimbursement from the NHS, and at what cost.","AnswerText":"This information is not held centrally. Decisions on applications to travel for treatment outwith the UK are matters for the patient’s local NHS board.","AnswerDate":"2015-11-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307799,"EventID":"S4W-28345","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-09T17:23:40.857","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-09T14:15:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to extend the number of robot-assisted prostatectomies taking place in Aberdeen and, if so, to what timeline.","AnswerText":"The robot assisted surgery service based at Aberdeen Royal Infirmary, is not yet fully up and running as surgeons are still in training. To date, 20 or so cases have been completed since the robot was installed in August 2015. \r\nThe service is expected to become fully operational in January 2016, when it is anticipated that around 156 robot assisted radical prostatectomies will take place each year. These cases will primarily be men from the north of Scotland (Grampian, Highland and Tayside).\r\nIn addition, any man who is deemed clinically appropriate for robot assisted surgery for prostate cancer should be able to access the robot in Aberdeen, should they choose to do so, regardless of where in Scotland they live. \r\nWith the assistance of a £1 million capital contribution from Scottish Government, a further robot assisted surgery service, based at the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital in Glasgow, is expected to be fully operational by summer 2016.\r\nNHS Lothian has also been offered £1 million capital to support the introduction of a third robot assisted surgery service in the east of Scotland within the next two years.","AnswerDate":"2015-11-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307800,"EventID":"S4W-28346","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-09T17:23:41.727","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-09T14:27:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it has taken to develop peer-working networks following publication of the paper, Reviewing Peer Working: A New Way of Working in Mental Health, by the Scottish Recovery Network in 2013.","AnswerText":"Subsequent to publication of Reviewing Peer Working: A New Way of Working in Mental Health, the Scottish Government has provided funding to the Scottish Recovery Network to take forward work on developing peer-support networks in Scotland. Discussions with stakeholders to implement the findings of the report are on-going. A final update on progress will be given in early 2016 once the current mental health strategy has concluded.","AnswerDate":"2015-11-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307801,"EventID":"S4W-28347","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-09T17:23:42.777","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-09T14:27:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many NHS staff members have (a) reported issues with mental health and (b) been diagnosed with a form of mental ill-health in each year since 2010.","AnswerText":"Information on sickness absence data for NHS Scotland is published on an annual basis and available on the ISD website, however the specific information requested in a) and b) is not held centrally.","AnswerDate":"2015-11-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307802,"EventID":"S4W-28348","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-09T17:23:43.667","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-09T14:37:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what information it has on how many (a) adults and (b) people under 18 have been bereaved by suicide in each year since 2007.","AnswerText":"The number of people bereaved by suicide are not held centrally, nor is it clear how such would be determined as any death by suicide can have an impact on a wide range of people beyond immediate family.","AnswerDate":"2015-11-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307803,"EventID":"S4W-28349","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-09T17:23:44.547","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-09T14:37:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it has published guidance to support people bereaved by suicide.","AnswerText":"Guidance Supporting people bereaved by suicide: A good practice guide for organisations that respond to suicide was published by NHS Health Scotland in 2013 http://www.chooselife.net/uploads/documents/67-SupportingPeopleBereavedBySuicide.pdf. NHS Health Scotland also developed, with Cruse Bereavement Care Scotland, a blended learning course More questions than answers – supporting people bereaved by suicide which supports the implementation of Supporting people bereaved by suicide. \r\nIn addition, the Scottish Association for Mental Health (SAMH) published guidance After a Suicide. This guidance – which is available on the SAMH website – was developed in association with, and funded by, NHS Health Scotland, who produce and distribute it free of charge.","AnswerDate":"2015-11-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307804,"EventID":"S4W-28350","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-09T17:23:45.417","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-09T14:37:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what support it provides to people bereaved by suicide.","AnswerText":"People bereaved by suicide can obtain support in the first instance from their GPs. Support is also available from national and local bereavement organisations, a number of which are funded through suicide prevention planning groups led by Choose Life Co-ordinators. Support is available through organisations such as Cruse Bereavement Care Scotland; and through telephone help services such as Breathing Space and Samaritans. Some local areas provide direct support to people bereaved by suicide. Local Choose Life Co-ordinators are able to signpost people to these resources.","AnswerDate":"2015-11-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307805,"EventID":"S4W-28351","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-09T17:23:46.427","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-09T14:37:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to (a) publish or (b) update any guidance on the support offered by local services to people bereaved by suicide.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-28349 on 17 November 2015 which provides information on useful current guidance which is available for use in supporting people who have been bereaved by suicide. NHS Health Scotland undertakes regular updates of all guidance and publications it produces, to ensure the information is up to date and still relevant. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.","AnswerDate":"2015-11-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307806,"EventID":"S4W-28353","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1769,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":75,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-09T17:23:47.497","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-09T15:33:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what advice it provides to pregnant mothers regarding the possible side effects of using sodium valproate for treating epilepsy.","AnswerText":"Within the UK, it is the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) who has responsibility for the safety of medicines. The Scottish Government received an update from the MHRA concerning the dangers of prescribing sodium valproate to women of child bearing age on 21 January 2015 and this was forwarded on to NHSScotland the same day.","AnswerDate":"2015-11-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-23T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307819,"EventID":"S4W-28355","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4016,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":133,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-10T13:38:34.853","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-10T06:53:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to review the Sunday trading laws.","AnswerText":"There is no general legislation regarding Sunday trading in Scotland and there are no plans to review Sunday trading laws.","AnswerDate":"2015-11-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307820,"EventID":"S4W-28356","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-10T13:38:35.57","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-10T09:18:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether the estimated £16 million a year cost of replacement care will come from the existing financial envelope for the Carers (Scotland) Bill and, if so, how much is left in the budget for each year.","AnswerText":"The estimated cost of replacement care meeting the carer's identified needs is a maximum of £16 million. Our expectation is that the cost of replacement care will be significantly less than £16 million and that there should be sufficient flexibility within the existing financial envelope for the Carers Bill arising from the unit cost and demand assumptions set out in the Financial Memorandum to cover such costs. The financial envelope will be monitored.\r\nThe total maximum resource envelope as set out in the Financial Memorandum, at over £19 million in 2017-18 rising to over £88 million in 2021-22, and thereafter on a recurring basis, is significant and expected to be sufficient to cover the existing costs set out in the Financial Memorandum as well as replacement care. ","AnswerDate":"2015-11-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307821,"EventID":"S4W-28357","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-10T13:38:37.397","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-10T09:18:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of any increased demand for services from carers, and consequent increase in cost, as a result of the Carers (Scotland) Bill.","AnswerText":"The assessment of demand for support for carers is set out in the Financial Memorandum for the Carers Bill.","AnswerDate":"2015-11-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307822,"EventID":"S4W-28358","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-10T13:38:39.533","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-10T09:18:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether the estimated cost of waiving care charges for support provided under section 22 of the Carers (Scotland) Bill applies to existing services.","AnswerText":"The Social Care (Self-directed Support) (Scotland) Act 2013, which came into force in April 2014, introduced a discretionary power for local authorities to support carers. Prior to April 2014, if local authorities supported carers they either did not charge carers for support or sought a minimal contribution towards the support. Most support in the form of respite care is for the cared-for person agreed through the community care assessment rather than through the carer's assessment. It is therefore subject to local authorities' usual charging policies. The resourcing for the waiving of charges of a maximum of £16 million will come into effect when the Carers Bill is commenced in 2017-18.","AnswerDate":"2015-11-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307823,"EventID":"S4W-28359","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-10T13:38:42.123","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-10T09:18:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the estimated cost is for each year of waiving care charges for support provided under section 22 of the Carers (Scotland) Bill.","AnswerText":"The estimated cost of replacement care will be a maximum of £16 million beginning in year one of the implementation of the Carers Bill, expected to be in 2017-18. This should be regarded as a maximum estimate.","AnswerDate":"2015-11-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307824,"EventID":"S4W-28360","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-10T13:38:43.963","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-10T09:18:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will put transitional financial arrangements to cover any gap between the end of the carer information strategies funding and the commencement of funding from the Carers (Scotland) Bill.","AnswerText":"Funding for carer information strategies is currently included in baseline funding. Our assumption is for this to continue in 2016-17, subject to the spending review process. Scottish ministers will publish the 2016-17 Draft Budget on 16 December 2015 following the outcome of the UK Spending Review in November 2015.","AnswerDate":"2015-11-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307825,"EventID":"S4W-28361","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-10T13:38:44.9","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-10T09:18:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when the funding for carer information strategies will stop.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-28360 on 19 November 2015. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.","AnswerDate":"2015-11-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307826,"EventID":"S4W-28362","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5110,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":89,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-10T13:38:45.727","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-10T09:26:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with HM Revenue and Customs regarding when it will be able to set the different rates of income tax band independently of each another, and from what date it expects it will be able to do so.","AnswerText":"A power for the Scottish Parliament to set rates and thresholds for income tax bands was proposed by the Smith Commission. These powers would be conferred by the Scotland Bill, if enacted at Westminster. HM Revenue and Customs has confirmed that, assuming the powers are enacted, it should be ready to implement them in April 2017, provided work began in early 2016. ","AnswerDate":"2015-11-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307827,"EventID":"S4W-28363","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5110,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":89,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-10T13:38:46.303","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-10T09:26:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it expects powers over varying the Scottish rate of income tax to be devolved. ","AnswerText":"The Scottish rate of income tax will commence in April 2016, under powers devolved in the Scotland Act 2012, and the rate will be proposed in the Draft Budget for 2016-17. It will be for the Scottish Parliament to decide whether to approve the rate proposed. The Scotland Bill currently before the UK Parliament proposes new powers over income tax for the Scottish Parliament to change rates and thresholds. The UK Government has indicated that these new powers could commence in April 2017, once enacted. Before the Scotland Bill can be enacted, a Legislative Consent Motion must be passed by the Scottish Parliament. I have indicated that before Scottish ministers bring forward a legislative consent motion, we must be satisfied that a satisfactory fiscal framework is agreed between the two governments.","AnswerDate":"2015-11-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307828,"EventID":"S4W-28365","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2135,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":92,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-10T13:38:46.71","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-10T11:02:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what advice it gives to local authorities regarding the (a) treatment and (b) eradication of Japanese knotweed on (i) publicly- and (ii) privately-owned land.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Natural Heritage website provides advice on Japanese knotweed identification and disposal. Detailed advice, recently revised by the Scottish Government and its agencies, on treatment of sites affected by Japanese knotweed is available on the NetRegs website which offers environmental guidance for those operating in Northern Ireland and Scotland.\r\nWe do not advise local authorities on how or where they should be acting to ensure control or eradication of Japanese knotweed. It is the responsibility of individual local authorities to manage their total resources on the basis of local needs and priorities, having first fulfilled their statutory obligations and the jointly agreed set of national and local priorities.","AnswerDate":"2015-11-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen McLeod","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307829,"EventID":"S4W-28366","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2135,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":92,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-10T13:38:47.27","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-10T11:02:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether Transport Scotland is required to treat Japanese knotweed growing on the verges of trunk roads.","AnswerText":"Transport Scotland is not required to treat Japanese knotweed growing on the verges of trunk roads but does include relevant terms in its contract arrangements with trunk road operating companies.\r\nAs part of their contractual duties, the operating companies are required to record all evidence of Japanese knotweed occurring within their areas of operation and to develop programmes for the control of the species.","AnswerDate":"2015-11-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen McLeod","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307830,"EventID":"S4W-28367","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2135,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":92,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-10T13:38:47.85","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-10T11:02:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what arrangements it has put in place to ensure that action is being taken to eradicate Japanese knotweed on publicly-owned land.","AnswerText":"It is not our policy to eradicate Japanese knotweed in Scotland or to eradicate it from all publicly-owned land. That effort would be prohibitively expensive and is unlikely to be successful.\r\nWhere Japanese knotweed has been reported as causing a problem on land owned by Scottish ministers we will consider options for treatment or eradication. Where it is reported on local authority land, the local authority is responsible for assessing what should be done.","AnswerDate":"2015-11-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen McLeod","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307831,"EventID":"S4W-28368","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-10T13:38:48.44","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-10T11:27:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many antisocial behaviour orders issued in each of the last five years have included an exclusion order from (a) on- and (b) off-sales premises.","AnswerText":"An antisocial behaviour order (ASBO) cannot result in an exclusion order. Exclusion orders are provided for by Section 94 of the Licensing (Scotland) Act 2005, which applies where a person is convicted of a violent offence committed on, or in the immediate vicinity of, any licensed premises. The exclusion order will then prohibit the person from entering the premises on which the offence was committed, or such other licensed premises (if any) as specified by the court in the order.\r\nASBOs are preventative orders, provided for by the Antisocial Behaviour etc. (Scotland) Act 2004, which are intended to protect people in the community affected by antisocial behaviour from further acts or conduct that would cause them alarm or distress. An ASBO is a court order which prohibits, either indefinitely or for a specified period, a person from doing anything described in the order.\r\nHowever, conditions set by an ASBO may include a ban from licensed premises, or the immediate vicinity of such premises, if the sheriff making the ASBO deems such a measure to be necessary. Information in relation to the use of ASBOs for this purpose is not held centrally by the Scottish Government, however my officials have written to all Scottish local authorities to obtain this information and they will co-ordinate a response and place it in the Scottish Parliament Information Centre once this information has been received (Bib. number 57458).","AnswerDate":"2015-11-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Paul Wheelhouse","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307832,"EventID":"S4W-28369","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-10T13:38:49.003","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-10T11:27:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether each (a) sheriffdom and (b) alcohol and drugs partnership has an arrest referral system for alcohol offences.","AnswerText":"This information is not held centrally. The Scottish Government provides funding for arrest referrals to the eight Community Justice Authorities (CJAs) under section 27 of the Social Work (Scotland) Act 1968 as amended. CJAs are however free to allocate funds as they see fit across their CJA area in accordance with their area plan and in the way they see as most appropriate to fulfil their statutory obligations and to reduce reoffending.","AnswerDate":"2015-11-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307833,"EventID":"S4W-28370","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-10T13:38:49.627","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-10T11:27:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what steps it takes to ensure that local authority licensing boards (a) adopt the same approach nationally, (b) share best practice and training support and (c) monitor the challenges each faces.","AnswerText":"It is for licensing boards to determine their own procedures in compliance with the legislation. Boards have wide discretion to determine appropriate licensing arrangements according to local needs and circumstances, and their own legal advice.\r\nAs they are independent bodies, licensing boards do not formally report to Scottish ministers or to local authorities.\r\nThere is national mandatory training for licensing board members, and Licensing Standards Officers, as well as for personal licence holders. We will look to update the guidance for licensing boards as soon as is practicable.\r\nThe Scottish Government engages regularly with the full range of relevant stakeholders to maintain an awareness of the issues they face.","AnswerDate":"2015-11-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307834,"EventID":"S4W-28371","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-10T13:38:50.283","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-10T11:27:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many alcohol treatment requirement orders have been issued in each year since 2003.","AnswerText":"Prior to the introduction of community payback orders (CPOs) on 1 February 2011, alcohol treatment/education conditions were imposed as part of probation orders. \r\nThe number of these conditions imposed for the year 2003-04 can be found in Criminal Justice Social Work Statistics, 2003-04 (Table 25). This publication is available online on the Scottish Government website at:\r\nhttp://www.gov.scot/Resource/Doc/35596/0029083.pdf. \r\nNumbers for the years 2004-05 to 2011-12 can be found in the crime and justice statistics datasets (worksheet “POs-conditions”). These are available online on the Scottish Government website at:\r\nhttp://www.gov.scot/Topics/Statistics/Browse/Crime-Justice/Datasets/POs\r\nThe number of Alcohol Treatment Requirements that have been imposed as part of CPOs in 2011-12 and 2013-14 can be found in the Criminal Justice Social Work Statistics in Scotland, 2013-14 statistical bulletin (Table 10). This publication is available online on the Scottish Government website at: \r\nhttp://www.gov.scot/Resource/0047/00474323.pdf. This is the most up to date information currently available.\r\nIt is important to note that Alcohol Treatment Requirements are not the only mechanism for individuals to receive support for alcohol problems under a CPO. The annual CPO reports received from local authorities highlight that alcohol misuse issues are often addressed under the offender supervision, conduct or other activity requirements.","AnswerDate":"2015-11-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307835,"EventID":"S4W-28372","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5057,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-10T13:38:50.86","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-10T11:27:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what external consultants Police Scotland engaged to provide a review of the proposed strategic direction for the Contact, Command and Control Division in October 2013; whether the contract was put out to tender; what criteria it used to select the consultants, and how much it cost.","AnswerText":"This is a matter for Police Scotland and the Scottish Police Authority.","AnswerDate":"2015-11-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307836,"EventID":"S4W-28373","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-10T13:38:51.53","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-10T11:28:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on introducing skill and qualification requirements for advanced community nurse practitioners similar to those set out in the NHS England District Practice and General Practice Nursing Service report, Education and Career Framework.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government fully supports and appreciates district nurses and general practice nurses in their vital work in caring for the health and wellbeing of Scotland’s people in their communities, including those with complex and long-term conditions.\r\nThat is why the Chief Nursing Officer is currently leading a review of district nursing, including Advance Practice District Nursing, which will also consider their current and future skills and educational needs and its provision. General practice nurses will contribute to this review.\r\nThe high level recommendations of this review will be published in spring 2016 and NHS boards will then begin implementation of the agreed recommendations.","AnswerDate":"2015-11-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307837,"EventID":"S4W-28374","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-10T13:38:52.03","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-10T11:28:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many (a) community and (b) primary care advanced nurse practitioners there are, broken down by NHS board.","AnswerText":"Advanced nurse practitioners (ANPs) work in a variety of nursing roles and across a number of delivery settings such as community and primary care. Whilst published data on ANPs is not available, we expect NHS board workforce planners to know how many ANPs they have, how many they require, and how to take full account of ANPs in preparing workforce plans, as they are statutorily required to do.\r\nInformation Services Division Scotland, with guidance from the Scottish Government, plans to work with NHS boards to further develop the recording of ANPs.\r\nThe Scottish Government is working through its transforming nursing roles initiative to provide strategic oversight, direction and governance to the development and transformation of nursing roles so that they meet the current and future needs of Scotland’s health and care system. This aims to ensure developments in nursing roles arising from either policy or service imperatives are nationally sustainable and consistent, and have clear career pathways.","AnswerDate":"2015-11-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307838,"EventID":"S4W-28377","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-10T13:38:52.67","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-10T11:29:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what targets it has set to increase the number of (a) district nurses, (b) general practice (i) nurses, (ii) healthcare assistants and (iii) support staff, (c) physician assistants and (d) advanced community nurse practitioners.","AnswerText":"High quality, safe and sustainable patient care remains our absolute priority and NHS boards use a variety of resources to determine what number and blend of staff each specialty and location requires to ensure this.\r\nNHS boards collect and use intelligence around demand, capacity trends, patient acuity and other factors. We expect NHS boards to include this intelligence to help them project their needs forward, inform and develop their local delivery plans and workforce plans, and combine it as appropriate with the nursing and midwifery workload and workforce planning tools we have mandated them to use.","AnswerDate":"2015-11-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307839,"EventID":"S4W-28378","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-10T13:38:53.277","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-10T11:29:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will publish details of the (a) application process and (b) selection criteria for the pilot GP clusters that it recently announced.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer in S4W-28380 answered on 19 November 2015. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.","AnswerDate":"2015-11-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307840,"EventID":"S4W-28380","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-10T13:38:53.853","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-10T11:29:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how the pilot GP clusters that it recently announced will be (a) supported and (b) funded.","AnswerText":"A Stronger Scotland: The Government’s Programme for Scotland 2015-16 referred to 10 primary and community care test sites which will be used to inform primary care service reform. Those sites specifically mentioned within the Programme for Government are examples of:\r\nWork in progress towards integrated services (such as Edinburgh Headroom and Govan integrated care and the work involving the merging of two GP practices in Tayside);\r\nEnhanced intermediate care in an urban setting (community hub sites in Forth Valley and Fife);\r\nBeing Here test sites in Campbeltown, West Lochaber, Isle of Islay and Mid Argyll and;\r\nExisting examples of good practice, which include various types of community healthcare centres like the one in Clackmannanshire.\r\nThese sites were identified by a range of mechanisms including asking health boards to bring forward proposals to develop tests of change. Depending on the project, proposals were evaluated against a number of criteria. For example, with community hubs it is important that the hubs are based in semi-urban areas adjacent or near to an acute hospital so an effect on patient flow at the nearest acute hospital can be demonstrated. It is also important that they have existing suitable infrastructure.\r\nWhere the work is already in progress funding from the Scottish Government health directorates has been used to support its development. Scottish Government officials will continue to work closely with these sites to offer support and guidance as well as ensure that learning is shared to inform the redesign of primary care across Scotland.\r\nThe £20.5 million primary care transformation fund will learn from existing examples of good practice and support further work going forward. Scottish Government officials are currently developing a framework for the fund and will invite health boards/integrated joint boards to develop proposals to test new ways of working in primary care. Support for the tests will include a focus on evaluation and sharing the learning across Scotland.\r\nInformation on the application process and selection criteria will be made publicly available in due course.","AnswerDate":"2015-11-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307841,"EventID":"S4W-28383","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2135,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":92,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-10T13:38:54.48","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-10T11:39:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many people in Scotland have vibroacoustic disease, broken down by (a) local authority area, (b) age and (c) sex.","AnswerText":"Information on how many people in Scotland have vibroacoustic disease is not collected centrally.","AnswerDate":"2015-11-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307842,"EventID":"S4W-28384","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2135,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":92,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-10T13:38:55.133","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-10T11:39:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to ensure that (a) the NHS is fully aware of and (b) suitable treatment is provided to people diagnosed with vibroacoustic disease.","AnswerText":"In 2010 the independent Advisory Group on Non-Ionising Radiation considered the issue of health effects of exposure to ultrasound and infrasound. The group found that there was no evidence that infrasound levels normally encountered in the environment would lead to vibroacoustic disease, and also found that the suggested disease itself had not gained clinical recognition.\r\nPeer-reviewed evidence published since the group's report does not alter that report’s conclusions. Individuals who are concerned about their symptoms should consult their GP.","AnswerDate":"2015-11-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307843,"EventID":"S4W-28385","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2135,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":92,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-10T13:38:55.803","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-10T11:39:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it is aware of the findings of research undertaken on vibroacoustic disease for the RMT union suggesting that (a) it affects around 70% of men exposed to loud low frequency noise, (b) susceptibility may be worse with low body mass index, and women may, therefore, be particularly prone to the condition, (c) the effects are accelerated in unborn children and (d) under the current legislation there is no requirement to protect staff working in transport and, if so, what action it is taking to protect workers from the condition.","AnswerText":"We are aware that some researchers have suggested that there may be harmful health impacts arising from exposure to low frequency noise.\r\nThe Scottish Government receives expert evidence-based advice on environmental public health issues from Health Protection Scotland, our national health protection experts, and also from Public Health England. Both organisations also draw on the advice of expert subject-specific committees.\r\nIn 2010 the independent Advisory Group on Non-Ionising Radiation considered the issue of health effects of exposure to ultrasound and infrasound. The group found that there was no evidence that infrasound levels normally encountered in the environment would lead to vibroacoustic disease, and also found that the suggested disease itself had not gained clinical recognition.\r\nPeer-reviewed evidence published since the group's report does not alter that report’s conclusions. Individuals who are concerned about their symptoms should consult their GP.","AnswerDate":"2015-11-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307844,"EventID":"S4W-28390","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4934,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-10T13:38:56.507","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-10T11:58:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what (a) financial and (b) management obligations Network Rail has to maintain the rail network between Alloa and Dunfermline.","AnswerText":"Network Rail is obliged to maintain the rail network between Alloa and Dunfermline in accordance with the needs of operators using the route. Presently this involves ensuring appropriate capability to manage existing freight and occasional charter operations.","AnswerDate":"2015-11-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307845,"EventID":"S4W-28391","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4934,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-10T13:38:56.913","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-10T11:58:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what (a) financial and (b) management obligations Network Rail would have if a train operating company requested to operate a service on the railway line between Alloa and Dunfermline.","AnswerText":"Network Rail’s obligations are limited to maintaining the current capability for freight and charter operations. If a passenger operator requests to run regular trains over the route, separate third party funding would be required to upgrade the route to make it fit for passenger operation and for a viable timetable to operate.","AnswerDate":"2015-11-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307846,"EventID":"S4W-28392","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4934,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-10T13:38:57.35","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-10T11:58:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether Network Rail's obligations to maintain the railway line between Glenrothes with Thornton and Leven have been fully met since 2002.","AnswerText":"Network Rail's obligations to maintain the railway line between Glenrothes with Thornton and Leven have been fully met since 2002 with the required maintenance completed to keep it safe while it has been out of use.","AnswerDate":"2015-11-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307856,"EventID":"S4W-28386","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2876,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-10T16:55:37.607","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-10T11:40:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on reports that nine EU countries representing 63% of the EU's population have written to the European Commission urging it to protect the birds and habitats directives and concentrate on improving implementation rather than weakening protection for wildlife, and what the reasons are for its position on this matter.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is aware that a number of European Union member states have written to the European Commission in advance of the ‘Fitness Check’ conference being held in Brussels on 20 November 2015. This event will hear the emerging findings from the evidence gathering phase of the ‘Fitness Check’ which are published in the contractor's draft Evaluation Study to support the Fitness Check of the Birds and Habitats Directives – Emerging Findings, which is available via the link below:\r\nhttp://ec.europa.eu/environment/nature/legislation/fitness_check/docs/consultation/Fitness%20Check%20final%20draft%20emerging%20findings%20report.pdf\r\nScottish Government officials are attending the event. The Scottish Government is not aware of any European Union proposals to weaken protection for wildlife.","AnswerDate":"2015-11-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Richard Lochhead","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307857,"EventID":"S4W-28387","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2876,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-10T16:55:39.463","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-10T11:40:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had, or plans to have, with the UK Government regarding the UK position on the European Commission's review of the birds and habitats directives, in light of suggestions that the Parliamentary Under Secretary of State at the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs was pushing for reform to weaken the directives.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government continues to engage with the UK Government on the ‘Fitness Check’ exercise. We are not aware of any UK Government proposals to weaken protection of wildlife.","AnswerDate":"2015-11-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Richard Lochhead","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307858,"EventID":"S4W-28388","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2876,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-10T16:55:40.167","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-10T11:40:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to ensure that the European Commission’s review of the birds and habitats directives does not result in a reduction in the protection afforded to Scotland’s best places for wildlife.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-28386 on 24 November 2015. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.","AnswerDate":"2015-11-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Richard Lochhead","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307859,"EventID":"S4W-28389","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2876,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-10T16:55:40.837","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-10T11:40:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with the European Commission regarding its review of the birds and habitats directives.","AnswerText":"Scottish Government officials contributed to the formulation of the UK Government’s response to the evidence gathering phase of the European Commission ‘Fitness Check’ exercise, including involvement in a workshop held when commission officials visited the UK as part of their evidence gathering. The UK Government’s response has been published by the commission via the following web link: http://ec.europa.eu/environment/nature/legislation/fitness_check/responses_en.htm","AnswerDate":"2015-11-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Richard Lochhead","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307860,"EventID":"S4W-28393","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5556,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":111,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-10T16:55:41.553","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-10T13:11:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on introducing the so-called Boxall Profile, which aims to provide an understanding of children’s social, emotional and other behaviour, in the national improvement framework for education.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government recognises the value of the Boxall Profile as a useful tool for the targeted support of children and young people who have a range of needs and may require additional support through a nurture group and/or in the classroom. The Boxall Profile is a detailed and fairly intensive assessment and any staff who would be involved in administering and planning from it would be expected to require support and training.\r\nThere are already a range of contextual assessments of wellbeing used at national level, mainly the National Practice Model which is a dynamic and evolving process of assessment, analysis, action and review, and a way to identify outcomes and solutions for individual children or young people. It allows practitioners to meet the Getting it right for every child (GIRFEC) core values and principles in an appropriate, proportionate and timely way. Any other assessments should be in line with the GIRFEC wellbeing indicators.\r\nThe Scottish Government is in the process of considering the health and wellbeing implications of the National Improvement Framework, and a further draft is to be published in December 2015.","AnswerDate":"2015-11-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307861,"EventID":"S4W-28394","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5556,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":111,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-10T16:55:42.163","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-10T13:11:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on the effectiveness of nurture groups in schools in deprived areas as a means of raising attainment, and what plans it has to (a) maintain funding for and (b) increase the number of such groups.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government and many local authorities across Scotland recognise the strong evidence base for nurture groups at the primary level and as such have promoted and supported this way of working. However, we also increasingly recognise that there is a growing need for the approaches used in nurture groups to be used in secondary schools and as an approach to support whole schools.\r\nEducation Scotland has developed a new national resource to support the development and practice of nurturing approaches for secondary schools and has recently completed a nurture pilot across five local authorities. All local authorities now have the opportunity to attend Education Scotland events on nurturing approaches.\r\nThe government does not routinely provide funding for the maintenance of nurture groups – that is a matter for individual local authorities. However, 38 applications (a number of individual schools and cluster groups) received funding to support the implementation or extension of nurturing approaches through the Access to Education Fund in 2015 and 2014. In addition, all of the seven challenge authorities receiving support from the Attainment Scotland Fund have included the development of nurturing approaches as part of their improvement plans to close the attainment gap.\r\nEducation Scotland presented at the Raising Attainment for All national learning event at the Scottish Exhibition and Conference Centre in Glasgow earlier in November 2015, to encourage schools and local authorities who are participating in the improvement programme to consider nurturing approaches as a means of raising attainment.","AnswerDate":"2015-11-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307862,"EventID":"S4W-28396","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5556,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":111,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-10T16:55:42.74","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-10T13:11:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on teachers being made aware of the area of psychology, attachment theory.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government recognises the importance of attachment in the development of children and young people.\r\nScottish Government policy guidance, better relationships, better learning, better behaviour (http://www.gov.scot/Resource/0041/00416217.pdf), contains priority actions that support local authorities and schools to further improve relationships and behaviour in their learning communities, which is central to the delivery of Curriculum for Excellence and the implementation of Getting it right for every child.\r\nAll training that is delivered to schools and local authorities by Education Scotland's Rights, Support and Wellbeing team references the importance of relationships and many of their training materials focus on attachment theory, specifically their nurturing approaches training.\r\nAdditionally, many local authorities recognise the value of attachment theory and work closely with their own psychological service, Nurture Group Network or Education Scotland to ensure that education professionals understand its importance. Educational psychology services support local authorities and schools and often provide training and support on attachment theory and its relevance, where it is felt to be appropriate.","AnswerDate":"2015-11-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307863,"EventID":"S4W-28397","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5556,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":111,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-10T16:55:43.427","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-10T13:11:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has at a national level to assist children at school who have social, emotional or behavioural difficulties.","AnswerText":"Education authorities and other agencies have duties under the Additional Support for Learning Act 2004 (as amended) to identify, provide for and review the additional support needs of their pupils. An additional support need can arise for any reason and be of short or long term duration. Additional support may be required to overcome needs arising from learning environment, health or disability, family circumstances or social and emotional factors. Children and young people's individual needs are met through planning for their learning and support, usually through an individualised educational programme.\r\nIn addition, Scottish Government policy guidance, better relationships, better learning, better behaviour (http://www.gov.scot/Resource/0041/00416217.pdf), contains priority actions that support local authorities and schools to further improve relationships and behaviour in their learning communities, focusing on social and emotional wellbeing and creating a positive school ethos based on mutual respect and trust. This is central to the delivery of Curriculum for Excellence and the implementation of Getting it right for every child.","AnswerDate":"2015-11-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307864,"EventID":"S4W-28398","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-10T16:55:44.05","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-10T14:27:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-27933 by Shona Robison on 29 October 2015, in light of the information requested not being provided in the answer to question S4W-27932, whether it will confirm the number of diversions from the hospital because of bed shortages.","AnswerText":"This information is not held centrally, therefore we are unable to provide it.","AnswerDate":"2015-11-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307865,"EventID":"S4W-28399","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1768,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":131,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-10T16:55:45.533","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-10T15:00:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what statistics it compiles regarding the incidence of hate crimes.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government currently produces official statistics on the number of racist incidents recorded by the police in Scotland, including information on any crimes associated with those incidents. The 2013-14 bulletin was published on 24 November 2015. These can be accessed at the link below:\r\nhttp://www.gov.scot/Topics/Statistics/Browse/Crime-Justice/PubRacistIncidents\r\nWe are currently considering whether to replace the racist incidents publication with a new and broader product on police recorded hate crime (which would include a race element). We will work with Police Scotland as it develops its hate crime data and will inform users as this work develops.\r\nThe Scottish Government also runs the Scottish Crime and Justice Survey (SCJS), which asks victims of crime for their perception on the motivation behind the incident. The latest results from the 2012-13 SCJS estimate that 7% of crime may have been motivated by either the victims ethnicity, religion, sectarianism, gender, disability, sexual orientation or age. The survey’s results can be accessed below:\r\nhttp://www.gov.scot/Publications/2014/03/9823\r\nWhilst not directly covering hate crime, the Scottish Household Survey (also run by the Scottish Government) includes information on the proportion of adults who have experienced discrimination or harassment. This can be accessed at the link below:\r\nhttp://www.gov.scot/Publications/2015/08/3720/4\r\nThe Scottish Government also produces official statistics on the number of offences with an aggravator recorded, which includes hate crime information by race, religion, sexual orientation, disability and transgender identity. The latest figures were published as an additional dataset to the Criminal Proceedings in Scotland, 2013-14 statistical bulletin and can be accessed here:\r\nhttp://www.gov.scot/Topics/Statistics/Browse/Crime-Justice/Datasets/DatasetsCrimProc/offagg1314\r\nIn addition to the above, the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS) publishes official statistics on the number of hate crime charges reported to the COPFS in Scotland. This includes hate crime information by race, religion, sexual orientation, disability and transgender identity. These can be accessed at the link below:\r\nhttp://www.crownoffice.gov.uk/publications/equality-and-diversity\r\nSince 2010-11 the Scottish Government has also provided detailed further analysis of the COPFS data on religiously aggravated offending (section 74 of the Criminal Justice (Scotland) Act 2003) and, since 2011-12, the hate-crime related charges reported under the Offensive Behaviour at Football and Threatening Communications (Scotland) Act 2012. The most recent reports are here:\r\nhttp://www.gov.scot/Publications/2015/06/9065 and \r\nhttp://www.gov.scot/Publications/2015/06/7911.","AnswerDate":"2015-11-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Paul Wheelhouse","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307866,"EventID":"S4W-28400","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1768,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":131,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-10T16:55:46.92","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-10T15:00:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its most recent estimate is of the cost of hate crime to the economy.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has not estimated the cost of hate crime to the economy. We are clear that there is no excuse for any form of hate crime – it is simply not acceptable and will not be tolerated. We are committed to continuing to work closely with public and third sector organisations to address the causes and consequences of hate crime.","AnswerDate":"2015-11-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307867,"EventID":"S4W-28376","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-11T13:43:18.077","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-10T11:29:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to convene a national meeting of managers of GP practices that are run by NHS boards (2C practices) to discuss sharing best practice.","AnswerText":"In the majority of instances a 2C practice is run by the NHS board, as opposed to being run by GPs and/or other partners, as is the case for practices with 17C or 17J contract types.\r\nHealth boards are responsible for the provision of primary medical services for their areas and we expect Boards to share best practice. For this purpose the National Primary Care Leads Group, chaired by the Scottish Government, was established in 2004 as a forum with clinical and operational management representation from territorial health boards, the Scottish Government and key partner agencies such as Practitioner Services Division.","AnswerDate":"2015-11-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-25T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307868,"EventID":"S4W-28379","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-11T13:43:19.59","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-10T11:29:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether the pilot GP clusters that it recently announced include practices that are the subject to locally-negotiated agreements (17C practices).","AnswerText":"A Stronger Scotland: The Government’s Programme for Scotland 2015-16 referred to 10 primary and community care test sites which will be used to inform primary care service reform. The following practices within these test sites are 17C practices:\r\nGrampian – Banchory (Aberdeenshire) and Maryhill (Moray)\r\nLothian – Milton and Portobello Surgeries (Edinburgh).","AnswerDate":"2015-11-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-25T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307869,"EventID":"S4W-28402","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4939,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":78,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-11T13:43:20.667","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-10T23:38:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to address the reported shortage of HGV/LGV drivers in the (a) general haulage and (b) livestock haulage sector.","AnswerText":"The Road Haulage Association (RHA) is engaged with Skills Development Scotland (SDS) in exploring a range of options to address the driver shortage. This has included SDS presenting at RHA members' briefing events during National Lorry Week. \r\nSDS has a dedicated employer helpline and a specific web service, Our Skillsforce, offering help on planning, recruiting and developing a skilled workforce: https://www.ourskillsforce.co.uk/. We provide a contribution for Modern Apprenticeships in key enabling sectors, including freight logistics which encompasses the planning, routing and movement of freight across all transport modes (road, rail, sea and air) as well as associated activities such as warehousing and storage.","AnswerDate":"2015-11-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-25T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307870,"EventID":"S4W-28403","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3751,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":108,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-11T13:43:21.727","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-11T09:38:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-23749 by Derek Mackay on 9 January 2015, whether it will provide an update on what progress it is making on achieving grade separation for the Sheriffhall roundabout.","AnswerText":"The Design Manual for Roads and Bridges sets outs a three stage design process for road schemes. With the stage 1 assessment complete we are progressing the stage 2 assessment to identify a preferred option. It is expected that the stage 2 assessment will be completed during summer 2016 at which time a preferred option will be made public for comment.","AnswerDate":"2015-11-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-25T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307871,"EventID":"S4W-28404","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3751,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":108,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-11T13:43:22.537","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-11T09:38:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4O-04551 by John Swinney on 9 September 2015 (Official Report, c.5), whether it will provide an update on (a) the progress that is being made with the Office for National Statistics regarding the EU accounting requirements and (b) when funding will be released for the Newbattle High School project.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has sought a view from the Office for National Statistics on proposed changes to the contractual arrangements that apply to the Scottish Government’s hub programme of infrastructure investment, through which a number of projects including the Newbattle High School are to be delivered.\r\nThe proposals, developed by the Scottish Futures Trust, are aimed at responding to recent changes in relevant EU accounting guidance. As indicated on 9 September 2015 in my answer to question S4O-04551, the Office for National Statistics had indicated that it expected to be able to respond in October or November 2015 and I therefore hope to be in a position soon to provide a further update to Parliament.","AnswerDate":"2015-11-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-25T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307872,"EventID":"S4W-28405","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4016,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":133,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-11T13:43:23.13","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-11T09:58:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what it is doing to support Burgons of Eyemouth and its employees following the recent announcement that a redundancy process will begin and whether it will consider setting up a stakeholders' group to try to prevent closure.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government and its agencies will do everything they can to provide support. The Scottish Government, Scottish Enterprise and Scottish Borders Council are already working closely with the company to explore all possible options for the continued use of the site. We are in active discussions with stakeholders in the seafood sector to identify steps that can be taken to develop the sector including for companies such as Burgons. In addition, support for any employees who may be affected by redundancy has been offered through our PACE initiative and a multi-agency redundancy support event will take place within the next few weeks.","AnswerDate":"2015-11-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-25T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Richard Lochhead","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307873,"EventID":"S4W-28406","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2135,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":92,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-11T13:43:23.833","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-11T10:27:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government (a) how it is accessing and (b) how much it is able to access from funds allocated by the EU to support broadband in isolated and rural communities in line with Article 174 of the Treaty of Lisbon.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is keen to maximise the amount of EU funds available to support broadband deployment in rural communities.\r\nEU funding is primarily being accessed through the European Structural and Investment Funds. We will continue to explore any additional EU funding opportunities for broadband that emerge alongside these.\r\nThe Scottish Government accessed approximately £12 million from the 2007-13 European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) programme to help deliver the Digital Scotland Superfast Broadband project, which is extending broadband access to rural areas. We have also allocated up to £21 million from the 2014-20 ERDF programme to support new digital infrastructure projects.\r\nThe Scottish Government is also using around £3.3 million from the 2014-2020 European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development as part of the projected £9 million Broadband scheme included as part of the Scottish Rural Development Programme. This scheme is being administered by Community Broadband Scotland and will support delivery of their pipeline of aggregated community projects.","AnswerDate":"2015-11-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-25T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307887,"EventID":"S4O-04795","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":2678,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-11T13:47:48.79","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-10T15:58:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the Cabinet Secretary for Health, Wellbeing and Sport's position is on the performance of the A&E department at the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital Glasgow.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-11-18T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307888,"EventID":"S4O-04796","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":4955,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":105,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-11T13:47:49.54","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-09T12:07:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what recent discussions it has had with NHS Lothian regarding the private finance initiative contract at the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-11-18T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307889,"EventID":"S4O-04798","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":4984,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-11T13:47:50.147","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-11T11:32:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government for what reason the drug, Afinitor, is not available on the NHS in Scotland for the treatment of breast cancer.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-11-18T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307890,"EventID":"S4O-04799","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":2633,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-11T13:47:50.677","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-10T14:13:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to ensure access to GP services in the Mid Scotland and Fife region.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-11-18T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307891,"EventID":"S4O-04800","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":3771,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-11T13:47:51.537","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-11T11:36:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it is seeking to enhance community optometry services in the Glasgow region.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-11-18T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307892,"EventID":"S4O-04801","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":3743,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":123,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-11T13:47:52.47","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-09T12:07:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to the recent World Health Organization report on the carcinogenicity of red and processed meat.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-11-18T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307893,"EventID":"S4O-04802","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":1853,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":86,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-11T13:47:53.203","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-09T12:07:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what assistance is available for GP practices that encounter problems regarding staffing levels.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-11-18T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307894,"EventID":"S4O-04803","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":3907,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":135,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-11T13:47:54.297","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-09T12:07:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the success rate is of the treatment of pancreatic cancer and whether it will provide an update on progress with research.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-11-18T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307895,"EventID":"S4O-04804","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":5107,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":124,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-11T13:47:55.123","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-09T12:07:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to tackle NHS workforce challenges in rural areas.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-11-18T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307896,"EventID":"S4O-04805","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":2673,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":114,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-11T13:47:55.857","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-11T11:28:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what support is available to provide public access defibrillators to communities.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-11-18T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307897,"EventID":"S4O-04806","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":5059,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-11T13:47:56.573","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-11T10:33:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to improve child and adolescent mental health services.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-11-18T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307898,"EventID":"S4O-04807","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":1866,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-11T13:47:57.137","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-11T11:57:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether the cleft palate unit in Edinburgh will be retained.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-11-18T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307899,"EventID":"S4O-04808","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":2595,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-11T13:47:57.993","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-10T18:22:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to improve outcomes for people who have survived an acquired brain injury in Lothian.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-11-18T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307900,"EventID":"S4O-04809","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":3751,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":108,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-11T13:47:58.697","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-11T10:22:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with NHS boards regarding planning for winter.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-11-18T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307901,"EventID":"S4O-04810","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":2826,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":84,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-11T13:47:59.227","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-11T09:57:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it last met representatives of the Scottish Football Association and what was discussed.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government regularly meets with the Scottish FA to discuss a range of issues.","AnswerDate":"2015-11-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-11-18T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307902,"EventID":"S4O-04811","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":4965,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-11T13:47:59.88","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-09T12:07:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether the NHS in Scotland could find it more difficult to recruit from overseas as a result of the UK Government's proposed change to immigration rules.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government does not support the UK Government’s planned changes to immigration rules which could harm our NHS and have an adverse effect on staffing and patient care.\r\nI wrote to the UK Immigration Minister on 23 June 2015 to ask that they think again about new visa rules on salary thresholds that meant boards would struggle to recruit junior doctors and nursing staff and potentially have a significant impact on NHSScotland, our ability to attract and retain staff and to deliver healthcare services.\r\nI am pleased that the Home Secretary wrote to the Migration Advisory Committee on 25 October 2015 and her commissioning letter noted in view of the risks associated with high vacancy rates and the fast approaching winter period which can expect the NHS to be under particular pressure, she has exceptionally agreed to place nurses on the shortage occupation list on a temporary basis.","AnswerDate":"2015-11-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-11-18T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307903,"EventID":"S4O-04812","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":1932,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":117,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-11T13:48:00.397","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-09T12:07:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what recent communication it has had with NHS Forth Valley about GP services in the Stirling constituency area.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government keeps in regular contact with NHS Forth Valley about GP services. NHS Forth Valley is working with GPs to look at new and innovative ways to deliver services to patients in order to meet their healthcare needs.","AnswerDate":"2015-11-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-11-18T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307904,"EventID":"S4O-04813","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":2603,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-11T13:48:01.567","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-10T11:14:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action NHS Grampian is taking to tackle drug-related deaths in Aberdeen. ","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has asked all Alcohol and Drug Partnerships in Scotland to make the reduction of drug deaths a continued priority in 2015-16. NHS Grampian has a drug related deaths monitoring group to investigate and learn from the circumstances of each death in order that services can continue to improve. NHS Grampian has also been engaged in wider improvement work offered by the Scottish Government, including a recent improvement event in HMP Grampian.","AnswerDate":"2015-11-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-11-18T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307905,"EventID":"S4O-04814","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":2615,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":143,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-11T13:48:02.487","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-09T12:07:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it promotes a healthy work-life balance.","AnswerText":"We recognise the great importance that achieving a healthy work-life balance has for a great many people in Scotland.\r\nAlthough the legal powers governing flexible working are currently reserved to Westminster, the Scottish Government recognises it has an important role to play in helping people manage the twin responsibilities of work and family. \r\nWe fund and are an active partner in the Family Friendly Working Scotland partnership. Through this partnership, established in 2014, we work with Working Families (a leading UK work-life balance organisation), Parenting Across Scotland and Fathers Network Scotland to support and promote the development of family-friendly working across Scotland.","AnswerDate":"2015-11-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-11-18T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307906,"EventID":"S4O-04815","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":3101,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-11T13:48:03.19","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-11T10:42:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to tackle racial discrimination and what is believed to be the underreporting of cases.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-11-19T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307907,"EventID":"S4O-04816","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":2059,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":91,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-11T13:48:03.827","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-09T12:07:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what consideration it has given to calling in the planning application relating to the Whitehill incinerator.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-11-19T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307908,"EventID":"S4O-04817","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":4938,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-11T13:48:04.577","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-11T11:15:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking toward ending the gender pay gap and tackling gender discrimination in the workplace.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-11-19T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307909,"EventID":"S4O-04819","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":5556,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":111,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-11T13:48:05.14","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-09T12:07:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with Fife College regarding the relocation of its Halbeath campus.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-11-19T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307910,"EventID":"S4O-04820","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-11T13:48:05.67","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-09T12:07:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it considers that the Lobbying (Scotland) Bill reflects the spirit of the content of the proposed Lobbying Transparency (Scotland) Bill.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-11-19T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307911,"EventID":"S4O-04821","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":2033,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":132,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-11T13:48:06.62","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-09T12:07:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to protect tenant farmers affected by the Salvesen V Riddell case and subsequent remedial order.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-11-19T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307912,"EventID":"S4O-04822","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":3129,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":83,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-11T13:48:07.323","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-09T12:07:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the potential impact on jobs and Scotland's economy of the reported Ministry of Defence plan to reduce the number of Type 26 frigates being built in order to pay for the replacement of Trident.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-11-19T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307913,"EventID":"S4O-04823","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":2123,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":103,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-11T13:48:08.07","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-09T12:07:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what support it will provide to the tenants in the Lorne area of Leith who are seeking an alternative to eviction by a charitable trust that owns the properties.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-11-19T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307914,"EventID":"S4O-04824","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-11T13:48:09.023","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-10T09:29:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on whether there should be an independent review of the new curriculum model at Hermitage Academy in Helensburgh.","AnswerText":"Education Scotland is now participating in order to offer advice on the local authority’s internal review of Hermitage Academy’s curriculum model.\r\nI want to reassure the local member and indeed, parents and families with children at Hermitage Academy that I am monitoring the situation and review closely.\r\nIf further action is required, then I will make sure this is undertaken so that children’s opportunities to gain vital qualifications for their future are not compromised.","AnswerDate":"2015-11-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-11-19T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307915,"EventID":"S4W-28401","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4955,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":105,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-11T16:38:16.363","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-10T16:17:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much has been spent by the CashBack for Communities programme in each year, also broken down by project.","AnswerText":"Since 2008 over £58 million has been spent on a wide range of sporting, cultural, youth work and community opportunities across Scotland. Information on the spend by project under phases one and two as well as those under the current phase three can be found at http://www.gov.scot/Topics/Justice/policies/community-engagement/cashback/CashBack-Financial.","AnswerDate":"2015-11-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-25T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307916,"EventID":"S4W-28408","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5057,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-11T16:38:17.183","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-11T11:40:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many miles private contract vehicles have driven for prisoner transfer to and from court in each year since 2007.","AnswerText":"I have asked Colin McConnell, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service, to respond. His response is as follows:\r\n“The specific reason for each journey made by the escort contractor is unavailable as their IT system only records the total miles travelled by their vehicles. The escort contractor’s IT system shows that the total number of miles travelled by its vehicles for all purposes is as follows:\r\n\r\n12 January to\r\n11 April\r\n12 April to\r\n11 July\r\n12 July to\r\n11 October\r\n12 October to\r\n11 January\r\nAnnual\r\nTotal\r\n2012\r\n981,392\r\n975,471\r\n963,463\r\n954,709\r\n3,877,048\r\n2013\r\n1,022,181\r\n1,018,253\r\n1,066,224\r\n1,001,886\r\n4,110,558\r\n2014\r\n1,127,398\r\n1,071,437\r\n1,080,284\r\n992,058\r\n4,273,192\r\n2015\r\n1,132,370\r\n1,094,428\r\n1,095,005\r\n399,349\r\n\r\n\r\nThe data runs from the twelfth of the month to the eleventh of the following month due to the contractual start date, and the data for the fourth quarter of 2015 is for October only.\r\nData for previous years is not available, as it relates to the previous contractor Reliance, who destroyed all data three years after contract expiry, as required by the contract.”","AnswerDate":"2015-11-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-25T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307917,"EventID":"S4W-28409","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5057,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-11T16:38:17.693","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-11T11:41:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the cost of the prisoner escort service contract has been in each year since 2007.","AnswerText":"I have asked Colin McConnell, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service, to respond. His response is as follows:\r\n“The cost of the prisoner escort contract is published annually by the Scottish Prison Service in its annual accounts and these are available on our website, however the annual costs as published for the years requested are as follows:”\r\n2007-08– £23,070,000\r\n2008-09– £24,859,000\r\n2009-10– £24,289,000\r\n2010-11– £23,845,000\r\n2011-12– £23,441,000\r\n2012-13– £19,534,000\r\n2013-14– £20,889,000\r\n2014-15– £20,778,000","AnswerDate":"2015-11-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-25T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307918,"EventID":"S4W-28410","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-11T16:38:18.123","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-11T11:45:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will publish the report by DF Concerts that was due on completion of the project for T in the Park, in accordance with paragraph 4.2 of the letter offering the grant of £150,000 in July 2015.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government looks forward to receiving a report from DF Concerts and Events on the performance and impact of the T in the Park event in due course and, in line with our commitment to openness and transparency, will make that report available subject to an assessment of any commercially sensitive content. The report is due by the end of the financial year 2015-16.","AnswerDate":"2015-11-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-25T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fiona Hyslop","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307919,"EventID":"S4W-28411","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2135,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":92,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-11T16:38:19.203","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-11T13:42:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will designate the Seil/Shuna/Melfort loch system as a single sea loch for the purpose of better regulating fish farming in the area. ","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has designated Disease Management Areas based on separation distances, tidal excursions and other epidemiological disease risk factors. Disease management area 16d includes the Seil/Shuna/Melfort loch system as well as the Loch Craignish system. This is considered as one single area for the purposes of disease management.\r\nThe Seil/Shuna/Melfort loch system forms part of a Farm Management Area, area M40 as designated in the Scottish Salmon Producers Organisation’s Code of Good Practice. The Aquaculture and Fisheries Act 2013 requires fish farmers to be party to a farm management agreement or to maintain a farm management statement which must contain provisions about the following matters – fish health management, management of parasites, live fish movements, harvesting and fallowing.","AnswerDate":"2015-11-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-25T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen McLeod","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307920,"EventID":"S4W-28413","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5057,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-11T16:38:19.913","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-11T15:25:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many compensation orders have been imposed by court service in each year since 2011, also broken down by the (a) average time between the imposition of an order and payment and (b) number and (c) total value of orders that were (i) paid on time, (ii) paid late and (iii) not paid.","AnswerText":"This question relates to operational matters that are the responsibility of the Scottish Courts and Tribunals Service (SCTS) corporate body. The question has been passed to the Chief Executive of the SCTS who will reply in writing within 20 days.","AnswerDate":"2015-11-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-25T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307935,"EventID":"S4W-28418","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4938,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-12T13:58:09.937","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-11T16:19:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what acoustic performance standards must be met in the design of new-build schools. ","AnswerText":"The School Premises (General Requirements and Standards) (Scotland) Regulations 1967 give statutory requirements for school environmental conditions.\r\nMoreover, the Building Bulletin 93, Acoustic Design of Schools, which is considered the most comprehensive single source of guidance on school acoustics, updated its performance standards section in February 2015.","AnswerDate":"2015-11-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307936,"EventID":"S4W-28419","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4938,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-12T13:58:11.23","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-11T16:20:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what information it has regarding how many schools built with Scottish Futures Trust support meet the standards set out in Building Bulletin 93, Acoustic Design of Schools, which was published by the UK Department for Education and Skills, and what its position is on introducing legislation to make such standards compulsory.","AnswerText":"Responsibility for the provision of school buildings rests with individual local authorities. It would be for them to ensure that the standards within the Building Bulletin 93, Acoustic Design of Schools, are met. However, we understand that the majority of local authorities make reference to Building Bulletin 93.\r\nWith regard to introducing legislation, the Scottish Government has no plans to do so. The Scottish Government’s guidance School Design: Optimising the Internal Environment, Building Our Future: Scotland’s School Estate is intended to assist local authorities in the development of design brief documents for a range of environmental conditions in schools, including acoustics. Building Bulletin 93 is extensively referenced in our design guidance.","AnswerDate":"2015-11-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307937,"EventID":"S4W-28421","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4938,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-12T13:58:12.073","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-11T16:21:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what specialist mental health provision it offers for children and young people who are deaf.","AnswerText":"The decision on the best treatment for a particular situation will primarily be the responsibility of the lead clinician to determine, in line with clinical and other guidelines. Whenever a child or young person requires a child and adolescent mental health service, the service will ensure that it is appropriate for their needs including ensuring that the needs of sensory impaired children are met.\r\nIn March 2015 we announced following the successful pilot of the NHS 24 online British Sign Language Video Relay Interpreting Service that we would be extending this service to the rest of the public sector. The roll out will allow deaf people across Scotland to use sign language to contact public sector services.\r\nThis new Scottish Government-funded service, contactSCOTLAND-BSL (www.contactscotland-bsl.org), will mean deaf people can now speak to public services, such as their local council, doctor’s surgery and the Scottish Government, without the need for someone to call on their behalf.","AnswerDate":"2015-11-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307938,"EventID":"S4W-28423","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4938,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-12T13:58:12.667","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-11T16:25:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, in light of such support being available in the rest of the UK, what its position is on establishing a specialist deaf child and adolescent mental health service. ","AnswerText":"There are currently no plans to develop a specialist child and adolescent mental health service solely for deaf children and young people using specialist NHS child and adolescent mental health services. Our approach to improving services over the last few years has been to shorten waiting lists, invest in more staff, and to measure the performance of services by using a wide range of indicators, with the ultimate aim being improving outcomes for patients. We now have 1,134 (979.5 whole time equivalent) specialist child and adolescent clinicians in the workforce nationally and this has been a rise of over 27% since 2009. A breakdown of the specialities can be found on the Information Services Division website (http://www.isdscotland.org/Health-Topics/Workforce/CAMHS/).","AnswerDate":"2015-11-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307939,"EventID":"S4W-28425","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1866,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-12T13:58:13.447","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-11T17:34:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it sought legal advice to confirm the integrity of its directions to local authorities and the Scottish Environment Protection Agency in relation to fracking and underground coal gasification in January and October 2015.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has sought appropriate legal advice.","AnswerDate":"2015-11-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307940,"EventID":"S4W-28426","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2135,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":92,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-12T13:58:15.163","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-11T18:07:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what powers of compulsory purchase of land it has, and under what legislation, for the purposes of (a) establishing agricultural holdings within and beyond the crofting counties, (b) the settlement of such land for the conducting of agricultural activity, (c) creating forestry, (d) establishing housing not related to agricultural activity and (e) conservation or environmental restoration; whether ministers can exercise such powers directly, and what powers of compulsory purchase its agencies have that are separate from any such direct powers.","AnswerText":"The powers of Scottish ministers and Scottish Government agencies to acquire land compulsorily, and under what circumstances, are set out in various general Acts of Parliament. In response to the specific questions:\r\n(a) and (b) there are existing powers under section 57 of the Agriculture (Scotland) Act 1948 that allow Scottish ministers to acquire land to ensure its full and efficient use for agriculture, to secure the carrying out of work, provision or maintenance of equipment or use of the land in conjunction with other land;\r\n(c) Under section 39 of the Forestry Act 1967, Scottish ministers may acquire land suitable for afforestation or purposes connected with forestry;\r\n(d) Scottish ministers do not have specific power to acquire land for such a purpose; and\r\n(e) Scottish ministers do not have specific power to acquire land for such a purpose. However under section 39 of the Nature Conservation (Scotland) Act 2004, Scottish Natural Heritage may acquire land which is a Site of Special Scientific Interest, any other land to which a Nature Conservation Order or Land Management Order applies or any other land which is contiguous to or which Scottish Natural Heritage considers to be associated with, land of the aforementioned land type for the purpose of securing the conservation, restoration or other enhancement of any protected natural feature.\r\nIn addition to meeting the conditions set out in this legislation, Scottish ministers, or public agencies, would have to ensure that any decision to exercise these powers was compatible with their responsibilities to respect the rights of individuals under the European Convention of Human Rights, such as the right to the peaceful enjoyment of possession under Article 1 Protocol 1. This would include considering the strength of the public interest in purchasing the land and whether this is a proportionate action to take. The same considerations would arise should any new compulsory purchase powers be considered.","AnswerDate":"2015-11-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Richard Lochhead","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307941,"EventID":"S4W-28427","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2678,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-12T13:58:16.567","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-12T09:15:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with NHS boards about reversing the declining rate of cervical screening across all age groups and, in particular, among women (a) aged 55 to 59 and (b) under 30.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government meet cervical screening coordinators from all NHS boards on a quarterly basis to discuss a range of issues relating to the national screening programme, including increasing uptake of screening in a number of groups where uptake is low.","AnswerDate":"2015-11-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307942,"EventID":"S4W-28428","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2678,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-12T13:58:17.75","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-12T09:15:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to tackle the contributing factors leading to fewer women over the age of 50 attending cervical screening.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government fully supports the objective of increasing uptake in the Scottish Cervical Screening Programme and work is already taking place to help address areas of low uptake. \r\nFor example, NHS boards have responsibility for publicising screening within their local area and for working closely with their communities to increase screening uptake. Indeed work of this nature is already taking place within NHS boards. Recent local initiatives have included out of hours clinics and sessions specifically designed for regular defaulters. As part of the forthcoming changes to the age range and frequency of the screening programme, some awareness raising work is being developed with NHS Health Scotland and NHS boards\r\nFurthermore, the Scottish Government’s on-going Detect Cancer Early social marketing campaigns aim to raise awareness and encourage participation in the national cancer screening programmes and help people become more confident about recognising and reporting changes in their body.","AnswerDate":"2015-11-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307943,"EventID":"S4W-28429","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2678,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-12T13:58:19.763","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-12T09:15:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what awareness campaigns are in place that target specific demographics to help address the knowledge gap that is believed to have led to almost two thirds of women aged 50 to 64 being unaware that the human papilloma virus (HPV) causes cervical cancer.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government know that cervical screening can detect cervical changes before they become cancerous and reduces the incidence of cervical cancer. Every woman in Scotland between 20 and 60 years of age is invited to be screened every three years. As well as information on screening, each invitation includes information on how the human papilloma virus causes cervical cancer. \r\nAdditionally, through our on-going £30 million Detect Cancer Early programme, we aim to increase the proportion of cancers detected at the early stage through raising awareness of cancers, the importance of knowing about screening programmes and the benefits of earlier treatment.","AnswerDate":"2015-11-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307944,"EventID":"S4W-28430","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2678,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-12T13:58:21.34","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-12T09:15:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what investment it will make in self-testing kits for cervical cancer, which a reported 53% of women who had delayed a cervical screening said they would prefer to use.","AnswerText":"On screening issues like this, the Scottish Government is guided by the independent, expert advice provided by the UK National Screening Committee. The committee regularly reviews national screening programmes against international evidence and technology to ensure they remain relevant and fit for purpose.\r\nThe committee has not recommended the use of self-testing kits however they are currently reviewing whether to change the primary screening test within the programme to testing for human papilloma virus. If there is any change to the recommendation this will be considered carefully.","AnswerDate":"2015-11-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307945,"EventID":"S4W-28431","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2673,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":114,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-12T13:58:22.667","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-12T11:04:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with the Scottish Rugby Union and the Scottish Football Association in relation to treatment for head injuries.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government works closely with the Scottish Rugby Union and the Scottish Football Association on safety issues. Dr James Robson, Chief Medical Officer of the Scottish Rugby Union and Dr John MacLean from the Scottish Football Association were part of an expert group which produced new guidance on how to manage concussion sustained during grassroots sport which was launched at the Scottish sports and exercise medicine symposium in May 2015. Scotland became the first country in the world to introduce standard guidelines for dealing with concussion in sports.\r\nThe Scottish Government is committed to ensuring that everyone involved in sport is aware of the signs, and symptoms, of concussion and head injuries and understand the need to be medically assessed if they suspect they have suffered such an injury. The intention is to update the concussion guidance on a regular basis and to examine ways in which we can further develop the content and reach of the guidance moving forward.","AnswerDate":"2015-11-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307946,"EventID":"S4W-28432","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2673,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":114,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-12T13:58:23.68","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-12T11:04:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the uptake rate has been for the influenza vaccination in 2015 compared with 2014.","AnswerText":"Health Protection Scotland routinely monitors the levels of flu and flu-like illness using a range of surveillance indicators. Results are published online in a weekly national influenza report throughout the October to May flu season.\r\nTo week ending 15 November 2015 (week 46) provisional data suggests that vaccine uptake to date this year compared with uptake at the same time last year was:\r\nEligibility Criteria\r\n2015-16\r\n2014-15\r\n\r\nThose aged 65 years and above\r\n60.1%\r\n65.9%\r\nThose under 65 years old, at risk\r\n33.8%\r\n41.0%\r\nPregnant women (without risk factors)\r\n34.2% \r\n35.9%\r\nPregnant women (with risk factors)\r\n45.0%\r\n51.0%\r\nChildren aged 2-5 (not yet at school)\r\n58.3%\r\n55.8%\r\nPrimary school children *\r\n64.2%\r\n70.3%\r\n* The primary school data is provisional data from week 44 as it is being monitored on a monthly basis. ","AnswerDate":"2015-11-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307947,"EventID":"S4W-28433","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2892,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-12T13:58:24.46","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-12T11:35:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it expects ScotRail to begin services using Hitachi AT200 commuter trains and what contingencies are in place to improve the current rolling stock should the introduction be delayed.","AnswerText":"ScotRail will be introducing the Hitachi AT200 (class 385) trains into passenger service from autumn 2017 with full operation on the Edinburgh to Glasgow route by the December 2017 timetable change. The Hitachi AT200 trains are currently on programme for delivery for 2017.\r\nAll of the current ScotRail fleet plus the rolling stock planned to be introduced into service in the coming years by ScotRail will undergo a full refurbishment programme to deliver significant improvements to reliability and passenger facilities. This is due to be complete by December 2018 and includes fitment of Wi-Fi, power/USB sockets, accessible toilets, wheelchairs spaces, luggage storage, cycle spaces, seating, lighting and new interior/ exterior livery.","AnswerDate":"2015-11-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307949,"EventID":"S4W-28435","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2633,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-12T16:44:17.477","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-12T13:59:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its contribution is to Hywind Scotland Pilot Park.","AnswerText":"Neither the Scottish Government nor its agencies have made any financial contribution to the pilot project but work closely with Statoil's project team to maximise Scottish content.","AnswerDate":"2015-11-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307950,"EventID":"S4W-28436","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2633,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-12T16:44:18.157","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-12T13:59:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it will be announced where the turbines for Hywind Scotland Pilot Park will be made.","AnswerText":"Statoil has previously announced that the pilot project will use the Siemens 6MW turbine. If completed in time, it hopes that the turbine assembly will take place at the Siemens new facility on the Humber. If not, the turbines will come from Siemens plant in Esbjerg, Denmark.","AnswerDate":"2015-11-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307951,"EventID":"S4W-28437","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2633,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-12T16:44:18.637","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-12T13:59:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what contracts and subcontracts for Hywind Scotland Pilot Park will be awarded to firms based in Scotland.","AnswerText":"To date Statoil has spent £2.5 million in Scotland on Environmental Impact Assessment, fabrication and Employment Status Indicator studies.\r\nOn Wednesday 25 November 2015 Statoil announced that Isleburn Ltd, part of the Global Energy Group, had won the contract to manufacture 15 suction anchors.\r\nThe Scottish Government and its agencies continue to work closely with Statoil to ensure the Scottish content is maximised in the project.","AnswerDate":"2015-11-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307952,"EventID":"S4W-28438","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2678,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-12T16:44:19.027","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-12T14:15:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the recommended maximum waiting period is between a GP referral for breast screening and an appointment at a clinic; what the average waiting time is (a) nationally and (b) in NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde (NHSGCC); whether it considers that there are enough consultants in NHSGGC to deal with referrals, and what the reasons are for its position on this matter.","AnswerText":"General Practices (GPs) in Scotland do not directly refer into the national breast screening service. GPs may refer a symptomatic patient to a breast clinic through a routine or urgent suspected cancer pathway. \r\nData on waiting times from referral to a breast clinic appointment (a) nationally and (b) in NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde is not held centrally.\r\nPatients who are referred through the urgent suspected cancer pathway are subject to the 62-day standard which covers the whole patient pathway from referral to treatment. Latest published statistics for Quarter 2 (April – June) 2015 show that 97.5% of breast cancer patients across Scotland and 94.6% NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde received treatment within the 62-day standard (95% standard).\r\nThe overall number of consultants in NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde is up 27.8% under this administration. However, the Scottish Government expects NHS boards to have rigorous recruitment processes in place to ensure that posts are filled appropriately and all NHS boards are expected to ensure they have the correct mix and number of staff to ensure they can provide safe, effective care for their patients.","AnswerDate":"2015-11-19T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307953,"EventID":"S4W-28442","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-12T16:44:19.457","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-12T14:29:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-28020 by Margaret Burgess on 10 November 2015, whether it has set a limit to the amount that the Local Affordable Rented Housing Trust can draw down in 2015-16 from the financial transactions consequentials.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government will support the Local Affordable Rented (LAR) Housing Trust with a £55 million loan. No limit has been set on the amount that LAR can draw down in 2015-16 from the financial transaction consequentials.","AnswerDate":"2015-11-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Burgess","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307954,"EventID":"S4W-28443","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-12T16:44:20.377","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-12T14:29:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-28020 by Margaret Burgess on 10 November 2015, how many properties it expects the Local Affordable Rented Housing Trust to make available for rent in 2015-16.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government loan agreement with the Local Affordable Rented Housing Trust (LAR) is for the delivery of long term affordable mid-market rented homes. LAR is expected to deliver up to 1,000 homes over five years. Decisions about the acquisition and letting of homes are for the board of LAR to make. The first homes expected to be available for rent within 2015-16.","AnswerDate":"2015-11-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Burgess","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307955,"EventID":"S4W-28444","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-12T16:44:21.937","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-12T14:29:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-28020 by Margaret Burgess on 10 November 2015, whether it has an agreement with the Local Affordable Rented Housing Trust on the number of properties that it should make available for rent in 2015-16.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government loan agreement with the Local Affordable Rented Housing Trust (LAR) is for the delivery of long term affordable mid-market rented homes. LAR is expected to deliver up to 1,000 homes over five years. Decisions about the acquisition and letting of homes are for the board of LAR to make. The first homes expected to be available for rent within 2015-16.","AnswerDate":"2015-11-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Burgess","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307964,"EventID":"S4W-28445","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2117,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-13T15:44:34.59","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-12T15:56:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much it expects Police Scotland to spend in total on the (a) salary and (b) other associated costs for officers ranked as chief constable, deputy chief constable and assistant chief constable in 2015-16. ","AnswerText":"The information requested is a matter for the Scottish Police Authority. I have alerted the chief executive to your question and I have asked him to write to you.","AnswerDate":"2015-11-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307965,"EventID":"S4W-28448","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1866,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-13T15:44:35.777","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-12T17:03:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the comment by the Minister for Energy, Enterprise and Tourism on 11 November 2015 (Official Report, c. 92), that \"there is an ambition for a further 14,000 homes\" to be connected to district heat networks by 2020, whether it will confirm where the developments will be located and how it will support them.","AnswerText":"Since March 2014 over 2,000 homes have connected to communal or district heating schemes including:\r\nThe Commonwealth Games Athletes’ Village, with 750 homes connected;\r\nSeveral Wheatley Group developments in Glasgow, connecting over 800 homes;\r\nContinued expansion of existing heat networks in Aberdeen, Wick, Lerwick and Banchory.\r\nA list of district heating projects in development was published on the Heat Network Partnership web-page earlier in 2015 and is available on the following link: http://www.districtheatingscotland.com/hnp-projects-map-in-development. \r\nMany district heating schemes are still at an early stage of development and currently it is not possible to provide details on all of them, however intelligence garnered from local authorities, social landlords and the Energy Savings Trust indicates that there is the potential for an additional 14,000 homes to connect over and above those schemes already identified in the pipeline.\r\nThere is a comprehensive range of support available to support the development of district heating schemes through the Heat Network Partnership, the Low Carbon Infrastructure Transition Programme, the Local Energy Challenge Fund and the District Heating Loan Fund.\r\nExamples of projects in development which these programmes are engaging with include:\r\nContinued expansion of existing networks could connect a further 2,000 households or more by 2020, with potential for wider expansion in the long-term;\r\nEight district heating projects awarded Local Energy Challenge Fund development support, with initial connections planned for over 2,000 households;\r\nThe Low Carbon Infrastructure Transition Programme is engaging with a number of large-scale integrated district heating projects to discuss support for the development of detailed businesses cases;\r\nThe Heat Network Partnership and Warm Homes Fund have supported strategies, business cases and feasibility studies for over 20 projects, identifying district heating projects which could connect a significant number of households, particularly in multi-storey blocks. Case studies of successful schemes are available on the Energy Saving Trust website: www.energysavingtrust.org.uk/warm-homes-fund and selected studies available on the Heat Network Partnership website: www.districtheatingscotland.com.\r\nA number of these projects represent a step change in the scale of district heating, located in urban areas with significant potential for long-term development of integrated networks connecting households, public, commercial and industrial buildings and potential for future expansion. In addition, small-scale rural renewable projects make up around 10% of household connections. The District Heating Loan Fund continues to support these projects by providing low interest loans, enabling rural businesses and social housing schemes to access the Renewable Heat Incentive.","AnswerDate":"2015-12-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307966,"EventID":"S4W-28449","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-13T15:44:39.413","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-13T15:17:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-27298 by Shona Robison on 15 September 2015, how the £100,000 to fund the returner scheme will be used. ","AnswerText":"This money will provide an opportunity for GPs who are: on (or eligible to be on) the general medical council’s GP Register; on a NHS National Performers’ List; and who have previously worked in NHS general practice to safely return to general practice following a career break of at least two years or time spent working abroad.","AnswerDate":"2015-11-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-30T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307978,"EventID":"S4F-03060","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":4976,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-16T12:54:03.053","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-13T10:54:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister when she will next meet the Secretary of State for Scotland.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":"2015-11-19T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307979,"EventID":"S4F-03061","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":5009,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-16T12:54:03.53","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-13T12:17:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister what issues will be discussed at the next meeting of the Cabinet.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":"2015-11-19T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307980,"EventID":"S4F-03064","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":4014,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-16T12:54:05.173","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-16T10:12:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister what discussions the Scottish Government has had with NHS24 regarding the provision of winter resilience measures.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":"2015-11-19T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307981,"EventID":"S4F-03068","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":3812,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-16T12:54:07.71","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-16T11:09:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister what engagements she has planned for the rest of the day.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":"2015-11-19T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307982,"EventID":"S4F-03070","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":4955,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":105,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-16T12:54:08.63","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-16T11:33:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister what steps the Scottish Government is taking to promote early HIV testing.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":"2015-11-19T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":307983,"EventID":"S4F-03078","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-16T12:54:14.99","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-16T11:42:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister what discussions the Scottish Government has had with the UK Government regarding using the new welfare top-up powers that are being devolved.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":"2015-11-19T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308001,"EventID":"S4W-28450","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-16T17:05:54.95","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-13T16:24:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-28198 by Shona Robison on 13 November 2015, whether it will provide details of what it considers the reasons for the 11 practices receiving support from their respective NHS boards.","AnswerText":"Information on the reasons, nature and extent of any support being given to practices must remain confidential and is the responsibility of the contracting NHS board.\r\nScottish ministers would expect boards, as the responsible body for the provision of primary medical services for their areas, to work with and support practices to ensure that patients are not disadvantaged.","AnswerDate":"2015-11-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-12-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308002,"EventID":"S4W-28451","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-16T17:05:56.027","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-13T16:24:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-28225 by Shona Robison on 13 November 2015, whether it will provide details on when it expects such guidance to be implemented by NHS boards and whether data on crowding will be publicly available.","AnswerText":"The Emergency Department Guidance was launched on 30 September 2015. On 6 November 2015 the Scottish Government held an event, with all health boards represented, to further develop the implementation plan. While all health boards have escalation measures in place they must now be aligned to the new guidance. Work is underway across Scotland to extend and align current escalation plans across the emergency department and assessment units. This work will take a number of weeks to complete. The National Unscheduled Care team will continue to monitor progress.","AnswerDate":"2015-11-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-12-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308003,"EventID":"S4W-28452","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-16T17:05:57.057","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-13T16:24:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-28227 by Shona Robison on 13 November 2015, what it considers the reasons are for the increases in admissions of patients to NHS boards outwith their NHS board of residence.","AnswerText":"There are many reasons why patients are treated out with their local board area, such as patients requiring to be seen or treated in a national or regional centre. Also many patients may choose to be treated in a hospital in a neighbouring area because it is nearer to home or choose to go to the Golden Jubilee National Hospital at Clydebank to get faster treatment for hip and knees and cataract operations as well as for their national and regional heart services. The number of procedures undertaken at the Golden Jubilee has increased by 18% from 35,600 in 2010 to 42,047 in 2015.","AnswerDate":"2015-12-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-12-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308004,"EventID":"S4W-28453","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-16T17:05:58.197","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-13T16:24:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-28227 by Shona Robison on 13 November 2015, what it considers the reasons are for patients to be admitted to NHS boards outwith their NHS board of residence.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-28452 on 25 November 2015. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.","AnswerDate":"2015-12-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-12-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308005,"EventID":"S4W-28454","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-16T17:05:59.287","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-13T16:24:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-28199 by Shona Robison on 13 November 2015, what it considers those circumstances to be.","AnswerText":"Circumstances for each patient list may vary and it would not be correct for Scottish Ministers to speculate on the nature of these circumstances.\r\nOn these occasions, health boards are expected to work with the practice as constructively and as flexibly as possible, finding ways to either support the practice to once again take on patients or to agree a formal, usually time limited, closure, informing other local practices in the area. This safeguards patient access to GP services and allows the board to monitor the situation more fully in order to take any further appropriate action.","AnswerDate":"2015-12-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-12-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308006,"EventID":"S4W-28455","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-16T17:06:00.363","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-13T16:24:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many NHS GP practices have been unable to accept new patients because of capacity issues in each year since 2010-11, broken down by NHS board.","AnswerText":"Circumstances will arise where a practice experiences capacity issues and is unable to routinely accept new patients onto its list. We expect health boards to work with practices as constructively and as flexibly as is appropriate to help manage the situation.\r\nArrangements need to be flexible to allow health boards and their contracted practices to be responsive in appropriately managing capacity issues and changing circumstances whenever it is necessary to do so.","AnswerDate":"2015-12-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-12-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308007,"EventID":"S4W-28457","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4080,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-16T17:06:01.58","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-16T12:25:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the appointment of a privacy champion to the NHS Central Register Governance Board. ","AnswerText":"The National Records of Scotland hopes to appoint a suitable candidate early in 2016.","AnswerDate":"2015-12-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-12-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308008,"EventID":"S4W-28458","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4080,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-16T17:06:02.173","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-16T12:25:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government further to the answer to question S4W-27521 by John Swinney on 29 September 2015, whether it will provide the information that was requested regarding what date it will (a) publish an analysis of responses to the consultation on proposed amendments to the NHS Central Register (Scotland) Regulations 2006 and (b) set out how it plans to proceed.","AnswerText":"As set out in the answer to S4W-27521, I will provide to Parliament in due course an analysis of responses and how we intend to proceed. Any proposals regarding legislation would be set out at that stage. Discussions continue to take place with relevant public sector bodies in relation to the online services that they offer or plan to offer.","AnswerDate":"2015-12-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-12-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308009,"EventID":"S4W-28460","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3806,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-16T17:06:02.657","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-16T13:13:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many da Vinci surgical systems for use in the treatment of prostate cancer there are, broken by NHS board area.","AnswerText":"The robot assisted surgery service based at Aberdeen Royal Infirmary, is not yet fully up and running as surgeons are still in training. The service is expected to become fully operational in January 2016, primarily for patients from the north of Scotland.\r\nHowever, any man who is deemed clinically appropriate for robot assisted surgery for prostate cancer should be able to access the robot in Aberdeen, should they choose to do so, regardless of where in Scotland they live.\r\nWith the assistance of a £1 million capital contribution from the Scottish Government, a further robot assisted surgery service, based at the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital in Glasgow, is expected to be fully operational by summer 2016.\r\nNHS Lothian has also been offered £1 million capital to support the introduction of a third robot assisted surgery service in the east of Scotland within the next two years.","AnswerDate":"2015-12-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-12-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308010,"EventID":"S4W-28461","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1860,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-16T17:06:03.25","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-16T14:30:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government on what days since April 2015 the 06.18 rail service from Wick has been delayed at Muir of Ord due to late running, also broken down by length of the delay.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government does not routinely hold information on specific delays per service, however ScotRail has provided the following details on incidents of delay since April 2015 affecting the 06:18 service from Wick between Dingwall and Inverness: \r\nDate\r\nDelay (minutes)\r\n25-04-15\r\n1\r\n22-05-15\r\n1\r\n13-06-15\r\n1\r\n02-07-15\r\n65\r\n03-07-15\r\n4\r\n03-08-15\r\n2\r\n23-09-15\r\n1\r\n22-10-15\r\n49\r\n03-11-15\r\n1\r\n07-11-15\r\n2\r\n11-11-15\r\n56\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-11-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-12-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308011,"EventID":"S4W-28462","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-16T17:06:03.907","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-16T14:35:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-28199 by Shona Robison on 13 November 2015, whether it will provide the information requested and for what reason it has not done so.","AnswerText":"This information is not held centrally. Circumstances will arise where a practice experiences capacity issues and is unable to routinely accept new patients onto its list. We expect health boards to work with practices as constructively and as flexibly as is appropriate to help manage the situation.","AnswerDate":"2015-12-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-12-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308012,"EventID":"S4W-28463","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4080,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-16T17:06:04.983","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-16T14:37:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-27521 by John Swinney on 29 September 2015, what discussions it has had regarding changes to the NHS Central Register (Scotland) Regulations 2006 since the answer was provided.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-28458 on 2 December 2015. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.","AnswerDate":"2015-12-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-12-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308013,"EventID":"S4W-28464","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4080,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-16T17:06:05.7","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-16T14:37:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government further to the answer to question S4W-27521 by John Swinney on 29 September 2015, whether it plans to make any changes to the NHS Central Register (Scotland) Regulations 2006 through (a) primary and (b) secondary legislation and, if so, (i) what changes and (ii) whether this will be introduced before the end of the Parliamentary session.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-28458 on 2 December 2015. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.","AnswerDate":"2015-12-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-12-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308014,"EventID":"S4W-28465","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-16T17:06:07.43","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-16T14:33:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether any of its construction contracts have been affected by UK Visas and Immigration raids in 2015 and, if so, (a) which contracts, (b) what the purpose of the activity was and (c) how many people were detained.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is not aware of any Scottish Government construction contracts that have been affected by UK Visas and Immigration raids in 2015.","AnswerDate":"2015-11-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-12-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308015,"EventID":"S4W-28466","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1866,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-16T17:06:09.52","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-16T16:25:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it is monitoring the reported increase of rents in the farming sector.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government monitors annual changes in farming sector rent through its statistical surveys. Results are available in the Tenanted Agricultural Land in Scotland publication which is usually released in late April of each year. \r\nThe latest published figures show that in 2014:\r\nThe average rent (across all holdings) was £38 per hectare;\r\nFor holdings in Less Favoured Areas (LFA), the average rent was £25 per hectare;\r\nFor holdings in non LFA, the average rent was £125 per hectare.\r\nIn 2014, on average:\r\nRents increased by 6% (4% in real terms);\r\nFor LFA holdings, the average increase was 10%;\r\nFor non LFA holdings, the average increase was 1%.\r\nThe next set of farming sector rent statistics (collected from the 2015 December agricultural survey) are scheduled for publication in April 2016 and will be available on the Scottish Government’s website using the following link:\r\nhttp://www.gov.scot/Topics/Statistics/Browse/Agriculture-Fisheries/agtenancy.","AnswerDate":"2015-12-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-12-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Richard Lochhead","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308016,"EventID":"S4W-28467","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1866,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-16T17:06:11.97","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-16T16:25:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what percentage of respondees to its consultations in each of the last five years has asked for the response not to be published, broken down by directorate.","AnswerText":"The information requested is not held centrally and could only be obtained at disproportionate cost.\r\nConsultations and published responses, broken down by topic, are available on the Scottish Government website: http://www.gov.scot/Publications/.","AnswerDate":"2015-11-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-12-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308017,"EventID":"S4W-28468","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1768,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":131,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-17T14:05:19.93","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-16T18:07:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what funding it has provided to support the regeneration of the Theatre Royal in Dumfries and what plans it has to provide future support.","AnswerText":"Public funding for projects of this nature is provided by Creative Scotland and Historic Environment Scotland.\r\nCreative Scotland has awarded a grant of £100,000 towards the regeneration of the Theatre Royal in Dumfries and a grant application to Historic Environment Scotland is currently being considered for stage 2 approval.","AnswerDate":"2015-11-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-12-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fiona Hyslop","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308018,"EventID":"S4W-28469","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2678,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-17T14:05:20.74","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-17T09:23:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it supports Diabetes Scotland’s “Taking Control\" campaign.","AnswerText":"A key aim of our Diabetes Improvement Plan is to support people with diabetes to self-manage their condition through the provision of timely information and advice. We continue to build on this work to ensure that a range of high quality person-centred structured education programmes are in place and delivered by appropriately trained healthcare professionals. For example, we are providing funding for the development of programmes that are designed for those newly diagnosed with type 1 diabetes.\r\nTo complement our wider health strategy to address the underlying risk factors associated with diabetes by reducing obesity, encouraging healthy eating and promoting healthier living across Scotland, the plan contains specific action to develop and implement an appropriate framework for assessing the risk of diabetes for people currently undiagnosed to support early identification, diagnosis and treatment of diabetes.\r\nAn essential part of staying healthy with diabetes is to ensure that people receive the appropriate healthcare checks, or care processes, which can help to minimise the risk and detect early signs of the complications of diabetes. We know that more people than ever before have had their HbA1c and foot risk score measured, and have received retinopathy screening. However, there is more to be done to increase uptake of these important health checks.","AnswerDate":"2015-11-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-12-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308019,"EventID":"S4W-28470","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2678,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-17T14:05:21.17","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-17T09:23:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what advice it provides to NHS boards about diabetes. ","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government’s Diabetes Improvement Plan focuses on implementing a wide range of activities to provide advice and guidance to boards to support them in delivering diabetes care. The activities include the CPR for feet campaign, the diabetic-ketoacidosis (DKA) campaign, development of structured education and inpatient care of diabetes, and improving glycaemic control, which is particularly important for those with type 1 diabetes.\r\nIn addition, the Scottish Government provides funding for Nutrition and Diet Resources UK to develop a wide range of leaflets that health professionals and dieticians can use with diabetes patients.","AnswerDate":"2015-11-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-12-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308020,"EventID":"S4W-28471","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2678,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-17T14:05:21.57","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-17T09:24:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what measures it is taking with NHS boards to provide education and support to people with diabetes and those at risk. ","AnswerText":"A key aim of our Diabetes Improvement Plan is to support people with diabetes to self-manage their condition through the provision of timely information and advice. We continue to build on this work to ensure that a range of high quality person-centred structured education programmes are in place and delivered by appropriately trained healthcare professionals. For example, we are providing funding for the development of programmes that are designed for those newly diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes.\r\nTo complement our wider health strategy to address the underlying risk factors associated with diabetes by reducing obesity, encouraging healthy eating and promoting healthier living across Scotland, the plan contains specific action to develop and implement an appropriate framework for assessing the risk of diabetes for people currently undiagnosed to support early identification, diagnosis and treatment of diabetes.\r\nAn essential part of staying healthy with diabetes is to ensure that people receive the appropriate healthcare checks, or care processes, which can help to minimise the risk and detect early signs of the complications of diabetes. We know that more people than ever before have had their HbA1c and foot risk score measured, and have received retinopathy screening. However, there is more to be done to increase uptake of these important health checks.","AnswerDate":"2015-11-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-12-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308021,"EventID":"S4W-28472","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2678,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-17T14:05:21.97","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-17T09:24:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what measures it will take with NHS boards to tackle diabetes. ","AnswerText":"Our Diabetes Improvement Plan sets out a range of measures that we expect NHS boards to report on, including the nine care processes and the provision of structured education.","AnswerDate":"2015-11-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-12-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308022,"EventID":"S4W-28473","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2678,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-17T14:05:22.39","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-17T09:24:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to update its Diabetes Action Plan: Quality Care for Diabetes in Scotland. ","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government’s Diabetes Improvement Plan, published in November 2014, updated and aims to build on the progress made through the implementation of the previous Diabetes Action Plan 2010. The improvement plan outlines a range of key priorities for focussed activity to ensure continued improvement in the care and treatment for people with diabetes.","AnswerDate":"2015-11-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-12-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308023,"EventID":"S4W-28474","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2678,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-17T14:05:22.8","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-17T09:25:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government for what reasons student nurses are not eligible to receive free flu vaccinations.","AnswerText":"The health and safety of student nurses falls under the governance and care of university occupational health systems. \r\nStudent nurses who may be exposed to the flu during placements in NHS boards should receive flu vaccination in line with all other NHS healthcare workers. Each year the Chief Medical Officer and Chief Nursing Officer issue a letter to the NHS setting out arrangements for the flu season. This letter highlights the importance of staff or other individuals who may be at risk of occupational exposure being offered the vaccine by employers. This programme is supported by a range of marketing materials to raise awareness amongst staff, including posters and leaflets.","AnswerDate":"2015-11-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-12-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308024,"EventID":"S4W-28475","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2678,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-17T14:05:23.2","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-17T09:25:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what measures it is taking to help student nurses receive flu vaccinations. ","AnswerText":"The annual seasonal flu vaccination programme seeks to protect members of the public who may be at risk of flu due to age or because of certain medical conditions. The annual seasonal flu programme does not provide vaccination to those who may be at risk of flu because of occupational exposure. Responsibility for the health and safety of staff rests with employers. The vaccination of all NHS health care workers against flu is the responsibility of NHS boards as employers. Responsibility for the health and safety of student nurses lies with the relevant university or college occupation health system.","AnswerDate":"2015-11-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-12-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308025,"EventID":"S4W-28476","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2678,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-17T14:05:23.59","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-17T09:25:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it will work together with NHS boards to ensure the safety of student nurses in the norovirus season. ","AnswerText":"Each year a significant amount of work is undertaken by the Scottish Government, Health Protection Scotland and NHS boards to ensure that all healthcare staff, including student nurses, have access to detailed and up to date guidance on preparing for and managing norovirus in hospitals and care homes. This includes a temporary suspension visiting (TSV) check list to consider and enable optimal communications with patients and families/visitors before, during and after TSV is used.\r\nWhen it is the right and appropriate thing to do – to keep staff, patients and visitors safe – wards will be closed. However, closing wards is not a decision that is taken lightly. It is a clinical decision and an outbreak control measure designed to minimise further spread of infection and the impact on staff, patients and relatives.\r\nHealth Protection Scotland has led a proactive national communications campaign, funded by the Scottish Government, to ensure public awareness detailing information on norovirus, including prevention and self-care so that everyone can help prevent the spread of the virus. Top tips to help prevent the spread of infection are also published on the Scottish Government’s website including guidance about visiting hospitals and care settings and the importance of effective hand hygiene for everyone.\r\nTo prevent the spread of infection in hospitals, the National Infection Prevention and Control Manual, published by Health Protection Scotland, provides detailed guidance on standard infection control precautions. These mandatory precautions are the basic infection prevention and control measures necessary to reduce the risk of transmission of infectious agents and are to be used by all staff (including student nurses), in all care settings at all times, for all patients.\r\nStudents also undertake the Cleanliness Champions Programme developed and co-ordinated by NHS Education for Scotland, a key initiative in healthcare professional’s training and education. The programme was written for and is used by a wide range of healthcare staff, and students in medicine, dentistry and nursing. Students are required to undertake all nine modules of this programme throughout their training.","AnswerDate":"2015-11-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-12-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308026,"EventID":"S4W-28477","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2033,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":132,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-17T14:05:23.97","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-17T09:32:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what independent research projects it has provided funding for in each year since 2011, also broken down by (a) directorate and (b) the amount provided.","AnswerText":"The attached annex (link below) sets out details of research projects funded by the Scottish Government for the years requested. This has been broken down by commissioning directorate wherever possible. \r\nResearch Projects","AnswerDate":"2015-11-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-12-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308027,"EventID":"S4W-28479","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1860,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-17T14:05:24.44","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-17T09:33:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what criteria it uses to identify common land and how many acres of common land there are.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-12-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308028,"EventID":"S4W-28480","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1860,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-17T14:05:25.85","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-17T09:33:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many acres of land in the (a) crofting counties and (b) rest of the country are designated as common grazings.","AnswerText":"That information is not held centrally. The Crofting Commission administers the regulation of crofting on behalf of the Scottish Ministers and the Chief Executive of that organisation was asked to supply the information.\r\nThe Crofting Commission has advised that only 80% of the common grazing land on the Register of Crofts has an extent entered against it. The 20% shortfall is partly due to certain grazings not being regulated, accordingly, no figures are registered with the Crofting Commission.\r\nOf the 80% of common grazing land in the crofting counties that does have an extent, this totals 1,350,501 acres. Please note that this figure should not be considered as authoritative as some of the data is old. However, this is one of the reasons for the introduction of the new Crofting Register which, once complete, will provide an accurate extent of land under crofting tenure.\r\nIt should be noted that, in answer to point (b), the phrase “common grazings” is synonymous with the crofting counties and not commonly associated with land in the rest of the country.","AnswerDate":"2015-11-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-12-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen McLeod","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308029,"EventID":"S4W-28481","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1759,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-17T14:05:26.39","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-17T09:44:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the publication of Cleaner Air for Scotland, the Road to a Healthier Future, on what date (a) the low-emission zones will become operational and (b) it will achieve compliance with the Scottish regulatory standards on air quality.","AnswerText":"Cleaner Air for Scotland sets out the Scottish Government's outline proposals for a National Low Emission Framework (NLEF). The NLEF includes an indicative timetable for potential introduction of low emission zones. The Scottish Government and Transport Scotland, in collaboration with partner organisations, will now begin to develop the details of how the NLEF will operate in practice. This work will cover the screening and assessment procedure for determining where low emission zones may be appropriate and how any such zones will be established, operated and monitored. We aim to publish the outcomes of this work by summer 2016, which will result in a procedure allowing local authorities to make informed decisions about which solutions are appropriate for their specific circumstances.\r\nCleaner Air for Scotland commits to significant progress towards revocation of all Air Quality Management Areas by 2020, which is the criterion against which compliance with Scottish air quality objectives is judged.","AnswerDate":"2015-11-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-12-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen McLeod","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308030,"EventID":"S4W-28483","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5047,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-17T14:05:26.9","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-17T10:30:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government have many (a) nurse endoscopists and (b) specialist colorectal nurses each NHS board has employed in each year since 2010.","AnswerText":"Information on numbers of (a) nurse endoscopists is not centrally available. However, reflecting the Scottish Government’s investment of over £2.4 million in 2015 to improve access to specialist nursing and care, which includes funding to appoint additional specialist nurses, we are working with NHS boards and Information Services Division (ISD) Scotland to improve workforce information on specialist nursing.\r\nIn conjunction with NHS Education for Scotland, we have also developed a programme to increase non-medical endoscopy training places by ten each year for the next four years.\r\nDue to the multidisciplinary nature of the role, robust and comparable information on (b) “numbers of specialist colorectal nurses” is not collected in that format because a nurse may work in more than one specialty, although only one specialist area is recorded for each nurse.\r\nInformation on the number of clinical nurse specialist staff in post as at September 2015 is published by ISD Scotland and can be found on the workforce statistics web site:\r\nhttps://www.isdscotland.org/Health-Topics/Workforce/Publications/2015-12-01/Clinical_Nurse_Specialists_S2015.xls.","AnswerDate":"2015-12-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-12-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308031,"EventID":"S4W-28485","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-17T14:05:27.32","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-17T11:12:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-13413 by Paul Wheelhouse on 14 March 2013, what progress there has been on improving the information held on contaminated land.","AnswerText":"The Regulatory Reform (Scotland) Act 2014 provides for the removal of areas from the contaminated land register once the relevant local authorities (or in the case of special sites, the Scottish Environment Protection Agency) are satisfied that appropriate remediation has been completed. Statutory guidance is required to support this and the Scottish Government intends to consult on this in 2016. As part of this consultation stakeholder views will be sought on the way contaminated land information is held.","AnswerDate":"2015-11-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-12-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen McLeod","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308032,"EventID":"S4W-28486","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2135,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":92,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-17T14:05:28.23","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-17T11:49:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what progress has been made with developing the code of practice referred to in the proposed local authority Household Recycling Charter that it published on 6 October 2015 and when it will make the code of practice available to (a) local authorities and (b) the public. ","AnswerText":"Excellent progress has been made in developing the technical Code of Practice for the Household Recycling Charter. I am pleased to confirm that the Scottish Government and (COSLA) have agreed the principles and content of the Code of Practice to introduce a more consistent recycling system in Scotland, which could see, for example, common bins across Scotland.\r\nCOSLA, the Society of Local Authority Chief Executives and officers from all 32 local authorities have been involved in the development of the Code of Practice, and the latest draft has been shared with all local authorities. We will be publishing the Code of Practice shortly, and writing to all local authorities to invite them to sign up to the charter.","AnswerDate":"2015-12-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-12-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Richard Lochhead","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308058,"EventID":"S4W-28447","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1845,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-17T16:50:05.173","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-12T15:57:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government for what reason practitioner psychologists cannot complete a Section 47 certificate of incapacity under Part 5 of the Adults with Incapacity (Scotland) Act 2000 and whether it will consider allowing them to do so.","AnswerText":"The Adults with Incapacity (Scotland) Act 2000 originally enabled only the medical practitioner primarily responsible for the medical treatment of the adult to certify incapacity in regard to medical treatment. This was later amended by section 35(2)(b) of the Smoking, Health and Social Care (Scotland) Act 2005 to allow dental practitioners, ophthalmic opticians and registered nurses who have received training in the assessment of incapacity to sign certificates under section 47.\r\nThe government does not have any immediate plans to further alter legislation on this issue but I have agreed to meet members of the British Psychological Society in December 2015 to discuss this issue.","AnswerDate":"2015-12-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-12-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308059,"EventID":"S4W-28487","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4014,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-17T16:50:06.5","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-17T12:38:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the (a) total and (b) average debt of students from the 20% poorest backgrounds has been in each year since 2011-12, and what information it has regarding how this compares with students from (i) Wales and (ii) Northern Ireland.","AnswerText":"The data requested are not held centrally. The Student Loans Company is responsible for publishing data on student loans, debt and repayment for Scotland, England, Wales and Northern Ireland. \r\nThe latest Student Loans Company figures show that, for students entering repayment in 2015, average student loan debt in Scotland is the lowest in the UK (Scotland £9,440; England £21,180; Wales £19,010; Northern Ireland £18,160).","AnswerDate":"2015-12-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-12-02T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308076,"EventID":"S4W-28459","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1768,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":131,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-18T13:48:19.923","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-16T13:07:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it has (a) introduced a scheme requiring all central heating boilers to be upgraded to a particular standard by 2016 and (b) authorised a commercial company or companies to contact consumers by phone regarding such a scheme.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has neither introduced legislation requiring householders to replace or upgrade their central heating boiler, nor authorised any commercial company to contact consumers about such a scheme.\r\nA press release was issued on Friday 20 November 2015 to reassure the public that there are no such requirements in place. The article made it quite clear that these calls are not being made by or on behalf of the Scottish Government and that we condemn nuisance callers for misleading consumers in this way.","AnswerDate":"2015-12-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-12-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Burgess","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308077,"EventID":"S4W-28490","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1866,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-18T13:48:20.893","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-17T16:46:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what analysis it has carried out of how abolishing air passenger duty might impact on its ability to meet its climate change targets.","AnswerText":"Transport Scotland published analysis in September 2014 which estimated that reducing air passenger duty (APD) in Scotland by 50% would generate a small net annual increase in emissions of between 0.05 and 0.06 mega tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions. \r\nIn recognition of the important environmental issues involved, the Scottish Government is working with environmental groups on its APD stakeholder forum and will be undertaking a strategic environmental assessment alongside the development of legislative proposals for a Scottish replacement tax.","AnswerDate":"2015-11-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-12-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308078,"EventID":"S4W-28491","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2108,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":141,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-18T13:48:21.663","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-17T16:55:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to extend free music tuition to secondary schools across the country as recommended by the Scottish Youth Parliament.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is committed to supporting and promoting the value of instrumental music tuition and our work has led to an enhanced understanding of how and why instrumental music contributes to a young person’s learning, as well as better support for provision of instrumental learning, widening opportunity and building capacity.\r\nThe Scottish Government’s Instrumental Implementation Music Group report of June 2013 (http://www.gov.scot/Topics/Education/Schools/curriculum/InstrumentalMusic/InstrumentalMusicImplementationGroup), recommendation 5, noted that “decisions on charging for services sit with local authorities”. The Scottish Government has no plans to intervene in the long standing arrangements whereby decisions around the provision of instrumental music tuition, including policies for access, concessions and charging, are for each local authority to decide on as they see fit and according to local demands and circumstances.\r\nIn December 2012, £1 million of funding was announced by the Scottish Government for the purchase of musical instruments for Scottish schools. This helped authorities tackle the issue of children being put off taking up learning an instrument because of the costs involved. The government’s work on instrumental music has now moved into a new phase through the creation of a Music Education Partnership Group, bringing together a wide range of organisations involved in music education to further promote and sustain excellent and exciting music education in Scotland.","AnswerDate":"2015-11-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-12-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alasdair Allan","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308079,"EventID":"S4W-28492","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2108,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":141,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-18T13:48:22.483","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-17T16:55:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it has considered the Scottish Youth Parliament’s report, It’s not a choice: An analysis of young people’s perceptions of poverty and rights, and, if so, what subsequent action it is taking to reduce child and youth poverty.","AnswerText":"Yes. I met with representatives from the Scottish Youth Parliament on 28 October 2015 to discuss a number of issues, including their report, It's not a choice. There are clear links between the Scottish Youth Parliament's work on poverty and the Scottish Government's ongoing Fairer Scotland discussion. I agreed to hold a joint Fairer Scotland session to ensure that young people are fully engaged in the process and that event took place on 26 November 2015. I will also meet with the Scottish Youth Parliament's Social Justice Committee early in 2016 to discuss areas of shared interest.\r\nThe Scottish Government's approach to child poverty is articulated in the Child Poverty Strategy for Scotland 2014-17, which contains a detailed measurement framework addressing the wide range of drivers of poverty and the impacts poverty has on the lives of children and their families. The latest annual report on the strategy was published on 9 October 2015 and is available here: http://www.gov.scot/Publications/2015/10/9574.","AnswerDate":"2015-12-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-12-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308080,"EventID":"S4W-28493","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-18T13:48:23.233","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-18T09:31:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the impact of the invasive stoat population in Orkney has been on (a) birds of prey, (b) seabirds, (c) waders and (d) other species native to the islands; what analysis it has carried out to determine what the main pathway has been for the stoats to enter; what measures it is taking to prevent their spread, and what (i) funding and (ii) other support it is providing to help with their removal.","AnswerText":"Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) has advised the Scottish Government that it is not possible to determine exactly how stoats first arrived in Orkney and that no significant impacts of invasive stoats on native wildlife in Orkney have been documented as yet. Any impacts, however, are unlikely to be detected until some time after the stoat population has become established.\r\nIn June 2015, SNH published the output from research into the risks that the stoat population in Orkney poses to native wildlife. This research concluded it was likely that:\r\nStoats will reduce the population of Orkney vole to lower than average densities; \r\nThis would have a major detrimental effect on hen harriers and short-eared owls, which prey on the voles; and\r\nStoats will also predate ground-nesting waders. \r\nThe Scottish Government allocates a budget annually to SNH, which it is responsible for managing to fulfil its statutory functions and to support the Scottish Government’s commitments with respect to protecting and improving the natural environment. This includes advice and strategies aimed at addressing non-native species, in their role as lead agency on the issue. To date, SNH has spent £60,960 on removing stoats from Orkney. This includes support and training for volunteers who are carrying out trapping and monitoring. Should stoats reach the non-connected islands, which are currently stoat-free, they will be removed rapidly.","AnswerDate":"2015-11-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-12-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen McLeod","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308081,"EventID":"S4W-28500","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2108,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":141,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-18T13:48:23.893","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-18T09:54:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to address the social and emotional impact of poverty on children and young people.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government's approach to child poverty is articulated in the Child Poverty Strategy for Scotland 2014-17, which contains a detailed measurement framework addressing the wide range of drivers of poverty and the impacts poverty has on the lives of children and their families. The latest annual report on the strategy was published on 9 October 2015 and is available here: http://www.gov.scot/Publications/2015/10/9574.\r\nThe 'Prospects' section of the annual report sets out progress against various indicators which measure the social and emotional impact of poverty on children and young people, such as 'Children from low income households have improving levels of physical and mental health' and 'Children from low income households experience social inclusion and display social competence'. The Scottish Government has a variety of policies in place to drive forward progress in these areas. For example, we have increased the amount of funded early learning and childcare and invested in the Early Years Collaborative and Change Fund to transform early years services and embed prevention, and in 2015 the First Minister launched the Scottish Attainment Challenge, including the £100 million Scottish Attainment Fund. We have also placed health and wellbeing at the heart of the Curriculum for Excellence, reflecting its importance. Alongside numeracy and literacy, it is now one of the three core areas that are the responsibility of all staff in the school.","AnswerDate":"2015-12-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-12-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308082,"EventID":"S4W-28509","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4080,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-18T13:48:24.823","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-18T10:07:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to the comment in Scottish Legal News on 13 November 2015 that the 140-day remand limit is regularly breached by the courts due to a “lack of judges, lack of court space and lack of resources for the preparation of trials”.","AnswerText":"The Inspectorate of Prosecution in Scotland has carried out an examination this year of the management of time limits. Its report was published in February 2015 and may be found at:\r\nhttp://www.gov.scot/Publications/2015/02/1907\r\nThe report notes the increase in the number of sexual offences currently before the courts, and the increasing complexity of solemn cases, and sets out a number of recommendations for consideration by the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS). The report also states that \"It is noteworthy and to the credit of COPFS that, with a few exceptions, [serious cases prosecuted under solemn procedure] are managed within the tight time limits that apply in Scots law\".\r\nRecognising the increased burden of sexual and domestic abuse cases discussed in the report, the Scottish Government has committed £2.4 million in additional funding in the current year to ensure swift progress of cases involving these offences. This funding is supporting additional court staff, judiciary and fiscals.","AnswerDate":"2015-12-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-12-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308083,"EventID":"S4W-28510","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4080,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-18T13:48:25.473","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-18T10:07:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many applications by the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service for an extension of the 140-day remand limit have been (a) granted and (b) refused in each month since April 2010 and how many refusals have been subject to a subsequent appeal that has been (i) upheld and (ii) rejected, also broken down by (A) gender, (B) age group and (C) sheriffdom.","AnswerText":"The information sought is not held centrally by the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service and would require manual collation which would have a disproportionate cost to obtain.","AnswerDate":"2015-11-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-12-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Frank Mulholland QC","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308084,"EventID":"S4W-28511","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4080,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-18T13:48:26.153","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-18T10:07:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the (a) longest, (b) average and (c) median time is that a person has spent in on remand (i) since April 2015 and (ii) in each year since 2010.","AnswerText":"The information requested for 2010-11 to 2012-13 is shown in the following table. Data for 2013-14 will be published on 18 December 2015. Data from April 2015 onward is not yet available.\r\nMaximum, mean and median number of days spent on remand prior to liberation for people entering prison during the period: 2010-11 to 2012-13\r\n\r\n2010-11\r\n2011-12\r\n2012-13\r\nMaximum\r\n504\r\n449\r\n335\r\nMean\r\n36\r\n36\r\n31\r\nMedian\r\n23\r\n24\r\n23\r\nSource: Scottish Government Justice Analytical Services.","AnswerDate":"2015-12-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-12-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308085,"EventID":"S4W-28512","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4080,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-18T13:48:26.943","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-18T10:07:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many times a person who has spent more than 140 days on remand has been acquitted in each month since April 2010.","AnswerText":"The information requested is not held centrally.","AnswerDate":"2015-12-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-12-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308086,"EventID":"S4W-28513","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1860,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-18T13:48:27.543","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-18T10:48:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether Police Scotland has added the use of defibrillators to its annual emergency lifesaving course; what percentage of serving police officers is now trained in the use of defibrillators and whether it is on course to have all serving officers trained by the end of 2016.","AnswerText":"Police Scotland is in the process of piloting an automated external defibrillator awareness input which will be incorporated into the annual Scottish Police Emergency Life Saving Skills course. This will go live as of 1 January 2016 and will ensure that all operationally deployed police officers will be trained by the end of 2016. At this time, approximately 3.8% of police officers are trained in the use of defibrillators.","AnswerDate":"2015-11-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-12-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308087,"EventID":"S4W-28514","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1860,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-18T13:48:28.183","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-18T10:56:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether all (a) police vehicles, (b) fire and rescue vehicles and (c) ambulances carry defibrillators at all times and whether all emergency service staff who use these vehicles are trained in their use.","AnswerText":"Twenty-one specialist police vehicles carry defibrillators and all staff who operate these vehicles are fully trained in their use. The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service holds a register of all vehicles and fixed locations where a defibrillator is installed/carried for use. Approximately 75% of its operational fleet carries defibrillators. Ambulances crewed by the Scottish Ambulance Service carry defibrillators at all times. Ambulance staff who use these vehicles are trained to use them.","AnswerDate":"2015-11-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-12-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308088,"EventID":"S4W-28516","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1860,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-18T13:48:28.813","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-18T10:56:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to train all Scottish Fire and Rescue Service officers in the use of defibrillators.","AnswerText":"All operational (uniform) emergency response staff based at community fire and rescue stations, training centres and other identified establishments are trained in basic life support including CPR, and all staff on stations with appliances that carry defibrillators are trained to use them. Detailed information, instruction and training are provided to staff.","AnswerDate":"2015-12-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-12-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308089,"EventID":"S4W-28517","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4951,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-18T13:48:29.483","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-18T10:53:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much it spent on welfare mitigation in each local authority area in 2014-15.","AnswerText":"Scottish Government welfare reform mitigation funding is comprised of four categories:\r\nScottish Welfare Fund (SWF);\r\nCouncil Tax Reduction (CTR) Scheme;\r\nDiscretionary Housing Payments (DHP) (mitigation of the ‘bedroom tax’); and \r\nOther mitigation funding (advice and support services and other measures to address poverty).\r\nStatistics for the allocation and spend for the SWF, CTR Scheme and Discretionary Housing Payments in 2014-15 broken down by local authority area are published on the Scottish Government website at:\r\nhttp://www.gov.scot/Topics/Statistics/Browse/Social-Welfare/swf/SWF31Mar2015 (SWF)\r\nhttp://www.gov.scot/Publications/2015/06/2028/downloads (CTR)\r\nhttp://www.gov.scot/Topics/Statistics/Browse/Social-Welfare/dhp/DHP31March2015 (DHP)\r\nThe following table sets out the 2014-15 general mitigation funding according to local authority area insofar as it has been possible to break it down to this level. \r\nAllocation of other welfare mitigation by local authority 2014-15\r\nLocal Authority\r\nTotal Funding\r\nAberdeen City\r\n£227,547.77\r\nAberdeenshire\r\n£116,814.00\r\nAngus\r\n£134,528.75\r\nArgyll and Bute\r\n£73,386.48\r\nCity of Edinburgh\r\n£366,793.92\r\nClackmannanshire\r\n£91,560.51\r\nDumfries and Galloway\r\n£56,726.20\r\nDundee City\r\n£223,871.26\r\nEast Ayrshire\r\n£82,151.93\r\nEast Dunbartonshire\r\n£94,176.33\r\nEast Lothian\r\n£138,095.48\r\nEast Renfrewshire\r\n£75,578.10\r\nEilean Siar\r\n£50,498.00\r\nFalkirk\r\n£158,166.06\r\nFife\r\n£281,664.52\r\nGlasgow City\r\n£1,051,188.87\r\nHighland\r\n£324,568.27\r\nInverclyde\r\n£150,891.30\r\nMidlothian\r\n£189,627.56\r\nMoray\r\n£92,274.79\r\nNorth Ayrshire\r\n£165,569.59\r\nNorth Lanarkshire\r\n£460,320.37\r\nOrkney Islands\r\n£7,328.00\r\nPerth and Kinross\r\n£123,668.06\r\nRenfrewshire\r\n£226,414.20\r\nScottish Borders\r\n£114,154.68\r\nShetland Islands\r\n£60,807.30\r\nSouth Ayrshire\r\n£43,869.73\r\nSouth Lanarkshire\r\n£180,385.55\r\nStirling\r\n£37,404.41\r\nWest Dunbartonshire\r\n£120,508.94\r\nWest Lothian\r\n£185,936.02\r\nTotal\r\n£5,706,476.95\r\nNotes:\r\n1. The table does not include funding for pan-Scotland projects where it is not possible to assign to project activity to particular local authority areas. When these are included, the total funding allocated to the general welfare reform mitigation budget in 2014-15 was £8.2 million. \r\n2. Where a project operates in more than one local authority area, the total cost of the project has been divided equally amongst the number of authorities supported by the project.","AnswerDate":"2015-12-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-12-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Burgess","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308090,"EventID":"S4W-28518","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5057,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-18T13:48:30.123","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-18T11:46:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many epilepsy specialist nurses there are in NHS Ayrshire and Arran.","AnswerText":"Specialist nurses work within multidisciplinary teams to provide valuable support and specialist advice to people and their families affected by particular conditions. In 2015 alone, the Scottish Government has invested over £2.4 million to improve access to specialist nursing and care, which includes funding to appoint additional specialist nurses.\r\nThe most recent information for epilepsy nurse specialists in NHS Ayrshire and Arran is published by Information Services Division (ISD) Scotland as at September 2014 and is shown in Table 1. The figures shown do not include those who spend part of their time working in epilepsy but have been recorded against another specialty.\r\nTable 1 - the number of whole time equivalent clinical nurse specialists with the specialty of epilepsy.\r\n\r\n\r\nSep-14\r\nNHS Ayrshire and Arran\r\n2.0\r\nSource: Scottish Workforce Information Standard System ISD Scotland.","AnswerDate":"2015-12-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-12-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308091,"EventID":"S4W-28527","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5079,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-18T13:48:30.763","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-18T12:19:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to hold a public consultation on the future of the British Transport Police in Scotland.","AnswerText":"Subject to the parliamentary process of the Scotland Bill the Scottish Government intends to consult on a range of issues related to the integration of the British Transport Police into Police Scotland in 2016.","AnswerDate":"2015-11-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-12-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308092,"EventID":"S4W-28528","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5079,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-18T13:48:31.483","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-18T12:20:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the impact on passenger safety of absorbing the British Transport Police into Police Scotland and whether it will publish that assessment.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-28527 on 25 November 2015.\r\nAll answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.\r\nOptions for how the British Transport Police functions should be integrated into Police Scotland will be assessed against a range of objectives including maintaining and enhancing passenger safety.","AnswerDate":"2015-11-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-12-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308093,"EventID":"S4W-28529","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5079,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-18T13:48:32.193","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-18T12:20:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what estimate it has made of the savings or costs of absorbing the British Transport Police into Police Scotland.","AnswerText":"Following the passage of the Scotland Bill, primary legislation is likely to be required in Scotland to take forward the integration of the British Transport Police in Scotland into Police Scotland. Such a Bill would be accompanied by a financial memorandum in line with normal parliamentary procedure.","AnswerDate":"2015-11-24T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-12-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308094,"EventID":"S4O-04844","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":1866,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-18T15:14:47.187","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-18T11:59:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what recent discussions it has had with the UK Government regarding EU issues.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-11-25T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308095,"EventID":"S4O-04845","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":5107,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":124,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-18T15:14:49.183","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-16T12:01:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it encourages TV companies to provide region-specific programming across Scotland.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-11-25T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308096,"EventID":"S4O-04846","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":2673,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":114,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-18T15:14:49.543","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-16T12:01:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it last met representatives of the EU and what matters were discussed.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-11-25T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308097,"EventID":"S4O-04847","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":2633,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-18T15:14:49.87","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-18T11:38:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it promotes gender equality in the arts. ","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-11-25T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308098,"EventID":"S4O-04848","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":2603,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-18T15:14:50.293","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-16T12:01:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to encourage films to be made in Scotland to boost local economies.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-11-25T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308099,"EventID":"S4O-04849","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":1932,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":117,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-18T15:14:50.777","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-16T12:01:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what progress it is making in relation to the conservation of the historic built environment.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-11-25T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308100,"EventID":"S4O-04850","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":5060,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-18T15:14:51.29","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-17T15:23:32.87","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to promote culture in West Scotland. ","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-11-25T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308101,"EventID":"S4O-04851","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":1892,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":134,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-18T15:14:51.93","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-17T15:05:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to support and promote the local newspaper and magazine industry.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-11-25T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308102,"EventID":"S4O-04852","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":4965,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-18T15:14:52.617","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-16T12:01:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what support it is offering to the people of France in response to the terrorist attacks in Paris.","AnswerText":"The terrorist attacks in Paris have shocked and horrified the world. On the day after the terrible events the First Minister and I met the French Consul General in Edinburgh to convey our condolences. Since then landmarks across the country have been lit in the colours of the French flag. Books of condolence at the French Consulate, the French Embassy in London and this Parliament and have been signed not only by the Scottish ministers but by countless members of the public. Last week on Monday 16 November 2015 a minute of silence was widely observed in Scotland as it was across Europe. Yesterday I conveyed in person our government’s condolences to the French Culture Minister at a meeting in Brussels of the EU Council of Ministers.\r\nThe range of events in Scotland and the motion debated in this Parliament gave a clear message to the people of France: that the Scottish Government, and the people of Scotland offer their sincere and heartfelt condolences, and that they are in solidarity with France. Scotland stands as one with France in their condemnation of terror and in their grief for its victims.","AnswerDate":"2015-11-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-11-25T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"Fiona Hyslop","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308103,"EventID":"S4O-04853","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":4940,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-18T15:14:52.973","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-16T12:01:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what youth music initiatives it supports in the Central Scotland region.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government supports a number of youth music initiatives across Central Scotland, many of which are part of the overall Youth Music Initiative (YMI) programme that supports 225,000 children across Scotland and receives annual funding of £10 million. The recent independent evaluation of the YMI indicated that it fosters and develops children's and young people's musical skills and supports more than 300 projects each year in every local authority.\r\nIn 2015-16 around £1.1 million has been awarded through YMI School Based Music Making fund to the Central Scotland local authorities of North Lanarkshire, South Lanarkshire and Falkirk.\r\nIn 2015-16, £35,615 has been awarded so far through the YMI Access to Music Making fund to support out of school activity in the Central Scotland region.","AnswerDate":"2015-11-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-11-25T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"Fiona Hyslop","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308104,"EventID":"S4O-04854","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":2826,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":84,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-18T15:14:53.333","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-17T16:09:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to encourage partnership working to secure growth and investment for cities.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-11-25T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308105,"EventID":"S4O-04856","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":3743,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":123,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-18T15:14:53.77","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-16T12:01:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what progress it is making toward ending the practice of trains discharging effluent onto lines. ","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-11-25T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308106,"EventID":"S4O-04857","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":3751,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":108,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-18T15:14:54.863","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-17T09:53:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what recent discussions it has had with the UK Government regarding the HS2 rail project coming to Scotland.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-11-25T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308107,"EventID":"S4O-04858","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":5059,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-18T15:14:55.673","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-17T13:23:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it has carried out an assessment to determine the average cost of building new railway stations.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-11-25T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308108,"EventID":"S4O-04859","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":2675,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":93,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-18T15:14:56.063","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-16T12:01:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what upgrades are planned for the A9 north of Inverness.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-11-25T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308109,"EventID":"S4O-04860","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":2123,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":103,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-18T15:14:56.453","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-16T12:01:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action the Cabinet Secretary for Infrastructure, Investment and Cities will take to facilitate the creation of low-emission zones in Scotland's major cities.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-11-25T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308110,"EventID":"S4O-04861","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":1882,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":129,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-18T15:14:57.14","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-16T12:01:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what progress it has made in ensuring that a Maybole bypass achieves the status of a shovel-ready project.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-11-25T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308111,"EventID":"S4O-04862","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-18T15:14:58.577","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-18T10:43:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it remains committed to Reston and East Linton railway stations being operational by December 2016.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is committed to providing services that can call at Reston and East Linton subject to the completion of the stations by the promoters and the granting of necessary track access rights, however, the date of December 2016 was not given as a confirmed date for the stations and the services commencing. Rather this was the earliest possible date based on the programme information available at that time.","AnswerDate":"2015-11-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-11-25T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308112,"EventID":"S4O-04863","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":3771,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-18T15:14:59.747","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-16T12:01:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it supports infrastructure projects in the Glasgow parliamentary region.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-11-25T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308113,"EventID":"S4O-04864","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":2059,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":91,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-18T15:15:00.15","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-16T12:02:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the action it is taking to tackle the reported shortage of GPs.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-11-26T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308114,"EventID":"S4O-04865","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":5038,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-18T15:15:00.573","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-18T11:36:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on progress with the implementation of the town centre first principle.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-11-26T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308115,"EventID":"S4O-04866","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":2110,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":138,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-18T15:15:00.93","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-16T12:02:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how the current incidence of knife crime in North Ayrshire compares with 2007.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-11-26T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308116,"EventID":"S4O-04867","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":2117,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-18T15:15:01.32","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-18T11:41:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many jobs have been lost at Young's Seafood's processing plant in Fraserburgh and how many remain at risk.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-11-26T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308117,"EventID":"S4O-04868","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":1860,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-18T15:15:02.07","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-18T09:30:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what it is doing and what funds it has allocated to make care a more attractive career choice for men and young people.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-11-26T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308118,"EventID":"S4O-04870","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":1893,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-18T15:15:02.833","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-16T12:02:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether, in light of reported evidence of injury to working dogs, it will revoke the ban on tail docking in breeds that have traditionally been docked for their own protection and safety.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-11-26T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308119,"EventID":"S4O-04871","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":4984,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-18T15:15:03.333","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-18T11:20:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it considers that planning applications and their associated documents are easy to understand.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-11-26T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308120,"EventID":"S4O-04872","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":4955,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":105,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-18T15:15:03.707","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-16T12:02:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what recent discussions it has had with universities regarding the Higher Education Governance (Scotland) Bill.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-11-26T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308121,"EventID":"S4O-04873","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":2892,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-18T15:15:04.223","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-17T16:45:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it anticipates any public order issues arising from so-called Black Friday events being run by retailers.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-11-26T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308122,"EventID":"S4W-28556","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4947,"Party":"Independent","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-18T16:26:41.55","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-18T16:06:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body whether it will undertake and make public a risk assessment of the reputational damage that may be caused to the Parliament by the Scottish Parliamentary Pension Scheme holdings in the fossil fuel, defence and tobacco industries.","AnswerText":"As the member will be aware, under the Scottish Parliamentary Pensions Act 2009 the fund trustees are responsible for the day to day management and administration of the Scottish Parliamentary Pension Scheme, including investment policy. Given their lead responsibility and the statutory position it is a matter for the fund trustees to consider.","AnswerDate":"2015-12-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-12-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Pentland","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308129,"EventID":"S4W-28522","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3806,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-18T16:44:11.95","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-18T12:16:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how its review of the legislation that governs bus service registration is progressing and on what date it will publish its plans regarding bus (a) legislation and (b) guidance that was referred to in the community transport section of its legislative programme.","AnswerText":"Legislation is due to be laid before Parliament in week beginning 8 December 2015. Good practice guidance has been developed with stakeholders and is in near final form. Both legislation and guidance will come into force on 31 January 2016.","AnswerDate":"2015-12-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-12-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308130,"EventID":"S4W-28523","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3806,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-18T16:44:12.653","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-18T12:17:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government on what date it will publish its plans regarding air passenger duty that were referred to in the transport section of its legislative programme.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government will publish a policy consultation paper in early 2016 seeking views on how a Scottish replacement to air passenger duty should be designed and structured to best support our strategic objective of boosting Scotland's international connectivity.","AnswerDate":"2015-11-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-12-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308131,"EventID":"S4W-28525","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3806,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-18T16:44:14.383","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-18T12:17:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how its plans to improve engagement between operators and local transport authorities regarding service charges are progressing.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to questions S4W-28522 and S4W-28526 on 1 December 2015 and the answers provided. We are also working with stakeholders to identify further changes to legislation which will enhance partnership working and can form part of a consultation in 2016. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.","AnswerDate":"2015-12-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-12-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308132,"EventID":"S4W-28526","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3806,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-18T16:44:16.723","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-18T12:17:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how its consultation on introducing further legislation to increase the powers of local transport authorities is progressing.","AnswerText":"Scottish Government officials are discussing options with members of the Bus Stakeholders Group for possible consultation during 2016.","AnswerDate":"2015-12-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-12-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308133,"EventID":"S4W-28530","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2610,"Party":"Independent","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-18T16:44:20.17","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-18T13:07:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what recent discussions it has had with Abellio to ensure that the issues affecting Nederlandse Spoorwegen in relation to the awarding of a contract in the Netherlands have not affected ScotRail.","AnswerText":"Officials and I have sought and received assurances from both Abellio in the UK and NS in the Netherlands that the issues in procurement practice around the Limburg contract have not arisen in the UK. The investigations conducted by independent lawyers into Abellio Group bid practices in the UK confirmed that that there was no evidence of any irregularities within the scope of the investigation that should be investigated further.","AnswerDate":"2015-12-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-12-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308134,"EventID":"S4W-28531","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2610,"Party":"Independent","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-18T16:44:21.06","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-18T13:07:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much the last ScotRail franchise tendering process cost and what information it has on the cost for bidders.","AnswerText":"The cost to the Scottish Government for the ScotRail franchise tendering process was £7,905,099. The Scottish Government does not have information on the cost for bidders.","AnswerDate":"2015-12-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-12-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308135,"EventID":"S4W-28532","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2610,"Party":"Independent","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-18T16:44:22.357","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-18T13:07:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much it spent on consultants for the last ScotRail franchise tendering process and what consultants.","AnswerText":"There were three sets of specialist advisors, each procured through competition as part of the franchise tendering process. Atkins Limited advised on rail technical matters, Ernst & Young LLP advised on financial matters and DWF were legal advisors. The cost of consultants during the preparation for and running of the tender process was £7,118,311.\r\nThese advisors worked together with officials in an expert team, to run a franchise competition which saved around one billion pounds on forecast costs over the ten years of the franchise, whilst securing considerable benefits such as new and refurbished train fleets, innovative low fares proposals and a smarter and more accessible passenger environment across Scotland’s railways.","AnswerDate":"2015-12-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-12-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308136,"EventID":"S4W-28533","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2610,"Party":"Independent","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-18T16:44:23.103","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-18T13:07:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much it spent on the last Caledonian Sleeper franchise tendering process and what information it has on the cost for bidders.","AnswerText":"The cost to the Scottish Government for the Caledonian Sleeper franchise tendering process was £5,672,393. The Scottish Government does not have information on the cost for bidders.","AnswerDate":"2015-12-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-12-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308137,"EventID":"S4W-28534","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2610,"Party":"Independent","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-18T16:44:23.947","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-18T13:07:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much it spent on consultants for the last Caledonian Sleeper franchise tendering process and what consultants.","AnswerText":"There were three sets of specialist advisors, each procured through competition as part of the franchise tendering process. Atkins Limited advised on rail technical matters, Ernst & Young LLP advised on financial matters and DWF were legal advisors. The cost of consultants during the preparation for and running of the tender process was £4,805,476.","AnswerDate":"2015-12-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-12-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308138,"EventID":"S4W-28535","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2610,"Party":"Independent","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-18T16:44:24.897","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-18T13:07:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what recent representations it has made to the UK Government regarding the Scotland Bill and the requirement to put the (a) ScotRail and (b) Caledonian Sleeper services out to tender.","AnswerText":"The requirement to put the ScotRail and Caledonian Sleeper contracts out to tender was a condition of the current UK railways legislation, which the Scottish Parliament has no powers to change.\r\nAs proposed by this government, there is provision within the draft Scotland Bill which will enable UK public sector bodies to bid for future Scottish franchise agreements. I have also recently written to Claire Perry, UK Transport Under-Secretary, seeking additional powers to award future Scottish franchise agreements without the need for competition, where it is in Scotland’s socio-economic interests to do so. I have still to receive a response.","AnswerDate":"2015-12-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-12-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308139,"EventID":"S4W-28536","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2610,"Party":"Independent","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-18T16:44:25.583","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-18T13:07:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government under what circumstances it would consider exercising the clauses in the ScotRail franchise contract to indemnify the operator against industrial action.","AnswerText":"The franchise agreement with ScotRail gives the circumstances in which the clauses referred to may apply. This includes a parity clause, giving workers’ representatives and other stakeholders input into ministers’ consideration, which is unique in rail franchising in the UK.","AnswerDate":"2015-12-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-12-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308140,"EventID":"S4W-28537","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2610,"Party":"Independent","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-18T16:44:26.303","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-18T13:07:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with Abellio in respect of the clauses in the ScotRail franchise contract allowing the Scottish Government to indemnify it against industrial action.","AnswerText":"No discussions have taken place on this topic.","AnswerDate":"2015-12-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-12-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308141,"EventID":"S4W-28538","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2610,"Party":"Independent","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-18T16:44:27.083","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-18T13:07:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether any new rolling stock commissioned for the ScotRail franchise will be configured for driver-controlled operation/driver-only operation.","AnswerText":"The output specification of the new Hitachi electric fleet has requirements for door opening including targets on station dwell times and also the capability for drivers to open doors from the leading cab. The final design of the train contains equipment to enable this to be delivered.\r\nScotRail will continue to engage with trade unions on this matter and is planning further discussions in 2016 to reach an agreement on an operational approach. This will continue previous consultation with ASLEF which was involved during the design process of the new fleet and a driver’s cab mock up.\r\nOther trade unions will also be involved with the on-going design, manufacture and testing phases as appropriate to their members’ role in operating the train along with the development of training programmes to ensure employees can competently operate the new trains.","AnswerDate":"2015-12-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-12-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308142,"EventID":"S4W-28539","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2610,"Party":"Independent","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-18T16:44:28.797","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-18T13:07:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what involvement trade unions will have in the commissioning of new rolling stock for the ScotRail franchise.","AnswerText":"ScotRail intends to engage fully with trade unions before the introduction of the new Hitachi electric rolling stock to passenger service. This process will also involve the relevant regulatory authorities to ensure the efficient and safe operation of the railway.","AnswerDate":"2015-12-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-12-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308143,"EventID":"S4W-28540","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2610,"Party":"Independent","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-18T16:44:30.17","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-18T13:07:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to support the introduction of driver-controlled/driver-only operation on the ScotRail franchise.","AnswerText":"42% of services on the Scottish rail network are currently driver-controlled operation, accounting for 59% of journeys. The ScotRail franchise sets out our requirements for service provision, including that the franchisee must plan to have a second member of staff on each train. Beyond this ministers do not specify the method of train operation.","AnswerDate":"2015-12-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-12-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308144,"EventID":"S4W-28543","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4934,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-18T16:44:30.903","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-18T14:47:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with ScotRail to address reported overcrowding on services between Edinburgh and North Berwick.","AnswerText":"Transport Scotland holds regular discussions with the ScotRail Alliance on options to improve rail services across the Scottish rail network. In terms of the North Berwick route an investment of £730,000 is being made to extend the platform at North Berwick station to accommodate the operation of longer trains. Development work for the project is well advanced and we expect the new longer platform to be completed during 2016.","AnswerDate":"2015-12-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-12-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308145,"EventID":"S4W-28544","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4934,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-18T16:44:31.56","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-18T14:47:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it will take to help alleviate reported overcrowding on ScotRail services between North Berwick and Edinburgh until longer trains come into service.","AnswerText":"Transport Scotland continues to work closely with ScotRail to meet our expectations that passengers should have a reasonable expectation of a seat within 10 minutes of boarding. In advance of the platform being extended at North Berwick (to accommodate six car train lengths), ScotRail will be launching a colour coded timetable on the route in the coming weeks, highlighting the busiest and quieter services.\r\nA series of passenger counts are also underway across all ScotRail routes, the results of which will be used by ScotRail to maximise the efficient use of trains to minimise crowding on Scotland’s rail network.","AnswerDate":"2015-12-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-12-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308146,"EventID":"S4W-28545","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5057,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-18T16:44:32.153","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-18T15:06:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many prisoners have applied for emergency homelessness support prior to release in each year since 2011, and how many applications have been approved.","AnswerText":"The following table shows that, for 2014-15, there were 35,957 homelessness applications to local authorities. Of these, 2,107 applications (6% of all applications) were people applying from prison.\r\nOnce an application has been received, local authorities assess each application to determine whether the applicant is homeless or threatened with homelessness (i.e. likely to become homeless within the next two months).\r\nDuring 2014-15, a total of 2,107 applications from prison leavers were assessed under the homelessness legislation. Of these, 1,844 (88%) applications were found to be homeless or threatened with homelessness.\r\nThe figures for the previous three financial years are also shown.\r\n\r\n2011-12\r\n2012-13\r\n2013-14\r\n2014-15\r\nAll homelessness applications\r\n45,553\r\n40,050\r\n36,820\r\n35,957\r\nNumber of homelessness applications from prison leavers\r\n2,248\r\n2,217\r\n2,136\r\n2,089\r\nPercentage of total applications from prison leavers\r\n5%\r\n6%\r\n6%\r\n6%\r\nAll applications from prison leavers where an assessment has taken place\r\n2,226\r\n2,234\r\n2,124 \r\n2,107 \r\nNumber of applications from prison leavers that were assessed as homeless or threatened with homelessness\r\n1,911\r\n1,934\r\n1,859\r\n1,844\r\nPercentage of all assessments from prison leavers assessed as homeless or threatened with homelessness\r\n86%\r\n87%\r\n88%\r\n88%\r\nSource: Scottish Government HL1 dataset as at 31 August 2015\r\nHomelessness statistics can be found online at: http://www.gov.scot/homelessstats.","AnswerDate":"2015-12-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-12-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Burgess","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308147,"EventID":"S4W-28546","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5057,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-18T16:44:32.73","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-18T15:06:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many children have been (a) placed under statutory supervision and (b) referred to the hearing system in each year since 2007. ","AnswerText":"This is a matter for the Scottish Children's Reporter Administration (SCRA). The information is not held centrally, but can be found in the SCRA online statistics service:\r\nhttp://www.scra.gov.uk/publications/archive/online_statistical_service.cfm","AnswerDate":"2015-12-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-12-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen Campbell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308148,"EventID":"S4W-28555","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1943,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-18T16:44:33.37","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-18T16:04:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what financial support it provides to (a) the Scottish Football Association and (b) senior football clubs and what information it has regarding how much of this money has been reinvested in pro youth football.","AnswerText":"Financial support amounting to £1.3 million is being provided in 2015-16 to the Scottish Football Association by sportscotland, the national agency for sport. The funding is being invested mainly to support the Scottish FA’s regional development structure, and also to support performance staffing and programming for women’s football. In addition, between 2008 and 2017, the Scottish FA will receive direct from the Scottish Government almost £7.7 million of funding for activities under the CashBack for Communities programme. Neither sportscotland nor the Scottish Government provide funding to support pro youth football, which is a matter for the Scottish FA, the Scottish Professional Football League and its clubs.","AnswerDate":"2015-11-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-12-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308149,"EventID":"S4W-28558","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4014,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-18T16:44:33.867","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-18T16:08:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what impact the pilot scheme in England to move some statutory advertising online will have on its advertising policy.","AnswerText":"It is not yet possible to know what impact or lessons might be drawn from the pilots, given they have not yet been evaluated.","AnswerDate":"2015-12-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-12-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308150,"EventID":"S4W-28564","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4014,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-18T16:44:34.413","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-18T16:08:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how the £10 million investment to develop club sport has been spent.","AnswerText":"I have asked the Chief Executive of sportscotland, Stewart Harris, to write to you directly and provide you with a detailed update.","AnswerDate":"2015-11-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-12-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308151,"EventID":"S4W-28565","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4014,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-18T16:44:34.977","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-18T16:08:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what progress has been made in establishing new regional development officer posts as part of the £10 million investment to develop club sport.","AnswerText":"I have asked the Chief Executive of sportscotland, Stewart Harris, to write to you directly and provide you with a detailed update.","AnswerDate":"2015-11-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-12-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308160,"EventID":"S4W-28501","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1860,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-19T14:16:32.253","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-18T09:55:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it will address the reported funding gap for carers' information services in 2016-17.","AnswerText":"Funding for Carer Information Strategies is currently included in baseline funding. Our assumption is for this to continue in 2016-17, subject to the Spending Review process.","AnswerDate":"2015-11-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-12-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308161,"EventID":"S4W-28502","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1860,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-19T14:16:33.173","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-18T09:55:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what additional resources for carer support it will provide to fund the implementation of the provisions in the Carers (Scotland) Bill and how these will be allocated.","AnswerText":"The estimated level of resources for supporting carers once the Carers Bill is commenced is set out in the Financial Memorandum. The allocations to local authorities, NHS boards and other organisations are also set out in the Financial Memorandum.","AnswerDate":"2015-11-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-12-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308162,"EventID":"S4W-28503","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1860,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-19T14:16:33.89","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-18T09:55:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will continue to provide (a) respite care funds, (b) carer information strategy funds and (c) the change fund under the Carers (Scotland) Bill.","AnswerText":"The Financial Memorandum for the Carers Bill sets out funding for Carer Information Strategies and for support to carers, including short breaks, from 2017-18 onwards. The Integrated Care Fund (ICF) is providing £300 million to health and social care partnerships over three years from April 2015. The ICF builds on the Reshaping Care for Older People's Change Fund which ended in 2015 and can be used for support to carers.","AnswerDate":"2015-11-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-12-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308163,"EventID":"S4W-28504","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1860,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-19T14:16:34.623","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-18T09:55:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how will it fund short break support under the Carers (Scotland) Bill. ","AnswerText":"Funding for support to carers, including an additional short breaks component, is set out in the Financial Memorandum.","AnswerDate":"2015-11-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-12-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308164,"EventID":"S4W-28505","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1860,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-19T14:16:35.34","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-18T09:55:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether the estimated £16 million for replacement care will be funded from money included in the financial memorandum to the Carers (Scotland) Bill and, if not, from where.","AnswerText":"The estimate of £16 million of the cost of replacement care is a maximum, and it is expected to be significantly less. There should be sufficient flexibility within the existing financial envelope for the Carers Bill arising from the unit cost and demand assumptions set out in the Financial Memorandum to cover such costs. The financial envelope will be monitored.","AnswerDate":"2015-11-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-12-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308165,"EventID":"S4W-28506","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1860,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-19T14:16:36.027","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-18T09:55:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to provide funding for preventative spend for carers' centres to account for expected increased demand.","AnswerText":"The Financial Memorandum makes clear that the Scottish Government encourages both local authorities and health boards to make the best use of the third sector, to work in partnership with the sector and to fund the sector accordingly. This will include carers' centres and other local carer services which support carers on a preventative basis.","AnswerDate":"2015-11-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-12-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308166,"EventID":"S4W-28507","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1860,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-19T14:16:36.823","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-18T09:55:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how carer support will be implemented at the local level under the Carers (Scotland) Bill and how it will determine the allocation of new resources.","AnswerText":"As set out in the Financial Memorandum, all functions created under the Carers Bill which relate to the delivery of services to adult carers will require to be delegated under integration schemes under the Public Bodies (Joint Working) (Scotland) Act 2014. All local authority or health board functions relating to carers under the age of 18 will be delegated if the local authority or health board so choose. This provides the framework for support to carers at local level.","AnswerDate":"2015-11-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-12-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308167,"EventID":"S4W-28508","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1860,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-19T14:16:37.51","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-18T09:55:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it expects a slow uptake of adult carer support plans and young carer statements in year one of the implementation of the Carers (Scotland) Bill and whether the funding and resources of local authorities are sufficient to meet their new duties in year one.","AnswerText":"The estimated demand for adult carer support plans and young carer statements in 2017-18 and the estimated level of resources required to meet the demand in the same year is set out in the Financial Memorandum for the Carers Bill. I believe the Financial Memorandum provides a robust assessment of the likely costs of the Bill's provisions.","AnswerDate":"2015-11-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-12-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308168,"EventID":"S4W-28541","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-19T14:16:38.21","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-18T13:47:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much it estimates the yield will be from the land and buildings transaction tax in each month from November 2015 to March 2016.","AnswerText":"Revenues from Land and Buildings Transaction Tax remain on track and in line with the Scottish Government expectations. \r\nThe Scottish Fiscal Commission submitted a monthly breakdown of the Scottish Government's 2015-16 residential revenue forecast for Land and Buildings Transaction Tax to the Scottish Parliament Finance Committee on 24 November 2015. This seasonally adjusted in-year profile does not take account of forestalling impacts.\r\nThe Scottish Fiscal Commission's paper is available at:\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/S4_FinanceCommittee/General%20Documents/Further_submission_from_SFC_Outturns_vs_forecast.pdf","AnswerDate":"2015-12-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-12-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308169,"EventID":"S4W-28542","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-19T14:16:40.677","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-18T13:47:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what information it has regarding how much was collected in Scotland from stamp duty in each month between April 2012 and March 2015.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government had no responsibility for the operation of Stamp Duty Land Tax in Scotland, which was reserved to the UK Government.\r\nHM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) publishes annual UK stamp tax statistics, which include data on Scottish receipts. Publications covering the period 2012-15 are available at: \r\nhttps://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/uk-stamp-tax-statistics. HMRC also publishes monthly summaries of UK tax and NIC receipts. The most recent publication is available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/hmrc-tax-and-nics-receipts-for-the-uk.","AnswerDate":"2015-12-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-12-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308170,"EventID":"S4W-28559","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-19T14:16:42.08","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-18T16:12:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to reports that faults with the Caledonian Sleeper rail service have caused delays, cancellations and have led to the RMT union balloting its members on strike action.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is aware of recent cancellations and delays on Caledonian Sleeper services, RMT’s attribution of underlying vehicle faults as a causal factor in recent disruption, and its decision to ballot its members on industrial action on that basis.\r\nWe are monitoring this situation closely and have discussed the respective positions on underlying causes with both parties.","AnswerDate":"2015-12-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-12-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308171,"EventID":"S4W-28560","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-19T14:16:42.843","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-18T16:12:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with (a) the RMT union and (b) Serco regarding the possibility of strike action on the Caledonian Sleeper rail service, and what action it is taking to avert such a situation.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has had a number of discussions with each party involved in this dispute.\r\nWe are encouraging continued dialogue between the parties and the pursuit of a mutually satisfactory outcome which sees no impact on passenger service.","AnswerDate":"2015-12-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-12-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308172,"EventID":"S4W-28561","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-19T14:16:43.593","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-18T16:12:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what reports it has received regarding electrical and mechanical faults on the Caledonian Sleeper rail service.","AnswerText":"Under the terms of its franchise agreement with the Scottish Ministers, Serco Caledonian Sleepers Limited (SCSL) is required to provide periodic information regarding rolling stock availability, provide detailed records and certification relating to the condition and maintenance of that rolling stock, and provide information about the franchise’s performance.\r\nThis is required under Appendices 1, 2, and 3 of Schedule 13.2 of the franchise agreement:\r\nhttp://www.transportscotland.gov.uk/system/files/documents/tsc-basic-pages/Franchise%20Agreement%20EXECUTION%20COPY%2023%20May%202014_Redacted.pdf\r\nThe Scottish Government receives this information as part of a per-period (four weekly) franchise performance report, which is reviewed by Transport Scotland officials and discussed with SCSL directors at four-weekly franchise performance meetings.","AnswerDate":"2015-12-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-12-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308173,"EventID":"S4W-28562","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-19T14:16:44.327","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-18T16:12:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many times there have been (a) delays, (b) cancellations and (c) other reductions in planned services on the Caledonian Sleeper rail service (i) in each of the last three years and (ii) since April 2015, and what information it has regarding how many passengers were affected.","AnswerText":"(a) Delays\r\nThe following table shows Caledonian Sleeper performance described by two measures: Public Performance Measure (PPM, which for long distance services measures arrival within 10 minutes of the public timetable arrival) and Right Time measure which measures actual performance against the public timetable.\r\n\r\n2012\r\n2013\r\n2014\r\n2015\r\n\r\nPPM\r\nRight Time\r\nPPM\r\nRight Time\r\nPPM\r\nRight Time\r\nPPM\r\nRight Time\r\nPeriod\r\n%\r\n%\r\n%\r\n%\r\n%\r\n%\r\n%\r\n%\r\n1\r\n92.96%\r\n82.59%\r\n93.83%\r\n81.07%\r\n87.34%\r\n78.60%\r\n83.90%\r\n72.00%\r\n2\r\n87.40%\r\n79.13%\r\n95.85%\r\n81.33%\r\n84.39%\r\n73.00%\r\n90.70%\r\n82.60%\r\n3\r\n88.59%\r\n79.09%\r\n94.21%\r\n82.64%\r\n86.86%\r\n76.69%\r\n89.00%\r\n78.70%\r\n4\r\n92.86%\r\n86.47%\r\n86.94%\r\n75.23%\r\n85.84%\r\n72.96%\r\n92.10%\r\n76.20%\r\n5\r\n89.62%\r\n78.08%\r\n93.80%\r\n82.64%\r\n85.54%\r\n73.14%\r\n84.00%\r\n72.70%\r\n6\r\n95.08%\r\n77.05%\r\n95.47%\r\n82.30%\r\n89.63%\r\n78.01%\r\n91.70%\r\n80.30%\r\n7\r\n91.36%\r\n73.25%\r\n84.36%\r\n70.78%\r\n92.34%\r\n73.56%\r\n93.40%\r\n72.90%\r\n8\r\n86.38%\r\n65.53%\r\n83.69%\r\n68.67%\r\n83.13%\r\n67.50%\r\n83.80%\r\n68.30%\r\n9\r\n80.74%\r\n62.30%\r\n94.19%\r\n76.76%\r\n92.90%\r\n81.55%\r\n\r\n\r\n10\r\n72.06%\r\n54.90%\r\n84.97%\r\n72.02%\r\n78.40%\r\n69.60%\r\n\r\n\r\n11\r\n83.61%\r\n65.16%\r\n79.35%\r\n61.54%\r\n78.00%\r\n64.02%\r\n\r\n\r\n12\r\n89.34%\r\n74.18%\r\n83.20%\r\n66.39%\r\n89.00%\r\n72.79%\r\n\r\n\r\n13\r\n89.12%\r\n78.66%\r\n83.95%\r\n68.72%\r\n88.80%\r\n80.22%\r\n\r\n\r\nThis information represents the operational records of First ScotRail and Serco Caledonian Sleepers Limited (SCSL) respectively.\r\n(b) Train Cancellations\r\n\r\nNumber of Trains Cancelled\r\n% Cancelled of Planned Trains\r\n2012-13\r\n91\r\n3%\r\n2013-14\r\n79\r\n2%\r\n2014-15\r\n74\r\n2%\r\nThis information is derived from Network Rail records of First ScotRail operations.\r\nSCSL reports 32 cancellations to 14 November 2015.\r\n(c) Passengers Affected by Disruption\r\nWe do not hold details of numbers of passengers affected by rail disruption. Even for the Caledonian Sleeper, where many bookings are made with berth or seat reservations there are still a large number of passengers travelling with ‘any operator’ inter-available tickets. SCSL has received 1,687 applications for compensation using the industry-wide delay repay scheme, which under its guest charter offers compensation for services which are delayed.\r\nThis represents 0.87% of all guests who travelled during the period.","AnswerDate":"2015-12-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-12-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308174,"EventID":"S4W-28563","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-19T14:16:45.09","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-18T16:12:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the planned investment of private and public sector money in new rolling stock for the Caledonian sleeper rail service.","AnswerText":"The process of design and procurement of new rolling stock for the Caledonian Sleeper franchise is continuing against plan. Serco Caledonian Sleepers Limited (SCSL) and manufacturers Construcciones y Auxiliar de Ferrocarriles are working to complete new trains design, and 3D visualisations and renderings of the new train, by the end of January 2016, as specified in SCSL's franchise agreement.\r\nThe franchisee continues to satisfy the conditions of drawdown of grant.\r\nInvestment in sleeper rolling stock remains at £60 million. New trains will enter service in 2018.","AnswerDate":"2015-12-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-12-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308175,"EventID":"S4W-28566","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2108,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":141,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-19T14:16:45.84","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-18T16:57:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it has had discussions with NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde about the number of staff resigning from the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital Glasgow due to a lack of facilities and, if so, what the outcome was.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has not had any discussions with NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde about staff resigning from the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital Glasgow due to a lack of facilities. The board has informed the Scottish Government that it is not aware of any member of staff who has resigned because of the facilities at the new hospital.","AnswerDate":"2015-11-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-12-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308176,"EventID":"S4W-28567","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2108,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":141,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-19T14:16:46.543","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-18T16:57:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to ensure that the Staff Governance Standard Framework is being fully implemented by all NHS boards.","AnswerText":"Staff governance is one of the strands of the NHSScotland Governance Framework for which all boards are held accountable. Boards are therefore responsible for implementation of the Staff Governance Standard at a local level, and are accountable for local performance against the standard.\r\nFollowing an internal local review of performance and progress towards the Staff Governance Standard all boards are required to complete a National Annual Monitoring Return and send to the Scottish Government annually.\r\nThe returns are then analysed by the Scottish Government under each strand of the Staff Governance Standard looking at points requiring further clarification, any areas of concern, as well as strengths and areas of good practice that can be spread across boards.\r\nThe outcomes of the 2015 staff governance monitoring process have been fed back to health board chief executives and HR directors.","AnswerDate":"2015-11-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-12-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308177,"EventID":"S4W-28568","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3806,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-19T14:16:47.227","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-18T17:05:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what steps it will take to ensure that the joint working between ScotRail and Network Rail will not (a) be commercialised and (b) compromise the safety of the railway infrastructure.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is clear that a more integrated approach across the whole rail industry is in the best interests of Scotland’s railways. The closer collaboration between Network Rail Scotland and Abellio ScotRail places the needs of passengers at its heart through the delivery of high-quality, reliable services, and a more efficient management and operation of the rail network in Scotland.\r\nThe terms of the ScotRail Alliance agreement sets out the commercial principles and mechanisms included within the alliance as well as relevant safety obligations. A copy of the terms of the agreement can be accessed at: www.networkrail.co.uk/working-with-us/alliances/\r\nThe Scottish Government is clear that any initiatives identified and pursued through the alliance must be compliant with both Network Rail and ScotRail safety management systems and validation processes. The alliance is also subject to broader monitoring from the Office of Rail and Road to ensure legal compliance with regulatory obligations and that the arrangement is transparent and non-discriminatory.","AnswerDate":"2015-12-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-12-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308178,"EventID":"S4W-28569","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3806,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-19T14:16:47.947","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-18T17:05:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what information it has on (a) how much and (b) what proportion of railway funding has been provided to Network Rail in Scotland in the last five years.","AnswerText":"Network Rail’s funding requirements for activities in Scotland are determined independently by the Office of Rail in Road in accordance with the requirements and priorities set out by the Scottish Government.\r\nFor each financial year the funding provided to Network Rail and other railway funding is set out in Transport Scotland’s annual accounts, copies of which can be accessed from: http://www.transportscotland.gov.uk/topic-contents/84","AnswerDate":"2015-12-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-12-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308179,"EventID":"S4W-28570","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3806,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-19T14:16:48.617","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-18T17:05:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what involvement it has with the funding provided to Network Rail in Scotland.","AnswerText":"In accordance with the requirements of the Railways Act 1993 the Scottish Government is responsible for producing a High Level Output Specification (HLOS) to set out what is to be achieved by railway activities in Scotland and the funding available to support this during the five-year control period set by the Office of Rail and Road (ORR).\r\nThe HLOS for the current regulatory control period (Control Period 5) was published in June 2012. It is then the responsibility of the ORR to establish the outputs that Network Rail is to deliver in Scotland and the funding that will be provided to support this. This was set out in the ORR's final determination in October 2013.\r\nIn Scotland Network Rail’s funding is largely provided by the Scottish Government by means of direct network grant or by track access charges subsidised through the ScotRail and Caledonian Sleeper franchise contracts. The balance between these two channels is set independently by the ORR.\r\nNew financing arrangements were put in place following Network Rail’s reclassification as a central government body in September 2014 with all borrowing now provided via a loan facility from the UK Government. As part of the arrangements agreed, a separate ring-fenced borrowing limit was set for Network Rail in Scotland which continues to be serviced by the Scottish Government. Alongside the core regulatory responsibilities of the ORR, the Scottish Government continues to monitor Network Rail’s financial performance to ensure delivery of the Control Period 5 programme against this limit.","AnswerDate":"2015-12-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-12-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308180,"EventID":"S4W-28571","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3806,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-19T14:16:49.32","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-18T17:05:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what governance relationship it (a) has or (b) has sought with Network Rail following its reclassification as a public sector company.","AnswerText":"Network Rail was reclassified as a UK central government body in September 2014. At that point, a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) was put in place between the Scottish and UK Governments, which sets out how the Scottish Ministers will be involved in future decisions on Network Rail’s governance and financial management. In summary, the Scottish Ministers have a formal role on a range of matters such as Network Rail’s business planning and senior appointments.\r\nUnder the new arrangements, Network Rail’s Accounting Officer, usually the chief executive, will also be required to give evidence on their stewardship of public funds on the Scottish route, when summoned before a committee of the Scottish Parliament. A copy of the MOU can be accessed at: www.gov.uk/government/publications/network-rail-memorandum-of-understanding-between-scottish-ministers-and-dft\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-12-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-12-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308181,"EventID":"S4W-28572","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3806,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-19T14:16:49.99","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-18T17:05:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the impact in Scotland of the UK Government's summer budget announcement regarding the funding of Network Rail.","AnswerText":"As the independent industry regulator, the overall framework for railway charges is a matter for the Office of Rail and Road (ORR).The Scottish Government is the primary funder of Network Rail in Scotland and is actively considering the most effective approach to providing funding in future, including the balance between track access charges and grant funding. Refreshed Scottish Government guidance will be issued to the ORR on this matter as part of their upcoming review of access charges for the period 2019-24, which is due to commence early in 2016.","AnswerDate":"2015-12-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-12-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308182,"EventID":"S4W-28573","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3806,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-19T14:16:50.707","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-18T17:05:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will seek different arrangements to those set out in the UK Government's summer budget announcement that government subsidies will be paid to train operating companies rather than Network Rail.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-28572 on 1 December 2015. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.","AnswerDate":"2015-12-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-12-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308183,"EventID":"S4W-28574","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3806,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-19T14:16:51.55","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-18T17:05:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what representations it has made to the Shaw review of the longer-term future shape and financing of Network Rail and whether it will publish any such representations.","AnswerText":"Both the Cabinet Secretary for Infrastructure, Investment and Cities and I met with Nicola Shaw on 8 October 2015. During this meeting, and subject to associated financial arrangements, we pressed the case for the full devolution of Network Rail in Scotland with direct accountability to the Scottish Government and Scottish Parliament. In particular, our strongly held view that this would deliver benefits for rail users through tailored, localised decision making and relationships, among other things helping the ScotRail Alliance to fulfil its potential.\r\nThe Scottish Government continues to work closely with the Shaw review team to help inform their considerations. A response to the recent Shaw scoping report will be issued and published in due course.","AnswerDate":"2015-12-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-12-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308184,"EventID":"S4W-28575","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3806,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-19T14:16:52.237","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-18T17:05:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what impact the proposed change in funding to Network Rail will have on the joint working between ScotRail and Network Rail.","AnswerText":"The proposals announced by the UK Government only affect the way money flows through the rail industry rather than the actual funding being provided. The structure of charges does, however, remain a decision for the Office of Road and Rail (ORR).\r\nAs part of their review of charges for the period 2019-24, which is due to commence early in 2016, the Scottish Government will provide guidance to the ORR on the right structure for charges and incentives for Scotland’s railways. A key part of this guidance will be a clear expectation that consideration of any new arrangements should help increase transparency and clarity around costs and funding and better align incentives, including between Network Rail and ScotRail though the ScotRail Alliance and with all other passenger and freight operators in Scotland.","AnswerDate":"2015-12-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-12-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308185,"EventID":"S4W-28576","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4939,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":78,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-19T14:16:52.953","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-18T19:55:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what recent communication it has had with NHS Forth Valley regarding GP shortages at Kersiebank Medical Practice in Grangemouth.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government keeps in regular contact with NHS Forth Valley about GP services. NHS Forth Valley is working with GPs to look at new and innovative ways to deliver services to patients in order to meet their healthcare needs.","AnswerDate":"2015-12-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-12-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308186,"EventID":"S4W-28577","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4939,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":78,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-19T14:16:53.64","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-18T23:35:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, in light of a Community Heartbeat Trust report suggesting that public access defibrillation is around 10 times more effective than cardiopulmonary resuscitation alone, whether it will (a) take action to increase the number of portable defibrillators in communities and (b) introduce training in schools on using (i) defibrillators and (ii) other cardiac-related lifesaving techniques.","AnswerText":"Increasing the accessibility of public access defibrillators (PADs) is a key part of the Scottish Government’s goal to reduce the number of out of hospital cardiac deaths. On-going activities to increase access to PADs across Scotland are supported by our out-of-hospital cardiac arrest strategy that was launched in March 2015. The strategy aims to ensure that PAD locations are shared with the public and mapped by the ambulance control centres, which are operated by the Scottish Ambulance Service (SAS) and can direct callers to the nearest PAD.\r\nThe strategy also looks to ensure that the available PADs are used as effectively and widely as possible in Scotland. It enables us to work closely with a range of partners, including the SAS, the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service, Police Scotland, and other key stakeholders to rapidly deploy available assets to effectively treat cardiac arrest cases in remote, rural and urban communities across Scotland.\r\nIn 2014 the Scottish Government invested considerably in providing PADs in Scotland. This included £1 million to install defibrillators in dental surgeries, and £100,000 to increase the number of PADs available in Scotland’s communities.\r\nThrough its Community Resilience Team the SAS offers support and advice to any council, community, organisation or business interested in operating a PAD. The British Heart Foundation provides schools across Scotland with a range of opportunities for training in the use of PADs and in applying cardiopulmonary resuscitation. The organisation has already agreed to provide such training to over 600 schools in Scotland.","AnswerDate":"2015-12-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-12-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308187,"EventID":"S4W-28578","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1845,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-19T14:16:54.217","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-18T16:49:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many patients have missed (a) GP and (b) hospital appointments in each year since 1999, broken down by NHS board.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government does not hold information on how many patients have missed GP appointments.\r\nThe number of first outpatient appointments at consultant-led clinics where the patient did not attend (DNA) for calendar years 1999-2014:\r\nNHS Board of Treatment\r\n1999\r\n2000\r\nTotal Appointments\r\nTotal DNA\r\nDNA %\r\nTotal Appointments\r\nTotal DNA\r\nDNA %\r\nGolden Jubilee Hospital\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nNHS Ayrshire and Arran\r\n98,260\r\n9,973\r\n10.1\r\n95,740\r\n9,854\r\n10.3\r\nNHS Borders\r\n24,562\r\n1,457\r\n5.9\r\n24,391\r\n1,448\r\n5.9\r\nNHS Dumfries and Galloway\r\n30,953\r\n2,102\r\n6.8\r\n31,833\r\n2,205\r\n6.9\r\nNHS Fife\r\n81,392\r\n8,398\r\n10.3\r\n82,138\r\n8,567\r\n10.4\r\nNHS Forth Valley\r\n69,199\r\n6,383\r\n9.2\r\n68,122\r\n6,398\r\n9.4\r\nNHS Grampian\r\n113,217\r\n8,997\r\n7.9\r\n112,168\r\n9,564\r\n8.5\r\nNHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde\r\n442,258\r\n63,506\r\n14.4\r\n435,092\r\n57,641\r\n13.2\r\nNHS Highland\r\n67,154\r\n5,049\r\n7.5\r\n67,634\r\n5,049\r\n7.5\r\nNHS Lanarkshire\r\n127,789\r\n17,160\r\n13.4\r\n127,361\r\n16,981\r\n13.3\r\nNHS Lothian\r\n213,812\r\n23,752\r\n11.1\r\n212,667\r\n24,316\r\n11.4\r\nNHS Orkney Islands\r\n2,711\r\n108\r\n4.0\r\n2,966\r\n116\r\n3.9\r\nNHS Shetland Islands\r\n4,762\r\n184\r\n3.9\r\n4,912\r\n224\r\n4.6\r\nNHS Tayside\r\n150,661\r\n14,792\r\n9.8\r\n148,715\r\n14,895\r\n10.0\r\nNHS Western Isles\r\n6,115\r\n457\r\n7.5\r\n6,196\r\n486\r\n7.8\r\nNon NHS Provider\r\n322\r\n4\r\n1.2\r\n250\r\n6\r\n2.4\r\nNHS Scotland\r\n1,433,167\r\n162,322\r\n11.3\r\n1,420,185\r\n157,750\r\n11.1\r\n\r\nNHS Board of Treatment\r\n2001\r\n2002\r\nTotal Appointments\r\nTotal DNA\r\nDNA %\r\nTotal Appointments\r\nTotal DNA\r\nDNA %\r\nGolden Jubilee Hospital\r\n96,311\r\n10,817\r\n11.2\r\n100,174\r\n11,585\r\n11.6\r\nNHS Ayrshire and Arran\r\n25,097\r\n1,451\r\n5.8\r\n26,002\r\n1,623\r\n6.2\r\nNHS Borders\r\n31,525\r\n2,275\r\n7.2\r\n33,483\r\n2,326\r\n6.9\r\nNHS Dumfries and Galloway\r\n80,723\r\n8,666\r\n10.7\r\n82,189\r\n8,525\r\n10.4\r\nNHS Fife\r\n66,863\r\n6,758\r\n10.1\r\n66,750\r\n7,024\r\n10.5\r\nNHS Forth Valley\r\n112,035\r\n10,029\r\n9.0\r\n114,660\r\n10,146\r\n8.8\r\nNHS Grampian\r\n433,668\r\n65,287\r\n15.1\r\n434,484\r\n67,316\r\n15.5\r\nNHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde\r\n65,801\r\n4,828\r\n7.3\r\n67,250\r\n5,088\r\n7.6\r\nNHS Highland\r\n120,314\r\n16,942\r\n14.1\r\n124,398\r\n18,672\r\n15.0\r\nNHS Lanarkshire\r\n219,812\r\n24,582\r\n11.2\r\n213,423\r\n23,624\r\n11.1\r\nNHS Lothian\r\n2,940\r\n160\r\n5.4\r\n2,982\r\n145\r\n4.9\r\nNHS Orkney Islands\r\n4,931\r\n178\r\n3.6\r\n4,842\r\n252\r\n5.2\r\nNHS Shetland Islands\r\n143,868\r\n14,551\r\n10.1\r\n150,023\r\n15,224\r\n10.1\r\nNHS Tayside\r\n6,486\r\n516\r\n8.0\r\n6,929\r\n612\r\n8.8\r\nNHS Western Isles\r\n330\r\n3\r\n0.9\r\n265\r\n2\r\n0.8\r\nNon NHS Provider\r\n1,410,704\r\n167,043\r\n11.8\r\n1,427,854\r\n172,164\r\n12.1\r\nNHS Scotland\r\n96,311\r\n10,817\r\n11.2\r\n100,174\r\n11,585\r\n11.6\r\n\r\nNHS Board of Treatment\r\n2003\r\n2004\r\nTotal Appointments\r\nTotal DNA\r\nDNA %\r\nTotal Appointments\r\nTotal DNA\r\nDNA %\r\nGolden Jubilee Hospital\r\n825\r\n28\r\n3.4\r\n1,294\r\n0\r\n0.0\r\nNHS Ayrshire and Arran\r\n98,215\r\n11,088\r\n11.3\r\n99,166\r\n11,096\r\n11.2\r\nNHS Borders\r\n26,655\r\n1,819\r\n6.8\r\n27,614\r\n1,780\r\n6.4\r\nNHS Dumfries and Galloway\r\n32,415\r\n2,205\r\n6.8\r\n33,738\r\n2,276\r\n6.7\r\nNHS Fife\r\n82,998\r\n9,094\r\n11.0\r\n84,960\r\n9,028\r\n10.6\r\nNHS Forth Valley\r\n66,414\r\n6,900\r\n10.4\r\n68,955\r\n7,144\r\n10.4\r\nNHS Grampian\r\n118,157\r\n10,101\r\n8.5\r\n115,888\r\n8,986\r\n7.8\r\nNHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde\r\n428,015\r\n65,695\r\n15.3\r\n427,118\r\n58,931\r\n13.8\r\nNHS Highland\r\n69,421\r\n5,284\r\n7.6\r\n66,645\r\n5,092\r\n7.6\r\nNHS Lanarkshire\r\n128,713\r\n17,846\r\n13.9\r\n129,552\r\n16,532\r\n12.8\r\nNHS Lothian\r\n212,165\r\n24,019\r\n11.3\r\n210,337\r\n22,696\r\n10.8\r\nNHS Orkney Islands\r\n2,723\r\n149\r\n5.5\r\n2,851\r\n144\r\n5.1\r\nNHS Shetland Islands\r\n4,977\r\n270\r\n5.4\r\n5,674\r\n384\r\n6.8\r\nNHS Tayside\r\n138,460\r\n13,708\r\n9.9\r\n136,825\r\n14,310\r\n10.5\r\nNHS Western Isles\r\n7,389\r\n544\r\n7.4\r\n7,170\r\n589\r\n8.2\r\nNon NHS Provider\r\n317\r\n8\r\n2.5\r\n523\r\n23\r\n4.4\r\nNHS Scotland\r\n1,417,859\r\n168,758\r\n11.9\r\n1,418,310\r\n159,011\r\n11.2\r\n\r\nNHS Board of Treatment\r\n2005\r\n2006\r\nTotal Appointments\r\nTotal DNA\r\nDNA %\r\nTotal Appointments\r\nTotal DNA\r\nDNA %\r\nGolden Jubilee Hospital\r\n1,846\r\n14\r\n0.8\r\n1,515\r\n74\r\n4.9\r\nNHS Ayrshire and Arran\r\n99,357\r\n10,643\r\n10.7\r\n93,868\r\n10,107\r\n10.8\r\nNHS Borders\r\n27,770\r\n1,528\r\n5.5\r\n29,184\r\n1,847\r\n6.3\r\nNHS Dumfries and Galloway\r\n34,337\r\n1,897\r\n5.5\r\n33,889\r\n1,701\r\n5.0\r\nNHS Fife\r\n89,570\r\n9,643\r\n10.8\r\n91,923\r\n8,212\r\n8.9\r\nNHS Forth Valley\r\n60,191\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-11-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-12-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308188,"EventID":"S4W-28579","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1860,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-19T14:16:54.857","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-19T09:50:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what criteria it uses to identify common (a) land and (b) grazing land and how many acres there are.","AnswerText":"This is a matter for several bodies. The information requested is not held centrally.\r\nThe Scottish Government does not have a single definition of common land. Land may be owned in common (i.e. without a single owner) in a variety of circumstances including, for example, shared agricultural land or amenity land in housing developments or common parts in tenements. Given that the term common land may have a wide range of meanings, it is not possible to say how many hectares it covers.\r\nAs regards the extent of common grazings land, I refer the member to the answer to the question S4W-28480 on 11 November 2015. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.","AnswerDate":"2015-12-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-12-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen McLeod","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308189,"EventID":"S4W-28554","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-19T16:37:27.69","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-18T15:50:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what information it has on the success rate of the revised Scottish dietary goals for each decile of the Scottish Index of Multiple Deprivation.","AnswerText":"Food Standards Scotland (FSS) undertakes a rolling programme of surveillance to monitor progress towards the Scottish Dietary Goals (SDGs). Data on deprivation is presented as quintiles of the Scottish Index of Multiple Deprivation and analysed in three year blocks. The most recent results by deprivation are available for 2009 to 2012. Data for 2013 will be available at the end of November 2015.\r\nDifferences in diet by deprivation have shown a generally consistent pattern since monitoring began in 2001. Households in the most deprived areas consume significantly less fruit and vegetables, oil rich fish and fibre and consume more added sugars than households in the least deprived areas.\r\nThe lack of progress towards meeting the SDGs is apparent amongst households in both the least and most deprived areas and there is no evidence to suggest that the gap in intake between the most and least deprived households has decreased or increased compared to previous years.\r\nThe latest Food Standards Scotland report is available at:\r\nhttp://www.foodstandards.gov.scot/monitoring-progress-towards-scottish-dietary-goals-2001-2012-report-1.","AnswerDate":"2015-12-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-12-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308190,"EventID":"S4W-28589","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-19T16:37:28.673","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-19T13:10:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on whether the NHS is experiencing a nationwide GP recruitment crisis.","AnswerText":"The number of GPs working in Scotland has risen to a record high under this government – but we will go on working with family doctors and their representatives to help meet the challenges the profession faces over workload and recruitment. Scotland continues to have the most GPs per head of population in the UK, and spending on primary care per head has risen since this government came to office.\r\nBut the Scottish Government knows that more must be done – both in the short and long term. That is why as a starting point we announced an additional £60 million to be invested in primary care over the next three years. This funding was carefully allocated after close work with the British Medical Association and the Royal College of General Practitioners – who welcomed the focus of the extra investment. But this was always just a starting point for a more fundamental consideration of the future of primary care in Scotland. We are working with the Scottish GP Committee to redesign the GP contract for implementation from 2017. In the meantime we’ve given practices contractual and financial stability until 2017, the first time anywhere in the UK this has happened, and we have already substantially reduced bureaucracy to allow GPs to spend more time with patients.","AnswerDate":"2015-11-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-12-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308191,"EventID":"S4W-28590","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-19T16:37:29.233","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-19T13:10:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4O-04802 by Shona Robison on 18 November 2015 (Official Report, c. 9), what action it is taking to help GP practices in Lothian that are experiencing problems in recruiting staff.","AnswerText":"Over the next three years, the Scottish Government will invest £60 million, as part of the Primary Care Fund, to address immediate workload and recruitment issues in primary care and put in place long-term, sustainable change to support GPs and improve access to services for patients.\r\nAs part of this, £2.5 million will be invested in work to explore with key stakeholders the issues surrounding GP recruitment and retention. This investment is beginning the process of finding new ways of working, helping to address the problems of recruitment and retention that are common to primary care services across the UK. All health boards in Scotland, including NHS Lothian, will be able to benefit from this funding.\r\nNHS Lothian is also developing a new process for supporting practices to ensure sustainable models of delivery that do not add pressure to secondary care or social work services.","AnswerDate":"2015-11-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-12-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308192,"EventID":"S4W-28591","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-19T16:37:29.657","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-19T13:10:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government which GP practices in Lothian have (a) GP and (b) staff vacancies.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-28592 on 2 December 2015. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.","AnswerDate":"2015-12-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-12-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308193,"EventID":"S4W-28592","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-19T16:37:30.2","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-19T13:10:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government which GP practices in Lothian are using locum GPs to cover vacancies.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government does not hold information about which GP practices in Lothian are using locum GPs to cover vacancies.\r\nThe Scottish Government and NHS Lothian do not hold this information because the majority of practices are responsible for filling their own vacancies for GPs and other staff.\r\nThe results of the National Primary Care Workforce Survey for 2015 should provide more information on vacancies and fill rates once it is published in 2016.","AnswerDate":"2015-12-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-12-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308194,"EventID":"S4W-28593","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4984,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-19T16:37:30.59","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-19T13:56:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when the waiting times for aftercare services in the Lothians will be reduced.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is working closely with NHS Lothian and Edinburgh City Council to reduce the length of time people are waiting in hospital for packages of social care. Officials are currently agreeing an action plan that will see a reduction in delays over the short to medium term. The latest census (published 24 November 2015) shows an 11% reduction in delays over three days from the previous month (http://www.isdscotland.org/Health-Topics/Health-and-Social-Community-Care/Publications/data-tables.asp?id=1545#1545).\r\nLothian will also receive £14.24 million (over three years) from the £100 million delayed discharge funding. This funding will go towards developing a range of community based services aimed at avoiding unnecessary hospital admission, and ensuring timely discharge from hospital.","AnswerDate":"2015-11-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-12-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308195,"EventID":"S4W-28594","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-19T16:37:31.013","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-19T15:54:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to consider whether group B streptococcal infections should be notifiable under the terms of the Public Health etc. (Scotland) Act 2008.","AnswerText":"Surveillance of streptococcal group B infection in Scotland (including invasive disease) is based on laboratory confirmed reports received through the electronic reporting system, Electronic Communication of Surveillance in Scotland. Therefore Health Protection Scotland is already aware of laboratory confirmed cases and has been monitoring trends in Scotland for some years. The notifiable disease provisions in the Public Health etc. (Scotland) Act 2008 requires clinicians to notify diseases based on clinical diagnosis as an early warning before the case is confirmed, in case any public health action can be taken promptly to prevent further cases. The Scottish Health Protection Network will keep under review the list of notifiable diseases and organisms currently in the Public Health etc. (Scotland) Act 2008 on an on-going basis and if considered appropriate, based on any added benefits, may suggest adding group B streptococcal infection on the list as a notifiable disease.","AnswerDate":"2015-12-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-12-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308196,"EventID":"S4W-28595","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-19T16:37:31.87","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-19T15:54:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many cases of (a) early and (b) late onset group B streptococcus infections there were/have been among babies in (i) 2013, (ii) 2014 and (iii) 2015, also expressed as a rate per 1,000 births.","AnswerText":"Surveillance of invasive early and late onset streptococcal Group B infection in Scotland is based on laboratory confirmed reports received through the electronic reporting system called ECOSS (Electronic Communication of Surveillance in Scotland).\r\nInformation on the number of laboratory confirmed reports of (a) early and (b) late onset group B streptococcal infections among babies aged less than 90 days in (i) 2013, (ii) 2014 and (iii) 2015 (expressed as a rate per 1,000 births) is shown in Table 1. Please note the following caveats when considering this data:\r\nInvasive illness in this situation is defined as any report in which a sample from a normally sterile site has been taken for clinical diagnosis, as reported through ECOSS (sample sites considered: blood, cerebrospinal fluid, pleural and ascetic fluid, pleural and joint aspirate).\r\nThe date the first sample was taken from an individual has been used as a proxy for date of onset of illness as detailed information on date of onset of illness is not available through ECOSS.\r\nPlease note that the figures for 2015 are provisional, based on reports received up to mid November and will change as more data, including retrospective reports, are received late in the year.\r\nTable 1: Number and incidence of confirmed laboratory reports of invasive streptococcal group B infections by year (2013-15 up to October) in those aged up to 90 days broken down by early and late onset:\r\n\r\n2013\r\n2014\r\n2015*\r\nEarly onset (defined as less than seven days of age when sample taken) – number of episodes\r\n18\r\n25\r\n19\r\nEarly onset estimated incidence per 1,000 births\r\n0.32\r\n0.44\r\n0.40\r\nLate onset (defined as seven less than 90 days of age when sample taken) – number of episodes\r\n14\r\n19\r\n18\r\nLate onset estimated incidence per 1,000 births\r\n0.25\r\n0.33\r\n0.37\r\nNumber of births per year (National Records Scotland)\r\n56,014\r\n56,725\r\n48,005\r\n* The number of births for the year 2015 was extrapolated from the average birth cohort size from previous five years – assuming that by Oct 10/12 of births have occurred (Data source: National Records Scotland:\r\nhttp://www.gro-scotland.gov.uk/statistics-and-data/statistics/statistics-by-theme/vital-events/births/births-time-series-data)","AnswerDate":"2015-12-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-12-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308197,"EventID":"S4W-28596","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-19T16:37:32.743","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-19T15:54:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what information (a) pregnant women and (b) maternity care health professionals are given about the risk of group B streptococcus and whether it plans to carry out further awareness raising with these groups.","AnswerText":"(a) The Scottish Government funds NHS Health Scotland to develop and publish Ready, Steady, Baby! (RSB), a guide to pregnancy which is given to all pregnant women at their first booking appointment with a midwife. The current edition of RSB contains information on group B streptococcus (GBS). Following the Scottish Parliament’s Public Petitions Committee closing a petition on GBS in May 2015, the Scottish Government committed to consult the petitioner on the redrafting of the GBS section of RSB. The revised section will be published at the end of January 2016. (b) Healthcare staff are expected to follow professional guidance from their respective royal colleges, such as the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG) Green-top Guideline No.36 Group B Streptococcal Disease, Early-onset (EOGBS) which was published in July 2012. \r\nRCOG conducted an audit, commissioned by the UK National Screening Committee, in partnership with the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine and supported by the Royal College of Midwives (RCM) examining current practice in preventing early-onset neonatal GBS disease. The first of the two reports from the audit was published in March 2015 and looked at how national guidelines are currently being implemented and identifies areas for improvement in order to reduce the number of neonatal infections due to GBS. The second report, which will be published early in 2016, will focus on patient information on GBS, hospital protocols on preventing EOGBS, a survey of practice in midwifery-led units, and the influence of patient risk factors on practice.\r\nThe RCOG and RCM are also currently working to develop educational materials for health professionals, to include details on the appropriate testing methodology, sample site selection and culture methods for GBS carriage in pregnant women.","AnswerDate":"2015-12-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-12-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308198,"EventID":"S4W-28597","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-19T16:37:33.697","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-19T15:54:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with the UK National Screening Committee regarding the absence of an antenatal screening programme for group B streptococcus.","AnswerText":"The UK National Screening Committee (NSC) is an independent expert advisory group which advises ministers and the NHS in the four UK countries about all aspects of screening. We are represented at the NSC meetings and are actively involved in all discussion the NSC has regarding group B streptococcus.","AnswerDate":"2015-11-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-12-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308199,"EventID":"S4W-28598","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-19T16:37:34.617","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-19T15:54:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to review its decision not to establish a systematic antenatal screening programme for group B streptococcus.","AnswerText":"On screening issues we are advised by the UK National Screening Committee (NSC), an independent expert advisory group which advises ministers and the NHS in the four UK countries about all aspects of screening.\r\nThe NSC reviewed the policy for group B streptococcus (GBS) in November 2012 considering all the available medical evidence regarding the risks and benefits of screening pregnant women. The committee recommended that a national screening programme for GBS should not be introduced.\r\nThe NSC is due to review the recommendation on antenatal screening for GBS in 2016 and we will give careful consideration to any recommendation the NSC makes at that point.","AnswerDate":"2015-11-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-12-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308200,"EventID":"S4W-28599","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-19T16:37:35.583","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-19T15:54:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much it estimates a test for group B streptococcus would cost and whether it has carried out a cost-benefit analysis of introducing routine antenatal screening.","AnswerText":"As there is currently no recommended test for group B streptococcus that would be suitable for routine antenatal screening no cost-benefit analysis has been carried out by the Scottish Government.","AnswerDate":"2015-11-25T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-12-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308201,"EventID":"S4W-28601","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-19T16:37:36.473","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-19T15:54:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the success of routine testing for group B streptococcus from 35 to 37 weeks of pregnancy in other countries.","AnswerText":"Research shows that the rate of early onset group B streptococcus (GBS) in the UK is comparable to those countries which have population based screening programmes.\r\nThe 2012 UK National Screening Committee review highlighted some questions over the benefits of possible prevention methods. To address this, the NSC commissioned a study comparing the different approaches to preventing early onset GBS infection in babies. These approaches include the current high risk management strategy used in the UK, and potential screening strategies used elsewhere. The outcome will inform the next policy review due in 2016.","AnswerDate":"2015-12-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-12-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308202,"EventID":"S4W-28602","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-19T16:37:37.423","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-19T16:01:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-28210 by John Swinney on 13 November 2015, in light of the commitment made in the code, whether it will ensure that the list of gifts received will be published on a quarterly basis.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government ensures the list of gifts received by ministers is published on a quarterly basis in line with the Scottish Ministerial Code.","AnswerDate":"2015-11-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-12-04T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308212,"EventID":"S4W-28548","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-20T13:41:34.607","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-18T15:50:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what information it has on the (a) frequency and (b) rate of rent increases in private rented housing since 2000, broken down by local authority area.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government does not have information on rents in private sector housing, broken down by local authority area.\r\nThe main source of the Scottish Government’s rent data for private sector housing is the Rent Service Scotland, Market Evidence Database. Information from this source is published annually on rent levels by 18 Broad Rental Market Areas and by five different property bedroom sizes, which are used to inform Local Housing Allowance rates in Scotland. This data source has not been designed to provide information on rent levels by 32 separate local authority areas.\r\nIn November 2014, the Scottish Government published comprehensive rent data from this source for the first time, covering annual data and rent changes from 2010. The latest Private Sector Rent Statistics, Scotland (2010-15) publication in November 2015 is available on the Scottish Government Housing and Regeneration Statistics webpages at:\r\nhttp://www.gov.scot/Topics/Statistics/Browse/Housing-Regeneration. \r\nComprehensive information from this data source is not available prior to 2010.","AnswerDate":"2015-12-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-12-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Burgess","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308213,"EventID":"S4W-28549","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-20T13:41:36.463","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-18T15:50:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on reports that foodbank use has reached a record high in Scotland, and what it considers the reasons are.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is extremely concerned that the number of people accessing food banks is increasing and finds it unacceptable that in the twenty-first century there are people who cannot afford to feed their families. A range of sources since 2010 state that changes the UK Government has made to the social security system, benefit delays and the introduction of sanctions, as well as low pay and insecure work are the main factors behind the growing need for emergency food.\r\nIn response, the Scottish Government is providing £1 million over 2014-15 and \r\n2015-16 to help combat food poverty in Scotland. The Emergency Food Aid Action Plan provides support to those working in the emergency food aid sector, helping to address food poverty by:\r\nFunding 26 emergency food aid projects in 17 local authority areas at a total cost of £523,000 over two years. Each of the projects seeks to respond to the immediate demands for emergency food aid and help to address the underlying causes of food poverty. Actions range from increasing food provision to promoting healthy eating, benefits and other advice, and in some cases linking food providers across a local area.\r\nFunding of £500,000 over 2014-15 and 2015-16 to support FareShare to tackle food waste and food poverty across Scotland. FareShare takes good quality surplus food from the food industry and makes it available to charities and community groups providing vital support for the most vulnerable in Scotland who are suffering from food poverty. In the first six months of 2015 FareShare has distributed almost 500 tonnes of surplus food to over 300 local community groups across the country. Over 1 million meals have been prepared for an average of over 15,000 recipients each week. FareShare estimates that on average the provision of surplus food saves each of its ‘Charity Food Members’ £13,000 per year. Using that estimation FareShare has saved the third sector in Scotland around £2 million over the last six months alone.\r\nIn addition we are investing in alternatives to food banks to offer a more sustainable, longer term solution. Development of community food hubs forms part of the work of Community Food and Health (Scotland) which receives £2.6 million of funding from Scottish Government for 2012-16 to support work within low-income communities to improve access to and take-up of a healthy diet by working with individuals, groups and agencies at local, regional and national levels, providing networking, skills development and training, practice and policy development.\r\nWhilst emergency food aid has been essential we recognise the need to move as a country towards a dignified food strategy promoting food justice, not charity. In order to help us do that I have asked Martin Johnstone, Secretary of the Church of Scotland’s Church and Society Council, to chair a short-life working group to identify the issues which push people into food poverty and make recommendations to ministers on how they can be addressed. The group is holding a number of meetings between October 2015 and January 2016 and will provide a series of recommendations to ministers. These recommendations will then feed into the Scottish Government’s Social Justice Action Plan, which will be published in 2016.","AnswerDate":"2015-12-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-12-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308214,"EventID":"S4W-28550","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-20T13:41:37.96","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-18T15:50:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what it is doing to prevent the need for people to use foodbanks.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-28549 on 1 December 2015. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.","AnswerDate":"2015-12-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-12-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308215,"EventID":"S4W-28551","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-20T13:41:39.52","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-18T15:50:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it has taken to address the reported 17% increase in referrals to foodbanks over a six-month period.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-28549 on 1 December 2015. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.","AnswerDate":"2015-12-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-12-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308216,"EventID":"S4W-28553","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-20T13:41:41.143","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-18T15:50:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what support it provides to people on low incomes to meet the Scottish dietary goals.","AnswerText":"Improving food access is an important aspect of the Scottish Government’s work to tackle health inequalities and close the opportunity gap. The Scottish Government does so by supporting a broad range of policy initiatives. These are in addition to actions undertaken to help combat food poverty in Scotland.\r\nCommunity Food and Health (Scotland) (CFHS) receives £599,000 funding from the Scottish Government for 2015-16 to support work within low-income communities to improve access to and take-up of a healthy diet. CFHS achieves this by working with individuals, groups and agencies at local, regional and national levels, providing networking, skills development and training, practice and policy development.\r\nThe Scottish Grocers Federation Healthy Living Programme aims to improve the supply and provision of healthier food choices in local convenience stores, particularly in low income areas. The Scottish Government and retailers have jointly invested around £500,000 in 2015 to promote healthier food options in convenience stores.\r\nThe Scottish Government’s Eat Better Feel Better campaign works with major retailers and community groups across the country to give people the support and advice they need to eat more healthily, especially mums of young families in more deprived areas. A new phase of the campaign is due to launch in January 2016.\r\nHealthy Start is a means-tested, United Kingdom-wide government scheme that offers a nutritional safety net for pregnant women and children under four in low income families by providing them with weekly vouchers to put towards the cost of milk, formula milk, fruit and vegetables, and free vitamin supplements. Scotland’s contribution towards that scheme, for 2014-15, was £5.75 million.","AnswerDate":"2015-12-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-12-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308217,"EventID":"S4W-28600","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-20T13:41:42.703","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-19T15:54:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when the UK National Screening Committee will next consider its recommended policy on antenatal screening for group B streptococcus.","AnswerText":"The UK National Screening Committee is due to review the recommendation on antenatal screening for group B streptococcus in 2016.","AnswerDate":"2015-12-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-12-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308218,"EventID":"S4W-28603","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5057,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-20T13:41:44.31","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-19T16:56:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many female prisoners there have been in HMP (a) Edinburgh, (b) Grampian, (c) Greenock and (d) Inverness in each year since 2007.","AnswerText":"I have asked Colin McConnell, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service, to respond. His response is as follows:\r\n“Specific numbers of individuals who have been housed in each of the establishments is unavailable as our IT system records admissions and releases, and does not aggregate the data on each specific individual.\r\nThe following table shows the highest daily, lowest daily and average female population for each establishment from 2007 to 2015:\r\n\r\nEdinburgh\r\nGrampian\r\nGreenock\r\nInverness\r\n\r\nHigh\r\nLow\r\nAve\r\nHigh\r\nLow\r\nAve\r\nHigh\r\nLow\r\nAve\r\nHigh\r\nLow\r\nAve\r\n2007\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n12\r\n3\r\n7\r\n2008\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n13\r\n0\r\n5\r\n2009\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n53\r\n0\r\n35\r\n3\r\n0\r\n0*\r\n2010\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n57\r\n44\r\n50\r\n5\r\n0\r\n2\r\n2011\r\n113\r\n0\r\n46\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n65\r\n43\r\n53\r\n6\r\n1\r\n3\r\n2012\r\n113\r\n100\r\n108\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n54\r\n47\r\n51\r\n6\r\n0\r\n2\r\n2013\r\n111\r\n98\r\n106\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n54\r\n46\r\n52\r\n3\r\n0\r\n1\r\n2014\r\n107\r\n74\r\n94\r\n55\r\n0\r\n41\r\n56\r\n46\r\n52\r\n3\r\n0\r\n2\r\n2015\r\n106\r\n68\r\n88\r\n56\r\n44\r\n50\r\n57\r\n26\r\n48\r\n3\r\n0\r\n1\r\nThe current available capacity for females at each establishment is:\r\nHMP Edinburgh\r\n114\r\nHMP and YOI Grampian\r\n57*\r\nHMP Greenock\r\n53\r\nHMP Inverness\r\n13\r\n*Including seven Community Integration Unit places.\r\n*The average figure shown is a zero figure due to the fact that only a small number of females were present for a short period of time in the 12 month period.”","AnswerDate":"2015-11-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-12-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308219,"EventID":"S4W-28614","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5057,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-20T13:41:44.95","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-19T17:29:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the budget has been for frontline drug treatment services in each year since 2011.","AnswerText":"Alcohol and drug partnerships (ADPs) have clear responsibilities for tackling drug use and promoting recovery. Scottish Government drug treatment and prevention funding to ADPs, routed through NHS boards, has remained consistent.\r\nYear\r\nBudget (£ million)\r\n2015-16\r\n30.4\r\n2014-15\r\n30.4\r\n2013-14\r\n30.3\r\n2012-13\r\n30.2\r\n2011-12\r\n28.6\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-12-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-12-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Paul Wheelhouse","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308220,"EventID":"S4W-28615","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-20T13:41:45.543","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-19T17:37:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many diabetes specialist nurse training posts have been filled in each year since 2010.","AnswerText":"The information requested is not held centrally.\r\nA key aim of the Scottish Government’s Diabetes Improvement Plan, which was published in 2014, is to ensure that the healthcare practitioners, including diabetes specialist nurses, that care for those with diabetes can consistently access high quality structured education to enable them to confidently, safely and effectively deliver diabetes care.\r\nWe are working closely with relevant stakeholders to promote the awareness and use of currently available training packages among practitioners, which include diabetes specialist nurses, and to facilitate the development of additional resources depending on the practitioners’ requirements. A number of organisations provide practitioners with a range of specialist training options. These options are summarised in Celebrating Diabetes Education in Scotland, a document that was produced by NHS Education for Scotland and can be accessed here http://www.diabetesinscotland.org.uk/Publications/Celebrating%20Diabetes%20Education%20in%20Scotland.pdf.\r\nQuestion S4W-28616 on 2 December 2015 provides information on the number of diabetes specialist nurses in Scotland since 2010. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at: \r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.","AnswerDate":"2015-12-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-12-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308221,"EventID":"S4W-28616","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-20T13:41:47.073","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-19T17:37:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many diabetes specialist nurses (a) are employed by each NHS board and (b) have been employed by each NHS board in each year since 2010-11. ","AnswerText":"The number of whole time equivalent (WTE) clinical nurse specialists with the specialty of diabetes employed by each NHS board has increased by 12.1 WTE, or 12.9 per cent since September 2010, and is shown in the following table:\r\n\r\n\r\nSeptember 2010\r\n\r\nSeptember 2011\r\n\r\nSeptember 2012\r\n\r\nSeptember 2013\r\n\r\nSeptember 2014\r\n\r\nSeptember 2015\r\nScotland\r\n93.7\r\n91.5\r\n95.1\r\n108.3\r\n104.1\r\n105.8\r\nNHS Ayrshire and Arran\r\n8.1\r\n8.1\r\n9.1\r\n9.1\r\n9.0\r\n8.0\r\nNHS Borders\r\n3.2\r\n3.6\r\n3.6\r\n3.6\r\n2.4\r\n2.4\r\nNHS Dumfries and Galloway\r\n4.3\r\n7.1\r\n6.2\r\n7.8\r\n7.4\r\n5.9\r\nNHS Fife\r\n5.0\r\n4.0\r\n4.0\r\n4.0\r\n4.0\r\n9.5\r\nNHS Forth Valley\r\n3.5\r\n3.5\r\n3.7\r\n3.7\r\n3.2\r\n5.4\r\nNHS Grampian\r\n7.9\r\n6.0\r\n9.4\r\n9.3\r\n13.2\r\n15.1\r\nNHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde\r\n30.3\r\n27.6\r\n27.5\r\n38.0\r\n33.0\r\n32.8\r\nNHS Highland\r\n4.5\r\n5.1\r\n5.1\r\n5.3\r\n5.5\r\n5.3\r\nNHS Lanarkshire\r\n8.8\r\n7.8\r\n7.7\r\n6.8\r\n6.6\r\n1.0\r\nNHS Lothian\r\n8.5\r\n9.4\r\n9.8\r\n10.7\r\n10.1\r\n10.2\r\nNHS Orkney\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n1.0\r\nNHS Shetland\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\n-\r\nNHS Tayside\r\n8.1\r\n7.9\r\n7.6\r\n7.6\r\n8.3\r\n7.7\r\nNHS Western Isles\r\n1.5\r\n1.5\r\n1.5\r\n2.5\r\n1.5\r\n1.5\r\nSource: Scottish Workforce Information Standard System, Information Services Division Scotland.\r\nThe following symbol has been used:\r\n- nil\r\n\r\nDue to the multidisciplinary nature of the role, a nurse may work in more than one specialty, although only one specialist area is recorded for each nurse. The figures shown do not include those who spend part of their time working in diabetes but have been recorded against another specialty.","AnswerDate":"2015-12-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-12-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308222,"EventID":"S4W-28618","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-20T13:41:48.587","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-19T17:37:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to increase the number of diabetes specialist nurses in full-time employment.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is committed to supporting people living with diabetes, as well as their families and carers. We want to ensure that everyone who requires care has access to the highest standards of care in every setting, in an NHS facility or their own home. That is why we published the Diabetes Improvement Plan in 2014. It is for each individual NHS board to plan and deliver services to meet the needs of their local population, taking account of available evidence and good practice guidance. We expect NHS boards to ensure that patients who have diabetes have appropriate access to a range of professionals, including specialist nurses, to ensure optimum management of their condition. The number of diabetes specialist nurses in Scotland has increased by over 12% from 93 in September 2010 to 105 in September 2015.","AnswerDate":"2015-12-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-12-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308223,"EventID":"S4W-28619","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-20T13:41:50.05","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-19T17:37:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many diabetes specialist nurses have graduated from training posts in Scotland in each year since 2010.","AnswerText":"S4W-28615 and S4W-28616 on 2 December 2015 provide information on the number of diabetes specialist nurses in Scotland since 2010. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.","AnswerDate":"2015-12-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-12-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308224,"EventID":"S4W-28620","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4014,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-20T13:41:51.627","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-19T16:43:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the projected cost is of the delayed implementation of the new IT system for the NHS24 Future Programme.","AnswerText":"NHS24 are carrying out a full review, and will be looking to reintroduce the system as soon as it is safe to do so. Any costs arising from the decision to pause the system will be assessed once this has happened.","AnswerDate":"2015-11-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-12-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308225,"EventID":"S4W-28621","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4014,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-20T13:41:52.22","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-19T16:43:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many cleaning staff have been employed in NHS Scotland in each year since 1999, broken down by NHS board.","AnswerText":"While information on how many cleaning staff have been directly employed in each NHS board in each year since 1999 is not centrally held, information on the pre- Agenda for Change ancillary staff group from 30 September 1999 to 30 September 2006 is published by Information Services Division (ISD) Scotland and can be found in the following link:\r\nhttp://www.isdscotland.org/Health-Topics/Workforce/Historic-Data/WFG01_HB_REG.xls\r\nInformation on the number of whole time equivalent staff working in hotel services from 30 September 2007 to 30 September 2015 is published by ISD Scotland and can be found in the following link:\r\nhttps://www.isdscotland.org/Health-Topics/Workforce/Publications/2015-12-01/Non-Medical_Trend_S2015.xls.","AnswerDate":"2015-12-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-12-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308226,"EventID":"S4W-28622","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4014,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-20T13:41:52.813","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-19T16:43:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many children have been home schooled in each year since 1999.","AnswerText":"The information being requested was first published in 2002 and was discontinued in 2009.\r\nThe 2002 publication includes data for the 2000-01 and 2001-02 school year. The link below to the Scottish Government website provides the annual publications for each year that the information is available:\r\nhttp://www.gov.scot/Topics/Statistics/Browse/School-Education/PubChildrenOutwithSchool","AnswerDate":"2015-12-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-12-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alasdair Allan","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308227,"EventID":"S4W-28623","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-20T13:41:53.39","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-19T22:11:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the Office of the Charity Regulator having no objection to the review of Voluntary Sector Gatweway West Lothian being published, whether it will now publish the report.","AnswerText":"The Office of the Scottish Charity Regulator (OSCR) is inquiring into matters relating to the charity. The Scottish Government has recently been made aware by OSCR that the report does not inform their inquiry, and therefore we are now reconsidering matters in relation to release of the report on the Voluntary Sector Gateway West Lothian. The Scottish Government have a request for a copy of the report, which is being considered under the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002.","AnswerDate":"2015-12-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-12-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308228,"EventID":"S4W-28624","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2108,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":141,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-20T13:41:54.047","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-20T09:08:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether there has been a quantifiable rise in anti-Muslim activity or violence in Scotland following the Paris attacks.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government recognises that international events, including the rise of the so-called Islamic State and the terror attacks recently in Paris, have negatively impacted on Scotland’s faith communities, especially Scottish Muslim communities who can face increased levels of prejudice in the aftermath of such events. This is completely unacceptable and such bigotry and prejudice have no place in Scotland.\r\nPolice Scotland has issued guidance and advice following the attacks in Paris and has highlighted that, while the overall threat level in the UK is severe, people in Scotland remain safe to go about their day to day business.\r\nWe are fully committed to working with Police Scotland and others to ensure that incidents of hate crime which are motivated by religious hatred, whether online or in public, are investigated appropriately.\r\nThe Scottish Government is in the process of establishing an independent advisory group, chaired by Dr Duncan Morrow, which will engage with communities on the issue of hate crime, prejudice and community cohesion, with a view to presenting initial findings to ministers in 2016.","AnswerDate":"2015-12-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-12-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308229,"EventID":"S4W-28625","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2108,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":141,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-20T13:41:54.793","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-20T09:08:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to ensure the safety of the Muslim community following the Paris attacks.","AnswerText":"We are determined that the terrorist threat will not undermine our commitment to a diverse and open society built on a liberal democracy and shared values and the most important challenge for us all is to work towards creating cohesive and resilient communities within which the terrorist messages will not resonate.\r\nWe are fully committed to working with Police Scotland and others to safeguard all communities and potentially vulnerable people and sites. There is absolutely no place for bigotry and prejudice in Scotland and this government is clear that any form of hate crime is totally unacceptable and will not be tolerated in 21st century Scotland.\r\nThe Scottish Government is in the process of establishing an independent advisory group, chaired by Dr Duncan Morrow, which will engage with communities on the issue of hate crime, prejudice and community cohesion, with a view to presenting initial findings to ministers in 2016.","AnswerDate":"2016-01-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-12-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308230,"EventID":"S4W-28626","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2108,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":141,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-20T13:41:55.573","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-20T09:08:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what steps it has taken to promote positive and supportive attitudes toward the Muslim community following the Paris attacks.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government continues to have a high level of engagement with Scotland’s Muslim communities and has been actively engaging with the Muslim communities, including the Muslim Council of Scotland, to hear their concerns and send a strong message on this issue.\r\nThe Scottish Government is aware Police Scotland was alerted to a suspected arson of a portacabin used as a temporary mosque in Auchinairn, Glasgow which occurred early in the morning on 17 November 2015. This is under investigation and Police Scotland is pursuing leads to find those responsible.\r\nWe have been clear that the actions of individuals with extremist views do not represent Islam as a religion and that the Muslim community should not have to apologise for this distortion of their faith.\r\nThe First Minister, Cabinet Secretary for Justice and Minister for Europe and International Development visited Glasgow Central Mosque on 15 November 2015 to meet with members of the Muslim community and provide a message of reassurance. The Minister for Learning, Science and Scotland’s Languages also visited Inverness Mosque on 17 November 2015 to meet with the community there. The Minister for Community Safety and Legal Affairs joined an event featuring a number of community and faith leaders at the Mosque on 20 November 2015.\r\nThe Scottish Government continues to support Scottish Interfaith Week to highlight the importance of dialogue and building relationships between communities of all faiths and none. The Minister for the Environment, Climate Change and Land Reform spoke at the launch of the week on 22 November 2015.","AnswerDate":"2015-12-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-12-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308231,"EventID":"S4W-28627","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2108,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":141,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-20T13:41:56.353","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-20T09:08:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what new security measures it is taking to protect places of religious worship, including mosques and Muslim community centres, following the Paris attacks.","AnswerText":"As indicated in my answer to question S4W-28625 on 14 January 2016, we are determined that the terrorist threat will not undermine our commitment to a diverse and open society built on a liberal democracy and shared values and the most important challenge for us all is to work towards creating cohesive and resilient communities within which the terrorist messages will not resonate.\r\nWe are fully committed to working with Police Scotland and others to safeguard all communities and potentially vulnerable people and sites. There is absolutely no place for bigotry and prejudice in Scotland and this government is clear that any form of hate crime is totally unacceptable and will not be tolerated in 21st century Scotland.\r\nThe Scottish Government is in the process of establishing an independent advisory group, chaired by Dr Duncan Morrow, which will engage with communities on the issue of hate crime, prejudice and community cohesion, with a view to presenting initial findings to ministers in 2016.\r\nAll answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at: \r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.","AnswerDate":"2016-01-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-12-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308232,"EventID":"S4W-28628","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2059,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":91,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-20T13:41:57.04","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-20T11:16:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much funding it provides toward (a) researching and (b) reducing the incidence of stillbirth and infant death and what plans it has to provide additional support.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is committed to reducing the stillbirth and infant mortality rate in Scotland with a number of initiatives underway to help achieve this, including the following:\r\nThe Scottish Government funded Maternity and Children’s Quality Improvement Collaborative (MCQIC) that operates as part of the Scottish Patient Safety Programme and has key aims of reducing stillbirth and neonatal death. The Scottish Government has provided over £1 million to fund MCQIC since 2012;\r\nThe Scottish Government jointly funds, alongside other UK countries, the Mothers and Babies, Reducing Risk through Audits and Confidential Enquiries across the UK (MBRRACE-UK), which reports on investigations into perinatal deaths and makes recommendations for policy and practice. The Scottish Government currently contributes in the region of £60-£70k per year for this work;\r\nThe Scottish Government’s Chief Scientist Office (CSO) has jointly funded the stillbirth research project AFFIRM with £219,250, being led by the University of Edinburgh alongside Sands, Tommy’s and SiMBA (AFFIRM: Can Promoting Awareness Fetal movements and Focussing Interventions Reduce Fetal Mortality); \r\nSince 2012 CSO has awarded £0.69 million to research projects specifically related to stillbirth or infant death. CSO also currently contributes around £10 million annually to the Department of Health National Institute for Health Research, which currently funds several research projects focused on perinatal mortality; \r\nThe Scottish Government has also provided Sands with £25,000 funding to be allocated to their UK-wide research fund for 2015-16; and,\r\nThe Scottish Government has provided funding of £117,200 over the past three years, to Bliss Scotland to provide support and information to families with premature and sick babies. ","AnswerDate":"2015-12-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-12-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308233,"EventID":"S4W-28630","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2059,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":91,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-20T13:41:57.65","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-20T11:16:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what work it is carrying out on reducing the incidence of stillbirth and infant death.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is committed to reducing the stillbirth and infant mortality rate in Scotland with a number of initiatives underway to help achieve this, including the Scottish Government funded Maternity and Children’s Quality Improvement Collaborative which was launched on 7 March 2013. The maternity care strand aims to support clinical teams in Scotland to improve the quality and safety of maternity healthcare and includes the stillbirth stretch aim of reducing the proportion of stillbirths and neonatal mortality by 15% by 2015. The neonatal care strand’s key objective is to achieve a 30% reduction in avoidable harm in neonatal services by December 2015.\r\nIn addition, the Scottish Government supports a number other initiatives to further contribute to the aim of managing risks associated with stillbirth, such as the AFFIRM study, which raises awareness of monitoring fetal movements, and the growth assessment protocol, which trains midwives and clinicians in improved antenatal identification of pregnancies at risk due to fetal growth problems.\r\nThe government’s stillbirth group and maternity bereavement Care sub-group will meet in January 2016 to develop a workplan looking at where the focus of their work should be over the next three years.","AnswerDate":"2015-12-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-12-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308234,"EventID":"S4W-28631","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-20T13:41:58.303","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-20T11:23:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it plans to review the Procurement Reform (Scotland) Act 2014 and its guidance. ","AnswerText":"The Final Business and Regulatory Impact Assessment (BRIA) sets out our commitment to review implementation of the legislation. A copy of the BRIA is available on the Scottish Government website at: http://www.gov.scot/Resource/0043/00435515.pdf.","AnswerDate":"2015-12-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-12-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308235,"EventID":"S4W-28632","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-20T13:41:58.96","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-20T13:17:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what it estimates the economic impact of inequalities on each local authority to be. ","AnswerText":"There is already a growing body of international evidence indicating that high inequality has a negative impact on long-term economic growth and prosperity. That is why tackling inequality is a central pillar of Scotland’s Economic Strategy, which recognises that improving Scotland’s economic competitiveness and tackling inequality are mutually supportive objectives.\r\nThe Scottish Government produces statistical measures on a number of dimensions of inequality such as health, income and wealth, which are published on a regular basis. The Scottish Index of Multiple Deprivation also provides data on various aspects of inequalities at local geographies, which set out the scale of inequalities both between and within local authorities.","AnswerDate":"2015-12-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-12-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308236,"EventID":"S4W-28633","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-20T13:42:00.41","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-20T13:17:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to carry out a study into the economic impact of inequalities. ","AnswerText":"There is already strong international evidence that high levels of inequality impact negatively on a wide range of economic and social outcomes. The Scottish Government will continue to publish a range of statistics on inequalities on a regular basis and there will be an updated Scottish Index of Multiple Deprivation published in summer 2016.","AnswerDate":"2015-12-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-12-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308237,"EventID":"S4W-28634","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-20T13:42:01.907","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-20T13:17:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to reports by Shelter Scotland that every 18 minutes a household in Scotland is assessed as homeless.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is committed to tackling and preventing homelessness, and assessments of homelessness have been falling in recent years.\r\nSince the start of 2007-08, the number of cases assessed as homeless or threatened with homelessness has fallen by 28%. Latest statistics, for April to June 2015, show the number of assessments was 14% lower in this period compared with one year ago.\r\nThis is due to a focus on the prevention of homelessness, promoted through the five regional local authority led Housing Options Hubs across Scotland.\r\nScotland has strong housing rights for those that are assessed as being homeless, including a right to settled accommodation for those assessed as being homeless through no fault of their own.\r\nHousing supply is an important element in this, and the Scottish Government has already met and exceeded our current five year target to 31 March 2016 to deliver 30,000 affordable homes, and within that the constituent parts: 20,000 social homes including 5,000 council homes.","AnswerDate":"2015-12-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-12-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Burgess","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308238,"EventID":"S4W-28635","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-20T13:42:03.42","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-20T13:17:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what information it has on the number of people over age 75 who are homeless. ","AnswerText":"Those assessed as homeless or threatened with homelessness by financial year and age of main applicant.\r\nMain applicant under age 75\r\nMain applicant over age 75\r\n\r\nNumber of Cases\r\n% of Total\r\nNumber of Cases\r\n% of Total\r\nTotal\r\n2010-11\r\n41,785\r\n99.6%\r\n180\r\n0.4%\r\n41,965\r\n2011-12\r\n35,603\r\n99.7%\r\n113\r\n0.3%\r\n35,716\r\n2012-13\r\n32,070\r\n99.7%\r\n114\r\n0.4%\r\n32,184\r\n2013-14\r\n29,672\r\n99.7%\r\n104\r\n0.4%\r\n29,776\r\n2014-15\r\n29,626\r\n99.6%\r\n116\r\n0.4%\r\n29,742\r\nSource: Scottish Government HL1 dataset as at 31 August 2015\r\nHomelessness statistics can be found online at: http://www.gov.scot/homelessstats.","AnswerDate":"2015-12-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-12-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Burgess","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308241,"EventID":"S4W-28581","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2108,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":141,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-20T15:38:31.08","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-19T11:51:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the uptake is of the bowel cancer screening programme.","AnswerText":"The most recent data on the programme was published on 4 August 2015 via the Information Services Division website on www.isdscotland.org. \r\nFor the two year period November 2012 to October 2014 uptake for the national bowel screening programme was 57.6%, an increase of 1.5% compared with the two year period November 2011 to October 2013.","AnswerDate":"2015-11-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-12-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308242,"EventID":"S4W-28582","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2108,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":141,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-20T15:38:32.56","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-19T11:51:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will publish the evidence of the improved health outcomes for people who take part in bowel cancer screening.","AnswerText":"The most recent key performance indicators, which measure the programme against the set clinical standards, were published on 4 August 2015 via the Information Services Division website on www.isdscotland.org.","AnswerDate":"2015-11-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-12-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308243,"EventID":"S4W-28583","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2108,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":141,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-20T15:38:34.293","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-19T11:51:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to increase the uptake of bowel cancer screening.","AnswerText":"Responsibility for publicising screening and improving uptake within the bowel screening programme rests with individual NHS boards. GPs also play a pivotal role in highlighting bowel screening to their patients.\r\nAs part of our Detect Cancer Early programme we aim to raise public awareness of the national cancer screening programmes through social marketing campaigns. Furthermore, the Cabinet Secretary for Health, Wellbeing and Sport announced earlier in 2015 that a new type of test would be introduced to the programme over the next two years. The quantitative faecal immunochemical test (QFIT) will replace the current faecal occult blood test (FOBT). The new test is deemed to be more user friendly than the current test and is expected to help increase participation in the programme.","AnswerDate":"2015-11-26T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-12-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308244,"EventID":"S4W-28584","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2108,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":141,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-20T15:38:35.727","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-19T11:51:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it has evidence of the benefits in better patient outcomes of increasing the volume of patients seen by a specialist cancer unit.","AnswerText":"We are aware of the growing evidence of the benefits that surgical specialisation and multi-disciplinary team working can have on improving patient outcomes.\r\nThe National Cancer Clinical Services Group has been set up to consider how best to deliver services that meets the needs of people with cancer, including the delivery of surgery, radiotherapy and chemotherapy. Both radiotherapy and chemotherapy are already delivered in five highly specialised cancer centres in Scotland, with an additional satellite centre that opened on 30 November 2015 in NHS Lanarkshire.","AnswerDate":"2015-12-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-12-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308245,"EventID":"S4W-28585","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2108,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":141,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-20T15:38:37.1","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-19T11:51:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it has evidence of the benefits in better surgical outcomes of increasing the volume of patients seen by a particular cancer surgeon.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-28584 on 2 December 2015, which is available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.","AnswerDate":"2015-12-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-12-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308246,"EventID":"S4W-28586","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2108,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":141,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-20T15:38:38.113","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-19T11:51:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it considers that there is a need for more specialised cancer units.","AnswerText":"The National Cancer Clinical Services Group has been set up to consider how best to deliver services that meets the needs of people with cancer, including the delivery of surgery, radiotherapy and chemotherapy. Both radiotherapy and chemotherapy are already delivered in five highly specialised cancer centres in Scotland, with an additional satellite centre that opened on 30 November 2015 in NHS Lanarkshire.","AnswerDate":"2015-12-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-12-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308247,"EventID":"S4W-28587","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2108,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":141,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-20T15:38:39.377","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-19T11:51:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it is considering the need to publish data on cancer surgery outcomes.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government welcomes the principle of publishing hospital and consultant level outcomes data and believes that measuring and reporting outcomes data for specific conditions and procedures, where available, is an essential tool to better understand and improve patient care.\r\nThe Innovative Healthcare Delivery Programme was recently established to develop a national data infrastructure for Scotland, linking primary, secondary, tertiary and ultimately, social care data, aimed at improving patient outcomes across the country. The first phase of this programme of work is underway looking at cancer intelligence data and systems across Scotland.","AnswerDate":"2015-12-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-12-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308248,"EventID":"S4W-28588","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2108,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":141,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-20T15:38:40.36","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-19T11:51:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will publish data on cancer surgery outcomes, broken down by specialist unit and hospital.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-28587 on 2 December 2015, which is available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx. \r\nIn addition in Scotland we have developed a range of Quality Performance Indicators (QPIs), overseen by the National Cancer Quality Programme, for a wide range of tumour types. This programme of work will drive and support continuous quality improvement in cancer care across NHS Scotland.\r\nAll cancer QPIs can be found at the following link: \r\nhttp://www.healthcareimprovementscotland.org/our_work/cancer_care_improvement/cancer_qpis/quality_performance_indicators.aspx.","AnswerDate":"2015-12-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-12-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308249,"EventID":"S4W-28604","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4080,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-20T15:38:42.233","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-19T16:57:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to establish a register of the (a) local authority arms-length external organisations and (b) bodies designated under section 5 of the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government recognises the value of such a register but considers that the Scottish Information Commissioner, as the regulator and promoter of the legislation, is best placed to take this forward.","AnswerDate":"2015-12-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-12-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Joe FitzPatrick","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308250,"EventID":"S4W-28605","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4080,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-20T15:38:44.62","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-19T16:57:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it considers that the scope of the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002 has reduced since the legislation came into force, and what the reasons are for its position on this matter.","AnswerText":"The scope of the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002 ('the Act') is subject to constant change. Without a comprehensive analysis of coverage in 2005 compared to now we do not consider it is possible to accurately assess the extent of changes to scope.\r\nMost recently, the Act has been extended to a range of local authority arms-length trusts and the newly established health and social care integration joint boards. The Scottish Government has also recently consulted on further extension of coverage and is committed to consulting with a view to bringing within scope housing associations.","AnswerDate":"2015-12-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-12-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Joe FitzPatrick","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308251,"EventID":"S4W-28606","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4080,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-20T15:38:46.477","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-19T16:57:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many times it has exercised its powers under section 5 of the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002 to designate bodies, also broken down by (a) date and (b) name of body.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has to date exercised its powers under section 5 of the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002 ('the Act') on one occasion. In April 2014 an order came into force bringing within scope of the Act arm's length organisations established by local authorities to provide leisure, cultural and sporting services. The order describes the 'class' of body rather than naming individual authorities.","AnswerDate":"2015-12-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-12-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Joe FitzPatrick","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308252,"EventID":"S4W-28607","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4080,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-20T15:38:47.74","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-19T16:57:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many bodies the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002 is applicable to and how this compares with the number when the legislation came into force.","AnswerText":"Authorities are subject to the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002 ('the Act') either due to be listed in Schedule 1 of the Act, by being a 'publicly-owned company', or by designation by Scottish Ministers. There is no comprehensive list of authorities covered by the Act, which by its nature would be subject to constant change.","AnswerDate":"2015-12-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-12-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Joe FitzPatrick","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308253,"EventID":"S4W-28609","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4080,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-20T15:38:49.66","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-19T16:57:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on extending the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002 to include (a) housing associations, (b) trusts set up by local authorities to provide services, (c) privately-run prisons, (d) private sector companies contracted to build or maintain (i) local authority schools, (ii) NHS hospitals and (iii) other public buildings, (e) bodies providing public services paid for with public money, (f) bodies that have received grants or other benefits from public money, (g) bodies that deliver public services, (h) bodies that deliver formerly state-owned services and (i) other bodies.","AnswerText":"In October 2015, the Scottish Government announced its intention to consult with housing associations with a view to extending coverage of the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002 ('the Act'). The Scottish Government has previously extended coverage of the Act to a range of local authority trusts providing leisure, cultural and sporting services and has recently consulted on proposals to extend the Act to privately-run prisons. \r\nThe Scottish Government takes an incremental approach to extension of coverage and, more widely, seeks to promote openness and transparency in the delivery of public services. In line with this incremental approach, we will continue to assess the arguments in favour of extending coverage and would anticipate further proposals in due course.","AnswerDate":"2015-12-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-12-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Joe FitzPatrick","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308254,"EventID":"S4W-28611","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4080,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-20T15:38:51.53","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-19T16:57:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what progress it is making in introducing a policy to require the automatic consideration of transferring rights and duties under the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002 to bodies that take over the delivery of functions and services on behalf, or instead, of public authorities.","AnswerText":"The Code of Practice published in accordance with section 60 of the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002 ('the Act') requires a public authority, when considering outsourcing any of its functions, to take steps to ensure that there is no resulting reduction in the public’s rights to access information through requests and proactive publication.\r\nCompliance with the code – which is enforced by the Scottish Information Commissioner – should therefore mean that authorities outsourcing any of their functions consider the implications for access to information.","AnswerDate":"2015-12-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-12-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Joe FitzPatrick","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308255,"EventID":"S4W-28612","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4080,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-20T15:38:53.137","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-19T16:57:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on carrying out a review to identify whether any rights to access to information under the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002 have been lost since the legislation was introduced, and whether it will commit to using its powers under section 5 of the Act to reinstate any such rights.","AnswerText":"Loss of information rights is one of the key factors that the Scottish Government will consider when examining a range of organisations delivering public services to consider whether or not they should be brought under the scope of the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002.","AnswerDate":"2015-12-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-12-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Joe FitzPatrick","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308256,"EventID":"S4W-28613","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4080,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-20T15:38:55.07","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-19T16:57:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on introducing a factor-based approach to consider extending the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002 to cover functions that it considers to be of a public nature.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has consistently advocated a factor-based approach to extension of coverage of the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002, most recently in the consultation paper proposing further extension of coverage published earlier in 2015.","AnswerDate":"2015-12-01T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-12-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Joe FitzPatrick","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308257,"EventID":"S4W-28636","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2394,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-20T15:38:56.71","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-20T15:15:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many trees have been planted under its 2010 initiative to plant 100 million trees by 2015, broken down by (a) species and (b) acreage.","AnswerText":"In 2010 Scottish Ministers pledged to plant 100 million trees by 2015 as part of The Climate Group’s States and Regions Alliance Billion Trees initiative. This Scottish figure of 100 million trees was based on achieving 50,000 hectares of woodland creation over that period at an average stocking of 2,000 trees per hectare.\r\nOn this basis, planting over the period 2010-15, equates to 88.6 million trees – 13,317 hectares of conifers (26.6 million trees) and 30,983 hectares of broadleaves (62.0 million trees).","AnswerDate":"2015-12-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-12-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen McLeod","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308258,"EventID":"S4W-28637","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2394,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-20T15:38:57.677","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-20T15:16:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many (a) whole-time equivalent and (b) headcount places were available in science, technology, engineering and maths subjects at each college in (i) 2013-14 and (ii) 2014-15.","AnswerText":"Data on students in colleges in Scotland are collected by the Scottish Funding Council. The latest available data is for 2013-14 and I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-23591 on 19 January 2015 where this data was provided. Data for 2014-15 will be available in January 2016.\r\nAll answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.","AnswerDate":"2015-12-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-12-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308260,"EventID":"S4W-28638","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2678,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-23T13:56:58.27","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-23T11:30:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what budget it has allocated to support the implementation of the Sexual Health and Blood Borne Virus Framework 2015-2020 Update.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has allocated £28 million this financial year to support NHS boards and third sector organisations to implement the Sexual Health and Blood Borne Virus Framework. Funding to support subsequent years of the framework will be subject to spending review decisions.","AnswerDate":"2015-12-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-12-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308261,"EventID":"S4W-28639","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2678,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-23T13:56:59.08","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-23T11:31:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether protected funding is available to support the initiation of patients onto antiviral therapy, in line with the Sexual Health and Blood Borne Virus Framework 2015-2020 Update.","AnswerText":"NHS boards meet the costs of antiviral therapy for HIV from core budgets. The costs of antiviral therapy for hepatitis C is supported by the £28 million funding the Scottish Government provides under the Sexual Health and Blood Borne Virus Framework. NHS boards can determine how best to use that funding, and funding from their own core budgets, to reflect local need. However, under the framework boards are set an annual treatment target hepatitis C. During 2015-20 the aim is for at least 1,500 people per year will be initiated onto antiviral therapy.\r\nIn recognition of the new, highly effective therapies for hepatitis C which were approved for use by Scottish Medicines Consortium in 2014, the Scottish Government has provided additional recurring funding to NHS boards from 2015-16 to assist with the costs of new drugs, including hepatitis C therapies.","AnswerDate":"2015-12-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-12-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308276,"EventID":"S4T-01182","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":9,"MSPID":2394,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-23T12:52:44.397","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-23T10:46:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many farmers will not receive the 70% emergency common agricultural policy payment in December.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":"2015-11-24T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308277,"EventID":"S4T-01189","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":9,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-23T12:52:52.713","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-23T11:57:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government for what reason it has abolished the Getting it Right for Every Child Programme Board.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-24T00:00:00","MeetingDate":"2015-11-24T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308278,"EventID":"S4F-03079","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":2110,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":138,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-23T12:52:14.74","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-19T14:01:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister what the impact on Scotland will be of the combined Autumn Statement and Comprehensive Spending Review.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":"2015-11-26T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308279,"EventID":"S4F-03080","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":3812,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-23T12:52:15.583","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-19T16:36:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister what engagements she has planned for the rest of the day.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":"2015-11-26T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308280,"EventID":"S4F-03081","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":5009,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-23T12:52:16.3","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-20T13:13:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister what issues will be discussed at the next meeting of the Cabinet.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":"2015-11-26T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308281,"EventID":"S4F-03084","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":4976,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-23T12:52:17.547","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-23T10:02:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister when she will next meet the Prime Minister.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":"2015-11-26T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308282,"EventID":"S4F-03086","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-23T12:52:19.373","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-23T10:41:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister whether the Scottish Government will hold an inquiry into undercover police operations in Scotland.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":"2015-11-26T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308283,"EventID":"S4F-03088","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":2673,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":114,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-23T12:52:20.59","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-23T11:47:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister what the Scottish Government is doing to eradicate abuse of patients in care homes.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-11-26T00:00:00","MeetingDate":"2015-11-26T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308284,"EventID":"S4W-28642","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4080,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-23T16:41:38.983","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-23T16:11:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-24995 by Michael Matheson on 13 April 2015, how many days on average it has taken to process and confirm the outcome of (a) new and (b) renewal applications for firearm certificates in each month since November 2014.","AnswerText":"This information is not held centrally. As the response to S4W-24995 made clear, Police Scotland introduced a national firearms licensing database (Shogun) from October 2014. Responsibility for the operation of the firearms licensing system and for reporting on system performance is a matter for the Police Service of Scotland.","AnswerDate":"2015-12-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-12-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308285,"EventID":"S4W-28643","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4080,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-23T16:41:39.547","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-23T16:11:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-24995 by Michael Matheson on 13 April 2015, what percentage of (a) new and (b) renewal applications for firearm certificates is processed within 12 weeks, broken down by applications received in each month since November 2014, and whether this is the target for all applications. ","AnswerText":"This information is not held centrally. As the response to S4W-24995 made clear, Police Scotland introduced a national firearms licensing database (Shogun) from October 2014. Responsibility for the operation of the firearms licensing system and for reporting on system performance is a matter for the Police Service of Scotland.","AnswerDate":"2015-12-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-12-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308292,"EventID":"S4W-28640","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3101,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-24T13:39:29.98","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-23T15:55:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, in light of reports that the ethnicity of 25% of local government staff is recorded as unknown, whether it considers that local authorities are meeting their statutory obligation under the Equality Act 2010 (Specific Duties) (Scotland) Regulations 2012 “to gather and use employee information” and what steps it is taking to encourage councils to collect more accurate data.","AnswerText":"The Equality Act 2010 (Specific Duties) (Scotland) Regulations 2012 require listed public authorities including local authorities to take steps to gather and use employee information.\r\nLocal authorities are directly responsible for equality issues within their remit, including compliance with legal requirements.\r\nThe Equality and Human Rights Commission is independently responsible for the monitoring and compliance of the equality duties.\r\nScottish ministers have an additional duty to publish proposals for activity to enable the better performance of the public sector equality duty. Ministers will publish a progress update on improvement activity by the end of December 2015.","AnswerDate":"2015-12-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-12-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Marco Biagi","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308293,"EventID":"S4W-28645","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4939,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":78,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-24T13:39:30.713","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-24T10:33:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to raise sight test fees.","AnswerText":"The current NHS eye examination was introduced in Scotland on 1 April 2006. This examination is free to all UK residents and those exempt from charges under the NHS (Charges for Overseas Visitors) (Scotland) Regulations 1989 who receive an NHS eye examination in Scotland.\r\nThis eye examination replaces the previous NHS sight test. The examination assesses not only whether or not a patient requires glasses/contact lenses, but also provides a full eye health assessment tailored to meet the needs of the patient. This examination is called a “primary eye examination”. Identifying possible sight-threatening conditions early is a key element.","AnswerDate":"2015-12-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-12-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308316,"EventID":"S4W-28657","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-24T17:00:23.087","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-24T15:12:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what inspections have been carried at the Royal Cornhill Hospital in Aberdeen by (a) the NHS, (b) the Care Commission and (c) other bodies since 2011, and what information it has regarding inspections by the Health and Safety Executive; what the outcome of each inspection was; what reports were published, and whether the hospital is subject to any ongoing inspection.","AnswerText":"The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has undertaken the following visits and investigations:\r\nIn 2012 the HSE visited Royal Cornhill Hospital to carry out an investigation into a patient fall reported to the HSE by NHS Grampian. No action was taken by the HSE in relation to this. No report was published.\r\nIn 2012 the HSE visited Royal Cornhill Hospital to carry out an investigation into a patient suicide. The HSE issued an improvement notice as result of this investigation. No report was published.\r\nIn 2013 NHS Grampian invited specialist HSE investigators into Royal Cornhill Hospital to carry out a formal supportive visit in three wards. No action was taken by the HSE in relation to the visit. No report was published. \r\nThe Mental Welfare Commission has also visited the hospital as part of its activities, in order that individuals receiving care and treatment can raise any concerns they have, and that facilities are providing care and treatment that meets their needs and respects their rights. Reports are produced with recommendations for the service. These reports have not been published in line with long-standing Mental Welfare Commission practice but the Mental Welfare Commission will start to publish their visit reports in 2016.\r\nScottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) – in 2012, 2013, 2014 and 2015 NHS Grampian invited the SFRS into Royal Cornhill Hospital to carry out Fire (Scotland) Act 2005 compliance audits. No action has been taken by SFRS as a result of any of these visits. No reports have been published.\r\nForensic Network/Healthcare Improvement Scotland (HIS) Forensic Service – the Forensic Network/HIS did a peer review of the forensic unit on 1 November 2011 and a further visit is planned within 2016. The forensic learning disability service was visited on 11 September 2012.\r\nScottish ECT Audit Network (SEAN – enabling communication of the latest information on ECT (electroconvulsive therapy) in Scotland) visited in 2015 with their next visit due in 2018.\r\nThe Royal Cornhill Hospital is not subject to any current or on-going inspections.","AnswerDate":"2015-12-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-12-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308326,"EventID":"S4W-28647","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-24T17:00:05.117","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-24T14:41:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much Audit Scotland pays in recruitment and retention allowances or similar market-based pay supplements.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-12-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308327,"EventID":"S4W-28648","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-24T17:00:05.687","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-24T14:41:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many posts in Audit Scotland attract a recruitment and retention allowance or other market-based pay supplement and whether it will provide a breakdown of staff in these posts by (a) age, (b) gender and (c) geographical area.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-12-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308328,"EventID":"S4W-28649","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-24T17:00:06.177","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-24T14:41:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much Bord na Gaidhlig pays in recruitment and retention allowances or similar market-based pay supplements.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-12-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308329,"EventID":"S4W-28650","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-24T17:00:06.697","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-24T14:41:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many posts in Bord na Gaidhlig attract a recruitment and retention allowance or other market-based pay supplement and whether it will provide a breakdown of staff in these posts by (a) age, (b) gender and (c) geographical area.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-12-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308330,"EventID":"S4W-28651","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-24T17:00:07.207","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-24T14:41:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much Highlands and Islands Airports Ltd pays in recruitment and retention allowances (RRA) or similar market-based pay supplements.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-12-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308331,"EventID":"S4W-28652","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-24T17:00:07.717","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-24T14:44:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many posts in Highlands and Islands Airports Ltd attract a recruitment and retention allowance or other market-based pay supplement and whether it will provide a breakdown of staff in these posts by (a) age, (b) gender and (c) geographical area.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-12-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308332,"EventID":"S4W-28653","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-24T17:00:08.317","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-24T14:44:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much Highlands and Islands Enterprise pays in recruitment and retention allowances or similar market-based pay supplements.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-12-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308333,"EventID":"S4W-28654","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-24T17:00:08.797","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-24T14:44:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many posts in Highlands and Islands Enterprise attract a recruitment and retention allowance or other market-based pay supplement and whether it will provide a breakdown of staff in these posts by (a) age, (b) gender and (c) geographical area.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-12-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308334,"EventID":"S4W-28655","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-24T17:00:09.267","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-24T14:44:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much the Scottish Courts and Tribunals Service pays in recruitment and retention allowances or similar market-based pay supplements.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-12-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308335,"EventID":"S4W-28659","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-24T17:12:17.25","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-24T17:10:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many posts in the Scottish Courts and Tribunals Service attract a recruitment and retention allowance or other market-based pay supplement and whether it will provide a breakdown of staff in these posts by (a) age, (b) gender and (c) geographical area.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-12-09T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308336,"EventID":"S4O-04874","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":2633,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-25T13:58:36.073","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-25T10:36:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on its progress in closing the educational attainment gap in the Mid Scotland and Fife region.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-12-02T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308337,"EventID":"S4O-04875","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":3907,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":135,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-25T13:58:36.653","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-23T12:01:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on progress with Ayrshire College's Kilmarnock campus project.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-12-02T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308338,"EventID":"S4O-04876","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":2595,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-25T13:58:37.203","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-24T19:32:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it plans to publish its full analysis of the risk of Office for National Statistics reclassification for universities for the proposed Higher Education Governance (Scotland) Bill.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-12-02T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308339,"EventID":"S4O-04877","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":2123,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":103,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-25T13:58:37.933","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-23T12:01:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it will ensure that all children and young people requiring regular medication and medical assistance at school have these needs met.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-12-02T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308340,"EventID":"S4O-04878","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":5107,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":124,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-25T13:58:38.683","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-23T12:01:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it considers the named person provision in the Children and Young People (Scotland) Act 2014 will assist families with children with autism.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-12-02T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308341,"EventID":"S4O-04879","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":5060,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-25T13:58:39.343","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-24T11:25:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to improve the learning environment for college students in the West Scotland region.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-12-02T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308342,"EventID":"S4O-04880","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":4940,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-25T13:58:40.053","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-23T12:01:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what it is doing to support children in kinship care.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-12-02T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308343,"EventID":"S4O-04881","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":2826,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":84,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-25T13:58:40.873","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-25T09:59:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to support looked-after children.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-12-02T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308344,"EventID":"S4O-04882","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":1814,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":77,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-25T13:58:41.453","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-23T12:01:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how its education directorate monitors the implementation of the educational aspects of the autism strategy.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-12-02T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308345,"EventID":"S4O-04883","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":5059,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-25T13:58:42.623","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-25T09:46:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much it has allocated to local authorities in the West Scotland region for 2015-16 to reduce the educational attainment gap.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-12-02T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308346,"EventID":"S4O-04884","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":3771,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-25T13:58:43.293","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-23T12:01:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it is supporting schools from areas of deprivation in Glasgow to work with pupils to address the attainment gap.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-12-02T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308347,"EventID":"S4O-04885","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":2673,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":114,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-25T13:58:43.893","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-25T10:17:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with the UK Government regarding the possible implementation of a new EU directive on the movement of non-EU students and researchers.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-12-02T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308348,"EventID":"S4O-04886","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":4965,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-25T13:58:44.443","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-23T12:01:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the implications are for Scottish universities  of proposals in the UK Government’s higher education green paper.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-12-02T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308349,"EventID":"S4O-04887","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":1943,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-25T13:58:45.273","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-25T11:03:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what monitoring and evaluation it has carried out of the reforms to the sector following the 2012 Report of the Review of Further Education Governance in Scotland.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-12-02T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308350,"EventID":"S4O-04888","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":3743,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":123,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-25T13:58:45.853","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-23T12:01:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what resources its education directorate provides to ensure that appropriate educational opportunities are put in place for offenders at the time of their release to ensure effective rehabilitation.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-12-02T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308351,"EventID":"S4O-04889","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":1866,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-25T13:58:46.403","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-25T11:58:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to the president of NUS Scotland's evidence to the Education and Culture Committee that further education student support in Scotland is “not fit for purpose”.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-12-02T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308352,"EventID":"S4O-04890","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":1759,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-25T13:58:47.163","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-25T09:54:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what it is doing to support and develop the Energy Skills Partnership and a shift to a low-carbon economy.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-12-02T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308353,"EventID":"S4O-04891","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":1932,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":117,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-25T13:58:47.743","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-25T10:58:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how standardised assessment will be used in classrooms.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-12-02T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308354,"EventID":"S4O-04892","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":4955,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":105,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-25T13:58:48.583","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-23T12:01:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what recent discussions it has had with local authorities regarding the implementation of the Attainment Scotland Fund.","AnswerText":"The government holds regular discussions with local authorities on the implementation of the Attainment Scotland Fund. ADES and COSLA are both represented on the Scottish Attainment Challenge Advisory Group, which meets quarterly to provide advice to support the programme achieve its aims. In addition, officials are in regular contact with senior representatives from all the local authorities which are receiving funding.","AnswerDate":"2015-12-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-12-02T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308355,"EventID":"S4O-04893","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-25T13:58:49.163","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-23T12:01:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when the review of the new curriculum model at Hermitage Academy will report and what measures it considers are necessary to improve it for those about to sit examinations.","AnswerText":"The review has now concluded, and a report is being prepared for Argyll and Bute Council’s Community Services Committee, which meets on 10 December 2015.\r\nEducation Scotland will shortly provide all parents with a brief letter outlining its current involvement and is continuing to build the school’s capacity for improvement by:\r\nDiscussing findings and ensuring next steps are informed by best practice;\r\nFacilitating links between Hermitage and other schools which are offering two year courses leading to qualifications, so that learning can be shared;\r\nOffering support to the local authority/school on parental engagement approaches;\r\nAlongside the Scottish Qualifications Authority, offering support on planning courses and assessment approaches, ensuring the needs of all groups of learners are met.\r\nI am being kept up to date with developments. All that can be done at a national level to secure the interests and aspirations of the young people at Hermitage Academy will be done.","AnswerDate":"2015-12-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-12-02T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308356,"EventID":"S4O-04895","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-25T13:58:51.443","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-23T12:02:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it considers that the Lobbying (Scotland) Bill is fit for purpose.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-12-03T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308357,"EventID":"S4O-04896","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":5110,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":89,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-25T13:58:52.023","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-24T11:37:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with First Group concerning its proposed closure of the Parkhead bus depot and the potential for redundancies or job transfers.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-12-03T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308358,"EventID":"S4O-04897","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":2108,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":141,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-25T13:58:54.033","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-23T12:02:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how the reduction in its overall funding over the last seven years compares with that for local government.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-12-03T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308359,"EventID":"S4O-04899","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":1741,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-25T13:58:54.893","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-23T12:02:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what measures it will take to protect vulnerable people affected by the weather this winter.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-12-03T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308360,"EventID":"S4O-04900","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":1768,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":131,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-25T13:58:55.583","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-23T12:02:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it last met the South-West of Scotland Transport Partnership and what issues were discussed.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-12-03T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308361,"EventID":"S4O-04901","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":2080,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":87,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-25T13:58:56.263","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-23T12:02:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when the Cabinet Secretary for Culture, Europe and External Affairs last met Creative Scotland and what issues were discussed.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-12-03T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308362,"EventID":"S4O-04902","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":3763,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-25T13:58:56.953","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-23T12:02:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it last met NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-12-03T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308363,"EventID":"S4O-04903","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":4984,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-25T13:58:57.533","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-25T09:19:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the average waiting time from GP referral is for elective surgery in NHS Lothian.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-12-03T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308364,"EventID":"S4O-04898","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":3129,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":83,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-25T13:59:47.623","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-25T11:34:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the uptake of grants was from the Centenary Memorials Restoration Fund in 2014-15.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-12-03T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308365,"EventID":"S4W-28580","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-25T14:13:04.81","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-19T10:16:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it will provide a substantive answer to question S4W-27885, which received a holding answer on 3 November 2015, and what the reason is for the delay in providing such an answer.","AnswerText":"Parliamentary question S4W-27885 was answered on 25 November 2015.","AnswerDate":"2015-11-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-12-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308366,"EventID":"S4W-28644","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2603,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-25T14:13:06.51","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-24T10:05:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-27978 by John Swinney on 27 October 2015, in light of the unrounded figures in relation to GDP not being included in the document referred to in the answer, what steps it will take to make this information available.","AnswerText":"As set out in the answer to S4W-27978 the unrounded figures in relation to the 2015 quarter two gross domestic product (GDP) estimates were made available to the Scottish Parliament Information Centre on publication day. These have always been made available in the quarterly national accounts which are published routinely following initial GDP estimates. Unrounded figures will be published alongside the quarterly GDP figures in the future. ","AnswerDate":"2015-12-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-12-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308367,"EventID":"S4W-28658","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2394,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-25T14:13:07.21","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-24T16:45:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the percentage take-up of free school meals is for pupils in primary one to three, broken down by local authority.","AnswerText":"This government's action to provide a free school meal to every child in primary one to three has had huge take up. Our action is helping to ensure that every child in Scotland gets the best possible start while tackling inequalities and saving parents around £380 a year for each child. \r\nThe latest statistics on free school meal uptake were published on 17 June 2015 in the Scottish Government statistics publication - Summary statistics for attainment, leaver destinations and healthy living, No. 5: 2015 Edition. Table 7 in the accompanying supplementary data, provides details of the number of primary one to three pupils present and taking free school meals on the day of the survey, broken down by local authority, and can be accessed at the following address:\r\nhttp://www.gov.scot/Topics/Statistics/Browse/School-Education/MealsSD/mealspesd/mealspesd2015.","AnswerDate":"2015-12-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-12-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alasdair Allan","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308368,"EventID":"S4W-28663","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2108,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":141,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-25T14:13:07.97","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-25T09:17:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what information it has on how many people have volunteered in each of the last four years.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Household Survey indicates that levels of volunteering have remained relatively stable over the last four years, with around three in ten adults providing unpaid help to organisations or groups. The survey also indicates that three in four (75%) of adults that volunteer do so for up to 10 hours a week. \r\nThe Scottish Household Survey captures the percentage of adults in Scotland who volunteer in a ‘formal’ way. We know that many people also volunteer in an informal way through helping friends or neighbours. So in reality the percentage of people volunteering will be higher than the survey suggests.","AnswerDate":"2015-12-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-12-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308369,"EventID":"S4W-28664","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2108,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":141,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-25T14:13:08.67","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-25T09:17:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what information it has on how many people regularly volunteer.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-28663 on 9 December 2015. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Scottish Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at:http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.","AnswerDate":"2015-12-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-12-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308370,"EventID":"S4W-28665","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2108,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":141,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-25T14:13:09.42","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-25T09:17:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the findings were of the Demonstration Project and how it plans to follow up on the project.","AnswerText":"The summary findings of the Demonstration Project show that the current emphasis in relation to recruiting and retaining volunteers needs to be widened to reflect a more sophisticated view of the volunteers, and the complexities of their motivations and needs. To follow up these findings, the Scottish Government, Volunteer Scotland and others are working closely together to explore new ways to achieve a sustainable growth in volunteering participation in Scotland.","AnswerDate":"2015-12-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-12-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308371,"EventID":"S4W-28677","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2394,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-25T14:13:10.32","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-25T10:56:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what information it has on the percentage of (a) land area and (b) wild land area from which at least one wind turbine of more than 20 metres in height is visible.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government does not hold any information on the percentage of land or wild land area from which at least one wind turbine of more than 20 metres in height is visible.","AnswerDate":"2015-12-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-12-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308372,"EventID":"S4W-28679","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2394,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-25T14:13:11.05","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-25T10:57:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it ensures that local authority planning officers are aware of Scottish Planning Policy in relation to wild land areas and how it should be (a) applied in relation to applications for wind turbine developments and (b) considered in reports to planning committees.","AnswerText":"Scottish Planning Policy is a material consideration within the planning process. The Scottish Government refers to Scottish Planning Policy in our routine communications with planning authorities, including through the Heads of Planning Scotland network.\r\nCommunities, developers and planning authorities should be guided by the spatial frameworks for wind farm development that are guided by Scottish Planning Policy but prepared and applied by planning authorities. The approach to wild land as set out in Scottish Planning Policy should inform relevant policies contained within local development plan. Legislation requires that decisions on individual planning applications accords with the development plan unless material considerations indicate otherwise.\r\nIt is for the planning authority to decide whether direct reference to Scottish Planning Policy is required in any decision or report to committee it makes.\r\nFurther information is available in our online advice: \r\nhttp://scotgovplanningarchitecture.com/2014/12/05/onshore-wind-questions-answered/\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-12-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-12-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308373,"EventID":"S4W-28680","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4014,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-25T14:13:11.75","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-25T11:17:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much (a) it has and (b) each of its agencies have spent on commissioning (i) opinion polls and (ii) research by focus groups in each year since 1999.","AnswerText":"Opinion polls:\r\n(a) (i) The Scottish Government has not commissioned opinion polls during this period and therefore does not hold the cost information requested.\r\n(b) (i) We are unable to provide information on opinion polls commissioned by Scottish Government agencies. This information is not held centrally and could only be obtained at disproportionate cost.\r\nFocus groups:\r\n(a)(b) (ii) It is not possible to provide cost information on the use of focus groups for either the Scottish Government or its agencies. Where focus groups are used in research they normally form one element of a programme of work and costs are not separately available.","AnswerDate":"2015-12-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-12-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308374,"EventID":"S4W-28681","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4014,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-25T14:13:12.38","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-25T11:17:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many people have been (a) reported to the procurator fiscal and (b) fined by their local authority for illegal dumping in each year since 1999, broken down by local authority area.","AnswerText":"Illegal dumping or fly-tipping is covered by section 33(1)(a) and (6) of the Environmental Protection Act 1990 which makes it an offence to deposit “controlled waste” unless the deposit is authorised by a waste management licence. The following table contains information requested in relation charges reported to the procurator fiscal for that offence for years 2013-14 and 2014-15. Information has previously been published for years 2002 to 2012 in answer to question S4W-19583 on 4 March 2014 and can be found at:\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx?SearchType=Simple&Keyword=flytipping&ExactPhrase=True&DateChoice=4&MSPId=4014&SortBy=DateSubmitted&ResultsPerPage=10.\r\nInformation is not held centrally on the number of people fined by their local authority, however Zero Waste Scotland has published some information on local authority fly-tipping fixed penalties in 2010-11 in its report Environmental Protection Act 1990, Part II and Part IV – Local Authority Monitoring Survey 2010/2011, available at:\r\nhttp://www.zerowastescotland.org.uk/content/environmental-protection-act-1990-part-ii-and-iv-local-authority-monitoring-survey-201011\r\nYear\r\nCharges reported\r\nto procurator fiscal\r\n2013-14\r\n370\r\n2014-15\r\n367\r\nAll answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.\r\nNotes:\r\n1. The Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS) does not hold complete statistical data prior to the year 2002-03 and therefore cannot provide data for the years 1999-00 and 2000-01. COPFS records the number of individual charges reported to it, not the numbers of people containing a particular type of crime. A reported case can contain multiple charges of the same type against one or more offenders.\r\n2. Instances of fly-tipping can also be prosecuted under sections 33(1)(b) and 87 of the Environmental Protection Act 1990. However, other types of criminal act are also prosecuted under these sections. Accordingly, statistics in relation to these offences do not exclusively relate to fly-tipping and cannot be provided as part of this written answer.","AnswerDate":"2015-12-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-12-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Frank Mulholland QC","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308381,"EventID":"S4W-28682","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5034,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-25T16:48:19.07","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-25T14:15:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when the quality and cost-effectiveness review of stoma care services is due to report.","AnswerText":"The quality and cost-effectiveness review report is currently being finalised, including essential validation of response rates to the multi layered quality audit. The report is expected to be completed and submitted to the Scottish Government, and subsequently published, over the course of the coming weeks.","AnswerDate":"2015-12-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-12-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308382,"EventID":"S4W-28683","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5034,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-25T16:48:19.9","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-25T14:15:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to improve stoma care services.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is committed to ensuring that all people who require stoma care services are able to receive the best possible care and support wherever possible and benefit from healthcare services that are safe, effective and put the patient at the centre of their care. The quality and cost effectiveness review, led by the NHS on behalf of the Scottish Government, is part of that process.\r\nWhile the Scottish Government provides the policies, frameworks and resources for high quality health care in Scotland, it is for each NHS board to decide how best to deliver those services to meet the needs of the population to ensure they can provide safe, effective care for their patients. Stoma clinical nurse specialists are part of the team providing that care, and their numbers have increased from 21.7 whole time equivalent at September 2014 to 23.1 whole time equivalent at September 2015.","AnswerDate":"2015-12-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-12-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308383,"EventID":"S4W-28684","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-25T16:48:20.48","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-25T14:22:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what discussion it has had with the Office for Budget Responsibility on forestalling in relation to the Land and Buildings Transaction Tax and whether the figure has been revised.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government participates in the Office for Budget Responsibility's (OBR) devolved taxes forecast challenge meetings ahead of each UK fiscal event. \r\nThe OBR updated its estimate of the effect of forestalling in relation to the introduction of Land and Buildings Transaction Tax in the Devolved Taxes Forecast published on 25 November 2015, which is available at:\r\nhttp://budgetresponsibility.org.uk/wordpress/docs/Devolved-taxes-forecast.pdf","AnswerDate":"2015-12-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-12-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308384,"EventID":"S4W-28685","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1759,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-25T16:48:21.36","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-25T14:52:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many convictions there have been in relation to illegal fox hunting and what resources are available to Police Scotland to ensure that the law against hunting with hounds is upheld.","AnswerText":"There have been three convictions in relation to fox hunting in the period since the Protection of Wild Mammals (Scotland) Act 2002 came into force.\r\nFurther information relating to prosecutions for fox hunting offences is contained in section 4.7 of the Wildlife Crime in Scotland – 2014 Annual Report which can be accessed on the Scottish Government website:\r\nhttp://www.gov.scot/Publications/2015/09/6676\r\nThe chief constable is responsible for the allocation and deployment of the resources Police Scotland receives from the Scottish Police Authority.","AnswerDate":"2015-12-03T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-12-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen McLeod","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308385,"EventID":"S4W-28686","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-25T16:48:21.82","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-25T15:05:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many people have died by suicide in each year since 2007, also expressed as a rate per 100,000 population.","AnswerText":"Annual data on deaths by suicide are published by National Records of Scotland at the following site:\r\nhttp://www.nrscotland.gov.uk/statistics-and-data/statistics/statistics-by-theme/vital-events/deaths/suicides/the-definition-of-the-statistics\r\nFurther analysis of these data is provided by the Scottish Public Health Observatory:\r\nhttp://www.scotpho.org.uk/health-wellbeing-and-disease/suicide/key-points.","AnswerDate":"2015-12-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-12-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308386,"EventID":"S4W-28687","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-25T16:48:22.73","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-25T15:05:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what it is doing to address the suicide rate among the most deprived quintile of the Scottish Index of Multiple Deprivation.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government's Suicide Prevention Strategy 2013-2016 is a population-wide strategy which sets out commitments designed to continue the downward trend in the suicide rate at national level, whilst recognising that those from the more deprived communities in Scotland can be at greater risk of dying by suicide. To ensure that suicide prevention interventions target those at most of risk of suicide, information is used from the Scottish Suicide Information Database to inform both national and local activities to target groups and communities – for example, the placement of awareness-raising materials in settings where people live, work and socialise. Local NHS boards, local authorities and other partner agencies are expected to provide services which are appropriate to local needs and circumstances, including consideration of local levels of deprivation.","AnswerDate":"2015-12-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-12-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308387,"EventID":"S4W-28688","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-25T16:48:23.72","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-25T15:05:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what it is doing to address the proportion of death by suicide in very remote small towns.","AnswerText":"NHS Health Scotland published evidence-informed guidance National guide on suicide prevention in rural areas in 2013 to assist local rural and remote areas in mapping existing support, discussing, planning for and deciding on priorities for actions to prevent suicide. This guidance can be found at: http://www.chooselife.net/Publications/publication.aspx?id=74.","AnswerDate":"2015-12-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-12-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308388,"EventID":"S4W-28689","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-25T16:48:24.62","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-25T15:05:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to inform people who are bereaved by suicide of their rights. ","AnswerText":"Following any bereavement, bereaved people will receive advice and support from agencies including their GP, the local registrar’s office and the police, on actions which they require to take in relation to the death of their loved one. In addition, where death by suicide is concerned, helpful advice on practical issues, the grieving process and sources of support is available from the Scottish Association for Mental Health's After a Suicide booklet. After a Suicide was developed in association with – and funded by – NHS Health Scotland, who produce and distribute it free of charge.","AnswerDate":"2015-12-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-12-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308389,"EventID":"S4W-28690","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-25T16:48:25.603","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-25T15:07:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4T-01189 by Aileen Campbell on 24 November 2015 (Official Report, c. 3), what advice led to the decision to dissolve the Getting It Right for Every Child Programme Board.","AnswerText":"With the passage of the Act in February 2014, the members of the board (including Police Scotland, National Parent Forum Scotland, local authorities, the NHS, Care Inspectorate and COSLA) agreed that the board should be dissolved in September 2014. The focus of activity was on the Getting It Right for Every Child National Implementation Support Group (NISG), which sat under the programme board and provided support for implementation and operational issues. The NISG has acted as the highest oversight group for implementation.","AnswerDate":"2015-12-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-12-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen Campbell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308390,"EventID":"S4W-28691","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-25T16:48:26.063","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-25T15:08:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4T-01189 by Aileen Campbell on 24 November 2015 (Official Report, c. 3), what impact dissolving the Getting It Right for Every Child Programme Board will have on its named persons policy under the Children and Young People (Scotland) Act 2014. ","AnswerText":"There has been no impact on the implementation of the named person policy.","AnswerDate":"2015-12-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-12-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen Campbell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308391,"EventID":"S4W-28692","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-25T16:48:26.523","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-25T15:08:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4T-01189 by Aileen Campbell on 24 November 2015 (Official Report, c. 3), how much was spent in developing and operating the Getting It Right for Every Child Programme Board.","AnswerText":"The only costs incurred were administrative, as part of everyday Scottish Government expenditure on providing the support of officials to set up, organise and support meetings and in providing meeting space in government buildings.","AnswerDate":"2015-12-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-12-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen Campbell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308392,"EventID":"S4W-28693","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-25T16:48:27","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-25T15:12:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4T-01189 by Aileen Campbell on 24 November 2015 (Official Report, c. 3), what steps it took to advise the Parliament of the decision to dissolve the Getting It Right for Every Child Programme Board.","AnswerText":"Ministers were under no obligation to inform Parliament of any change to their arrangements to prepare for the implementation of this legislation.","AnswerDate":"2015-12-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-12-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen Campbell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308393,"EventID":"S4W-28694","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-25T16:48:27.48","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-25T15:14:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much public funding it has given to universities in each of the last five years toward funding projects that are being carried out at CERN.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government does not provide any direct public funding to Scottish universities to carry out projects at CERN. However the Science and Technologies Facilities Council co-ordinates and manages the UK’s involvement and subscription with CERN and provides research funds for Scottish scientists and students working on projects at CERN.","AnswerDate":"2015-12-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-12-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308394,"EventID":"S4W-28695","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5057,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-25T16:48:27.95","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-25T16:01:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-28408 by Michael Matheson on 25 November 2015, in light of its commitment to reduce carbon emissions, what its position is on the recorded increase in mileage each year and what action it is considering to address this trend.","AnswerText":"I have asked Colin McConnell, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service (SPS), to respond. His response is as follows:\r\n“The number of miles travelled in the Court Custody and Prisoner Escort Contract (CCPES) is dictated by the volume and location of prisoner movements, all of which are essential to the operation of the justice system. The escort contractor is contractually required to minimise the environmental impact, and has its own economic imperative to do so.\r\nThe contractor therefore ensures that the fleet is well maintained and operating efficiently, and uses telemetry to ensure the vehicles are driven effectively, including minimising idling, harsh braking, and over-revving.\r\nCCPES saw a 1% reduction in carbon emissions in 2014-5 despite a 1.5% increase in miles travelled.\r\nLonger term, work is underway to maximise the use of video links between prisons and courts to reduce the number of journeys being undertaken. SPS has invested heavily in equipping all prisons with technology to conduct video links with the courts and legal agents. Nine prisons are operational, with the remaining prisons planned to go operational to coincide with the operational roll out plans of criminal justice partners in early 2016.”","AnswerDate":"2015-12-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-12-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308395,"EventID":"S4W-28696","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-25T16:48:28.39","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-25T16:02:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with Scottish Natural Heritage regarding its review of protected areas.","AnswerText":"Scottish Government officials have discussed the Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) review of protected areas during regular liaison meetings as part of established sponsorship arrangements. Information about the SNH review is available on the SNH website at: www.snh.gov.uk/protecting-scotlands-nature/protected-areas/notices/protected-areas-review/","AnswerDate":"2015-12-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-12-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen McLeod","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308396,"EventID":"S4W-28697","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-25T16:48:29.52","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-25T16:02:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what budget it has provided to Scottish Natural Heritage in each of the last five years.","AnswerText":"Details of Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) budgets for the last five years, as published in SNH annual reports and accounts, is provided below. These figures take account of in-year budget adjustments:\r\n£ million\r\n2010-11 66.7\r\n2011-12 59.6\r\n2012-13 55.6\r\n2013-14 54.1\r\n2014-15 55.9\r\nThe budget allocated to SNH at the start of 2015-16 was £53.1 million. This figure does not take account of in-year budget adjustments.","AnswerDate":"2015-12-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-12-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen McLeod","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308397,"EventID":"S4W-28698","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-25T16:48:30.54","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-25T16:02:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what (a) role and (b) duties Scottish Natural Heritage has in relation to protected areas.","AnswerText":"Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) acts as an advisor and statutory consultee on a wide range of issues, including protected areas. Full details of SNH statutory functions are set out in the Natural Heritage (Scotland) Act 1991 and further information on the SNH role, including in relation to protected areas, can be found in the SNH Corporate Plan 2015-18, available at: http://www.snh.org.uk/pdfs/publications/corporate/Corporate%20Plan%202015-18.pdf.","AnswerDate":"2015-12-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-12-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen McLeod","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308398,"EventID":"S4W-28699","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-25T16:48:31.56","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-25T16:02:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to ensure that protected areas continue to be adequately funded and resourced.","AnswerText":"Details of the Scottish Government’s spending plans will be available when its draft budget is published in December 2015. Scottish Natural Heritage will continue to be responsible for managing its annually allocated budget, in line with priorities agreed with Scottish Ministers.","AnswerDate":"2015-12-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-12-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen McLeod","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308399,"EventID":"S4W-28700","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5057,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-25T16:48:32.52","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-25T16:07:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many court cases have been adjourned (a) as a result of lack of court time and (b) ex proprio motu (on the court's own initiative) in each year since 2011.","AnswerText":"This question relates to operational matters that are the responsibility of the Scottish Courts and Tribunal Service (SCTS) corporate body. The question has been passed to the Chief Executive of the SCTS who will reply in writing within 20 days.","AnswerDate":"2015-12-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-12-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308400,"EventID":"S4W-28701","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5057,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-25T16:48:33.01","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-25T16:08:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether the Scottish Courts Service rewards staff who deliver on targets and, if so, (a) which targets and (b) what rewards.","AnswerText":"This question relates to operational matters that are the responsibility of the Scottish Courts and Tribunal Service (SCTS) corporate body. The question has been passed to the Chief Executive of the SCTS who will reply in writing within 20 days.","AnswerDate":"2015-12-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-12-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308417,"EventID":"S4W-28668","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1759,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-26T13:48:17.79","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-25T09:43:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to its consultation proposals of 29 September 2015, Conservation Limits, what assessment it made of the haaf-netting method in the Solway Estuary when determining whether to introduce a catch and release policy in that area.","AnswerText":"Discussions have taken place with the Annan Royal Burgh Fishermen’s Association and other interested parties to explain that a consistent approach was taken to all capture methods, including haaf-netting. We have listened to all the concerns expressed and will take these into consideration as we finalise the way forward.","AnswerDate":"2015-12-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-12-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen McLeod","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308418,"EventID":"S4W-28669","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1759,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-26T13:48:18.803","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-25T09:44:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it (a) has carried out or (b) plans on the possible impact of the west coast aquaculture industry on the number of wild salmon in the Solway Estuary and associated rivers.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is supporting a number of significant research projects on the impacts of aquaculture on wild salmon in Scotland. These include:\r\nWorking with Scotland’s salmon farming industry and representatives of the wild salmon sector on a strategic programme of research that includes a study to explore any impacts of sea lice from fish farming in Scotland; funding research to develop shelf and sea lice dispersal modelling.\r\nMatch funding, with the aquaculture industry, up to £22 million to establish the Scottish Aquaculture Innovation Centre to help the sector enhance its environmental performance and growth potential through the application of high quality research, with sea lice a priority.\r\nWorking closely with the Scottish aquaculture industry on changes to the industry’s management guidance to deliver enhanced use of cleaner fish as a biological solution to sea lice management, investigating and trialling novel techniques for sea lice control, improvements in husbandry more generally and exploring opportunities to make spatial planning for aquaculture more effective.","AnswerDate":"2015-12-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-12-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen McLeod","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308419,"EventID":"S4W-28670","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1759,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-26T13:48:19.597","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-25T09:44:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to its consultation proposals of 29 September 2015, Conservation Limits, how it has ensured that, when determining whether to introduce a catch and release policy, an accurate estimate has been made of the levels of stock in the rivers where there are no fish counters.","AnswerText":"As I explained in my answer to S4W-28666 on 10 December 2015, a detailed explanation of the methodology deployed to determine conservation status and the application of conservation limits is available on the Scottish Government website http://www.gov.scot/Resource/0048/00486109.pdf. Where no counters are available estimates of the stock are made using reported rod catches. Catch and release is a product of a grade three conservation status.\r\nAll answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.","AnswerDate":"2015-12-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-12-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen McLeod","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308420,"EventID":"S4W-28671","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1759,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-26T13:48:20.223","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-25T09:50:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to its consultation proposals of 29 September 2015, Conservation Limits, when determining whether to introduce a catch and release policy in an area, which rivers were (a) assessed and (b) not assessed by fish counters to estimate stocks.","AnswerText":"Counter data was available from the North Esk, Beauly, Awe and Kirkcudbrightshire Dee. Where no counters are available estimates of the stock are made using reported rod catches and a more detailed explanation of the methodology deployed to determine conservation status and the application of conservation limits is available on the Scottish Government\r\nwebsite: http://www.gov.scot/Resource/0048/00486109.pdf.","AnswerDate":"2015-12-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-12-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen McLeod","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308421,"EventID":"S4W-28674","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-26T13:48:20.8","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-25T10:17:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what financial support it has provided for the restoration and preservation of Dumbarton Castle in each of the last seven years.","AnswerText":"Dumbarton Castle is a property in the care of the Scottish Ministers (PiC). The conservation, operation and management of the PiCs is now delegated to Historic Environment Scotland following its assumption of the functions of Historic Scotland and The Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Scotland on 1 October 2015.\r\nThe Chief Executive of Historic Environment Scotland has informed me that total financial support for restoration and preservation of Dumbarton Castle in each of the last seven years is as follows:\r\n2008-09\r\n£101,225\r\n2009-10\r\n£135,153\r\n2010-11\r\n£192,636\r\n2011-12\r\n£233,680\r\n2012-13\r\n£201,980\r\n2013-14\r\n£257,797\r\n2014-15\r\n£360,518\r\nTotal\r\n£1,482,989\r\nThe financial support is split between the annual direct running costs of the dedicated masonry conservation unit based at Dumbarton; the annual on-going conservation and maintenance costs; and project costs for specific elements of work within the castle. This includes external masonry repairs to the Guardhouse; roof repairs to the Governor’s House; structural stabilisation of the French prison; consolidation of the west face of the King George Battery; rock scaling works; and handrail and drainage improvements.","AnswerDate":"2015-12-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-12-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fiona Hyslop","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308422,"EventID":"S4W-28675","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-26T13:48:22.233","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-25T10:17:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what progress is being made with the repairs to Dumbarton Castle and when it expects the scaffolding to be removed.","AnswerText":"Dumbarton Castle is a property in the care of the Scottish Ministers (PiC). The conservation, operation and management of the PiCs is now delegated to Historic Environment Scotland following its assumption of the functions of Historic Scotland and The Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Scotland on 1 October 2015.\r\nThe Chief Executive of Historic Environment Scotland has informed me that good progress is being made with the current works to conserve the exterior of the Governor’s House and masonry works to the external elevations are on programme.\r\nThe scaffold will be removed in sections as the works are completed. It is estimated that this will be between December 2015 and December 2016.","AnswerDate":"2015-12-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-12-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fiona Hyslop","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308423,"EventID":"S4W-28676","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-26T13:48:23.437","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-25T10:17:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what future investment it has planned for Dumbarton Castle.","AnswerText":"Scottish Ministers have responsibility for the management and conservation of a number of historic properties, including Dumbarton Castle. The functions relating to the care, conservation and management of the properties in care and collections associated with them have been delegated to Historic Environment Scotland (HES) under Sections 3 and 8 of the Historic Environment Scotland Act 2014 in two schemes of delegation.\r\nTo support the implementation of the schemes, HES will develop and publish a range of principles, policies and standards that will govern what they do. HES have developed a condition monitoring system for the properties in care and established a baseline condition report, which is available on its website. These will inform plans for strategic investment across the properties in care through the asset management plan, which is being developed and is due to be published in 2016.\r\nThe Chief Executive of HES has informed me that plans to invest in Dumbarton Castle over the next five years are being developed. All spending is subject to a variety of factors including income generated by tourism and the outcome of the spending review, which will be published on 16 December 2015.","AnswerDate":"2015-12-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-12-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fiona Hyslop","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308424,"EventID":"S4W-28702","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-26T13:48:24.653","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-26T07:31:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will ensure that all student (a) nurses, (b) midwives and (c) allied health professionals who are undertaking clinical placements are offered the influenza vaccination.","AnswerText":"Student nurses, midwives and allied health professionals who may be exposed to the flu during placements within NHS boards should receive the flu vaccination in line with all other NHS healthcare workers.\r\nA joint letter is issued each year from the Chief Medical Officer and Chief Nursing Officer to the NHS setting out the arrangements for flu season. This highlights the importance of the flu vaccination being offered by employers for staff or other individuals who may be at risk of occupational exposure.","AnswerDate":"2015-12-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-12-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308425,"EventID":"S4W-28703","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5057,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-26T13:48:25.557","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-26T10:51:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the visiting times are at (a) HMP and YOI Cornton Vale, (b) HMP Edinburgh, (c) HMP Grampian, (d) HMP Greenock and (e) HMP Inverness.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has asked Colin McConnell, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service (SPS), to respond. His response is as follows:\r\n“The visiting times for each establishment are available on the SPS website. The links to each establishment are as follows:\r\nHMP/YOI Cornton Vale\r\nhttp://www.sps.gov.uk/Corporate/Prisons/CorntonVale/HMP-YOI-Cornton-Vale.aspx\r\nHMP Edinburgh\r\nhttp://www.sps.gov.uk/Corporate/Prisons/Edinburgh/HMP-Edinburgh.aspx\r\nHMP Grampian\r\nhttp://www.sps.gov.uk/Corporate/Prisons/Grampian/HMP-YOI-Grampian.aspx\r\nHMP Greenock\r\nhttp://www.sps.gov.uk/Corporate/Prisons/Greenock/HMP-Greenock.aspx\r\nHMP Inverness\r\nhttp://www.sps.gov.uk/Corporate/Prisons/Inverness/HMP-Inverness.aspx.”","AnswerDate":"2015-12-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-12-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308426,"EventID":"S4W-28704","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5057,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-26T13:48:26.227","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-26T10:51:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many female prisoners are held in prisons that are not in the same local authority as their last place of residence.","AnswerText":"I have asked Colin McConnell, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service, to respond. His response is as follows:\r\n“The following table breaks down female prisoners by local authority area and establishment as at 27November 2015. There are no female prisoners currently located in HMP Inverness”:\r\nCommunity Justice Authority\r\n\r\nCornton Vale\r\nEdinburgh\r\nGrampian\r\nGreenock\r\nAll\r\nFife and Forth Valley\r\nClackmannanshire\r\n3\r\n1\r\n0\r\n0\r\n4\r\n\r\nFalkirk\r\n9\r\n2\r\n0\r\n0\r\n11\r\n\r\nFife\r\n15\r\n18\r\n0\r\n0\r\n33\r\n\r\nStirling\r\n2\r\n2\r\n0\r\n0\r\n4\r\nGlasgow\r\nGlasgow City\r\n46\r\n2\r\n1\r\n12\r\n61\r\nLanarkshire\r\nNorth Lanarkshire\r\n5\r\n5\r\n0\r\n1\r\n11\r\n\r\nSouth Lanarkshire\r\n16\r\n3\r\n0\r\n1\r\n20\r\nLothian and Borders\r\nCity of Edinburgh\r\n15\r\n13\r\n0\r\n0\r\n28\r\n\r\nEast Lothian\r\n1\r\n3\r\n0\r\n0\r\n4\r\n\r\nMidlothian\r\n2\r\n1\r\n0\r\n0\r\n3\r\n\r\nScottish Borders\r\n0\r\n2\r\n0\r\n0\r\n2\r\n\r\nWest Lothian\r\n3\r\n6\r\n0\r\n0\r\n9\r\nNorthern\r\nAberdeen City\r\n0\r\n1\r\n20\r\n0\r\n21\r\n\r\nAberdeenshire\r\n2\r\n0\r\n8\r\n0\r\n10\r\n\r\nHighland\r\n3\r\n1\r\n9\r\n0\r\n13\r\n\r\nMoray\r\n0\r\n0\r\n4\r\n0\r\n4\r\n\r\nShetland Islands\r\n1\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n1\r\nNorth Strathclyde\r\nArgyll and Bute\r\n3\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n3\r\n\r\nEast Dunbartonshire\r\n1\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n1\r\n\r\nEast Renfrewshire\r\n1\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n1\r\n\r\nInverclyde\r\n4\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n4\r\n\r\nRenfrewshire\r\n10\r\n2\r\n0\r\n2\r\n14\r\n\r\nWest Dunbartonshire\r\n5\r\n0\r\n0\r\n2\r\n7\r\nSouth West Scotland\r\nDumfries and Galloway\r\n7\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n7\r\n\r\nEast Ayrshire\r\n11\r\n0\r\n0\r\n1\r\n12\r\n\r\nNorth Ayrshire\r\n11\r\n0\r\n0\r\n4\r\n15\r\n\r\nSouth Ayrshire\r\n11\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n11\r\nTayside\r\nAngus\r\n1\r\n2\r\n0\r\n0\r\n3\r\n\r\nDundee City\r\n8\r\n22\r\n1\r\n1\r\n32\r\n\r\nPerth and Kinross\r\n1\r\n5\r\n0\r\n0\r\n6\r\nOutwith Scotland\r\n\r\n3\r\n2\r\n8\r\n0\r\n13\r\nNo Fixed Abode\r\n\r\n26\r\n5\r\n2\r\n4\r\n37\r\nUnidentifiable Address\r\n\r\n5\r\n4\r\n0\r\n0\r\n9\r\nAll\r\n\r\n231\r\n102\r\n53\r\n28\r\n414\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-12-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-12-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308427,"EventID":"S4W-28705","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5057,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-26T13:48:26.853","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-26T10:51:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many female prisoners at (a) HMP and YOI Cornton Vale, (b) HMP Edinburgh, (c) HMP Grampian, (d) HMP Greenock and (e) HMP Inverness have a dependent child or children.","AnswerText":"I have asked Colin McConnell, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service, to respond. His response is as follows:\r\n“The Scottish Prison Service does not currently hold this information.”","AnswerDate":"2015-12-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-12-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308428,"EventID":"S4W-28706","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-26T13:48:27.46","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-26T10:54:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the children and adolescent mental health inpatient bed occupancy rate has been at the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital Glasgow.","AnswerText":"The following table shows the percentage bed occupancy for Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services in the Royal Hospital for Sick Children (which is based in the grounds of the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital) in Glasgow in each month from January to June 2015 (latest published data):\r\n\r\nJanuary 2015\r\nFebruary 2015\r\nMarch 2015\r\nApril 2015\r\nMay 2015\r\nJune 2015\r\nRoyal Hospital for Sick Children (under 12's)\r\n73.84\r\n74.55\r\n91.40\r\n96.05\r\n99.19\r\n86.67\r\nPrior to April 2015 the Royal Hospital for Sick Children was based within the grounds of Stobhill Hospital.","AnswerDate":"2015-12-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-12-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308429,"EventID":"S4W-28707","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-26T13:48:28.973","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-26T10:54:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many children and adolescent mental health inpatient beds there have been in each NHS board in each year since 2007.","AnswerText":"Child and adolescent inpatient beds:\r\nNHS board\r\nFinancial year ending 31 March\r\n\r\n2007\r\n2008\r\n2009\r\n2010\r\n2011\r\n2012\r\n2013\r\n2014\r\n2015\r\nNHS Scotland\r\n43\r\n43\r\n51\r\n51\r\n51\r\n51\r\n51\r\n51\r\n54\r\nBeds are not broken down by boards but by region. These are:\r\nUnder 12s – National for Scotland – Queen Elizabeth University Hospital Glasgow\r\nOver 12s – West of Scotland – Stobhill Hospital\r\nSouth East Scotland – Royal Edinburgh Hospital\r\nNorth of Scotland – Dudhope House","AnswerDate":"2015-12-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-12-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308430,"EventID":"S4W-28666","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1759,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-26T13:48:04.507","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-25T09:42:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to its consultation proposals of 29 September 2015, Conservation Limits , how it has (a) ensured that the assessment methods used when determining whether to introduce a catch and release policy takes account of the needs of each district and (b) assessed the catch and release categories in relation to individual estuaries.","AnswerText":"The decision on whether to introduce mandatory catch and release was based on the conservation status of the salmon stocks in each district. The status of the district was applied to the rivers and defined estuarine limits within the district. A more detailed explanation of the methodology deployed to determine conservation status and the application of conservation limits is available on the Scottish Government website: http://www.gov.scot/Resource/0048/00486109.pdf.","AnswerDate":"2015-12-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-12-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen McLeod","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308431,"EventID":"S4W-28708","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":2,"MSPID":1814,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":77,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-26T15:23:21.58","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-26T14:34:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it will publish the findings of its National Review of Primary Care Out-of-Hours Services.","AnswerText":"I am pleased to announce that the report will be published later this morning (30 November 2015). I’d like to thank Professor Ritchie for this comprehensive, wide ranging review. His recommendations set out a vision for a clinician-led model delivered by a multi-disciplinary team that understands its patients, that is focused on improving outcomes for patients, and that values and supports the dedication and the contribution of all of those who work in this vital service. This fits entirely with the strategy set out in our 20:20 vision for transforming primary care and developing new models and new ways of delivering urgent care in the community. The Scottish Government welcomes the recommendations in the report. We will be inviting delivery partners to provide us with their views on how we take this forward by 30 January 2015. This feedback will inform a full government response, due to be published in early 2016.","AnswerDate":"2015-11-30T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-12-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308444,"EventID":"S4T-01191","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":9,"MSPID":5057,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-30T12:46:58.703","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-30T10:43:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what steps it will take in response to the recent report on Police Scotland by the Interception of Communications Commissioner’s Office.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-12-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":"2015-12-01T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308445,"EventID":"S4T-01197","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":9,"MSPID":5034,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-30T12:47:03.087","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-30T11:44:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to the report by the Independent Review of Primary Care Out-of-Hours Services, Pulling together: transforming urgent care for the people of Scotland. ","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-12-01T00:00:00","MeetingDate":"2015-12-01T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308446,"EventID":"S4F-03092","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":4976,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-30T11:51:13.437","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-30T08:45:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister when she will next meet the Secretary of State for Scotland.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-12-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":"2015-12-03T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308447,"EventID":"S4F-03096","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":2853,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":81,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-30T12:46:11.427","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-30T10:08:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister whether the Scottish Government has requested an extension of the 45-day consultation period for the Tata Steel plants at Dalzell and Clydebridge.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-12-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":"2015-12-03T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308448,"EventID":"S4F-03097","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":3812,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-30T12:46:12.05","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-30T10:09:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister what engagements she has planned for the rest of the day. ","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-12-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":"2015-12-03T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308449,"EventID":"S4F-03099","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":2675,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":93,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-30T12:46:13.19","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-30T10:34:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister what part Scotland can play in the international mitigation of climate change.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-12-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":"2015-12-03T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308450,"EventID":"S4F-03105","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":3743,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":123,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-30T12:46:18.727","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-30T11:28:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister what the impact on Scotland will be of the recent defence review.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-12-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":"2015-12-03T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308451,"EventID":"S4F-03107","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":2394,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-30T12:46:19.93","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-30T11:45:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister what the Scottish Government is doing to reduce healthcare inequalities.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-12-03T00:00:00","MeetingDate":"2015-12-03T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308452,"EventID":"S4W-28713","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1866,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-30T14:08:19.137","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-26T16:56:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many (a) college courses and (b) apprenticeship places specialise in training for the (i) energy efficiency and (ii) low-carbon sector.","AnswerText":"Data on the number of college courses specialising in training for the (i) energy efficiency and (ii) low-carbon sector is not held centrally. The Scottish Funding Council is responsible for collecting data on college students and courses in Scotland. I will ask the Chief Executive of the Scottish Funding Council to write to you with the information you have requested.\r\n\r\nThe main energy efficiency and low carbon Modern Apprenticeship (MA) frameworks are wind turbine, gas and energy efficiency. Please see the table below for the figures for 2015-16 quarter two for these frameworks. \r\nEnergy Efficiency and Low Carbon Sector Frameworks Quarter Two (1 April to 21September 2015) \r\nFrameworks\r\nStarts\r\nIn Training\r\nCompletion\r\nGas Heating and Energy Efficiency\r\n16\r\n16 \r\n0\r\nWind Turbine Tech\r\n2\r\n35\r\n2\r\nWhile the above are the main low carbon and energy efficiency specific frameworks, some individuals on other MA frameworks, such as construction or plumbing may then go on to take industry/vendor specific courses that allow them to specialise in low carbon or energy efficiency units. For example, a fully qualified roofer might then go on to be trained to install solar panels. However, as these are delivered outside MA frameworks, Skills Development Scotland does not track who has completed these units, and as such cannot provide figures for this.","AnswerDate":"2015-12-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-12-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Annabelle Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308453,"EventID":"S4W-28714","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1866,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-30T14:08:19.963","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-27T09:16:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will publish the (a) schedule, (b) agendas, (c) list of spokespeople in attendance and (d) recorded attendance of stakeholder workshop meetings to facilitate consultation on the public health impact assessment in respect of the moratorium on unconventional gas extraction and fracking.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government does not hold this information.\r\nThe public health impact assessment on unconventional oil and gas extraction is an independent piece of work being delivered by Health Protection Scotland. Health Protection Scotland has published information about the stakeholder workshops on its website, which is accessible at: \r\nhttp://www.hps.scot.nhs.uk/enviro/unconventionalgas.aspx?subjectid=49.","AnswerDate":"2015-12-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-12-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308454,"EventID":"S4W-28715","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1866,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-30T14:08:20.713","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-27T09:16:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what (a) funding and (b) staffing has been allocated to conducting the public health impact assessment in respect of the moratorium on unconventional gas extraction and fracking.","AnswerText":"The public health impact assessment on unconventional oil and gas extraction is an independent piece of work being delivered by Health Protection Scotland. Full details of the funding which will be provided have not yet been finalised, but will cover the additional costs incurred by Health Protection Scotland in the course of this work.\r\nThe Health Protection Scotland environmental public health team, who are experienced in providing advice on a wide range of environmental risks to health, are leading this work. A full time dedicated scientific researcher has been employed to support it. A range of other organisations are also providing support, including NHS Health Scotland, the Scottish Health and Inequalities Impact Assessment Network, and the Scottish Public Health Network. Technical advice is also being provided by the Scottish Environment Protection Agency, the British Geological Survey, the Health and Safety Executive, local authority planning officers and local authority environmental health officers.","AnswerDate":"2015-12-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-12-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308455,"EventID":"S4W-28716","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3806,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-30T14:08:21.477","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-27T11:36:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether the tendering process for the Clyde and Hebrides ferry services been delayed.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to your question S4W-28139 on 5 November 2015. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.","AnswerDate":"2015-12-04T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-12-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308456,"EventID":"S4W-28722","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2108,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":141,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-30T14:08:22.18","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-30T09:09:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many school pupils have been recorded as having English as an additional language (EAL) in each of the last five years, and how many staff have been trained in teaching EAL pupils.","AnswerText":"The number of pupils who have been recorded as having English as an additional language (EAL) in each of the last five years is shown in the following table. The level of English language competence for these pupils ranges from ‘New to English’ to ‘Competent’, and therefore pupils would have differing levels of need for support.\r\nNumber of pupils recorded with EAL:\r\nYear\r\nNumber\r\n2015\r\n35,440\r\n2014\r\n32,509\r\n2013\r\n29,532\r\n2012\r\n26,131\r\n2011\r\n24,555\r\nSource: Summary Statistics for Schools in Scotland\r\nThe number of staff who have been trained in teaching EAL pupils is a matter for education authorities and not held centrally.","AnswerDate":"2015-12-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-12-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alasdair Allan","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308457,"EventID":"S4W-28724","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2108,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":141,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-30T14:08:22.99","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-30T09:09:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the needs of pupils for whom English is an additional language and whether these are being met.","AnswerText":"It is for education authorities to assess the needs of pupils for whom English is an additional language. The Additional Support for Learning Act 2004 (as amended) requires education authorities to identify, meet and keep under review the additional support needs of pupils for whose education they are responsible and to tailor provision according to their individual needs. English as an additional language has been identified as a potential additional support need specifically within the Act's Code of Practice.","AnswerDate":"2015-12-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-12-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alasdair Allan","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308458,"EventID":"S4W-28735","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-30T14:08:23.77","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-30T11:26:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to reports that the number of adverse events recorded by NHS boards has risen by 80% since 2007.","AnswerText":"The provision of safe care is a key priority of both the Scottish Government and NHSScotland. It is very common for large organisations such as NHSScotland, who prioritise patient safety, to report an increase in the number of adverse events being reported, which is desirable and expected where an emphasis on learning and improvement is being recognised.\r\nThe number of adverse events classified as avoidable have been shown in research to decrease when there is increased reporting of adverse events more generally.","AnswerDate":"2015-12-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-12-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308481,"EventID":"S4W-28660","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-30T17:02:02.387","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-24T19:56:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many (a) unoccupied wheelchair-accessible properties there are and (b) people are on a waiting list for wheelchair-accessible property in each local authority area.","AnswerText":"The information is not held by the Scottish Government.","AnswerDate":"2015-12-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-12-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Burgess","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308482,"EventID":"S4W-28661","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-30T17:02:03.557","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-24T19:56:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide additional financial support to people with muscle-wasting conditions to pay for home adaptations to meet their accessibility requirements.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government provides a range of support for individuals who need home adaptations. Direct financial support is provided through Registered Social Landlords (RSLs), the Help to Adapt pilot and self-directed support:\r\nDuring the current financial year £10 million is available to RSLs to carry out housing adaptations that will help their tenants live safely and independently at home. \r\nThe Help to Adapt pilot is a Scottish Government scheme designed for homeowners over 60 who need an adaptation now or in the near future. They can apply for a loan of up to £30,000 by using the equity in their home. All the paperwork and adaptations will be organised for them by the Link Group who are the appointed managing agents for the pilot. The scheme is not intended to replace the Scheme of Assistance.\r\nUnder self-directed support, an individual’s personal support budget can be used for adaptations in certain circumstances.\r\nIn addition, the Scottish Government general funding to local authorities supports them in providing funding through their Schemes of Assistance. Local authorities must provide assistance by way of grant for most work to adapt homes to meet the needs of disabled people, other than for home extensions. In 2014-15, 6,487 Scheme of Assistance grants totalling £22.3 million were paid to householders for disabled adaptations.\r\nThe Scottish Government is also supporting other initiatives to improve the provision of adaptations:\r\nAdapting for Change - in 2012 the independent Adaptations Working Group recommended fundamental changes to the existing tenure based systems for adaptations. We are taking forward the group’s recommendations for a more personalised and tenure neutral approach. To test the viability of this approach, and as recommended by the working group is underway in five demonstration sites: Aberdeen; Scottish Borders; Falkirk; Fife and Lochaber. The test sites will continue until the end of 2016-17 when they will be evaluated and the evidence used to inform consultation with stakeholders and thereafter to shape new guidance. \r\nHome2Fit is a database developed by the Glasgow Centre for Inclusive Living with funding from the Scottish Government, this national register of accessible housing helps disabled people to more easily find suitably adapted and accessible housing.\r\nThe Scottish Government provides funding support to Care and Repair Scotland and Housing Options Scotland, organisations that work to help older and disabled people meet their housing needs.","AnswerDate":"2015-12-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-12-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Burgess","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308483,"EventID":"S4W-28662","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-30T17:02:04.477","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-24T19:56:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much funding it has provided to each (a) local authority and (b) housing association in each local authority area to pay for home adaptations to meet the accessibility requirements of disabled people in each year since 2007-08.","AnswerText":"a) Local authorities fund adaptations to their own stock from the Housing Revenue Account. Funding for adaptations to owner occupied and private rented properties is part of the block grant made available to local authorities by the Scottish Government.\r\nb) The Scottish Government does not collect the information on adaptations funding provided to each housing association (Registered Social Landlord (RSL)) by local authority area.\r\nTable 1 provides details of adaptations funding provided to each RSL for the period 2007-08 to 2010-11:\r\nTable 2 provides funding to each RSL from the period 2011-12 until 2014-15: \r\nTable 1: Stage 3 Adaptations programme – spend by RSL: 2007-08 – 2010-11\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nRegistered Social Landlord\r\n2007-08 (£)\r\n2008-09 (£)\r\n2009-10 (£)\r\n2010-11 (£)\r\nAbbeyfield Black Isle Society\r\n2,130\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\nAbbeyfield Inverness Society\r\n2,536\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\nAbbeyfield Kyles of Bute Society \r\n15,428\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\nAbbeyfield Rutherglen Society\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n113,325\r\nAbbeyfield Scotland\r\n0\r\n0\r\n59,340\r\n103,664\r\nAberdeenshire Housing Partnership\r\n5,118\r\n37,497\r\n19,499\r\n23,279\r\nAbertay Housing Association\r\n105,379\r\n184,772\r\n94,991\r\n237,206\r\nAbronhill Housing Association\r\n29,918\r\n8,915\r\n18,105\r\n15,225\r\nAlbyn Housing Society\r\n158,080\r\n86,128\r\n96,393\r\n101,335\r\nAlmond Housing Association\r\n121,637\r\n109,926\r\n117,691\r\n211,342\r\nAngus Housing Association\r\n117,356\r\n128,486\r\n102,649\r\n76,371\r\nAntonine Housing Co-Operative\r\n13,509\r\n33,361\r\n37,533\r\n14,493\r\nArdenglen Housing Association\r\n30,931\r\n28,937\r\n39,707\r\n21,331\r\nArgyll Community Housing Association\r\n237,100\r\n218,927\r\n321,000\r\n200,000\r\nArk Housing Association\r\n44,553\r\n57,265\r\n54,099\r\n30,500\r\nArklet Housing Association\r\n58,805\r\n13,361\r\n24,715\r\n28,873\r\nAtrium Homes\r\n55,873\r\n43,703\r\n55,311\r\n75,418\r\nAyrshire Housing\r\n117,936\r\n69,288\r\n14,977\r\n144,868\r\nAyrshire North Community Housing\r\n27,831\r\n20,055\r\n0\r\n13,335\r\nBarony Housing Association\r\n16,632\r\n18,047\r\n5,245\r\n31,784\r\nBarrhead Housing Association\r\n103,776\r\n33,000\r\n32,565\r\n28,273\r\nBellsmyre Housing Association\r\n54,762\r\n46,003\r\n27,612\r\n26,461\r\nBerwickshire Housing Association\r\n128,887\r\n129,382\r\n102,305\r\n61,725\r\nBield Housing Association\r\n753,104\r\n599,537\r\n575,186\r\n471,909\r\nBlairtummock Housing Association\r\n31,130\r\n14,353\r\n17,244\r\n10,240\r\nBlochairn Housing Co-Operative\r\n14,161\r\n9,079\r\n9,757\r\n10,087\r\nBowerswell Memorial Homes\r\n0\r\n0\r\n9,290\r\n0\r\nBridgewater Housing Association\r\n20,487\r\n59,000\r\n50,001\r\n34,000\r\nBroomhouse Housing Association (1986)\r\n596\r\n21,160\r\n4,770\r\n0\r\nBuidheann Tigheadas Loch Aillse\r\n66,245\r\n46,267\r\n55,183\r\n34,602\r\nCadder Housing Association\r\n0\r\n45,753\r\n1,335\r\n30,419\r\nCairn Housing Association\r\n244,813\r\n291,254\r\n306,863\r\n214,223\r\nCalvay Co-Operative\r\n18,644\r\n12,116\r\n25,705\r\n10,890\r\nCassiltoun Housing Association\r\n15,542\r\n37,530\r\n37,774\r\n22,450\r\nCastle Rock Edinvar Housing Association\r\n294,114\r\n250,575\r\n269,905\r\n281,335\r\nCastlehill Housing Association\r\n96,355\r\n109,408\r\n88,506\r\n74,397\r\nCathcart and District Housing Association\r\n7,370\r\n10,881\r\n11,321\r\n7,783\r\nCernach Housing Association\r\n10,747\r\n19,062\r\n19,349\r\n29,977\r\nCharing Cross Housing Association\r\n15,472\r\n24,658\r\n14,962\r\n24,932\r\nCloch Housing Association\r\n83,961\r\n41,000\r\n75,511\r\n42,000\r\nClyde Valley Housing Association\r\n124,998\r\n168,348\r\n88,710\r\n77,524\r\nClydebank Housing Association\r\n49,116\r\n40,117\r\n72,526\r\n40,343\r\nClydesdale Housing Association\r\n84,991\r\n36,000\r\n70,540\r\n41,797\r\nCopperworks Housing Co-Operative\r\n13,834\r\n7,088\r\n13,145\r\n0\r\nCordale Housing Association\r\n23,894\r\n31,587\r\n16,089\r\n15,878\r\nCraigdale Housing Association\r\n5,036\r\n3,087\r\n12,393\r\n4,661\r\nCube Housing Association\r\n152,983\r\n257,404\r\n153,826\r\n79,024\r\nCumbernauld Housing Partnership\r\n60,318\r\n45,000\r\n30,000\r\n0\r\nCunninghame Housing Association\r\n93,902\r\n52,817\r\n89,916\r\n68,069\r\nDalmuir Park Housing Association\r\n32,630\r\n9,236\r\n18,391\r\n12,610\r\nDrumchapel Housing Co-Operative\r\n39,660\r\n37,497\r\n19,233\r\n33,644\r\nDumfries and Galloway Housing Partnership\r\n662,809\r\n447,658\r\n450,504\r\n376,026\r\nDunbritton Housing Association\r\n34,239\r\n2","AnswerDate":"2015-12-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-12-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Burgess","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308484,"EventID":"S4W-28709","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2674,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":99,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-30T17:02:05.473","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-26T16:20:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether provision can be made in the proposed Islands Bill to establish Skye, Lochalsh and Lochaber as a local authority in its own right.","AnswerText":"As indicated when I met the member on 5 November 2015, the Scottish Government has no current plans to restructure local government in Scotland. Instead, we are working with local government to look at ways to improve performance and efficiency. We are also seeking to build on the ethos of the Community Empowerment (Scotland) Act to ensure increased community empowerment and local decision making.","AnswerDate":"2015-12-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-12-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Marco Biagi","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308485,"EventID":"S4W-28710","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2674,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":99,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-30T17:02:05.96","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-26T16:20:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, in light of (a) its distance from the headquarters of Highland Council, (b) the area having similar issues in relation to remoteness as Orkney, Shetland and Na h-Eileanan an lar, (c) its Gaelic culture and (d) its reliance on ferry services, what its position is on Skye, Lochalsh and Lochaber being established as a local authority in its own right.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-28709 on 9 December 2015. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx","AnswerDate":"2015-12-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-12-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Marco Biagi","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308486,"EventID":"S4W-28717","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2117,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-30T17:02:06.41","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-27T16:47:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what options are being considered for the future IT provision at NHS 24, and when the final decision will be made.","AnswerText":"NHS24 is carrying out an internal review and will be looking to reintroduce the system as soon as it is safe to do so. I have asked for a report by the end of 2015.\r\nNHS 24 is a nurse-led service and I have asked Chief Nursing Officer Fiona McQueen to provide work alongside NHS 24 to provide reassurance around future implementation plans.","AnswerDate":"2015-12-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-12-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308487,"EventID":"S4W-28718","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2117,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-30T17:02:06.94","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-27T16:47:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much has been spent on the procurement of the new IT system for NHS 24, including the cost of commissioning consultants.","AnswerText":"The original business case cost the programme for replacement of the new system at £75.8 million. This has subsequently been revised and is now forecasted to cost £117.4 million.","AnswerDate":"2015-12-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-12-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308488,"EventID":"S4W-28719","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2117,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-30T17:02:07.487","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-27T16:47:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether the new IT system for NHS 24 was fully tested before it went live in October 2015 and, if so, (a) when and (b) with what results.","AnswerText":"Yes, a robust testing programme was completed in advance of the recent system implementation. The NHS 24 review of that implementation will include a review of the testing programme, which will be included in the report due to be provided by NHS 24 to Scottish Government at the end of December 2015.","AnswerDate":"2015-12-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-12-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308489,"EventID":"S4W-28720","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2117,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-30T17:02:08.05","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-27T16:47:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether the option of upgrading the previous IT system at NHS 24 was costed and, if so, what it would have cost.","AnswerText":"There was no upgrade option available for the previous system. The current NHS 24 patient contact management system has been in use since the establishment of NHS 24 over 10 years ago.","AnswerDate":"2015-12-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-12-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308490,"EventID":"S4W-28721","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2117,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-30T17:02:08.593","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-27T16:47:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether the previous IT system at NHS 24 has been used since the new system failed in October 2015 and, if so, whether it has worked as intended.","AnswerText":"The current patient contact management system, which has been used to provide safe and effective health care advice and information since the establishment of NHS 24 over 10 years ago, was restored for use following the decision to pause the replacement system from 7 November 2015. The original system has worked as intended thus enabling NHS 24 to continue to deliver safe and effective services for the people of Scotland.","AnswerDate":"2015-12-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-12-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308491,"EventID":"S4W-28732","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-30T17:02:09.187","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-30T09:23:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many times Police Scotland, or a predecessor force, gave authorisation for the deployment of undercover officers for the purpose of monitoring environmental, political, trade union or pressure group activists between 1999 and 2015.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has no role in authorising police covert human intelligence sources and does not collect any related statistics.","AnswerDate":"2015-12-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-12-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308492,"EventID":"S4W-28733","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-30T17:02:09.67","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-30T09:23:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what correspondence it had with Police Scotland and its predecessor forces regarding the deployment of undercover officers for the purpose of monitoring environmental, political, trade union or pressure group activists between 1999 and 2015.","AnswerText":"The deployment of police covert human intelligence sources is an operational matter for the police.","AnswerDate":"2015-12-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-12-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308493,"EventID":"S4W-28734","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-30T17:02:10.17","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-30T09:23:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government on what dates and at what times it had meetings with Police Scotland or its predecessor forces to discuss the deployment of undercover officers for the purpose of monitoring environmental, political, trade union or pressure group activists between 1999 and 2015.","AnswerText":"The deployment of police covert human intelligence sources is an operational matter for the police.","AnswerDate":"2015-12-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-12-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308494,"EventID":"S4W-28736","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2678,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-30T17:02:10.67","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-30T12:35:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what reviews of staffing levels at the Beatson West of Scotland Cancer Centre have been carried out in each year since 2010 and what the outcomes were.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government expects all NHS boards to have robust workforce planning arrangements in place, and that these are subject to regular review.\r\nNHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde has confirmed that reviews of medical staffing at the Beatson West of Scotland Cancer Centre occur on an annual basis. As a regional centre these reviews reflect the needs of all West of Scotland NHS boards. As all oncologists in the West of Scotland are employed through the Beatson Centre, this has an overall impact on the medical staff distribution and allocation of sessions.\r\nThe Beatson Centre has conducted reviews of the oncology wards primarily to consider the impact of the introduction of the Acute Oncology Assessment Unit (2012-13), increased daycase activity (2012-13) and the introduction of the four bedded High Acuity Unit (2015). In 2014, the service also undertook a focussed review of the provision of clinical nurse specialists and their input to the management of patients. A review of staffing overall was undertaken in advance of the Satellite Radiotherapy Unit opening on 30 November 2015.\r\nAs a consequence of the above reviews, NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde has confirmed that staffing at the Beatson Centre has increased from 657 whole time equivalent (WTE) in March 2010 to 726 WTE in November 2015.","AnswerDate":"2015-12-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-12-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308495,"EventID":"S4W-28737","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2678,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-30T17:02:11.107","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-30T12:36:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what reviews of admissions policy for patients requiring specialist care at the Beatson West of Scotland Cancer Centre have been carried out in each year since 2010, in particular for patients taken ill during evenings or at weekends, and what the outcomes were. ","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government expects all NHS boards to keep services under regular review to ensure that they are of the highest quality, and meet the needs of local people.\r\nNHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde has confirmed that a review of patients requiring unscheduled care admissions was undertaken in 2012 and resulted in the opening of the Acute Oncology Assessment Unit (AOAU) in 2013. This included a detailed review of patients with cancer attending emergency departments for unscheduled care requirements. The AOAU was developed and opened to address this need.\r\nThe health board has also confirmed that unscheduled care activity including telephone contact via the dedicated AOAU and national cancer helpline continues to be monitored on a regular basis. Revised consultant on-call arrangements were implemented in 2014 to take account of unscheduled admissions over the seven day period. The Beatson West of Scotland Cancer Centre has an admissions/bed management policy, updated in 2009 and reviewed bi-annually.","AnswerDate":"2015-12-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-12-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308496,"EventID":"S4W-28738","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4965,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-30T17:02:11.543","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-30T15:12:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many people it estimates have a neurological condition, broken down by condition.","AnswerText":"This information is not held centrally. Third sector organisations, such as the Neurological Alliance of Scotland, have estimated the total number of people in Scotland with neurological conditions to be approximately one million. This figure is an estimate and cannot be substantiated or verified by the Scottish Government.","AnswerDate":"2015-12-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-12-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308497,"EventID":"S4W-28739","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4965,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-30T17:02:12.057","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-30T15:12:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many people under 65 with a neurological condition it estimates are in a care home for older people.","AnswerText":"This information is not held centrally.","AnswerDate":"2015-12-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-12-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308498,"EventID":"S4W-28740","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4965,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-30T17:02:12.51","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-30T15:12:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many specialist care homes there are for people with neurological conditions and where they are located.","AnswerText":"This information is not held centrally.","AnswerDate":"2015-12-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-12-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308499,"EventID":"S4W-28741","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4965,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-30T17:02:13.027","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-30T15:12:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it has taken as a result of the National Neurological Advisory Group's 2014 mid year review.","AnswerText":"The National Neurological Advisory Group's (NNAG’s) mid-year review report supported the need for a change in focus for the group, going from monitoring 104 clinical standards to moving towards a smaller number of priority areas. At the NNAG meeting in February 2015 priorities were discussed but no final decision was made. Since then we have been working with stakeholders to identify priorities for the future and to consider the most appropriate structure for NNAG and related work to achieve the outcomes desired. Arising from that work, Scottish Ministers will confirm the way forward in early 2016.","AnswerDate":"2015-12-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-12-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308500,"EventID":"S4W-28742","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2015-11-30T17:02:13.65","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-30T16:25:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the statement by John Swinney on 26 November 2015 (Official Report, c. 40), whether it will set out its spending plans for beyond 2016-17 before the end of the parliamentary session.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government will publish the Draft Budget 2016-17 on 16 December 2015, which will set out detailed spending plans for the next financial year and the government’s vision for the longer term direction of the public finances in Scotland.","AnswerDate":"2015-12-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-12-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308501,"EventID":"S4W-28726","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1986,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":142,"ApprovedDate":"2015-12-01T13:44:09.97","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-30T09:18:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what Scottish Enterprise’s capital budget was for (a) 2013-14 and (b) 2014-15, including any in-year changes, and whether it will provide a breakdown of how this was spent.","AnswerText":"Details of Scottish Enterprise's capital budget for 2013-14 and 2014-15, including any in-year changes and a breakdown of how this was spent, can be found in Scottish Enterprise's annual report and accounts for each of these years, which are published and available to view on the Scottish Enterprise website at:\r\nhttp://www.scottish-enterprise.com/~/media/se_2013/about%20us/documents/annual-accounts-2014.pdf\r\nhttp://www.scottish-enterprise.com/~/media/se_2013/about%20us/documents/annual-accounts-2015.pdf","AnswerDate":"2015-12-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-12-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308502,"EventID":"S4W-28727","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1986,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":142,"ApprovedDate":"2015-12-01T13:44:10.86","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-30T09:18:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what Scottish Enterprise’s capital budget is for 2015-16, including any in-year changes, and whether it will provide a breakdown of how it has been spent.","AnswerText":"Scottish Enterprise's capital budget for 2015-16 was £54.7 million. In-year changes for 2015-16 have not been finalised yet. Information surrounding the breakdown of the 2015-16 capital budget spend will be available in Scottish Enterprise’s 2015-16 annual report and accounts, which will be published around October 2016.","AnswerDate":"2015-12-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-12-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308503,"EventID":"S4W-28729","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1986,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":142,"ApprovedDate":"2015-12-01T13:44:11.74","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-30T09:18:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what Scottish Enterprise’s revenue budget was for (a) 2013-14 and (b) 2014-15, including any in-year changes, and whether it will provide a breakdown of how this was spent.","AnswerText":"Details of Scottish Enterprise's revenue budget for 2013-14 and 2014-15, including any in-year changes and a breakdown of how this was spent, can be found in Scottish Enterprise's annual report and accounts for each of these years, which are published and available to view on the Scottish Enterprise website at:\r\nhttp://www.scottish-enterprise.com/~/media/se_2013/about%20us/documents/annual-accounts-2014.pdf\r\nhttp://www.scottish-enterprise.com/~/media/se_2013/about%20us/documents/annual-accounts-2015.pdf.","AnswerDate":"2015-12-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-12-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308504,"EventID":"S4W-28731","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1986,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":142,"ApprovedDate":"2015-12-01T13:44:12.24","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-30T09:18:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what Scottish Enterprise’s revenue budget is for 2015-16, including any in-year changes, and whether it will provide a breakdown of how it has been spent.","AnswerText":"Scottish Enterprise's revenue budget for 2015-16 was £174.5 million. In-year changes for 2015-16 have not been finalised yet. Information surrounding the breakdown of the 2015-16 revenue budget spend will be available in Scottish Enterprise’s 2015-16 annual report and accounts, which will be published around October 2016.","AnswerDate":"2015-12-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-12-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308505,"EventID":"S4W-28743","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5057,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-12-01T13:44:12.74","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-30T17:03:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the budget for drug treatment and rehabilitation services has been in year since 2003.","AnswerText":"Scottish Government drug funding is routed through NHS boards. Alcohol and drug partnerships (previously alcohol and drug action teams) have clear responsibilities for tackling drug use and promoting recovery. It is for alcohol and drug partnerships to decide how this resource is invested at a local level, informed by robust assessment of need in line with a recognised evidence base.\r\nYear\r\nBudget (£ million)\r\n2015-16\r\n30.4\r\n2014-15\r\n30.4\r\n2013-14\r\n30.3\r\n2012-13\r\n30.2\r\n2011-12\r\n28.6\r\n2010-11\r\n28.6\r\n2009-10\r\n28.0\r\n2008-09\r\n24.7\r\n2007-08\r\n23.8\r\n2006-07\r\n23.7\r\n2005-06\r\n25.8\r\n2004-05\r\n19.7\r\n2003-04\r\n19.7\r\nScottish budget documents are in the public domain:\r\nhttp://www.gov.scot/Topics/Government/Finance/18127/Documents.","AnswerDate":"2015-12-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-12-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Paul Wheelhouse","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308506,"EventID":"S4W-28744","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5057,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-12-01T13:44:13.25","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-30T17:03:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide a breakdown of all expenditure (a) by the Scottish Prison Service and (b) on the prison estate in each year since 2007.","AnswerText":"I have asked Colin McConnell, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service, to respond. His response is as follows:\r\nFinancial Year\r\nExpenditure (£ million)\r\nInfrastructure (£ million)\r\n2007-08\r\n293,386\r\n50,504\r\n2008-09\r\n312,737\r\n96,961\r\n2009-10\r\n279,875\r\n84,724\r\n2010-11\r\n290,932\r\n135,845\r\n2011-12\r\n295,356\r\n62,566\r\n2012-13\r\n353,056\r\n69,015\r\n2013-14\r\n264,127\r\n28,838\r\n2014-15 \r\n313,771\r\n20,288\r\nTotal (£ million)\r\n2,403,240\r\n548,741\r\na) £2,403,240 million\r\nb) £548,741 million","AnswerDate":"2015-12-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-12-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308507,"EventID":"S4W-28745","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5057,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-12-01T13:44:13.8","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-30T17:03:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much the Scottish Prison Service has spent on education (a) classes and (b) programmes in each year since 2011, broken down by prison.","AnswerText":"I have asked Colin McConnell, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service (SPS), to respond. His response is as follows:\r\n“The SPS is unable to quantify costs for education classes or programme delivery. However we have provided the costs charged under the education contract in each establishment since 2011 in the following table:”\r\n\r\nFinancial Year\r\nEstablishment\r\n2011-12\r\n2012-13\r\n2013-14\r\n2014-15\r\nBarlinnie\r\n£417,219.04\r\n£385,446.05\r\n£408,594.01\r\n£544,661.08\r\nCornton Vale\r\n£248,311.01\r\n£256,698.92\r\n£251,785.83\r\n£252,623.66\r\nDumfries\r\n£190,059.57\r\n£190,481.00\r\n£187,906.00\r\n£191,696.26\r\nGreenock\r\n£300,791.00\r\n£282,185.25\r\n£279,949.00\r\n£283,695.34\r\nLow Moss1\r\n£43,949.24\r\n£383,113.90\r\n£379,095.46\r\n£383,236.20\r\nShotts\r\n£332,237.68\r\n£340,885.06\r\n£350,459.34\r\n£366,448.54\r\nAberdeen2\r\n£158,960.00\r\n£175,399.50\r\n£136,473.50\r\n\r\nEdinburgh\r\n£341,455.48\r\n£330,558.50\r\n£333,333.50\r\n£339,729.50\r\nGlenochil\r\n£346,837.98\r\n£346,124.42\r\n£340,664.10\r\n£341,861.20\r\nInverness\r\n£139,340.82\r\n£147,102.00\r\n£148,047.00\r\n£149,341.50\r\nPerth\r\n£371,806.18\r\n£372,614.90\r\n£373,049.00\r\n£375,523.48\r\nPeterhead3\r\n£121,384.64\r\n£110,169.25\r\n£74,884.87\r\n\r\nPolmont\r\n£416,984.32\r\n£419,238.90\r\n£470,443.73\r\n£439,839.74\r\nGrampian4\r\n\r\n\r\n£94,769.88\r\n£411,058.00\r\nOpen Estate\r\n£167,535.18\r\n£162,956.50\r\n£163,701.50\r\n£165,726.50\r\nTotal\r\n£3,596,872.14\r\n£3,902,974.15\r\n£3,993,156.72\r\n£4,245,441.00\r\n1. HMP Low Moss opened on 12 March 2012.\r\n2. HMP Aberdeen closed on 10 January 2014.\r\n3. HMP Peterhead closed on 6 December 2013.\r\n4. HMP Grampian opened on 3 March 2014.","AnswerDate":"2015-12-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-12-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308508,"EventID":"S4W-28746","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5057,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-12-01T13:44:14.39","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-30T17:03:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many qualified instructors have been employed by the Scottish Prison Service in each year since 2011, broken down by (a) prison and (b) specialist area.","AnswerText":"I have asked Colin McConnell, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service (SPS), to respond. His response is as follows:\r\n“Qualified instructors are defined as individuals employed by the SPS either in the role of civilian instructor or officer instructor whose duties are associated with the delivery of activities which engage prisoners in work based activity. Providing instruction and guidance in relation to performing tasks while maintaining control and discipline within the environment.\r\nThe difference between the civilian instructor and officer instructor roles is the requirement of the officer instructor to undertake the duties of a residential officer if operationally required.\r\n*The figures provided in the following tables for qualified instructors reflect the data held for a point in time of 31 March in each of the requested years.\r\n**Within the following tables, qualified instructors whose duties are associated with catering fall under the facilities functional area. All other qualified instructors fall under the broad functional area of activities.”\r\n2011*\r\nEstablishment/\r\nFunctional Area**\r\nHeadcount\r\nFull Time Equivalent\r\nAberdeen\r\nActivities\r\n7\r\n7\r\n\r\nFacilities\r\n3\r\n3\r\nBarlinnie\r\nActivities\r\n54\r\n52\r\n\r\nFacilities\r\n10\r\n10\r\nCornton Vale\r\nActivities\r\n15\r\n15\r\n\r\nFacilities\r\n4\r\n4\r\nDumfries\r\nActivities\r\n9\r\n9\r\n\r\nFacilities\r\n3\r\n3\r\nEdinburgh\r\nActivities\r\n40\r\n40\r\n\r\nFacilities\r\n6\r\n6\r\nGlenochil\r\nActivities\r\n38\r\n38\r\n\r\nFacilities\r\n7\r\n7\r\nGreenock\r\nActivities\r\n12\r\n12\r\n\r\nFacilities\r\n4\r\n4\r\nInverness\r\nFacilities\r\n3\r\n3\r\nOpen Estate\r\nActivities\r\n21\r\n21\r\n\r\nFacilities\r\n7\r\n7\r\nPerth\r\nActivities\r\n33\r\n33\r\n\r\nFacilities\r\n8\r\n8\r\nPeterhead\r\nActivities\r\n7\r\n7\r\n\r\nFacilities\r\n3\r\n3\r\nPolmont\r\nActivities\r\n45\r\n45\r\n\r\nFacilities\r\n6\r\n6\r\nShotts\r\nActivities\r\n40\r\n39\r\n\r\nFacilities\r\n5\r\n5\r\nGrand Total\r\n\r\n390\r\n386\r\n\r\n2012*\r\nEstablishment/\r\nFunctional Area**\r\nHeadcount\r\nFull Time Equivalent\r\nAberdeen\r\nActivities\r\n6\r\n6\r\n\r\nFacilities\r\n4\r\n4\r\nBarlinnie\r\nActivities\r\n49\r\n47\r\n\r\nFacilities\r\n9\r\n9\r\nCornton Vale\r\nActivities\r\n15\r\n15\r\n\r\nFacilities\r\n3\r\n3\r\nDumfries\r\nActivities\r\n9\r\n9\r\n\r\nFacilities\r\n3\r\n3\r\nEdinburgh\r\nActivities\r\n40\r\n40\r\n\r\nFacilities\r\n6\r\n6\r\nGlenochil\r\nActivities\r\n36\r\n36\r\n\r\nFacilities\r\n7\r\n7\r\nGreenock\r\nActivities\r\n12\r\n12\r\n\r\nFacilities\r\n4\r\n4\r\nLow Moss\r\nActivities\r\n29\r\n29\r\n\r\nFacilities\r\n8\r\n8\r\nOpen Estate\r\nActivities\r\n16\r\n16\r\n\r\nFacilities\r\n4\r\n4\r\nPerth\r\nActivities\r\n33\r\n33\r\n\r\nFacilities\r\n8\r\n8\r\nPeterhead\r\nActivities\r\n7\r\n7\r\n\r\nFacilities\r\n2\r\n2\r\nPolmont\r\nActivities\r\n42\r\n42\r\n\r\nFacilities\r\n6\r\n6\r\nShotts\r\nActivities\r\n28\r\n28\r\n\r\nFacilities\r\n6\r\n6\r\nGrand Total\r\n\r\n392\r\n389\r\n\r\n2013*\r\nEstablishment/\r\nFunctional Area**\r\nHeadcount\r\nFull Time Equivalent\r\nAberdeen\r\nActivities\r\n15\r\n14\r\n\r\nFacilities\r\n4\r\n4\r\nBarlinnie\r\nActivities\r\n49\r\n47\r\n\r\nFacilities\r\n10\r\n10\r\nCornton Vale\r\nActivities\r\n16\r\n16\r\n\r\nFacilities\r\n3\r\n3\r\nDumfries\r\nActivities\r\n8\r\n7\r\n\r\nFacilities\r\n3\r\n3\r\nEdinburgh\r\nActivities\r\n45\r\n45\r\n\r\nFacilities\r\n7\r\n7\r\nGlenochil\r\nActivities\r\n47\r\n47\r\nGreenock\r\nActivities\r\n12\r\n12\r\n\r\nFacilities\r\n4\r\n4\r\nInverness\r\nActivities\r\n5\r\n5\r\n\r\nFacilities\r\n3\r\n3\r\nLow Moss\r\nActivities\r\n28\r\n28\r\n\r\nFacilities\r\n8\r\n8\r\nOpen Estate\r\nActivities\r\n15\r\n15\r\n\r\nFacilities\r\n3\r\n3\r\nPerth\r\nActivities\r\n35\r\n35\r\n\r\nFacilities\r\n9\r\n8\r\nPeterhead\r\nActivities\r\n7\r\n7\r\n\r\nFacilities\r\n1\r\n1\r\nPolmont\r\nActivities\r\n51\r\n51\r\n\r\nFacilities\r\n7\r\n7\r\nShotts\r\nActivities\r\n31\r\n31\r\n\r\nFacilities\r\n7\r\n7\r\nGrand Total\r\n\r\n433\r\n428\r\n\r\n2014*\r\nEstablishment/\r\nFunctional Area**\r\nHeadcount\r\nFull Time Equivalent\r\nBarlinnie\r\nActivities\r\n55\r\n53\r\n\r\nFacilities\r\n12\r\n12\r\nCornton Vale\r\nActivities\r\n15\r\n15\r\n\r\nFacilities\r\n4\r\n4\r\nDumfries\r\nActivities\r\n11\r\n11\r\nEdinburgh\r\nActivities\r\n44\r\n43\r\n\r\nFacilities\r\n7\r\n7\r\nGlenochil\r\nActivities\r\n47\r\n47\r\nGrampian\r\nActivities\r\n4\r\n4\r\nGreenock\r\nActivities\r\n13\r\n13\r\n\r\nFacilities\r\n4\r\n4\r\nInverness\r\nActivities\r\n8\r\n7\r\n\r\nFacilities\r\n3\r\n3\r\nLow Moss\r\nActivities\r\n29\r\n29\r\n\r\nFacilities\r\n8\r\n8\r\nOpen Estate\r\nActivities\r\n15\r\n14\r\n\r\nFacilities\r\n3\r\n3\r\nPerth\r\nActivities\r\n40\r\n40\r\n\r\nFacilities\r\n9\r\n8\r\nPolmont\r\nActivities\r\n47\r\n47\r\n\r\nFacilities\r\n9\r\n9\r\nShotts\r\nActivities\r\n31\r\n31\r\n\r\nFac","AnswerDate":"2015-12-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-12-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308509,"EventID":"S4W-28747","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5057,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-12-01T13:44:14.99","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-30T17:03:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many personnel officers have been employed by the Scottish Prison Service in each year since 2011, broken down by prison.","AnswerText":"I have asked Colin McConnell, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service (SPS), to respond. His response is as follows:\r\n“The personal officer role within the SPS is incorporated into the residential officer role and forms one of the tasks allocated to this role. The personal officer element of the residential officer role is to ensure a positive engagement with allocated prisoners and accurately maintain a record of these engagements.\r\nNo records are available of residential officers actively undertaking the personal officer element of the role at a point in time. The following figures reflect the total headcount and full time equivalent of individuals employed within the role of residential officer.”\r\n*The figures provided for personal officers reflect the data held for a point in time of 31 March in each of the requested years.\r\n2011*\r\nEstablishment\r\nHeadcount\r\nFull Time Equivalent\r\nAberdeen\r\n24\r\n24\r\nBarlinnie\r\n227\r\n225\r\nCornton Vale\r\n93\r\n89\r\nDumfries\r\n40\r\n39\r\nEdinburgh\r\n145\r\n140\r\nGlenochil\r\n111\r\n110\r\nGreenock\r\n43\r\n42\r\nInverness\r\n39\r\n38\r\nOpen Estate\r\n43\r\n43\r\nPerth\r\n113\r\n112\r\nPeterhead\r\n52\r\n52\r\nPolmont\r\n124\r\n123\r\nShotts\r\n112\r\n111\r\nGrand Total\r\n1166\r\n1149\r\n\r\n2012*\r\nEstablishment\r\nHeadcount\r\nFull Time Equivalent\r\nAberdeen\r\n30\r\n30\r\nBarlinnie\r\n226\r\n223\r\nCornton Vale\r\n93\r\n90\r\nDumfries\r\n30\r\n29\r\nEdinburgh\r\n154\r\n149\r\nGlenochil\r\n115\r\n113\r\nGreenock\r\n46\r\n43\r\nInverness\r\n44\r\n43\r\nLow Moss\r\n98\r\n97\r\nOpen Estate\r\n26\r\n25\r\nPerth\r\n105\r\n105\r\nPeterhead\r\n51\r\n51\r\nPolmont\r\n121\r\n119\r\nShotts\r\n112\r\n111\r\nGrand Total\r\n1251\r\n1230\r\n\r\n2013*\r\nEstablishment\r\nHeadcount\r\nFull Time Equivalent\r\nAberdeen\r\n24\r\n23\r\nBarlinnie\r\n228\r\n224\r\nCornton Vale\r\n101\r\n96\r\nDumfries\r\n31\r\n31\r\nEdinburgh\r\n159\r\n153\r\nGlenochil\r\n120\r\n118\r\nGreenock\r\n44\r\n41\r\nInverness\r\n32\r\n31\r\nLow Moss\r\n101\r\n100\r\nOpen Estate\r\n28\r\n27\r\nPerth\r\n112\r\n112\r\nPeterhead\r\n49\r\n48\r\nPolmont\r\n117\r\n115\r\nShotts\r\n113\r\n112\r\nGrand Total\r\n1259\r\n1229\r\n\r\n2014*\r\nEstablishment\r\nHeadcount\r\nFull Time Equivalent\r\nBarlinnie\r\n231\r\n227\r\nCornton Vale\r\n107\r\n102\r\nDumfries\r\n49\r\n48\r\nEdinburgh\r\n156\r\n150\r\nGlenochil\r\n123\r\n120\r\nGrampian\r\n128\r\n126\r\nGreenock\r\n46\r\n43\r\nInverness\r\n30\r\n29\r\nLow Moss\r\n96\r\n96\r\nOpen Estate\r\n25\r\n25\r\nPerth\r\n105\r\n104\r\nPolmont\r\n126\r\n123\r\nShotts\r\n112\r\n109\r\nGrand Total\r\n1334\r\n1301\r\n\r\n2015*\r\nEstablishment\r\nHeadcount\r\nFull Time Equivalent\r\nBarlinnie\r\n236\r\n230\r\nCornton Vale\r\n105\r\n100\r\nDumfries\r\n44\r\n43\r\nEdinburgh\r\n158\r\n151\r\nGlenochil\r\n121\r\n119\r\nGrampian\r\n96\r\n94\r\nGreenock\r\n53\r\n51\r\nInverness\r\n31\r\n31\r\nLow Moss\r\n117\r\n116\r\nOpen Estate\r\n25\r\n25\r\nPerth\r\n103\r\n102\r\nPolmont\r\n129\r\n124\r\nShotts\r\n106\r\n102\r\nGrand Total\r\n1324\r\n1287\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-12-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-12-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308510,"EventID":"S4W-28748","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5057,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-12-01T13:44:15.59","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-30T17:03:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what target has been set by the Scottish Prison Service for weekly hours of purposeful activity per prisoner, broken down by prison.","AnswerText":"I have asked Colin McConnell, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service (SPS), to respond. His response is as follows:\r\n“The SPS does not set a target for weekly hours of purposeful activity per prisoner.”","AnswerDate":"2015-12-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-12-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308511,"EventID":"S4W-28749","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5057,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-12-01T13:44:16.22","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-30T17:03:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the library opening hours are in each prison.","AnswerText":"I have asked Colin McConnell, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service, to respond. His response is as follows:\r\n“The library opening times for each prison are outlined in the following table:”\r\nEstablishment\r\nMonday\r\nTuesday\r\nWednesday\r\nThursday\r\nFriday\r\nSaturday\r\nSunday\r\nBarlinnie\r\n08:15-12:00\r\n13:00-15:50\r\n08:15-12:00\r\n13:00-15:50\r\n08:15-12:00\r\n13:00-15:50\r\n08:15-12:00\r\n13:00-15:50\r\n08:15-12:00\r\n13:00-15:50\r\nClosed\r\nClosed\r\nCornton Vale\r\nEducation Classes\r\n09:00-11.45\r\n13:45-16:45\r\nEducation Classes until 15:15\r\n15:15-16:45\r\n09:00-11.45\r\n13:45-16:45\r\nEducation Classes\r\nClosed\r\nClosed\r\nDumfries\r\nWritten exchange request\r\nWritten exchange request\r\nWritten exchange request\r\nWritten exchange request\r\nWritten exchange request\r\n09:30-12:00\r\nClosed\r\nEdinburgh\r\n09:00-11.30\r\n14:00-16:30\r\n09:00-11.30\r\n14:00-16:30\r\n09:00-11.30\r\n14:00-16:30\r\n09:00-11.30\r\n14:00-16:30\r\n09:00-11.30\r\n14:00-16:30\r\nClosed\r\nClosed\r\nGlenochil\r\n08:30-15:30\r\nEvening access upon request\r\n08:30-15:30\r\nEvening access upon request\r\n08:30-15:30\r\nEvening access upon request\r\n08:30-15:30\r\nEvening access upon request\r\n08:30-15:30\r\nEvening access upon request\r\nAccess upon request\r\nAccess upon request\r\nGrampian\r\n08:30-12:00\r\n12:30-16.15\r\n08:30-12:00\r\n12:30-16.15\r\n08:30-12:00\r\n12:30-16.15\r\nWed only 18:45-20:00\r\n08:30-12:00\r\n12:30-16.15\r\n08:30-12:00\r\n12:30-16.15\r\nClosed\r\nClosed\r\nGreenock\r\n08:45-16:15\r\n08:45-16:15\r\n08:45-16:15\r\n08:45-16:15\r\n08:45-16:15\r\nClosed\r\nClosed\r\nInverness\r\nOn request Untried 14:00-15:00\r\nConvicted\r\n19:00-20:00 \r\nOn request Untried 14:00-15:00\r\nConvicted\r\n19:00-20:00 \r\nOn request Untried 14:00-15:00\r\nConvicted\r\n19:00-20:00 \r\nOn request Untried 14:00-15:00\r\nConvicted\r\n19:00-20:00 \r\nOn request Untried 14:00-15:00\r\nConvicted\r\n19:00-20:00 \r\nClosed\r\nClosed\r\nLow Moss\r\n08:30-11.30\r\n13:00-14:00\r\n08:30-11.30\r\n13:00-14:00\r\n08:30-11.30\r\n13:00-14:00\r\n08:30-11.30\r\n13:00-14:00\r\n08:30-11.30\r\n13:00-14:00\r\nClosed\r\nClosed\r\nOpen Estate\r\nOn request\r\nOn request\r\nOn request\r\nOn request\r\nOn request\r\nOn request\r\nOn request\r\nPerth\r\nClosed \r\n14:15-16:00\r\n14:00-16:00\r\n14:15-16:00\r\nClosed \r\nClosed\r\nClosed\r\nPolmont\r\n08:15-11:45\r\n13:15-16:00\r\n08:15-11:45\r\n13:15-16:00\r\n08:15-11:45\r\n13:15-16:00\r\n08:15-11:45\r\n13:15-16:00\r\n08:15-11:45\r\n13:15-16:00\r\nClosed\r\nClosed\r\nShotts\r\n09:30-12:15\r\n14:15-16:15\r\n09:30-12:15\r\n14:15-16:15\r\n09:30-12:15\r\n14:15-16:15\r\n09:30-12:15\r\n14:15-16:15\r\n09:30-12:15\r\n14:15-16:15\r\nClosed\r\nClosed\r\nAddiewell\r\n09:45-13:00\r\n13:45-17:00\r\n09:45-13:00\r\n13:45-17:00\r\n09:45-13:00\r\n13:45-17:00\r\n09:45-13:00\r\n13:45-17:00\r\n09:45-13:00\r\n13:45-17:00\r\nClosed\r\nClosed\r\nKilmarnock\r\n15:00-16:00\r\n18:00-20:00\r\n15:00-16:00\r\n18:00-20:00\r\n10:00-11:00\r\n10:00-11:00\r\n10:00-11:00\r\nClosed\r\nClosed\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-12-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-12-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308512,"EventID":"S4W-28750","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5057,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-12-01T13:44:16.75","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-30T17:03:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many officer instructors have been employed by the Scottish Prison Service in each year since 2011, broken down by prison.","AnswerText":"I have asked Colin McConnell, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service (SPS), to respond. His response is as follows:\r\n“Officer instructors are defined as individuals employed by the SPS whose duties are associated with the delivery of activities which engage prisoners in work based activity. Providing instruction and guidance in relation to performing tasks while maintaining control and discipline within the environment.\r\n*The figures provided in the following tables for officer instructors reflect the data held for a point in time of 31 March in each of the requested years.\r\n**Within the following tables, officer instructors whose duties are associated with catering, fall under the facilities functional area. All other officer instructors fall under the broad functional area of activities.”\r\n2011*\r\nEstablishment/\r\nFunctional Area**\r\nHeadcount\r\nFull Time Equivalent\r\nAberdeen\r\nActivities\r\n7\r\n7\r\n\r\nFacilities\r\n3\r\n3\r\nBarlinnie\r\nActivities\r\n52\r\n51\r\n\r\nFacilities\r\n10\r\n10\r\nCornton Vale\r\nActivities\r\n15\r\n15\r\n\r\nFacilities\r\n4\r\n4\r\nDumfries\r\nActivities\r\n9\r\n9\r\n\r\nFacilities\r\n3\r\n3\r\nEdinburgh\r\nActivities\r\n40\r\n40\r\n\r\nFacilities\r\n6\r\n6\r\nGlenochil\r\nActivities\r\n38\r\n38\r\n\r\nFacilities\r\n7\r\n7\r\nGreenock\r\nActivities\r\n12\r\n12\r\n\r\nFacilities\r\n4\r\n4\r\nInverness\r\nFacilities\r\n3\r\n3\r\nOpen Estate\r\nActivities\r\n21\r\n21\r\n\r\nFacilities\r\n7\r\n7\r\nPerth\r\nActivities\r\n32\r\n32\r\n\r\nFacilities\r\n8\r\n8\r\nPeterhead\r\nActivities\r\n7\r\n7\r\n\r\nFacilities\r\n3\r\n3\r\nPolmont\r\nActivities\r\n43\r\n43\r\n\r\nFacilities\r\n6\r\n6\r\nShotts\r\nActivities\r\n40\r\n39\r\n\r\nFacilities\r\n5\r\n5\r\nGrand Total\r\n\r\n385\r\n382\r\n\r\n2012*\r\nEstablishment/\r\nFunctional Area**\r\nHeadcount\r\nFull Time Equivalent\r\nAberdeen\r\nActivities\r\n6\r\n6\r\n\r\nFacilities\r\n4\r\n4\r\nBarlinnie\r\nActivities\r\n47\r\n45\r\n\r\nFacilities\r\n9\r\n9\r\nCornton Vale\r\nActivities\r\n15\r\n15\r\n\r\nFacilities\r\n3\r\n3\r\nDumfries\r\nActivities\r\n9\r\n9\r\n\r\nFacilities\r\n3\r\n3\r\nEdinburgh\r\nActivities\r\n40\r\n40\r\n\r\nFacilities\r\n6\r\n6\r\nGlenochil\r\nActivities\r\n36\r\n36\r\n\r\nFacilities\r\n7\r\n7\r\nGreenock\r\nActivities\r\n12\r\n12\r\n\r\nFacilities\r\n4\r\n4\r\nLow Moss\r\nActivities\r\n29\r\n29\r\n\r\nFacilities\r\n8\r\n8\r\nOpen Estate\r\nActivities\r\n16\r\n16\r\n\r\nFacilities\r\n4\r\n4\r\nPerth\r\nActivities\r\n32\r\n32\r\n\r\nFacilities\r\n8\r\n8\r\nPeterhead\r\nActivities\r\n7\r\n7\r\n\r\nFacilities\r\n2\r\n2\r\nPolmont\r\nActivities\r\n40\r\n40\r\n\r\nFacilities\r\n6\r\n6\r\nShotts\r\nActivities\r\n28\r\n28\r\n\r\nFacilities\r\n6\r\n6\r\nGrand Total\r\n\r\n387\r\n384\r\n\r\n2013*\r\nEstablishment/\r\nFunctional Area**\r\nHeadcount\r\nFull Time Equivalent\r\nAberdeen\r\nActivities\r\n15\r\n14\r\n\r\nFacilities\r\n4\r\n4\r\nBarlinnie\r\nActivities\r\n47\r\n45\r\n\r\nFacilities\r\n10\r\n10\r\nCornton Vale\r\nActivities\r\n16\r\n16\r\n\r\nFacilities\r\n3\r\n3\r\nDumfries\r\nActivities\r\n8\r\n7\r\n\r\nFacilities\r\n3\r\n3\r\nEdinburgh\r\nActivities\r\n45\r\n45\r\n\r\nFacilities\r\n7\r\n7\r\nGlenochil\r\nActivities\r\n47\r\n47\r\nGreenock\r\nActivities\r\n12\r\n12\r\n\r\nFacilities\r\n4\r\n4\r\nInverness\r\nActivities\r\n5\r\n5\r\n\r\nFacilities\r\n3\r\n3\r\nLow Moss\r\nActivities\r\n28\r\n28\r\n\r\nFacilities\r\n8\r\n8\r\nOpen Estate\r\nActivities\r\n15\r\n15\r\n\r\nFacilities\r\n3\r\n3\r\nPerth\r\nActivities\r\n34\r\n34\r\n\r\nFacilities\r\n9\r\n8\r\nPeterhead\r\nActivities\r\n7\r\n7\r\n\r\nFacilities\r\n1\r\n1\r\nPolmont\r\nActivities\r\n49\r\n49\r\n\r\nFacilities\r\n7\r\n7\r\nShotts\r\nActivities\r\n31\r\n31\r\n\r\nFacilities\r\n7\r\n7\r\nGrand Total\r\n\r\n428\r\n422\r\n\r\n2014*\r\nEstablishment/\r\nFunctional Area**\r\nHeadcount\r\nFull Time Equivalent\r\nBarlinnie\r\nActivities\r\n53\r\n52\r\n\r\nFacilities\r\n12\r\n12\r\nCornton Vale\r\nActivities\r\n15\r\n15\r\n\r\nFacilities\r\n4\r\n4\r\nDumfries\r\nActivities\r\n11\r\n11\r\nEdinburgh\r\nActivities\r\n44\r\n43\r\n\r\nFacilities\r\n7\r\n7\r\nGlenochil\r\nActivities\r\n47\r\n47\r\nGrampian\r\nActivities\r\n4\r\n4\r\nGreenock\r\nActivities\r\n13\r\n13\r\n\r\nFacilities\r\n4\r\n4\r\nInverness\r\nActivities\r\n8\r\n7\r\n\r\nFacilities\r\n3\r\n3\r\nLow Moss\r\nActivities\r\n29\r\n29\r\n\r\nFacilities\r\n8\r\n8\r\nOpen Estate\r\nActivities\r\n15\r\n14\r\n\r\nFacilities\r\n3\r\n3\r\nPerth\r\nActivities\r\n39\r\n39\r\n\r\nFacilities\r\n9\r\n8\r\nPolmont\r\nActivities\r\n45\r\n45\r\n\r\nFacilities\r\n9\r\n9\r\nShotts\r\nActivities\r\n31\r\n31\r\n\r\nFacilities\r\n7\r\n7\r\nGrand Total\r\n\r\n420\r\n414\r\n\r\n2015*\r\nEstablishment/\r\nFunctional Area**\r\nHeadcount\r\nFull Time Equivalent\r\nBarlinnie\r\nActivities\r\n54\r\n52\r\n\r\nFacilities\r\n11\r\n11\r\nCornton Vale\r\nActivities\r\n16\r\n16\r\n\r\nFacilities\r\n4\r\n4\r\nDumfries\r\nActivities\r\n12\r\n12\r\n\r\nFacilities\r\n3","AnswerDate":"2015-12-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-12-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308513,"EventID":"S4W-28751","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5057,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-12-01T13:44:17.31","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-30T17:03:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many vocational training officers have been employed by the Scottish Prison Service in each year since 2011, broken down by prison.","AnswerText":"I have asked Colin McConnell, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service (SPS), to respond. His response is as follows:\r\n“Vocational instructors are defined as individuals employed by the SPS to deliver training to prisoners in occupationally relevant subjects, with the goal of up skilling prisoners making them more employable on release. In general terms the prisoner will work towards achieving an award between Scottish Vocational Qualification levels three to five with these awards varying between subject areas.\r\nAcross the estate prisoners can access the following vocational instructors (VT) activities:\r\nVT Hairdressers;\r\nVT Painters;\r\nVT Bricklayers;\r\nVT Plumbers; and\r\nVT Joiners\r\nCurrently markers relating specifically to vocational instructors are not held on the central SPS HR database, therefore these employees are not identifiable and are subsumed into the larger qualified Instructor group.\r\nWe also considered the availability of compliment figures for the vocational instructor group however, this activity is not always undertaken by employees with a specific role of Vocational instructor.”","AnswerDate":"2015-12-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-12-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308514,"EventID":"S4W-28752","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2015-12-01T13:44:17.93","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-30T18:15:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what it is doing to end the loss of woodland, in light of a reported 14% loss of woodland in the last 40 years.","AnswerText":"The Native Woodland Survey of Scotland identified that a 14% reduction may have occurred in ancient woodland cover over a 40 year period in unenclosed upland areas. The survey also identified that the current native woodland condition is moderate overall, with 46% of the area in satisfactory conditions.\r\nThe Scottish Government is taking action to protect ancient woodland as outlined in Scotland’s Biodiversity – a Route Map to 2020. The actions identified aim to improve the condition and extent of existing native and ancient woodland, through reducing browsing pressure and controlling non-native species, and new woodland planting.\r\nIn addition, the Scottish Government has implemented a policy on the control of woodland removal for all types of woodland. The policy is adopted within Scottish Planning Policy and provides guidance to planning authorities on how to minimise inappropriate woodland loss. With regards to ancient woodland, the policy places a strong presumption against removal.","AnswerDate":"2015-12-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-12-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen McLeod","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308515,"EventID":"S4W-28753","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2015-12-01T13:44:18.4","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-30T18:17:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what it is doing to reduce the percentage of woodland deemed to be in an \"unsatisfactory\" condition.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-28752 on 10 December 2015. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.","AnswerDate":"2015-12-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-12-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen McLeod","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308516,"EventID":"S4W-28754","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2015-12-01T13:44:18.86","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-30T18:18:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much it has spent in each of the last five years on the protection of woodland.","AnswerText":"Over the past five years the Scottish Government has invested a total of nearly £61 million in the protection of woodlands in Scotland. An additional £3 million was invested as part of the tree health programme over the past two years to protect our woodlands and forests from the impacts of tree pests and diseases.\r\nThis investment includes support through the Scottish Rural Development Programme (SRDP) Forestry Grant Scheme, where a range of measures is available, such as the removal of livestock, control of non-native species, browsing management and encouragement of natural regeneration. Private land owners also invest considerable amounts to protect their own forest and woodland assets.\r\nAdditionally as part of the tree health programme, the Scottish Government supports the management of tree pests and diseases, coupled with longer term resilience building measures, to maintain and expand healthy woodlands in Scotland and to sustain the related ecosystem services.\r\nOn the National Forest Estate investment is also made in appropriate protection and management of woodland, including ancient woodland, through actions such as deer management.\r\nA breakdown of this investment is as follows:\r\nYear\r\nScotland’s Rural Development Programme\r\nNational Forest Estate\r\nTree Health\r\n2014\r\n£ 1.5 million\r\n£ 11.6 million\r\n£ 2.3 million\r\n2013\r\n£ 1.6 million\r\n£ 10.9 million\r\n£ 0.6 million\r\n2012\r\n£ 0.9 million\r\n£ 12.1 million\r\n\r\n2011\r\n£ 0.9 million\r\n£ 10.1 million\r\n\r\n2010\r\n£ 1.3 million\r\n£ 10.1 million\r\n\r\nThe Scottish Government is a partner with the UK Government in commissioning research to support the protection and expansion of Britain's forests and woodlands. The Science and Innovation Strategy for forestry details the activities related to woodland protection.\r\nForestry Commission Scotland does not routinely collate data on individual protection schemes and is therefore unable to provide a detailed breakdown of expenditure in remote locations. However for example, the SRDP supported £3.4 million of forest protection in the Highlands and Islands Conservancy area over the past five years.\r\nA breakdown of this investment is as follows:\r\nYear\r\nHighlands and Islands Conservancy\r\n2014\r\n£ 1.1 million\r\n2013\r\n£ 0.8 million\r\n2012\r\n£ 0.5 million\r\n2011\r\n£ 0.5 million\r\n2010\r\n£ 0.5 million\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-12-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-12-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen McLeod","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308517,"EventID":"S4W-28755","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2015-12-01T13:44:19.33","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-30T18:19:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government (a) what action it has taken and (b) how much it has spent in each of the last five years to protect woodland in remote and rural places, including in Orkney.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-28754 on 10 December 2015. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.","AnswerDate":"2015-12-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-12-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen McLeod","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308518,"EventID":"S4W-28756","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2015-12-01T13:44:19.77","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-30T18:22:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to introduce a legal duty for landowners to produce management plans to protect woodland.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has no plans to introduce a legal duty for landowners to produce management plans to protect woodland. However all landowners that intend to apply to the Scottish Rural Development Programme Forestry Grant Scheme for the sustainable management of woodland must have long-term forest plans approved by Forestry Commission Scotland that set out the management objectives for their woodland.","AnswerDate":"2015-12-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-12-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen McLeod","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308519,"EventID":"S4W-28757","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2015-12-01T13:44:20.26","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-30T18:23:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on the introduction of a national woodlands plan to ringfence money to protect woodland.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has no plans to introduce a ‘national woodlands plan’ to ringfence money to protect woodland. However it recognises the importance of woodland protection and has allocated funds under the Forestry Grant Scheme. Information on the options available which support this objective under the Forestry Grant Scheme is available at the web link below:\r\nhttps://www.ruralpayments.org/publicsite/futures/topics/all-schemes/forestry-grant-scheme/","AnswerDate":"2015-12-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-12-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen McLeod","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308520,"EventID":"S4W-28758","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2015-12-01T13:44:20.76","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-12-01T00:48:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many times the helipad at the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital Glasgow has been closed and for what reasons.","AnswerText":"As at 30 November 2015, the helipad at the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital Glasgow has been closed on five occasions due to the following reasons:\r\nWater pressure failure;\r\nLift failure;\r\nHigh density fog on two occasions; and\r\nHigh wind (above 40mph/34.75 knots).","AnswerDate":"2015-12-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-12-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308521,"EventID":"S4W-28759","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2015-12-01T13:44:21.72","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-12-01T00:48:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether NHS Lanarkshire contracts with a private provider to run out-of-hours clinics.","AnswerText":"I understand from NHS Lanarkshire that they have a three month contract with Medinet to support their rheumatology out-of-hours clinics. This contract is to address short-term capacity issues due to a high level of demand being experienced in the board's rheumatology service. This additional capacity will reduce waits for patients until the board have in place sustainable capacity to ensure waiting time standards are delivered for all patients.","AnswerDate":"2015-12-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-12-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308522,"EventID":"S4W-28760","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2015-12-01T13:44:22.56","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-12-01T00:48:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how NHS Lanarkshire's out-of-hours rheumatology clinic is (a) financed and (b) staffed.","AnswerText":"Out-of-hours clinics provide patients with more flexible access to services such as the rheumatology out-of-hours clinic in Lanarkshire. This will allow Lanarkshire patients who have commitments, such as work, to attend a clinic more quickly at a time more convenient to them. I understand that the board have secured a short-term contract with Medinet for three months to help meet short-term capacity issues. This is helping to support the boards rheumatology out-of-hours clinic. This is in line with the Scottish Government policy that boards can make use of the private sector to address short-term capacity issues and reduce waits for patients.\r\nThe funding and staffing of a particular hospital service or clinic are of course a matter for the local health board who are responsible for delivering services to meet the needs of their local population.","AnswerDate":"2015-12-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-12-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308523,"EventID":"S4W-28761","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2015-12-01T13:44:23.41","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-12-01T00:48:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when the consultation on the Independent Living Fund Scotland closed.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government consultation on the future use of resources devolved following the UK Government's decision to close the Independent Living Fund closed on 1 November 2013.","AnswerDate":"2015-12-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-12-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308524,"EventID":"S4W-28762","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2015-12-01T13:44:24.27","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-12-01T00:48:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when the Independent Living Fund was devolved and what the value was when it was transferred.","AnswerText":"The Independent Living Fund was devolved to Scotland from 1 July 2015. The total value of the fund transferred from the UK Government is a recurring figure of £47.2 million per year. This fund is pro-rata for the first nine months of operations, up to 31 March 2016. Therefore, the value of the fund for the 2015-16 financial year is £35.4 million.","AnswerDate":"2015-12-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-12-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308525,"EventID":"S4W-28763","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2015-12-01T13:44:25.27","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-12-01T00:48:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what criteria apply to the allocation of the Independent Living Fund Scotland.","AnswerText":"The criteria for allocation of the Independent Living fund (ILF) are set out in the ILF Scotland awards policies, available on their website: http://www.independentlivingfund.scot/ilf-scotland-policies/.","AnswerDate":"2015-12-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-12-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308526,"EventID":"S4W-28764","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2015-12-01T13:44:26.14","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-12-01T00:48:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much it has spent on the Independent Living Fund Scotland in each year.","AnswerText":"The Independent Living Fund Scotland has been fully operational since 1 July 2015. The Scottish fund budget for the first nine months of operation, until 31 March 2016, is £35.4 million. In addition, the Scottish Government contribution to administration costs for the first nine months is £939,000.","AnswerDate":"2015-12-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-12-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308527,"EventID":"S4W-28765","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2015-12-01T13:44:26.97","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-12-01T00:48:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether the Independent Living Fund Scotland is open to new claimants and, if so, how many have claimed in each year and how many claims were successful.","AnswerText":"The UK Government closed the Independent Living Fund to new claimants in 2010, and the fund remained closed at the point of transfer to Scotland on 1 July 2015. The Scottish Government is committed to opening the fund to new users. Work to open the fund is currently underway, in co-production with disabled people and their representative organisations and statutory partners, and further detail will be announced in due course.","AnswerDate":"2015-12-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-12-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308528,"EventID":"S4W-28766","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2015-12-01T13:44:27.77","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-12-01T00:48:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it has decided who should operate the Independent Living Fund Scotland.","AnswerText":"Independent Living Fund (ILF) Scotland is the new organisation established by ministers to administer the ILF in Scotland, from 1 July 2015.","AnswerDate":"2015-12-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-12-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308537,"EventID":"S4W-28771","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4947,"Party":"Independent","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-12-01T15:43:14.98","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-12-01T15:27:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body whether it will make public the section of the Parliament's risk register covering reputational damage.","AnswerText":"While the risk register by its nature seeks to protect the Parliament’s reputation in a general sense, there is no particular section of the register specifically covering reputational damage.","AnswerDate":"2015-12-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-12-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Liam McArthur","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308538,"EventID":"S4W-28767","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2108,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":141,"ApprovedDate":"2015-12-01T17:06:15.063","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-12-01T12:39:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on the conclusion of the study, Weekend admissions as an independent predictor of mortality: an analysis of Scottish hospital admissions, by Handel, Patel, Skingsley, Bramley, Sobieski and Ramagopalan that “there is still a significant excess mortality associated with weekend emergency admissions”.","AnswerText":"The British Medical Journal (BMJ) study paper Weekend admissions as an independent predictor of mortality (BMJ 2012) highlights a reduction in mortality over the course of the study, which ran from 1999 to 2009 with the cause for any apparent increase in mortality being an issue of debate. Admissions to emergency departments over the weekend often comprise a more unwell population of patients, some of whom will suffer a higher rate of mortality regardless of other factors that may exclusively apply to the weekend. The study itself acknowledges that “it is clearly critical to understand the precise cause of this excess mortality before measures can be put in place to mitigate the effect of weekend admissions on survival.”\r\nThe Scottish Patient Safety Programme (SPSP) is already delivering reliable, safe care for every patient, every time, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Furthermore, through the sustainability and seven days service programme, the Scottish Government is working in collaboration with service providers, clinicians, employers and unions to remove any inappropriate variations in care in the evenings and at weekends for patients who are acutely ill, improving care for those already in hospitals, and ensuring that this is sustainable in the long term.","AnswerDate":"2015-12-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-12-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308539,"EventID":"S4W-28768","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2108,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":141,"ApprovedDate":"2015-12-01T17:06:16.2","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-12-01T12:39:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to reduce any excess mortality associated with weekend emergency admissions.","AnswerText":"The sustainability and seven day services evidence and analysis sub-group considered the issue of excess mortality and weekend hospital admissions. On the basis of the evidence currently available it concluded that there is no obvious link between mortality and day of the week in Scottish hospitals and the level of care received.\r\nThrough the sustainability and seven days service programme, the Scottish Government is working in collaboration with service providers, clinicians, employers and unions to remove any inappropriate variations in care in the evenings and at weekends for patients who are acutely ill, improving care for those already in hospitals, and ensuring that this is sustainable in the long term.\r\nThe Scottish Patient Safety Programme (SPSP) is admired across the world in relation to its results with reliably implementing evidence based interventions. The SPSP is about delivering reliable, safe care for every patient, every time, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Since the acute SPSP was initiated in 2008, there has been a 15.7% reduction in hospital standardised mortality ratios since 2007. The SPSP will continue to work with boards with an aim to support further reduction in mortality across NHS Scotland.","AnswerDate":"2015-12-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-12-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308540,"EventID":"S4W-28769","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2108,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":141,"ApprovedDate":"2015-12-01T17:06:17.043","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-12-01T12:39:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it expects the Scottish Patient Safety Programme to reduce any excess mortality associated with weekend emergency admissions.","AnswerText":"Patient safety is our top priority, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Through our sustainability and seven day services programme, work is being taken forward to remove any inappropriate variations in care in the evenings and at weekends for patients who are acutely ill, improving care for those already in hospital, and ensuring that this is sustainable in the long term.\r\nThe Scottish Patient Safety Programme (SPSP) is admired across the world in relation to its results with reliably implementing evidence based interventions. The SPSP is about delivering reliable, safe care for every patient, every time, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Since the acute SPSP was initiated in 2008, there has been a 15.7% reduction in hospital standardised mortality ratios since 2007. The SPSP will continue to work with boards with an aim to support further reduction in mortality across NHSScotland.","AnswerDate":"2015-12-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-12-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308541,"EventID":"S4W-28770","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2108,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":141,"ApprovedDate":"2015-12-01T17:06:17.87","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-12-01T12:39:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether an assessment has been made of whether the Scottish Patient Safety Programme reduces any excess mortality associated with weekend emergency admissions.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Patient Safety Programme (SPSP) is internationally renowned for reliably delivering evidence based interventions across NHSScotland. The SPSP’s focus is on providing safe care for every patient, every time, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Since the acute SPSP was initiated in 2008, there has been a 15.7% reduction in hospital standardised mortality ratios since 2007.","AnswerDate":"2015-12-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-12-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308552,"EventID":"S4W-28782","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":8,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-12-02T12:24:58.57","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-12-01T17:52:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body whether it has carried out an audit of the randomised system for selecting members for oral questions to ensure that the recent issue with the software has not happened previously.","AnswerText":"The recent issue with the software used to manage parliamentary motions, amendments, questions and answers (MAQA) resulted in not all of the members who submitted their names for the random draw for General and Portfolio Questions being included in the draw. The fault was inadvertently introduced when changes were made to the software in March 2015 as part of a scheduled software update. \r\nReplacement software to address the fault was tested and then subsequently put in place on 7 December 2015. The latest software also introduces audit functionality which will provide assurance that the system is working as intended. Chamber Desk staff will be able to provide members with information relating to their own draw histories on request.\r\nIn order to give additional reassurance to members that the random draw for General and Portfolio Questions has been carried out correctly since the introduction of the MAQA system at the start of this parliamentary session, the Scottish Parliament Information Centre has been commissioned to audit the results of the draw during that period. The audit will be independently peer reviewed. The results will be made available to all members.","AnswerDate":"2015-12-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-12-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Pentland","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308553,"EventID":"S4O-04904","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":5041,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-12-02T13:55:48.963","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-30T12:04:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what impact the Autumn Statement and Comprehensive Spending Review will have on its capital budgets.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-12-09T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308554,"EventID":"S4O-04905","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":5060,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-12-02T13:55:49.767","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-12-02T11:22:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what impact its budget will have on the economy of the West Scotland region.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-12-09T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308555,"EventID":"S4O-04906","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":4951,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-12-02T13:55:50.39","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-12-01T17:42:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with the UK Government on its plans to reduce the Renewable Heat Incentive by 40%.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-12-09T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308556,"EventID":"S4O-04907","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":4080,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-12-02T13:55:50.977","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-12-02T10:54:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it has taken to support the Aberdeen city region deal bid since it received the statement of intent.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-12-09T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308557,"EventID":"S4O-04908","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":2110,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":138,"ApprovedDate":"2015-12-02T13:55:51.64","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-30T12:04:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what impact the reductions in its resource budget from 2016 to 2020 announced in the Autumn Statement and Spending Review will have on public sector jobs and services.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-12-09T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308558,"EventID":"S4O-04910","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-12-02T13:55:52.443","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-30T12:04:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether its non-profit distributing programme is regarded by the Office for National Statistics as a public sector programme.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-12-09T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308559,"EventID":"S4O-04912","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":1865,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":85,"ApprovedDate":"2015-12-02T13:55:53.097","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-30T12:04:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what recent discussions it has had with the UK Government on the progress of the Scotland Bill.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-12-09T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308560,"EventID":"S4O-04913","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":3759,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":80,"ApprovedDate":"2015-12-02T13:55:54.063","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-30T12:04:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what impact the recent spending review will have on public sector finances in Scotland.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-12-09T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308561,"EventID":"S4O-04914","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":1768,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":131,"ApprovedDate":"2015-12-02T13:55:54.7","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-30T12:04:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what discussions the Cabinet Secretary for Finance, Constitution and Economy has had with Dumfries and Galloway Council regarding its budget for 2016-17.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-12-09T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308562,"EventID":"S4O-04915","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":5106,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":118,"ApprovedDate":"2015-12-02T13:55:55.483","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-30T12:04:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what recent discussions it has had with the UK Government regarding the introduction of fiscal measures to promote oil and gas exploration.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-12-09T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308563,"EventID":"S4O-04917","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":3751,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":108,"ApprovedDate":"2015-12-02T13:55:56.24","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-12-02T09:15:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the impact will be on its finances of not devolving the Crown Estate's share in Fort Kinnaird retail park.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-12-09T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308564,"EventID":"S4O-04918","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":1853,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":86,"ApprovedDate":"2015-12-02T13:55:56.85","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-30T12:04:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what representations the Cabinet Secretary for Finance, Constitution and Economy has received from the Minister for Children and Young People regarding kinship care funding.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-12-09T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308565,"EventID":"S4O-04919","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":4938,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-12-02T13:55:57.823","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-30T12:36:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many businesses have received support from the Small Business Bonus scheme.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-12-09T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308566,"EventID":"S4O-04921","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":5075,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":112,"ApprovedDate":"2015-12-02T13:55:58.467","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-12-01T11:45:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what support it gives to Fife Council and other local authorities to help develop vibrant and sustainable local economies.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government's continued investment in infrastructure, regeneration and business support helps support vibrant and sustainable economies across Scotland. We work closely with our partners in local authorities to help deliver Scotland's economic strategy with its focus on increasing competiveness and tackling inequality.\r\nTogether with Fife Council, we established the Fife Task Force to respond to the impact of the closure of Tullis Russell. We made available £6 million in additional funding for the work of the task force, in supporting those who had lost their jobs, as well as for local communities, business support and economic growth.","AnswerDate":"2015-12-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-12-09T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308567,"EventID":"S4O-04922","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":2603,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-12-02T13:55:59.03","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-12-01T14:54:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what recent discussions it has had with the UK Government and Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire councils regarding the proposal for an Aberdeen city region deal.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has been working closely with Aberdeen City and Aberdeenshire councils and the UK Government to provide support in developing city region deal proposals. Discussions are ongoing, Scottish Government and UK Government officials engage on a weekly basis to discuss issues of relevance, council officials also meet regularly with both governments to discuss progress.","AnswerDate":"2015-12-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-12-09T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308568,"EventID":"S4O-04923","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":1882,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":129,"ApprovedDate":"2015-12-02T13:55:59.79","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-30T12:04:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what Barnett consequentials will arise from the UK Government's HS2 project.","AnswerText":"At a Spending Review Barnett consequentials are determined on a departmental level as opposed to a programme level; it is therefore not possible to isolate the financial impact of individual spending decisions.\r\nWhilst it is not possible to determine the specific impact, any consequentials from HS2 will be reflected in the Scottish Government's total capital allocation announced in the Spending Review. While the first phase of HS2 construction will only just have started, in 2019-20 Scotland’s capital DEL budget will be 3.2% lower in cash terms – over half a billion pounds in real terms – than it was in 2010-11.","AnswerDate":"2015-12-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-12-09T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308569,"EventID":"S4O-04924","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":2675,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":93,"ApprovedDate":"2015-12-02T13:56:00.52","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-30T12:05:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether planning regulations can be adapted to allow more housing in the countryside.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-12-10T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308570,"EventID":"S4O-04925","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":2345,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":128,"ApprovedDate":"2015-12-02T13:56:01.277","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-12-01T14:27:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it last met NHS Ayrshire and Arran to discuss primary care out-of-hours services.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-12-10T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308571,"EventID":"S4O-04926","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":4939,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":78,"ApprovedDate":"2015-12-02T13:56:01.99","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-11-30T12:05:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what recent discussions it has had with the road haulage industry regarding reported driver shortages.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-12-10T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308572,"EventID":"S4O-04929","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":1860,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-12-02T13:56:02.577","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-12-02T11:10:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to promote self-help as a form of preventative care. ","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-12-10T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308573,"EventID":"S4O-04930","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":3101,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-12-02T13:56:03.32","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-12-01T12:15:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether the savings arising from the renegotiation of the price for new hepatitis C medicines will be used to increase the number of people receiving treatment.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-12-10T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308574,"EventID":"S4O-04931","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":3745,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":122,"ApprovedDate":"2015-12-02T13:56:03.89","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-12-01T11:02:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what it is doing to assist farmers.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-12-10T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308575,"EventID":"S4O-04932","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":1775,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":146,"ApprovedDate":"2015-12-02T13:56:04.473","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-12-01T14:29:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what guidance is available to planning authorities to ensure that equalities are central to the decision-making process.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-12-10T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308576,"EventID":"S4O-04933","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":1759,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-12-02T13:56:05.097","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-12-02T09:42:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to adjust the common agricultural policy greening measures so that they can be implemented in the clearest way for farmers without jeopardising the environmental benefits.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-12-10T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308593,"EventID":"S4W-28772","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5060,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-12-02T16:51:45.533","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-12-01T17:47:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the (a) size and (b) value is of public sector land that has planning permission.","AnswerText":"The information requested is not held centrally by the Scottish Government.","AnswerDate":"2015-12-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-12-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308594,"EventID":"S4W-28773","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5060,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-12-02T16:51:47.53","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-12-01T17:47:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many affordable homes have been built under section 75 agreements in each year since 2011, broken down by local authority area.","AnswerText":"Information is published on housing completions at local authority level split by private, local authority, housing association as well as all social sectors. This data does not however record whether the units have been delivered as a result of a S75 planning obligation:\r\nhttp://www.gov.scot/Topics/Statistics/Browse/Housing-Regeneration/HSfS/NewBuild","AnswerDate":"2015-12-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-12-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Burgess","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308595,"EventID":"S4W-28774","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5060,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-12-02T16:51:48.06","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-12-01T17:47:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many current housing developments did not include a section 75 agreement, broken down by local authority.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government does not hold this information centrally.","AnswerDate":"2015-12-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-12-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Burgess","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308596,"EventID":"S4W-28775","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5060,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-12-02T16:51:50.073","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-12-01T17:47:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many developments there are for which a section 75 agreement was made but the affordable housing element has not been built, broken down by local authority.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government does not hold this information centrally.","AnswerDate":"2015-12-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-12-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Burgess","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308597,"EventID":"S4W-28776","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5060,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-12-02T16:51:50.637","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-12-01T17:47:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what information it has on the (a) size and (b) value of vacant and derelict land in each year since 2011.","AnswerText":"Information on the amount of urban vacant and derelict land for local authorities and Scotland for the years 2008 to 2014 is published in table 4 of the Scottish Vacant and Derelict Land Survey 2014. Information on the average size of derelict sites is published in table 6.\r\nThe statistics bulletin can be found here: \r\nhttp://www.gov.scot/Publications/2015/02/8577.\r\nIn addition there is a site register that gives record level information for all vacant and derelict sites in the survey, this can be found here:\r\nhttp://www.gov.scot/Topics/Statistics/Browse/Planning/SVDLSSiteRegister.\r\nThere is no information available for the value of vacant or derelict land.","AnswerDate":"2015-12-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-12-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308598,"EventID":"S4W-28778","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5060,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-12-02T16:51:51.383","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-12-01T17:47:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what information it has on the (a) size and (b) value of public sector land not in use in each year since 2011.","AnswerText":"The information requested is not held centrally by the Scottish Government.","AnswerDate":"2015-12-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-12-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308599,"EventID":"S4W-28780","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5060,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-12-02T16:51:51.913","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-12-01T17:47:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the (a) size and (b) value is of public sector land that is for sale.","AnswerText":"The information requested is not held centrally by the Scottish Government.","AnswerDate":"2015-12-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-12-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308600,"EventID":"S4W-28781","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2015-12-02T16:51:52.413","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-12-01T18:04:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it is on target to meet its statutory requirement under the Housing (Scotland) Act 2001 to eradicate fuel poverty by November 2016 and, if not, whether it will set a revised target.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4O-04702 taken in the Chamber on 28 October 2015. A transcript is available on the Parliament’s website, and the search facility for the Official Report can be found here: http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/ormain.aspx","AnswerDate":"2015-12-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-12-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Burgess","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308601,"EventID":"S4W-28783","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2015-12-02T16:51:53.24","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-12-02T10:47:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when the 2015 direct payments will be paid in full.","AnswerText":"This Scottish Government is committed to supporting Scotland’s farmers and crofters. The Scottish Government is implementing the biggest Common Agricultural Policy Reform in a generation, which is considerably more complex than the former policy. To avoid delays in getting payments to farmers we will issue payments in two parts, and are on track to begin making payments in December 2015.\r\nThe planned timetable for payments was communicated to the Rural Affairs, Climate Change and Environment Committee and announced on 17 November 2015. All farmers should receive their initial payment by the end of March 2016 and their second (balance) payments in April 2016.","AnswerDate":"2015-12-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-12-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Richard Lochhead","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308602,"EventID":"S4W-28784","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2015-12-02T16:51:54.02","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-12-02T10:47:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it expects that there will be delays in making the 2015 direct payments and, if so, (a) for what reason and (b) whether it will pay the (i) arrangement fee and (ii) interest on any bank loans that farmers take out as a result.","AnswerText":"I announced in November 2015 that the first direct payments should begin arriving in bank accounts by the end of December 2015. Virtually all farmers should receive an initial payment by the end of March 2016 and the balance of payments in April 2016. The payment window, which is set by the European Union, runs from 1 December to 30 June in each scheme year, therefore payments are not officially delayed unless paid beyond 30 June 2016.\r\nAs a result of a meeting I chaired on 19 November 2015, the banks agreed to encourage all producers to consider their cash flow position and to contact their bank as soon as possible if they have any concerns.","AnswerDate":"2015-12-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-12-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Richard Lochhead","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308603,"EventID":"S4W-28786","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2015-12-02T16:51:54.893","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-12-02T10:49:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it has completed its mapping of farms and what methodology it has used.","AnswerText":"There is an on-going requirement to maintain the accuracy of our mapping system, which the European Commission (EC) regulations describe as a Land Parcel Identification System (LPIS) and considers as a ‘key control’ for the administration of payments under the Common Agricultural Policy. This is achieved by reviewing regular updates from Ordnance Survey’s Mastermap, updated aerial photography, on the spot checks by Rural Payments and Inspection Division inspectors, and changes notified by land occupiers.\r\nIn addition we are currently in the process of updating the LPIS to include changes required by the recent Common Agricultural Policy reforms. For example, the EC regulations require us to create an Ecological Focus Area layer in our LPIS which includes details of the land cover in each field and some ecological focus area claimed by farmers each year.","AnswerDate":"2015-12-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-12-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Richard Lochhead","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308604,"EventID":"S4W-28787","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2015-12-02T16:51:55.643","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-12-02T10:50:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it will publish its response to the Scottish Natural Heritage report, Beavers in Scotland.","AnswerText":"Ministers are carefully considering the Scottish Natural Heritage report Beavers in Scotland and listening to the views of a range of stakeholders. A decision on the future of beavers in Scotland will be made in due course and the Scottish Government will respond to the report at that time.","AnswerDate":"2015-12-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-12-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen McLeod","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308605,"EventID":"S4W-28788","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2015-12-02T16:51:56.767","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-12-02T10:51:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much it has spent on (a) staff and (b) other costs for the Healthier Scotland National Conversation, and what future expenditure is expected.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-28792 on 4 January 2016. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.","AnswerDate":"2016-01-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-12-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308606,"EventID":"S4W-28789","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2015-12-02T16:51:57.657","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-12-02T10:55:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many people attended each Healthier Scotland National Conversation event, excluding facilitators and civil servants.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-28792 on 4 January 2016. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.","AnswerDate":"2016-01-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-12-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308607,"EventID":"S4W-28790","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2015-12-02T16:51:58.793","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-12-02T10:56:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many (a) email, (b) website and (c) written responses have been received by the Healthier Scotland National Conversation.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-28792 on 4 January 2016. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.","AnswerDate":"2016-01-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-12-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308608,"EventID":"S4W-28791","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2015-12-02T16:51:59.573","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-12-02T10:59:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much of the Healthier Scotland Engagement Fund has been spent, broken down by (a) organisation and (b) event.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-28792 on 4 January 2016. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.","AnswerDate":"2016-01-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-12-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308609,"EventID":"S4W-28792","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2015-12-02T16:52:00.337","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-12-02T10:59:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the remit is of the Healthier Scotland National Conversation and who is responsible for its delivery.","AnswerText":"The national conversation on creating a healthier Scotland was launched on 4 August 2015, to allow the people of Scotland to have their say on what a healthier Scotland should be like in the next 10 to 15 years, and on the steps that could be taken to make the necessary changes. The conversation is prompting people to consider what matters to them when they think support is needed to live healthier lives; what areas of health and social care matter most; and where our focus should be for the future of health and social care services.\r\nMore details of the national conversation, including a facilitation pack of relevant background material and details of forthcoming events, is available at the dedicated website http://healthier.scot/.\r\nA demand-led £26,000 has been made available to the Voluntary Action Fund to provide grants to smaller organisations and community groups. This will encourage people who would not normally participate in an engagement exercise of this nature to contribute to the national conversation. \r\nBetween the launch of the national conversation in August 2015 and the end of November 2015 around £86,000 has been spent on direct staff costs (permanent and temporary). Those staff will remain in post until the national conversation has concluded and I therefore expect a similar level of expenditure between now and March 2016. \r\nI will produce a report on the findings from the conversation in March 2016. This will inform the future direction of travel for health and social care from which a forward action plan can be developed.","AnswerDate":"2016-01-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-12-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308610,"EventID":"S4W-28794","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2015-12-02T16:52:01.133","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-12-02T11:09:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the role is of (a) The Democratic Society and (b) Alliance-Scotland in the Healthier Scotland National Conversation.","AnswerText":"The Democratic Society has had no role in the Healthier Scotland Conversation.\r\nThe Health and Social Care Alliance are one of several partners working with us to support the national conversation through facilitated engagement events across the country. They have worked with local Third Sector Interfaces to support 32 public Conversation Café events across Scotland. The alliance are also working with us, NHS Health Scotland and the University of Strathclyde to ensure that the conversation is as wide reaching as possible, working with groups who may not otherwise contribute and who may require additional facilitation support.","AnswerDate":"2015-12-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-12-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308611,"EventID":"S4W-28796","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2015-12-02T16:52:01.883","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-12-02T11:10:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether the contract for facilitating the Healthier Scotland National Conversation was put out to tender.","AnswerText":"We are managing the national conversation from within government, working with and through a number of partner groups, in order to keep overall costs down. We have therefore not put in place an external contract to facilitate the conversation and the matter of tendering does not arise.","AnswerDate":"2015-12-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-12-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308612,"EventID":"S4W-28797","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2015-12-02T16:52:02.63","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-12-02T11:11:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether the meetings of the Healthier Scotland National Conversation have been audio- or video-recorded to enable people to share in the engagement.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-28792 on 4 January 2016. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.","AnswerDate":"2016-01-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-12-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308613,"EventID":"S4W-28798","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2015-12-02T16:52:03.397","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-12-02T11:12:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it will publish the findings of the Healthier Scotland National Conversation.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-28792 on 4 January 2016. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.","AnswerDate":"2016-01-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-12-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308614,"EventID":"S4W-28799","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4014,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-12-02T16:52:04.177","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-12-02T10:59:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government which ministers have met representatives of Linlithgow’s Party at the Palace and on what dates.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has received no requests from representatives of Linlithgow’s Party at the Palace for meetings with ministers. There have been no meetings with Linlithgow’s Party at the Palace in a ministerial capacity.","AnswerDate":"2015-12-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-12-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308615,"EventID":"S4W-28800","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4014,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-12-02T16:52:04.643","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-12-02T10:59:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what grants it has provided to Linlithgow’s Party at the Palace event and its organisers.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has not provided any grants to Linlithgow’s Party at the Palace event and its organisers, nor has it been approached for funding.\r\nEvent Scotland supported the event through their national programme in 2015 where £10,000 was spent on marketing costs. The event was also promoted through the partner programme for the Year of Homecoming for 2014.","AnswerDate":"2015-12-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-12-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308616,"EventID":"S4W-28801","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1860,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-12-02T16:52:05.067","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-12-02T16:26:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to assist people who have not yet received their annual flu vaccine.","AnswerText":"Bauer radio stations and local press carried key messaging and relevant case studies, and pharmacies across Scotland displayed posters reminding people to get the vaccine. In light of the lower levels of uptake this year, an additional week of TV advertising targeting parents of two to five year olds and press adverts for the 65’s and over were added to the schedule. We have ongoing partnership activity providing information and materials to organisations including health and age charities, community and childcare settings, and large workplaces. A continued PR presence using regular press features and releases will be maintained throughout the season to encourage uptake.","AnswerDate":"2015-12-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-12-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308617,"EventID":"S4W-28802","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1860,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-12-02T16:52:05.533","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-12-02T16:26:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what percentage of people seeking the flu vaccine had received it by (a) 1 November 2015 and (b) 1 December 2015; what percentage has not received it to date, and how these percentages compare with those in each year since 2005.","AnswerText":"Influenza vaccine is offered to eligible groups of the Scottish population free every year. These population groups (as defined by their age and/or by the presence of underlying chronic health conditions or by their occupation) have been identified as being at increased risk of influenza infection and severe presentation or complications of influenza infections, and/or as posing an increased risk of transmitting influenza to vulnerable individuals. The population groups recommended to receive the influenza vaccine have changed over the years as new evidence is considered by the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation and the eligible groups are stated annually as part of the Chief Medical Officer's (CMO) seasonal influenza vaccination letter (http://www.sehd.scot.nhs.uk/cmo/CMO(2014)12.pdf). Vaccine is offered to eligible individuals predominantly through general practice, but also in schools and in occupational settings.\r\nHealth Protection Scotland collates influenza uptake data each winter. Aggregate uptake data for the substantive part of the annual programme delivered by general practice, is currently received directly from individual GP practices by automatic electronic submissions (around 98% of practices). This aggregate data provides uptake for those aged 65 years and over, and those in ‘at risk’ groups with underlying health conditions. Prior to electronic submission monthly data returns were provided by boards.\r\nA comparison of influenza vaccine uptake for the season 2004-05 to season 2015-16 is provided in Table 1 for those aged 65 years and over; and in Table 2 for those in any ‘at risk’ group. Please note data for the ‘at-risk’ group for seasons 2004-5 and 2005-6 are not available.\r\nTable 1: Cumulative influenza vaccine uptake for those aged 65 years and over for season 2004-05 to 2015-16.\r\n\r\n65 and over\r\nWeek\r\n2004- 05\r\n2005-06\r\n2006-07\r\n2007-08\r\n2008-09\r\n2009-10\r\n2010-11*\r\n2011-12*\r\n2012-13*\r\n2013-14*\r\n2014-15*\r\n2015-16*\r\n1st of November\r\n35.1%\r\n49.8%\r\n31.5%\r\n47.8%\r\n49.1%\r\n51.5%\r\n59.3%\r\n62.4%\r\n61.9%\r\n61.4%\r\n61.2%\r\n56.2%\r\n1st of December\r\n65.1%\r\n73.6%\r\n53.7%\r\n67.2%\r\n68.9%\r\n66.7%\r\n69.0%\r\n72.8%\r\n73.1%\r\n72.9%\r\n72.6%\r\n69.2%\r\nDifference\r\n30.0%\r\n23.8%\r\n22.2%\r\n19.4%\r\n19.8%\r\n15.2%\r\n9.7%\r\n10.4%\r\n11.2%\r\n11.5%\r\n11.4%\r\n13.0%\r\nTable 2: Cumulative influenza vaccine uptake for those in ‘at risk’ groups season 2004-05 to 2015-16.\r\n\r\nAll risk groups (under 65)\r\nWeek\r\n2004-05**\r\n2005-06**\r\n2006-07\r\n2007-08\r\n2008-09\r\n2009-10\r\n2010-11*\r\n2011-12*\r\n2012-13*\r\n2013-14*\r\n2014-15*\r\n2015-16*\r\n1st of November\r\n1st of December\r\n39.3%\r\n46.3%\r\n15.5%\r\n25.2%\r\n24.5%\r\n29.4%\r\n36.6%\r\n41.2%\r\n39.1%\r\n38.9%\r\n37.2%\r\n30.2%\r\n35.3%\r\n40.9%\r\n41.3%\r\n44.9%\r\n45.6%\r\n51.9%\r\n50.7%\r\n51.1%\r\n48.1%\r\n41.1%\r\nDifference\r\n\r\n\r\n19.8%\r\n15.7%\r\n16.8%\r\n15.5%\r\n9.0%\r\n10.7%\r\n11.6%\r\n12.2%\r\n10.9%\r\n10.9%\r\n*Data above is for weeks 45 (week ending 08-11) and week 49 (week ending 06-12) as data is received weekly.\r\n**Risk group data for under 65 is not available for 2004-05 and 2005-06 so the end of season figures have been given for these years.\r\nThe data presented in the table provides an estimate of vaccine uptake in the eligible populations, based on population estimates for 65 years and over and ‘at risk’ groups in individual general practices. Whilst uptake information can monitor those vaccines given to members of these population groups, it cannot identify those who have refused the offer of vaccine or have no intention to take up the offer of vaccine. The annual CMO letter for influenza vaccination encourages GPs to offer vaccine to all members of these population groups through a call/recall system.\r\nFor each season, an increase in vaccine uptake from the beginning of November to the beginning of December for each population group (expressed as the percentage difference in each table) has been seen. This is likely due to the supporting campaign to promote influenza vaccination through a range of media and communication activities targeting the eligible population. The a","AnswerDate":"2015-12-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-12-16T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308633,"EventID":"S4W-28807","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4080,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-12-03T14:14:54.737","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-12-02T18:27:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much it has allocated to (a) Albyn House in Aberdeen, (b) Beechwood House in Inverness and (c) other alcohol and drug detox facilities that have been designated as places of safety in each year since 2008, and what support it can provide if an alcohol and drug partnership withdraws its funding.","AnswerText":"Alcohol and drug partnerships (ADPs) and local partners, taking account of local needs and priorities, allocate funding locally.\r\nThere is no single best practice model for services for drunk and incapable people. Services should be developed directly in response to local needs, as determined by ADPs and remain flexible when needs change.\r\nThe Scottish Government has made a record investment of £319 million to tackle problem alcohol use since 2008, the bulk of our funding £278 million has been made to ADPs via NHS boards for investment in local prevention, treatment and recovery support services.\r\nThe Scottish Government 2015-16 investment for the ADPs within NHS Grampian and NHS Highland is as follows:\r\nNHS board\r\nAlcohol\r\nDrug\r\nTotal\r\n\r\n£\r\n£\r\n£\r\nGrampian\r\n3,074,699\r\n2,714,223 \r\n5,788,922\r\nHighland\r\n2,376,928\r\n1,278,557 \r\n3,655,485\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-12-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-12-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308634,"EventID":"S4W-28808","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4080,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-12-03T14:14:55.72","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-12-02T18:27:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to expand the provision of alcohol and drug detox facilities that are designated as places of safety, and what its position is on accommodating people in such premises rather than (a) police custody and (b) hospital.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W- 28807 on 16 December 2015. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.","AnswerDate":"2015-12-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-12-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308635,"EventID":"S4W-28809","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4080,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-12-03T14:14:56.5","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-12-02T18:27:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what analysis it has carried out of the effectiveness of (a) Albyn House in Aberdeen and (b) other alcohol and drug detox facilities and whether these designated places of safety relieve pressure on (i) Police Scotland and (ii) (A) the Scottish Ambulance Service and (B) other NHS boards and services.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W- 28807 on 16 December 2015. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.","AnswerDate":"2015-12-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-12-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308636,"EventID":"S4W-28810","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4080,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-12-03T14:14:57.343","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-12-02T18:27:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on the comment in the HM Inspectorate of Constabulary in Scotland report, Thematic Inspection of Police Custody Arrangements in Scotland, that the Albyn House facility in Aberdeen “provides a unique secure unit for those found drunk and incapable in a public place by the police”.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W- 28807 on 16 December 2015. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.","AnswerDate":"2015-12-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-12-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308637,"EventID":"S4W-28811","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4080,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-12-03T14:14:58.153","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-12-02T18:27:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what analysis it has carried out of what cost savings could be made from shifting the balance of care for people who are drunk and incapable in public from the emergency services to alcohol and drug detox facilities that are designated as places of safety.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W- 28807 on 16 December 2015. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.","AnswerDate":"2015-12-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-12-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308638,"EventID":"S4W-28812","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5034,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-12-03T14:14:59.043","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-12-02T17:30:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much it has invested in (a) cancer and (b) breast cancer research in each of the last 10 years.","AnswerText":"Scottish Government investment in cancer research is primarily through the Chief Scientist Office (CSO). CSO supports cancer research directly through a number of schemes. These are:\r\nThe Experimental Cancer Medicine Centres Network (in collaboration with a number of other funders) to assist in delivery of early phase cancer studies;\r\nThe Scottish Cancer Research Network to increase and sustain clinical trial activity in cancer care;\r\nFunding of cancer research studies submitted to the Chief Scientist Office research committees. Applications generated by the research community are assessed based on scientific excellence. The funding level is subject to quality of applications submitted;\r\nFunding of cancer research studies or research fellowships in collaboration with cancer research charities.\r\nThese are set out in the following two tables: \r\nTable 1: Data relating to cancer (including breast cancer) related research funding provided by CSO\r\nYear\r\nScottish Cancer\r\nResearch Network**\r\nExperimental Cancer\r\nMedicine Centres**\r\nResponse Mode\r\nGrant Funding Awarded**\r\nResponse Mode\r\nGrant Funding Awarded\r\nfor Breast Cancer Studies Only\r\n2015-16\r\n£438,000\r\n£350,000\r\n£1,850,688 (part year)\r\n£220,883 (part year)\r\n2014-15\r\n£438,000\r\n£350,000\r\n£1,230,752\r\n£23,866\r\n2013-12\r\n£413,000\r\n£350,000\r\n£1,424,021\r\n£144,578\r\n2012-13\r\n£413,000\r\n£350,000\r\n£1,302,555\r\n£221,220\r\n2011-12\r\n£409,000\r\n£350,000\r\n£841,963\r\n£0\r\n2010-11\r\n£408,600\r\n£324,865\r\n£2,075,620\r\n£124,904\r\n2009-10\r\n£400,000\r\n£314,365\r\n£2,508,310\r\n£218,267\r\n2008-09\r\n£400,000\r\n£324,020\r\n£685,728\r\n£0\r\n2007-08\r\n£250,000\r\n£324,020\r\n£1,695,619\r\n£47,832\r\n2006-07\r\n£250,000*\r\n£324,020\r\n£570,962\r\n£0\r\n2005-06\r\n£750,000 (£250k from CSO)\r\nn/a\r\n£387,405\r\n£163,021\r\n*From 1 April 2006 a recurring investment of £500,000 was incorporated into the NHS boards’ unified budgets which would be subject to the annual uplift applied to boards’ baseline budgets.\r\n**Support is for cancers including breast cancer.\r\nTable 2: Data relating to cancer related collaborative funding initiatives\r\nYear\r\nAmount\r\nPartner Organisation\r\n2015-16\r\n£75,000\r\nPancreatic Cancer UK\r\n2014-15\r\n£225,000\r\nProstate Cancer UK\r\n2014-15\r\n£150,000\r\nBreast Cancer Now\r\nFurther indirect support is provided through an annual contribution (currently around £10 million) to the major National Institute for Health research programmes that cover a broad range of health research including cancer research across the UK.","AnswerDate":"2015-12-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-12-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308639,"EventID":"S4W-28815","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2033,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":132,"ApprovedDate":"2015-12-03T14:15:00.837","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-12-03T10:20:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what financial support is available to charities supporting victims of historical child sex abuse that are concerned that the Survivor Support Fund arrangements may require them to share their clients' details with the NHS and other organisations and therefore may not apply.","AnswerText":"When offering grants to voluntary sector and third sector organisations, including charities that provide services for victims of historic childhood sex abuse, the Scottish Government does not have legal powers to apply conditions to the effect that grant recipients may share their clients’ personal details with the NHS and other organisations.\r\nThe Data Protection Act 1998 strictly controls how personal information is processed and shared and everyone that has responsibility for using personal data must adhere to the data protection principles set out in the Act. The Scottish Government must also comply with the terms of this legislation.","AnswerDate":"2015-12-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-12-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308640,"EventID":"S4W-28817","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-12-03T14:15:01.553","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-12-03T10:48:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether each NHS board has hepatitis C treatment targets for 2016 and, if so, what they are.","AnswerText":"The hepatitis C treatment target for each NHS board is set out in the following table:\r\nNHS board\r\nHepatitis C Treatment Target 2015-16\r\nAyrshire and Arran\r\n98\r\nBorders\r\n14\r\nDumfries and Galloway\r\n41\r\nFife\r\n58\r\nForth Valley\r\n96\r\nGrampian\r\n168\r\nGreater Glasgow and Clyde\r\n506\r\nHighland\r\n56\r\nLanarkshire\r\n126\r\nLothian\r\n215\r\nOrkney\r\n2\r\nShetland\r\n4\r\nTayside\r\n114\r\nWestern Isles\r\n2\r\nScotland \r\n1500\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-12-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-12-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308641,"EventID":"S4W-28818","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-12-03T14:15:03.147","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-12-03T10:48:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the overall spend has been on hepatitis C treatments in each of the last three years.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has provided NHS boards with £26.7 million in each of the last three years under the Sexual Health and Blood Borne Virus Framework to support its implementation, which includes provision of hepatitis C treatment.\r\nThese funding allocations do not represent the entirety of spend on hepatitis C treatment by the NHS, as hepatitis C treatment activity will also be supported by NHS board core allocations. The total spend on hepatitis C treatments in each of the last three years is therefore not held centrally.","AnswerDate":"2015-12-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-12-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308642,"EventID":"S4W-28820","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-12-03T14:15:04.767","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-12-03T11:20:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many women injured by transvaginal mesh implants currently require corrective surgery, broken down by NHS board.","AnswerText":"Individual health boards will hold information on the number of women currently awaiting surgery. The Scottish Government does not hold this information centrally.","AnswerDate":"2015-12-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-12-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308643,"EventID":"S4W-28821","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-12-03T14:15:05.533","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-12-03T11:20:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many women who have been injured by transvaginal mesh implants have been refused surgery because of pending litigation involving surgeons, broken down by NHS board, and what treatment options are available for them.","AnswerText":"No woman who has been assessed and has agreed to treatment for a complication following a mesh implant has been refused treatment; her care will be transferred to an appropriately trained clinician.\r\nThe treatment options offered will be individual to each woman depending on the complication and other relevant health considerations. However, the most common surgical treatment offered is mesh removal.","AnswerDate":"2015-12-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-12-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308644,"EventID":"S4W-28823","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-12-03T14:15:06.343","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-12-03T11:20:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether the actions of undercover police officers from forces based outside Scotland wishing to operate in Scotland need approval by senior officers in the area in which they wish to operate.","AnswerText":"Authorisations made under the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000 (RIPA) for covert human intelligence sources (including undercover officers) do not need to be approved by senior officers in another police force. Paragraph 3.18 of the RIPA Covert Human Intelligence Sources (CHIS) Code of Practice explains that if an authorising officer considers that conflicts might arise they should, where possible, consult a senior officer within the police force area in which the CHIS is deployed.","AnswerDate":"2015-12-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-12-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308645,"EventID":"S4W-28824","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-12-03T14:15:07.06","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-12-03T11:20:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many undercover police operations Police Scotland and its predecessor forces have signed off in each year from 1999.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government does not hold this information.","AnswerDate":"2015-12-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-12-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308646,"EventID":"S4W-28826","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-12-03T14:15:08.013","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-12-03T11:20:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what information it has on how many days undercover officers from the (a) Metropolitan Police's Special Demonstration Squad and (b) National Public Order Intelligence Unit have operated in Scotland over the last 25 years.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government does not hold this information.","AnswerDate":"2015-12-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-12-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308647,"EventID":"S4W-28827","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-12-03T14:15:09.043","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-12-03T11:20:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many undercover police operations involving the (a) Metropolitan Police's Special Demonstration Squad and (b) National Public Order Intelligence Unit monitoring journalists, environmental activists, trade unionists or political activists Police Scotland and its predecessor forces have signed off in each year from 1999.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government does not hold this information.","AnswerDate":"2015-12-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-12-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308648,"EventID":"S4W-28828","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-12-03T14:15:09.853","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-12-03T11:20:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it considers that people in Scotland subject to illegal conduct by undercover police officers should have access to a public inquiry and what the reasons are for its position on this matter.","AnswerText":"I have written to the Home Secretary asking her to confirm that Lord Justice Pitchford’s inquiry is able to take evidence relating to activity by any undercover officers in Scotland that were authorised by and carried out by English and Welsh police forces as part of a national operation. The Home Secretary has offered to discuss this matter further and arrangements are being made accordingly.","AnswerDate":"2016-02-02T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-12-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308649,"EventID":"S4W-28829","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5057,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-12-03T14:15:10.807","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-12-03T12:05:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much it has cost to appoint a new Chief Constable and whether it will provide a breakdown of spending.","AnswerText":"The appointment of the Chief Constable is a matter for the Scottish Police Authority and information on any costs for the appointment process will be held by them.","AnswerDate":"2015-12-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-12-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308650,"EventID":"S4W-28816","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2135,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":92,"ApprovedDate":"2015-12-03T16:37:05.41","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-12-03T10:37:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-28411 by Aileen McLeod on 24 November 2015, whether it will designate, for planning purposes, the Seil/Shuna/Melford loch system as a single entity and ensure that it is treated as such at all levels of the planning process.","AnswerText":"The protection that the planning system affords these waters would be a matter for Argyll and Bute Council to consider through the development planning process. The council's current development plan largely takes a criteria based approach to guide proposals to the most appropriate locations. The impacts that any specific proposal might have on these areas will be a material consideration when determining any planning application. The Scottish Government will monitor the situation closely.","AnswerDate":"2015-12-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-12-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308651,"EventID":"S4W-28830","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2015-12-03T16:37:06.267","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-12-03T15:06:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much non-cash departmental expenditure limit it required to cover the cost of providing loans to Scottish-domiciled students in each of the last four years, and how much the Treasury provided toward meeting this.","AnswerText":"The figures are provided in the following table:\r\nYear\r\nFinal expenditure as in Scottish Government accounts\r\nFinal budget as published in spring budget revision*\r\n2014-15\r\n£149.4 million\r\n£181.6 million\r\n2013-14\r\n£126.9 million\r\n£183 million\r\n2012-13\r\n£215.6 million\r\n£280.4 million\r\n2011-12\r\n£146.3 million\r\n£87.5 million\r\n*This budget is provided by HM Treasury based on Scottish Government estimates of in year requirements.","AnswerDate":"2015-12-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-12-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308652,"EventID":"S4W-28832","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2015-12-03T16:37:06.72","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-12-03T15:10:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the (a) resource accounting cost and (b) budgeting charge is for providing student loans, also expressed as a percentage of initial loan outlay.","AnswerText":"Taking 2014-15 as an example, the cost of the resource and accounting budget charge for providing student loans in that academic year was £149.4 million.\r\nThis cost was equal to 29% of the total sum of student loan advances of £515.3 million for academic year 2014-15.","AnswerDate":"2015-12-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-12-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308653,"EventID":"S4W-28833","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2015-12-03T16:37:07.173","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-12-03T15:11:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it has modelled the impact of increasing the student loan repayment threshold on the cost of the resource accounting and budgeting charge for providing student loans and what opportunity there is to do so in the current non-cash departmental expenditure limit.","AnswerText":"As part of our consideration of increasing the student loan repayment threshold, the impact upon the resource accounting and budgeting (RAB) charge has been modelled.\r\nAs any increase in the repayment threshold would impact on the RAB charge and would require additional ring fenced non-cash Resource Delegated Expenditure Limit (DEL) budget arising from UK budget consequentials, varying the threshold of student loan repayments is a matter under continuing consideration.","AnswerDate":"2015-12-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-12-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308659,"EventID":"S4W-28845","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":2,"MSPID":1882,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":129,"ApprovedDate":"2015-12-04T12:52:07.243","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-12-04T12:50:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will report on the outcome of the recent summit meeting of the British-Irish Council.","AnswerText":"On 27 November 2015, the twenty fifth meeting of the British-Irish Council was held in London. The summit was attended by ministers from all eight member administrations. The Scottish Government was represented by the First Minister, the Minister for Environment, Climate Change and Land Reform and myself.\r\nThe British-Irish Council remains a valued forum for member administrations to come together and share their views and experience. \r\nOn this occasion council members took the opportunity to welcome the agreement A Fresh Start: The Stormont Agreement and Implementation Plan, which followed cross party talks in Northern Ireland and was published on 17 November 2015.\r\nMembers also offered their condolences to the people of France following the recent terrorist attacks in Paris.\r\nOn the agenda was a very timely discussion about the domestic resettlement of refugees. I informed the Council of Scotland’s recent experience in receiving the first arrivals of Syrian refugees and that Scotland remained committed to take a proportionate share of the total number of Syrian refugees coming to the UK. The council noted the efforts being taken to help those refugees and the value of joint working and cooperation between member administrations on the resettlement of refugees.\r\nThe council discussed the economic situation and considered the continued improvements in their respective administrations. The First Minister advised the council that Scotland’s economy continues to perform well, with now three years of continuous economic growth, a record number of registered businesses and increasing employment. In particular the First Minister highlighted the progress being made in Scotland in female and youth employment, however stressed that we cannot be complacent about continued positive economic performance. The First Minister raised the impact of the UK Government’s Spending Review, welcoming the UK Government’s reversal on tax credits and expressing concern about the decision to end the capital budget for the Carbon Capture and Storage Competition.\r\nThe council also discussed the challenge of safeguarding natural capital and the need for continued collaboration to share knowledge and understanding, especially given the fact that our natural capital is a cross-border issue. \r\nThe communiqué that was issued by the British-Irish Council, after the meeting, can be found on the website at: http://www.britishirishcouncil.org/. I am also arranging for a copy the document to be placed in the Scottish Parliament Information Centre (Bib. number 57492).","AnswerDate":"2015-12-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-12-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fiona Hyslop","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308660,"EventID":"S4W-28840","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2135,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":92,"ApprovedDate":"2015-12-04T13:40:19.6","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-12-03T16:39:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the reason is for the reported rapid deterioration of the road surface on the A828 approaching the Connel Bridge; what supervision Transport Scotland (a) has carried out or (b) plans on the recent resurfacing work on this section, and, if urgent remedial work has to be carried out, (i) what arrangements will be made to limit traffic disruption and (ii) who will pay for this.","AnswerText":"Resurfacing was carried out recently on the A828 approach to Connel Bridge. Supervision of the works was carried out by our operating company BEAR Scotland.\r\nBEAR Scotland became aware of issues with the resurfaced section between the Oyster Inn and Connel Bridge on the day after completion when the material started to deteriorate under traffic loading. Technical investigations have now been carried out by the supplier leading to the identification of a problem with the surfacing materials causing early deterioration. \r\nWhile the surface does not pose a safety risk to road users, it is of a poor quality and BEAR Scotland returning to the site this evening (14 December 2015) to repair it. The works will be carried out overnight to minimise the impact on traffic and will take up to three nights to complete. There are no additional costs relating to the repair.\r\nA convoy operation will be in place to ensure that access is maintained, apart from a single short term closure of up to 30 minutes at the narrowest section on the immediate approach to the Connel Bridge traffic. This closure operation will only be required once and will be undertaken in the early hours to minimise the disruption to motorists. These repairs will be carried out at the full expense of the surfacing contractor.","AnswerDate":"2015-12-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-12-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308661,"EventID":"S4W-28841","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2015-12-04T13:40:20.62","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-12-03T18:51:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-27885 by John Swinney on 25 November 2015, how many employees there are in each pay bargaining unit and what the salary cost is in each case.","AnswerText":"The table provided in response to S4W-27885 set out the number of full time equivalent employees in each pay bargaining unit and the salary cost in each case. As noted in that response only Scottish Government (SG) Main and some of its agencies form a pay bargaining unit. All other bodies, even those that choose to analogue to the SG Main pay settlement, have their own individual bargaining arrangements.","AnswerDate":"2015-12-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-12-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308662,"EventID":"S4W-28842","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-12-04T13:40:22.02","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-12-04T09:44:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-28444 by Margaret Burgess on 26 November 2015, for what reason it did not make an agreement with the Local Affordable Housing Trust to make properties available for rent in 2015-16.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-12-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308663,"EventID":"S4W-28843","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4984,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-12-04T13:40:23.59","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-12-04T12:31:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it last discussed with experts the need for action on prescribed drug dependence, and whether that discussion included nitrazepam and Effexor.","AnswerText":"Advice to clinicians on dependence on prescribed medicines is issued from a number of sources, including the Royal College of General Practitioners, the British Medical Association and the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE). \r\nMedical student teaching now emphasises that benzodiazepines have an important place in treatment but should not be overused or continued indefinitely. All GP prescribing is monitored and discussed individually through annual appraisal, and all practice prescribing is monitored by NHS boards.\r\nThe Scottish Government and NHS Scotland jointly published in March 2015 the Polypharmacy Guidance which provides guidance for all clinicians on the review of long-term medicines, drawn from NICE, with specific advice on withdrawing medicines such as benzodiazepines and addressing the prescribing of antidepressants.","AnswerDate":"2015-12-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-12-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308676,"EventID":"S4W-28803","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1932,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":117,"ApprovedDate":"2015-12-04T15:37:35.743","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-12-02T17:09:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to issue guidance or other clarification regarding the impact of the Public Bodies (Joint Working) (Scotland) Act 2014 on people with neurological conditions.","AnswerText":"The Public Bodies (Joint Working) (Scotland) Act – the legislative framework for health and social care integration – is the mechanism by which health and social care partners will jointly plan across the whole care path, health and social care, using the totality of resources. We are integrating care to not only improve the quality and consistency of care but to better support the increasing number of people with long term and often complex conditions to get the right care and support, whatever their needs, and at any point in their care journey.\r\nThe Scottish Government has published nine national health and wellbeing outcomes (http://www.gov.scot/Topics/Health/Policy/Adult-Health-SocialCare-Integration/Outcomes) that set out what health and social care integration aims to achieve and provides a framework for improving our health and social care services. Additionally, we have developed and issued the Clinical and Care Governance Framework (http://www.gov.scot/Resource/0046/00465077.pdf), which provides an overview of key elements and principles that should be reflected when integration is implemented to ensure people, especially those with long term or life threatening conditions, receive seamless, quality care that reflects their needs and aspirations.","AnswerDate":"2015-12-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-12-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308677,"EventID":"S4W-28804","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1932,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":117,"ApprovedDate":"2015-12-04T15:37:36.93","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-12-02T17:09:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it considers that all NHS boards are complying with the Clinical Standards for Neurological Health Services (October 2009).","AnswerText":"Healthcare Improvement Scotland (HIS) are responsible for setting and reviewing standards for clinical governance and risk management, and assessing performance against these standards for NHSScotland.","AnswerDate":"2016-01-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-12-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308678,"EventID":"S4W-28805","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1932,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":117,"ApprovedDate":"2015-12-04T15:37:37.85","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-12-02T17:09:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it considers that the Clinical Standards for Neurological Health Services (October 2009) are fit for purpose.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-28804 on 6 January 2016. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.","AnswerDate":"2016-01-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-12-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308679,"EventID":"S4W-28806","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1932,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":117,"ApprovedDate":"2015-12-04T15:37:38.737","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-12-02T17:09:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to revise the Clinical Standards for Neurological Health Services (October 2009) and, if so, in what timescale.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-28804 on 6 January 2016. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.","AnswerDate":"2016-01-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-12-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308685,"EventID":"S4W-28846","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5060,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-12-07T13:55:55.323","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-12-04T16:11:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what anti-bullying projects it has supported in 2015-16 and how much funding it has provided to each project.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government wholly fund respectme, Scotland's national anti-bullying service, to build confidence and capacity to tackle bullying effectively. respectme's programme of work is aligned to the National Approach to Anti-bullying for Scotland's Children and Young People, which is available at http://www.gov.scot/Publications/2010/11/12120420/0. respectme is managed by Scottish Association for Mental Health in partnership with LGBT Youth Scotland.\r\nWe have fully funded respectme since its inception in 2007 and in 2015-16 we provided funding of £289,340.\r\nrespectme provide direct support to local authorities, schools, youth groups and all those working with children and young people. This includes reviewing, formulating, implementing and evaluating locally relevant anti-bullying policies and providing training, information and support with guidelines, procedures and monitoring.\r\nrespectme and LGBT Youth Scotland are part of a Scottish Government-led working group established to refresh the National Approach to Anti-bullying for Scotland's Children and Young People in line with recent policy developments, including the Children and Young People Act, Equalities Act and the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child. \r\nIn addition, we also support Childline to provide confidential advice and information to children and young people affected by issues including bullying. In 2015-16 we provided £115,200.","AnswerDate":"2015-12-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-01-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308686,"EventID":"S4W-28847","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4939,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":78,"ApprovedDate":"2015-12-07T13:55:56.337","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-12-07T08:40:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-28645 by Maureen Watt on 2 December 2015, whether it plans to increase the rate payable to opticians for carrying out sight tests.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government recognises the importance of regular eye examinations to patients’ overall health and the essential role played by optometrists who deliver a quality level of eye care in the community, meeting the needs of a high number of patients and ensuring that sight threatening conditions are detected early.\r\nThe Deputy First Minister recently announced the Scottish Government's intention to continue to help family budgets through initiatives such as free regular eye examinations. I am not able to provide any further detail regarding any plans to increase the rate payable to optometrists until a full dissemination of the Scottish Government budget has been conducted following the outcome of the recent spending review.","AnswerDate":"2015-12-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-01-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308687,"EventID":"S4W-28848","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4939,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":78,"ApprovedDate":"2015-12-07T13:55:57.057","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-12-07T08:42:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to tackle Islamophobia in schools.","AnswerText":"There is no place in Scotland for any sort of discrimination, prejudice or bullying in schools or elsewhere, and this includes Islamophobia.\r\nThis government wants every child and young person in Scotland to grow up as respectful, responsible global citizens, free from discrimination, prejudice and bullying. We want young people to develop respectful, responsible and confident relationships. Discrimination prejudice and bullying of any kind is unacceptable and must be tackled quickly, whenever it arises.\r\nThis is why all young people in Scotland experience religious and moral education as part of Curriculum for Excellence. Religious and moral education enables children and young people to explore the world’s major religions and approaches to living which are independent of religious belief, and to be challenged by these different beliefs and values. It supports children and young people in developing responsible attitudes to other people, their values and their capacity for moral judgement.\r\nWe have also established and funded respectme, our national anti-bullying service, and are working with a range of organisations to refresh our National Approach to Anti-bullying for Scotland’s Children and Young People. We are clear that all children and young people should be able to learn in schools free from discrimination.\r\nThe Scottish Government is clear that the starting point for learning is a positive ethos and climate of mutual respect and trust based upon shared values across whole school communities. Schools should be peaceful and safe environments which have a positive influence on children and young people by promoting inclusion and equality and challenging discrimination.","AnswerDate":"2015-12-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-01-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308688,"EventID":"S4W-28849","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4939,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":78,"ApprovedDate":"2015-12-07T13:55:57.85","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-12-07T08:43:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what consideration it has given to ensuring that local authorities provide mental health support to pupils experiencing (a) stress and (b) depression during and in advance of exam periods.","AnswerText":"The Schools (Health Promotion and Nutrition) Act (Scotland) 2007 places a number of duties on local education authorities including ensuring that schools are health promoting. This includes promoting physical, social, mental and emotional wellbeing by supporting pupils to make positive lifestyle choices in relation to their health and wellbeing.\r\nAll adults who work in schools have a responsibility to support and develop mental, emotional, social and physical wellbeing. It is for the local authority and schools to decide how to develop their own approaches to ensure staff have the appropriate skills to implement Curriculum for Excellence, based on local needs and circumstances.\r\nOpportunities should be available through the school year for every young person to have regular conversations about their learning and progress. Good practice would include discussing any stress a young person may be feeling as they prepare for examinations, and support around how this can best be managed. All schools should gather evidence about any issues facing young people and look at steps that can be taken to address concerns.\r\nEvery school has a named link person who can contact specialist child and adolescent mental health services to provide ongoing support if they have any mental health concerns about a pupil.","AnswerDate":"2015-12-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-01-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308689,"EventID":"S4W-28850","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1775,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":146,"ApprovedDate":"2015-12-07T13:55:58.553","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-12-07T12:08:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it can legislate in relation to private car parks and regulate parking charges issued by private companies.","AnswerText":"Privately operated car parks are not subject to the provisions of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 or the Roads (Scotland) Act 1984. The suitability of other existing powers to regulate private car parks and parking charges will depend on the scope and detail of the legislative proposal under consideration.\r\nThe Scottish Government is working with the private parking industry, Citizens Advice Scotland (CAS) and other stakeholders to identify and agree actions to address the concerns raised by CAS in its 2014 report It’s Not Fine and improve industry practices in Scotland. However, we will keep under review whether further action is required to ensure that best practices are adopted and maintained throughout the industry.","AnswerDate":"2016-01-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-01-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308702,"EventID":"S4T-01205","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":9,"MSPID":4080,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-12-07T12:43:18.153","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-12-07T10:15:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to the findings of the fatal accident inquiry into the Glasgow bin lorry crash.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-12-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":"2015-12-08T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308703,"EventID":"S4T-01209","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":9,"MSPID":4951,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-12-07T12:43:20.79","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-12-07T11:17:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to help communities affected by storms and flooding.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-12-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":"2015-12-08T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308704,"EventID":"S4F-03111","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":4976,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-12-07T12:42:44.177","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-12-04T09:41:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister when she will next meet the Prime Minister. ","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-12-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":"2015-12-10T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308705,"EventID":"S4F-03113","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":2123,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":103,"ApprovedDate":"2015-12-07T12:42:45.537","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-12-07T09:02:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister whether the Scottish Government considers that there is a gap between its position on climate change and its policy on Air Passenger Duty.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-12-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":"2015-12-10T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308706,"EventID":"S4F-03116","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":3812,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-12-07T12:42:49.293","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-12-07T09:33:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister what engagements she has planned for the rest of the day.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-12-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":"2015-12-10T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308707,"EventID":"S4F-03117","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":5009,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-12-07T12:42:49.92","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-12-07T09:47:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister what issues will be discussed at the next meeting of the Cabinet.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-12-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":"2015-12-10T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308708,"EventID":"S4F-03121","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":2673,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":114,"ApprovedDate":"2015-12-07T12:42:52.603","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-12-07T11:49:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister what the Scottish Government's plans are to tackle domestic abuse.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-12-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":"2015-12-10T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308709,"EventID":"S4F-03123","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":4955,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":105,"ApprovedDate":"2015-12-07T12:42:53.787","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-12-07T11:52:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister what recent discussions the Scottish Government has had with the UK Government regarding the fiscal framework.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-12-10T00:00:00","MeetingDate":"2015-12-10T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308710,"EventID":"S4W-28851","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-12-07T16:35:59.403","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-12-07T13:14:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what arrangements it has put in place to facilitate travel for NHS staff affected by the closure of the Forth Road Bridge.","AnswerText":"We have put in place a travel plan to support those affected by the closure of the Forth Road Bridge. This includes details enhanced public transport provisions and the measures put in place to manage the flow of traffic via the Kincardine and Clackmannanshire Bridges.\r\nHealth boards affected by the bridge closure have also put a range of measures in place to support NHS staff. These include guidance to staff and managers on issues to cope with the travel disruption such as flexible working, home working, working in alternative locations, providing staff accommodations and measures and advice on additional costs incurred through using public transport. In addition, health boards, for example NHS Fife, have implemented shuttle bus transfer arrangements so that staff can get quickly from rail stations to their places of work during the current disruptions.","AnswerDate":"2015-12-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-01-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308711,"EventID":"S4W-28852","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-12-07T16:36:00.37","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-12-07T13:14:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the impact of the closure of the Forth Road Bridge on nursing and medical staff who commute.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has been engaged with health boards affected by the Forth Road Bridge on a daily basis since the closure was announced. Initially, ministers, officials, representatives from health boards and emergency services took part in daily Scottish Government resilience calls to ensure that the response was appropriate and well co-ordinated. \r\nAs well as receiving reports on the impact of the closure, officials have taken part in daily calls with health boards to discuss the impact of the travel plan. While, as expected, staff encountered some delays when travelling to and from their places of work, there has been no significant impact on health services as a result of these delays.","AnswerDate":"2015-12-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-01-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308718,"EventID":"S4W-28854","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":2,"MSPID":5074,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":104,"ApprovedDate":"2015-12-08T10:19:10.1","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-12-08T10:11:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what progress it is making with implementation of the plans set out in Developing the Young Workforce – Scotland’s Youth Employment Strategy.\r\n","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has today (9 December 2015) published the first Developing the Young Workforce annual progress report.\r\nThis report highlights great progress in preparing young people for work, as was set out in our youth employment strategy published in December 2014. Key areas of progress include expanding work-related skills and qualifications, including through the new Foundation Apprenticeship pathfinders; facilitating high quality school/employer partnerships, work placements and careers education 3-18 through new national guidance and standards; offering careers advice earlier in school; increasing the opportunities for school pupils on offer in colleges; tackling inequalities by addressing stereotyping in occupation choice and targeting support on young people who face the greatest barriers to finding employment; and developing closer, productive partnerships between employers and education with seven new regional employer groups set up across the country.","AnswerDate":"2015-12-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-01-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Roseanna Cunningham","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308719,"EventID":"S4W-28855","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":2,"MSPID":2135,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":92,"ApprovedDate":"2015-12-08T12:33:21.677","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-12-08T12:20:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether the MV Coruisk will be deployed on the Gourock-Dunoon route over the 2015-16 winter.","AnswerText":"I can today (9 December 2015) confirm that the MV Coruisk will again be deployed on the Gourock-Dunoon town centre service this winter. The deployment will bring additional resilience and passenger confidence to the service at a time of year when weather conditions can be more challenging for ferries. \r\nThe MV Coruisk will provide the same level of service as in previous years which I am sure will be welcomed by regular commuters. The MV Coruisk will carry passengers on key peak sailings on the route and be on standby during other periods.\r\nDetails and dates of the MV Coruisk’s deployment are being finalised by Argyll Ferries Limited and will be announced in due course.","AnswerDate":"2015-12-09T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-01-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308720,"EventID":"S4W-28834","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-12-08T13:45:16.48","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-12-03T15:33:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what responsibility NHS boards have with regard to the quality of dentistry services.","AnswerText":"NHS boards have a responsibility to help ensure that dental practices deliver quality services which are safe, effective and person-centred.","AnswerDate":"2015-12-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-01-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308721,"EventID":"S4W-28835","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-12-08T13:45:17.42","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-12-03T15:36:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how often dental practices are inspected, and what aspects of their work are reviewed.","AnswerText":"NHS dental practices are currently inspected on a rolling three-yearly cycle.\r\nThe aspects reviewed are: staffing, premises and equipment, practice documentation, practice management processes and individual dental surgery suitability. There is also a formal observation of the practice decontamination process.","AnswerDate":"2015-12-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-01-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308722,"EventID":"S4W-28836","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-12-08T13:45:18.14","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-12-03T15:37:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how (a) NHS boards and (b) patients are informed of the findings of inspections of dental practices.","AnswerText":"NHS boards undertake the inspection of dental practices and are fully aware of the findings made at the time of inspection.\r\nDental practices inspected after 1 January 2013 must display confirmation from the NHS board that the practice inspection has been successfully completed.","AnswerDate":"2015-12-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-01-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308723,"EventID":"S4W-28837","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-12-08T13:45:18.86","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-12-03T15:57:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action NHS boards must take in response to complaints from dental patients.","AnswerText":"In accordance with the Patient Rights (Feedback, Comments, Concerns and Complaints) (Scotland) Directions 2012, NHS boards must ensure that their service providers, including general dental practitioners, submit quarterly reports on complaints. These reports must summarise the key themes of the complaints received and the action that has been taken or will be taken to improve services as a consequence. NHS boards must review these reports with a view to identifying any area of concern and whether any further action is required in order to improve the exercise of their own or their service providers’ functions.\r\nAt the end of each year, NHS boards must publish a report which summarises the quarterly complaints reports they have prepared and required their service providers to prepare. Boards are also required to submit information on complaints to the Information Services Division of NHS National Services Scotland to allow the collation and publication of national complaints statistics.\r\nReviewing complaints locally enables appropriate improvements to be made for the benefit the patients of each NHS board. However, when complaints of a particularly serious nature arise through this process, it is open to boards to raise such concerns with the General Dental Council (GDC) for investigation in the interests of wider patient safety. The GDC is the independent UK regulator of the dental team, which sets minimum standards for education, training and professional practice, and has statutory powers to take action when these standards are not met, up to and including removing the right to practise in the UK.","AnswerDate":"2015-12-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-01-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308724,"EventID":"S4W-28838","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-12-08T13:45:19.65","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-12-03T15:58:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what measures are used to determine (a) satisfactory dental practice and (b) high quality oral health for dental patients.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has in place a number of measures to determine (a) satisfactory dental practice and (b) high quality oral health for dental patients.\r\nAll dental practices offering NHS general dental services (GDS) are inspected on a three-year rolling cycle.\r\nActivity within GDS is monitored, and independent examinations/reports are carried out of both planned and completed treatments, with the quality of treatment reported back to the dentist and the NHS board.","AnswerDate":"2015-12-22T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-01-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308725,"EventID":"S4W-28839","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-12-08T13:45:20.31","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-12-03T15:59:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what responsibility NHS boards have in (a) monitoring and (b) maintaining the performance of independently-contracted dental practitioners that they provide financial support for.","AnswerText":"NHS boards are responsible for monitoring grant-aided dental practices throughout the grant period, including visiting the practice annually to ensure that the grant conditions are being complied with, preparing an annual report, confirming the number of patient registrations against target numbers and ensuring that an accountant’s certificate verifying the percentage of the practice’s gross income derived from NHS general dental services is received annually.","AnswerDate":"2015-12-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-01-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308733,"EventID":"S4W-28856","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5057,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-12-08T17:00:37.147","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-12-08T14:58:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many inmates have died in each prison in each year since 1999.","AnswerText":"I have asked Colin McConnell, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service (SPS), to respond. His response is as follows:\r\n“The Scottish Prison Service hold data for 10 years, therefore we have provided figures on all deaths in custody from 2005 to October 2015.\r\n\r\nEstablishment Totals 2005-15\r\n2005\r\n2006\r\n2007\r\n2008\r\n2009\r\n2010\r\n2011\r\n2012\r\n2013\r\n2014\r\nJan-Oct 2015\r\nAberdeen*\r\n3\r\n0\r\n1\r\n1\r\n1\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\nAddiewell\r\n8\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n2\r\n1\r\n0\r\n0\r\n3\r\n1\r\n1\r\nBarlinnie\r\n47\r\n6\r\n5\r\n2\r\n4\r\n5\r\n6\r\n6\r\n2\r\n6\r\n2\r\n3\r\nCastle Huntly\r\n8\r\n0\r\n1\r\n1\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n1\r\n2\r\n1\r\n1\r\n1\r\nCornton Vale\r\n8\r\n3\r\n0\r\n1\r\n0\r\n0\r\n1\r\n0\r\n1\r\n0\r\n1\r\n1\r\nDumfries\r\n4\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n1\r\n1\r\n0\r\n1\r\n0\r\n0\r\n1\r\n0\r\nEdinburgh\r\n33\r\n0\r\n1\r\n2\r\n4\r\n5\r\n2\r\n2\r\n3\r\n4\r\n5\r\n5\r\nGrampian*\r\n2\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n1\r\n1\r\nGreenock\r\n14\r\n0\r\n2\r\n4\r\n2\r\n1\r\n1\r\n2\r\n0\r\n1\r\n1\r\n0\r\nGlenochil\r\n18\r\n0\r\n0\r\n1\r\n3\r\n0\r\n0\r\n3\r\n3\r\n4\r\n3\r\n1\r\nInverness\r\n6\r\n0\r\n1\r\n2\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n1\r\n1\r\n0\r\n0\r\n1\r\nKilmarnock\r\n12\r\n1\r\n2\r\n1\r\n2\r\n2\r\n1\r\n1\r\n0\r\n0\r\n2\r\n0\r\nPerth\r\n22\r\n2\r\n1\r\n4\r\n1\r\n1\r\n3\r\n3\r\n3\r\n2\r\n0\r\n2\r\nPeterhead*\r\n18\r\n3\r\n7\r\n0\r\n1\r\n3\r\n0\r\n3\r\n1\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\nPolmont\r\n7\r\n2\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n1\r\n0\r\n2\r\n0\r\n2\r\n0\r\nLow Moss\r\n6\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n2\r\n1\r\n3\r\nNoranside*\r\n2\r\n1\r\n1\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\nShotts\r\n11\r\n0\r\n0\r\n2\r\n0\r\n1\r\n0\r\n0\r\n3\r\n1\r\n3\r\n1\r\nTotals by Year\r\n229\r\n18\r\n22\r\n21\r\n19\r\n21\r\n16\r\n23\r\n21\r\n24\r\n24\r\n20\r\n*Noranside Prison closed in October 2011. HMP Peterhead closed in December 2013, HMP Aberdeen closed in January 2014 and HMP Grampian opened in March 2014.”","AnswerDate":"2016-01-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-01-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308734,"EventID":"S4W-28857","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2015-12-08T17:00:37.723","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-12-08T15:18:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it will (a) reach and (b) announce its decision on whether its borrowing plans for 2016-17 will be financed through (i) the National Loans Fund, (ii) bank loans on commercial terms, (iii) issuing bonds or (iv) other means. ","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government expects to take decisions about future borrowing routes in the course of 2016-17, and on the basis that we would plan only to draw down borrowing late in the financial year. It is anticipated that final arrangements will be confirmed with HM Treasury in early 2017 and Parliament will be updated around that time.\r\nThe Scottish Government will evaluate the options available to it for borrowing and will in due course take a responsible decision on which method or methods to use based on the prevailing economic conditions.","AnswerDate":"2016-01-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-01-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308735,"EventID":"S4W-28858","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2015-12-08T17:00:43.743","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-12-08T15:35:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the fall in oil prices, whether it plans to issue an updated oil and gas bulletin and, if so, on what date it will be published.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government produces a range of statistics and analysis on the oil and gas industry in Scotland. The most recent publications were Oil and Gas Production, Income and Expenditure Statistics in October 2015 and the Quarterly National Accounts in November 2015, which detailed gross value added and tax revenues related to the Scottish offshore sector up to 2015 quarter 2. \r\nThe releases are available on the Scottish Government website at the following pages: http://www.gov.scot/Topics/Statistics/Browse/Economy/SNAP/expstats/oilandgas and http://www.gov.scot/Topics/Statistics/Browse/Economy/QNA2015Q2","AnswerDate":"2015-12-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-01-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308736,"EventID":"S4W-28859","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5080,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-12-08T17:00:44.57","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-12-08T15:49:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what support is available to help women with neurofibromatosis access pre-implantation genetic diagnosis. ","AnswerText":"The Scottish Pre-Implantation Genetic Diagnosis (PGD) screening service provides cytogenetic testing for foetal chromosome abnormalities and single gene disorders. However, access to PGD is dependent on criteria set out in The Scottish Pre-Implantation Genetic Diagnosis and Screening Service Framework for Decision Making, which can be found at: http://www.nsd.scot.nhs.uk/services/specserv/preimplant.html. \r\nDifferent types of neurofibromatosis conditions exist and PGD access via the NHS will depend on the individual case. The PGD framework aims to ensure that decisions made relating to access to and prioritisation of patients in the PGD service in Scotland are reasonable, transparent and justifiable. \r\nIndividuals can seek support or advice about access to PGD from their GP or consultant. Some UK networks and organisations also exist, which offer people concerned about neurofibromatosis advice or support to find appropriate solutions. These include The Neuro Foundation, which has a website at: http://www.nfauk.org and the Neurofibromatosis Network, which has a website at: \r\nhttp://www.nfnetwork.org.","AnswerDate":"2016-01-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-01-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308737,"EventID":"S4W-28860","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2135,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":92,"ApprovedDate":"2015-12-08T17:00:45.103","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-12-08T15:50:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what natural means of flood prevention, including tree and forest planting, are used by (a) it and (b) its agencies.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is continuing to work with partners to implement the Flood Risk Management (Scotland) Act 2009. The Act promotes actions that work with nature at a catchment scale as part of a more sustainable approach to flood risk management.\r\nThe Scottish Environment Protection Agency, working closely in partnership with local authorities, Scottish Water and other stakeholders, has just completed Scotland’s first flood risk management strategies. These promote a nationally consistent, risk-based, plan led approach to flood risk management. Nationally the strategies identify more than 20 specific natural flood management studies and four ground works for delivery between 2016 and 2021. These actions will be predominantly led by local authorities but will involve co-operation and collaboration with a wide range of other organisations and stakeholders including landowners and managers, Forestry Commission Scotland, Scottish National Heritage, National Parks and local environmental partnerships.\r\nTo further support natural flood management we are funding research to better understand how actions such as wetland creation, re-meandering and woodland planting can contribute to slowing and storing flood waters and help alleviate flooding to communities downstream.","AnswerDate":"2016-01-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-01-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen McLeod","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308738,"EventID":"S4W-28861","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2135,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":92,"ApprovedDate":"2015-12-08T17:00:45.773","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-12-08T15:50:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what work Forestry Commission Scotland is carrying out to ensure that trees and forests are planted in a manner that diminishes downstream flood risk, and what information it has on similar work by commercial forestry companies.","AnswerText":"Scottish Ministers designated the Forestry Commission as a responsible authority, with associated duties to reduce overall flood risk under the Flood Risk Management (Scotland) Act 2009. In Scotland, Forestry Commission Scotland exercises flood risk-related functions on behalf of the commissioners through policy, regulation and grant support, with action on the National Forest Estate directed by Forest Enterprise Scotland.\r\nForestry Commission Scotland has contributed to the preparation of flood risk management strategies and local plans as required by the Flood Risk Management Act. These will be published in December 2015 and June 2016 respectively.\r\nThe Act also requires that flood plans take account of natural flood management measures, where the landscape and natural features are used to slow down and store flood water. Targeted woodland creation is part of these measures.\r\nIn particular, in 2015, Forestry Commission Scotland launched the opportunity mapping project that identifies areas in priority catchments in Scotland where woodland creation has the greatest potential to reduce flooding and diffuse pollution. Targeted support to deliver this work is available under the Scottish Rural Development Programme’s ‘Woodlands for Water’ grant.\r\nForestry Commission Scotland is also contributing to the revision of the UK Forestry Standard on forests and water. The revision will take into account the new duties for reducing overall flood risk in a forestry context.\r\nThe forestry industry has developed advice which highlights how productive private woodland can reduce the likelihood of floods. The report is available at http://www.confor.org.uk/Upload/Documents/37_TheRoleofProductiveWoodlandsinWaterManagementConforMarch2015.pdf.","AnswerDate":"2016-01-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-01-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen McLeod","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308739,"EventID":"S4W-28862","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2135,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":92,"ApprovedDate":"2015-12-08T17:00:46.427","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-12-08T15:50:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it will take in light of studies suggesting that tree and forest planting can be used to mitigate the effects of downstream flooding.","AnswerText":"Well planned and managed upland and floodplain forests and riparian woodland can play an important role in attenuating flood peaks, as well as providing many other environmental benefits. Where the flood risk management strategies have identified the potential for natural flood management actions (such as tree planting) to deliver flood risk management benefits, detailed modelling, optioneering, appraisal and design studies will be progressed. Delivery timescale and funding of these actions will be outlined in the local flood risk management plans, which complement the flood risk management strategies, and will be published in June 2016.","AnswerDate":"2016-01-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-01-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen McLeod","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308740,"EventID":"S4W-28865","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5057,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-12-08T17:00:47.007","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-12-08T16:12:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many (a) deaths by suicide, (b) attempted suicides and (c) incidences of self-harm have been recorded in each prison in each year since 1999.","AnswerText":"I have asked Colin McConnell, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service (SPS), to respond. His response is as follows:\r\n“The SPS hold data in relation to (a) deaths by suicide from 2005. The following table details the information requested:\r\nDeaths by Suicide\r\n2005\r\n2006\r\n2007\r\n2008\r\n2009\r\n2010\r\n2011\r\n2012\r\n2013\r\n2014\r\nJan-Oct 2015\r\nAberdeen*\r\n0\r\n1\r\n0\r\n1\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\nAddiewell\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n1\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n1\r\n0\r\n0\r\nBarlinnie\r\n4\r\n5\r\n1\r\n0\r\n2\r\n6\r\n2\r\n1\r\n3\r\n0\r\n0\r\nCastle Huntly\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n1\r\n0\r\n0\r\nCornton Vale\r\n1\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n1\r\n0\r\n1\r\n0\r\nDumfries\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\nEdinburgh\r\n0\r\n1\r\n0\r\n2\r\n1\r\n1\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n3\r\n0\r\nGrampian*\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n1\r\n0\r\nGreenock\r\n0\r\n0\r\n2\r\n1\r\n0\r\n1\r\n2\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\nGlenochil\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n1\r\n0\r\n0\r\nInverness\r\n0\r\n1\r\n1\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n1\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\nKilmarnock\r\n0\r\n0\r\n1\r\n1\r\n0\r\n1\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n1\r\n0\r\nPerth\r\n2\r\n1\r\n4\r\n1\r\n1\r\n0\r\n2\r\n1\r\n1\r\n0\r\n1\r\nPeterhead*\r\n1\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n1\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\nPolmont\r\n1\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n1\r\n0\r\n2\r\n0\r\n2\r\n0\r\nLow Moss\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n2\r\nShotts\r\n0\r\n0\r\n1\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n2\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\nTotal by Year\r\n9\r\n9\r\n10\r\n6\r\n6\r\n10\r\n6\r\n8\r\n7\r\n8\r\n3\r\n*HMP Peterhead closed in December 2013, HMP Aberdeen closed in January 2014 and HMP Grampian opened in March 2014.\r\nThe management information held by the SPS in relation to (b) attempted suicides is detailed in the following table: \r\nAttempted Suicides\r\n2014\r\nJan-Oct 2015\r\nAddiewell\r\n2\r\n0\r\nBarlinnie\r\n0\r\n2\r\nCastle Huntly\r\n0\r\n0\r\nCornton Vale\r\n0\r\n2\r\nDumfries\r\n0\r\n0\r\nEdinburgh\r\n24\r\n17\r\nGrampian*\r\n1\r\n5\r\nGreenock\r\n0\r\n0\r\nGlenochil\r\n0\r\n0\r\nInverness\r\n6\r\n2\r\nKilmarnock\r\n1\r\n5\r\nPerth\r\n4\r\n0\r\nPolmont\r\n4\r\n9\r\nLow Moss\r\n0\r\n1\r\nShotts\r\n2\r\n0\r\nTotal\r\n44\r\n43\r\nThe management information held in relation to (c) incidences of self-harm is detailed in the following table: \r\nSelf Harm\r\n2014\r\nJan-Oct 2015\r\nAddiewell\r\n31\r\n24\r\nBarlinnie\r\n47\r\n23\r\nCastle Huntly\r\n0\r\n0\r\nCornton Vale\r\n73\r\n53\r\nDumfries\r\n6\r\n9\r\nEdinburgh\r\n108\r\n99\r\nGrampian*\r\n6\r\n43\r\nGreenock\r\n9\r\n2\r\nGlenochil\r\n32\r\n9\r\nInverness\r\n87*\r\n2\r\nKilmarnock\r\n37\r\n25\r\nPerth\r\n30\r\n16\r\nPolmont\r\n15\r\n16\r\nLow Moss\r\n26\r\n6\r\nShotts\r\n28\r\n7\r\nTotal\r\n535\r\n334\r\n*HMP Grampian opened in March 2014. They began providing self-harm statistics from October 2014.\r\n*The figures for HMP Inverness were high due to a specific individual who persistently self-harmed. Please be aware that in November 2013 it was highlighted there was no consistent method for centrally recording incidents of self-harm or attempted suicide in Scottish prisons. It was agreed it was essential to collect accurate data as there were lessons to be learned as well as to inform future policy development. Accordingly it is only possible for us to provide statistics covering January 2014 to October 2015.”","AnswerDate":"2016-01-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-01-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308741,"EventID":"S4W-28866","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5057,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-12-08T17:00:47.443","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-12-08T16:12:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many (a) homicides, (b) culpable homicides, (c) attempted homicides, (d) inmate-on-inmate assaults and (e) inmate-on-prison officer assaults have been recorded in each prison in each year since 1999.","AnswerText":"I have asked Colin McConnell, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service (SPS), to respond. His response is as follows:\r\n“The information requested is not available from the Prisoner Record System (PR2) prior to 2001. The SPS reporting system records staff assaults and does not differentiate assaults on prison officers from other members of staff. The figures for staff assaults have been provided below.\r\nThere have been three incidents of interpersonal violence recorded which have resulted in a prisoner being charged with murder or culpable homicide.\r\n2014: Prisoner charged with culpable homicide following an assault on another prisoner in HMP Kilmarnock.\r\n2014: Prisoner charged with murder following an assault on another prisoner in HMP Barlinnie.\r\n2006: Prisoner charged with culpable homicide following an assault on another prisoner in HMP Kilmarnock.\r\nThe table below provides a breakdown of details of prisoner on prisoner assaults recorded in each prison in each year since 2001.\r\nPrisoner on Prisoner\r\n2015\r\n2014\r\n2013\r\n2012\r\n2011\r\n2010\r\n2009\r\n2008\r\n2007\r\n2006\r\n2005\r\n2004\r\n2003\r\n2002\r\n2001\r\nAberdeen\r\n0\r\n0\r\n19\r\n26\r\n18\r\n25\r\n30\r\n52\r\n20\r\n34\r\n33\r\n15\r\n29\r\n38\r\n20\r\nAddiewell\r\n25\r\n13\r\n21\r\n37\r\n43\r\n59\r\n81\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\nBarlinnie\r\n49\r\n52\r\n43\r\n45\r\n66\r\n67\r\n79\r\n67\r\n63\r\n64\r\n55\r\n50\r\n66\r\n82\r\n58\r\nCastle Huntly\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n3\r\n1\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n1\r\nCornton Vale\r\n19\r\n24\r\n15\r\n23\r\n67\r\n53\r\n50\r\n47\r\n38\r\n25\r\n32\r\n8\r\n11\r\n12\r\n13\r\nDumfries\r\n8\r\n5\r\n12\r\n18\r\n33\r\n20\r\n26\r\n18\r\n34\r\n23\r\n27\r\n12\r\n21\r\n10\r\n6\r\nEdinburgh\r\n56\r\n55\r\n44\r\n59\r\n79\r\n74\r\n89\r\n89\r\n67\r\n86\r\n53\r\n56\r\n59\r\n74\r\n44\r\nGlenochil\r\n22\r\n29\r\n26\r\n22\r\n40\r\n38\r\n25\r\n35\r\n20\r\n16\r\n16\r\n18\r\n15\r\n18\r\n18\r\nGrampian\r\n53\r\n28\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\nGreenock\r\n10\r\n5\r\n14\r\n13\r\n20\r\n9\r\n22\r\n34\r\n24\r\n28\r\n23\r\n41\r\n21\r\n13\r\n8\r\nInverness\r\n8\r\n11\r\n18\r\n11\r\n14\r\n11\r\n13\r\n20\r\n19\r\n16\r\n19\r\n3\r\n8\r\n1\r\n0\r\nKilmarnock\r\n34\r\n37\r\n36\r\n60\r\n74\r\n39\r\n41\r\n70\r\n53\r\n40\r\n42\r\n36\r\n70\r\n85\r\n26\r\nLow Moss\r\n47\r\n49\r\n52\r\n44\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n7\r\n18\r\n23\r\n20\r\n20\r\n24\r\n17\r\nNoranside\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n2\r\n2\r\n0\r\n1\r\n0\r\nOpen Estate\r\n1\r\n0\r\n2\r\n0\r\n2\r\n3\r\n0\r\n2\r\n1\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\nPerth\r\n67\r\n56\r\n61\r\n49\r\n61\r\n48\r\n54\r\n67\r\n59\r\n37\r\n62\r\n102\r\n63\r\n38\r\n10\r\nPeterhead\r\n0\r\n0\r\n7\r\n7\r\n2\r\n13\r\n9\r\n12\r\n15\r\n11\r\n4\r\n2\r\n5\r\n6\r\n10\r\nPolmont\r\n131\r\n164\r\n197\r\n119\r\n167\r\n166\r\n161\r\n130\r\n145\r\n150\r\n171\r\n176\r\n105\r\n47\r\n25\r\nShotts\r\n22\r\n25\r\n18\r\n21\r\n13\r\n17\r\n19\r\n11\r\n11\r\n16\r\n16\r\n10\r\n21\r\n20\r\n7\r\nThe following table provides a breakdown of details of inmate on staff assaults recorded in each prison in each year since 2001.”\r\nPrisoner on Staff\r\n2015\r\n2014\r\n2013\r\n2012\r\n2011\r\n2010\r\n2009\r\n2008\r\n2007\r\n2006\r\n2005\r\n2004\r\n2003\r\n2002\r\n2001\r\nAberdeen\r\n0\r\n2\r\n6\r\n11\r\n3\r\n9\r\n6\r\n7\r\n2\r\n9\r\n4\r\n4\r\n15\r\n16\r\n19\r\nAddiewell\r\n10\r\n6\r\n14\r\n14\r\n19\r\n40\r\n45\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\nBarlinnie\r\n15\r\n26\r\n22\r\n14\r\n20\r\n19\r\n16\r\n28\r\n25\r\n23\r\n17\r\n21\r\n28\r\n24\r\n20\r\nCastle Huntly\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n1\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\nCornton Vale\r\n39\r\n29\r\n15\r\n48\r\n57\r\n45\r\n46\r\n34\r\n25\r\n18\r\n15\r\n9\r\n8\r\n10\r\n9\r\nDumfries\r\n2\r\n1\r\n2\r\n1\r\n4\r\n1\r\n3\r\n2\r\n2\r\n1\r\n5\r\n4\r\n3\r\n2\r\n3\r\nEdinburgh\r\n10\r\n14\r\n13\r\n18\r\n17\r\n17\r\n10\r\n12\r\n11\r\n19\r\n30\r\n25\r\n19\r\n26\r\n7\r\nGlenochil\r\n11\r\n6\r\n10\r\n5\r\n0\r\n2\r\n4\r\n2\r\n9\r\n4\r\n6\r\n2\r\n11\r\n10\r\n6\r\nGrampian\r\n15\r\n15\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\nGreenock\r\n2\r\n2\r\n2\r\n2\r\n6\r\n1\r\n4\r\n0\r\n1\r\n7\r\n6\r\n8\r\n3\r\n6\r\n6\r\nInverness\r\n2\r\n4\r\n0\r\n1\r\n1\r\n2\r\n0\r\n2\r\n3\r\n2\r\n3\r\n2\r\n1\r\n0\r\n2\r\nKilmarnock\r\n14\r\n8\r\n12\r\n26\r\n20\r\n6\r\n9\r\n17\r\n13\r\n19\r\n26\r\n17\r\n58\r\n35\r\n19\r\nLow Moss\r\n6\r\n11\r\n14\r\n8\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n2\r\n0\r\n2\r\n0\r\n1\r\nNoranside\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n1\r\nOpen Estate\r\n1\r\n1\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n1\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\nPerth\r\n19\r\n14\r\n14\r\n10\r\n6\r\n5\r\n15\r\n9\r\n12\r\n11\r\n14\r\n13\r\n8\r\n7\r\n3\r\nPeterhead\r\n0\r\n0\r\n4\r\n3\r\n5\r\n3\r\n1\r\n3\r\n0\r\n2\r\n3\r\n3\r\n3\r\n5\r\n0\r\nPolmont\r\n11\r\n22\r\n31\r\n9\r\n25\r\n11\r\n15\r\n6\r\n13\r\n15\r\n26\r\n28\r\n25\r\n19\r\n11\r\nShotts\r\n7\r\n4\r\n12\r\n3\r\n5\r\n5\r\n4\r\n11\r\n2\r\n9\r\n9\r\n11\r\n13\r\n17\r\n6\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-01-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-01-05T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308752,"EventID":"S4O-05174","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":3907,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":135,"ApprovedDate":"2015-12-09T13:49:11.463","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-12-07T12:02:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many employers in Scotland pay the living wage.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-12-16T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308753,"EventID":"S4O-05175","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":2159,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":88,"ApprovedDate":"2015-12-09T13:49:12.133","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-12-08T14:00:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to tackle unemployment in Glasgow Provan.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-12-16T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308754,"EventID":"S4O-05176","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":3759,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":80,"ApprovedDate":"2015-12-09T13:49:12.85","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-12-07T12:02:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on its discussions with the UK Government regarding the Apprenticeship Levy.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-12-16T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308755,"EventID":"S4O-05177","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":2892,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-12-09T13:49:13.477","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-12-09T11:31:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the implications are for skills and training of its proposed national infrastructure priority on energy efficiency.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-12-16T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308756,"EventID":"S4O-05178","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":3751,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":108,"ApprovedDate":"2015-12-09T13:49:14.177","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-12-07T15:36:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on reports that the gender pay gap in Scotland is 7.3%, compared with 9.4% in the UK.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-12-16T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308757,"EventID":"S4O-05180","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":5556,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":111,"ApprovedDate":"2015-12-09T13:49:14.787","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-12-07T12:02:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it ensures fairness in its employment practices.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is committed to ensuring fairness in employment working practices evidenced through being the only government in the UK to have a dedicated Minister for Fair Work. As an employer the Scottish Government’s own employment policies and procedures far exceed legal obligations to provide a variety of flexible working practices and ensure all employees are treated with dignity and respect. \r\nWe continually review our employment policies and procedures to ensure that they are fair and equitable and do not have any negative impact on any group of staff. In June 2015 the Scottish Government was also recognised as a living wage accredited employer. ","AnswerDate":"2015-12-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-12-16T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"Roseanna Cunningham","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308758,"EventID":"S4O-05181","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":2215,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":125,"ApprovedDate":"2015-12-09T13:49:15.377","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-12-07T12:02:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what information it has on how youth employment in Scotland compares with the rest of the EU.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-12-16T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308759,"EventID":"S4O-05182","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":4080,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-12-09T13:49:16.19","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-12-09T11:22:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to the Scottish Women's Development Forum report, A study of the perceptions and experience of Police Officers and Staff during pregnancy and maternity.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-12-16T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308760,"EventID":"S4O-05183","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":2033,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":132,"ApprovedDate":"2015-12-09T13:49:16.83","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-12-09T09:06:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to address the reported shortage of 11,000 professionals with digital skills, particularly in relation to computer coding training. ","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-12-16T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308761,"EventID":"S4O-05184","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":4938,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-12-09T13:49:17.593","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-12-07T14:59:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to look after the welfare of older people.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-12-16T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308762,"EventID":"S4O-05186","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":4951,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-12-09T13:49:18.17","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-12-09T09:38:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what information it has regarding how many single parents in Scotland have been subject to benefit sanctions in the last year.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-12-16T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308763,"EventID":"S4O-05187","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":5079,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-12-09T13:49:18.81","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-12-08T12:47:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government for what reason the publication of the Scottish Index of Multiple Deprivation has been delayed.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-12-16T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308764,"EventID":"S4O-05188","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":4948,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-12-09T13:49:19.573","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-12-07T12:03:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to improve the energy efficiency of existing homes.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-12-16T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308765,"EventID":"S4O-05189","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":4934,"Party":"Scottish Green Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-12-09T13:49:20.2","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-12-09T11:44:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what percentage of dwellings in the Lothian region meet the Scottish Housing Quality Standard.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-12-16T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308766,"EventID":"S4O-05190","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":2615,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":143,"ApprovedDate":"2015-12-09T13:49:20.917","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-12-07T12:03:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to tackle poverty.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-12-16T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308767,"EventID":"S4O-05191","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":5106,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":118,"ApprovedDate":"2015-12-09T13:49:21.603","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-12-07T12:03:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it expects the planning review panel to complete its work.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-12-16T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308768,"EventID":"S4O-05192","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":1783,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":140,"ApprovedDate":"2015-12-09T13:49:22.35","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-12-07T12:03:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it considers that it will end fuel poverty by November 2016.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-12-16T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308769,"EventID":"S4O-05193","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":2675,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":93,"ApprovedDate":"2015-12-09T13:49:23.973","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-12-07T12:03:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what consideration the Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice, Communities and Pensioners’ Rights has given to implementing the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-12-16T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308770,"EventID":"S4O-05194","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":5107,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":124,"ApprovedDate":"2015-12-09T13:49:25.953","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-12-07T12:04:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what planning it is carrying out regarding the additional powers proposed in the Scotland Bill.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-12-17T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308771,"EventID":"S4O-05196","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":5047,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-12-09T13:49:27.967","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-12-08T15:43:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it will introduce the new peer approved clinical system to replace the individual patient treatment request system.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-12-17T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308772,"EventID":"S4O-05198","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":5110,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":89,"ApprovedDate":"2015-12-09T13:49:29.997","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-12-09T09:16:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it considers that the three Glasgow colleges each receive a fair share of the region’s resources.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-12-17T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308773,"EventID":"S4O-05199","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":2117,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-12-09T13:49:30.76","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-12-09T11:57:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the impact of the closure of the Forth Road Bridge is on communities in the north east.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-12-17T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308774,"EventID":"S4O-05200","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":4955,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":105,"ApprovedDate":"2015-12-09T13:49:31.65","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-12-07T12:04:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to deal with delayed discharge in Edinburgh.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-12-17T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308775,"EventID":"S4O-05201","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":1893,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-12-09T13:49:32.227","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-12-07T12:04:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to invest in flood defences for areas deemed to be at risk.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-12-17T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308776,"EventID":"S4O-05202","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":3129,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":83,"ApprovedDate":"2015-12-09T13:49:32.913","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-12-07T12:04:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what analysis it has carried out of the impact of allowing 16 and 17-year-olds to vote in the independence referendum.","AnswerText":"The Scottish independence referendum resulted in an encouraging increase in interest in political issues among young people. Over 109,000 young people aged 16 and 17 in Scotland were registered to vote at the referendum and 75% of those surveyed after the poll said they had voted. In addition, 97% of those 16-17 year olds who reported having voted said that they would vote again in future elections and referendums.\r\nBuilding on the example of the independence referendum, The Scottish Elections (Reduction of Voting Age) Bill will extend the right to vote in Scottish Parliament and local government elections to all 16 and 17 year olds. The legislation is expected to be in force in time to allow young people to register for the May 2016 Scottish election.\r\nThe Scottish Government has been following analysis conducted by a range of academics to understand the impact and experience of the extended franchise for the 2014 independence referendum. Findings to date support the view that those 16 and 17 year olds who voted in the referendum do intend to continue to exercise their right to vote in future elections. Research indicates that young people in Scotland were more politically engaged after the referendum than their counterparts in the rest of the UK. Scottish Government analysts will continue to follow and distil findings from academic research examining a range of impacts from the extended franchise, and the referendum itself.","AnswerDate":"2015-12-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-12-17T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"Joe FitzPatrick","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308777,"EventID":"S4O-05203","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":5060,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-12-09T13:49:33.6","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-12-09T10:17:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the Clyde and Hebrides ferry services tendering process.","AnswerText":"The Clyde and Hebrides ferry services tender remains on course for announcement of the successful operator at the end of May 2016. \r\nThe Independent Procurement Reference Panel’s review of the initial invitation to tender was published on 3 November 2015 and stated that the tender process was being undertaken in a fair, open and transparent manner. I am pleased to advise members that the panel’s review of the interim invitation to tender is being published today (17 December 2015) and confirms that this remains the case.","AnswerDate":"2015-12-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2015-12-17T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308787,"EventID":"S4W-28863","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2678,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-12-09T13:53:38.757","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-12-08T15:59:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it has taken to implement the recommendation by the Scottish Public Inquiry into Hepatitis C/HIV acquired infection from NHS treatment in Scotland with blood and blood products (Penrose Inquiry) that all reasonable steps be taken to offer a hepatitis C test to everyone who had a blood transfusion before 1991.","AnswerText":"The single recommendation of the Penrose Inquiry report was that the Scottish Government should offer a hepatitis C test to everyone in Scotland who had a blood transfusion before September 1991 and who has not already been tested. A short life working group has been established by Health Protection Scotland to take this recommendation forward involving key stakeholders such as patient representatives, the Scottish Government and the Scottish National Blood Transfusion Service. It will consider what further action should be taken and oversee the implementation of any additional interventions. Initial scoping work has been carried out with regard to the estimated size of the target group and an options appraisal is in progress on possible future actions.\r\nAnyone who considers themselves to be at risk of hepatitis C infection, or who believes they may have been infected via NHS blood or blood products, can receive a test for hepatitis C from their GP practice at any time.","AnswerDate":"2015-12-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-01-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308788,"EventID":"S4W-28864","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2678,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-12-09T13:53:41.08","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-12-08T15:59:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to the question S4W-28639 by Maureen Watt on 2 December 2015, how much recurring funding has been provided to NHS boards, and what proportion of this has been spent on new hepatitis C therapies.","AnswerText":"£9,625.6 million was given to NHS boards in 2015-16. The amount within that which is spent on hepatitis C treatment is not held centrally.","AnswerDate":"2015-12-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-01-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308789,"EventID":"S4W-28867","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2015-12-09T13:53:43.28","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-12-08T18:15:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the status is of the Scottish European Green Energy Centre.","AnswerText":"The Scottish European Green Energy Centre (SEGEC) has been active since 2009. It was initially set up as a part-public, part-private time-limited initiative part funded through EU structural funds but also by the Scottish Government, Scottish Enterprise (SE), Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE), Scottish Power and SSE. The structural funded ‘project’ came to an end in 2013 at which point the stakeholders agreed that the SEGEC team had proved to be of sufficient value for it to be maintained. It was agreed that the best solution would be integrating the SEGEC staff into SE. This SEGEC team now continues to carry out the same function as it had done prior to integration – assisting Scottish organisations to access EU funding for low carbon projects.\r\nRegular progress and activity updates are provided to the SEGEC advisory group comprised of representatives from Scottish Government, HIE and SE. This group also provides SEGEC with a strategic steer. SEGEC has integrated well into SE and there have been mutual benefits for both with SEGEC being able to utilise SE’s extensive knowledge of companies and projects in Scotland and SE being able to utilise SEGEC’s knowledge of EU funding as well as the technical knowledge of the staff.","AnswerDate":"2016-01-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-01-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308790,"EventID":"S4W-28868","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2015-12-09T13:53:44.013","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-12-08T18:15:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the main achievements of the Scottish European Green Energy Centre have been since its launch in 2009.","AnswerText":"SEGEC has delivered 167.86 million in European funding since mid-2009, leveraging an additional 431.72 million of investment, primarily from the private sector. In total, SEGEC has supported over 75 projects seeking EU funding, helping Scottish partners to understand opportunities, make new partners in new markets and further develop their project concepts. SEGEC has developed technical concepts and financial models, built consortia, and managed the writing of funding bids. The team has also led and participated in working groups at Scottish, UK, and European levels to influence European funding calls and fed in intelligence, insight, and built collaboration opportunities, e.g. European Technology Platforms.","AnswerDate":"2016-01-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-01-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308791,"EventID":"S4W-28869","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2015-12-09T13:53:44.67","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-12-08T18:16:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the budget has been for the Scottish European Green Energy Centre in each year since its launch in 2009.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government’s budget for supporting SEGEC is £350k per year. This has been contributed each financial year since 2009-10 with four payments to SEGEC as an independent organisation and then three payments to date to Scottish Enterprise as the host of SEGEC since 2013.","AnswerDate":"2016-01-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-01-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308792,"EventID":"S4W-28870","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2015-12-09T13:53:45.387","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-12-08T18:16:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it has kept the Parliament informed of developments regarding the Scottish European Green Energy Centre since its launch in 2009.","AnswerText":"SEGEC regularly reports to the Scottish Government and its development agencies. Throughout its existence SEGEC has reported regularly on its work streams and progress to the SEGEC advisory group, consisting of representatives from Scottish Government, Scottish Enterprise, and Highlands and Islands Enterprise.\r\nSEGEC itself reported to the Parliament's European and External Relations Committee's EU budget review inquiry in November 2009.","AnswerDate":"2016-01-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-01-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308793,"EventID":"S4W-28871","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1932,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":117,"ApprovedDate":"2015-12-09T13:53:46.087","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-12-08T18:10:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much Scottish Enterprise awarded in grants to (a) micro- and (b) macro-businesses in 2013-14, and how many businesses received these.","AnswerText":"Scottish Enterprise works to support economic development across Scotland. It offers a range of business support and services to businesses of all sizes. Support is not differentiated on size, but by the potential for realising business growth. Scottish Enterprise does not record data in relation to the size of a business. This approach reflects Scottish Enterprise's focus on growth opportunities wherever they arise rather than on particular segments of the business base.","AnswerDate":"2016-01-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-01-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308794,"EventID":"S4W-28876","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5556,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":111,"ApprovedDate":"2015-12-09T13:53:47.163","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-12-09T09:44:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the statement by Derek Mackay on 8 December 2015 (Official Report, c. 10), how many HGVs have used the Forth Road Bridge in each year since 2005.","AnswerText":"The following table shows the number of HGVs recorded as using the Forth Road Bridge from 2005-15:\r\nYear\r\n\r\nNorth\r\nSouth\r\nCombined\r\n2005\r\nHGV\r\n1,363,122\r\n1,391,482\r\n2,754,604\r\n2006\r\nHGV\r\n1,405,779\r\n1,466,479\r\n2,872,258\r\n2007*\r\nHGV\r\n1,755,708\r\nN/A\r\nN/A\r\n2008\r\nHGV\r\n1,390,895\r\n1,528,927\r\n2,919,821\r\n2009\r\nHGV\r\n1,549,775\r\n1,549,341\r\n3,099,116\r\n2010**\r\nHGV\r\n960,884\r\n941,028\r\n1,901,913\r\n2011\r\nHGV\r\n869,645\r\n863,539\r\n1,733,184\r\n2012\r\nHGV\r\n851,786\r\n872,073\r\n1,723,859\r\n2013\r\nHGV\r\n878,767\r\n895,272\r\n1,774,039\r\n2014\r\nHGV\r\n857,892\r\n1,115,206\r\n1,973,099\r\n2015***\r\nHGV\r\n906,227\r\n856,413\r\n1,762,640\r\n* Failure in southbound equipment \r\n** Change in traffic counter equipment.\r\n*** Data totals based on January to November only.","AnswerDate":"2015-12-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-01-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308795,"EventID":"S4W-28877","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5556,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":111,"ApprovedDate":"2015-12-09T13:53:48.117","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-12-09T09:44:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the statement by Derek Mackay on 8 December 2015 (Official Report, c. 10), how much money it has provided toward the maintenance of the Forth Road Bridge in each year since 2000.","AnswerText":"In the period from 2000 to the abolition of tolls on 11 February 2008 the funding of all Forth Estuary Transport Authority (FETA) operating and capital expenditure including maintenance was through toll income and other income generated by FETA through investments and interest.\r\nOn the abolition of tolls, a revenue and capital grant was payable to FETA by the Scottish Government. The revenue grant from the Scottish Government covered administration, maintenance and traffic operations. Budget allocation within the overall grant settlement was determined by FETA. The capital grant was paid to support capital works. FETA also supplemented the capital grant paid by the Scottish Government through the use of accumulated reserves.\r\nThe grant paid by the Scottish Government following the abolition of tolls is as follows:\r\nYear\r\n2007-8\r\n2008-9\r\n2009-10\r\n2010-11\r\n2011-12\r\n2012-13\r\n2013-14\r\n2014-15\r\n2015-16\r\nTotal 2007-16\r\nRevenue\r\n3.50\r\n7.01\r\n5.10\r\n5.11\r\n5.10\r\n5.10\r\n5.10\r\n5.10\r\n5.0\r\n46.2\r\nCapital\r\n6.45\r\n6.89\r\n8.00\r\n10.13\r\n11.80\r\n6.28\r\n4.60\r\n1.72\r\n5.7\r\n61.6\r\nTotal Transport Scotland Grant\r\n9.95\r\n13.97\r\n13.10\r\n15.24\r\n16.90\r\n11.38\r\n9.70\r\n6.82\r\n10.7\r\n107.8\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-12-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-01-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308796,"EventID":"S4W-28878","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5556,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":111,"ApprovedDate":"2015-12-09T13:53:48.787","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-12-09T09:44:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the statement by Derek Mackay on 8 December 2015 (Official Report, c. 10), what differences there are between the current and previous contract with the operators of the Forth Road Bridge in respect of the contingency plans to deal with a closure of the bridge.","AnswerText":"There are no differences between the Forth Estuary Transport Authority plans and the current Amey Highways Ltd plans for contingencies on the Forth Road Bridge.","AnswerDate":"2015-12-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-01-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308797,"EventID":"S4W-28881","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5556,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":111,"ApprovedDate":"2015-12-09T13:53:49.443","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-12-09T09:44:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the statement by Derek Mackay on 8 December 2015 (Official Report, c. 10), what discussions it has had with (a) agencies and (b) contractors regarding what contingencies are in place should adverse weather impact on the repair work that is being carried out, and what the outcome was.","AnswerText":"Since the discovery of the defect, Transport Scotland officials have been working closely on a daily basis with Amey and their supply chain, to develop, design and implement the repair solution. \r\nContingencies are in place to ensure the works are undertaken as timeously as possible. The programme for the repair works includes an allowance for the level of adverse weather that might normally be expected at this time of year. Repair work is underway 24/7 with daily progress reports being received. We are as confident as we can be that the bridge will be reopened to traffic for the return to work in the 2016. ","AnswerDate":"2015-12-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-01-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308798,"EventID":"S4W-28882","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5556,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":111,"ApprovedDate":"2015-12-09T13:53:50.02","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-12-09T09:44:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the statement by Derek Mackay on 8 December 2015 (Official Report, c. 10), what meetings it has had with Stagecoach regarding operating bus shuttle services between Halbeath park-and-ride and Inverkeithing railway station; whether these included discussions about the travel times and, if so, what the estimated times were, and for what reason it was determined that such a service would not be provided.","AnswerText":"The travel plan to mitigate the travel disruption as a result of the Forth Road Bridge closure has involved Stagecoach as a key stakeholder, in their capacity as a major bus operator incorporating the Fife, cross Forth area. The links between Inverkeithing and Halbeath were discussed and it was agreed that passengers could use the 747 shuttle bus service with an anticipated journey time of 10 minutes between Inverkeithing and Halbeath.","AnswerDate":"2015-12-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-01-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308799,"EventID":"S4W-28886","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5556,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":111,"ApprovedDate":"2015-12-09T13:53:50.643","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-12-09T09:44:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the statement by Derek Mackay on 8 December 2015 (Official Report, c. 10), what meetings it has had with Stagecoach regarding bus transfers between Halbeath park-and-ride and Inverkeithing railway station, and what transfer times were determined.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-28882 on 18 December 2015. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx","AnswerDate":"2015-12-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-01-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308800,"EventID":"S4W-28887","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5556,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":111,"ApprovedDate":"2015-12-09T13:53:51.297","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-12-09T09:44:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the statement by Derek Mackay on 8 December 2015 (Official Report, c. 10) what meetings it has had with Stagecoach regarding the (a) economic impact on Fife, (b) the impact on traffic congestion and (c) the travel time differences of operating bus transfers between Halbeath park-and-ride and Inverkeithing railway station instead of a bus shuttle service.","AnswerText":"Regular discussions have taken place between Transport Scotland and Stagecoach throughout the period of the closure of the Forth Road Bridge. These discussions have focused on alterations to bus services with a view to minimising road congestion and mitigating the economic impact of the bridge closure in Fife and elsewhere. These plans include the use of the 747 shuttle bus service to provide a link between Halbeath and Inverkeithing Railway Station with an anticipated journey time of ten minutes. ","AnswerDate":"2015-12-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-01-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308801,"EventID":"S4W-28889","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5556,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":111,"ApprovedDate":"2015-12-09T13:53:51.937","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-12-09T09:44:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the statement by Derek Mackay on 8 December 2015 (Official Report, c. 10), what action it is taking to encourage Stagecoach and ScotRail to work in partnership to deliver integrated public transport solutions for Fife commuters (a) while the Forth Road Bridge is being repaired and (b) after the Forth Road Bridge reopens.","AnswerText":"Stagecoach and Scotrail have been fully involved in the development and implementation of the travel plan to address the needs of the travelling public. As part of our arrangements to develop and monitor the travel plan, all parties including Stagecoach and Scotrail, liaise routinely to monitor the plan and ensure that it best meets the needs of the travelling public.","AnswerDate":"2015-12-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-01-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308802,"EventID":"S4W-28891","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1775,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":146,"ApprovedDate":"2015-12-09T13:53:52.61","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-12-09T11:34:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether self-directed support payments must be paid into a bank account that is held jointly by the recipient and whoever holds their power of attorney.","AnswerText":"There is no statutory requirement for an individual and their power of attorney to hold a joint bank account for any payments that are given under self-directed support legislation.\r\nThe Code of Practice For Continuing and Welfare Attorneys (March 2011) states “you should usually keep the person’s finances separate from your own or anyone else’s”.","AnswerDate":"2016-01-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-01-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308803,"EventID":"S4W-28905","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":2,"MSPID":3745,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":122,"ApprovedDate":"2015-12-09T15:19:22.067","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-12-09T14:52:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will publish its correspondence with the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills regarding the privatisation of the Green Investment Bank.","AnswerText":"Copies of all correspondence with the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills and the Chair of the Green Investment Bank on the privatisation of the Green Investment Bank are included within the Legislative Consent Memorandum for the UK Enterprise Bill presented to parliament:\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/Bills/90660.aspx.","AnswerDate":"2015-12-10T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-01-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308815,"EventID":"S4W-28897","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5556,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":111,"ApprovedDate":"2015-12-09T17:01:34.357","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-12-09T13:54:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many cleft palate operations have had to be redone due to a lack of success in the original operation in each of the last three years.","AnswerText":"The information requested is provided in the following table:\r\nCleft Palate Surgical Repairs in Scotland\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n2012-13\r\n2013-14\r\n2014-15\r\nTotal\r\nPalate Revisions\r\n54\r\n32\r\n29\r\n115\r\nStandard coding of operations in NHS Scotland is unable to differentiate between revision surgery carried out to improve present palatal function and revision surgery carried out to correct failure of primary palatal surgery.\r\nSome revision surgery may be for patients whose primary surgery was not carried out by any of the surgeons currently operating in Scotland.","AnswerDate":"2016-01-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-01-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308816,"EventID":"S4W-28898","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2675,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":93,"ApprovedDate":"2015-12-09T17:01:34.9","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-12-09T14:03:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many windfarm applications have been refused on the grounds of wild land in the last three years and what the impact was in terms of potential (a) megawatts, (b) community benefit, (c) the amount of carbon that would have been displaced, (d) investment in the area and (e) jobs.","AnswerText":"Wind farms of 50 megawatts or more are determined by Scottish Ministers through the Electricity Act 1989, those of less than 50 megawatts are determined by planning authorities under the Town and Country Planning (Scotland) Act 1997 (as amended). Planning applications are generally determined by planning authorities in Scotland and the information requested is not held centrally.\r\nIn relation to decisions under the Electricity Act, the requested information on the impacts and benefits of individual wind farm applications is not routinely collated, however all the wind farm application decision letters are available from the Scottish Government’s energy and consents webpage http://www.energyconsents.scot/.","AnswerDate":"2016-01-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-01-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308817,"EventID":"S4W-28899","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2675,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":93,"ApprovedDate":"2015-12-09T17:01:35.433","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-12-09T14:03:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether the wild land designation is aimed specifically at controlling wind power development or at any man-made developments.","AnswerText":"Wild land is not a statutory designation. Scottish Planning Policy (SPP) contains policies on wild land generally. Policy in the SPP on wind energy developments also specifically refers to wild land. The SPP does not impose a blanket ban on development in wild land areas. It states that development on wild land may be appropriate in some circumstances, where it can be demonstrated that significant effects can be substantially overcome by siting, design or other mitigation.","AnswerDate":"2015-12-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-01-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308818,"EventID":"S4W-28900","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2675,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":93,"ApprovedDate":"2015-12-09T17:01:35.993","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-12-09T14:03:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government for what reason Garvie Island live bombing range is considered an area of wild land.","AnswerText":"Garvie Island is a small offshore island which forms part of the much larger Cape Wrath wild land area as identified by Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH). Ministry of Defence (MOD) activity, which is infrequent, was considered by SNH when preparing its wild land areas mapping in 2014. Evidence of MOD activity is not considered to merit exclusion of Garvie Island from the wild land area.","AnswerDate":"2016-01-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-01-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen McLeod","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308819,"EventID":"S4W-28901","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2675,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":93,"ApprovedDate":"2015-12-09T17:01:36.743","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-12-09T14:03:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what criteria are used to designate an area as wild land. ","AnswerText":"Wild land areas, which are not a statutory designation, were identified by Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) using a three phase mapping methodology. This involved:\r\n1) Using geographic information system analysis to map four physical attributes across Scotland: perceived naturalness, rugged or challenging terrain, remoteness from public roads, and visible lack of built development/modern artefacts;\r\n2) Applying statistical techniques to identify the largest and most wild areas;\r\n3) Making informed judgements to select and define areas of wild land of most importance in a national context.\r\nA more detailed non-technical description of the mapping methodology has been published by SNH: http://www.snh.gov.uk/protecting-scotlands-nature/looking-after-landscapes/landscape-policy-and-guidance/wild-land/mapping/","AnswerDate":"2016-01-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-01-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen McLeod","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308820,"EventID":"S4W-28902","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2675,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":93,"ApprovedDate":"2015-12-09T17:01:37.273","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-12-09T14:03:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to review areas designated as core wild land.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government does not have any plans to ask Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) to review its 2014 map of wild land areas, which are not a statutory designation.\r\nSNH provided advice to the Scottish Government at the time when the map was published and noted that frequent review was unlikely to be necessary. The areas of wild land on the 2014 map would remain important in the national context unless a significant development or land use change took place.","AnswerDate":"2016-01-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-01-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen McLeod","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308821,"EventID":"S4W-28906","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3806,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-12-09T17:01:37.787","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-12-09T15:01:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with (a) the Scottish Housing Regulator and (b) housing associations about the implications for (i) regulation and (ii) spending should the Office for National Statistics reclassify housing associations as public bodies.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has regular discussions with the Scottish Housing Regulator, the Scottish Federation of Housing Associations and the Glasgow and West of Scotland Forum of Housing Associations about a range of issues affecting housing associations and other registered social landlords (RSLs). Recent discussions have included the decision by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) to reclassify private registered providers of social housing in England as public bodies. The discussions noted that the current ONS work-plan, published on 30 September 2015, does not include any plans to review the classification of housing associations and other RSLs in Scotland.","AnswerDate":"2015-12-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-01-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Burgess","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308822,"EventID":"S4W-28907","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3806,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-12-09T17:01:38.257","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-12-09T15:01:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with the Office for National Statistics about the reclassification of housing associations as public bodies.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has regular technical discussions with the Office for National Statistics (ONS). These have included informal discussions about the ONS decision to re-classify private registered providers of social housing in England as public bodies. This decision only applies to these bodies. The current ONS work-plan, published on 30 September 2015, does not include any plans to review the classification of housing associations and other registered social landlords in Scotland.","AnswerDate":"2015-12-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-01-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Burgess","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308823,"EventID":"S4W-28909","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1986,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":142,"ApprovedDate":"2015-12-09T17:01:38.77","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-12-09T15:27:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many level (a) one, (b) two, (c) three and (d) four escalations Healthcare Improvement Scotland has made to the Scottish Government following its inspections under the Older People in Acute Hospitals inspection programme in each year since 2012-13.","AnswerText":"There has been one escalation made by Healthcare Improvement Scotland to the Scottish Government under the Older People in Acute Hospitals inspections programme. That escalation took place in 2015-16. The four levels of escalation refer to the methodology adopted by the Healthcare Environment Inspectorate and not to Older People in Acute Hospitals inspections.","AnswerDate":"2016-01-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-01-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308824,"EventID":"S4W-28910","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1986,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":142,"ApprovedDate":"2015-12-09T17:01:39.253","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-12-09T15:27:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many unannounced inspections Healthcare Improvement Scotland has conducted as part of its Older People in Acute Hospitals inspection programme and what percentage this represents of inspections conducted.","AnswerText":"To date, 40 inspections and 11 follow-up inspections have taken place. Of those, 21 inspections were unannounced – 52.5% – and all of the follow-up inspections were unannounced. Following a review of the inspection methodology in 2013, all inspections are now unannounced.","AnswerDate":"2016-01-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-01-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308825,"EventID":"S4W-28911","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1986,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":142,"ApprovedDate":"2015-12-09T17:01:39.677","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-12-09T15:27:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether the definition of serious assault has been changed following the recommendation in the HM Inspectorate of Constabulary for Scotland’s 2013 Review of incident and crime recording and, if so, what the new definition is.","AnswerText":"Following the HM Inspectorate of Constabulary for Scotland (HMICS) review of incident and crime recording in 2013, further guidance providing clarity as to the interpretation of serious assault was provided in the 2014-15 Scottish Crime Recording Standard.\r\nThe subsequent HMICS review in 2014 noted that the recommendation remained open and that the different ways in which assault is presented within the official statistics on police recorded crime (be it a serious assault or a common assault) necessitated further investigation of the definitions used in this area. In that context the 2014 review recommended that the Scottish Police Authority and Police Scotland engage the Scottish Government and other stakeholders in exploring whether the crime groupings used for statistical purposes remain relevant, taking account of the changing nature of crime and the public’s perception of crime.\r\nThe Scottish Crime Recording Board (SCRB), which has been set up to support the production of accurate and objective statistics on crime in Scotland, is currently taking forward work to review the grouping of crime/violent crime and the definition of assault. The SCRB will keep users of the statistics informed as this develops. Further information on the board, its role and actions, is available at the link below.\r\nhttp://www.gov.scot/Topics/Statistics/Browse/Crime-Justice/PubRecordedCrime/SCRB","AnswerDate":"2016-01-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-01-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308826,"EventID":"S4W-28912","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1986,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":142,"ApprovedDate":"2015-12-09T17:01:40.127","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-12-09T15:27:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it has received internal audits of crime and incident recording by Police Scotland and, if so, how many, and whether it will publish them.","AnswerText":"Police Scotland’s internal crime recording audits are already published through the Audit and Risk Committee of the Scottish Police Authority (first link below). The latest available report, covering the third and fourth quarter of 2014-15 was presented to the committee on 20 October 2015 and is available at the second link below. Updated audits will be presented to the committee every six months.\r\nhttp://www.spa.police.uk/meetings-events/audit-and-risk-committee/\r\nhttp://www.spa.police.uk/assets/126884/174772/308396/item53","AnswerDate":"2016-01-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-01-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308827,"EventID":"S4W-28913","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1986,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":142,"ApprovedDate":"2015-12-09T17:01:40.597","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-12-09T15:27:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what recent estimate it has (a) made or (b) received of the cost of problem drug use as defined on page 12 of its drug strategy paper, The Road to Recovery: A New Approach to Tackling Scotland's Drug Problem.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government published the research paper Assessing the Scale and Impact of Illicit Drug Markets in Scotland in 2009. This paper provided estimates of the size and value of the illicit drugs market as well as estimates of the economic and social cost of illicit drug use in Scotland for the year 2006.\r\nThe research paper estimated the total economic and social cost of illicit drug use in Scotland to be just under £3.5 billion in 2006 (using Treasury GDP deflators to present the figures in 2014-15 prices this would equate to £4.2 billion). Costs associated with problem drug use accounted for 96% of the total cost and this equated to just under £61,000 (for 2014-15 prices this would equate to £73,000) per problem drug user. Recreational drug use accounted for 4% of the total estimated cost equating to £134 (for 2014-15 prices this would equate to £160) per user.\r\nThe paper estimated that the costs to the criminal justice system per year for problem drug users not in treatment, was £12,713 (estimated at £15,200 for 2014-15 prices), reducing to £6,524 (estimated at £7,800 for 2014-15 prices) after one year in treatment, then £1,536 (estimated at £1,800 for 2014-15 prices) after being in treatment for more than one year. The estimated costs to the health service per year for individuals not in treatment was £3,005 (estimated at £3,600 for 2014-15 prices), reducing to £1,536 (estimated at £1,800 for 2014-15 prices) after one year in treatment then £1,173 (estimated at £1,400 for 2014-15 prices) after being in treatment for more than one year.\r\nThis is the most recent information the Scottish Government has on this topic.","AnswerDate":"2016-01-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-01-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Paul Wheelhouse","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308828,"EventID":"S4W-28914","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1986,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":142,"ApprovedDate":"2015-12-09T17:01:41.063","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-12-09T15:27:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what recent estimate it has (a) made or (b) received on the social and economic cost of crime, broken down by type of crime.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government's most recent estimates of the social and economic cost of crime at the Scotland level were published in the evidence paper that underpinned The Strategy for Justice in Scotland. The links below provide the evidence paper and The Strategy for Justice in Scotland, both published in 2012.\r\nhttp://www.gov.scot/Publications/2012/09/8279\r\nhttp://www.gov.scot/Publications/2012/09/5924","AnswerDate":"2016-01-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-01-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308829,"EventID":"S4W-28915","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1986,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":142,"ApprovedDate":"2015-12-09T17:01:41.5","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-12-09T15:27:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what percentage of people who received a drug treatment and testing order in (a) 2009-10, (b) 2010-11, (c) 2011-12, (d) 2012-13 and (e) 2013-14 was drug free on completion of the order.","AnswerText":"Drug treatment and testing orders (DTTOs) are a high tariff disposal aimed at individuals with entrenched drug misuse problems who offend as a result of their addiction and would otherwise be facing a custodial sentence.\r\nThe aim of the DTTO is to reduce or eliminate an individual’s dependency or propensity to misuse drugs and thereby achieve reductions in drug-related offending. Orders last between six months and three years and combine drug treatment and a regular testing regime with four weekly reviews by sentencers. Individuals made subject to a DTTO are required to display significant levels of co-operation and compliance during what is a highly intensive and invasive community disposal.\r\nInformation on the number of people who were drug-free on completion of a DTTO is not held centrally.\r\nHowever, the Scottish Government does collect information on the reconviction rates of those completing DTTOs within one year of completion of the order. Since 2002-03 the overall reconviction rate per 100 individuals completing DTTOs has fallen by nearly 18%.\r\nThe Scottish Government also collects information on the percentage of DTTOs which were successfully completed or discharged early and this shows that since 2002-03 this percentage has increased by nearly 13%.\r\nThe Scottish Government also collects information on the percentage of DTTOs which were revoked due to breach and this shows that since 2003-04 (the first year this information was collected) this has decreased by 45%.","AnswerDate":"2016-01-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-01-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Paul Wheelhouse","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308830,"EventID":"S4W-28916","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1986,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":142,"ApprovedDate":"2015-12-09T17:01:42","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-12-09T15:27:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what information it has on the percentage of people who received a drug treatment and testing order in (a) 2009-10, (b) 2010-11, (c) 2011-12, (d) 2012-13 and (e) 2013-14 who relapsed after completing the order.","AnswerText":"This information is not held centrally. I refer the member to the answer to S4W-28915 on 7 January 2016 for information on the data that the Scottish Government does collect in relation to drug treatment and testing orders. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:\r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.","AnswerDate":"2016-01-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-01-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Paul Wheelhouse","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308831,"EventID":"S4W-28917","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1986,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":142,"ApprovedDate":"2015-12-09T17:01:42.467","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-12-09T15:27:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what percentage of those who received a drug treatment and testing order in (a) 2009-10, (b) 2010-11, (c) 2011-12, (d) 2012-13 and (e) 2013-14 was reconvicted within (i) a year and (ii) two years of completing the order.","AnswerText":"(i) The statistics routinely collected and published annually by the Scottish Government on reconviction rates for drug treatment and testing orders (DTTOs) are available online at http://www.gov.scot/Publications/2015/03/9783. Data for 2013-14 is not currently available but is expected to be published in April 2016. \r\nThe Scottish Government recognises that DTTOs have a higher reconviction rate than other court disposals. DTTOs are aimed at individuals with entrenched drug problems and chaotic lifestyles which means that achieving significant reductions in re-offending is challenging. This notwithstanding, since 2002-03 the overall conviction rate for DTTOs within one year of completing the order has fallen by nearly 18%, from 75 to 62 per 100.\r\n(ii) This information is not held centrally.","AnswerDate":"2016-01-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-01-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Paul Wheelhouse","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308832,"EventID":"S4W-28919","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1986,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":142,"ApprovedDate":"2015-12-09T17:01:42.95","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-12-09T15:27:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the total cost of drug treatment and testing orders was in (a) 2009-10, (b) 2010-11, (c) 2011-12, (d) 2012-13 and (e) 2013-14.","AnswerText":"Information on specific costs of drug treatment and testing orders is not held centrally.\r\nThe Scottish Government provides funding to the Community Justice Authorities (CJAs) to support delivery of drug treatment and testing orders. Since 2007-08, the funding allocation has been:\r\nPeriod\r\nFunding\r\n2007-08\r\n£6,615,323\r\n2008-09\r\n£6,615,323\r\n2009-10\r\n£6,615,323 \r\n2010-11\r\n£6,615,323 \r\n2011-12\r\n£6,615,323 \r\n2012-13\r\n£6,612,022 \r\n2013-14\r\n£6,654,778\r\nIt should be noted however that these are notional allocation budgets and are not the costs of delivering drug treatment and testing orders. It is for each CJA to allocate funding on the basis of local needs and demands and they were provided with the additional flexibility to do so from 2013-14 onwards.","AnswerDate":"2016-01-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-01-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Paul Wheelhouse","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308833,"EventID":"S4W-28920","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1986,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":142,"ApprovedDate":"2015-12-09T17:01:43.42","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-12-09T15:27:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the total payment to GPs has been in each year since 2008-09 under the Enhanced Services Allowance scheme for treating drug users.","AnswerText":"The funding given to health boards for the provision of enhanced services is allocated in a way which enables decisions to be made about the varying care needs of local communities. Local Enhanced Services funding totalled £30.5 million in 2014-15. The flexibility of budgeting for enhanced services is managed by the boards.","AnswerDate":"2016-01-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-01-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308834,"EventID":"S4W-28921","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1986,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":142,"ApprovedDate":"2015-12-09T17:01:43.823","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-12-09T15:27:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many prisoners are serving three months or less for drug-related crimes.","AnswerText":"I have asked Colin McConnell, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service (SPS), to respond. His response is as follows:\r\n“There are currently 85 prisoners in custody with a sentence of three months or less.\r\nThe SPS is unable to ascertain how many of these individuals are in custody for drug related crimes as only the offence and offence code are available on the warrant provided by the court.\r\nNine of the 85 prisoners are being held for an offence under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971.”","AnswerDate":"2016-01-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-01-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308835,"EventID":"S4W-28922","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1986,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":142,"ApprovedDate":"2015-12-09T17:01:44.353","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-12-09T15:27:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many prisoners are on remand for alleged drug-related offences.","AnswerText":"I have asked Colin McConnell, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service, to respond. His response is as follows:\r\n“There are currently 1,359 prisoners in custody who are on remand.\r\nThe SPS is unable to ascertain how many of these individuals are in custody for drug related crimes as only the offence and offence code are available on the warrant provided by the court.\r\n419 of the 1,359 prisoners are being held on remand for an offence under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971.”","AnswerDate":"2016-01-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-01-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308836,"EventID":"S4W-28923","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1986,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":142,"ApprovedDate":"2015-12-09T17:01:44.853","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-12-09T15:27:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide a breakdown of how the Scottish Football Association has spent the funding that it has received under the proceeds of crime legislation in each year since 2008-09.","AnswerText":"Details are provided in the following table. Information on each of the activities funded is available at\r\nhttp://www.gov.scot/Topics/Justice/policies/community-engagement/cashback/CashBack-Initiatives.\r\n\r\n2008-09\r\n2009-10\r\n2010-11\r\n2011-12\r\n2012-13\r\n2013-14\r\n2014-15\r\n2015-16**\r\nSoccer One/Two/Three\r\n107,700\r\n142,152\r\n178,525\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\nStreet Football*\r\n105,900\r\n105,900\r\n105,900\r\n105,900\r\n105,900\r\n105,900\r\n32,000\r\n20,650\r\nMidnight Leagues\r\n103,000\r\n103,000\r\n103,000\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nGirls and Women's\r\n99,000\r\n71,975\r\n99,000\r\n107,335\r\n213,000\r\n213,000\r\n213,000\r\n94,625\r\nVolunteer Development\r\n84,156\r\n342,059\r\n342,059\r\n335,495\r\n243,718\r\n259,985\r\n240,179\r\n116,890\r\nFootball Equity \r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n2,873\r\n151,273\r\n182,080\r\n171,318\r\n79,953\r\nSchool of Football\r\n10,475\r\n62,236\r\n173,860\r\n99,698\r\n42,550\r\n112,461\r\n274,576\r\n58,771\r\nCashBack 7's\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n0\r\n32,525\r\n32,012\r\n32,000\r\n8,000\r\nManagement\r\n10,415\r\n36,343\r\n36,343\r\n36,343\r\n36,343\r\n36,343\r\n52,870\r\n31,435\r\n*From 2011-12 street football and midnight leagues strands are reported in one line.\r\n**Figures for 2015-16 are for the six months April to September 2015.","AnswerDate":"2016-01-20T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-01-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308837,"EventID":"S4W-28924","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1986,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":142,"ApprovedDate":"2015-12-09T17:01:45.4","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-12-09T15:27:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many times it has underspent its budget since 2008-09; what the underspend was in each year, and how much of it was subsequently spent.","AnswerText":"The cash underspend against HM Treasury Scottish budgets for each financial year since 2008-09 is provided in the following table. The underspend in each year has been carried forward in full to support expenditure plans in subsequent years.\r\n\r\n£ million\r\n2014-15*\r\n204\r\n2013-14\r\n176\r\n2012-13\r\n179\r\n2011-12\r\n179\r\n2010-11\r\n12\r\n2009-10\r\n119\r\n2008-09\r\n124\r\n*Provisional outturn – the final outturn position will be confirmed with HM Treasury in January 2016.","AnswerDate":"2016-01-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-01-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308838,"EventID":"S4W-28925","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1986,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":142,"ApprovedDate":"2015-12-09T17:01:45.82","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-12-09T15:27:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what information it has on the percentage of people who received a drug treatment and testing order in (a) 2009-10, (b) 2010-11, (c) 2011-12, (d) 2012-13 and (e) 2013-14 who are now in (i) employment and (ii) education.","AnswerText":"This information is not held centrally.\r\nThe aim of the drug treatment and testing order (DTTO) is to reduce or eliminate an individual’s dependency or propensity to misuse drugs and thereby achieve positive changes in the scale and frequency of drug related offending. Criminal justice social work services provide intensive support to individuals on these orders to help them move away from offending. This includes helping them to access education and employment as part of a wider package of care, treatment and support.\r\nEvidence shows DTTOs contribute positively towards reducing individuals’ drug misuse. A 2011 review of interventions for drug users in the Scottish criminal justice system by the Scottish Centre for Crime and Justice Research (http://www.sccjr.ac.uk/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/SCCJR_REVIEW_OF_EFFECTIVENESS.pdf) found that DTTOs were associated with reductions in drug use and reoffending, with improved outcomes for those who complete these orders.","AnswerDate":"2016-01-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-01-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Paul Wheelhouse","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308839,"EventID":"S4W-28926","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5047,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-12-09T17:01:46.303","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-12-09T16:18:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of how the changes to the standard tenancy agreement that have proposed in the Private Housing (Tenancies) Bill might impact on the market for student accommodation.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has assessed the impact of the Private Housing (Tenancies) (Scotland) Bill on the student accommodation market in the Business and Regulatory Impact Assessment, which is published on the Scottish Government's website at: http://www.gov.scot/Publications/2015/10/8022.","AnswerDate":"2015-12-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-01-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Burgess","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308840,"EventID":"S4W-28927","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5047,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-12-09T17:01:46.757","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-12-09T16:18:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of how the proposals in the Private Housing (Tenancies) Bill might impact on the housing market in the (a) short, (b) medium and (c) long term.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has assessed the impact of the Private Housing (Tenancies) (Scotland) Bill on the housing market in the Business and Regulatory Impact Assessment, which is published on the Scottish Government's website at: http://www.gov.scot/Publications/2015/10/8022.","AnswerDate":"2015-12-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-01-06T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Burgess","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308841,"EventID":"S4W-28903","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1853,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":86,"ApprovedDate":"2015-12-10T13:46:02.747","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-12-09T14:49:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4O-04918 by John Swinney on 9 December 2015 (Official Report, c. 15), whether it considers that the funding formula for kinship care that has been agreed with COSLA is fair, and what the reasons are for its position on this matter.","AnswerText":"The funding allocations made to each local authority in respect of kinship care allowances were calculated using an established formula agreed with COSLA, when all 32 local authorities were still members. Each local authority was allocated a share of the £10.1 million funding provided by the Scottish Government in an agreement with COSLA to meet 100% of the estimated cost for holders of a Section 11 Order/Kinship Care Order and 50% of the estimated costs of formal care. There is therefore an expectation, as agreed with COSLA, that local authorities will fund 50% of the cost of implementing this agreement themselves. \r\nWe are satisfied that this funding option was the fairest available, since it did not penalise local authorities that had historically paid higher kinship care allowances compared with those such as Glasgow City Council which have historically paid the least.\r\nHowever, we are mindful of the wider financial context and the fact that some local authorities will face a shortfall. With this in mind, rather than reject the kinship care funding formula, we have put in place a wider funding solution. We have set the funding floor for the local government settlement such that it will protect local authorities such as Glasgow City Council from a substantial reduction in its budget, of a much greater magnitude than that involved in kinship care allowances.","AnswerDate":"2016-01-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-01-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308842,"EventID":"S4W-28904","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1853,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":86,"ApprovedDate":"2015-12-10T13:46:04.087","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-12-09T14:49:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4O-04918 by John Swinney on 9 December 2015 (Official Report, c. 15), what advice it can offer to a local authority whose allocation of funding for kinship care is proportionally less than the number of kinship carers in its area.","AnswerText":"With reference to the answer provided to S4W-28903 on 6 January 2016, a number of local authorities, including Glasgow City Council, faced threat of legal challenge by the Equality and Human Rights Commission because of their differential allowances policies. The Scottish Government has provided local authorities with substantial funding equivalent to 75% of the total cost to mitigate this challenge but it remains a matter for each council to comply with the terms of the agreement reached with COSLA. In this context, councils facing a shortfall are strongly encouraged to make good the difference to support children in kinship care. \r\nAll answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at: \r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.","AnswerDate":"2016-01-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-01-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308843,"EventID":"S4W-28928","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2066,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-12-10T13:46:04.977","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-12-09T16:33:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-28016 by Fiona Hyslop on 30 October 2015, whether the £75,000 awarded to the Erebus project was provided on a soft-loan basis and, if so, (a) who is responsible for paying it back and (b) what action it will take to recover the money if the project is not delivered.","AnswerText":"The information requested is not held centrally and is a matter for Creative Scotland. I have asked Creative Scotland's Chief Executive Janet Archer to respond to the member.","AnswerDate":"2015-12-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-01-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fiona Hyslop","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308844,"EventID":"S4W-28929","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2066,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-12-10T13:46:05.727","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-12-09T16:33:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-28016 by Fiona Hyslop on 30 October 2015, which other publishers received awards from Creative Scotland over the same time period broken down by (a) what the support was for and (b) when it was provided.","AnswerText":"The information requested is not held centrally and is a matter for Creative Scotland. Creative Scotland say that over the last four years they have made around 150 awards to publishers totalling around £4.1 million. I have asked Creative Scotland's Chief Executive Janet Archer to respond to the member with the details of these awards.","AnswerDate":"2015-12-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-01-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fiona Hyslop","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308845,"EventID":"S4W-28930","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2066,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-12-10T13:46:06.46","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-12-09T16:33:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, in light of Creative Scotland's (a) part-funding of the award and (b) role in the judging process, what its response is to reports suggesting that, as the winner of the 2015 Saltire Society’s Scottish Publisher of the Year award had received substantial funding from the agency, concerns have been raised about the independence of the judging panel.","AnswerText":"The judging of the awards is a matter for the wholly independent Saltire Society.","AnswerDate":"2015-12-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-01-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fiona Hyslop","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308846,"EventID":"S4W-28931","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2066,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-12-10T13:46:07.303","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-12-09T16:33:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what analysis of publishers Creative Scotland carries out when considering awarding grants for projects, and how the agency monitors the projects it funds to ensure delivery.","AnswerText":"The information requested is not held centrally and is a matter for Creative Scotland. I have asked Creative Scotland's Chief Executive Janet Archer to respond to the member.","AnswerDate":"2015-12-16T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-01-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fiona Hyslop","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308847,"EventID":"S4W-28933","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5556,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":111,"ApprovedDate":"2015-12-10T13:46:08.05","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-12-09T21:06:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what support it provides to NHS Fife for the delivery of community paediatric services.","AnswerText":"Health visitors play a vital role in our communities, and they are at the core of delivering universal services. \r\nThe Children and Young People (Scotland) Act 2014 is rooted in children’s rights and the Getting it right for every child approach, and has a number of key provisions, including the shared language of wellbeing, the named person role and the child’s plan. The named person will work closely with families and is the single point of contact that parents told us they wanted. They will be central to providing support by delivering a more accessible, streamlined and coordinated service for children and families when they need it based in the universal services which they know and trust. From birth until five, or school entry, the health visitor will usually be the named person.\r\nI announced on 18 June 2014 that the Scottish Government would be providing funding (£2 million in year 2014-15 with a total of £41.6 million over the next four years) for additional health visitors with the goal to grow the workforce by 500 by 2018. This funding is in addition to resources health boards are already committing to grow that workforce to meet their obligations. \r\nThis funding will help health boards ensure they have enough health visitors to provide universal visits and developmental reviews for children such as 27-30 month review and meet their obligations under the Children and Young People (Scotland) Act to provide a named person for children under five through the health visitor.\r\nA Universal Health Visiting Pathway in Scotland was published in October 2015. It presents a core home visiting programme to be offered to all families by health visitors as a minimum standard. It consists of 11 home visits to all families, three of which include a formal review of the family and child’s health by the health visitor (13-15 months, 27-30 months and prior to starting school). \r\nIt covers the antenatal to pre-school period and provides an opportunity for health visitors, children and their parents to build a strong relationship, in which health visitors can appropriately support families including acting as a gateway to other services. This early engagement will provide health visitors with a sound foundation for their role as the named person for children under five years of age.\r\nFor Fife, we have identified a need to grow the health visitor workforce by 20 by 2018 and will be supporting them to do this and deliver the new pathway. This improvement to their universal community paediatric services will help them to meet the needs of all families locally.","AnswerDate":"2016-01-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-01-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308848,"EventID":"S4W-28934","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5556,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":111,"ApprovedDate":"2015-12-10T13:46:08.72","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-12-09T21:06:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of community paediatric services in Fife.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has set a clear policy framework around children’s services, and it is for NHS Fife to ensure it provides appropriate healthcare services for children and young people in its area to meet this.\r\nGetting it right for every child (GIRFEC) is the national approach to improving the wellbeing of children and young people through policy and the delivery of services at both national and local level. GIRFEC provides common ground for everyone – children and their families, childcare providers, teachers, health visitors, social workers and police as well as the voluntary sector. It provides a framework within which everyone can work in the same way.\r\nThe Children and Young People (Scotland) Act 2014 and the GIRFEC approach have a number of key provisions, including the shared language of wellbeing, the named person role and the child’s plan. The named person will work closely with families and is the single point of contact that parents told us they wanted. They will be central to providing support by delivering a more accessible, streamlined and coordinated service for children and families when they need it based in the universal services which they know and trust. From birth until five, or school entry, the health visitor will usually be the named person.","AnswerDate":"2016-01-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-01-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308849,"EventID":"S4W-28935","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5079,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-12-10T13:46:09.347","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-12-10T10:23:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on the findings of the GMB Scotland Young Members' Network report, Bullying, Harassment and Discrimination in Scottish Workplaces, and whether it will take these into account when developing its fair work framework.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government takes the issue of bullying, harassment and discrimination in the workplace very seriously. That is one of the reasons that the independent Fair Work Convention was set up in April 2015 bringing together trade unions, the private sector and the wider public sector. Part of the convention's remit is to encourage progressive workforce policies which encourage innovation, higher productivity and better workforce engagement.\r\nThe convention has been tasked with developing a Fair Work Framework by March 2016. The convention is aware of the GMB Scotland Young Members' Network report and will be discussing this at its next meeting.","AnswerDate":"2015-12-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-01-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Roseanna Cunningham","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":true},{"UniqueID":308850,"EventID":"S4W-28936","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2066,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-12-10T13:46:09.983","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-12-10T11:25:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many sailings were scheduled on each CalMac route from June 2013 to November 2015, and how many were cancelled due to (a) the weather, (b) technical and (c) other issues.","AnswerText":"Details of how many sailings were scheduled on each CalMac route from June 2013 to November 2015, and how many were cancelled due to (a) the weather, (b) technical and (c) other issues is available from the Scottish Parliament Information Centre (Bib. number 57542).","AnswerDate":"2016-01-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-01-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308851,"EventID":"S4W-28937","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2066,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-12-10T13:46:10.75","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-12-10T11:25:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many sailings were scheduled on the Gourock - Dunoon service provided by Argyll Ferries from June 2013 to November 2015 and how many were cancelled due to (a) the weather, also broken down by weather-related berthing issues in (i) Gourock and (ii) Dunoon, (b) technical and (c) other issues.","AnswerText":"Details of total sailings and cancellation information for the Argyll Ferries Limited, Gourock-Dunoon service, from June 2013 to November 2015 is available from the Scottish Parliament Information Centre (Bib. number 57542). Argyll Ferries Limited do not record weather related berthing issues separately as these are recorded under weather cancellations.","AnswerDate":"2016-01-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-01-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308852,"EventID":"S4W-28938","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2066,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-12-10T13:46:11.45","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-12-10T11:25:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government (a) what the annual subsidy was for and (b) how many (i) passengers, (ii) cars, (iii) coaches and (iv) commercial vehicles used the Campbeltown-Ardrossan ferry service in each year of its pilot period.","AnswerText":"The CalMac Ferries Limited subsidy to operate the Clyde and Hebrides Ferry Service is provided for the network as a whole and as such the subsidy is not split on a route by route basis. The total subsidy for each full financial year is available from CalMac Ferries Ltd Director's Report and Financial Statements at the following web address: \r\nhttps://www.calmac.co.uk/corporate/annual-reports\r\nThe passenger, car, coach and commercial vehicle patronage on the Ardrossan-Campbeltown service is available from the Scottish Parliament Information Centre (Bib. number 57542).","AnswerDate":"2016-01-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-01-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308870,"EventID":"S4W-28940","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4014,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-12-10T16:40:38.213","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-12-10T15:28:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what funding it has provided to support tennis projects in each year since 1999.","AnswerText":"sportscotland capital funding into tennis projects in each year since 1999 (key capital programmes: Sports Facilities Fund and Legacy 2014 Active Places Fund).\r\nThis funding comprises of Scottish Government and lottery funding. Additionally, this funding is for specific tennis facilities and does not include investment into multi-sport facilities where tennis may be played.\r\nYear\r\nSports Facilities Fund\r\nActive Places Fund (administered by sportscotland)\r\nTotal sportscotland award per annum\r\nTotal project cost per annum (with partner contribution)\r\n2015-16\r\n£579,334\r\n£0\r\n£579,334\r\n£3,658,212\r\n2014-15\r\n£429,862\r\n£485,600\r\n£915,462\r\n£2,203,781\r\n2013-14\r\n£242,975\r\n£771,735\r\n£1,014,710\r\n£2,174,452\r\n2012-13\r\n£293,269\r\n£0\r\n£293,269\r\n£703,387\r\n2011-12\r\n£467,257\r\n£0\r\n£467,257\r\n£1,570,922\r\n2010-11\r\n£80,192\r\n£0\r\n£80,192\r\n£248,003\r\n2009-10\r\n£143,144\r\n£0\r\n£143,144\r\n£397,736\r\n2008-09\r\n£70,000\r\n£0\r\n£70,000\r\n£235,350\r\n2007-08\r\n£66,000\r\n£0\r\n£66,000\r\n£147,625\r\n2006-07\r\n£410,000\r\n£0\r\n£410,000\r\n£1,869,463\r\n2005-06\r\n£55,465\r\n£0\r\n£55,465\r\n£168,219\r\n2004-05\r\n£581,200\r\n£0\r\n£581,200\r\n£1,560,200\r\n2003-04\r\n£188,247\r\n£0\r\n£188,247\r\n£346,113\r\n2002-03\r\n£0\r\n£0\r\n£0\r\n£0\r\n2001-02\r\n£496,725\r\n£0\r\n£496,725\r\n£1,663,425\r\n2000-01\r\n£315,447\r\n£0\r\n£315,447\r\n£1,190,912\r\n1999-00\r\n£37,850\r\n£0\r\n£37,850\r\n£0\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n*£5,714,302\r\n£18,137,800\r\n*sportscotland capital funding represents 31.5% of the overall investment into tennis facilities since 1999-2000.\r\nsportscotland investment into Tennis Scotland (sports governing body):\r\nsportscotland investment into Tennis Scotland for 2015-16 represents 27.5% of the governing body’s overall annual turnover, an increase of 5.5% since 2011-12. It is important to highlight here that, while sportscotland’s provides investment to sports governing bodies, greater emphasis should be placed on the bodies (majority of which are private limited companies) to explain how they are generating income and how this income is being utilised to develop the sport, rather than simply focussing on sportscotland investment.\r\nFinancial Year\r\nTotal sportscotland Investment\r\n2015-16\r\n£438,000\r\n2014-15\r\n£438,000\r\n2013-14\r\n£224,000\r\n2012-13\r\n£362,100\r\n2011-12\r\n£353,350\r\n2010-11\r\n£81,070\r\n2009-10\r\n£60,300\r\n2008-09\r\n£34,188\r\n2007-08\r\n£303,000\r\n2006-07\r\n£306,094\r\n2005-06\r\n£296,500\r\n2004-05\r\n£63,000\r\n2003-04\r\n£82,088\r\n2002-03\r\n£62,000\r\n2001-02\r\n£228,812\r\n2000-01\r\n£62,000\r\n1999-00\r\n£64,000\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-01-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-01-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308871,"EventID":"S4W-28941","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4014,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-12-10T16:40:38.7","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-12-10T15:28:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many attacks there have been on (a) ambulance, (b) fire and rescue and (c) accident and emergency personnel in each year since 1999, and how many led to a (i) prosecution and (ii) conviction.","AnswerText":"Data on attacks against ambulance, fire and rescue and accident and emergency personnel is not held in the format requested. Since 2009-10, and following the introduction of the Emergency Workers (Scotland) Act 2005, all of Scotland’s legacy police forces (now Police Scotland) have used a separate code for recording common assault in cases where the victim was an emergency worker. The number of cases for this code are shown in the following table.\r\nIt should be noted that the table will not include police recorded attacks on emergency workers which did not result in a common assault (for example a serious assault) as a recorded crime code will be used which doesn’t identify the occupation of the victim.\r\nCommon assault of an emergency worker, Scotland, 2005-06 to 2014-15\r\n\r\n\r\n2009-10\r\n2010-11\r\n2011-12\r\n2012-13\r\n2013-14\r\n2014-15\r\nCommon assault of an emergency worker\r\n5,320\r\n6,456\r\n7,107\r\n6,514\r\n6,813\r\n6,480\r\nIn terms of prosecutions and convictions, the Emergency Workers (Scotland) Act 2005 has provisions for a person who assaults, resists, obstructs, molests or hinders emergency workers when they are responding to emergency circumstances.\r\nAssaults that happen outside of emergency circumstances, as specified in the Act, will not result in prosecutions under the Act, and these and those assaults on emergency workers which may result in other charges, such as serious assault or attempted murder, cannot be identified separately in the available statistics and so are not included. These numbers also relate only to those attacks which proceeded to court.\r\nIt is not possible to provide the detail requested regarding the breakdown of the type of emergency workers involved (under Section 1(3) of the Act), as this information is not held by the Scottish Government.\r\nThe question specifically relates to sections 1(1), 2(1), and 5(1) of the Act:\r\nSection 1(1): Assaulting or impeding certain providers of emergency services.\r\nSection 2(1): Assaulting or impeding certain emergency workers responding to emergency circumstances.\r\nSection 5(1): Assaulting or impeding health workers in hospital premises.\r\nThe number of people prosecuted and convicted1 in Scottish Courts for offences under the Emergency Workers (Scotland) Act 2005 Sections 1(1), 2(1) and 5(1) is given in the table below.\r\nEmergency Workers (Scotland) Act 1(1), 2(1), 5(1)\r\n2005-06\r\n2006-07\r\n2007-08\r\n2008-09\r\n2009-10\r\n2010-11\r\n2011-12\r\n2012-13\r\n2013-14\r\nTotal\r\nProsecuted\r\n57\r\n209\r\n285\r\n305\r\n288\r\n331\r\n371\r\n352\r\n306\r\nTotal\r\nConvicted\r\n54\r\n197\r\n273\r\n297\r\n279\r\n319\r\n355\r\n332\r\n288\r\n1. Where main charge.\r\nSource: Scottish Government Criminal Proceedings Database.\r\nPrior to the 2005 Act, offences against emergency workers, apart from the police, were not recorded separately, and so we are only able to provide data going back to 2005-06.","AnswerDate":"2016-01-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-01-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308872,"EventID":"S4W-28944","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4014,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-12-10T16:40:39.103","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-12-10T15:28:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many cleaners have been employed by each NHS board in each year since 1999.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-28621 on 2 December 2015. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.","AnswerDate":"2016-01-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-01-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308873,"EventID":"S4W-28945","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4014,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-12-10T16:40:39.54","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-12-10T15:45:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much it has allocated to flooding schemes for 2016, broken down by local authority area.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government provides funding of £42 million a year through the local government settlement until 2015-16, for local authorities to continue to invest in major new flood protection schemes. Local authorities were able to apply for this funding on the basis of criteria agreed by the Scottish Government and COSLA. After the last round of applications, all of the available funding in the spending review period to 2015-16 was allocated. The following table shows the four flood protection schemes, which were allocated funding from the flooding component of the general capital grant to local authorities, following the last round of applications. \r\nFlood Protection Scheme\r\nLocal Authority\r\nTotal Grant Funding\r\nSelkirk\r\nScottish Borders\r\n£25,478,658\r\nBrechin\r\nAngus\r\n£13,106,400\r\nGreenock Area A\r\nInverclyde\r\n£1,760,000\r\nAlmondbank\r\nPerth and Kinross\r\n£11,796,702\r\n\r\nTotal\r\n£52,141,760\r\nFrom April 2016 onwards the flooding component of the general capital grant will be allocated in line with the priorities set out in the flood risk management strategies which will be published by the Scottish Environment Protection Agency by 22 December 2015.","AnswerDate":"2016-01-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-01-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen McLeod","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308874,"EventID":"S4W-28946","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2015-12-10T16:40:40.01","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-12-10T16:07:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the holding answer to question S4W-28321 by Aileen Campbell on 20 November 2015, for what reason it has been unable to provide the written response to the Commission for Childcare Reform’s report, given that it stated in its news release on 4 November 2015, New group to help expand early learning and childcare, that a response had been given at the Children in Scotland conference.","AnswerText":"A written response to the Commission for Childcare Reform's final report was published on the Scottish Government website on 23 December 2015.","AnswerDate":"2015-12-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-01-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen Campbell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308875,"EventID":"S4W-28947","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2015-12-10T16:40:40.493","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-12-10T16:07:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government for what reason it has not provided a substantive response to question S4W-28321, which received a holding answer on 20 November 2015, and when it will provide such a response.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-28946 on 23 December 2015.\r\nAll answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at: \r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.","AnswerDate":"2015-12-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-01-07T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen Campbell","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308884,"EventID":"S4W-28951","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":2,"MSPID":4940,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-12-11T09:27:02.703","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-12-10T17:19:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when the report by the Commission on Local Tax Reform will be published.","AnswerText":"I can confirm that the report by the Commission on Local Tax Reform will be published at 10:30 today (14 December 2015) and the commission secretariat will place a copy in the Scottish Parliament Information Centre (Bib. number 57506).","AnswerDate":"2015-12-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-01-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Marco Biagi","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308893,"EventID":"S4W-28949","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3806,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-12-11T15:49:31.953","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-12-10T16:35:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with The Highland Council regarding rerouting the A82, as set out at option 7 in the West Link appraisal document.","AnswerText":"No discussions have taken place suggesting re-routing the A82 via option 7.","AnswerDate":"2016-01-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-01-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308894,"EventID":"S4W-28950","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3806,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-12-11T15:49:32.803","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-12-10T16:35:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it will take to ensure that future road and roundabout infrastructures around Inverness maximise speed and the throughput of traffic.","AnswerText":"In June 2015 ministers announced their intention to take forward further design work to improve Longman Roundabout and for a new link between Inshes (A96) and Smithton (A9) which will help secure the long term effectiveness of the trunk road network around Inverness.\r\nThe objectives for both these projects include improving journey times and the effectiveness of the road hierarchy; reducing conflicts between strategic and local traffic and improving connectivity, particularly for public transport, walking/cycling. These projects will also improve road safety for all users.\r\nDesign work for both schemes will be taken forward as funding allows.","AnswerDate":"2015-12-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-01-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308895,"EventID":"S4W-28953","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2123,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":103,"ApprovedDate":"2015-12-11T15:49:33.303","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-12-11T10:07:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many people were reported to the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service in each year since 2012-13 for a suspected domestic abuse-related incident, broken down by gender; how many were repeat offenders; how many cases (a) were subsequently marked \"no proceedings\" and (b) led to a prosecution; how many prosecutions resulted in (i) an acquittal and (ii) a conviction, and how many convictions were dealt with by a (A) community disposal, broken down by the type of disposal and requirement attached and (B) custodial sentence of (1) up to three months, (2) three to six months, (3) six to nine months, (4) nine to 12 months and (5) one year or more.","AnswerText":"Domestic abuse continues to be a significant issue in Scotland and prosecutors dealt with over 36,500 charges reported by Police Scotland in the year 2014-15. The Scottish Government is committed to tackling the scourge of domestic abuse and robust and effective enforcement and prosecution play a key part in that.\r\nThe tables below provide the relevant statistical data requested from the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS) and the Scottish Government in relation to domestic abuse charges reported, criminal proceedings raised and conviction and disposal information following the raising of court proceedings.\r\nThe information provided demonstrates that domestic abuse is still overwhelmingly a gendered area of criminality with women very significantly and disproportionally affected as victims. The Scottish Government, working with partners through the Equally Safe strategy, is committed to addressing this inequality and to preventing domestic abuse and other forms of violence against women and girls.\r\nTable 1 provides the number of charges with a domestic abuse aggravator reported to COPFS in 2012-13, 2013-14 and 2014-15, split by gender of the accused.\r\nIt also provides the number of these charges where the initial decision was to take no action and the number where the initial decision was to take court proceedings. A breakdown of these figures according to whether the accused is a repeat offender is not available.\r\nTable 1: Domestic abuse charges reported to COPFS, 2012-13 to 2014-15\r\n\r\n\r\nTotal charges reported to COPFS\r\nOf which, initial decision on how to proceed\r\n\r\nNo action\r\nCourt\r\n\r\n2012-13\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nAll\r\n27,101\r\n4,717\r\n20,902\r\n\r\nMale\r\n22,714\r\n3,452\r\n18,315\r\n\r\nFemale\r\n4,370\r\n1,265\r\n2,587\r\n\r\nNot recorded\r\n17\r\n0\r\n0\r\n\r\n2013-14\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nAll\r\n36,552\r\n3,974\r\n31,179\r\n\r\nMale\r\n30,980\r\n2,862\r\n27,105\r\n\r\nFemale\r\n5,572\r\n1,112\r\n4,074\r\n\r\n2014-15\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nAll\r\n36,667\r\n3,900\r\n31,373\r\n\r\nMale\r\n31,133\r\n2,803\r\n27,402\r\n\r\nFemale\r\n5,534\r\n1,097\r\n3,971\r\n\r\nNotes:\r\n(1) COPFS published statistical data is based on charges reported rather than on numbers of cases or people.\r\n(2) Information on gender is not available for a small number of cases.\r\n(3) The information is based on already published information, and reflects the position at the time the figures for each year were compiled.\r\n(4) At the time the figures for each year were compiled, no decision had been made on how to proceed for some charges.\r\n(5) Some charges are dealt with other than by prosecution in court (e.g. by direct measures).\r\nThe following tables provide the further information requested although data for 2014-15 is not yet available.\r\nIt should be noted that criminal proceedings data are not held in a way which allows a breakdown for the individual requirements for community disposals. Separate community payback order data collection managed by Scottish Government does include information on the requirements, but not on offence type or aggravator attached.\r\nTable 2 shows the number of individuals proceeded against for a crime/offence with a domestic abuse aggravator between 2012-13 and 2013-14, broken down by gender and main result.\r\nTable 2: People proceeded against for an offence with a domestic abuse aggravator recorded1 by sex and main result, 2012-13 and 2013-14\r\n\r\nMain result of proceedings\r\nFinancial year\r\n2012-13\r\n2013-14\r\nMale\r\nPlea not guilty accepted (PNGA) or deserted\r\n627\r\n831\r\n\r\nAcquitted not guilty\r\n655\r\n1,099\r\n\r\nAcquitted not proven\r\n97\r\n176\r\n\r\nCharge proved\r\n8,176\r\n9,688\r\n\r\nAll\r\n9,555\r\n11,794\r\nFemale\r\nPNGA or deserted\r\n118\r\n181\r\n\r\nAcquitted not guilty\r\n107\r\n205\r\n\r\nAcquitted not proven\r\n14\r\n26\r\n\r\nCharge proved\r\n1,114\r\n1,384\r\n\r\nAll\r\n1,353\r\n1,796\r\nAll\r\n\r\n10,908\r\n13,590\r\n1. Where main offence\r\nTable 3 shows the number of individuals convicted of a crime/offence with a domestic abuse aggravator between 2012-13 and 2013-14, broken down by gender and disposal.\r\nTable 3: People with a charge proved for an offence with a domestic abuse aggravator recorded1 ","AnswerDate":"2016-01-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-01-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Frank Mulholland QC","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308896,"EventID":"S4W-28954","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2117,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-12-11T15:49:33.873","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-12-11T14:32:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-28719 by Shona Robison on 10 December 2015, on what dates the new IT system for NHS 24 was tested prior to going live and what the results were.","AnswerText":"The new system was tested thoroughly and robustly over a period of time from March through to September 2015 in advance of the October implementation. ","AnswerDate":"2016-01-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-01-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308897,"EventID":"S4W-28955","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2117,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-12-11T15:49:34.443","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-12-11T14:32:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-28718 by Shona Robison on 10 December 2015, how much of the money spent on the procurement of the new IT system for NHS 24 was paid to external consultants.","AnswerText":"Of the £117.4 million total, contractor implementation costs are £36.8 million.","AnswerDate":"2016-01-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-01-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308898,"EventID":"S4W-28956","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2117,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-12-11T15:49:35.043","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-12-11T14:32:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-28718 by Shona Robison on 10 December 2015, how much of the additional £41.6 million spent on the procurement of the new IT system for NHS 24 is a direct result of the system failure in October 2015.","AnswerText":"None of the £41.6 million spent on the new system is a result of the pause to the phased implementation from October 2015.","AnswerDate":"2016-01-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-01-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308899,"EventID":"S4W-28957","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2117,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-12-11T15:49:35.603","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-12-11T15:12:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-28718 by Shona Robison on 10 December 2015, how much it has spent on running the old NHS 24 IT system since the new system failed in October 2015 in addition to the £117.4 million that is being spent on the procurement of the new IT system.","AnswerText":"The £117.4 million already includes an element of planned double running costs for the existing system as part of a phased transition to the new system. The additional cost of double running the existing system to the end of March 2016 is £1.0 million.","AnswerDate":"2016-01-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-01-08T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308901,"EventID":"S4T-01233","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":9,"MSPID":5080,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-12-14T12:15:09.087","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-12-14T09:50:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to the Presiding Officer's ruling on a potential legislative consent memorandum regarding the UK Government's Trade Union Bill.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-12-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":"2015-12-15T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308902,"EventID":"S4T-01248","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":9,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2015-12-14T12:15:16.013","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-12-14T11:00:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to the outcome of the Paris climate conference.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-12-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":"2015-12-15T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308903,"EventID":"S4T-01250","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":9,"MSPID":4948,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-12-14T12:15:17.213","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-12-14T11:37:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what regular assessment it is making of the operation of the plan to minimise the disruption to journey times since the closure of the Forth Road Bridge. ","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-12-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":"2015-12-15T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308904,"EventID":"S4F-03126","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":4976,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-12-14T12:13:52.353","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-12-14T09:17:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister when she will next meet the Secretary of State for Scotland.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-12-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":"2015-12-17T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308905,"EventID":"S4F-03127","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":5009,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-12-14T12:13:52.837","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-12-14T09:34:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister what issues will be discussed at the next meeting of the Cabinet.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-12-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":"2015-12-17T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308906,"EventID":"S4F-03130","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":3812,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-12-14T12:13:54.193","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-12-14T09:55:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister what engagements she has planned for the rest of the day.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-12-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":"2015-12-17T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308907,"EventID":"S4F-03135","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-12-14T12:13:57.093","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-12-14T11:00:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister whether it remains the Scottish Government's position that the NHS24 ICT future programme is an exemplar of good practice.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-12-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":"2015-12-17T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308908,"EventID":"S4F-03136","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":2394,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-12-14T12:13:57.733","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-12-14T11:26:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister what the Scottish Government's response is to the final report of the Commission on Local Tax Reform. ","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-12-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":"2015-12-17T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308909,"EventID":"S4F-03143","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":7,"MSPID":3759,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":80,"ApprovedDate":"2015-12-14T12:14:14.25","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-12-14T11:59:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the First Minister whether she will provide an update on her meeting with the Prime Minister this week.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2015-12-17T00:00:00","MeetingDate":"2015-12-17T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308926,"EventID":"S4W-28892","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3806,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-12-14T16:52:36.877","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-12-09T13:19:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the statement by Derek Mackay on 8 December 2015 (Official Report, c. 10), how it determined early January 2016 as the reopening date for the Forth Road Bridge.","AnswerText":"The January reopening date was determined following advice from specialist engineers and the Forth Bridge Operating Company, Amey Highways Ltd. It includes some contingency for adverse weather conditions.","AnswerDate":"2015-12-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-01-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308927,"EventID":"S4W-28893","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3806,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-12-14T16:52:37.607","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-12-09T13:19:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the statement by Derek Mackay on 8 December 2015 (Official Report, c. 10), how much it has spent on safety maintenance for the Forth Road Bridge in each year since 2005.","AnswerText":"In the period from 2000 to the abolition of tolls on 11 February 2008 the funding of all Forth Estuary Transport Authority (FETA) operating and capital expenditure, including maintenance, was through toll income and other income generated by FETA through investments and interest.\r\nOn the abolition of tolls, a revenue and capital grant was payable to FETA by the Scottish Government. The revenue grant from the Scottish Government covered administration, maintenance and traffic operations. Budget allocation within the overall grant settlement was determined by FETA. The capital grant was paid to support capital works. FETA also supplemented the capital grant paid by the Scottish Government through the use of accumulated reserves.\r\nThe grant paid by the Scottish Government following the abolition of tolls is as follows:\r\nYear\r\n2007-8\r\n2008-9\r\n2009-10\r\n2010-11\r\n2011-12\r\n2012-13\r\n2013-14\r\n2014-15\r\n2015-16\r\nTotal 2007-16\r\nRevenue\r\n3.50\r\n7.01\r\n5.10\r\n5.11\r\n5.10\r\n5.10\r\n5.10\r\n5.10\r\n5.0\r\n46.2\r\nCapital\r\n6.45\r\n6.89\r\n8.00\r\n10.13\r\n11.80\r\n6.28\r\n4.60\r\n1.72\r\n5.7\r\n61.6\r\nTotal Transport Scotland Grant\r\n9.95\r\n13.97\r\n13.10\r\n15.24\r\n16.90\r\n11.38\r\n9.70\r\n6.82\r\n10.7\r\n107.8\r\n","AnswerDate":"2015-12-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-01-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308928,"EventID":"S4W-28894","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3806,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-12-14T16:52:38.157","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-12-09T13:19:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the statement by Derek Mackay on 8 December 2015 (Official Report, c. 10), for what reason the 2010 tendering process for repairs to the Forth Road Bridge’s north-east tower was cancelled.","AnswerText":"This was a matter for and decision of the Forth Estuary Transport Authority.","AnswerDate":"2015-12-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-01-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308929,"EventID":"S4W-28895","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3806,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-12-14T16:52:38.667","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-12-09T13:19:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the statement by Derek Mackay on 8 December 2015 (Official Report, c. 10), for what reason it put the Forth Road Bridge’s contract out to tender in 2014.","AnswerText":"A single contractor managing and maintaining both bridges will deliver value for money and operational efficiencies. This approach is the most cost-effective and co-ordinated approach to the management and maintenance of the Forth Road Bridge and the Queensferry Crossing.","AnswerDate":"2015-12-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-01-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308930,"EventID":"S4W-28896","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3806,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-12-14T16:52:39.237","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-12-09T13:19:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the statement by Derek Mackay on 8 December 2015 (Official Report, c. 10), what consideration it has given reintroducing a ferry service while the Forth Road Bridge is closed for repair.","AnswerText":"Transport Scotland worked closely with our partners, including Forth Ports and potential ferry operators to carry out feasibility work that considered a variety of ferry options. This included a review of the practicalities and feasibility of any ferry service as well as considering a range of possible vessels and estimated overall journey time, compared with other travel options available.\r\nWe are aware that there is still significant capacity available on the existing public transport options. Consequently, the further option of a ferry is not considered necessary at present. However, we continue to keep all public transport options under review.","AnswerDate":"2015-12-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-01-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308931,"EventID":"S4W-28932","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4939,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":78,"ApprovedDate":"2015-12-14T16:52:39.967","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-12-09T17:32:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with the European Commission regarding legislating to limit industrial trans fats in food.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has had no discussions with the European Commission regarding legislating to limit industrial trans fats (TFAs) in food.\r\nWe are aware of the European Commission’s recent report to the European Parliament and European Council regarding TFAs in foods and in the overall diet of the union population. We welcome the commission’s report, and the commitment to consider the proportionality of future steps in tackling TFAs in foods. The proposed impact assessment should take into account all the available evidence, including the success of voluntary reformulation, in order to come to a recommendation.\r\nThe Scottish Government has no plans to ban TFAs. We are committed to working jointly with industry and retailers to make healthy choices easier for everyone. The food industry has successfully taken voluntary steps to reformulate many products and as a result the average intake of TFAs has been significantly reduced.\r\nThe Scottish Government population level dietary goal for TFAs recognises current population intakes of 0.6-0.8% food energy (see the 2014 National Diet and Nutrition Survey Scotland report1) which is well below the 1% of food energy target.\r\nTo address concerns about higher intakes of TFAs in low income sections of the population, the Food Standards Agency in Scotland measured TFAs in take-away foods from the most deprived areas of Glasgow. Average levels of TFA in takeaway foods were found to be insufficient to cause public health concern2.\r\n1. See section 5.4.8 of the report at \r\nhttp://www.foodstandards.gov.scot/sites/default/files/ndns-scotland-full-report.pdf\r\n2. http://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/+/http://www.food.gov.uk/scotland/news-updates/news/2014/6006/study","AnswerDate":"2016-01-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-01-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308932,"EventID":"S4W-28958","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5057,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-12-14T16:52:40.557","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-12-14T12:16:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-28751 by Michael Matheson on 10 December 2015, how many Scottish Prison Service staff have been employed in the qualified instructor group in each year since 2011, broken down by prison.","AnswerText":"I have asked Colin McConnell, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service (SPS), to respond. His response is as follows:\r\n“I refer to the responses to S4W-28746 and S4W-28750 where the number of staff employed in the qualified instructor group in each year since 2011, broken down by prison was given.\r\nQualified instructors are defined as individuals employed by the SPS either in the role of civilian instructor or officer instructor whose duties are associated with the delivery of activities which engage prisoners in work based activity. Providing instruction and guidance in relation to performing tasks while maintaining control and discipline within the environment.”\r\nAll answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at: \r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.","AnswerDate":"2016-01-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-01-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308933,"EventID":"S4W-28959","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1759,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-12-14T16:52:41.037","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-12-14T12:35:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many prosecutions there have been each year under the Protection of Wild Mammals (Scotland) Act 2002; how many subsequent convictions there were, and what information it has regarding the reasons for failures to convict.","AnswerText":"Details of proceedings for offences against under the Protection of Wild Mammals (Scotland) Act 2002 (where that was the main charge) are as follows:\r\nFinancial year\r\n2003-04\r\n2004-05\r\n2005-06\r\n2006-07\r\n2007-08\r\n2008-09\r\n2009-10\r\n2010-11\r\n2011-12\r\n2012-13\r\n2013-14\r\nTotal prosecuted\r\n3\r\n3\r\n24\r\n17\r\n15\r\n8\r\n10\r\n9\r\n5\r\n11\r\n9\r\nTotal convicted\r\n2\r\n2\r\n16\r\n8\r\n6\r\n6\r\n7\r\n3\r\n-\r\n7\r\n5\r\nWe do not hold information about why some prosecutions have not led to convictions.","AnswerDate":"2016-01-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-01-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen McLeod","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308934,"EventID":"S4W-28960","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5009,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-12-14T16:52:41.457","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-12-14T12:50:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what proportion of households in Ladybank, Fife, is able to connect to fibre broadband.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government's Digital Scotland Superfast Broadband programme is aiming to deliver fibre broadband to around 1,800 homes and businesses served from the Ladybank exchange. To date, over 800 premises have already been enabled with the remainder to follow between now and the end of the programme in 2017.","AnswerDate":"2016-01-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-01-11T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308949,"EventID":"S4W-28961","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2015-12-15T13:43:52.227","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-12-14T13:43:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-28781 by Margaret Burgess on 14 December 2015, in light of the information not being provided in the answer to S4O-04702, whether it will provide the information that was requested and confirm whether it is on target to eradicate fuel poverty by November 2016 and, if not, whether it will set a revised target.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is committed to meeting its statutory target of eradicating fuel poverty, as far as is reasonably practicable, by November 2016 and it has no current plans to revise that target.\r\nThe Scottish Government is doing everything it can to tackle this issue and the latest statistics show that fuel poverty levels have been contained despite fuel prices rising.","AnswerDate":"2016-01-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-01-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Burgess","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308950,"EventID":"S4W-28962","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2015-12-15T13:43:53.32","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-12-14T13:44:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answers to questions S4W-28781 by Margaret Burgess on 14 December 2015 and S4O-04702 by Alex Neil on 28 October 2015 (Official Report, c. 19), whether it has ruled out a reassessment of the 2016 fuel poverty target in light of the UK Spending Review.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has no current plans to reassess the fuel poverty target.","AnswerDate":"2016-01-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-01-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Burgess","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308951,"EventID":"S4W-28963","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2015-12-15T13:43:54.333","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-12-14T13:44:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answers to questions S4W-28781 by Margaret Burgess on 14 December 2015 and S4O-04702 by Alex Neil on 28 October 2015 (Official Report, c. 19), whether it has considered a reassessment of the 2016 fuel poverty target after the 2016 UK Budget.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has no current plans to reassess the fuel poverty target.","AnswerDate":"2016-01-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-01-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Burgess","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308952,"EventID":"S4W-28964","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2015-12-15T13:43:55.24","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-12-14T13:45:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4O-04702 by Alex Neil on 28 October 2015 (Official Report, c. 19), what changes to the fuel poverty target it has made in light of the external factors that have developed since 2011.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has made no changes to the fuel poverty target.","AnswerDate":"2016-01-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-01-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Burgess","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308953,"EventID":"S4W-28965","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2015-12-15T13:43:56.27","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-12-14T13:45:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4O-04702 by Alex Neil on 28 October 2015 (Official Report, c. 19), whether meeting its statutory target \"as far as is reasonably practicable\" has always been its approach to eradicating fuel poverty and, if so, whether the underlying meaning of that phrase has changed in light of the external factors that have developed since 2011.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has a statutory target to eradicate fuel poverty, as far as is reasonably practicable, by November 2016. No changes have been made to that target since it was laid in Parliament in 2001, and was supported by all parties. \r\nThe Scottish Government is committed to that target and is doing everything it can to tackle this issue.","AnswerDate":"2016-01-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-01-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Burgess","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308954,"EventID":"S4W-28967","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2015-12-15T13:43:57.157","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-12-14T13:46:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4O-04702 by Alex Neil on 28 October 2015 (Official Report, c. 19), what additional scenarios it has modelled for measuring fuel poverty other than the notional inflationary increase in fuel prices since 2011.","AnswerText":"Other than the notional inflationary increase in fuel prices since 2011, the Scottish Government has modelled two additional scenarios.\r\nIf housing stock conditions and household incomes had changed as observed by the Scottish House Condition Survey (SHCS), but fuel prices had remained at their 2002 levels in real terms (i.e. if they had only increased since 2002 in line with the rate of inflation), then the fuel poverty rate for 2013 would have been around 11% instead of 39%. This analysis was published in the Progress Report on the Scottish Fuel Poverty Statement 2002 \r\n(http://www.gov.scot/Resource/0046/00466608.pdf).\r\nIf housing stock conditions and household incomes had changed as observed by the SHCS, but fuel prices had remained at their 2002 levels in real terms (i.e. if they had only increased since 2002 in line with the rate of inflation), then the fuel poverty rate for 2014 would have been around 9.5% instead of 34.9%. This analysis was presented to the Scottish Fuel Poverty Forum when they met on 16 December 2015.","AnswerDate":"2016-01-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-01-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Burgess","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308955,"EventID":"S4W-28969","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4080,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-12-15T13:43:58.11","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-12-15T09:22:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it plans to increase the number of epilepsy specialist nurses from 34 to over 60, as recommended by the Joint Epilepsy Council.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-28971 on 6 January 2016. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-01-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-01-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308956,"EventID":"S4W-28970","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4080,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-12-15T13:43:58.92","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-12-15T09:22:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many NHS epilepsy nurse specialists have been required to undertake clinical shifts on wards instead of supporting epilepsy patient care in each month of 2015, broken down by NHS board. ","AnswerText":"This information is not held centrally.","AnswerDate":"2016-01-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-01-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308957,"EventID":"S4W-28971","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4080,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-12-15T13:43:59.73","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-12-15T09:22:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on the reported growing practice of deploying epilepsy nurse specialists to clinical shifts on wards.","AnswerText":"While policies, frameworks and resources are provided by the Scottish Government, individual NHS boards are responsible for planning and funding services in their area and for securing the staff to deliver them. It is for NHS boards to determine their workforce requirements based on the clinical needs and service developments in their area. Specialist nurses work within multidisciplinary teams to provide valuable support and specialist advice to people and their families affected by particular conditions. We expect NHS boards to ensure that people with epilepsy have appropriate access to a range of professionals, including specialist nurses, to ensure optimum management of their condition.","AnswerDate":"2016-01-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-01-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308958,"EventID":"S4W-28972","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4080,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-12-15T13:44:00.56","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-12-15T09:30:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government for what (a) maximum and (b) average number of hours per week epilepsy specialist nurses have undertaken clinical ward duties in each month of 2015, broken down by NHS board.","AnswerText":"This information is not held centrally.","AnswerDate":"2016-01-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-01-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308965,"EventID":"S4W-28973","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5556,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":111,"ApprovedDate":"2015-12-15T16:37:45.177","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-12-15T11:58:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government which foodbanks in the (a) Dunfermline constituency and (b) Mid Scotland and Fife region have received support from its emergency food grant fund, broken down by (i) amount received and (ii) criteria met, and whether it plans to allocate further support through this fund in future.","AnswerText":"The emergency food fund has not provided funding in Dunfermline. Two projects have been funded in the Mid Scotland and Fife Region:\r\nENeRGI\r\nFife\r\nA part time worker will support and directly assist people accessing emergency food aid by dealing with crisis issues, emotional and practical support and signposting to statutory and voluntary sector agencies. Will also provide transport for shopping and attending appointments. Link with healthy eating programmes/services and establish a source of local vegetables, fruit, milk and bread to complement the emergency food aid. The worker will also recruit, train and support volunteers to offer further support.\r\n£10,000\r\nThe Gate Charity\r\nClackmannanshire\r\nFunding will enable a central pick up point for food parcels in an easily accessible building in the centre of Alloa. This will enable safe, hospitable and anonymous pick up of food parcels and enable service users to access a wider range of opportunities offered by The Gate for connection and support.\r\n£9,590\r\nThe emergency food fund was allocated via a panel of expert partners using a set assessment criteria. While the assessed score was the main criterion used to select projects, the panel reserved the right to ensure an appropriate mix of projects received funding. The Scottish Government is unable to comment on the basis of individual funding decisions.\r\nThe Scottish Government is currently considering its future funding strategy for food poverty-related activity. Decisions will be based on recommendations from the independent short-life working group, chaired by Martin Johnstone, Secretary of the Church of Scotland’s Church and Society Council, which has been asked to consider the issues which push people into food poverty and will make recommendations to ministers in 2016.","AnswerDate":"2016-01-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-01-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Burgess","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308966,"EventID":"S4W-28974","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5556,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":111,"ApprovedDate":"2015-12-15T16:37:45.737","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-12-15T11:58:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what criteria small businesses in (a) Dunfermline and (b) Fife must meet to be eligible for support from the small business bonus scheme.","AnswerText":"The criteria for eligibility for the small business bonus scheme are: rateable value of the properties occupied by each rateable occupier falling within the thresholds set out in the following table; and that the rateable occupier is not a payday lender.\r\nThe following table shows the level of relief available under the corresponding rateable value thresholds.\r\nCombined rateable value of all properties\r\nSmall business bonus scheme relief\r\nUp to £10,000\r\n100% (i.e. no rates payable)\r\n£10,001 to £12,000\r\n50%\r\n£12,001 to £18,000\r\n25%\r\n£18,001 to £35,000\r\n25% on each individual property with a rateable value not exceeding £18,000*\r\n*Allows a ratepayer occupying two or more properties with a cumulative rateable value of under £35,000 to qualify for relief at 25% on individual properties each with rateable value up to £18,000.","AnswerDate":"2016-01-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-01-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308967,"EventID":"S4W-28975","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5556,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":111,"ApprovedDate":"2015-12-15T16:37:46.16","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-12-15T11:58:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what it is doing to incentivise businesses in (a) Dunfermline and (b) Fife to pay the living wage.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government continues to promote the benefits of the living wage to businesses in Dunfermline, Fife and across Scotland. Research shows that the living wage can enhance productivity, reduce absenteeism and improve staff morale. We have introduced statutory guidance addressing fair work practices, including the living wage in public contracts, are promoting the living wage as a mandatory element of the Scottish Business Pledge, and there are now over 430 Scots based accredited living wage employers including 22 in Fife and five in Dunfermline.","AnswerDate":"2016-01-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-01-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Roseanna Cunningham","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308968,"EventID":"S4W-28976","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5556,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":111,"ApprovedDate":"2015-12-15T16:37:46.597","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-12-15T11:58:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what support it provides to small and medium-sized enterprises in (a) Dunfermline and (b) Fife seeking to win public procurement contracts.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government’s Digital Scotland Business Excellence Programme has provided £360,000 to the Supplier Development Programme (SDP) to help businesses develop their digital capacity and be more efficient in bidding and fulfilling public contracts. As part of a national programme, the SDP have 480 Fife businesses registered with them, 106 of these have stated that they are based in Dunfermline.\r\nOver the course of the last two financial years Fife Council and the SDP have worked in partnership to deliver the following events in (a) Dunfermline and (b) Fife:\r\n\r\n(a) Dunfermline\r\n(b) Fife\r\n2014-15\r\n2015-16\r\n(end of Nov 15)\r\n2014-15\r\n2015-16\r\n(end of Nov 15)\r\nSDP  Procurement Surgeries\r\n1\r\n12\r\n28\r\n24\r\nSDP  Workshops\r\n10\r\n2\r\n17\r\n15\r\nBusinesses  Supported\r\n47\r\n24\r\n566\r\n204\r\nPublic Contracts Scotland increases the visibility of the volume of business available to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). It provides a national advertising website for Scottish public bodies to post Official Journal of the European Union notices (contracts over the European directive threshold), lower-value notices and subsequent contract awards. In 2014, 410 SMEs based in Fife won contracts awarded on Public Contracts Scotland.","AnswerDate":"2016-01-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-01-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308969,"EventID":"S4W-28977","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5556,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":111,"ApprovedDate":"2015-12-15T16:37:47.093","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-12-15T11:58:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what further support it will provide to assist in the regeneration of small to medium-sized town centres such as Dunfermline.","AnswerText":"The Town Centre Action Plan recognises that Scotland’s town centres can be a central component of successful local economies. It sets out the appropriate conditions for recovery and offers a range of actions which might be tailored to meet both local circumstances and the priorities of local communities by supporting the wider public, private and community sectors to regenerate town centres. This includes our agreement with COSLA on the town centre first principle. \r\nTo highlight progress, we published the Town Centre Action Plan – One Year On report in November 2014. We will publish a two year update report in 2016 that will capture the learning stemming from the demonstration phase of the action plan. \r\nWe also published the town centre toolkit. This free online resource gives communities information and advice on how they can make their town centres more attractive, active and accessible. It is being hosted and promoted by Scotland's Towns Partnership through their website http://www.scotlandstowns.org/.","AnswerDate":"2016-01-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-01-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308970,"EventID":"S4W-28978","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5556,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":111,"ApprovedDate":"2015-12-15T16:37:47.547","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-12-15T11:58:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many start-up companies have been registered in the (a) Dunfermline constituency and (b) Mid Scotland and Fife region in each year since 2007.","AnswerText":"Business start-ups are measured using new business VAT/PAYE registration figures. These figures are available from the Office for National Statistics Business Demography publication. These figures exclude business start-ups which fall below the VAT threshold or are not registered for PAYE.\r\nBusiness start-up figures are not published for Scottish parliamentary constituencies or regions. However, business start-up figures are published for the Fife local authority area; these data for 2007 to 2014 are provided in the following table.\r\nBusiness start-ups, Fife local authority area, 2007 to 2014\r\nYear\r\nBusiness Births (VAT/PAYE registrations)\r\n2007\r\n1,050\r\n2008\r\n980\r\n2009\r\n865\r\n2010\r\n840\r\n2011\r\n915\r\n2012\r\n920\r\n2013\r\n1,210\r\n2014\r\n1,170\r\nSource: Business Demography 2014, Office for National Statistics\r\nNote that the figures for 2007 were particularly high, in part, due to a change in business behaviour in response to a change in tax legislation in 2007.","AnswerDate":"2016-01-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-01-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308971,"EventID":"S4W-28979","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5556,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":111,"ApprovedDate":"2015-12-15T16:37:47.967","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-12-15T11:58:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to end the use of zero hours contracts in (a) Dunfermline and (b) Fife.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government continues to promote the benefits of fair work in Fife and across Scotland. While employment law remains reserved to the UK Government, the Scottish Government is doing everything it can to promote good working practices with the powers available to us. This includes publishing statutory guidance addressing fair work practices. This guidance makes it clear that a positive approach to fair work practices can have an impact on the quality of services, goods and works and that inappropriate use of zero hours contracts by a company bidding for a public contract would be likely to affect its ability to provide the required quality of service.\r\nWe have also introduced the Scottish Business Pledge. This recognises businesses who do not use exploitative zero hours contracts and deploy a wider range of progressive workplace policies to support fair work, innovation and productivity. There are now more than 170 pledge companies across Scotland, including four in Fife.\r\nThe Scottish Government does not directly employ people on zero hours contracts. We condemn the inappropriate use of zero hours contracts. Unfair work practices like this are unacceptable and they undermine our ambitions to grow our economy and tackle inequalities in our society.","AnswerDate":"2016-01-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-01-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Roseanna Cunningham","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308972,"EventID":"S4W-28980","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5556,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":111,"ApprovedDate":"2015-12-15T16:37:48.437","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-12-15T11:58:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government  how it plans to boost vocational education and training in (a) Dunfermline and (b) Fife.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government will improve vocational education and training in Dunfermline and the whole of Fife through continued investment in the region and through encouraging strong partnerships with Fife College, Fife Council, the Scottish Funding Council, Skills Development Scotland and others.\r\nFife College will receive almost £42 million to meet learner needs in 2015-16. Additionally it will receive significant resources for new facilities: £6 million has enabled the college to build a new campus in partnership with the local authority in Levenmouth (set to open in the summer of 2016) and £140 million of Non-Profit Distributing investment (along with Forth Valley College), for the Dunfermline Campus.\r\nThe college will also receive more than £0.5 million over the next three years for the Developing the Young Workforce in Fife Group and there will be an increase in MA starts, including the launch of pathfinder foundation apprenticeships in engineering.","AnswerDate":"2016-01-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-01-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308973,"EventID":"S4W-28981","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5556,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":111,"ApprovedDate":"2015-12-15T16:37:48.84","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-12-15T11:58:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much funding it has allocated to tackling educational inequality in the Dunfermline constituency and what percentage of the Scottish education budget this represents.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government has two specific funding streams to support schools in tackling educational inequality – the Attainment Scotland Fund and the Access to Education Fund. Inzievar Primary (£47,350) and St. Serf’s Primary (£79,300) in the Dunfermline constituency are among six in Fife to participate in the Attainment Scotland Fund Schools Programme.\r\nFour schools in the Dunfermline constituency have benefitted over the last two years from the £1.5 million Access to Education Fund. The table below shows the funding received by these schools from the fund over the past two years, together with the figures for Fife as a whole.\r\n\r\n2014-15\r\n2015-16\r\nSt. Columba’s High School cluster\r\n£6,500\r\n\r\nPitcorthie Primary School\r\n£5,000\r\n\r\nFife total (10 successful bids)\r\n£76,618\r\n\r\nBellyeoman Primary School\r\n\r\n£5,000\r\nTulliallan Primary School\r\n\r\n£300\r\nFife total (8 successful bids)\r\n\r\n£89,091\r\nThe government does not routinely provide funding directly to schools but rather provides resources to local authorities through the general revenue grant for them to allocate on the basis of local needs and priorities. The government's education and lifelong learning budget covers early years provision; support for children and families; some aspects of school education; further and higher education; university research, innovation and knowledge exchange; science; and community and adult learning and development. It would therefore be misleading to provide the individual school funding figures as percentages of the total education budget.","AnswerDate":"2016-01-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-01-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308974,"EventID":"S4W-28982","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5556,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":111,"ApprovedDate":"2015-12-15T16:37:49.263","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-12-15T11:58:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to reduce child poverty in (a) Dunfermline and (b) Fife.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is committed to tackling the long term drivers of poverty and inequality through early intervention and prevention. This commitment is made clear in our Programme for Government 2015-16 and our national approach is articulated in the revised Child Poverty Strategy for Scotland 2014-15. This includes an innovative measurement framework that reflects both the wide range of drivers of poverty and the impacts poverty has on the lives of children and their families. This enables us to track progress and inform our future actions.\r\nWe are doing what we can to tackle poverty with the resources and powers available. This includes the appointment of the Independent Advisor on Poverty and Inequality, who has the power to make recommendations on further actions to reduce poverty and inequality in Scotland. We are also investing around £104 million in 2015-16 in anti-poverty measures to mitigate against the impact of welfare reform, contributing to the collective investment of over £274 million with local authorities, NHS and other partners in the Early Years Change Fund and the provision of free school meals for all primary 1 to 3 children which delivers a saving for families of around £380 per child per year. Tackling child poverty is increasingly difficult in the face of the UK Government's £12 billion of annual welfare cuts, which have a significant and detrimental impact in Scotland.","AnswerDate":"2016-01-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-01-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Burgess","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308975,"EventID":"S4W-28983","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5556,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":111,"ApprovedDate":"2015-12-15T16:37:49.7","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-12-15T11:58:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what additional funding it has allocated to Fife Council to protect services.","AnswerText":"The 2016-17 local government funding proposal delivers a strong but challenging financial settlement for local government, which will be strengthened by our joint working to improve outcomes for local people through health and social care integration and by improving educational attainment.\r\nLocal government in Scotland starts from a healthy base. Despite the ongoing cuts to the Scottish budget as a result of the UK Government's continuing austerity programme, the Scottish Government is continuing to protect people and treat local government very fairly with financial settlements maintained on a like-with-like basis with extra money for new responsibilities over the period 2012-16.\r\nOur proposed local government settlement for 2016-17 involves reductions to local government budgets of around 2% of total council spending. We’re also making £70 million available to continue the council tax freeze for a ninth consecutive year, saving the average band D household in Fife, £1,500 in total over the period of the freeze.\r\nFunding allocations for councils are calculated using the needs-based formula agreed with COSLA and Fife is receiving total funding of over £682 million in 2016 and they will continue to get their fair share of the final settlement for next year.","AnswerDate":"2016-01-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-01-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308976,"EventID":"S4W-28984","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5556,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":111,"ApprovedDate":"2015-12-15T16:37:50.167","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-12-15T11:58:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what help is available to Fife Council to (a) upgrade infrastructure and (b) support new (i) housing and (ii) commercial developments in Dunfermline.","AnswerText":"Over 2015-16 and 2016-17 the Scottish Government’s total capital investment is estimated to exceed £8 billion and we remain committed to investing in our infrastructure and helping to support economic activity and the delivery of public services in communities across Scotland including those in Fife.\r\nWhether it is though the Scotland Schools for the Future Programme, or the use of innovative financial models such as tax increment financing and the Growth Accelerator Model, or via house builders and housing associations through the National Housing Trust and the Affordable Housing Supply Programme, the Scottish Government, together with the Scottish Futures Trust, is working closely with local authorities and other partners to deliver local investment that supports regeneration and growth.","AnswerDate":"2016-01-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-01-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Burgess","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308977,"EventID":"S4W-28985","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5556,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":111,"ApprovedDate":"2015-12-15T16:37:50.603","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-12-15T11:58:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with Fife College regarding the new site for the Halbeath Campus and what representations it has made to encourage the college to support the Scottish Government’s town centre first strategy.","AnswerText":"Scottish Government officials met with Fife College on 4 September 2015 to discuss overall plans for the new Fife College campus. The Scottish Government has separately sought, and received, assurance from the SFC that Fife College is fully aware of the Town Centre First Principle and is applying it to its decision making process. In addition, the Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice, Communities and Pensioners Rights wrote to the Scottish Funding Council on 8 December 2015 to highlight the importance of the Town Centre First Principle and to seek its support in implementing the principle when considering capital investments.","AnswerDate":"2016-01-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-01-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308978,"EventID":"S4W-28986","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5556,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":111,"ApprovedDate":"2015-12-15T16:37:51.12","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-12-15T11:58:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with Fife Council regarding the replacement of Woodmill and St Columba’s high schools in Dunfermline.","AnswerText":"Scottish Government officials were approached by Fife Council towards the latter part of 2014 to discuss plans for an integrated school and college campus in Dunfermline, which included Woodmill and St Columba’s high schools. Thereafter, exploratory meetings were held with the Council involving Scottish Government officials, the Scottish Funding Council, Fife College and Scottish Futures Trust.\r\nMore recently, Councillor David Ross wrote to the Cabinet Secretary for Education and Lifelong Learning on 1 May 2015 and 1 July 2015, with the Cabinet Secretary responding to the respective letters on 2 June 2015 and 6 August 2015. Moreover, Councillor Fay Sinclair wrote to the Cabinet Secretary on 24 June 2015 and the Cabinet Secretary replied on 29 July 2015.","AnswerDate":"2016-01-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-01-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308979,"EventID":"S4W-28987","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5080,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-12-15T16:37:51.617","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-12-15T13:33:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what representations since January 2014 it has received from the energy industry regarding fracking in (a) Falkirk, (b) North Lanarkshire and (c) South Lanarkshire.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is committed to engaging regularly with our stakeholders. This engagement has helped the Scottish Government to prepare for a robust and thorough research programme and consultation on unconventional oil and gas. Details of this work are available from the Scottish Parliament Information Centre (Bib. number 57240) and at: \r\nhttp://www.gov.scot/Topics/Business-Industry/Energy/onshoreoilandgas","AnswerDate":"2016-01-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-01-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308980,"EventID":"S4W-28988","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5080,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-12-15T16:37:52.07","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-12-15T13:33:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what requirements it places on contractors to provide training opportunities as part of its motorway improvements in Central Scotland. ","AnswerText":"The use of community benefit clauses in procurement is widespread across the public sector in Scotland and is creating a large range of training and recruitment opportunities.\r\nThe M8 M73 M74 and the Forth Replacement Crossing projects have employed a total of 76 job starts, with a further 78 people benefitting from apprenticeships and vocational training and 48 graduates employed.\r\nAside from the major infrastructure projects, the trunk road term maintenance contracts also include similar requirements.","AnswerDate":"2016-01-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-01-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308981,"EventID":"S4W-28989","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5556,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":111,"ApprovedDate":"2015-12-15T16:37:52.523","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-12-15T13:59:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what analysis it has carried out of what impact the proposed merger of cleft surgical services might have on (a) programmes to deliver improved speech outcomes and (b) patients who have to travel a greater distance to access an unfamiliar hospital, including possible increases in (i) stress and (ii) time taken off from education or work.","AnswerText":"The National Specialist Services Committee (NSSC) has discussed the outcome of the review group options appraisal which recommends consolidation of the national specialist cleft surgical service to a single site in Glasgow.\r\nThe recommendation only applies to the cleft surgical element of cleft services. All other aspects of cleft care will continue to be delivered close to home. No changes are proposed to locally delivered cleft care – such as orthodontics, speech and language therapy, dental services and support from specialist nurses; and there is no suggestion of the withdrawal of specialist outreach clinics.\r\nCleft Care Scotland, the National Managed Clinical Network, will continue to ensure that every patient with a cleft lip, cleft palate or cleft lip and palate is offered specialist cleft care from diagnosis to adulthood and work with families to offer the right care, in the right place at the right time to produce the best possible outcome for the patient.\r\nIf the recommendation is approved, it is expected that this model of care will minimise the impact of change on patient travel and will ensure local care provision, wherever safe and appropriate, with expert input into decisions in local services and treatment for children and adults with cleft lip and/or palate.\r\nHowever, NSSC has agreed that all stakeholders should have the opportunity to have their views heard. The next steps are:\r\nTo consult widely with stakeholders to test the proposed change and to identify any issues that need to be addressed in the implementation of a single cleft surgical service provided by NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde;\r\nConsultation will include close working with Cleft Care Scotland, CLAPA and other patients/parents, as well as the staff involved;\r\nThat an equality impact assessment is carried out on this proposal.\r\nThis will enable the review group to bring a report on the outcomes from the consultation process and a final proposal to NSSC. A fuller communication advising the engagement and consultation process will be issued by National Services Division early in 2016.","AnswerDate":"2016-01-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-01-12T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308982,"EventID":"S4W-28997","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":8,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-12-16T11:28:54.01","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-12-16T11:08:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body, further to the answer to question S4W-28782 by John Pentland on 15 December 2015, whether the recent issue with the software had not happened previously.","AnswerText":"To inform investigations into whether the issue identified with the MAQA software at the end of November 2015 had occurred previously, the Scottish Parliament Information Centre has been commissioned to audit historical results of the draw for General and Portfolio Questions. \r\nThis statistical audit, which is being independently peer reviewed by the University of Edinburgh, covers the period from when MAQA was introduced at the start of the session until March 2015. Investigations are on-going and will be completed as soon as possible.  \r\nWe will respond to the member in more detail at that point and the results will be made available to all members.\r\nSupplementary answer by John Pentland (03/02/2016):\r\n The recent issue with the software used to select Members for General and Portfolio Questions was identified as resulting from changes made to the software as part of a scheduled software update made in March 2015. The issue did not exist prior to this point.  \r\n To provide additional assurance that the draw had previously been carried out correctly, SPICe has investigated the probability of Members’ names being drawn for General and Portfolio Questions, from the period when MAQA was introduced at the start of the session until the software update in March 2015. In doing so, account was taken of the number of weeks in which Members put their names forward for draws and the number of draws to which they asked to be entered in each of those weeks.  The University of Edinburgh reviewed the work carried out by SPICe and a copy of the report has been placed in the Scottish Parliament Information Centre (Bib number 57665).   \r\n Statistical analysis of the type undertaken indicates what the likelihood is of something occurring. It does not, of course, of itself prove or disprove whether something happened by chance or randomly.\r\n Overall, the analysis suggests a relatively even incidence of selection across the surnames of Members.  The selection rates were found to be largely ‘normally distributed’ and, for the vast majority of Members, were close to the average (within two standard deviations). The report concluded that it is likely that Members’ names were selected randomly during the period in question.\r\n The statistical tests revealed a very small number of outliers who were outwith the boundaries of normal distribution. However, only one case was considered to be a notable outlier. IT staff have investigated the system in light of this information, and no additional software issues have been identified. The Member identified as a notable outlier has been made aware.\r\n As indicated in the answer to question S4W-28997, Chamber Desk staff will continue to monitor results of future draws using the new audit functionality which was introduced when the software issue was addressed in December 2015. Chamber Desk staff will be able to provide members with information relating to their own draw histories on request.","AnswerDate":"2016-01-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-01-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Pentland","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308983,"EventID":"S4W-28999","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":2,"MSPID":4939,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":78,"ApprovedDate":"2015-12-16T13:15:33.847","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-12-16T12:49:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what information it can provide regarding the Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs, Food and Environment’s recent visit to the United States and Canada.","AnswerText":"I travelled to Canada and the USA from 8 to 14 November 2015, where I undertook a series of meetings with key retailers, importers and government ministers primarily focussed on the promotion of Scotland’s food and drink.\r\nThe visit was designed to support the Scottish Government’s commitment to internationalise its activities (in line with the strategic objectives set out in Scotland’s International Framework) and raise Scotland’s profile in key countries overseas. It also followed on the First Minister’s visit to the USA in June 2015, and the Cabinet Secretary for Culture, Europe and External Affairs’ visit to the USA during Scotland Week in April 2015 by helping to build on the relationships that were generated as part of those trips.\r\nI spent time in Montreal and Quebec City in Canada, and New York, Washington DC and Baltimore in the USA.\r\nI was accompanied by Jim McLaren, Chair of Quality Meat Scotland, James Macsween of Macsweens of Edinburgh, Rob Livesey, Vice-President of National Farmers’ Union Scotland and George Milne from the National Sheep Association at different engagements relevant to their respective interests.\r\nWhilst in Montreal I met with the CEO of Tree of Life Canada, a speciality food provider, and Metro, a key Canadian retailer, to explore ways of expanding the portfolio of Scottish products into Canada and encourage the sale of more Scottish products across stores. Both meetings were encouraging in terms of new opportunities for Scottish products. I also had a meeting with representatives of Quebec’s liquor control board to discuss enhancing Scotland’s offering in Canada with particular opportunities identified in craft beer and craft distilling.\r\nTo help foster stronger governmental links between Scotland and Canada, I met with Mr David Heurtel, Minister of Sustainable Development, Environment and the Fight against Climate Change. We had particularly productive discussions on the lessons to be learnt from each country’s efforts to combat climate change and on Quebec’s deposit return scheme, which I was able to see operating in practice.\r\nMy final engagement in Montreal was to speak at a Scottish showcase dinner with key influencers and decision makers from Quebec’s food and drink industry. The dinner had Scotch lamb served as the main course – to great acclaim – and included a themed discussion on how to increase the Scottish offering in Montreal, with a particular focus on Scotch lamb and beef.\r\nA day in Quebec City allowed time for further high level government to government meetings. I met with Mr Jean D’Amour, Quebec’s Minister of Transport and the Implementation of the Maritime Strategy Engage to promote and share expertise around Scotland’s National Marine Plan and the Quebec Maritime Strategy. I also met with Mr Germain Chevarie, Member of the National Assembly for the Magdalen Islands and Delegate of the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food to promote and share expertise around aquaculture, and food policies. My final meeting in Quebec City was with Mr Jacques Chagnon, President of Quebec’s National Assembly. I was able to visit the National Assembly to engage with the Quebecois Parliamentarians, and foster stronger governmental and parliamentary links between Scotland and Canada. I was particularly struck by the standing ovation afforded the Scottish delegation and the number of parliamentarians anxious to express warm support for Scotland.\r\nIn New York City I met with the CEO of the Brooklyn Brewery, one of America’s largest craft breweries with a significant global foot print, to discuss possible collaboration opportunities with Scottish breweries and explore potential areas for Scotland’s craft brewers looking to enter the US market. I noted not only the fact that the brewery sourced raw materials from Alloa but also the role played in the firm by graduates of the Heriot Watt brewing school.\r\nI met with Paul Ross, CEO and President, The Edrington Group, USA, to discuss how the Scott","AnswerDate":"2015-12-17T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-01-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Richard Lochhead","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308984,"EventID":"S4W-28991","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2117,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-12-16T13:36:43.28","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-12-15T16:35:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what impact the closure of the Forth Road Bridge has had on rail services to and from Aberdeen.","AnswerText":"The closure of the Forth Road Bridge has not had a significant effect on trains to or from Aberdeen.","AnswerDate":"2016-01-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-01-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308985,"EventID":"S4W-28992","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1759,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-12-16T13:36:44.107","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-12-15T16:46:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it will carry out the review of gamebird licensing and legislation agreed by Paul Wheelhouse in May 2014; who has been appointed to conduct the review, and when it expects the report to be published.","AnswerText":"Tender documents were issued by Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) on 11 December 2015, inviting bids from contractors to carry out the review of gamebird licensing and legislation in other European countries. The deadline for quotes to be submitted to SNH is 20 January 2016. We expect work on the review to commence in early 2016 and for the report to be published in autumn 2016.","AnswerDate":"2016-01-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-01-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen McLeod","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308986,"EventID":"S4W-28995","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4947,"Party":"Independent","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-12-16T13:37:00.487","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-12-16T09:15:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether Prince Charles receives copies of confidential Scottish Cabinet documents.","AnswerText":"As set out in the Guide to Collective Decision Making, published in 2008 and available on the Scottish Government's website (http://www.gov.scot/Resource/Doc/244314/0068319.pdf), copies of the full minutes of Scottish Cabinet meetings, but not individual Cabinet papers, are sent to the private secretaries of the Queen and the Duke of Rothesay in their capacities as constitutional head of state and heir to the throne, respectively. This is to ensure they are properly briefed on Scottish affairs.","AnswerDate":"2016-01-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-01-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308995,"EventID":"S4O-05204","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":1932,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":117,"ApprovedDate":"2015-12-16T13:56:04.26","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-12-14T12:03:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on police call handling.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-01-06T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308996,"EventID":"S4O-05205","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":2394,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-12-16T13:56:05.04","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-12-16T10:32:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many uniformed officers have been deployed to roles previously filled by civilian staff since Police Scotland came into existence.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-01-06T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308997,"EventID":"S4O-05206","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":1882,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":129,"ApprovedDate":"2015-12-16T13:56:05.65","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-12-14T12:03:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many projects have been funded by the CashBack for Communities programme in Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-01-06T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308998,"EventID":"S4O-05207","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":5057,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-12-16T13:56:06.21","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-12-16T11:36:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to reduce the number of prisoners having to travel across the country to attend court.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-01-06T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":308999,"EventID":"S4O-05208","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":4086,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":15,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-12-16T13:56:06.633","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-12-14T12:03:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with Police Scotland regarding how it deals with incidents involving people with mental health issues.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-01-06T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309000,"EventID":"S4O-05209","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":2876,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-12-16T13:56:07.52","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-12-16T11:39:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to tackle knife crime in the West Scotland region.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-01-06T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309001,"EventID":"S4O-05210","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":1741,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-12-16T13:56:08.067","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-12-14T12:03:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it will publish its response to the consultation on the presumption against short-term sentences.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-01-06T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309002,"EventID":"S4O-05211","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":2182,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-12-16T13:56:08.583","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-12-15T16:18:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what steps it has taken to ensure resilience in the control system for police calls.","AnswerText":"There are robust contingency measures in place to ensure the resilience of the control rooms system. The strength of these was clear in December 2015 when technical issues arose at Bilston Glen and Dundee, and Police Scotland were able to maintain effective handling of emergency calls.\r\nI commissioned a review of call handling by HMICS which reported in early December 2015 and which made 30 recommendations. I have been assured by the Scottish Police Authority and Police Scotland that these will be implemented in full.\r\nIn September 2015 I announced £1.4 million of new money would immediately be made available to Police Scotland in order to provide additional resilience to control room operations.","AnswerDate":"2016-01-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-01-06T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309003,"EventID":"S4O-05212","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":3751,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":108,"ApprovedDate":"2015-12-16T13:56:09.253","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-12-16T09:27:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the impact of the drink driving laws, introduced in December 2014.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government lowered the drink driving limit to help change driver behaviour, improve road safety and reduce the number of deaths on our roads. \r\nFollowing the change in the limit, it is encouraging that 12.5% fewer drivers were detected by Police Scotland as being over the limit between December 2014 and August 2015 compared with the equivalent period December 2013 to August 2014. This represents a fall from 4,208 offences to 3,682 offences.\r\nUnfortunately, it is concerning that there is still a minority who risk the safety of themselves and other road users by getting behind the wheel after drinking. That is why Police Scotland's festive anti-drink drive enforcement campaign is so important to help send the strong message that if you have a drink, don't drive. The results of this year's campaign will be published in the next few weeks.","AnswerDate":"2016-01-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-01-06T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309004,"EventID":"S4O-05213","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":4080,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-12-16T13:56:09.72","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-12-16T11:08:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what recent discussions it has had with the Scottish Prison Service regarding improvements to the provision of meaningful activity in prisons.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Prison Service (SPS) published a review of purposeful activity in prisons on 4 August 2014.\r\nI discussed progress on this with Colin McConnell, Chief Executive of the SPS at meetings of the Ministerial Group for Offender Reintegration throughout 2014 and 2015. They are now being followed up with officials at the senior officials working group which has been set up to take forward the commitments made in the ministerial group report.","AnswerDate":"2016-01-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-01-06T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309005,"EventID":"S4O-05214","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":3061,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-12-16T13:56:10.203","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-12-15T11:30:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it last met representatives of NFU Scotland.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-01-06T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309006,"EventID":"S4O-05215","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":2673,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":114,"ApprovedDate":"2015-12-16T13:56:10.703","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-12-16T11:15:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its current position is on a review of the Protection of Wild Mammals (Scotland) Act 2002.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-01-06T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309007,"EventID":"S4O-05216","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":2010,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":137,"ApprovedDate":"2015-12-16T13:56:11.077","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-12-14T12:04:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it will next meet the Agricultural and Rural Development department of the European Commission.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-01-06T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309008,"EventID":"S4O-05217","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":2223,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":98,"ApprovedDate":"2015-12-16T13:56:11.5","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-12-14T12:04:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many eligible crofters and farmers have not received any common agricultural policy basic payment by 6 January 2016.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-01-06T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309009,"EventID":"S4O-05218","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":2215,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":125,"ApprovedDate":"2015-12-16T13:56:12.233","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-12-15T10:04:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what progress it has made in the common agricultural policy convergence uplift negotiations with the UK Government.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-01-06T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309010,"EventID":"S4O-05219","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":2059,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":91,"ApprovedDate":"2015-12-16T13:56:12.98","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-12-14T12:04:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to ensure that its obligations under the Climate Change (Scotland) Act 2009 are being met.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-01-06T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309011,"EventID":"S4O-05220","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":5042,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-12-16T13:56:13.573","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-12-14T12:04:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it encourages the development of new allotment sites.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-01-06T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309012,"EventID":"S4O-05221","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":4014,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-12-16T13:56:14.073","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-12-14T12:04:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what progress it is making in processing applications for rural payments, and how many payments have yet to be made.","AnswerText":"As I indicated earlier, the Scottish Government has now issued payments to around 3,500 farmers and crofters with a total value of around £33 million. Payments to the majority of farmers and crofters will continue throughout January 2016, with all final instalments being paid in April 2016. ","AnswerDate":"2016-01-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-01-06T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"Richard Lochhead","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309013,"EventID":"S4O-05222","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-12-16T13:56:14.51","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-12-14T12:04:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what discussion the Scottish Environment Protection Agency has had with the Department of Energy and Climate Change in relation to fracking.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Environment Protection Agency is in regular contact with other regulators across the UK and Europe to share best practice and learn from experience elsewhere. This helps them to ensure that their regulatory position is informed by best available information and lessons learnt by others.","AnswerDate":"2016-01-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-01-06T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen McLeod","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309014,"EventID":"S4O-05223","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":5,"MSPID":5047,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-12-16T13:56:14.963","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-12-15T12:10:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what support it has given to families impacted by the recent flooding.","AnswerText":"I saw first hand the devastation caused by Storm Desmond and Storm Frank in both Hawick and Newton Stewart, and my thoughts and sympathies are with all of those affected by the flooding across the whole of Scotland.\r\nThe Scottish Government is committed to helping communities get back on their feet as quickly as possible. The Deputy First Minister has activated the Bellwin scheme which provides support to local authorities to assist with immediate and eligible unforeseen costs of dealing with the latest flood damage. \r\nWe will also be providing £3.94 million to those local authority areas most affected by the severe flooding caused by Storm Desmond in early December 2015, in order to help them to support flood hit local households and businesses, and we will be following closely the response and recovery to the recent flooding and consider what further mitigating actions might be necessary for both businesses and residents.","AnswerDate":"2016-01-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-01-06T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen McLeod","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309015,"EventID":"S4O-05224","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":3896,"Party":"Scottish Liberal Democrats","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":97,"ApprovedDate":"2015-12-16T13:56:15.323","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-12-14T12:04:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has carried out of the number of beds needed in the proposed new Balfour hospital in Orkney.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-01-07T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309016,"EventID":"S4O-05225","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":5034,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-12-16T13:56:15.917","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-12-16T09:28:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to give boys the HPV vaccination.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-01-07T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309017,"EventID":"S4O-05226","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":4947,"Party":"Independent","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-12-16T13:56:16.4","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-12-16T11:06:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with local authorities in the Highlands and Islands and Transport Scotland regarding proposed infrastructure projects. ","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-01-07T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309018,"EventID":"S4O-05227","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":2595,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-12-16T13:56:16.867","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-12-16T08:28:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the condition of the Forth Road Bridge.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-01-07T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309019,"EventID":"S4O-05228","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":1892,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":134,"ApprovedDate":"2015-12-16T13:56:17.413","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-12-16T09:24:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what criteria need to be met before Transport Scotland undertakes safety upgrades where rural roads intersect with trunk and other major roads.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-01-07T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309020,"EventID":"S4O-05229","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":3771,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-12-16T13:56:17.85","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-12-14T12:04:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it supports unpaid carers in Glasgow.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-01-07T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309021,"EventID":"S4O-05230","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":5074,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":104,"ApprovedDate":"2015-12-16T13:56:18.303","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-12-14T12:04:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the value is of projects under construction or development in the Edinburgh area under the Hub South East Scotland Programme.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-01-07T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309022,"EventID":"S4O-05231","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-12-16T13:56:18.77","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-12-16T09:27:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how much it has overspent on its estimated ICT budget in the last five years.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-01-07T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309023,"EventID":"S4O-05232","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":4,"MSPID":2610,"Party":"Independent","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-12-16T13:56:19.503","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-12-16T10:29:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it last met the council leader and chief executive of North Lanarkshire Council.","AnswerText":"","AnswerDate":null,"AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":null,"MeetingDate":"2016-01-07T00:00:00","AnsweredByMSP":"","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309026,"EventID":"S4W-29000","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3806,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-12-16T16:35:59.62","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-12-16T14:32:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the average (a) weekday, (b) Saturday and (c) Sunday journey time is on the (i) Inverness to Edinburgh, (ii) Edinburgh to Inverness, (iii) Inverness to Glasgow and (iv) Glasgow to Inverness rail service, and how this compares with each year since 2011.","AnswerText":"(a) average weekday journey time\r\nYear/Route\r\n(i) Inverness to Edinburgh\r\n(ii) Edinburgh to Inverness\r\n(iii) Inverness to Glasgow\r\n(iv) Glasgow to Inverness\r\n2011\r\n211\r\n211\r\n203\r\n200\r\n2012\r\n210\r\n204\r\n202\r\n195\r\n2013\r\n211\r\n205\r\n202\r\n194\r\n2014\r\n212\r\n205\r\n203\r\n196\r\n2015\r\n211\r\n205\r\n203\r\n196\r\n(b) average Saturday journey time\r\nYear/Route\r\n(i) Inverness to Edinburgh\r\n(ii) Edinburgh to Inverness\r\n(iii)Inverness to Glasgow\r\n(iv) Glasgow to Inverness\r\n2011\r\n211\r\n209\r\n203\r\n199\r\n2012\r\n210\r\n204\r\n202\r\n195\r\n2013\r\n211\r\n205\r\n202\r\n194\r\n2014\r\n211\r\n205\r\n203\r\n196\r\n2015\r\n211\r\n204\r\n204\r\n196\r\n(c) average Sunday journey time\r\nYear/Route\r\n(i) Inverness to Edinburgh\r\n(ii) Edinburgh to Inverness\r\n(iii) Inverness to Glasgow\r\n(iv) Glasgow to Inverness\r\n2011\r\n203\r\n219\r\n203\r\n196\r\n2012\r\n199\r\n203\r\n195\r\n192\r\n2013\r\n199\r\n203\r\n195\r\n192\r\n2014\r\n199\r\n203\r\n195\r\n192\r\n2015\r\n199\r\n204\r\n195\r\n192\r\n","AnswerDate":"2016-01-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-01-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309027,"EventID":"S4W-29002","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5556,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":111,"ApprovedDate":"2015-12-16T16:36:00.15","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-12-16T14:38:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4O-05180 by Roseanna Cunningham on 16 December 2015, what action it takes to ensure that (a) it, (b) its agencies, (c) the contractors it uses and (c) other workplaces for which it provides support adopt zero-tolerance policies so that all workers are treated with respect, dignity, fairness and equality, and how it encourages other employers to take the same approach.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government continues to lead by example in creating a culture of fair work in Scotland. We are committed to treating every employee with dignity and respect and have a range of policies to ensure that all staff have equality of opportunity in their terms and conditions of employment and are able to work, and undertake work-related activities, in an environment free from harassment, victimisation, discrimination and/or bullying.\r\nFurther, the recently published statutory guidance, Addressing Fair Work Practices, including the Living Wage, in Procurement (6 October 2015), states that we expect contractors to have policies which describe how they adopt fair work practices for all workers engaged on delivering public contracts.\r\nWe also encourage other organisations to adopt fair work practices, for example through promotion of the Scottish Business Pledge and Living Wage Accreditation.","AnswerDate":"2016-01-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-01-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Roseanna Cunningham","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309028,"EventID":"S4W-29005","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3061,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-12-16T16:36:00.713","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-12-16T15:37:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on the Scottish Medicines Consortium's ruling against co-careldopa and for what reason it is deemed not to be cost effective in Scotland when it has been ruled cost effective in England and reportedly in over 40 other countries.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Medicines Consortium (SMC) provides advice to NHSScotland on newly licensed medicines. The independence of SMC decisions on individual drugs is well established. The SMC’s full decision can be found at:\r\nhttp://www.scottishmedicines.org.uk/SMC_Advice/Advice/316_06_co_careldopa_Duodopa/co_careldopa_Duodopa_Resubmission. \r\nThe Scottish Government understands that the pharmaceutical manufacturer is considering a resubmission.","AnswerDate":"2016-01-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-01-13T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309029,"EventID":"S4W-29007","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1769,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":75,"ApprovedDate":"2015-12-17T13:49:26.783","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-12-16T17:33:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when ministers last met representatives of Serco Caledonian Sleepers Limited to discuss the company’s efforts since 4 December 2015 to avoid industrial action with the RMT and whether the issue of indemnity for revenue lost due to periods of industrial action was discussed.","AnswerText":"Ministers have had no meetings with representatives of Serco Caledonian Sleepers Limited since 4 December 2015.","AnswerDate":"2016-01-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-01-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309030,"EventID":"S4W-29008","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1769,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":75,"ApprovedDate":"2015-12-17T13:49:30.463","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-12-16T17:33:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what steps it has taken to ensure that any payment to Serco Caledonian Sleepers Limited for revenue lost due to industrial action is compliant with schedule 8.3.1 of the Caledonian Sleeper Franchise Agreement.","AnswerText":"There has been no request for payment of this kind. Any future request will be considered in the relevant terms of the Caledonian Sleeper Franchise Agreement, and in the context of the process, including the involvement of the relevant trade union, agreed as part of the franchise.","AnswerDate":"2016-01-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-01-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309031,"EventID":"S4W-29009","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1769,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":75,"ApprovedDate":"2015-12-17T13:49:32.483","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-12-16T17:33:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will publish the redacted sections of schedule 8.1.4.12 of the Caledonian Sleeper Franchise Agreement.","AnswerText":"No. This information is commercially sensitive.","AnswerDate":"2016-01-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-01-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309032,"EventID":"S4W-29010","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1769,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":75,"ApprovedDate":"2015-12-17T13:49:34.393","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-12-16T17:33:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many times (a) ministers and (b) officials have met representatives of (i) Serco and (ii) Serco Caledonian Sleepers Limited from 1 May 2014.","AnswerText":"Ministers met with representatives of Serco Group (in relation to Caledonian Sleeper operations) on:\r\n23 March 2015, at the official launch of the franchise;\r\n14 December 2015.\r\nMinisters met with representatives of Serco Caledonian Sleepers Limited on:\r\n23 March 2015, at the official launch of the franchise;\r\n24 November 2015.\r\nThere have been numerous meetings between officials and representatives of both Serco Group and Serco Caledonian Sleepers Limited during mobilisation and operation of the franchise. \r\nThe franchise agreement specifies the schedule of meeting between officials and representatives of Serco Caledonian Sleepers Limited since the franchise commenced on 31 March 2015. The most prominent of these is the per-period (four weekly) franchise performance meeting. The purpose of this meeting and the nature of required supporting reports is described at schedule 11, paragraph 6 of the franchise agreement.","AnswerDate":"2016-01-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-01-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309033,"EventID":"S4W-29011","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1769,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":75,"ApprovedDate":"2015-12-17T13:49:42.233","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-12-16T17:33:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when ministers last met representatives of the RMT to discuss the industrial dispute with Serco Caledonian Sleepers Limited.","AnswerText":"Ministers last met with RMT on 24 November 2015 and the industrial dispute with Serco Caledonian Sleepers Limited was discussed.","AnswerDate":"2016-01-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-01-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309034,"EventID":"S4W-29012","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1769,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":75,"ApprovedDate":"2015-12-17T13:49:48.603","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-12-16T17:33:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with Serco Caledonian Sleepers Limited regarding the (a) condition of rolling stock, (b) safety of (i) passengers and (ii) workers and (c) reliability of (i) toilet facilities, (ii) the power supply and (iii) smoke alarms on these services.","AnswerText":"The franchise agreement specifies the schedule of meetings between officials and representatives of Serco Caledonian Sleepers Limited. There is a per-period (four weekly) franchise performance meeting where safety and maintenance issues are discussed. The purpose of this meeting and the nature of required supporting reports is described at schedule 11, paragraph 6, and schedule 13.2 of the franchise agreement.\r\nThis requires the franchisee to provide reports noting: 1) Key reliability issues and improvement plans; 2) Franchisee's and vehicle owner's product audit reports, and 3) Accidents reported (staff and passengers). These are reported on a per-period basis, and discussed at the franchise performance meeting.","AnswerDate":"2016-01-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-01-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309035,"EventID":"S4W-29017","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1769,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":75,"ApprovedDate":"2015-12-17T13:49:50.623","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-12-16T17:33:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it is indemnified against losses incurred by delays to the schedule for introducing new rolling stock on Caledonian Sleeper services in 2018.","AnswerText":"Delivery of new rolling stock is a committed obligation, detailed at schedule 1.6 of the Caledonian Sleeper Franchise Agreement. In the event of delay, payment adjustments will be levied against Serco Caledonian Sleepers Limited.","AnswerDate":"2016-01-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-01-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309036,"EventID":"S4W-29018","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4016,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":133,"ApprovedDate":"2015-12-17T13:49:52.583","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-12-17T10:09:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what progress it is making in fulfilling commitment (a) 6, (b) 8, (c) 9, (d) 11, (e) 12, (f) 13, (g) 15, (h) 18, (i) 19, (j) 22, (k) 23, (l) 24, (m) 25, (n) 28, (o) 29, (p) 33 and (q) 35 of the Mental Health Strategy for Scotland 2012–2015 and, if the commitment has been achieved, how this was done.","AnswerText":"The progress against each of these commitments is updated, where appropriate, on the Mental Health Strategy website (link below). Where there is no update on an individual commitment, we will report the status by spring 2016, after the completion of the strategy’s timeframe.\r\nhttp://www.gov.scot/Topics/Health/Services/Mental-Health/Strategy","AnswerDate":"2016-01-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-01-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309037,"EventID":"S4W-29035","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5047,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-12-17T13:49:54.613","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-12-17T11:53:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many drugs proposed by patient and clinician engagement groups have been (a) approved and (b) rejected each year by the Scottish Medicines Consortium.","AnswerText":"All advice published by the Scottish Medicines Consortium, including where the views from a patient and clinician engagement meeting have been taken into account, is available at www.scottishmedicines.org.ukwhich is updated regularly.","AnswerDate":"2016-01-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-01-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309038,"EventID":"S4W-29036","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5047,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-12-17T13:49:56.633","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-12-17T11:53:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many patients have been treated with drugs that have been funded through the New Medicines Fund.","AnswerText":"The treatment of more than 1,000 patients has been supported through the Rare Conditions Medicines Fund and its replacement, the New Medicines Fund.","AnswerDate":"2016-01-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-01-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309051,"EventID":"S4W-29037","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5041,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-12-17T16:26:18.28","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-12-17T14:53:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how often each of the three working groups examining the Strategic Review of Learning Provision for Children and Young People with Complex Additional Support Needs (the Doran Review) have met; when they will next meet; whether they work independently of each other, and how their work is evaluated.","AnswerText":"Workstream 1, which provides support to those current national grant recipients, have met with the seven grant-aided special schools (GASS) collectively one to two times a year on request (this is an open invitation so GASS can request additional meetings if required). The last meeting was in March 2015. In addition, a senior Scottish Government official has attended GASS board meetings to provide progress updates and answer questions regarding the process.\r\nWorkstream 2, the national needs analysis group, met a total of four times, the last meeting was held on 13 March 2014. Following this last meeting the group put forward a proposal to the Doran project board for the national needs analysis research to be commissioned from an external contractor. This proposal was agreed by the Doran project board and the report of the needs analysis research has been published and is available on the Scottish Government website through the Doran Review webpages. Following the completion of this work, it was agreed by the Doran project board to close this workstream on 14 May 2015.\r\nWorkstream 3 have met a total of 10 times, prior to the setting up of the new National Commissioning Group for Education Provision for Children and Young People with Complex Additional Support Needs. This new national commissioning group will take forward the work of setting up a new national strategic commissioning model/process, and it was therefore agreed by the Doran project board (in October 2015), to close workstream 3. The next meeting of the new national commissioning group is due to take place on 20 January 2016.\r\nWorkstream 4 is the group responsible for supporting local authorities and their partners to develop a local strategic commissioning approach to services for children and young people with complex additional support needs. They have met six times and are next due to meet in January/February 2016.\r\nAll of these groups are responsible to the Doran project board and provide update reports (called workstream highlight reports) which inform the discussion at Doran project board meetings. The evaluation of the groups work consists of self-evaluation through the workstream project highlight reports and progress against the project key milestones. Then there is the evaluation and agreement of the Doran project board, as well as each member of the project board reporting back to the wider stakeholder communities they represent.\r\nThe Doran project board has met 13 times since being set up on 24 June 2013 and is next due to meet on 3 February 2016.\r\nFinally, Peter Doran's review, the Scottish Government response to the report and all the papers from the Doran project board and Doran project workstream groups are published on the Scottish Government website through the Doran Review webpage.","AnswerDate":"2016-01-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-01-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alasdair Allan","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309052,"EventID":"S4W-29040","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5041,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-12-17T16:26:59.99","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-12-17T14:53:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the timescale is for the full implementation of the recommendations of the Strategic Review of Learning Provision for Children and Young People with Complex Additional Support Needs (the Doran Review).","AnswerText":"The strategic commissioning of national services was proposed in The Right Help at the right time in the right place. The independent Strategic Review of Learning Provision for Children and Young People with Complex Additional Support Needs was conducted by Peter Doran and published in November 2012.\r\nThe Doran Strategic Commissioning Project Board was set up in June 2013 to oversee the implementation to the specific recommendations (7, and 17-18 (in part) and 19 to 21) regarding the approach to funding national education services for children and young people with complex additional support needs. The new strategic commissioning process for funding national education services for children and young people with complex additional support needs is planned to be implemented by 2017.\r\nPeter Doran’s review, the Scottish Government response to the report and all the papers from the Doran project board and Doran project workstreams are published on the Scottish Government website through the Doran Review webpages.","AnswerDate":"2016-01-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-01-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alasdair Allan","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309053,"EventID":"S4W-29041","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5041,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-12-17T16:27:02.15","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-12-17T14:53:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what support it is providing to the seven grant-aided schools for children with additional support needs that are implementing the recommendations of the Strategic Review of Learning Provision for Children and Young People with Complex Additional Support Needs (the Doran Review).","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government and the Doran project board are working closely with all of the seven grant-aided special schools (GASS) to ensure they receive the support to help them with the transition to the strategic commissioning model. To ensure that happens, the Doran project board set up workstream 1 to provide support to those current recipients of the national grant funding.\r\nPart of that support has been for the Scottish Government, at the request of the seven GASS, to fund a GASS researcher post. The researcher post has been to inform and support GASS with their contribution to the work of the Doran project board and to support GASS prepare for the transition to a national strategic commissioning model, to enable them to be in the best possible place to benefit from the funding available as part of the new strategic commissioning process. This post has been funded for 2014-15 and 2015-16.\r\nPeter Doran’s review, the Scottish Government response to the report and all the papers from the Doran project and Doran project workstreams are published on the Scottish Government website through the Doran Review webpages.","AnswerDate":"2016-01-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-01-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alasdair Allan","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309054,"EventID":"S4W-29042","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5041,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-12-17T16:27:02.87","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-12-17T14:53:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its funding plans are beyond 2017 for grant-aided schools for children with additional support needs.","AnswerText":"We do not yet know the outcome of the strategic commissioning process and therefore, at this point in time, cannot confirm what funding arrangements will be for the current grant-aided special schools (GASS). However, there is a commitment that no child currently benefiting from funding should be adversely affected and that this will need to form part of the new national commissioning group’s recommendations.\r\nThe Scottish Government and the Doran project board are working closely with all of the seven GASS to ensure they receive the support to help them with the transition to the new strategic commissioning model. The Doran project board set up workstream 1 to provide support to those current recipients of the national grant funding.\r\nPart of that support has been for the Scottish Government, at the request of the seven GASS, to fund a GASS researcher post. This post has been funded for 2014-15 and 2015-16.\r\nThe introduction of a strategic commissioning funding model to fund national education services for children and young people with complex additional support needs does not change the legislation or arrangements for the placing of pupils in schools, either in local authority schools or into independent schools or GASS, and therefore decisions about placements will continue to be made by education authorities, as is appropriate, given that they have responsibility for delivering the duty to provide education for children and young people in their area.\r\nPeter Doran’s review, the Scottish Government response to the report and all the papers from the Doran project board and Doran project workstreams are published on the Scottish Government website through the Doran Review webpages.","AnswerDate":"2016-01-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-01-14T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alasdair Allan","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309061,"EventID":"S4W-29076","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":2,"MSPID":3771,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-12-18T12:10:30.697","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-12-18T12:06:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it will publish the Palliative and End of Life Care Strategic Framework for Action.","AnswerText":"The Strategic Framework for Action on Palliative and End of Life Care was published on Friday 18 December 2015.","AnswerDate":"2015-12-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-01-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309062,"EventID":"S4W-29043","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5080,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":9,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-12-18T13:57:55.177","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-12-17T15:59:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what consideration it will give to public opinion when deciding on the future of its moratorium in relation to fracking in Central Scotland.","AnswerText":"On 8 October 2015 the Scottish Government announced plans for a wide-ranging and comprehensive programme of research into unconventional oil and gas, as well as a full public consultation.\r\nDetails of these plans are available from the Scottish Parliament Information Centre (Bib. number 57240) and at:\r\nhttp://www.gov.scot/Topics/Business-Industry/Energy/onshoreoilandgas\r\nThe Scottish Government will carefully and fully consider the views presented through the consultation and the programme of research when taking a decision on the moratorium.","AnswerDate":"2016-01-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-01-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309063,"EventID":"S4W-29044","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1932,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":117,"ApprovedDate":"2015-12-18T13:57:57.203","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-12-17T16:49:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how its maternity policy framework addresses the needs of high-risk multiple pregnancies.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is committed to ensuring that all children in Scotland get the best start in life. The best quality maternity care and the best quality neonatal care are therefore crucial, and to achieve this we published A Refreshed Framework for Maternity Care in Scotland in 2011 and Neonatal Care in Scotland: A Quality Framework in 2013.\r\nThe Scottish Government would expect NHS boards to ensure that maternity care services have processes in place to monitor adherence to and implementation of appropriate national pathways, guidelines and models of care, such as the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence, Keeping Childbirth Natural and Dynamic and the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists.\r\nThe Scottish Government is not complacent. As Minister for Public Health I announced a review of maternity and neonatal services on 26 February 2015. The review will provide assurance that maternity and neonatal services in Scotland are as good as they can be, and will refresh our approach to them to ensure that care is person centred and as safe, sustainable and high quality as possible.","AnswerDate":"2016-01-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-01-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309064,"EventID":"S4W-29045","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1932,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":117,"ApprovedDate":"2015-12-18T13:57:58.607","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-12-17T16:49:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many (a) stillbirths and (b) neonatal deaths resulted from a multiple pregnancy in 2014.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government does not hold this information.","AnswerDate":"2016-01-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-01-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309065,"EventID":"S4W-29046","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1932,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":117,"ApprovedDate":"2015-12-18T13:57:59.62","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-12-17T16:49:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it plans to reduce the proportion of multiple pregnancies that result in a stillbirth or neonatal death.","AnswerText":"There is a lot of work underway to reduce stillbirth and neonatal deaths, although this work does not look at multiple pregnancies separately. The Scottish Government’s stillbirth group, established in 2011, is considering all issues pertinent to stillbirth, including improvements in detection of those at risk of stillbirth. The group has wide representation from health experts across Scotland and the Early Years Collaborative, as well as several members of the stillbirth charity Sands. There is clear evidence that the stillbirth rate has fallen in Scotland since the work of the stillbirth group commenced. The stillbirth rate across Scotland in 2011 was 5.1, and provisional figures on the National Records of Scotland website show the rate has fallen across Scotland in 2014, to the lowest recorded rate of 4.0. The government’s stillbirth group will meet in January 2016 to develop a work plan looking at where the focus of their work should be over the next three years. \r\nNeonatal Care in Scotland: A Quality Framework defines the approach taken to provide high quality care for neonates and their families. The framework has a strong focus on safety and improving outcomes for neonatal babies, demonstrated by a culture of continuous service improvement, underpinned by high quality facilities and staff training. All boards are working towards full implementation of the framework and delivery of best quality care for all neonatal babies.\r\nIn 2013 the Scottish Government established the Maternity and Children Quality Improvement Collaborative to lead the way on patient safety in maternity, neonatal and paediatric care (as part of the Scottish Patient Safety Programme). The collaborative’s aim is to reduce avoidable harm in maternity, neonatal and paediatric care by 30% by 2015. This programme has already made significant progress in improving services and keeping safety at the top of the agenda, and in improving outcomes for mothers and babies. We are currently considering plans to extend the programme.","AnswerDate":"2016-01-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-01-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309066,"EventID":"S4W-29047","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1932,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":117,"ApprovedDate":"2015-12-18T13:58:00.59","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-12-17T16:49:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the incorporation of National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guidance on multiple pregnancies into everyday practice on maternity units.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government would expect NHS boards to ensure that relevant national pathways, guidelines and models are implemented and that advice and guidance from professional bodies and statutory organisations is followed.\r\nThe maternal, newborn and infant clinical outcomes review programme, delivered by MBRRACE-UK established the national perinatal confidential inquiry process in the UK. The MBRRACE reports highlight rates of stillbirth and neonatal death across the UK and make recommendations for improvement. The Scottish Government uses these reports as a basis for action to drive improvements in rates of stillbirth and neonatal deaths in Scotland.","AnswerDate":"2016-01-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-01-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309067,"EventID":"S4W-29048","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2033,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":132,"ApprovedDate":"2015-12-18T13:58:02.087","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-12-17T16:56:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government for what reason the 2015-16 Autumn Budget Revision proposed a budget of £328.9 million for student support and tuition fee payments and the Draft Budget 2016-17 proposed £301.6 million.","AnswerText":"The draft budget for student support and tuition fee payments for 2016-17 has been set at exactly the same level as the original draft budget for 2015-16, before the Autumn Budget Revision was published on 5 November 2015.\r\nThe ABR transfers to the Student Awards Agency Scotland (SAAS) involved the movement of resource from the Scottish Funding Council and Scottish Government directorates. It is common for SAAS to receive additional resources in-year to support a number of its programmes.","AnswerDate":"2016-01-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-01-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309068,"EventID":"S4W-29049","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2033,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":132,"ApprovedDate":"2015-12-18T13:58:02.803","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-12-17T16:56:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether the difference in the funding for extra places in the student support and tuition fee payments budgets for 2015-16 and 2016-17 means that extra student places originally budgeted for have been reduced.","AnswerText":"The draft budget for student support and tuition fee payments in 2016-17 have been set at exactly the same level as the original draft budget for 2015-16, before the Autumn Budget Revision was published on 5 November 2015.\r\nThe level of budget to cover provision of student support and tuition fee payments associated with extra places depends on the number of such places funded by the Scottish Funding Council (SFC). The SFC has yet to announce how its budgets for academic year 2016-17 will be allocated.","AnswerDate":"2016-01-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-01-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309069,"EventID":"S4W-29050","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2033,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":132,"ApprovedDate":"2015-12-18T13:58:03.473","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-12-17T16:56:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to use in-year transfers to bring the student support and tuition fee payments budget for 2016-17 back to £328.9 million and, if so, where it will transfer the money from.","AnswerText":"In-year transfers are commonly used to provide additional budgetary provision in areas of priority and it is expected that 2016-17 will be no different. The exact level of in-year transfer is unknown at this current time as the final level of transfer is dependent upon a number of factors.\r\nIt is common that the Student Awards Agency Scotland receives in-year transfers from the Scottish Funding Council and the Scottish Government to support a number of its programmes.","AnswerDate":"2016-01-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-01-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309070,"EventID":"S4W-29051","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1853,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":86,"ApprovedDate":"2015-12-18T13:58:04.677","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-12-18T09:16:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it has received legal advice as to the competency of the legislative consent memorandum that it submitted on the UK Government's Trade Union Bill.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government have looked at every possibility to oppose and restrict the implementation of the Trade Union Bill in Scotland. This has included engagement with trade unions and other parties to discuss how best to fight the Bill. As part of that process we have of course listened to advice, including legal advice. Other than in exceptional circumstances the content of any legal advice received by the Scottish Government remains confidential.","AnswerDate":"2016-01-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-01-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Roseanna Cunningham","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309071,"EventID":"S4W-29052","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1853,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":86,"ApprovedDate":"2015-12-18T13:58:05.783","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-12-18T09:16:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will publish any legal advice that it received prior to submitting its legislative consent memorandum on the UK Government's Trade Union Bill.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government have looked at every possibility to oppose and restrict the implementation of the Trade Union Bill in Scotland. This has included engagement with trade unions and other parties to discuss how best to fight the Bill. As part of that process we have of course listened to advice, including legal advice. Other than in exceptional circumstances the content of any legal advice received by the Scottish Government remains confidential.","AnswerDate":"2016-01-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-01-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Roseanna Cunningham","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309072,"EventID":"S4W-29053","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1853,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":86,"ApprovedDate":"2015-12-18T13:58:06.767","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-12-18T09:16:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will publish any points of disagreement between any legal advice that it has received on its legislative consent memorandum on the UK Government's Trade Union Bill and the Presiding Officer's ruling on its competency.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government have looked at every possibility to oppose and restrict the implementation of the Trade Union Bill in Scotland. This has included engagement with trade unions and other parties to discuss how best to fight the Bill. As part of that process we have of course listened to advice, including legal advice. Other than in exceptional circumstances the content of any legal advice received by the Scottish Government remains confidential.","AnswerDate":"2016-01-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-01-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Roseanna Cunningham","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309073,"EventID":"S4W-29054","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2135,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":92,"ApprovedDate":"2015-12-18T13:58:07.797","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-12-18T10:01:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-28816 by Alex Neil on 17 December 2015, in light of Argyll and Bute Council being bound by guidance on the inshore sea lochs and voes set out in Marine Scotland maps, whether it will move the southern boundary line on those maps for the Seil/Shuna/Melfort lochs from its present location to a line between Ardluing and Craignish.","AnswerText":"There is currently no intention to amend the areas to which the Locational Guidelines for the Authorisation: Marine Fish Farms in Scottish Waters apply.","AnswerDate":"2016-01-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-01-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alex Neil","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309074,"EventID":"S4W-29055","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2117,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-12-18T13:58:08.81","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-12-18T11:03:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the 2015-16 budget is for the Haudagain roundabout improvements; how much has been allocated for (a) 2016-17 and (b) 2017-18, and whether these budgets were revised as a result of the proposals in the Draft Budget 2016-17 and, if so, what the changes were.","AnswerText":"The projected spend for Haudagain (excluding land) is £0.7 million in 2015-16, £1.5 million in 2016-17 and £9.6 million in 2017-18.\r\nThe 2016-17 funding announced in the draft budget will continue essential preparation work and, subject to completing the necessary statutory procedures, commence the procurement of a contractor to start construction work following completion of the Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route.","AnswerDate":"2016-01-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-01-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309075,"EventID":"S4W-29056","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2117,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-12-18T13:58:10.79","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-12-18T11:03:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government on what date work will begin on the Haudagain roundabout improvements.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is committed to commencing improvements at the Haudagain Roundabout following completion of the Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route.","AnswerDate":"2016-01-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-01-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309076,"EventID":"S4W-29057","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2117,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":14,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-12-18T13:58:12.96","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-12-18T11:03:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when the design and development work in preparation for the improvements to the Haudagain roundabout began.","AnswerText":"Following resolution of the legal challenge submitted against the Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route, design consultants for the Haudagain scheme were appointed in May 2013. Their work confirmed that the original preferred option through Middlefield best met the scheme objectives. Thereafter the preferred option was developed with draft road orders published in June 2015 for formal comment.","AnswerDate":"2016-01-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-01-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Keith Brown","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309087,"EventID":"S4W-29058","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-12-18T15:39:26.54","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-12-18T09:34:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it, or its agencies, has/have had with the renewables industry in relation to attracting funding from Qatar.","AnswerText":"Since 2011, Scottish Development International (SDI) has been engaged with a number of organisations in Qatar to promote investment opportunities in the Scottish renewable energy and low carbon technologies sector. The former First Minister visited Qatar in 2011, to help strengthen Scotland's economic and renewable energy links with Qatar, Abu Dhabi and Dubai. Prior to this visit, SDI consulted with companies in the Scottish renewables sector to help identify potential projects for Qatar based investors.\r\nBetween 2012 and 2015, SDI organised a Scottish Pavilion at the World Future Energy Summit in Abu Dhabi, providing the opportunity for Scottish renewables companies to exhibit their latest developments and help attract investment from across the Middle East.","AnswerDate":"2016-01-05T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-01-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309088,"EventID":"S4W-29059","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-12-18T15:39:27.147","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-12-18T09:34:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with the Qatari Government regarding investment in Scotland from the Qatari sovereign wealth fund.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government can confirm that the following discussions took place:\r\nThe former First Minister in May 2008;\r\nScottish Development International officials in September 2011 and May 2012;\r\nThe Cabinet Secretary for Infrastructure, Investment and Cities and Minister for Business, Energy and Tourism met them in London in October 2014.","AnswerDate":"2016-01-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-01-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309089,"EventID":"S4W-29060","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-12-18T15:39:27.663","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-12-18T09:34:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many times (a) ministers, (b) civil servants and (c) Scottish Government agencies have met ministers and officials of the Qatari Government since May 2011.","AnswerText":"Our records indicate that Scottish Ministers have met with the Qatari Government during visits to Qatar on four occasions. In addition, ministers have met the Qatari Ambassador and other representatives of the Qatari Government in the UK on seven occasions.\r\nThe Scottish Government does not have a record of how many times civil servants or representatives of Scottish Government agencies meet ministers or officials of overseas governments, as this information is not held centrally.","AnswerDate":"2016-01-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-01-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309090,"EventID":"S4W-29061","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-12-18T15:39:28.21","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-12-18T09:34:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether, during meetings with the Qatari Government, it has challenged its human rights record and, if so, what concerns it raised and what the response was.","AnswerText":"Scottish Ministers have raised the issue of human rights with the Qatari Government on several occasions.\r\nMost recently, and as I stated in my answer to question S4W-25944 on 16 June 2015, I spoke with the Qatar Supreme Committee for Delivery and Legacy to raise Scotland’s concerns around human rights in relation to their World Cup preparations. That followed an earlier offer from Shona Robison MSP, who, as Cabinet Secretary for Commonwealth Games and Sport, met Qatari authorities in May 2014 and then wrote to them offering to share lessons learnt in preparing for Glasgow’s Commonwealth Games, and on how to ensure respect for human rights throughout the preparations and staging of the World Cup. I have also raised this directly with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.\r\nThese are a couple of examples of a number of occasions where I have raised human rights concerns with interlocutors in Qatar and the wider Gulf region.\r\nScotland has a very strong commitment to securing democracy, the rule of law and fundamental human rights around the world. Therefore, the Scottish Government remains committed to continuing dialogue with the Qatari authorities, and will seek to raise human rights issues where the appropriate opportunity presents itself, as a constructive partner.\r\nAll answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at: \r\nhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.","AnswerDate":"2016-01-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-01-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309091,"EventID":"S4W-29062","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-12-18T15:39:28.863","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-12-18T09:34:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the purpose is of its engagement with the Qatari Government.","AnswerText":"The purpose of the Scottish Government’s international engagement is set out in Scotland's International Framework. In relation to Qatar this includes promoting long-term, sustainable economic growth for both countries, and to promote Scotland’s values of democracy, the rule of law and human rights. This is in keeping with the priorities set out in the International Policy Statement that supports the international framework which can be found at http://www.gov.scot/Publications/2015/03/7071.","AnswerDate":"2016-01-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-01-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309092,"EventID":"S4W-29064","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-12-18T15:39:29.393","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-12-18T09:34:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government who the members are of the GlobalScot network.","AnswerText":"Information on the membership of the GlobalScot network is held and maintained by Scottish Enterprise. I have therefore passed your query to Scottish Enterprise, who will contact you directly with details of the membership of the GlobalScot network.","AnswerDate":"2016-01-07T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-01-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309093,"EventID":"S4W-29065","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-12-18T15:39:29.957","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-12-18T09:34:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many meetings it has had with the Scottish Environment Protection Agency regarding fracking and what specific issues were discussed.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is in regular dialogue with the Scottish Environment Protection Agency regarding a range of issues, including its regulation of unconventional gas related activity.","AnswerDate":"2016-01-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-01-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen McLeod","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309094,"EventID":"S4W-29066","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-12-18T15:39:30.563","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-12-18T09:34:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how regularly it has met the Scottish Environment Protection Agency to discuss the moratorium on unconventional gas extraction and fracking.","AnswerText":"The moratorium on unconventional gas is a policy matter for the Scottish Government. In line with legislative requirements, the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) were consulted in advance of the direction to SEPA to refer any application under the Water Environment (Controlled Activities) (Scotland) Regulations 2011 for an authorisation to carry on any controlled activity in connection with unconventional oil or gas development to the Scottish Ministers for their determination.","AnswerDate":"2016-01-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-01-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen McLeod","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309095,"EventID":"S4W-29067","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-12-18T15:39:31.08","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-12-18T09:34:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it expects the moratorium on unconventional gas extraction and fracking to end.","AnswerText":"No decisions about the future of unconventional oil and gas in Scotland will be made until ministers have considered the information gathered and the views expressed through the research and consultation process.\r\nInformation about the consultation plans and timetable is available from the Scottish Parliament Information Centre (Bib. number 57240) and at:\r\nhttp://www.gov.scot/Topics/Business-Industry/Energy/onshoreoilandgas","AnswerDate":"2016-01-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-01-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309096,"EventID":"S4W-29068","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-12-18T15:39:31.64","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-12-18T09:34:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it considers that the inquiry taking place during the moratorium on unconventional gas extraction and fracking should report prior to the Scottish election in 2016.","AnswerText":"On 8 October 2015 the Scottish Government announced a timetable for a wide-ranging programme of research and a full public consultation. This timetable allows time to gather the information necessary to make the right decision for the people of Scotland. \r\nDetails of the plans announced on 8 October 2016 are available from the Scottish Parliament Information Centre (Bib. number 57240) and at:\r\nhttp://www.gov.scot/Topics/Business-Industry/Energy/onshoreoilandgas","AnswerDate":"2016-01-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-01-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309097,"EventID":"S4W-29069","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-12-18T15:39:32.157","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-12-18T09:34:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on the Scottish Environment Protection Agency having met regularly with the Department of Energy and Climate Change to discuss fracking and public communications strategies.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government supports the Scottish Environment Protection Agency’s routine engagement with other regulators to share knowledge, emerging information and best practice.","AnswerDate":"2016-01-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-01-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen McLeod","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309098,"EventID":"S4W-29070","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-12-18T15:39:32.687","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-12-18T09:34:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on the Scottish Environment Protection Agency not recording what was discussed as its meeting with other regulators across the UK.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA)’s record management procedures are an operational matter for SEPA.","AnswerDate":"2016-01-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-01-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Aileen McLeod","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309099,"EventID":"S4W-29071","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-12-18T15:39:33.2","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-12-18T09:34:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many times it has met the Department of Energy and Climate Change to discuss fracking.","AnswerText":"It is appropriate for the Scottish Government to liaise with UK Government departments on areas of mutual interest. This is particularly the case in circumstances where additional powers are due to be transferred to Scotland, as with the licensing of onshore oil and gas extraction as set out in the Scotland Bill 2015.","AnswerDate":"2016-01-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-01-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309100,"EventID":"S4W-29072","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-12-18T15:39:33.763","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-12-18T09:34:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it has met (a) the Scottish Environment Protection Agency, (b) the Department of Energy and Climate Change or (c) any other agency to discuss public (i) engagement and (ii) communications on the issue of fracking.","AnswerText":"It is appropriate for the Scottish Government to liaise with a variety of agencies, bodies and government departments on areas of mutual interest, which may include matters of public engagement. The Scottish Government is committed to being an open, accessible government, engaging directly with people on the issues that matter to them.","AnswerDate":"2016-01-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-01-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309101,"EventID":"S4W-29073","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-12-18T15:39:34.37","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-12-18T09:34:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it has met the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills to discuss fracking.","AnswerText":"There have been no meetings between the Scottish Government and the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills to discuss hydraulic fracturing.","AnswerDate":"2016-01-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-01-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309102,"EventID":"S4W-29074","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-12-18T15:39:35.027","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-12-18T09:34:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what meetings it has had with Sciencewise in 2015.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is represented on the Sciencewise Steering Group by an official from the Higher Education and Science Division. Meetings with Sciencewise in 2015 have taken several forms:\r\nA Scottish Government official attended two out of three formal meetings of the Sciencewise Steering Group.\r\nA Scottish Government official attended a Civil Service Live event in Edinburgh with a member of the Sciencewise team to inform attendees about the services that Sciencewise offers.\r\nScottish Government officials also attended project management meetings and dialogue events organised by Sciencewise and in connection with a Marine Scotland dialogue project, which is being supported by Sciencewise.","AnswerDate":"2016-01-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-01-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Alasdair Allan","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309103,"EventID":"S4W-29075","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-12-18T15:39:35.587","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-12-18T09:34:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it has had, or plans to have, discussions with Sciencewise regarding public engagement and communications strategies on the issue of fracking.","AnswerText":"To date, the Scottish Government has not held any meetings with Sciencewise regarding fracking. Public engagement plays an important role as part of the democratic process and our aim is to ensure that our public consultation delivers effective and successful public engagement on the issue of unconventional oil and gas. We are open to exploring a variety of avenues to achieve this.","AnswerDate":"2016-01-15T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-01-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Fergus Ewing","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309104,"EventID":"S4W-29082","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1769,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":75,"ApprovedDate":"2015-12-18T15:39:36.103","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-12-18T14:30:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what the Centurion system of numbering criminal allegations against police officers is used for.","AnswerText":"This is an operational matter for Police Scotland.","AnswerDate":"2016-01-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-01-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309105,"EventID":"S4W-29083","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1769,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":75,"ApprovedDate":"2015-12-18T15:39:37.833","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-12-18T14:30:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether and, if so, for what reason only police officers are subject to the Centurion system for numbering criminal allegations and when the Scottish Government became aware of this process.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-29082 on 12 January 2016. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.","AnswerDate":"2016-01-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-01-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309106,"EventID":"S4W-29085","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1769,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":75,"ApprovedDate":"2015-12-18T15:39:39.8","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-12-18T14:30:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether numbering criminal allegations against police officers in the Centurion system is a contravention of Part (b) of section 34(3) of the Police, Public Order and Criminal Justice (Scotland) Act 2006, and of Part (a) and (b) if the allegation were to be made by a serving police officer.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-29082 on 12 January 2016. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.","AnswerDate":"2016-01-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-01-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309107,"EventID":"S4W-29086","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1769,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":75,"ApprovedDate":"2015-12-18T15:39:42.013","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-12-18T14:30:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on the Centurion system for numbering criminal allegations against police officers compared with how criminal allegations against ordinary members of the public are dealt with.","AnswerText":"I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-29082 on 12 January 2016. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.","AnswerDate":"2016-01-12T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-01-15T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309109,"EventID":"S4W-29006","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1986,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":142,"ApprovedDate":"2015-12-21T15:18:58.81","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-12-16T15:58:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many areas for improvement Healthcare Improvement Scotland has highlighted to each NHS board as part of its Older People in Acute Hospitals inspection programme in each year since 2012-13, broken down by (a) hospital inspected and (b) improvement category.","AnswerText":"This information is contained within the Older People in Acute Hospitals inspection reports which are published on the Healthcare Improvement Scotland website. The reports can be accessed via the following link: \r\nhttp://www.healthcareimprovementscotland.org/system_pages/published_resources_search.aspx?f=5:16169&q=","AnswerDate":"2016-01-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-01-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309110,"EventID":"S4W-29087","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2135,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":92,"ApprovedDate":"2015-12-21T15:18:59.99","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-12-19T10:11:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether the cost per pupil at Tiree High School of £33,361 is one of the highest such figures in Scotland and, if so, what steps is it taking to ensure that any unavoidable additional costs for island education born by Argyll and Bute Council are supported in the same way as similar costs incurred by the island authorities.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government does not collect data on expenditure at school level. Argyll and Bute Council receives an extra £1.97 million from the Special Islands Needs Allowance which recognises that it costs more to provide services to island communities as well as an extra £15.566 million over and above their formula share of funding as a result of the main funding floor which protects councils from significant year-on-year reductions in funding.","AnswerDate":"2016-01-11T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-01-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309111,"EventID":"S4W-29088","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2135,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":92,"ApprovedDate":"2015-12-21T15:19:01.057","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-12-19T10:11:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government by how much the grant-aided expenditure (GAE) paid to Argyll and Bute Council is reduced as a result of the reallocation of GAE from non-island authorities to island authorities to cover additional costs of island education.","AnswerText":"In 2015-16 Argyll and Bute Council lose £89,000 in grant aided expenditure (GAE) provision as a result of the reallocation of GAE to recognise teacher remoteness and distant islands allowances. They also lose a further £58,000 from the secondary school teaching staff secondary indicator. Only the three wholly Island authorities gain from these reallocations.\r\nArgyll and Bute Council does however gain £3.293 million from the reallocation of primary school teaching staff secondary indicator that recognises the percentage of pupils in small schools.\r\nArgyll and Bute Council also receives an extra £1.970 million from the special islands needs allowance which recognises that it costs more to provide services to island communities as well as an extra £15.566 million over and above their formula share of funding as a result of the main funding floor which protects councils from significant year-on-year reductions in funding.","AnswerDate":"2016-01-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-01-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309112,"EventID":"S4W-29089","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2135,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":92,"ApprovedDate":"2015-12-21T15:19:02.047","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-12-19T10:11:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will consider adjusting the grant-aided expenditure mechanism for supporting additional costs of island education to ensure that Argyll and Bute Council receives the same level of funding for that purpose as the island authorities.","AnswerText":"The distribution formula which allocates funding to all local authorities on a fair and equitable basis is kept under constant review by the joint Scottish Government and COSLA settlement and distribution group. This is an officer led group that makes recommendations to both central and local government politicians. Any proposal to review the distribution formula which provides support in recognition of the additional costs of island education proposed by COSLA on behalf of local government would be carefully considered.","AnswerDate":"2016-01-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-01-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Swinney","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309113,"EventID":"S4W-29090","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2135,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":92,"ApprovedDate":"2015-12-21T15:19:03.087","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-12-19T10:19:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, if the Dunoon/Gourock Ferry Services contract includes a requirement to meet the charges from Caledonian Maritime Assets Ltd for the use of Gourock harbour, whether it will ensure that the charges are based on real costs incurred.","AnswerText":"The public services contract between Argyll Ferries Limited and the Scottish Ministers does include a requirement for to meet the harbour charges from Caledonian Maritime Assets Ltd (CMAL) for the use of Gourock harbour. It should be noted that Gourock harbour is a complex facility and has enjoyed a disproportionate level of expenditure in recent years compared to its activity levels. The contract can be found at the attached link:\r\nhttp://www.transportscotland.gov.uk/water/ferries/gourock-dunoon\r\nOn the level of harbour charges, I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-29093 on 6 January 2016. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx\r\nIt has been confirmed by CMAL that the current level of income generated by Gourock does not match the past, present or future improvements needed and as such the Gourock harbour is cross-subsidised by CMAL from the dues collected at other ports in their network.","AnswerDate":"2016-01-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-01-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309114,"EventID":"S4W-29091","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2135,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":92,"ApprovedDate":"2015-12-21T15:19:04.087","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-12-19T10:19:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether the invitation to tender for the Dunoon/Gourock Ferry Services will (a) exclude, (b) include or (c) leave to later negotiation the level of harbour dues to be paid to (i) Caledonian Maritime Assets Ltd and (ii) Argyll and Bute Council.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government's position in relation to harbours dues will be reflected in the invitation to tender for the Gourock-Dunoon town centre ferry service when it is issued to qualifying participants.","AnswerDate":"2016-01-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-01-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309115,"EventID":"S4W-29092","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2135,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":92,"ApprovedDate":"2015-12-21T15:19:05.087","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-12-19T10:27:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will ask Caledonian Maritime Assets Ltd to ensure that any charges for the use of Gourock pier and harbour and by Argyll and Bute Council for the use of Dunoon linkspan and pier are commensurate with the Scottish Government policy to encourage the development and maintenance of regular ferry services to Dunoon.","AnswerText":"Harbour dues are a matter for the harbour authorities, Caledonian Maritime Assets Limited (CMAL) and Argyll and Bute Council. Harbour authorities have a statutory duty to charge reasonable harbour charges for the operation, improvement and maintenance of the facilities they control. The Scottish Government has however agreed to engage with CMAL on the level of harbour dues at Gourock for the next tendered contract. The Scottish Government will also engage with Argyll and Bute Council on the level of harbour charges at Dunoon. The outputs will be fed into the invitation to tender for the next Gourock-Dunoon town centre ferry service contract.","AnswerDate":"2016-01-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-01-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309116,"EventID":"S4W-29093","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2135,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":92,"ApprovedDate":"2015-12-21T15:19:06.077","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-12-19T10:27:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it considers that the assertion of Tom Docherty, chief executive officer of Caledonian Maritime Assets Ltd, that \"revenue generated from high volume/profitable ports to fund the operations and maintenance costs of a low volume/unprofitable port or ports ... is acceptable and appropriate in the environment in which we operate \" is consistent with the Scottish Government's policy on supporting island and remote communities and maintaining links such as the Gourock/Dunoon service.","AnswerText":"Cross-subsidisation within networks is an appropriate way of supporting island and remote communities as it helps ensure fair access to and affordability of services to those communities. The Clyde and Hebrides Ferry Services contract operated by CalMac Ferries Ltd is an example of this. The current structure of Caledonian Maritime Assets Ltd’s (CMAL) harbour charges is based on the principle role of its harbour network in supporting these essential ferry services. The Gourock-Dunoon service is provided under a separate public service contract. The Scottish Government will engage with CMAL and Argyll and Bute Council on the level of harbour dues at Gourock and Dunoon for the next tendered contract. It has been confirmed by CMAL that the current level of income generated by Gourock does not match the past, present or future improvements needed and as such the Gourock harbour is cross-subsidised by CMAL from the dues collected at other ports in their network.\r\nAs such the remarks attributed to Mr Docherty are consistent with the Scottish Government’s continued support of island and remote mainland communities. The Scottish Government's position on harbour charges will be reflected in the invitation to tender for the Gourock-Dunoon town centre ferry service when it is issued to qualifying participants.","AnswerDate":"2016-01-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-01-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309117,"EventID":"S4W-29094","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2135,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":92,"ApprovedDate":"2015-12-21T15:19:06.997","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-12-19T10:27:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what timetable it has set for the tender process for Gourock/Dunoon ferry services and whether it will ensure that an independent group is appointed from local communities to scrutinise the process and guarantee its fairness and impartiality.","AnswerText":"A prior information notice issued on 16 December 2015 setting out our intention to undertake a public procurement process to appoint a service operator to provide a subsidised passenger ferry service between Gourock and Dunoon town centres from 30 June 2017. We will also encourage potential participants to provide an unsubsidised vehicle-carrying service at their own commercial risk.\r\nA meeting of the Gourock Dunoon Ferry Service Steering Group will take place on 19 January 2016 to discuss details of our approach to the procurement process and the timeline leading up to the award of the contract. The Gourock-Dunoon ferry service contract will be awarded in good time, ensuring it is in place and operational on 30 June 2017.","AnswerDate":"2016-01-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-01-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Derek Mackay","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309118,"EventID":"S4W-29095","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2135,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":92,"ApprovedDate":"2015-12-21T15:19:08.017","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-12-19T12:14:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-28426 by Richard Lochhead on 26 November 2015, whether extant Acts of Parliament enacted before the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) may be used for compulsory purchase purposes provided that any decision to exercise these powers was compatible with responsibilities to respect the rights of individuals under the ECHR.","AnswerText":"Yes, in general, provisions for the use of compulsory purchase powers in extant Acts of Parliament can still be exercised so long as the decision to exercise such powers is compatible with the European Convention on Human Rights.","AnswerDate":"2016-01-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-01-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Richard Lochhead","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309119,"EventID":"S4W-29096","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4014,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-12-21T15:19:08.897","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-12-21T10:49:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with the Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) since 5 August 2015 regarding the method of payments made to cover the costs of requests to review marking of SQA examinations.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is in frequent discussion with the Scottish Qualifications Authority on a range of matters relating to the national qualifications, including the post results services.","AnswerDate":"2016-01-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-01-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309120,"EventID":"S4W-29097","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4014,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-12-21T15:19:09.567","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-12-21T10:49:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many full school inspections have taken place in (a) primary and (b) secondary schools in each year since 2000.","AnswerText":"Education Scotland, our national improvement agency for education, undertakes a wide range of activities to promote assurance and improvement in the quality of education provided by Scottish schools, including undertaking a sample of full inspections annually. The number of full inspections Education Scotland undertakes each year varies. Inspection is one strong driver of improvement, but the national inspection programme is designed to recognise that local authorities retain primary responsibility for securing improvement in their schools. \r\nEducation Scotland does not retain the number of inspections by sector prior to 1 April 2002 and as such we have provided the number of school inspections for the period 2002 onwards. The figures for 2015-16 include both the inspections that have taken place since 1 April 2015 as well as those Education Scotland plans to undertake up to 31 March 2016.\r\nYear (1 April to 31 March)\r\nPrimary\r\nSecondary\r\nSpecial\r\nTotal\r\n2002-03\r\n191\r\n46\r\n21\r\n258\r\n2003-04\r\n221\r\n44\r\n34\r\n299\r\n2004-05\r\n412\r\n53\r\n26\r\n491\r\n2005-06\r\n264\r\n55\r\n29\r\n348\r\n2006-07\r\n244\r\n50\r\n26\r\n320\r\n2007-08\r\n237\r\n50\r\n28\r\n315\r\n2008-09\r\n262\r\n55\r\n34\r\n351\r\n2009-10\r\n304\r\n76\r\n37\r\n417\r\n2010-11\r\n223\r\n33\r\n29\r\n285\r\n2011-12\r\n175\r\n53\r\n23\r\n251\r\n2012-13\r\n106\r\n31\r\n25\r\n162\r\n2013-14\r\n162\r\n33\r\n15\r\n210\r\n2014-15\r\n96\r\n22\r\n19\r\n137\r\n2015-16\r\n105\r\n23\r\n20\r\n148\r\nScotland has a tri-level approach to quality assurance and improvement in schools:\r\nAt the first level all schools undertake systematic self-evaluation and improvement planning, using a common framework of quality and performance indicators;\r\nAt the second level local authorities have a statutory duty to assure the quality of provision in their schools and secure improvement; and\r\nAt the third level, Education Scotland inspects a national sample of schools each year and enhances that sample with individual schools judged to be at risk.\r\nOver and above the national sample of schools inspected annually, Education Scotland undertakes additional inspections of any school where there is a clear need for external review, for example to ensure a quick response to an identified risk of serious under-performance.\r\nDuring the period of implementation of Curriculum for Excellence (CfE), Education Scotland deployed its staff to a number of other intensive support and challenge activities with schools and local authorities. This involved visits from Education Scotland staff, including HM Inspectors to a large number of schools across Scotland. While these types of visits and activities are not full inspections they have played a strong role in driving improvement in schools across Scotland. \r\nOver the period September 2010 to March 2015, HM Inspectors and Education Scotland staff provided targeted support for schools and local authorities as follows:\r\nSeptember 2010: 48 additional support for CfE activities were undertaken by HM Inspectors, in partnership with local authorities, SQA and Learning and Teaching Scotland. They included 18 whole-schools visits of different kinds, 18 subject-based support events, seven senior manager/cluster support visits and five sessions with Education Authority senior managers/quality improvement officers and headteachers, one of which involved five education authorities. \r\nOctober to November 2010: 147 additional support for CfE activities were carried out by HM Inspectors in partnership with local authorities, Learning and Teaching Scotland and SQA.\r\nJanuary to June 2012: a total of 39 support events took place across 20 authorities to support changes to the primary curriculum.\r\nApril 2012 to March 2013: following an audit with local authorities to identify what further support might be needed on introducing new National Qualifications, Education Scotland staff carried out visits to 49 secondary schools.\r\nApril 2013 to March 2014: Education Scotland carried out visits to 70 secondary schools across all local authorities.\r\nApril 2014 to March 2015: Education Scotland carried out visits to","AnswerDate":"2016-01-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-01-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Angela Constance","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309121,"EventID":"S4W-29099","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-12-21T15:19:10.187","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-12-21T11:58:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-28834 by Maureen Watt on 17 December 2015, whether NHS boards are responsible for any poor quality dentistry services carried out by general dental practitioners contracted by the NHS.","AnswerText":"NHS boards are responsible for the delivery of NHS general dental services in their area, and will take action in response to instances of poor quality dental services.\r\nActions available to health boards include:\r\n(i) asking dental practice advisers to provide pastoral advice and support.\r\n(ii) referral to the health board reference committee for consideration.\r\n(iii) referral to a NHS Tribunal.\r\n(iv) referral to the General Dental Council.","AnswerDate":"2016-01-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-01-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309122,"EventID":"S4W-29100","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-12-21T15:19:11.517","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-12-21T11:58:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-28835 by Maureen Watt on 17 December 2015, how many dental practices have been designated as unfit for the delivery of services as a result of the inspection process in each of the last eight years.","AnswerText":"This is a matter for NHS boards and the information requested is not held centrally by the Scottish Government.","AnswerDate":"2016-01-06T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-01-18T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309124,"EventID":"S4W-29101","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":2,"MSPID":3771,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":10,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-12-22T09:45:41.76","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-12-22T09:41:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government when it will provide an update on the legal challenge against minimum unit pricing.","AnswerText":"The European Court of Justice (ECJ) has now provided its preliminary ruling. A copy can be found here:\r\nhttp://curia.europa.eu/juris/document/document.jsf?text=&docid=173249&pageIndex=0&doclang=en&mode=req&dir=&occ=first&part=1&cid=586956\r\nThe case will now return to the Court of Session which will make its judgement in light of the ECJ preliminary ruling.\r\nA further update will be provided after the Court of Session has concluded its consideration of the case.","AnswerDate":"2015-12-23T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-01-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Shona Robison","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309125,"EventID":"S4W-29102","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":8,"MSPID":5054,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":12,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-12-22T13:03:21.743","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-12-22T11:04:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body what it considers the reason is that the IT system in parliamentary offices and the system for remote working has been described as \"diabolical\".","AnswerText":"The Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body are predominantly dependent upon the utilisation of the public broadband infrastructure in Scotland to facilitate remote working and to connect parliamentary constituency and regional offices with the IT system at Holyrood. Broadband speeds and service vary throughout Scotland and where these prove problematic to effective remote working, the Business IT Office will work with members to establish the best ways of working remotely.","AnswerDate":"2016-01-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-01-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"John Pentland","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309128,"EventID":"S4W-29103","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3763,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-12-23T15:06:51.937","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-12-23T09:44:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government on how many occasions Police Scotland and predecessor forces have been called to licensed betting shops in each year since 2010, broken down by parliamentary constituency.","AnswerText":"This information is not held by the Scottish Government. This is a matter for Police Scotland and I have asked them to respond to you directly.","AnswerDate":"2016-01-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-01-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309129,"EventID":"S4W-29104","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":3763,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":16,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-12-23T15:06:54.387","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-12-23T09:44:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how many people have been (a) charged with and (b) convicted for offences in licensed betting shops in each year since 2010 and how many convictions were for offences against staff.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government does not hold information on the number of people charged and convicted for all offences which occurred specifically in betting shops or against staff working in betting shops.","AnswerDate":"2016-01-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-01-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Michael Matheson","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309130,"EventID":"S4W-29107","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2066,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-12-23T15:06:54.817","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-12-23T12:01:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will extend the consultation period for the consultation on marine protected areas announced by the Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs, Food and Environment on 18 December 2015 because it covers the Christmas and New Year holiday period.","AnswerText":"Management proposals for the marine protected areas in question have already been the subject of 20 weeks public consultation. This comprised of a consultation on potential management approaches which ran from 11 November 2014 to 2 February 2015. This was followed by an eight week consultation on the draft Marine Conservation Orders which ran from 11 June 2015 to 9 August 2015. In addition the process was paused during September and October 2015 to enable the Rural Affairs, Climate Change, and Environment Committee to take evidence from stakeholders. The current further consultation is seeking views on the adjustments that have been proposed for three of the sites. These adjustments take account of stakeholder views from the most recent consultation on the draft Marine Conservation Orders, including those of the fishing industry.","AnswerDate":"2016-01-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-01-20T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Richard Lochhead","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309134,"EventID":"S4W-29108","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-12-24T11:37:01.093","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-12-23T17:32:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government how it will ensure that NHS mental health services are available to students attending university.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government sets national direction of policy on mental health and provides funding to agencies – including NHS boards and local authorities – to support implementation of policy.\r\nThe management of local actions in implementing national policy, and decisions on local spending priorities, are the responsibility of relevant local agencies. It is therefore the responsibility of NHS boards and local authorities to work with their partners and regularly review spending decisions to ensure they deliver fit for purpose services which respond to the needs of their local population, including students attending university.\r\nFunding on mental health services for students attending university will continue to be drawn from the overall funds allocated to NHS Scotland and local authorities by the Scottish Government.","AnswerDate":"2016-01-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-01-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309135,"EventID":"S4W-29109","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-12-24T11:37:02.81","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-12-23T17:32:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government whether the new mental health strategy will include services being made accessible to (a) further and (b) higher education students.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is committed to ensuring that everyone with mental health problems can access high quality mental health services. Further and higher education students can continue to access these services through their local NHS board.\r\nWe are working on the development of the next mental health strategy and expect to produce it after the May 2016 election, subject to the next administration's priorities.","AnswerDate":"2016-01-21T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-01-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Jamie Hepburn","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309136,"EventID":"S4W-29110","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2135,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":92,"ApprovedDate":"2015-12-24T11:37:04.197","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-12-24T09:29:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-28385 by Maureen Watt on 23 November 2015, whether it will undertake a review (a) of the literature on research concerning the clinical effects of exposure to low frequency noise and (b) into the particular risk of vibroacoustic disease for people who work in the maritime industry to assist medical practitioners in the diagnosis and treatment of this disease.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government receives expert evidence-based advice on this issue from Health Protection Scotland, our national health protection experts, and also from Public Health England. Both organisations also draw on the advice of expert subject-specific committees. There are currently no plans to review the literature on this.","AnswerDate":"2016-01-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-01-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309137,"EventID":"S4W-29111","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2135,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":92,"ApprovedDate":"2015-12-24T11:37:05.15","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-12-24T09:29:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-28385 by Maureen Watt on 23 November 2015, whether it is aware of Directive 2002/44/EC - vibration and, if so, what steps the NHS is taking to (a) monitor and (b) report on instances of workforce exposure in the maritime industries to whole-body vibration.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is aware of European Union Directive 2002/44/EC. The Control of Vibration at Work Regulations 2005 were introduced to clearly set out the minimum health and safety requirements regarding the exposure of workers to the risks arising from vibration. They impose duties on employers to protect employees who may be exposed to risk from exposure to vibration at work, including health surveillance in certain circumstances where vibration at work may be a risk to health. These are in addition to the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999.\r\nIn relation to maritime industries, the Merchant Shipping and Fishing Vessels (Control of Vibration at Work) Regulations 2007 and the Merchant Shipping and Fishing Vessels (Health and Safety at Work) Regulations 1997 provide protection for seafarers on UK ships parallel to the Health and Safety Executive regulations for workers in the UK. The Maritime and Coastguard Agency is responsible for enforcement of the merchant shipping regulations on ships.\r\nThere is no NHS monitoring of workforce exposure in the maritime industry.","AnswerDate":"2016-01-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-01-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309138,"EventID":"S4W-29112","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2135,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":92,"ApprovedDate":"2015-12-24T11:37:06.193","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-12-24T09:29:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-28385 by Maureen Watt on 23 November 2015, whether it is aware of the work of the (a) Occupational Medical Research Centre in Lisbon and (b) Centre for Human Performance in Alverca on clinical features of exposure to low frequency noise and, if so, what information the NHS has disseminated to assist in the diagnosis of vibroacoustic disease.","AnswerText":"The Scottish Government is aware that a group of researchers with affiliations to the Occupational Medical Research Centre in Lisbon and the Centre for Human Performance in Alverca adopted the title of vibroacoustic disease to define a claimed whole-body, multi-system pathology which the researchers attributed to occupational or chronic exposure to the large pressure amplitude and low frequency noise.\r\nThe NHS has not issued guidance in relation to the diagnosis of vibroacoustic disease as it has not gained clinical recognition as detailed in the answer to S4W-28385 on 23 November 2015. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.","AnswerDate":"2016-01-13T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-01-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309139,"EventID":"S4W-29113","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":1839,"Party":"Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party","RegionID":11,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2015-12-24T11:37:07.473","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-12-24T10:23:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-28834 by Maureen Watt on 17 December 2015, whether the NHS is legally responsible for poor quality dental services carried out by contracted general dental practitioners.","AnswerText":"General dental practitioners are independent contractors. Independent general dental practitioners are individually responsible for dental services which they carry out.","AnswerDate":"2016-01-18T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-01-21T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Maureen Watt","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309160,"EventID":"S4W-29114","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":4939,"Party":"Scottish National Party","RegionID":null,"ConstituencyID":78,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-05T13:43:31.877","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-12-27T09:00:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to renew the Help to Buy (Scotland) scheme.","AnswerText":"The Programme for Government, published on 1 September 2015, committed to spend £195 million pounds over the next three years on a new shared equity scheme to help around 6,500 households buy a new build home. The successor to the existing Help to Buy (Scotland) scheme will focus on the delivery of affordable homes and on-going support for small developers. Eligible buyers will continue to receive an equity contribution towards the purchase of a new build home. A further announcement will be made in January 2016.","AnswerDate":"2016-01-08T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-01-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Margaret Burgess","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309174,"EventID":"S4W-29115","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2633,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-05T16:40:58.603","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-12-29T11:44:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what representations there have been between it (a) the Iranian Government and (b) Iranian business in the last six months.","AnswerText":"Officials from Scottish Development International (SDI) visited Iran from 7-9 December 2015 to discuss possible future opportunities for Scottish companies in the oil and gas sector. SDI officials met with the Ministry of Petroleum, National Iranian Oil Company, Iran Investment Company and the Iran British Chamber of Commerce as well as a number of private companies in the oil and gas sector.","AnswerDate":"2016-01-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-01-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309175,"EventID":"S4W-29116","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2633,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-05T16:40:59.203","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-12-29T11:45:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what relationship it has with Iran, and how the lifting of international sanctions will impact on (a) the relationship and (b) its plans for future engagement with (i) the Iranian Government and (ii) Iranian business.","AnswerText":"Scottish Development International has identified that there are potential opportunities in the oil and gas sector when international sanctions are lifted. Scottish Development International will continue to monitor potential opportunities for engagement with business in Iran as they develop, as it does in other markets around the world.","AnswerDate":"2016-01-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-01-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false},{"UniqueID":309176,"EventID":"S4W-29118","EventTypeID":1,"EventSubTypeID":1,"MSPID":2633,"Party":"Scottish Labour","RegionID":13,"ConstituencyID":null,"ApprovedDate":"2016-01-05T16:40:59.703","SubmissionDateTime":"2015-12-29T11:46:00","Title":"","ItemText":"To ask the Scottish Government what recent discussions it has had with the UK Government regarding the opportunities for Scotland from trade with Iran.","AnswerText":"Officials at Scottish Development International have been in regular contact with UK Trade and Investment around potential opportunities for Scottish companies to do business in a range of international markets. This includes looking at potential future opportunities for Scottish businesses in Iran.","AnswerDate":"2016-01-14T00:00:00","AnswerStatusID":null,"ExpectedAnswerDate":"2016-01-19T00:00:00","MeetingDate":null,"AnsweredByMSP":"Humza Yousaf","OnBehalfOf":null,"ConsideredForMembersBusiness":false,"CrossPartySupport":false,"RegisteredInterest":false}]